As the puck drops on the 2025-26 NHL season, the league feels loaded with storylines. The Florida Panthers are back, aiming for a rare and incredibly difficult three-peat. The Oilers want redemption after falling short in back-to-back Finals. Many new faces on new teams bring uncertainty but also excitement to teams across the league.
Roster shuffle, aging stars, and rising young players make this a season with plenty of intrigue. This is the hockey viking, and I can barely contain my excitement as the NHL regular season approaches and we inch ever closer to the first puck drop.
It’s been a long summer waiting to see what’s going to take place on the ice this year, so now that it’s almost here, this is my ultimate guide to the 2025 NHL season and what should catch your attention as 32 teams begin with the ultimate journey and dream of hoisting the Stanley Cup.
The excitement is palpable as fans gear up for the NHL’s 2025-2026 season. Every new season breathes life into the sport, sparking debates and stoking rivalries that last a lifetime. This year promises to be another rollercoaster, full of unexpected twists and turns.
As teams shuffle their rosters and coaches tweak their strategies, die-hard followers find themselves navigating these shifting sands. The pulse of the crowd remains a critical force in shaping the season’s narrative, and the hockey viking is here to guide you through it all.
Technology’s rapid growth hasn’t skipped over the NHL, either. From AI-enhanced training to real-time analytics displayed in stadiums, the tech world is leaving its mark in the modern NHL. These advancements are not just for the players, but for fans too, changing how we experience our beloved game. There are tons of different ways of analyzing the game.
In this article, I’ll touch on everything from new player dynamics to major storylines and the brightest stars from across the league. Whether you’re here for predictions or just curious about what to expect from your team this year, I’ve got the ultimate NHL 2025 season scoop. Brace yourself for a winding ride through everything the NHL has to offer this season.
📰 Biggest Headlines Going Into the 2025 Season
Florida Going For Three-Peat?
The Panthers have won back-to-back Stanley Cups, and oddsmakers still see them as among the favorites to repeat again. They re-signed core pieces Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, as well as Aaron Ekblad, and have gotten through the offseason relatively unscathed player-wise. Amazingly, they have been able to keep their main core of talented playmakers and haven’t had much turnover for a championship winning team. They will be without Matthew Tkachuk for awhile, but the Panthers are deep enough and capable enough that I doubt it will impact their season too much. Paul Maurice’s team has all the makings of a dynasty with their star playmakers, gritty play, and defensive ability to clamp down on even the best offenses in the league. They have proven themselves to have the ability to win in high pressure games when it counts, which is exactly what you need to be a Stanley Cup champion. Is there any team in the league that can pose a threat to this dynasty?
- Edmonton Oilers should be motivated after back-to-back Finals losses: What does Connor McDavid need to do to hoist the cup? The Oilers were runners-up in 2024 and 2025, and were kept from winning the cup by the same stubborn Florida Panthers team both times. The hunger and core group of elite superstars (McDavid, Draisaitl, Bouchard etc.) remain intact. They’re viewed by many sportsbooks as one of the best bets to take the Cup in 2026. Even though they had some down moments in the regular season last year, once the playoffs started nobody had any doubt that the Oilers were capable of making a deep run. There’s no question they still have the offensive firepower to make another, but can the goaltending be good enough to keep them from another disappointing finish? They have proven they can power through the best teams of the Western Conference, but the Oilers will consider this season another disappointment if they can’t prove that they can beat Florida in a 7 game series.
- Carolina Hurricanes upgrade offense with Ehlers: Carolina is somewhat of a hard team to judge how good they really are. At times they looked like an elite team in the Eastern Conference and they went far in the playoffs last year, but at the same time they never truly felt like a team that was going to be a real threat to win the cup. Rod Brind’Amour’s squad has many quality players on offense and defense that are capable of making a solid push for a run in the playoffs, but they haven’t proven that they are capable of beating the best teams in the league when it counts. It seems like their roster is starting to get old as well, making the window for a championship even smaller. The Hurricanes addressed one of their weak points by signing Nikolaj Ehlers to a long-term deal, expecting him to help solve scoring deficiencies. This could prove to be a great pickup, but will it be enough to get the Hurricanes over the hump?
- Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights: Huge signing for the Golden Knights that could have big implications for the overall NHL picture. Marner wasn’t able to conquer the Florida Panthers while he was in Toronto, so he switches conferences to join another title contender. But now instead of trying to contend with Florida in the playoffs he will need find a way to get through Edmonton, Dallas, and Colorado in the Western Conference. Marner joined Vegas on an expensive 8-year deal. Vegas had better hope that boosts their offense and playmaking, giving them a more dangerous top-6 and improving their special teams potential. Vegas is making a statement with this signing that they are ready to get back to their Stanley Cup winning ways. Can the Golden Knights, with Eichel and Marner in tow, prove that they can compete with the other elite teams in the west?
🏆 Top Contenders & Teams Poised to Go Deep
Based on roster moves, odds, and existing structure, these are the elite teams of the league that are poised to have a good season and are most likely to make noise in the playoffs:
Florida Panthers: Incredible depth, recent playoff winning experience, retaining stars, very little player turnover, mental edge of being multi defending champs. What more could you ask for? Like it or not, they know how to win. Pressure for the three-peat is fully on this season; let’s see how they handle it. Matthew Tkachuk is out for first part of the season as well, but these are issues that I’m confident this Panthers team can overcome. Other teams in the East are gearing up to slow down their system and are still trying to keep up with this loaded Florida team. Great coaching by Maurice and staff, and experienced star players that always seem to find a way to win make them a solid pick to go all the way. They have everything going for them, but winning three Stanley’s in a row is no easy task. We’ll see if they have the determination and grit for another rigorous run at the cup, or if any other teams in the league will be able to figure out how to beat them in a 7 game series.
