Oilers
Two of the highest 5 gamers on the planet reside in Edmonton, and Evan Bouchard most likely does not get sufficient credit score as an elite defenseman. That might be adequate to get this group to the playoffs with ease. Will it’s sufficient to complete the job and win a Cup? 5 0-0-0
2

Avalanche
Is Brock Nelson lastly the reply to the Avalanche’s No. 2 middle downside? If he’s, this group ought to take off and make one other Cup run. Plus, ageless marvel Brent Burns may present some good depth on the again finish. 1 1-0-0
3

Golden Knights
To nobody’s shock, the Golden Knights made the largest splash of the offseason once they acquired Mitch Marner. He’ll add loads of pop to the highest of the lineup, however the power of this Vegas group lies with its ridiculously deep blue line. 1 0-0-0
4

Panthers
Even with the injured Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk out to start out the season, the Panthers are nonetheless No. 1 within the East. These losses would crush different groups, however I can not depend out Florida, among the best groups from prime to backside in the complete league. 3 1-0-0
5

Lightning
The Battle of Florida must be as spicy as ever this season. The Bolts might be again within the Cup combine, however the huge query is whether or not a few of their key veterans, particularly on protection, can keep away from the dreaded age cliff. 2 0-0-0
6

Stars
The Stars are nearly an ideal group. They’ve studs everywhere in the ice, and then you definately have a look at their protection past Esa Lindell. Dallas has little defensive depth, and that might show to be this group’s Achilles’ heel within the playoffs. 2 0-0-0
7

Hurricanes
Carolina is loaded on protection, however does it have sufficient offense for a deep playoff run? Nikolaj Ehlers ought to assist in that regard, particularly if the Hurricanes are good sufficient to present him extra ice time than he obtained in Winnipeg. 2 0-0-0
8

Devils
In every of the final two seasons, Jack Hughes has missed 20 video games, and he missed the 2025 postseason. The Devils must preserve Hughes wholesome for a full 82 video games. If they will, there’s quite a bit to love about this squad, one that might stage up into a real contender. 3 0-0-0
9

Maple Leafs
Dropping Mitch Marner is a troublesome blow, however there’s nonetheless sufficient expertise on this group to do some actual harm. Accidents hampered Auston Matthews for a lot of final season. Toronto is hoping that higher well being permits Matthews to chase 70 objectives as he did in 2023-24. 1 0-0-0
10

Senators
Admittedly, this may be a tad excessive for the Senators, however I like a variety of what they’ve to supply. The addition of Jordan Spence was a savvy one for the blue line, and far of Ottawa’s core is coming into its prime. The depth is troublesome, however the Sens are primed for an additional playoff look. 1 0-0-0
11

Jets
Reigning Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck is able to carrying this group to the playoffs on his personal. Does the remainder of the roster stack up effectively with the remainder of the contenders within the West? That is still to be seen. 2 0-0-0
12

Kings
If the Kings’ budding younger stars, Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke, can take the following step, their ceiling raises fairly a bit. If these two plateau — mixed with drop-offs from Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty — Los Angeles might be in must be in hassle. 4 0-1-0
13

Mammoth
Take the brakes off. I am driving the hype practice for the Mammoth and Logan Cooley off a cliff if I’ve to. I anticipate Utah to be probably the most enjoyable group within the NHL this season, and I can not wait to observe. 3 0-0-0
14

Wild
Kirill Kaprizov. Matt Boldy. Marco Rossi. Brock Faber. Zeev Buium. It is simple to get enamored with that younger core. The supporting solid of veterans round them may be what holds the Wild again for at the least this season. — 0-0-0
15

Rangers
How a lot of the 2024-25 season was a fluke, and the way a lot of it was the brand new actuality for the Rangers. The reply to that query, mixed with no matter contemporary perspective new coach Mike Sullivan can present, will decide which means New York goes. 3 0-1-0
16

