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 goalie tandem, and it’s either going to prove them right or be certifiably insane.

5. Vegas Golden Knights (50-22-10, +56)

The Knights went big-game hunting again, this time landing Mitch Marner, giving them two elite superstar forwards. We should not forget, however, how much losing Alex Pietrangelo may hurt. 

6. Winnipeg Jets (56-22-4, +86)

Always seemingly more than the same of their parts, the Jets face a difficult challenge to repeat as Presidents’ Trophy champions. Only two teams have won back-to-back regular-season titles (Canucks in ’11 and ’12, and Capitals in ’16 and ’17), and they lost Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency and gambled on Jonathan Toews being their No. 2 center.

Jonathan Toews Making Immediate Mark On Winnipeg JetsWhen longtime Chicago Blackhawks star center and captain Jonathan Toews chose to sign with the Winnipeg Jets this summer as part of his NHL comeback, the questions began about how quickly he would make his mark on his new team.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs (52-26-4, +37)

Life after Marner will certainly look different, but this can still be a strong defensive group with a captain who can be a 70-goal threat. 

8. Colorado Avalanche (49-29-4, +43)

The last time captain Gabriel Landeskog suited up in the regular season, the Avalanche won the Cup. The revenge tour after coming back from a potentially career-ending injury officially starts now. 

9. Washington Capitals (51-22-9, +56)

Just about everything went right for the Capitals in a storybook season. Sometimes, it’s difficult to get back to those emotional highs, and this season may mark the end of an exceptional era with Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson entering the final season of their contracts. 

10. Los Angeles Kings (48-25-9, +44)

Speaking of closing chapters, Anze Kopitar’s reign will end after 20 seasons and two Cups. Quinton Byfield is the ordained prince, and all eyes will be on him to carry the torch.

11. Tampa Bay Lightning (47-27-8, +75)

Following three straight trips to the finals, the Lightning have bowed out of the first round three straight times. Are they still a juggernaut team that had the misfortune of running into the eventual champions two years in a row, or are their best days over?  

12. Minnesota Wild (45-30-7, -11)

A healthy Kirill Kaprizov is enough reason to believe the Wild can be a contender. What’s scary, though, is the lack of an extension after the Wild made it clear they’re willing to make him the league’s highest-paid player.

13. St. Louis Blues (44-30-8, +21)

After Jim Montgomery took over, the Blues had the seventh-best points percentage in the league, and their offense blossomed. If there’s a dark horse in the West, it’s definitely the Blues. 

14. New Jersey Devils (42-33-7, +20)

If Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton can stay healthy, the Devils are a contender. But that’s a big if.

15. Ottawa Senators (45-30-7, +9)

A playoff appearance for the first time in eight seasons and the prospect of a new rink closer to downtown? The Senators are rising to power.

16. Montreal Canadiens (40-31-11, -20)

Excluding the pandemic-shortened seasons, the Habs made the playoffs for the first time in six seasons. With Lane Hutson, Calder candidate Ivan Demidov and the acquisition of Noah Dobson, the Habs are a young, exciting team whose GM isn’t afraid to take big risks.

Montreal Canadiens' Choice For Their Second-Line Center Raises DoubtsThe Montreal Canadiens had a game-changing off-season.

17. Utah Mammoth (38-31-13, -10)

The Mammoth have massive potential in a very new market, and their offensive talent makes them fun to watch. Ranking fourth in expected goals at 5-on-5, per naturalstattrick.com, but finishing tied for 18th in goals-for per game is a big clue this team will score goals in bunches. 

18. Columbus Blue Jackets (40-33-9, +5)

The Jackets are looking to build off a momentous season and finally – after a quarter-century – have unearthed a franchise center in Adam Fantilli. They’re in a major upswing, and the challenge is to keep the momentum going and find a reliable goaltender. 

19. New York Rangers (39-36-7, +1)

The Rangers are looking to put a tumultuous season behind them with Mike Sullivan as their new coach, J.T. Miller as captain and a revamped defense that, hopefully, won’t leave Igor Shesterkin out to dry. 

20. Vancouver Canucks (38-30-14, -17)

Speaking of tumultuous seasons, no team’s off-ice struggles took more attention away from their on-ice play as much as the Canucks. It was a relatively quiet summer, which means they’re betting on bounce-back seasons from nearly everyone on their roster.

NHL Rumor Roundup: Updates On Canucks' Hughes And Stars' RobertsonVancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and Dallas Stars left winger Jason Robertson were frequently the subject of off-season trade speculation.

21. Calgary Flames (41-27-14, -13)

The Flames were surprisingly in playoff contention all season, which put a potential roster overhaul on hold. They will take another wait-and-see approach this season, but the ticking clock is pushing GM Craig Conroy into deciding whether he wants to keep his veteran core or focus on building a new one.

22. Detroit Red Wings (39-35-8, -21)

Will we be speaking of the Yzerplan this time next season? We’ve preached patience, but it’s been nine years since the Red Wings made the playoffs. Their promising young core needs to take a step forward, but can they do so if Steve Yzerman insists on signing veterans who are potentially blocking their paths? It’s a constant battle to decide which stage of the Yzerplan this team is in.  

