The 2025-26 NHL season is officially underway, and hockey fans are asking themselves the big question: Can the Florida Panthers pull off a historic Stanley Cup threepeat? Here’s our look at what to expect in the coming NHL season.

Can the Panthers make it to the finals once again?

The Panthers, who have reached the finals the past three years, winning in 2024 and 2025, are looking to continue their run as a playoff contender. The biggest concern for Florida is how well the team will perform without key players Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, who are both out with injuries. Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett will be forced to step up in their absence.

For the Panthers, their playoff hopes rely on staying healthy throughout the regular season. That would prevent them from having to play with full intensity down the stretch in must-win games.

Is this the year for Edmonton?

The Oilers have reached the Stanley Cup final the past two seasons, only to be defeated by the Panthers both times.

Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman made several key offseason moves, signing forward Andrew Mangiapane and trading Sam O’Reilly for Isaac Howard as well as Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio for Matt Savoie, to add depth to the roster of forwards.

Although the Oilers have been excellent offensively, inconsistent play from goaltender Stuart Skinner and a defensive breakdown in last year’s finals remain concerns for Edmonton.

Alex Ovechkin: An aging star

Alex Ovechkin is now 40 years old. After completing the 2024-25 season with strong play, can he still contribute?

Ovechkin will likely play his final season this year, as injuries and age continue to take a toll. A strong farewell campaign could help propel his team, the Washington Capitals, to the playoffs. One major issue for Ovechkin is his ice time, which is down to an average 17 minutes per game compared to his prime average of 23 minutes. That reduction limits his overall impact with the Capitals.

“Honestly, at this point Ovechkin should be considered a top player of all time, along with Gretzky, Lemieux and Howe,” sophomore James Mahanna said.

Can Adam Fox and the Rangers defense regroup?

Last season, the Rangers struggled defensively, missing the playoffs by six points with a 39-36 record despite ranking 10th in goals per game.

By the trading deadline, the Rangers were sellers, but many fans believe they sold too much for long-term rebuilding. The team traded defenseman Ryan Lindgren and left-wing Jimmy Vesey for three players: defenseman Calvin de Haan, left wing Juuso Parssinen and a second-round pick. Although Parssinen has been performing well this season, de Haan is no longer part of the Rangers organization after being cut.

“I would much rather watch a decent Rangers defense now than wait for prospects to be drafted and developed,” sophomore Manav Patel said of the trades.

The weakened defense has left goaltender Igor Shesterkin exposed against high-powered offenses. The Rangers will need to make defensive adjustments to regain their footing this season.

Matthew Schaefer: 18-year-old wizard or wasted pick?

The New York Islanders were handed an opportunity when they landed the number one pick in the NHL draft lottery. They selected Ontario hockey league star Matthew Schaefer, and so far, the move appears to be paying off.

In four preseason games, Schaefer recorded two assists, no goals and eight shots on goal. At just 18, he became the youngest defenseman to record a point in his debut game.

What can we expect from the rest of the season?

The season is just getting underway, and it’s important to stay levelheaded because plenty can change. Success can’t be predicted this early. Teams like the Canadiens, Canucks and Sharks, who aren’t off to the best starts, still have plenty of potential for growth as the season progresses.