Capitals
The Capitals have some good depth, particularly on protection. They simply do not have sufficient star energy to be thought-about true Stanley Cup contenders. Perhaps that adjustments sooner or later this season, however proper now Washington is one or two offensive playmakers brief. 4 0-0-0
17

Canadiens
On the one hand, the Canadiens and their minus-20 purpose differential had been extraordinarily lucky to succeed in the playoffs final season. On the opposite, there isn’t any denying that Montreal has an up-and-coming roster. For now, I am going to take the cowardly route and break up the distinction. 2 0-0-0
18

Blues
Jim Montgomery goes to verify this group performs protection. Does it have sufficient offense — and might a number of of its key defensemen keep away from an age-related slide — to compete for a playoff spot as soon as once more? 1 0-0-0
19

Canucks
To place it plainly, the vibes in Vancouver final season had been atrocious. New coach Adam Foote is tasked with turning that tide and getting the Canucks again to the playoffs. That might be powerful, however having Quinn Hughes actually helps. — 0-0-0
20

Sabres
The Sabres have not been to the playoffs since “Captain America: The First Avenger” hit theaters. If they will finish that streak in 2026, Buffalo wants extra from younger gamers like Zach Benson, Owen Energy and Jack Quinn. 2 0-0-0
21

Purple Wings
Is that this the 12 months the Yzerplan lastly yields some outcomes? Persistence is operating out and understandably so. A as soon as nice franchise hasn’t seen the postseason in nearly a decade, and the following playoff berth does not seem like on the doorstep. 1 0-0-0
22

Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets had been arguably the NHL’s greatest story final season, and it was a intestine punch once they fell simply shy of the playoffs. If Columbus can recapture that magic, will probably be proper again within the combine. If not a end nearer to the basement could also be within the playing cards. 3 0-0-0
23

Geese
Idiot me as soon as, disgrace on you. Idiot me twice, disgrace on me. Idiot me 3 times, and I’ll err on the aspect of warning in my preseason NHL Energy Rankings. Now the Geese are undoubtedly going to have a breakout season. 2 0-0-0
24

Bruins
If David Pastrnak can rating 120 objectives, I like this group’s possibilities of reaching the playoffs. In any other case, there’s at all times subsequent 12 months. 1 0-0-0
25

Predators
Final season was the worst-case state of affairs in Nashville, and I might anticipate the Predators to be higher. In fact, that also leaves a variety of room for mediocrity. 1 0-0-0
26

Islanders
The Islanders are a group in transition, and that transition obtained off to a very good begin when the ping pong balls bounced their means and Matthew Schaefer fell into their lap at No. 1 total. Nonetheless, do not anticipate New York to be within the playoff discipline in 2026. 1 0-0-0
27

Flyers
Matvei Michkov is superior, and I believe Rick Tocchet is a reasonably good coach. Philadelphia simply must preserve loading up its prospect pool for now as a result of this roster is not adequate to beat out one of the best within the East. 1 0-0-0
28

Flames
As a rookie goaltender, Dustin Wolf nearly carried the Flames to the playoffs final 12 months. Given the dearth of impression gamers on this roster, I might wager towards him doing that once more this season. I see the Flames cooling off fairly a bit. — 0-0-0
29

Kraken
The Kraken look like a rudderless franchise nowadays. New coach Lane Lambert might assist the offense, however the protection? Judging from his Islanders tenure, I might be taking fairly a number of overs. — 0-0-0
30

Penguins
Sidney Crosby makes this group value watching, however how lengthy will he stay in Pittsburgh? That would be the largest story within the NHL this season. — 1-0-0
31

Sharks
The Sharks will not be good, however they’re going to be higher. The trio of Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and Michael Misa may be a handful for a really very long time. — 0-0-0
32

Blackhawks
Chicago has spent a variety of time down right here over the previous few seasons. Can the Blackhawks at the least climb as much as some stage of competency? The mid-20s? Dare I say the low-20s? — 0-1-0