23. New York Islanders (35-35-12, -36)

One of the biggest factors that will determine the Isles’ fortunes this season is Mathew Barzal’s knee. If it holds up, they can form a respectable attack to complement their elite goaltender and a budding franchise defenseman, Matthew Schaefer. 

24. Anaheim Ducks (35-37-10, -42)

Joel Quenneville returns to the NHL bench after a lengthy absence, and this is a talented roster that improved by eight wins from the previous season. Keep your head up – not only are the Ducks on the rise, but Radko Gudas and Jacob Trouba might form the hardest-hitting right-side defense in the league.   

25. Buffalo Sabres (36-39- 7, -20)

A talented roster on paper, but the annual question is if they can put it all together. They can definitely score, and they can somewhat defend, but when you sign Alexandar Georgiev in a panic, it’s not a good sign to start the season. 

26. Seattle Kraken (35-41-6, -18)

Are the Kraken running out of patience? They made a big splash in free agency last summer, and coach Dan Bylsma lasted just one season. They’re now onto their third coach, entering their fifth season, and are still nowhere close to being a contender. Fair or not, the Knights set the bar very high for expansion franchises.

27. Boston Bruins (33-39-10, -50)

The Bruins have a lot of players poised for bounce-back seasons, but will it be enough to return to the playoffs? Jeremy Swayman enters the second year of a lucrative eight-year deal, and he’s as vital to their chances as David Pastrnak after allowing a league-high 176 goals last season.

28. Pittsburgh Penguins (34-36-12, -50)

Sidney Crosby will do his darndest to keep the Pens competitive, but they’re obvious sellers at this point with Evgeni Malkin entering the final year of his contract and Erik Karlsson more likely than not to get traded at some point. Could you imagine if the Pens go Lemieux to Crosby to McKenna? Bless.

29. Philadelphia Flyers (33-39-10, -48)

Season 2 of Matvei Michkov should be exciting, but there are still so many holes in this lineup, especially the big gaping one in net. Rick Tocchet returns to Philly, where he had some of his best seasons as a player, and Trevor Zegras is reunited with his good buddy Jamie Drysdale. It’s not always sunny in Philadelphia, but there are definitely fewer dark clouds. 

30. Nashville Predators (30-44-8, -60)

The Preds were a disaster last season after many pegged them to have one of the NHL’s best offenses. Barry Trotz joked they’re out to prove the ‘experts’ wrong for the third straight season, which actually means they could go from bad to worse…

31. San Jose Sharks (20-50-12, -105)

The reason why the Sharks aren’t ranked at the bottom after finishing with a league-low 52 points is because they really bolstered their roster with multiple veterans, and their bright future isn’t difficult to see. Macklin Celebrini alone is worth the price of admission, and in the words of Yoda: “We shall watch your career with great interest.” 

32. Chicago Blackhawks (25-46-11, -70)

The narrative for Connor Bedard has changed quickly, going from the new face of the league to getting leapfrogged by Celebrini and wondering if he will live up to his potential. We forget that Bedard is just 20 years old and entering his third season, though you wonder how the Hawks are going to provide the support he needs after acquiring only *checks notes* Andre Burakovsky over the summer.

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Big trades at the beginning of an NHL season are already uncommon, but this fall already stands out.

After the first seven months of 2025 saw Mikko Rantanen, Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers, Brad Marchand and Noah Dobson switch teams, there aren't many notable names available to acquire as the 2025-26 season nears.

That means the Pittsburgh Penguins – which have the third-worst odds of winning the Stanley Cup, according to BetMGM – are in an excellent position, in a seller’s market, to reap the rewards of moving some veterans as they focus on the future.

The most likely Penguins veterans to be dealt are a pair of right wingers – Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell – who have affordable cap hits for most teams and could fetch a large return. So whether the Penguins trade them soon or later, this thin NHL trade market will only help the team

Rust, 33, doesn't have any trade protection in his contract, and he had a career-high 31 goals and 65 points last season. Rakell, 32, only has an eight-team no-trade clause, which means there are still 23 teams Penguins GM Kyle Dubas can trade Rakell to without getting his permission. The right winger also had a career-high 35 goals and 70 points last year.

Given that Rust is signed for $5.125 million per year and Rakell carries a $5-million cap hit, at a time when the cap ceiling will rise until further notice, Dubas will continue to be one of the most popular GMs on the trade front.

Rakell and Rust are under contract for two seasons after this one, making them cost-controlled, highly valuable assets.

NHL's Biggest Trade Bait With 2025-26 Season Almost HereIt is an exciting time for hockey fans with the new season approaching. Soon, NHL teams will be back to playing regular-season hockey, as it officially begins Oct. 7. 

Look around the rest of the NHL, and you’ll see there are very few players of their caliber presumed to be available via trade. Calgary Flames veteran defenseman Rasmus Andersson is the exception. So too could be Nashville Predators right winger Jonathan Marchessault, but GM Barry Trotz dismissed those rumors in June, and Marchessault has four years left on his deal at $5.5 million per year, making him harder to move.

