Panthers
Invoice Zito simply retains working his magic. Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad are all nonetheless Panthers. Effectively, it is both magic or all of the profitable and year-round sunshine. Regardless, Florida is primed for the primary three-peat for the reason that Islanders’ run within the early 80s. 8 47-31-4
2

Golden Knights
Is it any shock that the Golden Knights wound up with the largest prize available on the market this offseason? Mitch Marner is now in a Vegas uniform, and he’ll play alongside Jack Eichel to type a terrifying duo. Another blue line addition ought to full this juggernaut. — 50-22-10
3

Avalanche
It hasn’t been a loopy summer season for the Avalanche, however they’ve dealt with their enterprise fairly properly. Colorado re-signed Brock Nelson, and it upgraded on protection with an inexpensive one-year deal for Brent Burns. The Avalanche will as soon as once more be one of many favorites to hoist the Cup in 2025. 3 49-29-4
4

Stars
The Stars have some very actual wage cap points, however as issues stand at present, it appears like they will be battling with the Avalanche atop the Central Division. Jason Robertson stays on the roster for now, and Dallas must do every little thing in its energy to keep away from buying and selling him. That might be a significant loss for the group. 3 50-26-6
5

Hurricanes
Depend me among the many followers of Carolina’s strikes over the past week or so. The Canes signed Logan Stankoven to a really team-friendly contract, acquired Ok’Andre Miller from the Rangers and signed expert winger Nikolaj Ehlers. Carolina is doing its finest to shut that hole with Florida within the East. 6 47-30-5
6

Oilers
Paying Trent Frederic nearly $4 million to play bottom-six minutes was an fascinating determination, they usually tried but once more to repair their depth scoring by signing Andrew Mangiapane. Goaltending stays the largest query, so we’ll see whether or not the Oilers discover any solutions at that place between now and October. 6 48-29-5
7

Lightning
The Bolts have been quiet this summer season, however we’ll see how lengthy that lasts. Even when it stays established order for Tampa, that is nonetheless an excellent workforce. If the Lightning can discover a option to get higher (and youthful) on protection, then they are going to look fairly scary on paper going into 2025-26. 2 47-27-8
8

Maple Leafs
Even with out Mitch Marner, the Leafs nonetheless have a gifted lineup. Three members of the Core 4 stay, and Matthew Knies is poised for one more massive leap. Past that, the acquisition of Matias Maccelli is one among my favourite low-key strikes of the offseason. Nonetheless, Toronto simply misplaced a perennial 100-point scorer, and the workforce is worse due to it. 7 52-26-4
9

Senators
Ottawa has but to do something actually splashy, however the two under-the-radar strikes it has made are actually savvy. I am an enormous fan of younger defenseman Jordan Spence, who was underused in Los Angeles, and Lars Eller is a superb fourth-line heart. The Senators are coming for the highest canines within the Atlantic. 1 45-30-7
10

Mammoth
Anticipate me to be banging the Mammoth drum till the puck drops on opening night time. I just like the expertise on this workforce, and that is very true after the deal for JJ Peterka. He is able to placing up 40 objectives on this league, and whereas it does sting to lose Michael Kesselring, Utah’s offense simply received a significant enhance. 6 38-31-13
11

Devils
As issues stand proper now, the Devils appeared poised to run it again. That won’t essentially be a foul factor. There’s a lot to love about this squad, particularly with Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt main the way in which. The query is whether or not New Jersey can get a full 82 video games out of Hughes. 3 42-33-7
12

Capitals
Not a lot has modified for the Capitals, and that is OK. If it ain’t broke, do not repair it. Washington is about to convey again many of the workforce that posted 51 wins and 111 factors final season. I do suspect there can be some regression, however Washington will nonetheless be firmly within the Metro Division combine. 2 51-22-9
13

Jets
The Jets did not know what they’d in Nikolaj Ehlers, and now he is gone. On high of that, Winnipeg received a lot older with the signings of Jonathan Toews and Gus Nyquist, two gamers whose finest days are behind them. Proper now, it looks as if the Jets could also be in for a large step again after profitable the Presidents’ Trophy. 10 56-22-4
14

Wild
I nonetheless have questions on how the Wild will rating, and whereas the addition of Vladimir Tarasenko might assist, he is a participant in decline. Minnesota in all probability is not carried out making strikes with Marco Rossi on the commerce block. If the Wild can transfer on from Rossi and land a real No. 1 heart, it is going to be a terrific summer season. If not, then the workforce could also be destined for one more first-round exit. 3 45-30-7
15

Canadiens
The Canadiens are an enchanting workforce in 2025-26 as a result of they only made the playoffs with a minus-20 purpose differential. That tells me they have been lucky to be in that place. Then again, Montreal is an thrilling group. Lane Hutson is coming off a Calder Trophy win, and the workforce simply swung a blockbuster commerce for Noah Dobson. — 40-31-11
16

Kings
Lacking out on Mitch Marner. Buying and selling Jordan Spence. Signing Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin to massive contracts. It is onerous to see the Kings as something apart from one of many offseason’s greatest losers thus far. Los Angeles might be nonetheless a playoff workforce, however a fifth straight loss to the Oilers is coming down the tracks. 12 48-25-9
17