Edmonton Oilers: Superstar firepower (McDavid, Draisaitl, etc.), playoff experience, and motivation by recent postseason losses could be enough to elevate the Oilers to finally win the cup if they can keep themselves hungry. If goaltending & their line depth hold, and their star players can stay healthy over the course of the season, they remain very dangerous. Edmonton should once again be in the conversation and relevant come playoff time. Margins will be thin in the playoffs now with other teams in the west trying to gain ground on last year’s west champs. Goaltending, consistent defense, and secondary scoring are still areas of concern. They will need Skinner to hold his ground on a consistent basis through the regular season and beyond. If they are going to go all the way this season, they must get players other than McDavid and Draisatl to contribute in a big way.
Carolina Hurricanes: The Ehlers signing helps this offense, and should help the Canes get better, even with an already overall strong team system run by Rod BrindA’mour. They’ve been close before, they have the playoff experience so shouldn’t be phased by playing in big moments when push comes to shove. This roster is aging, so they need to cash in on their experience now before it’s too late. I think we’ll be able to tell early on in the season if this Carolina team has the fire and determination to accomplish big things this year. They have the talent to be a major competitor in the Eastern Conference, and Brind’Amour seems to have them playing with a signature playstyle, but my question with this team is how much do they want it? I want to see them play with desperation, which they’ll need if they want to topple Florida off of their throne. If their offense kicks in with the addition of Ehlers, this team can likely push deep into the playoffs. Scoring depth beyond top-6, power play efficiency, and the inconsistencies with Anderson in the net will be their downfall. He had some decent postseason games but there have been times when he doesn’t seem like the kind of goalie you can rely on. This and depth play will be the Achilles heel of this team should they falter.
Dallas Stars: Dallas was the only team that looked like it could compete with Edmonton in the Western Conference playoffs last year, but apparently that wasn’t good enough for the ownership, because Pete Deboer was fired after they were ousted by the Oilers. Rantanen came in and gave this team a spark during the playoffs. Even though Dallas just acquired him at the trade deadline, Rantanen played like their best player. Dallas was so close to the cup, but where does firing their coach get them? They still retain a loaded roster, and a great goaltender in Oettinger, so they of course can still remain in contention in the West. But how much better will this team be without Deboer? We’ll soon find out. And even though they have gotten some quality play from their younger stars, Dallas will surely lose some pieces (hello, Jamie Benn) in the near future. But Dallas’ season will really come down to how much a coaching change will make this team better. If this Dallas team gets ousted before the Western Conference finals this season, will firing Deboer really have been worth it?
Vegas Golden Knights: With Marner added, the Golden Knights had better hope that he brings a major spark to this offense. I think this acquisition works well for both parties, and both parties should make each other better. In a way, they needed each other. Vegas has a talented roster offensively and defensively, two good goalies, and a coach that knows how to win a Stanley Cup. But they need an impact player that could compliment Jack Eichel and ignite the offense. In comes Mitch Marner, who has experience as an impact player on a good team in the Toronto Maple Leafs, but needed an experienced coach and team that could take him to the promised land. If all goes as planned for Vegas, Marner will be able to lift this team to a second championship in this franchise’ very young history. But even if Marner takes a step back for some reason, this team still has the roster and experience to make a deep run. I expect this team to be good and to compete come playoff time. The only question is, are they good enough to conquer the Oilers AND the Panthers on their way to another championship?
⚠️ Other Contenders / Sleeper Teams to Keep in Mind
These aren’t favorites per se, but each has potential to break into the mix if the chips fall their way.
- Colorado— The Avalanche boast a roster that includes some of the best players in the league. Their major area of concern is lack of depth once you get past the star players. Ironically, they let Miiko Rantanen go when he’s exactly the type of player they needed to compete with the best teams in the West. You gotta wonder what the Avalanche were thinking here, especially since Rantanen is the player responsible for putting the nail in the coffin of Colorado’s season, carrying his new team Dallas to the next round. I don’t feel as good about this Colorado team as I did last year, as I think this lack of depth is concerning. Sure, MacKinnon and Makar will get their points, but I don’t feel this team has the roster to compete with other top teams in a 7 game series. And if MacKinnon or Makar get hurt, then I could see this season becoming very disappointing. As long as this team stays healthy, I predict a similar result to last year. This team has the playmakers to be one of the top 3 teams in their division and make the playoffs, but I don’t see them making it very far once they get there. They sure could use another playmaker on their team, is Rantanen available?
- Toronto Maple Leafs — I was thoroughly impressed with Craig Berube and the job he did with the Maple Leafs team last season. He made them more stout defensively, and completely changed their hockey identity, all in one season. They had a good season by most accounts, but that also ended with similar results to prior seasons. While Toronto has been towards the top of their division for the last few years, it’s always felt like they needed something more. Berube helped get them to play more organized defensively, and the goaltending seems to have improved with Stolarz in net. Job well done. That should have been the thing to get them over the hump, but now you just traded one of your top playmakers in Mitch Marner to Vegas. Auston Matthews is an elite scorer, but this trade makes one wonder where the rest of the offense will come from. It seems as if they will need Nylander to play at an elite level. They extended Tavares and Knies, which is nice, but this team still feels like it’s at the same spot it was before, in need of something more. I think the coaching is excellent, but I question if the players Toronto received for the Marner trade are going to be enough to take them any further. I predict a similar result, with Toronto being good enough to be top 3 in their division and making the playoffs, but not being able to beat the likes of Florida or Carolina.