Other than that, there’s a clear dearth of high-end talent available. So the price for Rakell and Rust will continue to be sky-high, and teams may not be willing to meet the asking prices for them – at least, right now.

Once the season begins and holes start to open up for organizations, you’re going to get more GMs who are willing to pay the price GMs like Dubas are asking to acquire in return for those players. But if the Penguins have a strong start to the season, it might be even tougher for teams to pry Rust or Rakell away from Pittsburgh.

Report: Price For Penguins' Top Winger 'Especially High'With few intriguing forward pieces remaining on the free agent market, many teams are turning to the RFA market and the trade market to upgrade their top-six.

There’s nothing wrong with GMs who have movable pieces waiting to trade them until weeks and months down the line. Teams like the Penguins, Flames and Predators can bide their time before someone comes across with a high-end package of draft picks and prospects to help them with their respective rebuilds. Nobody is forcing them to make those moves right now, so patience will be a virtue for teams with veterans who can be difference-makers.

If the Pens, Preds or Flames shock the NHL and come out of the gate very strongly, it will be easier to keep their veteran players around at least until the trade deadline. But at present, the future of some veterans is going to be cloudy for the short term. The GMs who control the future of those players are going to wait for the most opportune time to move them.

So, don’t hold your breath that teams will make notable trades anytime soon. For several reasons, teams are reluctant to make major deals at this stage of the hockey calendar. The lack of available talent will also make the price for the players who are available extremely costly. 

But if some ambitious team does convince one of those clubs to trade those players now, it will be massive news in the NHL.

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NHL teams seeking goaltending depth for the coming season are rumored to be turning to Carter Hart for help.

Hart, 27, was among the five members of Canada's 2018 world junior team who were acquitted in July of sexual assault charges stemming from an incident in London, Ont., in 2018. They are eligible to have contracts registered with the NHL by Oct. 15, but they won't be able to play until their suspensions end on Dec. 1.

It was rumored that the Philadelphia Flyers might be interested in bringing back Hart, who played with them from 2018 to 2024. However, GM Daniel Briere indicated the goalie's representative informed them that it would be better for his client to have a fresh start elsewhere.

The Edmonton Oilers were rumored to be a potential destination for Hart, but GM Stan Bowman ruled out that option. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas shrugged off a rumor linking his club to Hart.

On Monday, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reported Hart had narrowed down his choices to a handful of teams, including the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights.

Johnston indicated that Hart wants to find a destination where he can get playing time on a team built to succeed. The Golden Knights have qualified for the playoffs in seven of the last eight seasons, while the Hurricanes reached the Eastern Conference final in two of the last three seasons.

The Utah Mammoth were also thought to be a suitor for Hart, but Johnston reported they're no longer in the bidding.

Speaking of the Oilers, Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal reported some recent speculation tied them to Yegor Chinakhov of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Chinakhov, 24, created a stir in July when his agent requested a trade, citing “misunderstandings” with Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason. The young forward is participating in training camp but hasn't rescinded his request.

Leavins observed that Chinakhov is in the final season of his two-year contract with a cap hit of $2.1 million. However, the Oilers' limited cap space and Chinakhov's injury history are among the reasons why he's unlikely to land in Edmonton.

The Hockey News' Jason Newland recently reported Chinakhov seems open to staying with the Blue Jackets. In a response to a question from The Athletic's Aaron Portzline, Chinakhov told reporters he and Evason have a better understanding following a recent meeting between the two.

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After nine years without Stanley Cup playoff hockey, most fans of the Detroit Red Wings have become realists. That's because, heading into the 2025-26 regular season, it's apparent to many of them that the Red Wings have little chance of securing a playoff berth.

The moves Wings GM Steve Yzerman has made this summer are leading many to expect more out of Detroit this year. But, when you consider all the things that need to go right for the Red Wings to even be in the conversation for a playoff spot, it becomes clearer why the Wings are a smart bet to once again miss the post-season.

Sportsbook BetMGM has set the odds for Detroit to miss the playoffs at 1.33 (-300) and 3.30 (+230) to make the post-season.

As part of the hyper-competitive Atlantic Division, the Red Wings are going to have to unseat one of the five teams that earned a playoff berth last season – the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens.

While it's possible one of those teams can take a step backward, the reality is that they are strong teams. And that’s to say nothing of the two other teams in the Atlantic – the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres – who also are desperate to make the playoffs this year. The competition for a playoff berth is ferocious, and the Red Wings may not have the horses to get into the post-season.

The Three Tiers Of The NHL's Atlantic Should Create A Tough Playoff RaceFrom year to year, there’s been a regular discussion on which NHL division is strongest.

Compounding matters for the Wings is another fact – namely, that the Metropolitan Division will also be more competitive this season. The Metro – which sent only three teams to the playoffs last year – could send four teams to the playoffs next season.

