The compressed NHL season, including the end of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the draft, and free agency, generally makes July and August a quieter period. However, this is the perfect time to update our Power Ranking of the 32 teams heading into the 2025-26 season.
This edition presents a ranking from 1 to 32, along with the most notable story for each team during the summer break.Classification Methodology: A panel of commentators, analysts, reporters, and hockey editors from Alofoke Deportes sends a survey from 1 to 32 based on the strength of each team in the 2025-26 season, which generates our master list.Note: The above ranking for each team refers to the final 2024-25 edition.
1. Florida Panthers
Pre-playoff ranking: 11 Stanley Cup Odds: +600 The Panthers celebrated their Stanley Cup victory and then re-signed their three most important free agents: Aaron Ekblad, Sam Bennett, and Brad Marchand. Will they be able to repeat the triumph?2. Edmonton OilersPre-playoff ranking: 10 Stanley Cup Odds: +850 A second consecutive defeat in the Stanley Cup Final sparked deep reflection, as the possible free agency of Connor McDavid in 2026 hangs over the franchise. What must they improve? Finding a better solution in goal.3. Dallas Stars
Pre-playoffs ranking: 3 Stanley Cup Odds: +1000 Despite reaching the Western Conference final, Peter DeBoer couldn’t keep his position and was replaced by Glen Gulutzan in July. How will the first full season of the Mikko Rantanen era be?4. Carolina HurricanesPre-playoff ranking: 7 Stanley Cup Odds: +800 Although there were few high-impact signings due to contract renewals, one of the best free agents signed with the Hurricanes. How will Nikolaj Ehlers perform in Rod Brind’Amour’s system? Will he be the difference maker in the next postseason?5. Vegas Golden KnightsPre-playoff ranking: 4 Stanley Cup Odds: +850 The Knights remain the same. The big fish in free agency was Mitch Marner, and Vegas found a way to sign him. This presents a challenge with the salary cap, but it’s nothing new. Marner visits Toronto on January 23rd.6. Winnipeg Jets
Pre-playoff ranking: 1 Stanley Cup Odds: +2500 The Presidents’ Trophy winners lost Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency, but gained Jonathan Toews, a three-time Stanley Cup winner who hasn’t played since the 2022-23 season due to health issues.7. Colorado Avalanche
Pre-playoff ranking: 5 Stanley Cup Odds: +750 The first-round playoff loss is a bit misleading, as it was against the Dallas Stars. The Avs believe they’ve solved the second-line center problem with Brock Nelson’s contract, but do they have the necessary depth for another Cup run?8. Toronto Maple LeafsPre-playoffs ranking: 6 Stanley Cup Odds: +2000 Toronto’s quest for another Stanley Cup continues. They lost Mitch Marner but signed a good deal with Matthew Knies. As always, there’s a lot of drama in the “center of the hockey universe”.9. Washington Capitals
Pre-playoff ranking: 2 Stanley Cup Odds: +3000 Alex Ovechkin starts the 2025-26 season as the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, three away from reaching 900. The Caps hope to go beyond the second round, possibly giving Ovi another Cup for his resume.10. Tampa Bay LightningPre-playoff ranking: 9 Stanley Cup Odds: +1400 The Lightning continue to manage their roster within the salary cap limits. They extended the contracts of Yanni Gourde and Gage Goncalves to have more depth in scoring. Another long playoff run is possible, although they will likely have to beat their rivals from South Florida at some point.11. Los Angeles Kings
Pre-playoff ranking: 8 Stanley Cup Odds: +2000 After signing several veterans in free agency, the Kings created the best NHL calendar launch video. It’s been an exciting summer!12. Minnesota WildPre-playoffs ranking: 13 Stanley Cup Odds: +4000 It was once thought that the Wild would sign Brock Nelson or Brock Boeser (or both). Instead, each re-signed with their 2024-25 team. Signing Vladimir Tarasenko could be one of the most skillful moves of the offseason, if the veteran forward can regain his scoring touch that eluded him last season.13. New Jersey DevilsPre-playoffs ranking: 15 Stanley Cup Odds: +1600 Apart from some adjustments in depth, the Devils didn’t do much this offseason, although re-signing Jake Allen may be one of the smartest moves. How will Luke Hughes’ next contract impact the rest of their decisions?14. St. Louis Blues
Pre-playoff ranking: 12 Stanley Cup Odds: +5000 After a playoff appearance last season, it’s been a relatively quiet offseason for St. Louis. And for now, the club doesn’t have the cap space to sign anyone with a bold offer.15. Ottawa Senators
Pre-playoff ranking: 14 Stanley Cup Odds: +3500 The Senators’ general manager, Steve Staios, indicated that he likes what he has on the roster and expects internal growth. That was evident this offseason, as the club’s most notable move was re-signing veteran forward Claude Giroux to a one-year contract.16. Montreal CanadiensPre-playoff ranking: 17 Stanley Cup Odds: +6000 After a surprising appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Canadiens made one of the boldest moves of the offseason by trading two first-round picks for 25-year-old defenseman Noah Dobson, then signed him to an eight-year contract. Are the playoffs now a regular occurrence for the Habs?17. New York Rangers
Pre-playoff ranking: 20 Stanley Cup Odds: +3000 The Rangers changed coaches, from Peter Laviolette to Mike Sullivan, and found a trade destination for K’Andre Miller after deciding not to re-sign the restricted free agent. In between, they got one of the best available free agents, defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. Is it enough to return to the postseason?18. Calgary Flames
