Setting The Stage For 2025-26

The 2025-26 season is just two weeks away, which means the NHL power rankings are back every  Wednesday. We are back, baby.

This pre-season edition ranks all 32 NHL teams based on their performance last season and also takes into account the moves they’ve made during the off-season. The two-time defending champion Florida Panthers obviously retain the top spot and will be on the hunt to accomplish something no team in the cap era has ever done before: threepeat. 

Even before puck drop, several key storylines have already emerged. There’s the pending superstar-laden free-agent class that includes the likes of Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, Jack Eichel, Artemi Panarin and Kyle Connor, which may significantly alter the landscape, and also the NHL’s return to the Olympics for the first time since 2014.

Without further ado, let’s take stock of where all 32 NHL teams stand. 

1. Florida Panthers (47-31-4, +29 goal differential)

Even without the services of Matthew Tkachuk for the first few months, the defending champions retain the top spot and will hunt for the coveted threepeat.  

2. Edmonton Oilers (48-29-5, +23)

Always the bridesmaid but never the bride, the Oilers only made minor changes to their roster, and we shall see if that will be enough. The pressure on Connor McDavid feels even more immense this season with the Olympics and free agency looming. No player in the league can change the fortunes of all 32 teams with one decision like McDavid can.

3. Dallas Stars (50-26-6, +53)

Peter DeBoer has reached the Western Conference final six times and a Stanley Cup semifinal eight times. Glen Gulutzan has reached the Western Conference final zero times. The new coaching change will be something to watch, and hey, if you can’t beat ‘em, hire ‘em. 

4. Carolina Hurricanes (47-30-5, +33)

Hey, look, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the Carolina Hurricanes winning a game in the conference finals! The Canes are running it back with the same coach and the same…