On October 7, the NHL will drop the puck on its 2025–26 season.

As always, a lot has happened since the Florida Panthers captured their second straight Stanley Cup on June 17.

The Panthers: Chasing a Three-Peat

At season’s end, the Panthers faced the prospect of losing three key players to free agency: forwards Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand—both major contributors to Florida’s second consecutive Cup conquest—and star defenseman Aaron Ekblad.

Somehow, general manager Bill Zito pulled off a masterstroke, re-signing all three. Each player accepted less money than they likely could have commanded on the open market, recognizing the chance to be part of something special: a legitimate shot at a third consecutive Stanley Cup.

With their core intact and momentum on their side, the Panthers are poised to enter 2025–26 as the team to beat.

The Oilers: Talent Up Front, Questions in Net

The Edmonton Oilers, Cup runner-up for the second straight year, remain a fascinating storyline.

The good news: all-world center Connor McDavid is seeking a new contract, and it seems inevitable he’ll sign long-term to stay in Edmonton.

The bad news: the Oilers look ready to start the season with Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard in goal. While Pickard has been steady, Skinner has battled inconsistency. Edmonton desperately wants an upgrade in net, but the options on the market are limited. Expect this to remain a hot topic throughout the season.

On the bright side, the Oilers will inject youth into their lineup with prospects Matthew Savoie, Ike Howard, and Maxim Berezkin. Deadline acquisitions like forward Trent Frederick should also add speed, skill, and toughness, giving Edmonton much-needed depth behind its stars.

Other Storylines Around the League

The rest of the NHL hasn’t stood still either.

• Los Angeles Kings: The Kings loaded up on veteran free agents this offseason, but in doing so, got noticeably older and slower. On the surface, they’ve regressed despite their veteran experience.
• Calgary Flames: With young talent led by goaltender Dustin Wolf, the Flames are trending upward and could emerge as a surprise playoff contender.
• Winnipeg Jets: Last year’s President’s Trophy winners lost forward Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency but added three-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Toews, who is attempting a comeback after two years away from the game. Winnipeg also signed several fringe-level free agents—players who might help in the short term but could block prospects from breaking through. Meanwhile, Ehlers’ arrival in Carolina gives the Hurricanes a potential spark for their often-stagnant offense.
• Montreal Canadiens: The youthful Habs shocked many with a determined playoff push before falling to the veteran-laden Washington Capitals. With emerging stars like defenseman Lane Hutson, center Nick Suzuki, forwards Cole Caufield, and Ivan Demidov, Montreal looks poised to keep climbing the standings.
• Vegas Golden Knights & Toronto Maple Leafs: Vegas bolstered its attack by trading for former Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner. Toronto, meanwhile, retooled its depth in the wake of the deal. While their goal scoring may dip without Marner, the Leafs still boast strong goaltending and a sturdy blue line. The biggest question: can Auston Matthews stay healthy enough to regain his 50+ goal form?

Outlook for 2025–26

All signs point to another run by the Panthers, as they appear on paper to continue to be the class of the league. Beneath them – and the Oilers – are a host of very good teams, and parity could very well be on the menu this year, with strong competition for playoff spots in every division. Additionally, goal scoring should continue to increase with a more wide-open game and so many talented young players. In short, it figures to be an exciting, action-packed year.