Pacific

1. Vancouver

Despite losing some big talent like Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadarov to Boston, this team is strong. They were one game away from the conference finals. Sprong is a sneaky move. Bringing the size of former Bruins in Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, and Derek Forbort will give the club more playoff experience. Demko and Slivos are the tandem to beat in the West when healthy.

2. Edmonton

Don’t like the Bowman hire. Love everything else this team did. Campbell’s bad contract had to go. Believe in both Skinners. Arvidsson adds some grit into the top six. Bringing back Henrique and Perry are also good depth moves.

3. Vegas

Very tough read. They bought everything at the deadline and let the original Golden Misfits walk. Holtz, Olofsson, Samsonov, and Scmhid are low risk moves. They will have a full year now out of Hertl and Hanifin. Will a healthy Stone keep them in the race all year?

4. LA Kings

Blake had to panic on Dubois. A one for one on a declining Darcy Kuemper is a high risk. The depth adds of Foegle, Jeannot, Edmundsson, and Caleb Jones will help, but the kids in LA need to take the next step for them to remain in the hunt.

5. Seattle

Love the risk Seattle is taking, unsure if it pays off in year one. Stephenson and Montour were big fish at seven year deals, but this team still needs more. Bylsma as first year coach with Seattle will be an intriguing Jack Adams watch.

6. Calgary

The tear down continues. Dustin Wolf being up full time will be a nice thing for the Flames. Bean going back home is cool to see and reunite with Larsen. Mantha at one year could be a trade chip.

7. Anaheim

The quietest team of the summer. Big adds were trades with extra picks.

8. San Jose

Love their summer. Both of their top prospects are in the system. Adding Wennberg and Toffoli for the top nine are great. Their defense is their weakness. If their goaltending can recover, I can listen to moving them to 6 or 7.


Central

1. Dallas

Losing Pavelski and Tanev will hurt the team, but they are so deep. Bringing back Duchene at the same number is a steal. Big fan of Dumba. Johnston and Stankoven will be cooking.

2. Nashville

What a summer. Stamkos, Marchessault, Skeji, Wedgewood. Absolutely put the league on notice did Barry Trotz. The revenge tour for Stamkos and Marchessault will be fun.

3. Colorado

Still no Landeskog and Nichuskin. Erik Branstrom will be the most interesting player to watch after being let go from Ottawa. Does he sink or swim.

4. Winnipeg

They took a lot of losses this summer. Toffoli and Monahan left. Their top prospect reportedly wants out. Brossoit left for a rival. Schmidt was bought out. Ehlers is on the block. They may have the best goaltending trio in hockey. Another rookie coach in Arniel.

5. Utah

This is what happens when you have an owner that wants to spend money on your hockey club. Segerachev is now the man in the new city of the league. Keller and other Coyotes that moved and want to commit will reap the rewards. If they can collect their due, this could be the second wild card team.

6. Minnesota

The Fleury farewell tour. The salary cap hell is punishing this team hard. They have to trust their prospects.

7. St. Louis

Doug is already in retirement mode. The succession plan was announced by the club to give Alex Steen the reigns for 2026. Interesting depth moves in Texier, the Joseph brothers, and Faksa.

8. Chicago

The supporting cast is being built around Bedard. Their defense and goaltending will keep them in the lottery.

Atlantic

1. Boston

Lindholm is a great addition to the Boston system. Zadarov is a perfect Bruin. Korpsialo on retained salary and get their first rounder back for Ullmark gives Swayman a great tandem. Korpi worked great with Bob and Merzi. A full of Peeke will be a good bottom pairing defender. They have a great team and great system. Until a team figures them out, they will somehow remain in the race.

2. Toronto

The defensive mindset of Treliving is going to help the Leafs remain in the regular season success they have. Does taking the winning and veteran experience of Tanev, OEL, and Stolarz help get them passed the first round in 2025 with Tavares and Marner in their final year?

3. Florida

The defending cup champions for most of the same roster coming back. The depth has been reset, but Maurice will have this team focused and ready to go.

4. Detroit

The clock is ticking in Detroit. Adding the veteran winners in Tarasenko and Kane for a full season may help Larkin and company, but this could be the make or break for Yzerman. The depth and grit are here, the top stars have the heat.

5. Tampa Bay

The biggest loser of the summer. They’re bringing the older band back together with the hopes of another cup without their captain. The move of Sergachev is also a head scratcher.

6. Buffalo

Moving Savoie may be worse trade of the Adams era. The other depth signings in Reimer, Zucker, Lafferty, and Aube-Kubel will have the team in contention for the playoffs.

7. Ottawa

The Ullmark trade and Perron signing were great. Everything else was not.

8. Montreal

They are still years away. The goaltending is their weakness. The kids have the time to develop.


Metropolitan

1. NY Rangers

The hardest division to predict. Every team here could be moved up and down. They have the best tandem in the east and best top six.

2. New Jersey

They bought heavy. Markstrom. Pesce. Dillon. Nosen. They needed size and goaltending and they got it for the defense. A healthy Hamilton. New Jersey will be back in the playoffs.

3. Carolina

They also got worse with no help on the offense. The defense was reset. Will Necas step up or get the trade requested?

4. Washington

The back to back Calder cup champions and buying risk on Dubois, Chychrun, and Mangipanie will be fascinating to see them help Ovi break Gretzky’s record. They can be 4th-7th.

5. NY Islanders

Duclair is a great get for the top six. Otherwise they are remaining within. Sorokin can get them to the top of the Metro, or he is hurt and the Isles be the second wild card.

6. Philadelphia

The Torts’ system is in full effect plus Michkov. Goaltending is the big eyesore.

7. Pittsburgh

The powerplay killed them last season. They could finish 8th. But could finish first. The depth is not here anymore. It’s the old core 4.

8. Columbus

Merzlikins will keep them at the bottom. The kids are here. Monahan and Gaudreau reunion will be great. Losing the defensive depth in Bean and Boqvist will also toying with Laine and Provorov is calling for more changes coming in Ohio. They may have the best prospect system now in the east.

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