Pre-playoffs ranking: 16 Stanley Cup Odds: +15000 Another general manager who believes growth will come from within, Craig Conroy, told reporters that the players his office had targeted in free agency signed elsewhere, and he didn’t feel the need to spend more than $15 million in cap space just to spend it. He might be right, as the team’s youth movement isn’t just Calder Trophy finalist Dustin Wolf, although having a great young goalie certainly doesn’t hurt.19. Utah Mammoth
Pre-playoffs ranking: 19 Stanley Cup Odds: +4000 There was no playoff hockey in Utah last spring, but General Manager Bill Armstrong made many moves this offseason to put his team in the best position to achieve it in 2026. The team traded for a potential superstar in JJ Peterka, signed proven veterans in Nate Schmidt and Brandon Tanev, and selected Caleb Desnoyers with the number 4 pick, a 200-foot center who will play a key role for the team in the near future.20. Detroit Red Wings
Pre-playoff ranking: 21 Stanley Cup Odds: +10000 Little Caesars Arena has yet to host a playoff game. Will this be the season the drought ends? Detroit came close last season, and General Manager Steve Yzerman addressed perhaps the organization’s biggest need by trading for veteran goaltender John Gibson this summer.21. Vancouver Canucks
Pre-playoff ranking: 18 Stanley Cup Odds: +6000 Based on how the Canucks finished the 2024-25 season, continuity didn’t seem like the best option this summer. But, aside from making a coaching change (from Rick Tocchet to Adam Foote) and trading for Evander Kane, it’s mostly the same status quo. That said, re-signing Brock Boeser was probably an easier option than trying to replace a player who scored a combined 65 goals in the last two seasons.22. Columbus Blue JacketsPre-playoff ranking: 22 Stanley Cup Odds: +10000 To the surprise of many, the Blue Jackets remained in the playoff race until the last week of the season, thanks in large part to a Norris Trophy finalist campaign by Zach Werenski. The club made some depth additions this offseason: Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood will be particularly useful if they make the 2026 playoffs. But, are there any additional moves up general manager Don Waddell’s sleeve before October?23. New York IslandersPre-playoff ranking: 23 Stanley Cup Odds: +10000 The new general manager Mathieu Darche wasn’t shy in his first few weeks on the job. After the Noah Dobson trade, he and his associates selected an A+ class, according to Rachel Doerrie of Alofoke Deportes, and added an X-factor in forward Jonathan Drouin. This is a team on the rise.24. Anaheim DucksPre-playoff ranking: 24 Stanley Cup Odds: +10000 At some point, the Ducks’ rebuild will end, and that day might be coming sooner than many suspect. General Manager Pat Verbeek was quite busy this summer, adding Chris Kreider in a trade and sending Trevor Zegras to Philadelphia in another trade. The Ducks also added Mikael Granlund in free agency; he will be critical to their playoff chances. And as if all that weren’t enough, they got a top-five talent in the draft class with the number 10 pick of Roger McQueen, and then sent him to Disneyland to celebrate.25. Boston Bruins
Pre-playoff ranking: 29 Stanley Cup Odds: +10000 Boston’s offseason work has primarily involved adding depth on the edges, and selecting the franchise’s future center James Hagens, who will play another season at Boston College. Is a big trade in the works?26. Buffalo SabresPre-playoff ranking: 25 Stanley Cup Odds: +20000 At some point, the longest playoff drought in the four major North American professional sports leagues will end. Will it be this season? The Sabres don’t look better on paper than they were at the end of 2024-25, and they might even be worse, given that JJ Peterka was traded to Utah.27. Philadelphia FlyersPre-playoff ranking: 28 Stanley Cup Odds: +7500 The Flyers began the offseason by hiring franchise legend Rick Tocchet to take over behind the bench. Then, they drafted a class of nine players who all play like him (or are built like he was in his playing days). In between, they traded for Trevor Zegras, who could end up being the biggest steal of the offseason.28. Seattle KrakenPre-playoff ranking: 27 Stanley Cup Odds: +30000 The Kraken have been patiently building a balanced roster with long-term success in mind. Can they finally turn a corner in 2025-26 after an offseason where the big additions were Mason Marchment and Ryan Lindgren?29. Nashville PredatorsPre-playoff ranking: 30 Stanley Cup Odds: +10000 The Predators were the undisputed winners of free agency in 2024, and then didn’t make the playoffs by a mile in 2024-25. Conversely, the 2025 offseason included some discreet moves that should help them get back on track, including a trade for Nicolas Hague and the signings of Erik Haula and Nick Perbix.30. Pittsburgh Penguins
Pre-playoff ranking: 26 Stanley Cup Odds: +20000 It’s uncertain how long the trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang will remain on the ice, and rumors have intensified that one, two, or all three could end their NHL careers elsewhere. General Manager Kyle Dubas has been busy stocking the prospect cupboards, a process that will continue until opening night, with Erik Karlsson and Bryan Rust frequently mentioned in trade rumors.31. San Jose Sharks
Pre-playoff ranking: 32 Stanley Cup Odds: +50000 The Sharks are probably still a year away from a serious run at a playoff spot, but general manager Mike Grier added a lot of talent to his roster this summer. Number 2 pick Michael Misa has the talent to hit the ice this season. The Sharks also signed veterans Dmitry Orlov and John Klingberg to add some experience to a defense that lacked in that regard.32. Chicago Blackhawks
Pre-playoff ranking: 31 Stanley Cup Odds: +50000 Perhaps the most important move Chicago still needs to make this summer is a contract extension for franchise center Connor Bedard, who will be a restricted free agent next summer. Aside from that, general manager Kyle Davidson seemed mostly content to let his young roster develop, without making any major additions.