- Winnipeg Jets— What to make of this team? They were regular season kings and looked like a force to be reckoned with. The Jets boasted the lowest goals scored against and the defense and goalie lifted them up to become number one in the Western Conference. And then came the playoffs, with the Jets goalie Hellebuyck getting kidnapped and being replaced by an imposter. This imposter made Winnipeg completely implode in the playoffs, looking awful defensively and barely slipping by St. Louis in a game 7 before getting knocked out the next round. They lost Nikolaj Ehlers to free agency this offseason, and Adam Lowry is going to miss some time after getting surgery. Winnipeg will need to ride their defense again, because I think they are going to feel the impact of losing a player like Ehlers. The question with this team is will Kyle Connor and Mark Scheiffle create enough offense to keep winning games? I predict a drop off for this team this year. The defense and goaltending should be stout once again which may keep them at the top half of their division, but I don’t think this team is going to be the number one team in the West again this season.
- Tampa Bay Lightning — It feels like Tampa Bay is always in the mix come playoff time. Jon Cooper always has this team prepared and ready to contend. This team has a solid core of players with experience that know how to win. Cooper always has his team play quality hockey and they have the roster and star players to perform well in the regular season and the playoffs. With playmakers at the top of the lineup(I’m looking at you Kucherov), depth players such as Yanni Gourde, and great goaltending from Vasilevsky, this team should be one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference. Maybe they thought Stamkos was too expensive, but I think Tampa should have kept him around. He always seemed to make a play when they needed it most. I predict a top 3 result in their division, but they looked outmatched against Florida in the playoffs last year. Tampa needs to come out this season looking invigorated and determined to win a cup if they are going to outlast other hungry teams like the Panthers or Hurricanes.
Conference outlook
Western Conference
The 2024-2025 regular season ended with Winnipeg not only having the best record in the West, but the best in the entire league. Everything seemed so promising for the Jets, until it didn’t. Playoff Hellebuyck showed his ugly face once again, and the defense wasn’t playing like the same defense that had the least amount of goals scored against them during the regular season. They probably should have lost the series to St. Louis, but even still were then defeated by the much better playoff performer in the Dallas Stars. So the big question to ask in the West this season is can Winnipeg repeat the same magic as last season? And will they be able to continue playing well through the playoffs, or will they be a disappearing act once more?
Dallas looked like a better team in the playoffs, sending Colorado packing for the second year in a row. But ultimately they fell to the Western champion Oilers. The Stars have a great roster filled with veteran players and young stars, not to mention a great goalie. But Dallas ownership apparently didn’t think they did well enough, as coach Pete Deboer was fired from the team. They keep their stellar roster, but will a new coach and system get them to win a cup?
Though Edmonton only came in third in their division, I don’t think anybody in the NHL was surprised that they performed well and went far in the playoffs with their superstar roster. They got through a tough series with the Kings, and then powered their way through the West until ultimately falling to the Panthers in the cup finals. Edmonton has the elite players to be good again, but will they be able to get to the finals again with mediocre goaltending and lack of serious depth?
Vegas, Colorado,and the Los Angeles Kings might be the only real threat to those top 3 teams in the West. Vegas was already a good team with a good coach, and now they made a splash by adding Marner into the fold. I think Vegas can be a real threat in the West this year as long as they stay healthy. Colorado is no slouch either, with some of the most dangerous players in the league in MacKinnon and Makar. Getting Landeskog back should help, but trading away Rantanen hasn’t seemed to have made them a better team. They have lost to Dallas now twice in a row, and need to prove themselves in the playoffs. Los Angeles really turned it on towards the end of the year. They finished second in the Pacific, and had a surprisingly impressive season. I think they will be an interesting story in the west. There are some established elite teams in the west, and some established bad teams in the west. The Kings are neither, but can they take another big step this season and prove that they deserve to be mentioned when talking about the best in the West?
St. Louis and Minnesota would fall into place after these top tier teams, but both teams have promise. St. Louis came on in the second half of the season, and they really looked like the were going to take Winnipeg out of the playoffs until that game 7 heartache. Impressive performances from players as well as impressive job the the first year head coach. They look like they will be a team to stick their hat in the ring when it comes to making the playoffs in the West. Minnesota had a solid season as well, with Kaprizov looking like one of the best players in the league. They probably should have finished higher than 4th in their division if it weren’t for the fact that the division has so many good teams. They get lost in the mix here, as they seem like a team that is capable enough to get to the playoffs, but at the same time can they keep up and compete with all the other good teams in the division and conference?
Calgary, Vancouver and Utah fall into the next tier of this Western hierarchy. All of these teams have shown flashes of being good, mixed with flashes of being bad. Calgary rose in the rankings toward the end of last year, and actually looked like a competent team. But then they shot themselves in the foot a number of times and squandered their chances of going anywhere far. Can they get better and push themselves towards the top 3 in their division or will they sink into the doldrums? Vancouver has a lot of question marks on their team and they will be tough to figure out early in the season. They have good players, sure. But the drama from last season seemed to derail them and become such a major distraction that they fell apart towards the end. Add onto that, Petersson just hasn’t looked that great to be worth all of the fuss. Hughes is an awesome talent, but other than him, what does this team really offer? We will find out shortly. Utah really showed promise at times, mostly on offense. They have some speedy and young offensive weapons. But instead of building their season toward a playoff spot, they crumbled into sixth in the division. They have some good things going for them, especially being a new and young team, but they are still looking up at a number of teams in the West.
The rest of the teams in the conference are having an identity crisis and trying to find their footing. Nashville used to be a good team, but you wouldn’t know it from the season they had this past year. It will be interesting to see if they can right the ship this season and at least become respectable in the West once again. San Jose and Chicago have a lot of similarities in that they have good, young talent but are still struggling to win games. It takes time to build a good roster, and depth matters especially through an 82 game season and playoffs. Can they crawl themselves out of the Western basement this season? Seattle seems to be going backwards, and they also don’t really seem to have a solid game plan for how to make their team a competitor. They had a good season three seasons ago where they made the playoffs. Then after that all they seem to have done is regress; before last season they fired their coach, then they traded away their best quality depth players before the trade deadline, and then fired their coach again at the end of the season. We’ll see if they can pull it together, as they did get some quality play from their new young talent towards the end of the season, but right now they just look like a mess destined to be a bottom feeder. Anaheim just can’t seem to pull themselves out of the bottom of the conference. They have games where they look fine enough, and then you see how many games they’re actually losing and you realize that they are just not a good team.