That would leave only four playoff spots for Atlantic teams. And that would mean Detroit’s fight for a playoff berth will be a task all the more mountainous.

Another thing that has to go right for the Red Wings this coming year is their health. Last season, 10 of Detroit’s top-11 point-producers played at least 70 games. Only center Andrew Copp, who appeared in 56 games last year, and that should be a sobering thought indeed for Wings fans.

"We Have To Make The Playoffs": Andrew Copp Has Blunt Expectation For Red Wings in 2025-26 The Detroit Red Wings enjoyed one of the longest postseason streaks in professional sports, qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs every season from 1991 through 2016.

If the injury bug takes a big bite out of Detroit’s roster, the Red Wings don’t have nearly enough depth to keep them in the mix for a playoff spot. Even if newcomer goalie John Gibson performs well, he’s got an injury history that doesn’t make you confident he’ll be a workhorse who appears in 50-60 games this season.

Lastly, in addition to their team health and the teams around the Wings opening up a playoff spot for them to get hold of, Detroit needs Yzerman to spend his team’s salary cap space on a difference-maker.

The Red Wings currently have $11.9 million in cap space, and that rightly puts a ton of pressure on Yzerman to, at last, land a big fish that can help elevate Detroit’s all-around game.

However, there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to do that. And if Yzerman can’t find a trade partner prepared to give up a needle-moving talent, the Red Wings’ cap space will go unused and, in many people’s minds, wasted.

Do you see what we’re getting at here? Detroit needs just about everything to go exactly according to plan – something that never happens. If the Lightning, Maple Leafs, Panthers, Canadiens and Senators all live up to expectations, there’s simply no room for the Red Wings to get into the playoffs.

If any of Detroit’s key players are sidelined for a significant period of time with injuries, there’s not enough NHL-caliber talent on the roster to rise to the occasion.

Furthermore, if the Wings can’t bring in a difference-maker via trade, there’s not enough high-end skill to carry them into the post-season. It all adds up to a bleak picture for the Red Wings.

We’re not trying to tell you there’s nothing to like about the Red Wings. They’ve got some young players who will be above-average players for the next 10 years or longer, including right winger Lucas Raymond and defenseman Moritz Seider.

But when there are so many potential pitfalls in the road ahead for them this season, it’s small wonder most pundits aren’t picking the Wings as a playoff team. Too many things can go wrong for them, and by the time the regular season ends, Detroit could see its playoff drought extended to a full decade. 

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The Toronto Maple Leafs made a surprise announcement Tuesday morning – goaltender Joseph Woll was taking an immediate leave of absence from the team to attend to a family matter. But while the hockey world wishes for the best for Woll, the business of hockey continues. And the Maple Leafs are fortunate that they have solid depth in net to hold the fort until Woll is ready to return.

To be sure, no one knows whether Woll will return in a matter of days, weeks or months. However, Leafs GM Brad Treliving has always found a way to build above-average netminding depth, and this year appears to be no different.

Two years ago, it was longtime NHLer Martin Jones who was Toronto’s third option in net. Last year, it was longtime NHLer Matt Murray who was No. 3 on the Maple Leafs’ goaltending depth chart.

This year, with Woll and tandem-mate Anthony Stolarz under contract, Treliving clearly felt good about a trio of youngsters battling for the third goalie spot and playing time that might include a stint at the NHL level. Those three youngsters are Swedish native Dennis Hildeby, and Russians Artur Akhtyamov and Vyacheslav Peksa. 

The 24-year-old Hildeby has by far the most experience of the three, appearing in 73 American League games with the Toronto Marlies. Last season in the AHL, Hildeby put up a .908 save percentage and a 2.55 goals-against average in 30 appearances.

Hildeby just signed a three-year contract extension that will pay him $841,667 per year, so unless he struggles out of the gate – or if Peksa or Akhtyamov go on an incredible streak of performances and leap over him in Toronto’s pecking order of goalies– Hildeby is going to get the first chance at playing in the NHL next year.

'I Got Notice And Liked It Instantly': Why Dennis Hildeby Signed Unique Three-Year Contract With Maple LeafsDennis Hildeby is excited for the upcoming season after signing a rather unique three-year, $2.53 million extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Meanwhile, Akhtyamov appeared in 26 games with the Marlies last season, posting a .901 SP and 2.81 GAA. As for Peksa, he played two games with the Marlies last season, posting an .878 SP and 3.77 GAA.

Both Akhtyamov and Peksa are 23 years old, so Father Time is on their side at the moment. But if Hildeby struggles at the AHL level or after being recalled by the Leafs, Treliving may turn to one of Akhtyamov or Peksa and give them their first NHL opportunity.

There’s no question the Maple Leafs will be at their best only after Woll returns. Woll has earned his position, and when he’s back and ready to go, Treliving will shuttle one of Hildeby, Akhtyamov or Peksa back to the Marlies, while the team will be thrilled to have Woll playing hockey again.

But if Woll is out of action for a good chunk of time, Stolarz is going to need a break now and then. And that’s where Toronto’s third goalie comes into the picture.

