Our preseason power rankings continue with a look at teams I have ranked No. 8-5
This issue features in-depth looks at Providence, Denver, Wisconsin, and Minnesota Duluth.
Remember, you can follow along with my complete national preseason power rankings at the link below, which also includes a conference-by-conference breakdown.
No. 8 Providence
Last Season
Record: 23-10-2
NPI: 7th (56.06)
League Finish: 1st/11
2026-27 Projection
NPI: 8th (56.41)
League Finish: 1st/11
Ranking Tier: 2nd/9
Storylines
— The Friars are coming off back-to-back 20-win seasons and trips to the NCAA Tournament. Last season the Friars also captured the Hockey East regular-season championhsip for the first time since 2016.
— Nate Leaman is 305-185-69 (.607) all-time at Providence. He’s entering his 16th season behind the Providence bench. He is the longest-tenured coach in Providence history. Lou Lamoriello served 15 seasons (1968-83).
Roster Breakdown
Top 378 Forwards
F1 denotes first-line ranking (No. 1 - No. 189)
F2 denotes second-line ranking (No. 190 - No. 378)
John Mustard, Jr., F1
Logan Sawyer, Jr., F1
Julius Sumpf, Soph., F1
Will Elger, Jr., F1
Aleksi Kivioja, Jr., F2
Tanner Adams, Sr., F2
Jonathan Fauchon, Soph., F2
Ryder Cali, Frosh., F2
Top 252 Defensemen
D1 denotes first-pair ranking (No. 1 - No. 126)
D2 denotes second-pair ranking (No. 127 - No. 252)
Quinn Mantei, Soph., D1
Cade Christenson, Jr., D1
Donovan McCoy, Soph., D2
Tomas Machu, Jr., D2
Andrew Centrella, Sr., D2
Alex Rybakov, Soph., D2
Everett Baldwin, Frosh., D2
Projected Starting Goaltender
Jack Parsons, Soph., 2.05/.922, +0.37 xGa+/60
Providence doesn’t have a lot of flash, but the Friars have plenty of depth.
By my count, they have about three lines’ worth of top-six forwards and seven defensemen I’d consider top-four caliber on just about any roster in the country. That does two things for them. It gives the coaching staff plenty of options when filling out the lineup, and it gives the Friars some insulation against the injuries that inevitably pile up over a season.
