The NHL’s new season is here — and the predictions are already lighting up the hockey world. Will the Dallas Stars finally snag the Stanley Cup? Or is Connor McDavid ready to reclaim MVP glory? Let’s just say, the answers are anything but unanimous.
After two straight years dominated by the Florida Panthers, the 2025–26 NHL season kicks off with a huge question: is anyone ready to dethrone them? And with McDavid freshly re-signed to a blockbuster deal in Edmonton, fans are wondering whether he’s about to take back the Hart Trophy after a two-season drought.
Each year, The Athletic’s NHL team surveys its insiders and analysts to predict how the season might unfold — from playoff heroes to shocking disappointments. This year’s panel includes veteran writers James Mirtle, Sean Gentille, and Mark Lazerus, alongside analytics specialist Shayna Goldman and goalie guru Jesse Granger. Their candid takes reveal both strong convictions and plenty of playful debate.
Who Wins the Cup?
Mark Lazerus summed up the eternal hope of hockey fans with a laugh: “We’re all Charlie Brown, and the Stars are our Lucy.” For him, Dallas keeps pulling the football away. Sean Gentille countered, calling the Golden Knights his own Lucy — he trusted them last postseason and may regret doing it again. Meanwhile, Mirtle and Goldman placed faith in Tampa Bay, both noting that if Florida falters without Aleksander Barkov, the Atlantic Division could open wide. Granger likened the Stars’ roster depth to Tampa’s old Cup-winning lineups — elite at every position, from Jason Robertson to Jake Oettinger.
Rising and Falling Teams
While the West looks stacked, Mirtle is surprised Colorado didn’t get more love as a finalist, even with Rantanen’s situation. Others are bracing for Toronto heartbreak once again — and perhaps a surprise run from Carolina, if players like Nikolaj Ehlers elevate their offense. The Kings? Not a single vote, despite signing Corey Perry. And Goldman raises a fair warning: after two years of Florida domination, is it really wise to bet against them?
The Tank Watch and Draft Dreams
In a lighter moment, Lazerus joked that no matter who wins the Cup, the Penguins are destined to win the draft lottery — again. That earned laughs, but Mirtle sees truth in it: a few teams could engage in a late-season tank war for top prospect Gavin McKenna. Nashville could even get involved if GM Barry Trotz decides it’s time to rebuild, though Granger argues they might be better off trading for star goalie Juuse Saros.
Disappointments and Dark Horses
Canadian fans might want to brace themselves. The panel agrees that almost every major contender north of the border faces potential heartbreak — whether it’s Edmonton falling short, the Leafs crashing early, or the Canucks still not finding their stride. Goldman leans Colorado for potential upset pain if they exit early again. Gentille remains skeptical of Edmonton’s goaltending, while Lazerus mischievously suggests this could be Florida’s “scrappy underdog” year all over again.
Meanwhile, the Devils, Wild, and Panthers appeared as dark-horse picks, with Minnesota standing out thanks to Kirill Kaprizov’s health and Filip Gustavsson’s potential breakout in net. Goldman, ever the contrarian, wants to see Utah shock everyone.
Coaches, Comebacks, and Controversies
The coaching carousel sparks debate too. With so many bench bosses hired recently, predicting who’s on the hot seat got tricky. Brunette in Nashville might be skating on thin ice, while Goldman flags L.A.’s Jim Hiller as another coach who could face trouble under a new GM. Granger makes a case for Rod Brind’Amour to become the first two-time Jack Adams winner since Barry Trotz in 2019, while Gentille sees Mike Sullivan as a strong favorite given the Rangers’ expectations and media spotlight.
Breakouts, Awards, and Wild Predictions
Could this be the year Kaprizov shines as league MVP? The panel thinks so. McDavid remains the safe bet, but fatigue could hurt his campaign. Some even floated bold picks like Mitch Marner or Tage Thompson for chaos votes. When it comes to the Norris Trophy, names like Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, Rasmus Dahlin, and Miro Heiskanen dominate — though Goldman cleverly wonders who claims the No. 3 spot behind those two elite defensemen.
For the Selke, Sam Reinhart earns love as a frontrunner, with Barkov’s absence giving him space to shine. Others shout out Nico Hischier and Seth Jarvis, suggesting the next generation of two-way stars is already here. On the goaltending front, Igor Shesterkin stands tall as the consensus “best in the world,” with whispers of surprise contenders like Mackenzie Blackwood and Dustin Wolf.
And don’t forget the rookies. Last year belonged to Matvei Michkov, but analysts see potential fireworks from players like Ivan Demidov and Yaroslav Askarov. Could Askarov single-handedly make the Sharks competitive? Some think so, others call that pure fantasy — but either way, he’s one to watch.
In the end, the 2025–26 NHL season promises high drama, rising stars, and fierce rivalries — exactly the kind of chaos hockey fans live for. But here’s the real question: who do you see lifting the Cup next summer — the favorites, the underdogs, or someone no one’s talking about yet?
