I Dig Sports
NHL Power Rankings: Jets move into No. 1 spot, plus what's super about each team
It's Super Bowl week, and the focus is on New Orleans to see whether the Kansas City Chiefs can pull it off for a third straight time or if the Philadelphia Eagles can win for the first time since 2018.
In honor of one of the biggest sporting events in the world, we decided to pick one thing that's "Super" about each NHL team (and a couple of not-so-super things). Enjoy!
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Jan. 31. Points percentages, paces and stats are through Thursday's games.
1. Winnipeg Jets
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 71.82%
What's super: Being all the way back. The Jets were history-making levels of amazing to start the season, then cooled off, but they picked it back up again, going 8-2-0 in their past 10 with a six-game winning streak and reclaiming their perch atop the National Hockey League. They lead the show with a plus-64 goal differential.
Next eight days: vs. NYI (Feb. 7)
2. Washington Capitals
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 73.15%
What's super: The team is very good. It's all about the Great Chase, as it should be. This is a once in a lifetime event. But the Capitals are good, the toast of the NHL -- the stars have aligned in the Nation's Capital. They are 7-1-2 in their last 10. I still say Ovi breaks it this season.
Next eight days: vs. UTA (Feb. 9)
3. Edmonton Oilers
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 66.67%
What's super: Having an owner willing to spend. The Edmonton Journal recently published an article about Oilers owner Daryl Katz, noting that Edmonton now has the sixth-most valuable franchise in the NHL at $2.45 billion (3.53 billion Canadian). Sixth is the highest they've been ranked, up from seventh the previous three years and from a low of 30th ($86 million) in 2002. In 2012 the team was valued at $225 million. The article also notes that Katz is "willing to spend and do whatever it takes for his team in their pursuit of Edmonton's first Stanley Cup win since 1990."
Next eight days: vs. COL (Feb. 7)
4. Florida Panthers
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 61.61%
What's super: Tkachuk on Team USA. With 4 Nations right around the corner, fans of Team USA will surely appreciate comments made by Matthew Tkachuk during the team's visit to the White House on Monday. The only U.S.-born player currently on the Cats who won a Cup with the team last season took the podium and said: "Being one of the few Americans, who loves this country so much, this is such an incredible day for myself. You wake up every day really grateful to be an American, so thank you." Tkachuk and Team USA open against Finland on Feb. 13 and then face Canada on Feb. 15 (8 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN+).
Next eight days: vs. OTT (Feb. 8)
5. Dallas Stars
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 65.09%
What's super: Their goal song. The Dallas Stars are certainly much more than this, as they sit second in the Central, but I will take any chance I get to give my humble opinion that the Dallas Stars have, and will forever have, the absolute best goal song in hockey. Pantera's "Puck Off" is like a shot of espresso to the soul. DUN DUN DALLAS ... DUN, STARS! The origin story of the song if also pretty cool. RIP Vinnie Paul.
Next eight days: @ LA (Feb. 7), @ SJ (Feb. 8)
6. Carolina Hurricanes
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 61.82%
What's super: Super trades. The Mikko Rantanen trade was so massive that the NBA got jealous and had to conspire to get Luka Doncic to the Lakers. They couldn't let hockey have its moment, could they? The Hurricanes objectively leveled up their offensive firepower, an area they've been looking to beef up, and have resumed their role as Cup contenders.
Next eight days: vs. UTA (Feb. 8)
7. Vegas Golden Knights
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 63.64%
What's super: Their entire existence. What have been the "lean years" for Vegas, truly? The "Lean year" in 2021-22 when they didn't make the playoffs? Last season when they lost in the first round after winning the Cup the previous year? I'm not even salty -- I'm impressed. Hockey in Vegas is thriving, and the team is keeping that aura going this season, currently standing in second in the Pacific.
Next eight days: @ BOS (Feb. 8)
8. Toronto Maple Leafs
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 62.96%
What's super: The Leafs' gravitational pull. While some are focusing on what Mitch Marner could command in the offseason as he becomes an unrestricted free agent, others are already fantasizing about the (even if extremely minor) possibility of Connor McDavid considering heading to his hometown team when he becomes a free agent after the 2025-26 season. Obviously, this is all absolutely wild speculation and McDavid himself likes to chirp at Toronto when it comes into his barn in Edmonton. But that's not stopping some people from throwing out grandiose theories that certain fans in Toronto will absolutely eat up.