All in all, there’s a lot of intriguing storylines to follow in the West. Perhaps the biggest ones involve elite teams in the conference that have some big question marks around their upcoming season. Will Winnipeg dominate in the regular season again? Is Edmonton determined enough to make it to the finals for the third time in a row? Will Dallas get over the hump with a new coaching staff? Will Vegas be a force to be reckoned with now that they have Marner? But there’s plenty of intrigue around the rest of the West with other up and coming teams. Can Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Minnesota prove that they can compete with the big boys? The West is loaded with good teams, and it’s tough to judge how it’s exactly going to unfold. It seems like you can count on the better teams to do well again, but how they rank in the division will be mighty interesting. There’s a handful of good teams that are all capable of outplacing the other. So there will not be much wiggle room as the big issue in the West is the exact division placement of each team come the end of the season. This might prove to make the difference in who moves on as it decides which team has the better seeding and better matchups in the playoffs. Mighty interesting, indeed.
Eastern Conference
This is the Florida Panthers’ world, we’re all just living in it. They looked like undoubtedly the best team in the league on the run to their second Stanley Cup in a row. Two seasons ago the Oilers took the Panthers to a game 7 to make things interesting, but this year it just felt like Florida had a handle on things. Give credit where its due; the coaching has been excellent, their best players played well in big moments, and they showed that they know how to win any type of game. They have the scoring talent and the defensive prowess to play with anybody. There’s no reason to think that they can’t win a third cup; they kept their coach and they kept all of their major contributors through the offseason. But winning the Stanley Cup three times in a row is no walk in the park. Can the Panthers keep the fire in their bellies to come out on top again through another long and brutal hockey season and playoffs?
The Washington Capitals had a spectacular season, finishing the season at the top of the East. Spencer Carbery had his team looking poised to make a run, until they fell to Carolina in the playoffs. Can they keep up their momentum this season? Ovechkin is aging, but they have a nice core of solid players that are more than capable of keeping this team competitive. The old Ovechkin showed he can still score some goals last season on his way to being the highest scorer of all time. But how much can they really still count on Ovie to be a scoring menace to keep them at the top of the East?
Toronto won the Atlantic Division, and looked like a real competitor in the process. They took Florida to a game 7 in the semifinals, but like other teams in the East, couldn’t find a way to conquer the Panthers. Toronto gave Florida their biggest test in the playoffs, but ultimately came up short. Toronto really became a different team thanks to their new coach, improving their defense and goaltending. This looked like a winning recipe, but even the best teams couldn’t topple the mighty Panthers. A big question for Toronto is, can they win the division again without Marner? An even bigger question is, can they finally beat the Panthers in the playoffs?
As I already mentioned, Carolina had a successful season, making it to the Eastern Conference finals. They impressed with how they handled the Capitals in a 4-1 series win. But just like every other team in this league, they struggled against the Panthers on their way to a 4-1 series ousting. Brind’Amour has done a great job with taking this team further than maybe they were predicted to, and the Canes boast a solid roster and one of the best forechecks in the game. Being in the Eastern Conference finals can make you feel like you’re awfully close, but how close are they to actually hoisting the cup? They got a new acquisition in Ehlers that should help keep the offense scoring, but they also lost Guentzel to Tampa Bay last year who seemed to be the missing piece for Carolina. But this team seems to be getting older, and I’m not convinced Ehlers will be any better than Guentzel was for this team. They will be competitive in the East still, but they still feel like they are missing something that will take them all the way.
Tampa Bay will likely be positioning well for another playoff appearance. They have an experienced coach, well seasoned players, and good goaltending. The lightning seem to have everything you would want for a run at the cup. But the question is, just like it is for Toronto and Carolina and basically every other team in the East, how are they going to topple Florida? They had a solid finish to the season, but lost in a 4-1 series against Florida that never felt very close. So what is it that they really need? They seem to have a championship formula, but why did they look mediocre against the Panthers? Is Florida just that much better than everyone in the playoffs?
After the elite teams in the East, there are a few new faces coming to the Eastern upper echelon party in the Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils. Both had solid seasons, and Ottawa especially got hot in the latter part of the year. But both teams also got knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. Ottawa looked competitive against Toronto until the Maple Leafs started to pull away. The Senators will be an intriguing team to watch this year. They finally ended their playoff drought, but can they keep the momentum going? They need to keep the pressure on themselves to ensure that they don’t fall into the middle of the pack again. As for the Devils, they have a good core group of young players, and the new coach coming from the Maple Leafs has led them to be a competitive team. They should be solid in the East once again, but how far can they go? Can their young stars elevate themselves to become a real threat in the conference? Can they prove that they deserve to be in the conversation of best teams in the East? Winning a playoff series would be a good start.