Playing net in one of the NHL’s biggest pressure-cooker markets has melted the resolve of many Leafs goalies over the years. Therefore, Toronto management must be reasonably confident that they can deploy a young goaltender into NHL action without the goalie taking a competitive nosedive and impacting the Leafs’ place in the standings in a negative way. 

So whether it’s Hildeby, Peksa or Akhtyamov, the challenge is the same for whoever winds up being the Leafs’ third goalie: keep the Maple Leafs at or near the top of the Atlantic Division and be a terrific understudy for Stolarz, or be moved on from as Toronto’s backup. 

There’s no grey area here – a backup goalie either performs to expectations, or they’re bouncing around the league in short order. So while the Buds are hopeful Woll returns sooner rather than later, they’re going to need netminding help getting to that point.

With the way things are shaping up, the Leafs could be putting some of their season in the hands of a goalie who has yet to make their mark at the NHL level.

It's a calculated gamble by Treliving, but one that could pay off handsomely for the third straight year.

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With the NHL pre-season having kicked off, there are already several big-name young players stuck in limbo. New Jersey Devils’ Luke Hughes, Anaheim Ducks’ Mason McTavish and Nashville Predators’ Luke Evangelista are the three notable RFAs left without an NHL deal as training camp is well underway. In addition, former first-round picks Alexander Holtz and Rasmus Kupari are also in need of a new contract.

Fans and the media have learned that there is a pattern when players and teams have lengthy standoffs in contract negotiations. A trend has formed over the years where players would miss camp and sometimes part of the season due to negotiations, only to underperform once an agreement had been made.

In the previous article, The Hockey News looked at how some of the most notable contract holdouts of the pre-salary cap era fared. However, with the 2004-05 lockout bringing in unrestricted free agency for long-tenured NHLers, restricted free agency was left to younger players. Furthermore, a Dec. 1 deadline for RFAs and the potential for offer sheets has made it so that fewer teams are willing to sit a player out the entire season due to negotiations.

William Nylander, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs

The Kyle Dubas-led Toronto Maple Leafs were entangled in two major RFA negotiations that spiralled. William Nylander was coming off back-to-back 60-point, 20-goal seasons. He showed plenty of flashes of skill, but at that point, he hadn’t elevated his game to that of a true star.

The Swede hit the closed market in July 2018, and over the next months, anxiety began to build within Leafs Nation as ‘Willy’ remained without a contract.

He would stay in Europe, practising with the Austrian team Dornbirner EC. With just minutes remaining before the Dec. 1, 5 p.m. deadline, Nylander’s six-year, $6.9-million extension was processed.

The short-term return on investment was bleak. Nylander only skated in 54 games that season, notching just seven goals and 27 points. Even after that disastrous campaign, Nylander picked up right where he left off before the contract dispute.

It was only in the last few seasons of the deal that it truly became a steal for the Leafs as Nylander finally became the superstar that the team knew he had in him. To this day, Nylander remains an integral piece of the Leafs and a fan favourite.

Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs

Just one season after the Nylander saga, Mitch Marner became an RFA in July 2019. He had just recorded a career-high 94-point season — the most since Mats Sundin’s 90-point campaign in 1996-97. Negotiations were incredibly tense, with his agent reaching out to the Swiss league’s ZSC Lions that August as the two sides couldn’t come to a deal.

Marner would sign a six-year deal just after training camp began, which would eat two years of UFA eligibility, but with a no-move clause on the last two years of the deal, preventing any trades without Marner’s express permission.

On the ice, Marner’s production took only a minor dip during the following two shortened pandemic-impacted seasons, while also working on his defensive game. He would then surpass his prior production, even reaching the 100-point mark just last season.

However, the damage was done. The tough negotiations turned the hometown kid into a punching bag for the fans, which would eventually become one of the causes for his departure from the team to the Vegas Golden Knights this past summer.

Brady Tkachuk, LW, Ottawa Senators

When Ottawa Senators’ Brady Tkachuk became an RFA at the end of the 2020-21 season, and was in a similar situation to Nylander. Tkachuk had eclipsed the 20-goal mark twice, but he had only had a career high of 45 points at that time from his rookie season.

Despite the stagnant production, then-GM Pierre Dorion knew that he had a star-in-the-making. However, Dorion’s negotiation tactic of signing young players to long-term deals over bridge contracts while offering little to no bonus money made the unproven Tkachuk’s negotiations difficult, forcing Tkachuk to miss camp and pre-season.

Eventually, the two sides settled on a seven-year deal at just over $8.2 million per season, announced at the team’s home opener. He missed three games before finally stepping into action, and just 22 days later, the rebuilding Senators entrusted him as the team’s captain at 22 years old.

Tkachuk’s story is one of the best cases among fraught negotiations in terms of performance. In the campaign following the contract debate, he put up his best season yet with 30 goals and 67 points. Now, Tkachuk is a bona fide star, leader and fan favourite.