Next eight days: @ VAN (Feb. 8)
9. New Jersey Devils
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 59.93%
What's super: An early start to weather the storm. The Devils haven't been great so far in 2025. They're 4-4-2 in their past 10 and don't look like the powerhouse team from a couple of months ago. Losing their No. 1 goalie (Jacob Markstrom) and captain (Nico Hischier) is certainly a challenge, but New Jersey remains third in a very crowded Metro.
Next eight days: @ MTL (Feb. 8)
10. Minnesota Wild
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 61.82%
What's (not) super: The longest suspension in team history. Ryan Hartman was suspended for 10 games for ramming Tim Stutzle's face into the ice with his arm and body weight off a faceoff in the dying seconds of the Wild's game against the Senators. It's Hartman's fifth suspension.
Next eight days: vs. NYI (Feb. 8)
11. Colorado Avalanche
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 58.93%
What's super: Super Marty-o. Martin Necas has fit in like a glove with the Colorado Avalanche. While much of the attention will certainly be on Mikko Rantanen leaving, Necas, along with Jack Drury, join an Avs team with Cup aspirations. Necas has five points in five games (including a highlight-reel goal) since joining the team and is already gaining plenty of fans in Denver.
Next eight days: @ EDM (Feb. 7)
12. Ottawa Senators
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 56.36%
What's super: The Battle of Ontario. As of Monday, the Senators were third in the Atlantic and if the playoffs started tomorrow (emphasized for effect because we like to say this all the time), we would get a new chapter of The Battle Of Ontario. The early 2000s were a wonderful time along Highway 401 from Toronto to Ottawa, when both teams were competitive and the series were highly entertaining. This edition would be theater, with a built-in rivalry that wouldn't even take matches to ignite.
Next eight days: @ FLA (Feb. 8)
13. Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 58.49%
What's super: A passionate coach. Jon Cooper has been bench boss of the Tampa Bay Lightning for more than a decade -- three Cup Finals, two Cup wins. But Coop still has the drive and determination to steer his team to the postseason in a gauntlet of an Eastern Conference. This is an important week that sees Atlantic matchups against the Senators (twice), the Wings and the Habs. "This is four games with our playoff destiny -- you can't sit here and say right now it's in the balance -- but do you want to make it a little easier on yourselves or a little harder?" Cooper said after the Isles' loss on Saturday.
Next eight days: @ DET (Feb. 8), @ MTL (Feb. 9)
14. Los Angeles Kings
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 60.78%
What's super: No Diggity, Yes Doughty. Drew Doughty returned to the lineup on Jan. 29. He's back to logging his usual serious minutes, including 27:43 on Jan. 30 in Tampa. As some players withdraw from 4 Nations because of injury, Doughty is looking to do the opposite. "I'm still hoping I have an outside chance of playing in that 4 Nations," he said. The two-time Stanley Cup champion has two gold medals for Team Canada at the Olympics and at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Next eight days: vs. DAL (Feb. 7), vs. ANA (Feb. 8)
15. Detroit Red Wings
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 56.48%
What's super: Being young. The Red Wings have recently clawed back into playoff contention. But what's a great sign for the Wings is that they are a competitive team fighting for playoff participation with a core group that is 24 and under. Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond are leading that charge, but players such as Marco Kasper, Jonatan Berggren, Elmer Soderblom and Simon Edvinsson have been showing up and showing out.
Next eight days: vs. TB (Feb. 8)
16. Columbus Blue Jackets
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 54.55%
What's super: Being competitive. Columbus has become a fun team to watch and one that could very well be in postseason contention until the bitter end. Could it play playoff hockey for the first time in five seasons? There's an aura around the city of Columbus. Between (The) Ohio State winning it all in college football and Alexa Bliss returning at the Royal Rumble, C-Bus is one Blue Jackets Stanley Cup run away from being the new City of Champions .
Next eight days: vs. NYR (Feb. 8)
17. Calgary Flames
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 54.63%
What's super: A fresh start. The Flames traded Andrei Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier to the Flyers for Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee. Frost had his challenges in Philly, especially early in the season, and looks for a fresh start in Cowtown. "Ya, I had a tough start to the year and I've been building my game of late, but I think it can only benefit me," Frost told SportsNet in an interview.
