This is the fifth in-season edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2025-26 campaign. In this installment, we analyze where each team stands following the trade deadline.
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1. Colorado Avalanche (43-11-9)
Previous: 2
The top-ranked team in the NHL added Nazem Kadri and Nicolas Roy. After an aggressive deadline, the rich got richer, and it's even more "Cup or bust" in Colorado.
2. Dallas Stars (40-14-4)
Previous: 4
Although the teams above and below the Stars in our rankings have garnered more attention recently, Dallas is quietly 12-0-1 in its last 13 games despite battling some key injuries. Michael Bunting and Tyler Myers weren't the sexiest deadline additions, but they make one of the NHL's most complete teams even deeper.
3. Buffalo Sabres (40-19-6)
Previous: 8
The Sabres have been the best team in the NHL since bringing in Jarmo Kekalainen in mid-December. It hasn't been particularly close: Buffalo is 26-5-4 over that span, 10 points clear of the next team. Are the Sabres a Stanley Cup contender?
4. Tampa Bay Lightning (39-20-4)
Previous: 1
The Lightning have cooled off since the Olympic break, and their relatively quiet trade deadline left something to be desired. Given Tampa's core players and track record, though, it's difficult to imagine the Lightning won't tighten things up come playoff time.
5. Minnesota Wild (38-16-11)
Previous: 4
Bill Guerin was the most active general manager at the deadline, adding depth in Bobby Brink, Michael McCarron, Nick Foligno, and Jeff Petry. This is a leveled-up Wild team that still has a weakness down the middle but compensates with play-driving wingers and a superstar defenseman. Whether it's enough for a first playoff series win in 11 years and a deep run in the gauntlet of the Central Division remains to be seen.
6. Carolina Hurricanes (41-17-6)
Previous: 3
The Hurricanes' only deadline pickup was enforcer Nic Deslauriers despite some question marks at center and in net. This team is likely good enough to get to the Eastern Conference Final once again in an easy Metropolitan Division, but without reinforcements, is their ceiling much higher?
7. Anaheim Ducks (36-25-3)
Previous: 13
Anaheim has turned the corner and become a fun, competitive team that's never out of a game, no matter the score. Sure, the Ducks give up too many goals, but that doesn't rule them out of contention in a very flawed Pacific Division. The bold move to acquire John Carlson addressed the team's biggest need on the right side of the blue line.
8. Montreal Canadiens (36-18-10)
Previous: 10
The Canadiens were quiet at the deadline despite boasting a deep farm system and a full cupboard of draft picks. Perhaps their biggest addition will come internally if Michigan star Michael Hage turns pro at the end of his NCAA campaign. Could the 19-year-old help Montreal come playoff time?
9. Detroit Red Wings (36-22-7)
Previous: 6
The Red Wings are playing worse than most of the teams chasing them in the wild-card race with four wins in their past 10 games. Detroit bought at the deadline for the first time in ages, but captain Dylan Larkin's status looms large for Hockeytown's playoff hopes.
10. Columbus Blue Jackets (33-21-10)
Previous: 11
The Blue Jackets are clearly going for it after holding onto all their key pending UFAs - Charlie Coyle, Mason Marchment, and Boone Jenner - and adding Conor Garland. Columbus is 14-2-3 since Rick Bowness took over behind the bench. That coaching change is arguably the best move any team has made this season.
11. Utah Mammoth (34-26-5)
Previous: 15
The Mammoth are uniquely positioned to capture the first wild card in the Western Conference and cross over to the Pacific playoff bracket. MacKenzie Weegar is a big upgrade on the back end as Utah looks to make the playoffs for the first time - and make some noise once it gets there.
12. New York Islanders (37-23-5)
Previous: 16
It's still early in New York's journey toward true contention with Matthew Schaefer. The addition of Brayden Schenn makes the Islanders a more formidable team that has a real shot at the second round in a weak Metro.
13. Ottawa Senators (32-23-9)
Previous: 17
The Senators have lost once in regulation since returning from the Olympics and are suddenly lurking in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. It's no coincidence they're piling up wins after finally getting adequate goaltending: Ottawa is allowing 2.43 goals against per game since the break.
14. Boston Bruins (36-22-6)
Previous: 7
The Bruins' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. Will a quiet deadline come back to haunt GM Don Sweeney? Missing the postseason in back-to-back years could warrant major change in Boston.
15. Pittsburgh Penguins (32-17-15)
Previous: 9
The Penguins have treaded water since Sidney Crosby was hurt in Milan, but they need their captain back soon if they're going to hold on to a playoff spot.
16. Edmonton Oilers (32-25-8)
Previous: 14
The question mark in Edmonton's crease still looms large after the deadline. Tristan Jarry has been a flop so far, and GM Stan Bowman did nothing to further address goaltending. And yet, the path through the Pacific still gives the Oilers hope. Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson certainly improve team defense.