Jeremy Swayman, G, Boston Bruins

While players have shown varying degrees of success after missing camp, pre-season or even regular-season action because of contractual impasse, Jeremy Swayman’s case shows that the outcomes for goaltenders can be significantly worse. Simply put, the Boston Bruins botched Swayman’s negotiations from the get-go.

In 2023-24, the Anchorage, Ala. native split the crease with Linus Ullmark, who was coming off a Vezina Trophy-winning season. Swayman had marginally outplayed the veteran goaltender in the regular season, posting a .916 save percentage to Ullmark’s .915.

However, in the playoffs, Swayman would go on to take the reins with a .933 SP over 12 games. As the off-season began, the team decided to prioritize the younger goaltender who had better results.

The B’s could have easily kept Ullmark around as a stake to drive Swayman’s asking price down, as Swayman had no clear runway to become a bona fide starter in the short-to-medium term with Ullmark around.

However, the Bruins rushed an Ullmark trade to Ottawa, giving Swayman’s camp leverage to increase their asking price. At that point, it was clear that Boston needed Swayman as their No. 1 netminder.

As the weeks turned to months, Swayman and the Bruins struggled to come to terms until just ahead of the regular season, where the parties convened on an eight-year deal, $8.25 million AAV—the same price as Ullmark’s extension with the Senators but at twice the length.

The rust was very evident once Swayman stepped foot into NHL action, as it felt as though he became the worst version of himself, with accentuated weaknesses and inconsistency. He would post a .892 SP and 3.11 goals against average while starting 58 games.

Those were far from the numbers Boston was hoping for from a goalie fresh off a top-10 Vezina Trophy finish. Now with a full camp, one can expect that in his sixth year, the 26-year-old goaltender can bounce back into form and live up to the price tag and expectations of a legit starter.

Bruins Star's Revenge Tour Starts NowWith training camp here, all eyes are undoubtedly on Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman.

Already with several negotiations dragging into pre-season play, these examples serve as reminders that when players miss training camps due to negotiations, it can lead to major slumps in the short term, and worse, fractured relationships in the long term.

Luke Hughes may be willing to put water under the bridge once he signs, thanks to playing with his brother Jack, and McTavish might be able to as well, with the Ducks potentially eyeing him as a future captain, making his situation not too dissimilar to that of Brady Tkachuk’s.

As the saying goes, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. However, what happens in negotiations stays with the players.

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Training camps for the Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils, and Nashville Predators have been open for nearly a week. However, there's no sign that those clubs are any closer to re-signing their key RFAs.

Ducks center Mason McTavish has been skating with the OHL's Ottawa 67s while negotiations continue. Devils defenseman Luke Hughes continues to prepare for the season on his own, while Predators right winger Luke Evangelista left Nashville and returned to Canada to continue his training.

All three are RFAs coming off their entry-level contracts, with Hughes ineligible to sign an offer sheet with another team. There is no indication that McTavish or Evangelista will be getting offers from other clubs.

So what's holding up new contracts for this trio of promising young players?

How The Biggest Contract Holdouts Fared In The NHLs Pre-Salary Cap EraWith the NHL pre-season having kicked off, there are already a number of big-name young players stuck in limbo. The New Jersey Devils’ Luke Hughes, Anaheim Ducks’ Mason McTavish and Nashville Predators’ Luke Evangelista are the three notable restricted free agents left without an NHL deal as training camp is well underway, with former first rounders Alexander Holtz and Rasmus Kupari being the other two.

Writing for The Athletic, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the Ducks and McTavish's agent haven't been able to agree on term or average annual salary. He also stated that the 22-year-old center hasn't requested a trade and wants to stay in Anaheim.

LeBrun's colleague, Eric Stephens, reported the two sides are "at an impasse," but it's unclear how wide the gulf is. He speculated that the McTavish side could seek something comparable to the $7.75 million AAV that Matthew Knies received on a six-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It's been reported that clubs have contacted the Ducks about McTavish. However, GM Pat Verbeek isn't interested in moving him. 

Last Tuesday, LeBrun said that Devils management and the Hughes camp continue to grind away on a new contract. The 22-year-old defenseman will wind up with a long-term contract, prompting LeBrun to wonder about Dougie Hamilton's future on the Devils' blueline. “How many power-play quarterbacks do you need in the modern NHL?” he asked.

A report emerged last month claiming that the Devils sought an eight-year contract while Hughes wanted a five-year deal, meaning his new contract would expire at the same time as his brother Jack's deal. Meanwhile, James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now speculated that Hughes' agent, Pat Brisson, sees his client as a future No. 1 defenseman and wants him to be paid as such.

TSN's Darren Dreger reported the Predators and the Evangelista camp have discussed a two-year bridge deal. However, they remain far apart on the money. LeBrun stated that Predators GM Barry Trotz isn't contemplating trading the youngster, with the two sides staying in constant contact.

These situations could be resolved quickly if one side or both are willing to make concessions. For now, however, there is no indication that these standoffs will end soon.

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Following disappointing campaigns for the Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers, their chances of returning to the post-season all depend on the makeup of the rest of their respective divisions.

The Canucks had a brutal dropoff in play last season, going from the top team in the Pacific Division in 2023-24 to fifth spot in the Pacific last year. 

