Early Season Check-in: How Every NHL Team Is Starting the 2025-26 Season
- Mayline Ruiz
- Oct 29
- 10 min read
The first game of the 2025-26 National Hockey League started October 7 with numerous teams playing on the big stage, such as the Chicago Blackhawks against the Florida Panthers. With nearly two weeks into the regular season, let’s take a look at the different teams and their records, including some star players.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Florida Panthers - The reigning champions, who have won back-to-back championships, have started with a record of three wins and four losses. Currently, they’re 5-5-1, and they have some players that Panther fans will need to keep an eye out such as Mackie Samoskevich, who already has two goals and four assists.
Boston Bruins - After missing their first playoff appearance since 2015-2016, the Bruins have started with a 5-7-0 record similar to the Florida Panthers. The Bruins have recently played against the Panthers, where they saw Brad Marchand, who played for the Bruins for 16 seasons.
Ottawa Senators - The Senators have started their season with a 5-5-1 record. With the Senators making an appearance last season in the Eastern Conference Wild Card against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Senators have a group of veteran players who can help bolster this team. With Brady Tkachuk’s injury, the Senators still have great players such as Shane Pinto and Fabian Zetterlund.
Buffalo Sabres - Along with the Senators, the Buffalo Sabres have also gotten off to a slow start with a 4-4-2 record. However, the Sabres have several rookies on their roster, including several promising prospects. Just because the Sabres have gotten to a slow start, it doesn’t mean they won’t call on the rookies to help them now and in the future.
Tampa Bay Lightning - Tampa has started with a 4-4-2 record this season. Tampa has some veteran players, such as Nikita Kucherov, who has a career record of 361 goals and 643 assists. With it still being super early in the season, there is no doubt that Tampa will bounce back.
Toronto Maple Leafs - With losing Mitch Marner, that hasn’t stopped the Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs currently have a record of 5-4-1. The Maple Leafs also have a stacked roster with players such as Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, and William Nylander. With a roster full of experienced players, the Maple Leafs are going to have a successful season.
Montréal Canadiens - The Canadiens currently have an 8-3-0 record. Players such as Cole Caufield have played a pivotal role in scoring in high-pressure games, including their game against the Nashville Predators, where the Canadiens got the win in overtime. The Canadiens have been a team who have played really well during the regular season, and there is no doubt that they will dominate this season.
Detroit Red Wings - Last year, the Red Wings were No.5 in the division with a 41- 32 record. As of right now, the Red Wings hold a 7-3-0 record. The Red Wings have some promising prospects that have given them some life. It’s also important to note that the Red Wings have defeated some of their division rivals, such as the Florida Panthers 4-1 and the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3.
Metropolitan Division
New Jersey Devils - The New Jersey Devils have gotten off to a hot start with an 8-2-0 record. During the offseason, the Devils didn’t really sign many new players. Instead, they focused on locking down players who are going to help bring them sustained success, such as Luke Hughes. The Devils didn’t have their first game of the regular season until October 11, where they defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3. Currently, the Devils maintain No.1 in their division with a game in hand against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Pittsburgh Penguins - The Pittsburgh Penguins have gotten off to a 7-2-2 record. It’s hard not to take a look at the Penguins due to legendary players such as Sidney Crosby. Crosby, who is entering his 21st season with the Penguins, has scored a goal in the past two games. The Penguins haven’t made the playoffs since 2023, and they’re hoping to make an appearance this season.
Washington Capitals - The Capitals have gotten off to a 6-4-0 start. With it being Alexander Ovechkin’s last year on his contract with the Capitals, all eyes are on him to see how many career goals he ends with this season. Ovechkin is currently at 899 goals and 731 assists. With such a skilled player, there is also a rookie that people should keep their eye out for to see how he’ll pan out this season. Ryan Leonard, who played at Boston College, is playing his first official year in the NHL and already has three goals.
Philadelphia Flyers - The Flyers, who are at a 5-3-1 record, have made some big trades in previous years that will help them succeed. They have acquired players such as Jamie Drysdale and Trevor Zegras. By adding more younger players, the Flyers have the opportunity to have better offensive production. The Flyers are set to face the New York Rangers on October 25, and that will be a pivotal match as they’re currently ahead of the Rangers.
New York Rangers - The Rangers currently have a 4-5-2 record. With some huge trades made last season, such as Chris Kreider, fans are hoping to see what this new era of the Rangers will look like. Fans should be excited to see how these young players will mix with the veterans and play as a cohesive group.
Columbus Blue Jackets - As of right now, the Blue Jackets have a 5-4-0 record. However, it’s important to note that the Blue Jackets have some young players who are going to play a huge role in the Blue Jackets' future. Most notably, Adam Fantilli, who has scored two goals and has been credited with three assists, still has a long way to go. Many analysts have mentioned keeping an eye out for Fantilli and how his offensive production can help guide the Blue Jackets to some wins.
New York Islanders - The Islanders had a pretty successful draft this season with obtaining Matthew Schaefer and Victor Eklund. Schaefer, who made his debut this season, has only appeared in nine games; however, he has already scored two goals and five assists. With the Islanders having a 4-4-1 record, it’s still very early in the season. These young players will not only bring hope to the fans, but they will also have them looking forward to the Islander’s future and see how they will mature as players.
Carolina Hurricanes - The Hurricanes have started with a bang and are at a 6-3-0 start. With their playoff experience, there is no doubt that we will see the Hurricanes dominate their division and fight for another year in a playoff run. Players such as Seth Jarvis have already shown promise. Jarvis, who is entering his fourth year in the NHL, already has 103 goals and 121 assists. With promising players like this, who doesn’t want to watch the Hurricanes?