Perhaps a step below in the middle of the conference would be Montreal, Detroit, and the two teams from New York. Montreal should be feeling pretty good about where they’re at right now. They made the playoffs last season, and even though they got handled by the Caps, it felt like it was a step in the right direction. The future of this team looks promising, but we’ve seen teams before that had a decent season only to fall apart the next year. How can they keep this from happening and make the playoffs once again? Detroit had times where they looked decent, but I dont know if many people felt that the season ended the way that they would have liked. Detroit has the same problem as the Canadiens and Devils do; how can they stay relevant and be competitive against the top teams in the East? But the Devils and Canadiens have young star talent that gives them a promising future. The Red Wings have a number of good playmakers, and they were able to re-sign Kane, which is nice. But it seems like they will need more than that if they want to finish the season with a better result. The Islanders felt like they had something going early on, and then they slowly began to drop in the divisional standings, and ultimately missed the playoffs. That had to be a disappointment for Patrick Roy and company, because they did show some promise making the playoffs in the year prior. Roy is doing what he can, but it’s not easy to elevate an average team into a top tier competitor. Here’s hoping they will be able to figure out how to win games, because they still seem to be a level below other good teams in the East. I’m beginning to wonder which direction the New York Rangers are headed, because they seem to make head scratching decisions that keep them from being a playoff team. They certainly have capable players, as they proved by making the playoffs the year prior. But the Rangers took a step backwards last year, and they don’t seem to know where they’re headed. They have some aging stars on their roster, they traded some players away, and they haven’t been able to capitalize on bringing solid youth players into the mix. New York has the experienced players and good goaltending to stay relevant in the playoff picture, but this team feels as if it’s only a few injuries away from a bad season.
So where does that leave the rest of the teams in the East? Buffalo gave fans just a tiny glimmer of hope on the second half of the season. They won a few games, and I’m sure it felt pretty good to pass Boston and leave them at the bottom of the division. Will they be competitive in the East? Let’s just hope they can trend upward and show that they’re capable of being in the middle of the pack. Boston dropped below everybody in their division; that’s gotta sting. Boston is a proud hockey town and I just dont think those results will sit well with these fans. Perhaps they should have kept their coach, who just took the Blues to the playoffs. They have some talented players(hello Pastrnak) and seemingly have their goalie, so why were they so bad? They aren’t so bad a team to stay at the bottom of the division on a regular basis. So maybe it will take some time to have a competitive team, but I expect them to finish much better this season. Lastly, there’s the thrilling race for the trophy of worst team in Pennsylvania between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. I don’t think it was all that surprising to see the Penguins not doing well, maybe a little more so with the Flyers. But what does Pittsburgh need to get back to their winning ways? The answer is complicated. They seem to be in a rebuild, but will it be one that could involve a Sydney Crosby trade? I’m sure the Penguins would like to say that Crosby played for the team his entire career, but I’m not so sure it makes for a better decision. Pittsburgh needs a total shake up and some promising young talent if they want to have any hopes of not staying at the bottom. Philadelphia has played teams hard at times, but the results speak for themselves. Like Pittsburgh, I think Philadelphia needs a total infusion of new and young talent. More than anything, they need a new identity. But that’s tough to sustain when you’re changing coaches all the time.
Division Breakdown: Predicting 2025-2026’s Winners and Strugglers
Central
The Central Division is, in my very humble opinion, the best division in the entire league. Not only do you have perennial contenders in Dallas and Colorado, but you also have the best regular season team and a team starting to establish itself as a a top tier team in the Winnipeg Jets. But that’s not all, because Minnesota and St. Louis are no pushovers, either. Even Utah is showing some potential to win games. So basically, to sum it all up, this is going to be a very difficult division to win. Winnipeg looked like the best team for awhile, but not so much after the regular season ended. Can they pull off a similarly impressive season sans Ehlers? A season with the most stellar defense and fewest goals allowed will be tough to repeat. Of course Dallas and Colorado will be ready to swoop in and take the division if they don’t. Dallas has been one of the best in the West for awhile, but the coaching change makes things a little uneasy. They should still be a good team, but how far can this coaching staff take them? Colorado is probably the next biggest threat to the Central throne. They have the elite players, coaching, and experience to consistently make the playoffs. On paper, they seem to have an excellent roster that should be making deep runs. But they can’t beat Dallas in the playoffs, so how good are they? If they can’t beat Dallas, how can they beat Edmonton? Or even Florida for that matter? Minnesota and St. Louis are also quality teams that should be in the mix come playoff time. Division winner might be a stretch for these two, but top 3 and a playoff spot? Absolutely a possibility. The Central, if you couldn’t tell by my rambling, has a lot of intrigue this year. There are a number of good teams here, but with many off-season changes, it’s still a bit of a mystery where each team will wind up in the standings.
Pacific
The Pacific Division is probably the one that seems the most top heavy. Vegas, Edmonton, and possibly Los Angeles seem to be the teams with the best chance to take the Pacific crown, but they are also teams that can go head to head with anyone in the league. Edmonton is a capable and experienced enough team that even if they don’t get a top seed they could still be just as dangerous as anybody once the playoffs start. Wherever the Oilers land in the division standings at the end of the regular season, they must be thinking about only one thing: how they can beat the Florida Panthers. Vegas is my personal favorite to take the Pacific, and it will take a catastrophe for them to not at least end up in the top 3. They feel like a team that is poised to have a good season and potential run at the Stanley Cup. Los Angeles might be the only other real threat to the division. If they play as well as they did towards the latter part of last season, they may have a shot. None of the other teams in this division feel like they would even be close to winning. Calgary has a good enough team to get a wild card spot, certainly. Vancouver looks like a hot mess. Same with Seattle. This division comes down to Vegas, Edmonton, and possibly the Kings. I can’t see it going any other way.
Atlantic
The Atlantic Division is looking pretty formidable right now. Of course there’s the almighty Panthers, but the likes of other quality teams like Toronto or Tampa Bay make this division nothing to scoff at. I would be remiss not to mention up and comers Ottawa and Montreal that are teams capable of making the playoffs. Florida has already proven they don’t need to win the division to win the cup, but how much would an easier matchup in the playoffs help another team in the Atlantic? Toronto and Tampa Bay seem poised to be one of the only teams not named Florida with a chance to win the division. Ottawa and Montreal are decent teams that have potential for a playoff spot, but I wouldn’t be placing any large bets on either of those teams to win the division. So to me this seems like a three horse race between Florida, Toronto, and Tampa Bay to win the Atlantic. No matter…because regardless of the division winner, it’s going to come down to who can beat the red hot Panthers in the playoffs.
