The 2023-24 NHL schedule has been underway since Tuesday. Like every regular season, the opening days and weeks are filled with hopeful expectations for the fans of all 32 clubs as they anticipate improvement from their respective teams.
Some teams will regress, some will stagnate, while others will make gains in the standings compared to where they were at the end of last season. Several clubs could even make significant improvements.
Rebuilding teams such as the Buffalo Sabres could finally become legitimate playoff contenders this season. Meanwhile, a veteran-laden club like the Pittsburgh Penguins could stage a major bounce-back effort after missing the 2023 playoffs.