Western Conference
Central Division
Colorado Avalanche - The Avalanche have been a fun team to watch so far, as they're second in the Central Division, being 6-1-4. It’s hard not to watch the Avalanche as they have dominant veteran players. Nathan MacKinnon is currently at nine goals and eight assists with only eleven games played. They’re entering a season with healthy players and a deeper roster.
Winnipeg Jets - The Jets, who hold a 7-3-0 record, have been making their games fun to watch. However, these wins have not come easy. They have won really tight games, such as against the Los Angeles Kings, when they won 3-2. Look out for the Jets because they have elite goaltending and a strong foundation.
Utah Mammoth - The Utah Mammoth are entering their second year in the NHL with an 8-3-0 record. Just recently, they took a victory over the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 in overtime. With a decent amount of rookies, the Mammoth have hungry players. The Mammoth are also focusing on keeping young players in their rotation, such as JJ Peterka, who has scored three goals and has obtained six assists in 11 games.
Chicago Blackhawks - The Chicago Blackhawks got off to a slow start but are currently 5-3-2. It’s hard not to pay attention to the Blackhawks when they have someone like Connor Bedard, but don’t forget about Frank Nazar, who has five goals, six assists, and has garnered 11 points. Bedard is currently at six goals and six assists. With a young group, they’re fun to watch, but most importantly, they’re hungry.
St. Louis Blues - The Blues, who are currently 3-6-1, have signed new players to bring hope for them. With a mix of young players and some new faces, the Blues are going to have a different energy. Players such as Robert Thomas will give the Blues a strong offensive production, as he scored 21 goals and had 60 assists last season.
Minnesota Wild - The Wild have started with a 3-5-3 record, and while the Wild haven’t made it to the playoffs in a while, don’t count them out just yet. The Wild have a pretty strong foundation with great goaltending, including Filip Gustavsson, who has a .897 save percentage. Before the season started, the Wild extended Kirill Kaprizov's contract for $136 million for eight years. Kaprizov is entering his fifth year with the Wild and has played in 329 games, accumulating 400 points through 210 assists and 190 goals. He has started off his season with five goals and nine assists.
Dallas Stars - After getting eliminated against the Edmonton Oilers, the Stars have started the season with the desire to go back to the playoffs. The Stars currently have a 6-3-1 start. For the Stars, they have already made a playoff appearance, so they know they can make it. With their roster, they have some strong pieces, such as Wyatt Johnston, who has six goals and four assists.
Nashville Predators - The Nashville Predators have started their season 4-5-2 and are currently sixth in their division. The Predators are on the rise as they have a blend of young players and veteran leaders, such as Luke Evangelista and Ryan O’Reilly. With the young talent emerging, it will make the Western Conference fun to watch.
Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights - The Golden Knights have been a popular name since they have made the playoffs consistently. This season, they have started 6-1-3. The Knights made a huge move during the offseason by acquiring Mitch Marner. Fans should keep an eye out for how Marner will integrate into the team and how he can bring his experience to a team that has had a lot of playoff runs.
Vancouver Canucks - Following an odd offseason with rumors about certain players leaving, there was some worry about how the Canucks would start this season. Nonetheless, they currently hold a 5-6-0 record. The Canucks have many veteran players who have brought them great offensive production, such as Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes. Hughes, who is also the Canucks’ captain, can help guide some of their rookies, such as Tom Willander.
Seattle Kraken - The Seattle Kraken are entering the season with a 5-2-3 start have a lot to look forward to. The Kraken have dynamic players such as Matty Beniers, who signed a seven-year contract extension in 2024. With key veteran players like Vince Dunn, the Kraken can have a good balance between their rookies and vets. The veterans' experience will help the rookies, and it will help them start to get more confidence on the ice.
Anaheim Ducks - The Ducks currently have a 5-3-1 record, and they are standing third in their division. The Ducks have an exciting season to look forward to as they have some emerging stars, such as Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish. One of their most notable games so far is their match against the San Jose Sharks, where they won in overtime 7-6. Anaheim could be an underdog team with its star players this season.
Edmonton Oilers - The Oilers currently hold a 5-4-2 record. Just this offseason, they re-signed their star player, Connor McDavid, for a two-year extension. With dominant offensive players like McDavid, the Oilers will continue to find a way to be a contending team for the Stanley Cup. If they can continue to have offensive production and defensive consistency, the Oilers will have a successful season.
Los Angeles Kings - While the Kings finished their season last year, getting eliminated by the Oilers, the Kings have a few things to look forward to. The Kings have a deep roster with Kevin Fiala and Anze Kopitar, but they also have some young players, such as Quinton Byfield and Alex Turcotte. The Kings are currently 5-3-3 and faced their rivals, the San Jose Sharks, where the Kings won 4-3.
Calgary Flames - The Calgary Flames have a 2-8-1 record; however, there is still hope. The Flames have started a new era with a decent amount of young players, such as Zayne Parekh and Samuel Honzek. With this new group of young players, the Flames will have a sustained roster for the future and will continue to progress as they find a way to get more offensive production.
San Jose Sharks - The San Jose Sharks, who finally got their first win of the season against the New York Rangers, are 2-6-2. While many Sharks fans are disappointed in the results, it’s important to remember that they’re still rebuilding and are solidifying their group. They have a lot of young players who are bringing a new wave to hockey. It’s an important season as fans are gearing up to see what the future of the Sharks could look like.
While it's still early in the season, it's never too early to talk about how these teams are playing and how they may pan out. What do you think about these teams so far? Is there a team you want to see pick up their offensive production? Do you think there will be an underdog this season? Let me know what you think!
Edited by Mary Merensky
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