NHL 2025-26 Season: Key Questions and Predictions

The 2025-26 NHL season is upon us, and with training camps in full swing, teams are finalizing their rosters and strategies. Here’s a look at the most pressing questions for each of the 32 NHL teams as they gear up for the new season.

Atlantic Division

Boston Bruins

• Can Jeremy Swayman bounce back as a true No. 1 goalie? After a disappointing 2024-25 season, Swayman needs to prove he can handle the workload and lead the Bruins to success.

Buffalo Sabres

• Will Buffalo finally end its playoff drought? With new additions like Josh Norris, the Sabres hope to break their 15-year postseason absence.

Detroit Red Wings

• Will John Gibson be the game-changer Detroit needs? Acquired from Anaheim, Gibson’s performance could determine if the Red Wings can compete in the Atlantic.

Florida Panthers

• Are the Panthers built for a three-peat? After back-to-back Stanley Cup wins, Florida aims to make history with a third consecutive championship.

Montreal Canadiens

• Can the Canadiens’ youth movement lead to another playoff run? With young stars like Ivan Demidov, Montreal looks to build on last season’s success.

Ottawa Senators

• Has Ottawa addressed its offensive depth? The Senators need more consistent scoring to compete in the Atlantic.

Tampa Bay Lightning

• Can Tampa Bay’s offense maintain its elite level? With Nikita Kucherov leading the charge, the Lightning aim to stay among the league’s top scorers.

Toronto Maple Leafs

• How will Toronto evolve without Mitch Marner? After trading Marner, the Leafs must find new ways to generate offense.

Metropolitan Division

Carolina Hurricanes

• Did Carolina do enough to address its scoring woes? With Nikolaj Ehlers in the mix, the Hurricanes hope to improve their offensive output.

Columbus Blue Jackets

• Will Columbus’ defense hold them back again? The Blue Jackets need to tighten up defensively to make a playoff push.

New Jersey Devils

• How will Jack Hughes’ health impact the Devils’ season? Hughes’ availability is crucial for New Jersey’s success.

New York Islanders

• How will Matthew Schaefer impact the Islanders’ defense? The top draft pick could make an immediate impact on the blue line.

New York Rangers

• How will Mike Sullivan restructure the Rangers? The new head coach has a lot of decisions to make to get the Rangers back in contention.

Philadelphia Flyers

• Have the Flyers upgraded enough at key positions? With Trevor Zegras in the fold, Philadelphia hopes to improve its center depth.

Pittsburgh Penguins

• Would the Penguins really trade Sidney Crosby? The Penguins face a tough decision on the future of their franchise icon.

Washington Capitals

• Can Washington’s offense run deeper than before? The Capitals need more consistent scoring from their depth players.

Central Division

Chicago Blackhawks

• How much progress will the Blackhawks make in their rebuild? With Connor Bedard leading the way, Chicago hopes to take a step forward.

Colorado Avalanche

• Is their supporting cast enough, or do they need to add more? The Avalanche need depth to stay competitive in the Central.

Dallas Stars

• What adjustments will Glen Gulutzan make to reach the Cup Final? The Stars aim to break through after falling short in the Western Conference finals.

Minnesota Wild

• What’s next for Kirill Kaprizov’s contract extension? The Wild need to lock up their star player for the long term.

Nashville Predators

• Can the Predators find defensive stability? Nashville needs to tighten up defensively to compete.

St. Louis Blues

• Where do they fit in the Western Conference landscape? The Blues aim to build on last season’s playoff appearance.

Utah Mammoth

• Will they make the playoffs in their second season? The Mammoth hope to improve on their inaugural season in Salt Lake City.

Winnipeg Jets

• Can their new-look second line find continuity? The Jets need to find the right combination to stay competitive.

Pacific Division

Anaheim Ducks

• Is this the season the Ducks reach the playoffs again? With a young core, Anaheim hopes to take the next step.

Calgary Flames

• How will they navigate the Rasmus Andersson situation? The Flames face a tough decision on their star defenseman.

Edmonton Oilers

• Is this version of the Oilers as good as the past two seasons? With Connor McDavid leading the way, the Oilers aim to stay among the league’s elite.

Los Angeles Kings

• Does the regular season really matter that much for the Kings? The Kings need to prove they can compete in the playoffs.

San Jose Sharks

• Can they win 30 games this season? The Sharks hope to take a step forward in their rebuild.

Seattle Kraken

• What changes will new coach Lane Lambert make? The Kraken need to find consistency under their new head coach.

Vancouver Canucks

• Is their current center situation good enough? The Canucks need more production from their centers to compete in the West.

Vegas Golden Knights

• How will their defense look without Alex Pietrangelo? The Knights need to fill the void left by their star defenseman.

Conclusion

The 2025-26 NHL season promises to be an exciting one, with plenty of storylines to follow. From Stanley Cup contenders to teams in the midst of a rebuild, every team has something to prove. Stay tuned as the season unfolds and these questions are answered.