26 bold predictions for the 2025-26 NHL season

Who's ready for the first season of NHL and Olympic hockey in 12 years?

I've cooked up 26 predictions to complement our annual staff picks and help set the stage for what should be a very memorable 2025-26 campaign. The theme here is bold, believable predictions that also have some spice to them.

Alright, here goes nothing.

1. McDavid signs 2-year, $35.5-million extension

Connor McDavid, who's eligible to sign a contract extension with the Oilers for three months, is staring down three options: a short-term deal with Edmonton, a long-term deal with Edmonton, and an unprecedented feeding frenzy in free agency. All three are in play to start the season, though a short-term extension with the Oilers feels most likely. Let's go with $17.25 million per season - a higher cap hit than Kirill Kaprizov but a low enough number to build a team around - for two years to keep him in Edmonton through 2027-28.

2. Capitals go from East's top seed to missing playoffs

Here's the rationale: Everything went so incredibly well for the Capitals in 2024-25 - Alex Ovechkin's goal-chase bump, career years from a handful of players, and a league-high team shooting percentage - that it would be strange if they didn't regress. Consider, too, the state of the Eastern Conference. It's possible Carolina, New Jersey, and the Rangers scoop up the three Metropolitan Division playoff spots, leaving the Caps to battle the Blue Jackets and literally half the Atlantic Division for one of two wild-card spots.

3. Brunette is first coach fired, GM Trotz takes over

The first part of this prediction is in line with reality. Andrew Brunette has arguably the hottest seat among the NHL's 32 head coaches, so he could very well get canned this season. The second part is wacky. Imagine Barry Trotz, who spent 23 years as a head coach, stepping back behind the Predators' bench. It'd be an odd sequence of events, even if the move was temporary. Then again, the ownership group of a small-market club would probably push for a creative solution like this if its relatively new general manager fired its relatively new coach.

4. Tavares proves to be league's best bargain

Predicting the league's best bargain contract is a fun exercise. Entry-level contracts are inherently cost efficient, so excluding them is the first step. The second is to scan the rest of the player pool for guys whose seasons could meet at the intersection of very productive and low cap hit. John Tavares, 35, was the opposite of a bargain on his previous contract, but the Maple Leafs center took a hometown discount and now costs only $4.4 million against the cap. Tavares has an elite five-on-five running mate in William Nylander, a key power-play role, and enough left in the tank to produce a point per game.

5. Hughes narrows gap on Makar to make it 1A/1B

It's become increasingly clear over the past few seasons that it's Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes then every other defenseman. Makar is the world's consensus top blue-liner, but an especially strong season from Hughes would narrow the gap and trigger a legitimate debate. Hughes, who's a year younger than Makar, had a massive impact on the Canucks last season despite playing through a nagging injury that ultimately led to 14 missed games. Makar is a one-of-one player in terms of skill set, whereas Hughes influences the game in ways that make him arguably more valuable to his team over a full season.

6. Marner sets career highs in goals, points

Mitch Marner bagged 35 goals in 72 games back in 2021-22. He reached triple digits in points for the first time last year (102 in 81 games). Both career highs will be surpassed this season. Not by much - say, 105 points and 38 goals - but eclipsed nonetheless. Why? Marner's defensive responsibilities should be lessened slightly on the Golden Knights, a team known for its depth in two-way forwards. He'll also see plenty of ice with Jack Eichel, one of the finest playmakers in hockey. And a weight will be taken off his shoulders. Clearly, Marner didn't enjoy life under the harsh spotlight late in his Toronto tenure. A non-traditional hockey market like Vegas can be a comfy landing spot.

7. Blackwood wins Conn Smythe Trophy

The Avalanche are my 2026 Cup pick for three reasons. One, Makar and Nathan MacKinnon are simply brilliant. Two, the lineup is healthy and well-balanced to start the season for once. Three, Mackenzie Blackwood's breakout potential. The 28-year-old netminder is revered in the goaltending community for his unique blend of flexibility, power, athleticism, and size. He's found a long-term home in Colorado, and this is the season he finally becomes an above-average starter. It often isn't the team's best player who wins playoff MVP. It's the guy who steps up. I can picture the stars aligning for Blackwood.

8. Cooper takes home first Jack Adams Award

Jon Cooper-coached teams have reached the Stanley Cup Final four times and won twice. The charismatic bench boss is also building an impressive international coaching resume. Put another way, Cooper's headed for the Hockey Hall of Fame after he hangs up his whistle and dry-erase board a decade or two down the line. He's entering his 13th full season in Tampa Bay and has surprisingly never won a Jack Adams. Coach of the year is a narrative-driven honor, and the Lightning are flying under the radar as a Cup contender. If Tampa takes the top Atlantic seed, Cooper will be in contention.

