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The 2026-27 NHL season is almost here. Training camps are opening, and preseason games begin Saturday, September 19. The regular season starts September 29 with five games. That makes this the perfect time for another preseason power ranking. This list ranks all 32 teams from worst to first. It considers roster strength, offseason moves, young talent, goaltending, and recent results. Of course, these rankings can change quickly once the games begin. Still, several teams enter the season with clear Stanley Cup ambitions.
- Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver begins the season at the bottom of this ranking. The Canucks endured a difficult 2025-26 campaign. Them rebuild still needs more time and talent.
- Calgary Flames
Calgary enters another development-focused season. The Flames are turning toward their younger players. The organization appears focused on building for the future.
- Seattle Kraken
Seattle still lacks enough high-end offensive talent. Matty Beniers and Shane Wright provide building blocks. However, the roster needs another major step forward.
- Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago continues building around Connor Bedard. The Blackhawks also added Spencer Knight and Bowen Byram. Still, this remains a young roster with plenty to prove.
- New York Rangers
The Rangers still have Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox. They also added Pavel Dorofeyev. However, last season’s struggles create plenty of questions.
- Nashville Predators
Nashville still has veteran talent, but the roster needs more consistency. Ryan O’Reilly and Steven Stamkos remain important pieces. Younger players must also develop quickly.
- Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus has enough talent to rank higher. However, uncertainty surrounds several important players. Zach Werenski and Kirill Marchenko headline those questions.
- Detroit Red Wings
Detroit desperately wants to end its playoff drought. Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond provide important young talent. However, uncertainty surrounding Dylan Larkin complicates the picture.
- New York Islanders
The Islanders have two major building blocks. Matthew Schaefer gives them an exciting young defenseman. Ilya Sorokin also provides stability in net.
- Pittsburgh Penguins
Sidney Crosby remains Pittsburgh’s centerpiece. Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson add veteran experience. However, the Penguins must prove last season was not an outlier.
- St. Louis Blues
St. Louis quietly possesses an intriguing young core. Robert Thomas now wears the captain’s letter. Mason McTavish also brings another interesting piece to the lineup.
- Los Angeles Kings
The Kings enter their first season without Anze Kopitar. Artemi Panarin provides major offensive talent. New coach Peter Laviolette must maximize that attack.
- Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg faces enormous uncertainty surrounding Connor Hellebuyck. The Jets still have talented players throughout their lineup. However, replacing their star goaltender could become the biggest storyline.
- New Jersey Devils
The Devils have plenty of skill, especially when Jack Hughes stays healthy. Their biggest question involves goaltending. Another concern involves Hughes’ availability throughout the season.
- Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia reached the second-round last season. Now, the Flyers must prove they can repeat that success. Porter Martone also enters the season with significant attention.
- San Jose Sharks
San Jose owns one of hockey’s most exciting young cores. Macklin Celebrini already looks like a superstar. The Sharks now need more depth around their young centerpiece.
- Boston Bruins
Boston still has elite players in David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy. Jeremy Swayman also gives the Bruins confidence in net. Rookie James Hagens could add another offensive spark.
- Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto enters another season under enormous pressure. Auston Matthews and William Nylander remain elite offensive weapons. However, the defensive group remains a major question.
- Ottawa Senators
Ottawa enters a new era after trading Brady Tkachuk. Tim Stützle and Jake Sanderson remain foundational pieces. Drake Batherson also signed a new extension.
- Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim continues to build one of hockey’s most exciting young teams. Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier headline that group. However, offseason defensive departures create some concerns.
- Utah Mammoth
Utah continues moving in the right direction. The Mammoth have several young NHL-ready players. They also have prospects and assets for another major move.
- Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas just reached the Western Conference Final. The Golden Knights still have an experienced roster. However, their veteran-heavy lineup must remain healthy for another long run.
- Florida Panthers
Florida remains a dangerous postseason team. Brady Tkachuk adds another physical offensive presence. Aleksander Barkov’s return also gives the Panthers an important boost.
- Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl keep Edmonton near the top. The Oilers also have Evan Bouchard leading their defense. New coach Mike Babcock adds another major storyline.
- Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo has quietly assembled an impressive young roster. Rasmus Dahlin remains a major defensive cornerstone. The Sabres could take another step after reaching the playoffs.
- Montreal Canadiens
Montreal has become one of the NHL’s most exciting teams. Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Lane Hutson lead the way. The Canadiens also added veteran Chris Kreider.
- Minnesota Wild
Minnesota has plenty of star power. Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy lead an explosive group. Quinn Hughes also gives the Wild another elite defenseman.
- Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay continues to compete despite its aging core. Nikita Kucherov remains one of hockey’s elite offensive players. Andrei Vasilevskiy still gives Tampa a championship-caliber goalie.
- Carolina Hurricanes
The defending Stanley Cup champions enter the season near the top. Carolina knows exactly what it takes to win. However, Seth Jarvis will miss time while recovering from shoulder surgery.
- Washington Capitals
Washington has a fascinating mix of veterans and young talent. Alex Ovechkin remains the centerpiece. The Capitals also added Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch. Logan Thompson provides strong goaltending behind them.
- Dallas Stars
Dallas continues to build around an extremely deep roster. Mikko Rantanen and Miro Heiskanen headline the group. Jason Robertson also gives the Stars another dangerous offensive weapon.
- Colorado Avalanche
Colorado enters the season with enormous expectations. The Avalanche finished first overall last season with 121 points. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar remain two of hockey’s biggest stars.
Sportsnet placed Colorado first entering training camp. NHL.com placed the Avalanche second behind Carolina. That difference shows how close the top of the league looks.
The 2026 NHL Season Is Wide Open
The preseason rankings reveal one important trend. Several teams have legitimate reasons to believe they can win the Stanley Cup. Carolina enters as the defending champion. Colorado owns last season’s best regular-season record. Dallas remains deep, while Washington rebuilt its supporting cast. Meanwhile, Montreal, Tampa Bay, Florida, Edmonton, and Vegas have serious championship experience. The 2026-27 season also brings a major schedule change. Each team will play 84 regular-season games. The NHL added two divisional games per team. That means depth could matter more than ever. Still, preseason rankings only provide a snapshot. Once the puck drops, every team gets the opportunity to change the conversation..
I am excited as the 2026-27 NHL season is so close and hockey is back.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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