NHL Power Rankings: Preseason
This is it. We finally made it. Despite the heat, the noise, and the long wait, they can’t stop us now! We just days away from the start of the 2026-2027 NHL Season. We will see 2 extra games for each team this season, which is the reason why the season feels like its starting earlier, because it is! The offseason was ripe with storylines across the league, some controversial, some historic, and some just downright shocking. Let’s kick off this power rankings season with a bang!.
#16 San Jose Sharks (DNQ for Playoffs)
The San Jose Sharks have exited the green banana business. They are done looking for young stars to cultivate and build around. They’ve done that. Macklin Celebrini solidified his superstar status, as he almost willed his team to the playoffs just this past season. The problem with the Sharks was their defense corp. It was horrid. But they address that issue in the offseason, bringing in Jacob Trouba and Darnell Nurse. Are these boys the best D players? For sure not, but they make a huge difference for this team and with the strong forward group already established. Goaltending needs to improve bigly but a step forward defensively will give this team juice to potentially reach the postseason. They were putrid 5 on 5 with a 26th ranked expected goal %. I expect that to improve notably.
#15 Philadelphia Flyers (2nd Round Exit; Lost in 4)
Philly is a team that is wanting to further improve on their strong 1st round win before facing the eventual SC Winner. They have the roster to be very good in the Metro, but they need their top guys to make massive steps. There aren’t enough game breakers there in Philly for me. The offer sheet of Leo Carlsson was quite the move and I loved it. They want to improve and they want to get better. They finished 14th in expected goal %.
#14 Boston Bruins (1st Round Exit; Lost in 6)
The Boston Bruins are maybe going to be a little better than last year. They are a remarkable team that always finds a way to be good, and a lot of it is based around their goaltending. I could see their season finally being the one I have predicted for so many years, a nose dive. But then again, they likely will make me eat my words. They are in a stacked division and the Panthers are back! They finished 27th in expected goal%, below the Sharks no less. They can score for sure, well above expected and their goaltending was incredible. They need to generate a lot more.
#13 Anaheim Ducks (2nd Round Exit; Lost in 6)
The Ducks had a fantastic season last season. Their young core took massive steps forward and the veterans helped solidify key parts of the roster. They dummied the Oilers and were just outmatched by the eventual SC losers. That was until the summer. Pat Verbeek had a tough summer that saw his star center get offer sheeted for an enormous ticket. It was quite the ride home from my vacation getting that news. While Carlsson’s offer sheet was matched, the damage was done as it not only led to a large ticket on him but reset the market on everyone, including Cutter Gauthier. Regardless, the Ducks get their boys back, but lost a few key vets in the process. They also failed to fix that blueline, of which looks very very porous. Goaltending will need to be stellar as I think teams will play this team differently following their success. Playoffs? I think so but it will be an interesting path there. They finished 9th in expected goal % and will need to find ways to improve on that defensive side.
#12 Vegas Golden Knights (SC Champ Loser; Lost in 6)
The Knights had quite the playoff run, only to look pedestrian against the Carolina Hurricanes. They have a lot of their core still around but they lost a lot and their room for additions is quite limited. If they see some injuries, things could go wrong for this team. They still have Eichel, Marner, and Stone, but their D is getting older. They are still a favorite in the Pacific but their flexibility certainly isn’t what it used to be.
#11 Utah Mammoth (1st Round Exit; Lost in 6)
The Mammoth gave it their all against the eventual Western Conference Champ. This team continues to show how to build a team the right way as they have a horde of young players who have already started to prove their worth. They bring in a new prospect goalie in Sebastian Cossa, that would definitely complete the circle. They were a remarkably good 5 on 5 analytically, finishing 6th in expected goal %. Their goaltending was a bit of a problem with them allowing more goals than expected, something that they addressed with the aforementioned. I expect a push for a Central spot but we know cracking that top 3 is quite the feat.
#10 Washington Capitals (DNQ for Playoffs)
The Capitals enter this season with a bolstered team. They have managed to squeeze a lot of juice out of castoffs from other teams and now they bring in Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou to do it yet again. Logan Thompson needs to be the guy if this teams wants to contend but I like this team a lot in the Metro. They have a huge shot at 2nd in the division. This team was 15th in expected goal %, with a near .500. Their goaltending was fantastic but it needs to remain that way, saving 28 above expected. Unreal stuff. Let’s see what we get out of Ovechkin.