Metropolitan
There’s a similar theme playing out in the Metropolitan division, with three teams that seem to be the most likely to be the winner. Washington, Carolina, and New Jersey have the most potential to lead come the end of the regular season, with the rest of the division likely fighting each other for positioning. Washington and Carolina seem the most likely to take the Met, but if the Devils go on a tear then there’s a possibility for them to stake their claim. Teams like the Rangers and Islanders could (and should) definitely have a better season than they did last year. But division winners might be a bit of a stretch for either of these teams. The Flyers are also probably a better team than their record showed last year, but let’s just consider them lucky this year if they can simply get close to a playoff spot. You could probably say almost the exact same thing about the Penguins. So in the Metropolitan the biggest questions are: can Washington still play like the best team in the Eastern Conference? Or could Carolina, or even New Jersey, bump them off of their high horse?
Big Trades and Acquisitions
-
- Mitch Marner → Vegas Golden Knights
- Traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs and immediately signed an 8-year, $96 million deal with Vegas.
- One of the league’s premier playmakers joins a Cup-contending roster.
-
- Nikolaj Ehlers → Carolina Hurricanes
- Signed a 6-year, $51 million deal.
- Brings elite speed and scoring ability to Carolina’s top six.
-
- John Gibson → Detroit Red Wings
- Acquired from Anaheim for Petr Mrazek, a 2026 fourth-round pick, and a 2027 second-round pick.
- Detroit gets a proven veteran goaltender to stabilize their crease.
-
- Noah Dobson → Montreal Canadiens
- Sign-and-trade deal from the Islanders: Montreal signed him for 8 years, $76 million.
- Cost the Habs Emil Heineman plus two first-round picks.
- A cornerstone defenseman for their rebuild.
-
- K’Andre Miller → Carolina Hurricanes
- Signed for 8 years, $60 million.
- Adds size, skating, and shutdown ability to the Hurricanes’ blue line.
Must-Watch Matchups & Special Games
Opening Night Tripleheader October 7, 2025 The season kicks off with three marquee matchups: Panthers vs. Blackhawks, Penguins vs. Rangers, and Avalanche vs. Kings.
2025 NHL Global Series (Sweden) Nov. 14 & 16, 2025 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Nashville Predators in Stockholm — one of the league’s international showcases.
Rematch: Panthers vs. Oilers Nov. 22, 2025 First rematch of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.
2026 Winter Classic January 2, 2026 Rangers vs. Panthers at loanDepot Park in Miami — first outdoor game in Florida and Panthers’ first outdoor match.
2026 Stadium Series (outdoor game) February 1, 2026 Bruins at Lightning in Tampa, at Raymond James Stadium — first outdoor NHL game in Tampa / Florida football stadium.
Hockey Hall of Fame Game TBD 2025 A special showcase game tied to the Hall of Fame induction festivities, featuring Detroit vs. Toronto at Scotiabank Arena.
Thanksgiving Showdown / Original Six Games Nov. 28, 2025 Rangers visit Bruins on Thanksgiving — classic matchups on a holiday.
Canadian Hockey Day / All Canadian Matchups Jan. 17, 2026 All seven Canadian-based teams in action on the same day—special national spotlight.
Penguins vs. Capitals — late season Late March / April Might carry extra significance given the historic rivalry and potential career-end implications (Crosby / Ovechkin era).
📊 Current Odds (Selections from Major Books / Aggregates)
Florida Panthers+600 to +700 Market thinks they are the top favorite or among the top. Their back-to-back championships give them momentum and respect.
Edmonton Oilers+800-+850 Viewed as strong contenders; close behind Florida. Their superstar power and recent Finals runs make them dangerous.
Colorado Avalanche+800-+1000 Seen as among top tier; expectations are high but so are the demands.
Carolina Hurricanes+800-+1000 A strong pick in the East; seen by markets as maybe the biggest threat to Florida’s dominance.
Dallas Stars Around +900-+1000 Slightly lower than the top 4, but still firmly among the Cup-contending group.
Vegas Golden Knights Also in the +850-+1200 range Adding players like Marner have boosted them; seen as a potential dark horse among the favorites.
🏆 Best Western Conference Contenders Odds
Edmonton Oilers
Odds to Win Western Conference: +350
2024–25 Performance: Western Conference champions, falling in six games to Florida in the Stanley Cup Final.
Key Strengths: Led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers have elite offensive firepower and proved they can break through to the Final. Their scoring depth and power play make them one of the toughest outs in the West
Dallas Stars
Odds to Win Western Conference: +500
2024–25 Performance: Reached the Western Conference Final before losing to Edmonton in five games.
Key Strengths: A balanced lineup with Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Miro Heiskanen, plus strong goaltending from Jake Oettinger. Their mix of youth and veteran leadership gives them staying power.
Vegas Golden Knights
Odds to Win Western Conference: +600
2024–25 Performance: Advanced to the second round, losing to Edmonton in five games.
Key Strengths: Stanley Cup winners in 2023, they remain battle-tested with depth across all lines and a strong defensive system. Jack Eichel and Mark Stone continue to drive their offense.
Colorado Avalanche
Odds to Win Western Conference: +700
2024–25 Performance: Took Dallas to seven games in the first round before being eliminated.
Key Strengths: Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are generational talents who can change a game instantly. With elite speed and transition play, they’re always a dangerous playoff threat.
Winnipeg Jets
Odds to Win Western Conference: +750
2024–25 Performance: Top seed in the West after a 56-win regular season but fell to Dallas in the second round.
Key Strengths: Connor Hellebuyck remains one of the league’s best goaltenders, and Kyle Connor leads a strong offensive group. Their physical style and defensive structure make them a tough matchup.
