The 2025-26 NHL season kicked off with three American matchups, including the Florida Panthers celebrating their back-to-back Stanley Cup wins by defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2. Canadian teams hit the ice the following night, with the Toronto Maple Leafs facing off against the Montreal Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers taking on the Calgary Flames.
Starting with the Edmonton Oilers, they finished last season with a 48-29-5 record and made it to the Stanley Cup final, ultimately losing to the Panthers. Star player Connor McDavid signed a two-year, $25 million extension, keeping him with the team. The pressure is now on the Oilers to utilize their cap space wisely to support McDavid in his quest for a championship. Despite having top talents like McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, uncertainties linger around the team’s roster depth and goaltending.
Moving to the Toronto Maple Leafs, they ended the previous season with a 52-26-4 record but suffered a disappointing loss to the Panthers in the playoffs. The departure of Mitch Marner to Vegas left a gap, but the team managed to secure deals with key players like John Tavares and Matthew Knies. Captain Auston Matthews is back in top form after recovering from an injury that affected his performance last season.
The Winnipeg Jets had a standout regular season, clinching their first division title and winning the Presidents’ Trophy. However, their playoff journey was cut short by the Dallas Stars. Despite star goalie Connor Hellebuyck’s individual accolades, questions remain about his postseason performance. The team made moves in the off-season, including bringing back veteran Jonathan Toews.
The Ottawa Senators secured a playoff spot led by Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and Jake Sanderson. They put up a fight in the postseason against the Toronto Maple Leafs. With minimal changes during the summer, the Senators are banking on their young core to step up this season.
The Montreal Canadiens showed improvement last season, earning a playoff spot ahead of schedule in their rebuilding process. Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson and standout performances from Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki fueled their success. The addition of defenseman Noah Dobson adds strength to their roster, setting high expectations for the upcoming season.
The Calgary Flames surprised many by almost clinching a wild card spot after a disappointing previous season. Goaltender Dustin Wolf and forward Nazem Kadri were among the standout performers. The team aims to address their scoring woes, with prospects like Zayne Parekh offering hope for a stronger offensive presence.
Lastly, the Vancouver Canucks struggled last season, missing the playoffs and facing internal challenges. Changes in coaching staff and player acquisitions, including Evander Kane from Edmonton and retaining Brock Boeser, aim to revamp the team for a better performance this season.