"I pride myself on penalty killing, and little things away from the puck," Farabee said in the same article. Sometimes, a little change in scenery is exactly what you need.
Next eight days: vs. SEA (Feb. 8)
18. Boston Bruins
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 53.57%
What's super: When they are super. This is a tough team to figure out this season -- the Bruins look spectacular on certain nights and abysmal on others. Against the Rangers this past Saturday, they were a complete team that saw familiar beats that likely made B's fans smile -- a hat trick from David Pastrnak and a Charlie McAvoy power play goal among them. But then they lost the follow-up to the Rangers on Wednesday, managing just 17 shots on goal. If we see more of the good Bruins team, Boston will be a very tough out the rest of the way.
Next eight days: vs. VGK (Feb. 8)
19. Vancouver Canucks
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 56.48%
What's super: The end of drama. It appears the saga is at an end, as J.T. Miller has been traded to the New York Rangers. The Vancouver Canucks and the hockey world can now seemingly move on, and the Canucks will certainly want to do that, as they find themselves in contention for a wild-card spot. Quinn Hughes has been playing lights-out, is a good bet for the Norris and will probably earn a chunk of Hart votes, too.
Next eight days: vs. TOR (Feb. 8)
20. New York Rangers
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 52.83%
What's super: Making it Quick. Jonathan Quick just became the 15th goalie in NHL history to win 400 games when he picked up the W against the Golden Knights on Sunday. He's the first American-born goalie to do it. Already a three time Stanley Cup champ with Los Angeles and Vegas and a future Hall of Famer, he will be key alongside Igor Shesterkin in the Rangers' hopes to climb into a playoff spot.
Next eight days: vs. PIT (Feb. 7), @ CBJ (Feb. 8)
21. New York Islanders
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 53.77%
What's super: Winning streaks. Any team in the East is one big winning streak away from relevancy. The Isles are proof of that. They sailed out of the doldrums of the Eastern Conference basement to within striking distance of the wild card by going on a seven-game winning streak, with five of those games coming against East teams. The heater was snapped Sunday against the reigning Cup champs, but overall, that will still put a smile on coach Patrick Roy's face.
Next eight days: @ WPG (Feb. 7), @ MIN (Feb. 8)
22. Montreal Canadiens
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 50.93%
What's super: Moments of Learning. Patrik Laine was benched in the third period of the game against the Anaheim Ducks. Coach Martin St. Louis said about Laine afterward, "I found he wasn't helping the team at that moment." Kirby Dach was also benched. The Habs have lost five of their past six and hope to see Laine return to form to right the ship.
Next eight days: vs. NJ (Feb. 8), vs. TB (Feb. 9)
23. Utah Hockey Club
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 50.93%
What's super: Letting the fans decide. Since the U.S. Patent Office rejected the Utah Yetis because it could create market confusion with the Yeti Coolers (but for the record there are Stanley cups and a Stanley Cup), the team decided to let the fans vote on the name: Utah Hockey Club, Utah Mammoth and Utah Outlaws (which replaced Wasatch). I'm happy the fans have the power here, and my only hope is that we get a dope-looking mascot, because mascots rule.
Next eight days: @ CAR (Feb. 8), @ WSH (Feb. 9)
24. St. Louis Blues
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 47.32%
What's super: Tough decisions. They aren't easy to make, but sometimes they must be -- at least in the eyes of management and in this case Bill Armstrong, deciding to put Brandon Saad on waivers. Saad would eventually sign a one-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights, so both player and team get a clean separation and a new start. Saad, a two-time Cup winner with the Hawks, had seven goals and 16 points in 44 games this season for the Blues. He gave up roughly $5.4 million in salary to join Vegas and chase another Stanley Cup.
Next eight days: vs. CHI (Feb. 8)
25. Anaheim Ducks
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 49.06%
What's super: Trade deadline speculation. Hockey fans love trade speculation. Elliotte Friedman on his "32 Thoughts" podcast noted that an NHL executive told him that he wants to see Colorado trade for Trevor Zegras. For the past few years this part of the calendar has been "Will John Gibson be traded" season, but this time it's involving the 23-year old Zegars, who has produced some of the most memorable highlights in recent memory in the NHL.
