The NHL 2025-26 season kicked off with three American matchups, featuring the Florida Panthers celebrating their second straight Stanley Cup win before defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2. Canadian teams hit the ice the following night, with the Toronto Maple Leafs facing the Montreal Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers taking on the Calgary Flames.
The Edmonton Oilers, coming off a season where they lost the Stanley Cup final to Florida, secured Connor McDavid with a surprising two-year, $25 million contract extension. The pressure is now on the Oilers to utilize their unexpected cap space to bolster their roster and support McDavid in his quest for a championship. With McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge, the Oilers are among the favorites for the Cup, although goaltending remains a concern.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, who suffered a disappointing loss to Florida in the playoffs, saw Mitch Marner depart for Vegas on a lucrative deal. The Leafs re-signed John Tavares and secured Matthew Knies for the upcoming season. Captain Auston Matthews is healthy and looking to bounce back after a challenging season.
The Winnipeg Jets had a remarkable regular season, clinching their first division title and Presidents’ Trophy. However, their playoff run ended prematurely with a defeat to Dallas. The Jets made changes in the offseason, including bringing back Jonathan Toews and losing Nikolaj Ehlers to Carolina.
The Ottawa Senators made the playoffs led by Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle but fell to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round. The Senators are hoping their young core can progress further this season, especially with key players missing time due to injuries.
The Montreal Canadiens showed promise with improvements last season, earning a playoff spot ahead of schedule. They acquired Noah Dobson in a trade and signed him to a significant contract. The Canadiens are optimistic about their young talent and potential additions making an impact this season.
The Calgary Flames narrowly missed the playoffs last season but showed resilience in their late-season surge. The Flames are banking on young talent like Zayne Parekh to boost their scoring, aiming to improve their offensive output.
The Vancouver Canucks faced challenges last season, including injuries and internal conflicts. The Canucks made changes, including a coaching switch and roster adjustments, in hopes of turning their fortunes around this season.