9. Devils trade Hamilton early in season

New Jersey has a surplus of NHL-caliber defensemen: Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes, Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon, Johnathan Kovacevic, Jonas Siegenthaler, Simon Nemec, and Seamus Casey. One is probably heading out the door sooner than later, and Hamilton's the most obvious target. The emergence of Hughes has deemed his skill set redundant. Hughes, who recently signed a monstrous seven-year deal, is the present and future of the blue line, while Hamilton's in Year 5 of his own seven-year pact. The 32-year-old has a hefty salary cap hit ($9 million) and a 10-team no-trade clause, yet there should be plenty of suitors for such a mobile, skilled workhorse D-man.

10. Save rate rises for first time in forever

The league-average save percentage has dipped or stagnated each of the past nine seasons. Last year, the SV% sunk to .900, the lowest in 30 years. Here's guessing the goaltending fraternity fights back this season and stops the bleeding. Don't expect a dramatic swing to, say, 2019-20's league-wide rate of .910. But something in the .903-.905 range is somewhat realistic.

11. Hellebuyck begins Olympics as U.S. backup

The United States' starting goalie job for the Olympics is Connor Hellebuyck's to lose. He's coming off an unbelievable regular season (Hart and Vezina trophies) and a solid showing at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Playoff games have always given Hellebuyck trouble though, and by the time February rolls around, the American brain trust will have second thoughts about the 32-year-old. Beginning the tournament with somebody else would be totally fair. Jake Oettinger, Jeremy Swayman, and Thatcher Demko are all intriguing options.

12. Shorthanded Finland captures bronze medal

The Aleksander Barkov injury can be viewed as a death kneel for Finland's medal chances at the Olympics. Please, don't count out the pesky Finns. This is a hockey country that always punches above its weight. Team defense and quality goaltending from Juuse Saros will lead to a surprise victory or two.

13. Flyers' power play goes from bottom three to top 10

The Flyers finished 30th in power-play success rate last year, scoring on just 15% of opportunities. Player and coaching changes could rocket them into the top 10 this season. Trevor Zegras has replaced Morgan Frost on the first PP unit, which also includes Matvei Michkov, Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, and Jamie Drysdale. That's a fascinating mix of puck transporters, silky playmakers, and triggermen. All aged 20-28, each member of PP1 is either in the middle of his prime or approaching it. Rick Tocchet has stepped in behind the bench, and he's far more creative tactically than John Tortorella.

14. Panarin line scores most goals in league

This is a refresh year for New York, with the roster overhaul seemingly finished and Mike Sullivan in at coach. Combine that stability with a few other variables and it's obvious the Artemi Panarin line - Vincent Trocheck between Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere - will do some serious damage. Panarin will be doubly motivated to produce as a pending UFA; Trocheck's reliably effective in the dirty areas; and Lafreniere's due to finally break out as a true first-line player. The Rangers scored 38 times last year with the trio on the ice during five-on-five action - the fifth-most goals scored by any NHL line. Remember, they won't always face the opposing team's main shutdown unit because the Rangers' other offensive line, centered by J.T. Miller, is a handful as well.

15. Teams find another CBA loophole to exploit

The controversial long-term injured reserve loophole has been effectively closed by the new collective bargaining agreement between the league and players' association. Starting in 2025-26, teams must ice a cap-compliant roster during the playoffs. There are some incredibly smart people working in front offices across the league, so I'm confident that by season's end, another headline-making loophole will be exploited by more than one club.

16. Hurricanes claim Presidents' Trophy

Carolina has finished second, third (three times), ninth, 10th, and tied for 10th in the standings under head coach Rod Brind'Amour. Nikolaj Ehlers and K'Andre Miller will bolster an already deep lineup. The chances of the Hurricanes claiming the Presidents' Trophy definitely aren't low. The bold part of this prediction is picking one team in a league in which about 10 clubs have a shot to collect the most points. It seems like every other year the Presidents' Trophy winner is completely unexpected.

17. Nazar leads all sophomores in points

This prediction is admittedly spicy. So, Frank Nazar will register more points than Michkov, Lane Hutson, Macklin Celebrini, and a host of other second-year studs? Why yes, yes, he will. The play-driving center finished last season on a tear and is coming off a terrific showing for the U.S. at the world championships. Nazar, 21, will play important minutes on a paper-thin Chicago team. And he has Connor Bedard by his side. Expect 75-80 points.