Next eight days: @ LA (Feb. 8)
26. Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 48.18%
What's super: Mario ... But also definitive answers. Death, taxes, Sidney Crosby staying in Pittsburgh. A week before being named Team Canada's captain at 4 Nations, around the time Mikko Rantanen was traded and scuttlebutt was out there that this might not be the biggest trade, NHL insider Chris Johnston stamped any flames (the fire, not the team) by saying without any doubt that Sidney Crosby was not leaving the Steel City (Pittsburgh, not Hamilton). It must be flattering to be so sought after that even if every single thing points to the contrary, people will still wonder. But hey, if Gretzky can get traded ...
Next eight days: @ NYR (Feb. 7), @ PHI (Feb. 8)
27. Philadelphia Flyers
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 47.32%
What's super: It's only up from here. The Flyers were shut out in three straight games from Jan. 29-Feb. 2 (for those curious, the NHL record for most consecutive times shut out is eight, held by the 1928-29 Chicago Blackhawks). Other than continuing to get shut out, it can't get much worse. The team is second to last in the East but still only seven points out of a playoff spot.
Next eight days: vs. PIT (Feb. 8)
28. Buffalo Sabres
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 46.23%
What's super: Their fans. Sabres fans have been through a lot. The team is again near the bottom of the standings, the playoff drought gets brought up all the time, it's another disappointing chapter in Buffalo Sabres hockey. Sabres fans deserve better. In many, many seasons they were the pinnacle of passion for their team in the NHL.
Next eight days: @ NSH (Feb. 8)
29. Seattle Kraken
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 44.64%
What's super: Coach content. Assistant coach Jessica Campbell is a pioneer in the NHL as the first woman assistant coach -- by now that has been (rightfully) well documented. Another area where she deserves praise is her social media content -- her Instagram, for example, gives us a glimpse behind the scenes as a coach, interactions with fans and general life moments that we aren't accustomed to seeing from any NHL coaches. I welcome more of this content from coaches across the league -- maybe assistant coaches with other NHL teams can be the entry point for their fan bases. As coach Campbell's content clearly shows, it will be welcomed and embraced by the hockey world.
Next eight days: @ CGY (Feb. 8)
30. Nashville Predators
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 41.35%
What's (not) super: Regulation losses. The Predators followed a four-game winning streak with five straight regulation losses, all of them to teams currently out of the playoffs, much like the Predators. Unfortunately, as things are going now, with no U2 concert to cancel in sight, the Preds will go down as one of the biggest disappointments of the season.
Next eight days: @ CHI (Feb. 7), vs. BUF (Feb. 8)
31. Chicago Blackhawks
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 35.85%
What's super: Practice time. The Blackhawks called up 19-year old Artyom Levshunov, the No. 2 pick in last year's NHL draft. The reason? To practice with the team. "We felt this would be a good opportunity for Arty's development to come and get some NHL-level practice experience, something he was not able to do during training camp this season due to injury," GM Kyle Davidson said. "While we don't expect him to see any game action during his recall, we're confident the experience will be a positive one for Arty as he continues on his development path." Good for player and team to get a potential future piece some reps with the big team.
Next eight days: vs. NSH (Feb. 7), @ STL (Feb. 8)
32. San Jose Sharks
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 33.04%
What's super: Excitement. It's been a theme almost all season, but the San Jose Sharks might be one of the most exciting and fun to watch "bad teams" in recent memory. They are in the bottom of the standings, but players such as Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith make the Sharks appointment viewing for hockey fans, or at the very least a longer pause on Celebrini highlights and pop off videos on social media.
Next eight days: vs. DAL (Feb. 8)
Ranking the top 32 prospects for the 2025 NHL draft
The dog days of the season are upon us and it's time for the first edition of the 2025 NHL draft rankings. Like last season, the first edition of the rankings are solely based on outputs from the draft model. There are no adjustments made for scouting, inputs from NHL scouts or executives and any other anecdotal information.
There were some changes made to the model from last season, as the model strives to consistently improve. The model weighs scoring statistics from the current season and the past season, league strength, team strength relative to league, tracking statistics (defensive, physical and transition play), age, size and injuries. The model weights changed, with less weight on the players' size and more weight on their tracking statistics, league strength and scoring statistics. The model factors for injuries, only in the number of games played as a function of the projection volatility. Matthew Schaefer and Roger McQueen have more volatile projections than Michael Misa and Porter Martone because they have missed significant time, leading to a smaller sample size.
