NHL 2025-26 Division Predictions
NHL 2025-26 Eastern Conference Predictions
Order of Finish Prediction
Atlantic Division
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Florida Panthers
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Montreal Canadiens
- Ottawa Senators
- Detroit Red Wings
- Boston Bruins
- Buffalo Sabres
NOTES: Any one of the top three could find themselves in the Stanley Cup Finals. Also, The Bruins scored the least amount of points last season and didn’t do anything to address the situation. So. they and Buffalo could get flipped.
Metropolitan Division
1, Carolina Hurricanes
- New Jersey Devils
- Washington Capitals
- New York Rangers
- Philadelphia Flyers
- New York Islanders
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Pittsburgh Penguins
NOTES: The Hurricane are the class of the Metropolitan Division and lost in the first round to the Panthers. In the off-season, the addition of K’Andre Miller gives them more firepower.The Islanders are a bit of mystery to me and could switch spots with their main foe Rangers in the standings.
Western Conference
Central Division
- Colorado Avalanche
- Dallas Stars
- Winnipeg Jets
- Minnesota Wild
- St Louis Blues
- Utah Mammoth
- Nashville Predators
- Chicago Blackhawks
Any of the top three could shift around. The Blues and Mammoth may be better than I gave them credit for. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Blackhawks to look better in 2025-25 and not end in the basement.
Western Conference
Pacific Division
- Edmonton Oilers
- Las Angeles Kings
- Vegas Golde Knights
- Vancouver Canucks
- Anaheim Ducks
- Calgary Flames
- San Jose Sharks
- Seattle Kraken
After the top spot, this was the most difficult conference to predict. The Sharks and Kraken could fight for last place. The Kings are a team that could get far in the playoffs.