17. Vegas Golden Knights (29-22-14)
Previous: 12
Things still aren't clicking for the Golden Knights, who have collected 14 points in overtime and shootout losses to stay in the race for the Pacific Division crown. Vegas has the stars to get hot and go on a playoff run, but goaltending is a genuine concern when it comes to the Knights' championship aspirations.
18. San Jose Sharks (30-26-6)
Previous: 27
Signing trade acquisition Kiefer Sherwood to an extension was great work by GM Mike Grier, helping a team that deserves a bump without risking the future. It would be a great story if the Sharks, who sit one point out of the playoffs, made the postseason.
19. Washington Capitals (32-27-7)
Previous: 18
The Capitals were shrewd at the deadline, cashing in on John Carlson and Nic Dowd despite still being around the playoff bubble. This team wasn't going to win the Stanley Cup. Moving those two out and bringing in stop-gaps Timothy Liljegren and David Kampf to help Washington remain competitive is smart work by GM Chris Patrick.
20. Philadelphia Flyers (30-23-11)
Previous: 24
The Flyers have shown flashes of improvement this season but remain stuck in standings purgatory. GM Daniel Briere would have been wise to add more assets by trading defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen while prices were skyrocketing before the deadline.
21. Los Angeles Kings (26-13-15)
Previous: 19
Kevin Fiala's season-ending injury at the Olympics was a major blow to a team that added Artemi Panarin before the break. Instead of making a meaningful push with a boosted offense, the Kings are still what they kind of always have been.
22. Winnipeg Jets (26-27-10)
Previous: 26
The Jets dug themselves too big a hole to climb out of during their midseason slump. Despite better play of late, they're effectively out of playoff contention. Winnipeg did well to recoup draft picks for depth defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn.
23. Seattle Kraken (29-25-9)
Previous: 23
The Kraken being buyers in the rental market came as a surprise, but they got Bobby McMann at a pretty good price - just a second- and fourth-round pick. This trade looks even better if Seattle extends the speedy north-south winger, who could flirt with 30 goals this season.
24. New Jersey Devils (32-30-2)
Previous: 25
The Devils weren't supposed to be Eastern Conference bottom-feeders this season. The pressure is on New Jersey's front office to find a way to retool this summer after largely standing pat at the deadline.
25. Florida Panthers (32-29-3)
Previous: 22
A quiet deadline indicated the Panthers have accepted reality: They're outside the playoff picture. Now they'll focus on getting healthy and coming back with a vengeance in the fall.
26. St. Louis Blues (25-29-10)
Previous: 30
The Blues were projected to be a major seller at the deadline, dangling big names like Robert Thomas, Colton Parayko, and Jordan Binnington. St. Louis did ship out Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk, but questions about the other players' availability won't go away over the summer as Alex Steen takes over for Doug Armstrong as general manager.
27. Nashville Predators (29-27-8)
Previous: 21
The Predators remain one of the most directionless franchises in the NHL after an underwhelming deadline in which they traded away a few pending UFAs for mid-round picks but not much else. The GM change can't come soon enough.
28. New York Rangers (26-30-8)
Previous: 31
Will the Rangers' retool accelerate this offseason? New York announced it would make roster changes months ago but held on to its most valuable trade chip, Vincent Trocheck, through the deadline. His value was sky-high after winning a gold medal with Team USA, and the Rangers missed a chance to collect a haul.
29. Chicago Blackhawks (29-29-11)
Previous: 28
GM Kyle Davidson did a superb job getting a first-round pick for Jason Dickinson and a second-rounder for Connor Murphy. The Blackhawks have the assets to make multiple splashes this offseason as they continue to build around Connor Bedard.
30. Toronto Maple Leafs (27-27-11)
Previous: 20
There will be no playoff pressure on the Maple Leafs this spring, but the organization needs to address several burning questions this summer. Meanwhile, Toronto's season continues to get uglier. The club could feasibly move on from head coach Craig Berube and GM Brad Treliving this offseason, but the Maple Leafs need to act fast with time running out on Auston Matthews' contract.
31. Calgary Flames (25-32-7)
Previous: 29
The Flames accrued two first-round picks and five second-round picks by dealing Rasmus Andersson, MacKenzie Weegar, and Nazem Kadri this season. GM Craig Conroy managed to overhaul Calgary's future and has the team poised to maximize its draft position this year.
32. Vancouver Canucks (19-37-8)
Previous: 32
The Canucks acquired a decent bundle of picks for Kiefer Sherwood, Tyler Myers, and Conor Garland leading up to the deadline, but they could have done better. Was there really no taker for pending UFA Evander Kane? Nonetheless, Vancouver has a sizable 11-point lead in the race to secure the top lottery odds.
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