Each player is projected in a category, with a confidence factor of how likely they are to reach that category. The most likely outcome becomes the category, which is combined with the confidence factor for a rating. Players are ranked based on their rating, which is the first edition of this year's rankings.
The forward categories are: elite player, top-line forward, top-six forward, impact forward, middle-six forward, bottom-six forward and NHL player.
The defensemen categories are: top-pair defenseman, top-four defenseman, impact defenseman and NHL defenseman.
The goaltender categories are: starting goaltender, platoon starter, backup goaltender and NHL goaltender.
Ange: Spurs 'pile-on' is 'really easy' after 4-0 loss
Embattled Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has said that it is "really easy" for people to "stick their boots" into his misfiring team after the north London club drew heavy criticism following their 4-0 loss to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semifinal second leg on Thursday.
Postecoglou's side took a slender 1-0 lead to Anfield from the first leg but were outclassed by Liverpool, failing to register a single shot on target in the match. Former Spurs captain and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said the scoreline made for "horrendous" reading.
"I get the pile-on at the moment, it's really easy for people to stick their boots in. And question the players and all that kind of stuff. That's not something I question," Posteclgou told a news conference on Friday.
"We were disappointed last night didn't go the way we wanted to, didn't really perform at the levels we wanted to. That's doesn't define this group of players by any stretch, in my eyes."
Richarlison is the latest addition to the north London side's lengthy injury list ahead of Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Aston Villa.
The 27-year-old, who has been plagued with calf, groin, knee and hamstring problems since his move from Everton in 2022, went off injured in first-half stoppage time of Thursday's defeat.
"It's disappointing for him and he was emotional last night because he worked really hard to get himself back," Postecoglou said.
"It's another setback that he's going to have to deal with, we're going to have to deal with. Hopefully get him back as soon as possible."
Postecoglou's squad have been hit hard by injuries amid a run of poor results but the 59-year-old is optimistic about the return of key players for their Premier League game against Manchester United later this month.
Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner and Dominic Solanke are all sidelined with injuries.
"We're still hopeful we'll get at least two or maybe three back for the Man United game," Postecoglou said.
"We've got two full weeks of training, which I think over these two weeks we'll get the majority of the players back with a bit of luck, provided we don't lose anyone else like we lost Richy last night."
Reflecting on the heavy defeat to Liverpool, Postecoglou said it was a tough loss but his focus was now on Sunday's FA Cup tie.
"We'll go out there on Sunday and put out more of a performance that reflects where we're at," Postecoglou said. "I have a great deal of belief in these players and what they're going through and how they're dealing with it."
Spurs have not won a trophy since their Carabao Cup triumph over Chelsea in 2008 and now, only the FA Cup and the Europa League are potential routes to ending their silverware drought.
City's Savinho eyes FA Cup reply after Arsenal woe
Savinho has said Manchester City's FA Cup tie against League One side Leyton Orient is a chance to put the heavy defeat to Arsenal behind them.
City lost 5-1 in the Premier League on Sunday after conceding four times in 37 minutes during a chaotic second half at the Emirates Stadium. It was another significant set-back in a season which has become increasingly difficult for Pep Guardiola's team.
Brazil winger Savinho has claimed that Guardiola and the players have had time to "reflect" on the Arsenal game during a rare free week in the schedule and insists they can get back on track when they head to Leyton Orient in the FA cup fourth round on Saturday.
"It's been good to have that free week without a game," Savinho told ESPN. "Obviously it's been a full week, we've all had things to do. It has given us a great opportunity to think about the game last Sunday, to reflect on it.
"Of course, [the FA Cup] comes quickly. We're travelling down to London [on Friday] and it's another final for us."
Out of the Carabao Cup, adrift in the Premier League title race and facing a tough Champions League playoff against Real Madrid, the FA Cup represents a chance for City to end the season with some silverware.
They have a good record in the competition under Guardiola, reaching at least the semifinals in each of the last six years. They've lifted the trophy twice under Guardiola -- in 2019 and 2023 -- and were beaten in last season's final by Manchester United.
