NHL 2025-26 Season Preview
As anticipation builds for the commencement of the 2025-26 NHL season on Tuesday, fans can look forward to an exciting opening night featuring three key matchups broadcast on ESPN. The night kicks off at 5 p.m. ET with a highly anticipated game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Florida Panthers, including a special ceremony for the Panthers as they raise their Stanley Cup banner. This is followed by the Pittsburgh Penguins facing off against the New York Rangers at 8 p.m. ET, and concluding with the Colorado Avalanche taking on the Los Angeles Kings at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Team Insights
In preparation for the season, we present a comprehensive overview that outlines crucial insights regarding all 32 teams. Insights include each team’s strengths and weaknesses, key players, potential award contenders, fantasy hockey tips, and bold predictions. Our analysis begins with the initial Power Rankings, formulated based on input from ESPN’s team of hockey experts, analysts, and broadcasters.
Team Highlights
The Edmonton Oilers aim for a third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, having come off a strong season posting a record of 48 wins, 29 losses, and 5 OT losses, earning them 101 points as they seek to overcome last year’s Finals defeat. General Manager Stan Bowman has made strategic offseason moves, including the acquisition of forwards Andrew Mangiapane and Isaac Howard. Yet, questions linger regarding their defensive reliability in high-stakes moments, with past playoff performances showcasing inconsistencies, particularly in goaltending.
The Carolina Hurricanes, boasting a formidable lineup that includes star players like Nikolaj Ehlers and K’Andre Miller, strive for offensive depth and a strong defensive presence after a successful previous season, finishing with 47 wins, 30 losses, and 5 OT losses. But concerns remain regarding their goaltending duo, which struggled last season, placing them among the lower tiers of save percentages across the league.
Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Golden Knights, who finished last season with 50 wins, 22 losses, and 10 OT losses, are aiming to adapt following Alex Pietrangelo’s uncertain status due to injury. The pressure is on the team to seamlessly implement ‘Plan B’ strategies that proved critical after their playoff exit last year.
In the East, the Florida Panthers, facing the challenge of significant injuries to key players Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, prepare for their title defense. The health and performance of other players will be vital for their success this season, reflecting the high-stakes mentality cultivated through consecutive Cup Finals.
Effective goaltending could define playoff contenders like the Winnipeg Jets and the New York Rangers, both of whom will rely on their star netminders to carry their teams.
Looking Forward
Amid these storylines, several players emerge as early favorites for individual awards, with Connor McDavid of the Oilers and Jaccob Slavin of the Hurricanes leading the charge in respective categories. Fantasy players should keep an eye on newcomers and revamped lines as teams build toward more competitive seasons. In a nutshell, teams across the NHL are gearing up for what promises to be a season filled with excitement, along with the ongoing quest for the Stanley Cup. Expect predictions ranging from bold extensions for superstars to surprising playoff performances as the narrative of the season unfolds.
