NHL Prepares for the 2025-26 Season: Exclusive Analysis and Predictions
The 2025-26 NHL season kicks off on Tuesday with an exciting tripleheader on ESPN. Fans will be able to enjoy stellar matches that promise action and excitement from the very first moment. The teams that will face each other are: Chicago Blackhawks against Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins against New York Rangers, and Colorado Avalanche against Los Angeles Kings.
But at Alofoke Deportes, we go beyond the initial encounters. We ask ourselves: Will the Panthers be able to achieve the Stanley Cup three-peat? Which teams will dominate their divisions? And which players will take home the most prestigious individual awards?
Our ESPN hockey expert team has gathered their predictions, analyzing each division, the potential Stanley Cup champion, and the players who could shine this season.
Get ready for an in-depth analysis of the 32 teams, a guide for fans, and bold predictions that will set the course of the season.
Predictions by Division
Here’s a summary of our experts’ predictions for each division:
Atlantic Division
- Predictions: Lightning (20), Maple Leafs (4), Senators (1), Panthers (1)
Metropolitan Division
- Predictions: Hurricanes (16), Devils (7), Capitals (2), Rangers (1)
Central Division
- Predictions: Avalanche (13), Stars (11), Wild (2)
Pacific Division
- Predictions: Golden Knights (17), Oilers (8), Kings (1)
Stanley Cup Predictions
- Predictions: Avalanche (5), Golden Knights (4), Stars (4), Oilers (4), Panthers (3), Hurricanes (1), Jets (1), Kings (1), Maple Leafs (1), Devils (1)
Individual Awards: Who Will Shine?
In addition to predicting the division winners and the Stanley Cup champion, our experts also forecast who will take home the most important individual awards.
Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player)
- Predictions: McDavid (12), MacKinnon (5), Kaprizov (4), Kucherov (3), Eichel (1), Matthews (1)
Art Ross Trophy (Points Leader)
- Predictions: McDavid (13), Kucherov (6), MacKinnon (3), Marner (2), Kaprizov (2)
Rocket Richard Trophy (Goal Scoring Leader)
- Predictions: Matthews (11), Draisaitl (9), McDavid (2), Kucherov (1), Kaprizov (1), Point (1), Guentzel (1)
Norris Trophy (Best Defense)
- Predictions: Makar (13), Hughes (8), Werenski (2), Theodore (1), Hutson (1), Dahlin (1)
Vezina Trophy (Best Goaltender)
- Predictions: Vasilevskiy (10), Oettinger (7), Shesterkin (4), Markstrom (1), Ullmark (1), Bobrovsky (1)
Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
- Predictions: Demidov (13), Buium (3), Snuggerud (3), Nikishin (2), Leonard (2), Misa (1), Askarov (1), Schaefer (1)