"Every tournament is a target for me," Savinho said. "Unfortunately, we are out of the Carabao Cup, Spurs knocked us out of that, but we've got to look at every trophy as an objective and this is a great opportunity to progress.
"It's a great opportunity for us, but it's one we have to take because if we don't [beat Leyton Orient] we're out. It's as simple as that. So it's going to be like a final for us. We lose, we have to go home, so hopefully we can put in a good performance, get our confidence back [after the defeat to Arsenal] and go first to the next round."
Emery hails Rashford's Villa move: 'Big potential'
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has insisted that new loan signing Marcus Rashford has trained "fantastically" and has "big potential" despite Manchester United's willingness to part ways with the forward.
Following weeks of speculation after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim, Rashford joined Villa on loan at the end of January, signing with the Midlands club until the end of the season.
Amorim had exiled Rashford from his squad and said on Thursday that he didn't "play football and train the way I see it" -- the latest in a long line of hints that the United manager didn't appreciate the England international's aptitude.
But Emery said on Friday that Rashford has trained well at Villa and that he is excited to watch the 27-year-old in action, which could happen as early as Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round clash against Tottenham.
"I'm very happy with him, he has trained fantastically today [Friday]," the Spanish coach said. "The conversation we had was very normal, speaking about football and what I want of him.
"I think his potential is still big. I don't want to know the reason he is leaving Manchester United.
"But I am very happy to have him here, to try to help him to recover his performances.
"My challenge with him is a huge challenge. His challenge as well with us is a very exciting challenge. I am very happy."
Sources told ESPN the deal to sign Rashford includes an option to make the transfer permanent.
Villa have agreed to cover a substantial part of Rashford's wage, and other performance-related bonuses have also been built into the deal.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has said he hopes to continue working with captain Virgil van Dijk "for a long time" amid continued uncertainty over the defender's long-term future.
Van Dijk, alongside teammates Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, is out of contract at the end of the season and is now free to speak to clubs overseas about penning a pre-contract agreement to join on a free transfer in the summer.
However, there remains an expectation at Anfield that the 33-year-old will commit his future to the Premier League leaders, with his impressive form showing no signs of waning.
"Virgil deserves every compliment he gets," Slot told a news conference on Friday. "He's been outstanding for this club for so many years and, since I've been here, he's been outstanding for me as well.
"Yesterday [in the 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur] was an example of that. He was, in a good way, aggressive, led the team with and without the ball, he was sharp and ready. It was no coincidence it took 80 mins for Tottenham's first shot on target. Virgil, just like many others, has had a good season but he wants to make it a great season.
Asked what he hopes the future holds for his captain, Slot added: "Good health is the first thing I wish him, and I hope to continue working with him for a long time, although I don't think that will surprise you."
Having seen off Tottenham on Thursday night to reach the Carabao Cup final, Liverpool will now turn their attention to the FA Cup, and will take on Championship side Plymouth Argyle in this weekend's fourth round.
However, Slot's side will be without the injured Alexander-Arnold for the trip to Home Park, with the defender facing a race against time to be fit for next week's Merseyside derby.
"[Plymouth] is going to be too early for him," Slot said. "Difficult to say for Everton. It won't take months or even weeks, but it is only three days after Plymouth so let's wait and see if he's available. We also look long term, and we don't want to take any risks, but if he is fit then of course we will use him."
Manchester City have included injured midfielder Rodri in their updated Champions League squad for the knockout phase while there are also places for new signings Omar Marmoush, Nico González and Abdukodir Khusanov.
Vitor Reis, who also arrived in January in a 35 million ($36.2m) deal from Palmeiras, has been omitted.
Marmoush, González and Khusanov will all be eligible for the playoff tie against Real Madrid, which begins next week.
City, who finished 22nd in the league phase table, face the LaLiga giants in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. The second leg will take place at the Bernabéu on Feb. 19.
Rodri will miss both games as he continues his recovery from a knee injury suffered in September. However, his inclusion in the Champions League squad raises the possibility that he could play again before the season is over.
The Ballon d'Or winner has said he hopes to be back in time to take part in the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins in the U.S. in June.
City boss Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, has urged caution with Rodri's comeback and warned the 28-year-old not to rush back.