🏆 Top Eastern Conference Contenders Odds
Florida Panthers
- Odds to Win Eastern Conference: +300
- 2024–25 Performance: Defending Stanley Cup champions, having secured their second consecutive title by defeating the Edmonton Oilers in six games.
- Key Strengths: Deep roster with star players like Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk. Their consistent performance in recent seasons positions them as the team to beat in the East.
Carolina Hurricanes
- Odds to Win Eastern Conference: +360
- 2024–25 Performance: Reached the Eastern Conference Finals before being eliminated by the Panthers.
- Key Strengths: Strong defensive core and balanced scoring. Their playoff experience and depth make them formidable contenders.
Tampa Bay Lightning
- Odds to Win Eastern Conference: +650
- 2024–25 Performance: Continued to be a dominant force in the regular season but fell short in the playoffs.
- Key Strengths: Veteran leadership from players like Kucherov and Victor Hedman. Their experience and consistency keep them in the championship conversation.
New Jersey Devils
- Odds to Win Eastern Conference: +850
- 2024–25 Performance: Made significant strides, showcasing a young and dynamic roster.
- Key Strengths: Emerging stars and a high-powered offense. If their defense and goaltending solidify, they could make a deep playoff run.
Toronto Maple Leafs
- Odds to Win Eastern Conference: +1000
- 2024–25 Performance: Strong regular-season performance but faced challenges in the postseason.
- Key Strengths: High-scoring forwards and a potent power play. They’ll need to address defensive consistency to advance further.
🔍 Other Teams to Watch
- Ottawa Senators: With odds of +1200, the Senators are showing promise with a young and improving roster.
- Washington Capitals: Despite being underdogs with odds of +1400, the Capitals have a solid core and could surprise if they stay healthy.
- New York Rangers: At +1600, the Rangers have the talent to compete but need to find consistency.
- Montreal Canadiens: With odds of +2800, the Canadiens are in a rebuilding phase but have potential for growth.
Spotlight on the Biggest Players of 2025-2026
This season, all eyes are on a select group of players who are expected to shine. They’re setting the bar high and thrilling fans with every shift on the ice. Some guys are showing us the next level, pushing the limits with skill and agility that make even seasoned fans gasp.
The spotlight is also shared with the new kids on the block. These young wolves are just waiting to break out, showing that they’re more than hype. Scouts have been keeping tabs, and these kids are ready to make a splash that could shake up the league standings.
Veteran players aren’t relaxing either. They’re redefining what it means to have experience, using it as a weapon to outsmart and outperform. It’s their time to show that they’ve still got the fire and desire to dominate in this fast-paced arena.
International imports are also grabbing attention with their fresh styles and fearless attitudes. They’re blending skills honed overseas with the NHL’s physical play, creating a unique flavor that fans can’t get enough of. These talents are ready to make a name and turn heads all across the league. Let’s go over some of the best players in the league, as well as up and coming players, and players that might help out your team in your fantasy league.
🌟 Established Superstars to Watch
1. Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
- Outlook: McDavid continues to redefine excellence, aiming for a fourth Hart Trophy. With Leon Draisaitl focusing on becoming a two-way force, McDavid’s offensive prowess remains unparalleled.
2. Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers)
- Outlook: After leading the league in goals last season, Draisaitl is shifting focus to the Selke Trophy, enhancing his defensive game to become a more complete player.
3. Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
- Outlook: Makar’s elite skating and offensive contributions make him a perennial Norris Trophy contender. His ability to control the game from the blue line is unmatched.
4. Igor Shesterkin (New York Rangers)
- Outlook: After a stellar 2024–25 season, Shesterkin remains one of the league’s top goaltenders, providing the Rangers with a reliable backbone.
🚀 Breakout Players to Watch
1. Cole Perfetti (Winnipeg Jets)
- Outlook: Perfetti is poised for a breakout season, with expectations of surpassing 70 points. His development is crucial for the Jets’ offensive depth.
2. Juraj Slafkovský (Montreal Canadiens)
- Outlook: Entering his fourth season, Slafkovský is expected to play alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, potentially leading to a significant increase in his point totals.
3. Quinton Byfield (Los Angeles Kings)
- Outlook: With consecutive seasons of at least 20 goals, Byfield is expected to continue his upward trajectory, benefiting from a deep forward group in Los Angeles.
4. Lukas Dostal (Anaheim Ducks)
- Outlook: After a career-high 23 wins last season, Dostal is expected to take on a larger role following the trade of veteran goalie John Gibson, with the potential to reach the 30-win mark.
🔥 Fantasy Hockey Sleepers
- Logan Stankoven (Carolina Hurricanes): A rising star with the potential for a breakout season.
- Luke Evangelista (Nashville Predators): Expected to take on a more prominent role, making him a valuable fantasy asset.
- Yaroslav Askarov (Nashville Predators): With increased playing time, Askarov could emerge as a top-tier goaltender.
🌟 Emerging Stars & Breakout Candidates
1. Fraser Minten (Boston Bruins)
- Position: Center
- Outlook: Minten is expected to make a significant impact in his rookie season. His strong two-way play and offensive upside make him a player to watch as he aims to secure a top-six role on the Bruins.
2. Zayne Parekh (Calgary Flames)
- Position: Right Defenseman
- Outlook: Parekh is poised to make his NHL debut this season. Known for his excellent skating and defensive awareness, he could become a key contributor on Calgary’s blue line.
3. Matthew Savoie (Buffalo Sabres)
- Position: Center
- Outlook: Savoie is expected to take on a larger role with the Sabres this season. His speed and playmaking ability could make him a breakout candidate in Buffalo’s top-six forward group.
🔄 Bounce-Back Veterans
1. Dougie Hamilton (New Jersey Devils)
- Position: Defenseman
- Outlook: After a down year, Hamilton is expected to return to form. His offensive contributions from the blue line are crucial for the Devils’ success this season.