Nonetheless, Vancouver has essentially doubled down on its core of talent this summer, and in this writer’s point of view, Vancouver has a solid shot at being a playoff team and challenging for home-ice advantage.

In many respects, the New York Rangers have experienced a similar journey in the past two seasons as the Canucks have. The Rangers were the best team in the Metropolitan Division – and the league – in 2023-24, only to fall to fifth in the Metro last season.

While the Blueshirts did make some major changes – adding veteran defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov and new coach Mike Sullivan, while parting ways with left winger Chris Kreider, D-man K’Andre Miller and coach Peter Laviolette – they also essentially have the same core. 

However, the road ahead for the Rangers this season is considerably more difficult than it is for the Canucks. Unlike Vancouver, the Rangers are playing in a division where each team is aiming to take a step toward the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Canucks will be battling with some sub-par-to-mediocre Pacific teams – namely, the Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, and Seattle Kraken.

On the other hand, the Rangers are going to square off against three playoff locks in the Metro – the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils. After that, five other teams will be fighting for fourth place - the Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers.

We’re already on record as picking the Blue Jackets to earn a playoff spot last year. And if that turns out to be accurate, the Rangers will be looking at fifth place at best in the Metro, and hoping to put together a record that bumps the fourth-place team in the Atlantic Division out of the playoffs. Neither of those two things will be easy, which is why it’s going to be harder for the Rangers to return to the post-season than it will be for the Canucks. 

We’re not suggesting the Rangers are certain to miss the playoffs. Nor are we arguing the Canucks are guaranteed to make it. However, playing in a weaker division affects the bottom line for teams. Ultimately, the Rangers are playing in a more competitive division than Vancouver is. That’s not an opinion. That’s reality.

More things have to go right for the Rangers to return to the playoffs than they do for the Canucks to be a post-season team this year. If the stars don’t line up to the benefit of the Rangers, there are going to be some serious changes in Manhattan next summer. So yes, the Rangers have a tougher road back to respectability than Vancouver does.

The Canucks are going to have their own set of challenges this season, but the Rangers have a steeper hill to climb. Time will tell whether either or both teams were up to that challenge.

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There are several questions that need to be answered as NHL training camps get underway ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Whether it's youngsters on the outside trying to crack roster spots, players looking to establish themselves on a new team, or players being shifted up and down the lineup, the pre-season creates a ton of interesting storylines to follow across the league.

Let's take a look at four of the biggest questions that could be answered at training camp over the next few weeks.

Who will emerge as the Montreal Canadiens' second-line center?

The Montreal Canadiens put together an impressive off-season that has the potential to be looked back on as the pivotal moment that pointed them in the direction of contention for years to come.

However, the biggest question heading into the 2025-26 season is one that has been asked about the Canadiens in years past: Who will play center behind Nick Suzuki? GM Kent Hughes has given opportunities to young players like Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook while also giving Jake Evans a shot. However, all three have been underwhelming when playing in that elevated role.

The only other viable and intriguing option is Zachary Bolduc, whom the Canadiens acquired from the St. Louis Blues this summer in exchange for defensemen Logan Mailloux.

Bolduc has primarily played on the wing throughout his professional career, but he played center in his junior hockey days. He put up back-to-back 50-goal seasons in the QMJHL as a member of the Quebec Remparts, leading his team to a Memorial Cup championship in 2022-23. 

While it’s unclear if that question will be answered this season, the Canadiens must find the right fit for their second line to unlock the full potential of Ivan Demidov, help Patrik Laine return to form, and become a legitimate threat in the Atlantic Division.

Montreal Canadiens' Choice For Their Second-Line Center Raises DoubtsThe Montreal Canadiens had a game-changing off-season.

What can Jonathan Toews bring to the Winnipeg Jets?

It’s difficult to pin down what a reasonable expectation is for Jonathan Toews as he makes his return to the NHL this season with the Winnipeg Jets. The 37-year-old hasn’t played an NHL game since the final contest of the 2022-23 regular season with the Chicago Blackhawks. He finished that campaign season with 15 goals and 31 points in 53 games.

With the extended absence of Adam Lowry due to hip surgery in May, Toews’ signing has quickly gone from being a feel-good story for a hometown player to someone they may need to rely on pretty heavily entering the regular season.

The Jets’ second-line center spot is going to be a clear battle between Toews and 32-year-old journeyman Valdislav Namestnikov, who has proven to be an impactful middle-six forward over the past few seasons. Even at his age, Toews still has the higher offensive upside, but it might not be in the team’s best interest to hand him that role right away.

Considering the Jets have that security blanket in Namestnikov, it might be better for coach Scott Arniel to play Toews lower in the lineup to start, allowing him to re-adjust to the NHL level and ramp up as the season progresses.

Can Victor Olofsson be a top-six forward for the Colorado Avalanche?

Victor Olofsson spent last season with the Vegas Golden Knights. He recorded 15 goals and 29 points in 56 games, proving that he has the potential to be a productive top-six winger on a competitive roster. 