Under UEFA rules, City were able to make three changes to their squad ahead of the Champions League knockout rounds.
Having made four new signings in January, the club decided to omit Reis from their list. The 19-year-old defender is yet to make his debut following his move from Brazil but was named on the bench for both the 3-1 win over Chelsea and the 5-1 defeat to Arsenal.
Fortune Barishal chase 195 to defend their BPL crown
Fortune Barishal 195 for 7 (Tamim 54, Mayers 46, Shoriful 4-34) beat Chittagong Kings 194 for 3 (Emon 78*, Nafay 66, Clark 44) by three wickets
Rishad slammed Binura Fernando and Hussain Talat for a six each in the last two overs before a wide finished things. The Chittagong players were left heart-broken but Barishal had been the most consistent team through the competition, winning 11 of their 14 games overall. This was a franchise that had spent big over the past two seasons, and it showed in their depth here, holding their nerve as the game swung both ways.
Chittagong's record start
Barishal keep Chittagong below 200
Tamim goes big
In the first over of Barishal's chase, Tamim caressed Binura for three fours through the off side. He repeated the exact dose for Shoriful Islam in the next over, though this time he had one boundary down the ground. Tamim reached his second fifty in a BPL final in the seventh over, having faced just 24 balls. He slammed Arafat Sunny for a four and a six, as Chittagong raced to 70 runs in the first seven overs.
Shoriful triggers mini slide
Shoriful turned things around with two wickets in the ninth over. He first removed Tamim whose slam down the ground only found Khaled Ahmed at the long-off boundary. Then Shoriful rapped Dawid Malan's pads; it looked at first that it might be sliding down the leg and the umpire agreed, but Shoriful was confident Chittagong should review. His captain Mohammad Mithun seemingly reluctantly agreed, but the bowler was proven right. Malan fell for one, giving Chittagong a lifeline. Shortly afterwards, Towhid Hridoy struck Naeem Islam down midwicket's throat to make it 96 for 3 in the 11th over.
Mayers boosts Barishal
Chittagong take it to the final over
Then, there was a slowdown. Mahmudullah and Mayers couldn't find boundaries in the 17th and 18th overs, as Khaled and Shoriful bowled excellent overs. Shorfiul took the wickets of Mayers and Mahmudullah in his last over. Mayers swung one down deep square leg's throat for 46 off 28, before Shoriful had Mahmudullah caught behind for 7 off 11 balls. Nabi fell an over later, and at that point it seemed that Chittagong might have done enough. Rishad didn't think so.
Lockie Ferguson in doubt for Champions Trophy and Pakistan tri-series
With Capitals needing one off the final ball, Sikandar Raza whipped Amir away for four to seal DC's spot in the final. At the post-match presentation, Ferguson said, "just a little hamstring issue, unfortunate. Tough night; wish I could've bowled the last ball."
Ferguson underwent a scan the next day, according to New Zealand head coach Gary Stead, to determine the severity of the injury. New Zealand are still awaiting more details.
"Lockie had a scan yesterday [Thursday] in the UAE," Stead said on the eve of the tri-series opener." We've got the images here and [we are] waiting for our radiologist to give us a report on the extent of it. Small hamstring injury, by the look of it, so we're just waiting on a timeline of advice around that before we make a decision on whether Lockie travels here [Pakistan] or whether we do have to replace him for the Champions Trophy."
Ferguson is the most experienced quick in New Zealand's squad for the Champions Trophy and his potential absence might disrupt their prep for the competition. Ben Sears, the Wellington tearaway, is working his way back from knee surgery, which had sidelined him for the Test tour of India and then the home series against Sri Lanka and England. Sears has played 17 T20Is and one Test so far but is uncapped in ODI cricket.
In his first stint at the ILT20, Ferguson featured in only eight of Vipers' 12 matches so far, with his workload being monitored.
"We have tried to manage the players with rotation of quicks as much as we possibly can," Tom Moody, Vipers' director of cricket, said in the Vipers Voices podcast in January. "Lockie Ferguson, Mohammad Amir and Luke Wood, today, have all had a chance to rest and freshen up. But yes, it is a pretty tough schedule and there is an element of physical fatigue but probably, more importantly, mental fatigue.