Blues
St. Louis has upgraded its heart depth with Pius Suter and Nick Bjugstad, and there are nonetheless issues to love elsewhere. The Blues simply appear to lack sufficient high-end scorers to compete with the highest groups in its personal division. Maybe Jim Montgomery’s defensive acumen can get this workforce to the postseason once more. 4 44-30-8
18

Rangers
The Rangers primarily swapped Ok’Andre Miller for Vladislav Gavrikov. They removed a veteran participant on a dear deal in Chris Kreider. Mike Sullivan takes over behind the bench. It has been a combined bag for New York, a workforce that appears destined for the playoff fringes subsequent season. 4 39-36-7
19

Canucks
Pius Suter is gone. Evander Kane has arrived. Brock Boeser has returned. All of these issues really feel stunning to totally different levels, and it is onerous to guage these Canucks. Will they be nearer to the 2023-24 squad that almost went to the convention finals, or will it’s a repeat of final yr after they missed the playoffs by six factors? The latter appears extra doubtless. 1 38-30-14
20

Crimson Wings
The Crimson Wings went out and received the highest goalie obtainable on the commerce market in John Gibson. Additionally they added defensive specialist Mason Appleton to the ahead group. Is that sufficient to finish Detroit’s prolonged playoff drought? I am fairly skeptical, so Steve Yzerman might have to take an enormous swing on the commerce market over the following few months (see: Jason Robertson). 1 39-35-8
21

Geese
Regardless of the addition of some veterans (Mikael Granlund and Chris Kreider), any significant enhancements should be made internally. Anaheim wants gamers like Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Pavel Mintyukov to take massive steps ahead underneath new coach Joel Quenneville. 4 35-37-10
22

Sabres
I am of two minds concerning the Buffalo Sabres. For one, they’ve some enjoyable gamers of their ahead group, and their younger core of defensemen is kind of spectacular. Having mentioned that, it is also the Sabres. There are nonetheless massive holes additional down the lineup that I don’t anticipate them to plug. This workforce cannot get out of its personal manner, so I will not be predicting playoffs till I see it with my very own eyes. 1 36-39-7
23

Bruins
Placing the Bruins at No. 23 feels a bit beneficiant. Exterior of David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy, what number of gamers are there to get enthusiastic about? Possibly Hampus Lindholm. Possibly Jeremy Swayman. Boston could also be in for a really lengthy 2025-26 season. 6 33-39-10
24

Predators
The Predators have tinkered with their protection a bit, nevertheless it’s been uneventful outdoors of that. Constructive regression alone ought to make Nashville higher subsequent season, however that will nonetheless put the workforce properly out of a playoff spot. The Preds’ entrance workplace is perhaps higher served to set its sights on the 2026 offseason. 7 30-44-8
25

Blue Jackets
This may increasingly appear low for a workforce that simply missed the playoffs by two factors final season, however the Blue Jackets performed properly above expectations. Rather a lot went proper for Columbus, and the workforce nonetheless missed the playoffs. The acquisition of Charlie Coyle was a head-scratcher, and the Ivan Provorov extension may need brought about some bald spots among the many fan base. 6 40-33-9
26

Flyers
The Trevor Zegras commerce was a sensible transfer from the Flyers. Wager on a really gifted younger participant whose worth has by no means been decrease. If Zegras hits in Philly, the workforce may have a star. If not, he is within the final yr of his present contract, so no hurt carried out. Regardless of that, I nonetheless suppose the Flyers want at the very least yet another yr earlier than they’re again within the playoff dialog. — 33-39-10
27

Islanders
Occasions are lastly altering on Lengthy Island. Lou Lamoriello is out, and the roster has been shaken up. Most notably, star defenseman Noah Dobson is a Canadien, and No. 1 total decide Matthew Schaefer will theoretically take his place. The change of route may imply a troublesome yr for the Islanders, however the future already appears fairly shiny. 3 35-35-12
28

Flames
The Flames are one other workforce that narrowly missed out on the playoffs, however they’ve taken a tumble within the postseason energy rankings. Calgary was the beneficiary of some good puck luck, and the roster stays fairly underwhelming. That is particularly the case if Rasmus Andersson will get traded within the coming weeks. 10 41-27-14
29

Kraken
Seattle has carried out stuff this summer season, however how a lot of it has been good? Lane Lambert is now the coach, however his resume with the Islanders was very underwhelming. Mason Marchment is an efficient participant, however how a lot does he transfer the needle? Ryan Lindgren struggled final yr, and now he’ll play an enormous position on the Kraken’s blue line. 2 35-41-6
30

Penguins
One of many few groups clearly not attempting to get any higher for subsequent season, the Penguins are very a lot enjoying the lengthy recreation. Pittsburgh hasn’t made many main additions, and GM Kyle Dubas is unquestionably dangling commerce chips like Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. The Pens can be fairly dangerous, however that is by design. 2 34-36-12
31

Sharks
The Sharks are nonetheless going to be dangerous. However they won’t be fairly as dangerous. They’ve a trio of very thrilling younger forwards, they usually added some veterans on the blue line. San Jose will not be inside spitting distance of the playoffs, however there ought to be competent hockey on most nights. 1 20-50-12
32

Blackhawks
Final yr made it very evident that the Blackhawks’ rebuild nonetheless has a really lengthy option to go. Even Connor Bedard struggled as Chicago cratered. Anticipate extra younger prospects to play greater roles in 2025-26, and it is going to be fascinating to see what number of of them rise to the event and stick to the NHL membership for many of the yr. 2 25-46-11