1
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Oilers
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Two of the highest 5 gamers on this planet reside in Edmonton, and Evan Bouchard most likely would not get sufficient credit score as an elite defenseman. That might be adequate to get this workforce to the playoffs with ease. Will or not it’s sufficient to complete the job and win a Cup? |
5 |
0-0-0 |
2
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Avalanche
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Is Brock Nelson lastly the reply to the Avalanche’s No. 2 heart drawback? If he’s, this workforce ought to take off and make one other Cup run. Plus, ageless surprise Brent Burns may present some good depth on the again finish. |
1 |
1-0-0 |
3
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Golden Knights
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To nobody’s shock, the Golden Knights made the most important splash of the offseason after they acquired Mitch Marner. He’ll add loads of pop to the highest of the lineup, however the energy of this Vegas workforce lies with its ridiculously deep blue line. |
1 |
0-0-0 |
4
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Panthers
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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 whole league. |
3 |
1-0-0 |
5
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Lightning
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The Battle of Florida ought to be as spicy as ever this season. The Bolts might be again within the Cup combine, however the massive 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
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Stars
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The Stars are virtually an ideal workforce. They’ve studs all around the ice, and then you definately take a look at their protection past Esa Lindell. Dallas has little defensive depth, and that would show to be this workforce’s Achilles’ heel within the playoffs. |
2 |
0-0-0 |
7
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Hurricanes
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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 sensible sufficient to provide him extra ice time than he acquired in Winnipeg. |
2 |
0-0-0 |
8
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Devils
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In every of the final two seasons, Jack Hughes has missed 20 video games, and he missed the 2025 postseason. The Devils must hold Hughes wholesome for a full 82 video games. If they will, there’s lots to love about this squad, one that would stage up into a real contender. |
3 |
0-0-0 |
9
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Maple Leafs
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Shedding Mitch Marner is a troublesome blow, however there’s nonetheless sufficient expertise on this workforce to do some actual injury. 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
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Senators
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Admittedly, this is perhaps a tad excessive for the Senators, however I like loads 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 getting into its prime. The depth is troublesome, however the Sens are primed for one more playoff look. |
1 |
0-0-0 |
11
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Jets
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Reigning Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck is able to carrying this workforce to the playoffs on his personal. Does the remainder of the roster stack up nicely with the remainder of the contenders within the West? That continues to be to be seen. |
2 |
0-0-0 |
12
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Kings
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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 ought to be in bother. |
4 |
0-1-0 |
13
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Mammoth
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Take the brakes off. I am driving the hype practice for the Mammoth and Logan Cooley off a cliff if I’ve to. I count on Utah to be essentially the most enjoyable workforce within the NHL this season, and I am unable to wait to observe. |
3 |
0-0-0 |
14
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Wild
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Kirill Kaprizov. Matt Boldy. Marco Rossi. Brock Faber. Zeev Buium. It is simple to get enamored with that younger core. The supporting forged of veterans round them is perhaps what holds the Wild again for not less than this season. |
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0-0-0 |
15
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Rangers
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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 method New York goes. |
3 |
0-1-0 |
16
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Capitals
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The Capitals have some good depth, particularly on protection. They only haven’t got sufficient star energy to be thought of true Stanley Cup contenders. Possibly that adjustments in some unspecified time in the future this season, however proper now Washington is one or two offensive playmakers quick. |
4 |
0-0-0 |
17
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Canadiens
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On the one hand, the Canadiens and their minus-20 objective differential had been extraordinarily lucky to achieve the playoffs final season. On the opposite, there is no such thing as a denying that Montreal has an up-and-coming roster. For now, I will take the cowardly route and cut up the distinction. |
2 |
0-0-0 |
18
|
Blues
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Jim Montgomery goes to verify this workforce performs protection. Does it have sufficient offense — and may just a few 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
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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 robust, however having Quinn Hughes definitely helps. |
— |
0-0-0 |
20
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Sabres
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The Sabres have not been to the playoffs since “Captain America: The First Avenger” hit theaters. If they’ll finish that streak in 2026, Buffalo wants extra from younger gamers like Zach Benson, Owen Energy and Jack Quinn. |
2 |
0-0-0 |
21
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Crimson Wings
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Is that this the yr 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 virtually a decade, and the following playoff berth would not look like on the doorstep. |
1 |
0-0-0 |
22
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Blue Jackets
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The Blue Jackets had been arguably the NHL’s greatest story final season, and it was a intestine punch after 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
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Geese
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Idiot me as soon as, disgrace on you. Idiot me twice, disgrace on me. Idiot me 3 times, and I will 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
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Bruins
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If David Pastrnak can rating 120 objectives, I like this workforce’s probabilities of reaching the playoffs. In any other case, there’s at all times subsequent yr. |
1 |
0-0-0 |
25
|
Predators
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Final season was the worst-case situation in Nashville, and I might count on the Predators to be higher. After all, that also leaves loads of room for mediocrity. |
1 |
0-0-0 |
26
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Islanders
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The Islanders are a workforce in transition, and that transition acquired off to begin when the ping pong balls bounced their method and Matthew Schaefer fell into their lap at No. 1 total. Nonetheless, do not count on New York to be within the playoff area in 2026. |
1 |
0-0-0 |
27
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Flyers
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Matvei Michkov is superior, and I feel Rick Tocchet is a fairly good coach. Philadelphia simply must hold loading up its prospect pool for now as a result of this roster is not adequate to beat out the very best within the East. |
1 |
0-0-0 |
28
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Flames
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As a rookie goaltender, Dustin Wolf virtually carried the Flames to the playoffs final yr. 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
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Kraken
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The Kraken appear to be a rudderless franchise nowadays. New coach Lane Lambert could assist the offense, however the protection? Judging from his Islanders tenure, I might be taking fairly just a few overs. |
— |
0-0-0 |
30
|
Penguins
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Sidney Crosby makes this workforce 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
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Sharks
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The Sharks will not be good, however they will be higher. The trio of Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and Michael Misa is perhaps a handful for a really very long time. |
— |
0-0-0 |
32
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Blackhawks
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Chicago has spent loads of time down right here over the previous few seasons. Can the Blackhawks not less than climb as much as some stage of competency? The mid-20s? Dare I say the low-20s? |
— |
0-1-0 |