"And there has not been that chance to really disengage and freshen up mentally. But that is the reality of tournament cricket. Everyone is trying to fit in a tournament within a certain window. And what comes of that is a pretty heavy schedule. And we came in expecting that, knowing that."
"I think it [selection] will depend on how people shape up, especially the bowlers after this first game and what their loads are like and then what the conditions are like as well," Stead said. "It's not quite as hot as you think it would be in Asia. It still gets pretty cold here in the evenings, so but if you bowl in the heat of the day, it might take more out of the bowlers. So, we will just manage that and be smart around it, understanding that the big tournament is the Champions Trophy. We want to make sure everyone is fit and firing for that."
While all eight teams have already named their Champions Trophy squads, they still have until February 12 to make changes if needed.
Context is king as Pakistan and New Zealand open pre-Champions Trophy tri-series
Big picture: Opportunity for precious game time in Pakistan
Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa will play a truncated version of the classic tri-series, with just one round of matches followed by a final. The schedule was likely squeezed by the SA20 at one end and the Champions Trophy at the other, and it is that upcoming ICC event - the first hosted by Pakistan in nearly three decades - which gives the series context.
For each side, it offers the opportunity for precious match practice in conditions where the Champions Trophy will be held in the main (with India's matches in Dubai). Pakistan and New Zealand will also open the marquee tournament, though that game will take place in Karachi and not Lahore. Both have played exactly nine ODIs each since the end of the 2023 World Cup, and all in very different conditions to this. While Pakistan won each of their three recent ODI series, New Zealand fell short in the one they played in the subcontinent, a 2-0 reversal against Sri Lanka.
However, it's not as if they are short of match practice in this country. Since December 2022, they have played two Tests, eight ODIs and ten T20Is in Pakistan across four series. On most of those occasions, though, multiple factors meant New Zealand sent in weakened squads, with larger context to build up to. This time, however, there is a multi-team trophy on the line, all while preparing for the second-biggest title in ODI cricket.
Form guide
Pakistan WWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
New Zealand LWWLL
In the spotlight: Babar Azam and Lockie Ferguson
Team news: Saim Ayub is out of action
Ayub, recovering from an ankle injury, is out of the series and the Champions Trophy. Pakistan are expected to open with Fakhar and Babar, with three premier seam bowlers and Abrar Ahmed as lone frontline spinner. The middle order will see some rotation over the series.
Pakistan (likely) 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Babar Azam, 3 Kamran Ghulam, 4 Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), 5 Tayyab Tahir/Saud Shakeel, 6 Salman Agha, 7 Khushdil Shah, 8 Shaheen Afridi, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand have two opportunities to work out their best side here before the deadline for the Champions Trophy squads shuts. The conditions would suggest three fast bowlers at a minimum. With all of New Zealand's spinners also handy batters, balance of the side is not much of an issue.
New Zealand (possible) 1 Devon Conway, 2 Will Young, 3 Rachin Ravindra, 4 Kane Williamson, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 7 Glenn Phillips/Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Lockie Ferguson, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Will O'Rourke
Pitch and conditions
This is a bit of a mystery, with the entire ground rebuilt recently. Historically, though, the Gaddafi has produced flat batting surfaces and reward for extra pace in ODI cricket. Overhead conditions are likely to be more overcast than sunny, with temperatures dipping in the evening, but no rain is expected.
Stats and trivia
- Babar has only opened twice in ODI cricket, in a bilateral series against England in 2015. He scored 26 runs across his two innings
- Ferguson is one wicket away from becoming the 19th New Zealander to 100 ODI wickets
- Pakistan last hosted an ODI tri-series in 2004, featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. It was called the Paktel Cup, after a telecommunications company that no longer exists. Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the final then
Quotes
"You have to look at what the pitch, opposition and conditions are like before you finalise a team. This time around, even the Gaddafi Stadium is new to us."
Mohammad Rizwan feels Pakistan will also need to acclimatise to the new Gaddafi Stadium
"We've seen [Tim] Southee and [Trent] Boult do it for a long time for us and do an extremely good job. We've got some new guys coming through alongside the experience of Matt Henry, and some good fast bowling stocks."
Mitchell Santner believes New Zealand's pace bowling is in a good place
Danyal Rasool is ESPNcricinfo's Pakistan correspondent. @Danny61000
Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: 
Email: 
