With the NHL season starting soon, I decided to make a preview of the 2025-2026 NHL Season. Enjoy! Below is a section for every division and my thoughts.
Metropolitan Division
Favorite to win division: Carolina Hurricanes
The Canes’ defense has one of the best defenses in the league by far; Jaccob Slavin is a lockdown player, and adding his shot in the mix, he is a major threat. With the addition of Nikolaj Ehlers, their defensemen will be more of an offensive threat as well. Their offense might be a bit weak, with Sebastian Aho mainly carrying the forward core.
Brightest Future: New Jersey Devils
Look, I am not saying this to be biased, but this team will be a cup contender soon. Arseny Gritsyuk was added to the team, and he put up a very good number of points in the Russian leagues. They have some pretty good players in college right now, and if Jack Hughes stays healthy, they can do some damage this year.
Falling Off: New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins’ goaltending situation is abysmal. Placing Tristan Jarry on waivers leaves them with Alex Nedeljkovic, a very mediocre goalie, and Arturs Silovs, a goalie who has been playing only in the minor leagues. The defense has some holes, and with Crosby and Malkin getting older, this team might be a contender for last in the division.
The Islanders are falling off, but not as much as the Penguins. Drafting Matthew Schaefer first overall might help a bit, but there isn’t really any major talent on the squad. David Rittich, as a backup, is getting very old, and if goaltender Ilya Sorokin goes down, they can kiss their season goodbye
Atlantic Division
Favorite to win division: Florida Panthers
When you win the Stanley Cup back-to-back, you are obviously going to be the favorite. Sergei Bobrovsky is a contender for the Vezina trophy, and when you have superstars like Brad Marchand, Matthew Tkachuk, and Sam Reinhart, you are unstoppable. Although Barkov might be out for the season, they still have enough depth to keep the offense strong.
Brightest Future: Ottawa Senators
This team used to be the laughing stock of the NHL. Now, they are going to be deadly. Linus Ullmark is great when healthy, Brady Tkachuk is a shifty enforcer, and Tim Stutzle has some of the best stickhandling skills in the league. I expect them to make the wild card spot again this year.
Special Category- Doomed: Buffalo Sabres
There is nothing saving this team. Goaltending is atrocious, and their only good players are Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin. They struggle to fill up the arena and have become famous for the wrong reasons. Overall, they are probably going to be last not just in the division, but in the whole league.
Pacific Division
Favorite to win division: Edmonton Oilers
They are arguably the best team in the NHL. Although they have lost in the finals two years in a row, they have the best duo in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. McDavid’s speed, hands, and shot are something no one can match, and when you put that together with Draisaitl’s one-timers and playmaking, they can destroy other teams. When goalie Stuart Skinner is playing well, they are tough to beat.
Brightest Future: LA Kings
The Kings are looking good. Phoenix Copley might not be known as a star, but he gets the job done in goal. Quinton Byfield’s size makes him tough to knock off the puck, while Kevin Fiala is an offensive mastermind. Although Anze Kopitar is entering his final season, the team has a great forward core.
Special Category- Bad, But Not Worst: San Jose Sharks
Am I the only one who thinks that even though they are falling off, they aren’t as bad as the others in this category? Seriously, Macklin Celebrini is a future star, and Will Smith can be great offensively. Although the defense needs a lot of work, they shouldn’t be ridiculed that much.
Central Division
Favorite to win division: Winnipeg Jets
No surprise here. The Jets won the presidential trophy last year, which means they had the most points out of anyone in the league. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck won the Hart and Vezina trophies last year, and Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele had 80 goals combined. I would be shocked if they didn’t make the playoffs this year.
Brightest Future: St. Louis Blues
I think the Blues have a bright future because of their playoff performance. Although they lost in the first round, they took the Winnipeg Jets to a game seven, losing in overtime. Goaltender Jordan Binnington is looking like himself again, and when you have Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou putting up a large number of goals in the playoffs, you have a chance to be better in the future.
Falling Off: Nashville Predators
Nashville has a stacked roster, and they still finished near the bottom of the standings last year. They signed Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Ryan O’ Riley, all players who are known as stars. Juuse Saros had the worst season of his career as well. If they don’t turn things around this season, they might have to trade away their star players.
In conclusion, I think this season is going to be an interesting one. My prediction is that the Oilers win the Presidential Trophy, with the Hurricanes playing them in the Stanley Cup Finals. My last-place team prediction is the Buffalo Sabres. Lastly, I predict that the Oilers will win it all. Comment your predictions below!
