Alofoke Deportes Predicts: What to Expect from the 2025-26 NHL Season
The 2025-26 NHL season kicks off on Tuesday with an exciting tripleheader. Fans will be able to enjoy three stellar games that promise action and excitement from the first puck drop. The first game will pit the Chicago Blackhawks against the Florida Panthers, including the Stanley Cup banner raising ceremony. Then, the Pittsburgh Penguins will face the New York Rangers, followed by the clash between the Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings. But at Alofoke Deportes, we go beyond the initial matches. We delve into the season’s predictions, exploring the possibilities and future scenarios. Will the Panthers be able to repeat as Stanley Cup champions? Which teams will dominate their divisions? Which players will take home the most prestigious individual awards? Our team of hockey experts has gathered their predictions, analyzing each division, the possible Stanley Cup champion, and the players who could stand out individually. For a more in-depth analysis of the 32 teams, you can consult the following resources:Detailed analysis of the 32 teams
Bold predictions for each team
Predictions by Division
Below, we present our experts’ predictions for each NHL division:
Atlantic Division
- Lightning: 20 votes
- Maple Leafs: 4 votes
- Senators: 1 vote
- Panthers: 1 vote
Metropolitan Division
- Hurricanes: 16 votes
- Devils: 7 votes
- Capitals: 2 votes
- Rangers: 1 vote
Central Division
- Avalanche: 13 votes
- Stars: 11 votes
- Wild: 2 votes
Pacific Division
- Golden Knights: 17 votes
- Oilers: 8 votes
- Kings: 1 vote
Stanley Cup
- Avalanche: 5 votes
- Golden Knights: 4 votes
- Stars: 4 votes
- Oilers: 4 votes
- Panthers: 3 votes
- Hurricanes: 1 vote
- Jets: 1 vote
- Kings: 1 vote
- Maple Leafs: 1 vote
- Devils: 1 vote
Hart Trophy (MVP)
- Connor McDavid: 12 votes
- Nathan MacKinnon: 5 votes
- Kirill Kaprizov: 4 votes
- Nikita Kucherov: 3 votes
- Jack Eichel: 1 vote
- Auston Matthews: 1 vote
Art Ross Trophy (Points Leader)
- Connor McDavid: 13 votes
- Nikita Kucherov: 6 votes
- Nathan MacKinnon: 3 votes
- Mitch Marner: 2 votes
- Kirill Kaprizov: 2 votes
Rocket Richard Trophy (Goal Scoring Leader)
- Auston Matthews: 11 votes
- Leon Draisaitl: 9 votes
- Connor McDavid: 2 votes
- Nikita Kucherov: 1 vote
- Kirill Kaprizov: 1 vote
- Brayden Point: 1 vote
- Jake Guentzel: 1 vote
Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman)
- Cale Makar: 13 votes
- Quinn Hughes: 8 votes
- Zach Werenski: 2 votes
- Shea Theodore: 1 vote
- Lane Hutson: 1 vote
- Rasmus Dahlin: 1 vote
Vezina Trophy (Best Goaltender)
- Andrei Vasilevskiy: 10 votes
- Jake Oettinger: 7 votes
- Igor Shesterkin: 4 votes
- Jacob Markstrom: 1 vote
- Linus Ullmark: 1 vote
- Sergei Bobrovsky: 1 vote
Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
- Ivan Demidov: 13 votes
- Zeev Buium: 3 votes
- Jimmy Snuggerud: 3 votes
- Alexander Nikishin: 2 votes
- Ryan Leonard: 2 votes
- Michael Misa: 1 vote
- Yaroslav Askarov: 1 vote
- Matthew Schaefer: 1 vote