That output was good enough to earn him a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche this summer, carrying a modest $1.575-million cap hit. The 30-year-old didn’t look out of place on the Golden Knights’ top unit when his role was elevated due to injuries, and there’s a chance he could compete for a similar opportunity in Colorado at training camp this season.

With a crowded crop of high-end forwards on the roster, Olofsson’s chances will likely rely on a drop off from either Artturi Lehkonen or Gabriel Landeskog, who, when healthy, have both been staples on the team’s top six over the years. 

Nonetheless, the Avalanche should be excited to have a cost-effective scoring threat with some really high upside heading into the regular season, regardless of where he slots in.

How will the Carolina Hurricanes deploy their defensemen?

The Carolina Hurricanes’ blueline saw some serious turnover this summer. With the departures of Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov, the acquisition of K’Andre Miller, and the arrival of Alexander Nikishin, coach Rod Brind’Amour will have his work cut out for him in organizing the team’s pairings effectively.

While the strength of the team’s depth on the back end is undeniable with Jaccob Slavin, Mike Reilly, and Shayne Gostisbehere inked in, the Hurricanes have five left-shot defensemen under contract and potentially a sixth on the way with Oliver Kylington in the midst of a PTO. 

It could make things a little more uncomfortable for at least one or two of the D-men who end up playing on their weak side, but considering the talent they have in their lineup, it shouldn’t be a long-term issue.

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It is an exciting time for hockey fans with the new season approaching. Soon, NHL teams will be back to playing regular-season hockey, as it officially begins Oct. 7. 

With the 2025-26 season getting close, let's take a look at five prime NHL trade candidates who could be moved during the campaign, or even before it begins. 

Rasmus Andersson, D, Calgary Flames

It is not a secret that Rasmus Andersson is a prime trade candidate.

Calgary Flames captain Mikael Backlund even said that an Andersson trade is "obvious" in an interview with The Athletic's Michael Russo. 

Andersson is a pending UFA, so the expectation is that the Flames will flip him before the 2026 NHL trade deadline, unless a surprising contract extension occurs. Teams who could use a top-four right-shot defenseman could be in the mix for the 28-year-old. In 81 games last season, Andersson recorded 11 goals, 31 points, and a minus-38 rating. 

Connor Ingram, G, Utah Mammoth 

Connor Ingram is certainly a trade candidate to watch as we get closer to the season. According to Cole Bagley of KSL Sports, the Utah Mammoth are looking to give the goaltender a change of scenery. In addition, Bagley reported that Utah GM Bill Armstrong said Ingram will be placed on waivers, but a trade could occur before then. 

Ingram, who was cleared by the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in August, could be a solid goalie for a team that needs help between the pipes. While he had a tough 2024-25 with Utah, where he posted a .882 save percentage and 3.27 goals against average in 22 games, he is a clear bounce-back candidate.

In each of his two previous seasons with the Arizona Coyotes in 2022-23 and 2023-24, he posted a .907 SP. That is solid play, especially on a Coyotes team that didn't contend for playoff contention. 

With this, Ingram could be a good buy-low goaltender for an NHL club to take a chance on. 

Bryan Rust, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins 

Bryan Rust was a popular name in the rumor mill all off-season, and that will continue in the regular season if he ends up starting the year with the Pittsburgh Penguins. With the Penguins in the middle of a serious retool, Rust is exactly the kind of player who could land them a big return. 

Teams looking for a proven top-six winger should be interested in Rust. The 5-foot-11 right winger is coming off an excellent season with the Penguins, posting new career highs with 31 goals and 65 points. This was after he scored 28 goals and 56 points in 62 games with Pittsburgh in 2023-24, so he can certainly still make an impact.

Due to this, Rust should be a very popular trade target this season if Pittsburgh find themselves near the bottom of the NHL standings again.  

Rickard Rakell, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins 

Rickard Rakell is another Penguins winger to watch for in the trade market. Like Rust, Rakell was the subject of plenty of trade speculation this summer. This will likely continue if the Penguins do not move him before the start of the season. 

Following his strong 2024-25 campaign, Rakell's trade value is very high. The 32-year-old just put together the best season of his 14-year career, recording new career highs with 35 goals and 70 points in 81 games. Therefore, if the Penguins want to move Rakell, now would be a good time.

Nick Robertson, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs 

Questions about Nick Robertson's future with the Toronto Maple Leafs have come up for years now, and they have not stopped with the 2025-26 season nearing. When looking at the Maple Leafs' current roster, there is no question that they have a surplus of NHL-caliber forwards. Thus, it is fair to wonder if this could be the year the Leafs trade Robertson. 

If Robertson is made available by the Maple Leafs, there could be considerable interest in him. The skilled left winger is still 24 years old and could hit a new level if he's given more opportunity in another market. Thus, he could be a solid addition for a rebuilding team, in particular. 

In 69 games last season with Toronto, Robertson scored a career-high 15 goals and recorded 22 points, while averaging 12 minutes of ice time per game, also a career-high. 

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