18. Kraken become big deadline seller

Seattle wants to make the playoffs. However, the path to get there will be extremely difficult. And let's face it, the Kraken would benefit in the long run from a bottom-five finish in the standings. The roster desperately needs a superstar, and shipping out pending UFAs Jaden Schwartz, Jordan Eberle, Mason Marchment, Eeli Tolvanen, and Jamie Oleksiak - three of them, at the very least - would bring the club closer to securing premium lottery odds.

19. Reinhart breaks Bergeron-Barkov Selke streak

Sam Reinhart finished fourth in Selke Trophy voting in 2023-24 and second last year. The winner both times? His Panthers teammate Aleksander Barkov. The winners the previous three seasons? Barkov and Patrice Bergeron twice. With Bergeron retired and Barkov sidelined for the entire regular season, Reinhart has a glorious opportunity to add to his trophy case. Perception might be the biggest obstacle in his way. The last winger to win the Selke was Jere Lehtinen way back in 2003-04. Reinhart must unequivocally prove his influence on Florida's defensive results isn't tied too tightly to Barkov's play.

20. Johnston has huge first half, makes Canada

Wyatt Johnston accomplished something rare last season: back-to-back 30-goal seasons by age 21. The high-IQ forward is entering his fourth NHL season, and, unlike for some of 2024-25, he won't be distracted by contract negotiations. (Johnston signed a five-year, $42-million extension in March.) Canada's management group will be looking for players of Johnston's ilk to fill its Olympic roster. He's a two-way threat who can play center or wing. Physically stronger than ever, Johnston's ready to level up again for Dallas.

21. Snuggerud is Calder Trophy runner-up

Montreal's Ivan Demidov is the rookie of the year favorite. But don't sleep on Jimmy Snuggerud, who's primed for a prominent role on the Blues. The 2022 first-round pick will likely start the season alongside No. 1 center Robert Thomas at even strength and assume the net-front role on the first power-play unit. Snuggerud's a big, smart, toolsy player who can really sling the puck. He put up eight points in 14 regular-season and playoff games last year.

22. Sabres show promise, still miss playoffs

The Sabres' NHL-record playoff drought hit 14 years this spring. Their highest point total over that span is 91, in 2022-23, and they've put up 84 and 79 points, respectively, the past two seasons. Buffalo will claw back into the 90s this year, perhaps reaching 94 or 95 points, only to miss out on the postseason again. This depressing projection is more a reflection of the competition in the East than the Sabres specifically. On paper, they're the fifth- or sixth-best team in the Atlantic. Other rebuilding squads have matured quicker on the ice.

23. DeBoer returns to NHL midseason

Pete DeBoer, who's been a head coach for five different organizations over the past 18 years, is currently unemployed after being fired by the Stars in June. His name will almost certainly pop up early in 2025-26 as a leading candidate to take over an underachieving team's bench. DeBoer is the all-time leader in playoff wins among coaches without a Cup ring following stops in Florida, New Jersey, San Jose, Vegas, and Dallas. NHL job or not, the 57-year-old will be off to Milan as one of Canada's assistant coaches at the Olympics.

24. Ovechkin avoids major dropoff

It's easy to predict an Alex Ovechkin downfall. The dude turned 40 in September. Still, he's on a different timeline than basically any other player in history. Ovi will find a way to not only play meaningful minutes (15-17 a night) but also consistently fill the net for at least one more year. He isn't done. Will he snipe 50 again? No. Does he have one last 40-goal season in him? Yes, sir. Ovi and the Capitals are coming off a long offseason, and, with Russia banned from Olympic competition, he'll get a restful 20-day break in February.

25. Crosby stays in Pittsburgh all season

Sidney Crosby, 38, has made it clear he'd like to retire as a Penguin. I think he spends the entirety of 2025-26 in a Pittsburgh uniform despite the constant losing and the Pens' future looking bleaker and bleaker. He'll seriously contemplate a trade to a Cup contender in the summer instead and potentially move during the offseason or 2026-27. The timing is difficult to predict, but it sure feels like Crosby will one day ask for a trade. Just not this season.

26. Center goes third overall in NHL draft

The 2026 draft will be defined by Gavin McKenna, a winger, and Keaton Verhoeff, a defenseman. One early theme of the class, in general: There aren't a ton of centers to get excited about if you're a fan of a lottery team. However, this is the NHL we're talking about. There's a super premium placed on centers every draft weekend, so even if a center doesn't deserve to go in the top three, one probably will because general managers can't help themselves. Tynan Lawrence of USHL Muskegon is considered the top center right now.

John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (@MatiszJohn) or contact him via email ([email protected]).