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 in the marketplace this offseason? Mitch Marner is now in a Vegas uniform, and he’ll play alongside Jack Eichel to kind a terrifying duo. Yet one more 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 affordable 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 right now, it seems like they’re going to be battling with the Avalanche atop the Central Division. Jason Robertson stays on the roster for now, and Dallas must do all the pieces in its energy to keep away from buying and selling him. That may be a significant loss for the group. 3 50-26-6
5

Hurricanes
Depend me among the many followers of Carolina’s strikes during the last 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 greatest 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 resolution, and so they 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 establishment for Tampa, that is nonetheless an excellent group. If the Lightning can discover a technique to get higher (and youthful) on protection, then they’ll 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 proficient lineup. Three members of the Core 4 stay, and Matthew Knies is poised for an additional massive bounce. 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 group 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 middle. The Senators are coming for the highest canines within the Atlantic. 1 45-30-7
10

Mammoth
Count on me to be banging the Mammoth drum till the puck drops on opening night time. I just like the expertise on this group, 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 bought a significant enhance. 6 38-31-13
11

Devils
As issues stand proper now, the Devils appeared poised to run it again. That will not essentially be a nasty factor. There’s loads to love about this squad, particularly with Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt main the best way. 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 ready to convey again a lot of the group 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 prime of that, Winnipeg bought a lot older with the signings of Jonathan Toews and Gus Nyquist, two gamers whose greatest days are behind them. Proper now, it looks like 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 most likely is not accomplished making strikes with Marco Rossi on the commerce block. If the Wild can transfer on from Rossi and land a real No. 1 middle, it will likely be an ideal summer season. If not, then the group could also be destined for an additional first-round exit. 3 45-30-7
15

Canadiens
The Canadiens are a captivating group 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. However, Montreal is an thrilling group. Lane Hutson is coming off a Calder Trophy win, and the group 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 laborious to see the Kings as something apart from one of many offseason’s largest losers up to now. Los Angeles might be nonetheless a playoff group, however a fifth straight loss to the Oilers is coming down the tracks. 12 48-25-9
17

Blues
St. Louis has upgraded its middle 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 group to the postseason once more. 4 44-30-8
18

Rangers
The Rangers basically 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 blended bag for New York, a group 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 shocking to totally different levels, and it is laborious to judge these Canucks. Will they be nearer to the 2023-24 squad that just about went to the convention finals, or will or not it’s a repeat of final yr after they missed the playoffs by six factors? The latter appears extra probably. 1 38-30-14
20

Crimson Wings
The Crimson Wings went out and bought the highest goalie out there 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 could must take an enormous swing on the commerce market over the subsequent 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 in regards to 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 stated that, it is also the Sabres. There are nonetheless massive holes additional down the lineup that I don’t count on them to plug. This group cannot get out of its personal method, 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, but it surely’s been uneventful outdoors of that. Constructive regression alone ought to make Nashville higher subsequent season, however that might nonetheless put the group nicely out of a playoff spot. The Preds’ entrance workplace could be higher served to set its sights on the 2026 offseason. 7 30-44-8
25

Blue Jackets
This will appear low for a group that simply missed the playoffs by two factors final season, however the Blue Jackets performed nicely above expectations. Quite a bit went proper for Columbus, and the group nonetheless missed the playoffs. The acquisition of Charlie Coyle was a head-scratcher, and the Ivan Provorov extension might need triggered some bald spots among the many fan base. 6 40-33-9
26

Flyers
The Trevor Zegras commerce was a wise transfer from the Flyers. Guess on a really proficient younger participant whose worth has by no means been decrease. If Zegras hits in Philly, the group can have a star. If not, he is within the final yr of his present contract, so no hurt accomplished. Regardless of that, I nonetheless suppose the Flyers want a minimum of another yr earlier than they’re again within the playoff dialog. — 33-39-10
27

Islanders
Instances 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 general choose Matthew Schaefer will theoretically take his place. The change of route would possibly imply a tricky yr for the Islanders, however the future already seems fairly vibrant. 3 35-35-12
28

Flames
The Flames are one other group 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 accomplished 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 effective participant, however how a lot does he transfer the needle? Ryan Lindgren struggled final yr, and now he’ll play an enormous function on the Kraken’s blue line. 2 35-41-6
30

Penguins
One of many few groups clearly not making an attempt to get any higher for subsequent season, the Penguins are very a lot taking part in 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 may not be fairly as dangerous. They’ve a trio of very thrilling younger forwards, and so they 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 technique to go. Even Connor Bedard struggled as Chicago cratered. Count on extra younger prospects to play greater roles in 2025-26, and it will likely be fascinating to see what number of of them rise to the event and keep on with the NHL membership for a lot of the yr. 2 25-46-11