NHL Contenders vs. Pretenders: 2025-26 Edition
After the exhilarating days leading up to the draft and free agency, it appears NHL teams have gone to sleep. Free agents have fizzled out quickly, and players, coaches, and…
Category Archives: Season Previews
NHL Rebuild Rankings: Which Teams Are Closest to Contention – 2025-26 Preseason Edition
When the Rebuild Rankings first began, a project following the 2023 Trade Deadline that has become one of the biggest pieces here at The Hockey Writers, there were two burning…
Lightning Need to Embrace Buccaneer-Themed Stadium Series
The NHL unveiled the Stadium Series logo for the upcoming outdoor game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins. To very little surprise, the logo looks like a pirate…
5 Bold Sabres Predictions for 2025-26
The Buffalo Sabres’ regular-season opener, which is also their home opener, is on Oct. 9 against the New York Rangers. With that being said, I’m going to give five bold…
Canadiens: 3 Burning Questions Heading Into 2025-26 Season
With the 2025 offseason creeping to an end and the 2025-26 season training camps opening soon, there are questions facing the Montreal Canadiens and general manager (GM) Kent Hughes. How…
Flyers 2025–26 Prospect Storylines: Bump, Martone, & More
The Philadelphia Flyers are starting to transition away from their rebuild as their prospect pool grows stronger, but eyes are still on the future. Which prospect storylines are worth keeping…
Canucks 2025-26 Opponent Preview: Calgary Flames
Welcome to my annual opponent preview series where I will go division-by-division looking at how the Vancouver Canucks match up against the teams they will be facing during the regular…
Rangers Should Expect Shesterkin to Bounce Back in 2025-26
Many of the New York Rangers’ top players struggled last season, which ended with them missing the playoffs. Poor defense plagued them and played a big role in star goalie…
Oilers’ Draisaitl Set to Join Elite 1,000-Point Club in 2025-26
Leon Draisaitl was back in the news this past week, not for hockey, but for what looked like an incredible wedding in France. Draisaitl married fiancée Celeste Desjardins with current…
3 Fringe Maple Leafs Forwards Who Could Break Out in 2025-26
As the Toronto Maple Leafs get ready for training camp, a bunch of players are quietly jockeying for spots and bigger roles. These aren’t the headline stars everyone talks about—they’re…