2. Gabriel Landeskog (Colorado Avalanche)
- Position: Forward
- Outlook: Landeskog is set to return after missing significant time due to injury. His leadership and physical presence will bolster the Avalanche’s forward group.
3. Noah Dobson (Montreal Canadiens)
- Position: Defenseman
- Outlook: Dobson is expected to bounce back after a challenging season. His ability to contribute offensively from the back end is vital for Montreal’s success.
Sophomore Standouts
1. Jiří Kulich (Buffalo Sabres)
- Position: Center
- Outlook: Kulich is poised for a breakout sophomore season. His offensive skills and hockey IQ make him a key player to watch as he takes on a larger role with the Sabres.
2. Frank Nazar (Chicago Blackhawks)
- Position: Center
- Outlook: Nazar is expected to build on a strong rookie campaign. His speed and playmaking ability will be crucial as the Blackhawks continue their rebuild.
3. Marco Kasper (Detroit Red Wings)
- Position: Center
- Outlook: Kasper is set to take on a more prominent role this season. His development will be key to the Red Wings’ success as they aim to return to playoff contention.
🔍 Fantasy Hockey Sleepers
- Mackenzie Blackwood (Colorado Avalanche): With the opportunity to start as Colorado’s No. 1 goalie, Blackwood could see a significant increase in wins and fantasy value.
- Quinton Byfield (Los Angeles Kings): After consecutive seasons of at least 20 goals, Byfield is expected to continue his upward trajectory, benefiting from a deep forward group in Los Angeles.
- Lukas Dostal (Anaheim Ducks): With increased playing time following the trade of veteran goalie John Gibson, Dostal could emerge as a top-tier goaltender.
🌟 Elite Veterans
1. Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
- Overview: Entering the final year of his eight-year, $100 million contract, McDavid remains the league’s premier talent. He has accumulated 1,082 career points in 712 games and continues to lead the Oilers with his exceptional speed and playmaking ability. Discussions about a contract extension are ongoing, with the team optimistic about securing his future in Edmonton.
2. Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers)
- Overview: After leading the league in goals last season, Draisaitl is shifting focus to the Selke Trophy, aiming to enhance his two-way game. This evolution in his playstyle reflects his commitment to becoming a more complete player.
3. Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche)
- Overview: MacKinnon is coming off a stellar season where he posted 116 points, leading the NHL in assists with 84. His combination of speed, skill, and hockey IQ makes him a constant threat on the ice.
4. Nikita Kucherov (Colorado Avalanche)
- Overview: Kucherov continues to be one of the most dynamic forwards in the league. His ability to create scoring opportunities and his vision on the ice make him a key player for the Avalanche.
Final Thoughts and Predictions
I’ve said it once, I’ve said it five times. This hockey season is filled to the brim with all the intriguing scenarios and palpable excitement a hockey fan could ask for. Now, I have given you the biggest storylines for the upcoming season, as well as a breakdown of the best teams. I have given you a detailed conference outlook, division outlook, and the most exciting player moves/trades that happened in the offseason. I have EVEN given you betting odds and predictions for the favored teams, sleeper fantasy picks, and the best players to watch out for to really turn it on this season. Really, what more could a bloodthirsty, rabid hockey fan possibly want? You want more than THAT?!? Well after all that I’ve given you, out of pure excitement for the hockey season that’s about to start, I will still add one final personal prediction for the upcoming season. I’ve mentioned numerous times the biggest storylines of this season basically revolving around whether or not Florida can win the cup once again, and if they can’t, will it be Edmonton to take their place or another team waiting in the wings to take their chance at glory? That’s really going to be the elephant in the room for probably the entirety of this season, as everybody wants to know if Florida is just a good team that had a few good seasons, or if they are a true elite dynasty going down in the history books. But Connor Mcdavid and the Oilers want to make their own case for the cup. How will this season end up playing out? Obviously, any season can be affected majorly by impactful injuries, so the final result could fluctuate based on this. But I can imagine that winning three Stanley’s (in a row, no less) is rather difficult to do. While the Panthers are more than a capable enough team to do it, I predict that another team will hoist the cup this year. While Edmonton is always dangerous with Mcdavid and Draisatl and crew, nothing in the offseason has led me to believe that they will be better. I think the Oilers still need better goaltending and line depth to make it all the way and win the cup. So if it’s not Florida or Edmonton, then who? That’s what makes this season so intriguing; there are a number of teams that could fill this void. Which team is going to step up and insist that the Panthers and Oilers don’t get to just easily pass through everyone else and compete for the cup every single year? Who is going to stake their claim in hockey history? Now, here is where normally Dallas would enter the fray, but they just made a major coaching change that makes the Stars a bit of a mystery. Could Carolina or Colorado enter the chat? Perhaps even Toronto, or Washington? As you can see, the stories and wild possibilities just keep coming. Being that Dallas is a bit of an unknown right now, there is one team that comes to my mind that brings experience and poise to the Stanley Cup conversation: the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas has everything you could want in a championship team. They have the star players. They have the depth. They have good defense, good goaltending, and an experienced roster and coaching staff. And on top of all that, they now have Mitch Marner. Now that appears to me to be a winning formula. Now that you twisted my arm to get a prediction out of me, I think that the Golden Knights are going to be tough to beat, and I predict them to hoist the cup at the end of the season. Anything can happen through the course of 82 games, and I expect many exciting developments each and every week. I hope you hockey fans stay with me as we delve into the madness that is the NHL season. Stay up to date here with the hockey viking for more updates, rankings, predictions, and anything else that you might need to quench your hockey thirst. This season has all the makings to be a good one; so get your viking gear on, and start preparing yourself now for the wild journey beginning on October 7.