#9 Edmonton Oilers (1st Round Exit; Lost in 6)
The Oilers were very pedestrian for most of their 2025-2026 season. They struggled to string 3 wins in a row and their playoff exit was just awful. They have played a lot of hockey so it wasn’t a huge surprise. That being said, the Oilers were quite active in the offseason. They turned over some huge contracts, signed a controversial coach and player, and are doing anything they can to keep Connor McDavid happy. They weren’t terrible 5 on 5 finishing 10th, but the eye test just told a different story. They were destined to be a 1st round exit. This year, if the coach who the players asked for can get this team focusing on the little things, we could see another trip to the WCF or SCF. But its Cup or Bust for the Oilers at this point.
#8 Buffalo Sabres (2nd Round Exit; Lost in 7)
Sabres couldn’t find a way to score in OT against the Habs in that huge game 7. Regardless, after missing the playoffs for seemingly ever, the Sabres finally cracked the postseason and won a series no less. They looked like they could have made an ECF but fell just short. The Sabres were below average 5 on 5 team analytically, with a sub .500 expected goal%. The difference? They managed to score 23 goals above expected. When your team is able to convert on any chances or score at will, it can change the trajectory of any season. The Buffalo Sabers also had fantastic goaltending, with 14 goals saved above expected. I expect both of these regressing back to the mean which means they need to improve on their 5 on 5 game.
#7 Minnesota Wild (2nd Round Exit; Lost in 5)
After finally securing their first playoff series win in 11 years over the Dallas Stars, they faced some issues after some injuries and lost to the Avs. This lineup is still so strong in all positions. I know there are question marks surrounding Quinn Hughes future but for now, he’s a Wild and that’s what matters. They finished 11th in expected goal %, they just weren’t able to finish on their chance they generated. Their goaltending was fantastic and sometimes that’s all you need to remain a threat in any situation.
#6 Dallas Stars (1st Round Exit; Lost in 6)
Dallas continues to remain a huge contender in the Central. They sat ninth in goals for per game and 2nd in PP efficiency, but are looking for more. Their depth struggled a bit in the playoffs again! They managed to sign Robertson for a bit longer which is massive. I was wondering if this team was going to let him walk…guy can score man. Dallas was 13th in expected goal %, above average which is all that matters. This team is defined by their playoff performance, they are playoff team no doubt.
#5 Tampa Bay Lightning (1st Round Exit; Lost in 7)
Tampa dominated their game 7 loss…it happens. Hockey is weird like that. The best part of this team is their incredible ability to just remain relevant. We continuously count them out but they just seem to remain a threat in this league. They have the goalie, they have the superstar, and their core is so solid. They sat 5th in expected goal %, generating plenty and suppressing more. They are just able to score which makes them always threatening.
#4 Montreal Canadiens (EC Runner Up; Lost in 5)
The Habs might be the most fun team right now and likely are considered Canada’s team at this moment, especially given the noise in Alberta. Jakub Dobes showed signs of being the man in his playoff run. He wont nine games with a 2.66 GAA and a .908 SV%. If you see steps forward by the skating group, this team is slated to compete not only for a playoff spot but for another shot at the Cup Final! They were not great in the expected goal department, ending 24th in the league. They were in the “Fun” Territory as they were able to generate at as solid slate but they need to clean up their D if they want to push past this year.
#3 Florida Panthers (DNQ for Playoffs)
The Panthers are coming off their “rest” season. They had numerous injuries plague this team last season and never were able to find a consistent rhythm to make the playoffs. But that is all changed now. Sasha Barkov is back, in comes another Tkachuk brother into the mix, and the team is as rested as ever. They are likely looking towards their 3rd cup in 4 years no doubt. They were below average in expected goal %. They just didn’t have the roster to do it and played so much hockey prior. They turned over goaltending in the offseason and welcome back key players. Should be a great season for the Cats.
#2 Colorado Avalanche (WC Runner Up; Lost in 4)
Colorado was the subject of yet another President’s Trophy fizz out as they were swept right out of the playoffs in the Western Conference Final. We all were quite surprised but one could argue it’s the result of playing the hardest competition early. I, for one, believe you’d want to take out your hardest competition early when you’re your healthiest but it didn’t seem to work out for the Avs. All in all, their core is one of the best in the league and they are slated for yet another dominant season. They finished in the lead in expected goal %.They were all around analytical darlings. It was quite impressive, but they just ran out of gas when it mattered most.
#1 Carolina Hurricanes (Stanley Cup Champ)
The Carolina Hurricanes are fresh off their 2026 Stanley Cup Win. They looked so deep and so consistent throughout the entire playoffs. Their offseason was quiet as they just say goodbye to Freddie Andersen. They have their team back and we know what they are already capable of. The one thing that I will note is what type of goaltending will we get. I think we have a pretty good shot for a repeat. They finished 2nd in 5on5 expected goal %. They still struggled to score per their expected levels but it doesn’t matter when your D is so stout. Though they did let in 3 more goals above expected.