NHL Power Rankings – 1-32 poll, plus the biggest decision for every team

We’re approaching the final fortnight of the 2021-22 NHL season, and as teams are clinching playoff berths (or being eliminated) seemingly every night, there are many big questions that each club must answer. Which on-ice coaching decisions will produce the best results? Which pending free agents should be re-signed? Is the current coach the right person for the job — and if not, who is?

For this week’s Power Rankings, we identify the big decision on tap (either in the coming weeks or this summer) for all 32 teams.

How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors rates teams against one another — taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule — and those results are tabulated to produce the list featured here.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the last edition, published April 6. Points paces are through Tuesday’s games.

Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 0.764
Next seven days: vs. LA (Apr. 13), vs. NJ (Apr. 14), vs. CAR (Apr. 16), vs. WSH (Apr. 18)

It would be tough — but not unexpected — for Colorado to lose Nazem Kadri in free agency. Tougher still is deciding what to do about Darcy Kuemper. The 31-year-old veteran (and pending unrestricted free agent) has been fantastic, and if that holds, he’ll be looking for a pay raise. The Avalanche already have a capable starter option in Pavel Francouz, signed to a two-year, $4 million extension. Does GM Joe Sakic bet on Francouz moving ahead? Look at other free agent options? Or go all-in keeping Kuemper?

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 0.753
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Apr. 15), @ DET (Apr. 17), @ NYI (Apr. 19)

Florida’s hard choices are going to be coming quickly. The Panthers are built to win this year. Their porous defense and reliance on multi-goal comebacks is not the recipe to earn a Stanley Cup. Interim coach Andrew Brunette has to push the right buttons and figure out what his strongest lineup/special teams units are before playoffs. Florida…