The 2025-26 NHL season kicked off on Tuesday night with three American matchups, featuring the Florida Panthers celebrating their back-to-back Stanley Cup wins by defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2. Canadian teams hit the ice the following night, with the Toronto Maple Leafs facing off against the Montreal Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers taking on the Calgary Flames.
Let’s take a look at the status of the seven Canadian NHL teams:
Edmonton Oilers:
The Oilers, who finished last season with a 48-29-5 record and lost to the Panthers in the Stanley Cup final, secured Connor McDavid with a surprising two-year, $25 million US contract extension. The pressure is now on the Oilers to utilize the extra cap space to strengthen the team around McDavid and contend for the championship. Despite having star players like McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the team faces uncertainties in goaltending and injuries to key players like Zach Hyman.
Toronto Maple Leafs:
After a disappointing end to the previous season with a second-round loss to the Panthers, the Leafs faced further setbacks when Mitch Marner departed to sign a lucrative deal with Vegas. However, the team managed to retain John Tavares and signed promising talent Matthew Knies. Captain Auston Matthews is back in form after recovering from an upper-body injury.
Winnipeg Jets:
The Jets had a stellar regular season, clinching their first-ever division title and winning the Presidents’ Trophy. Despite their success, they faltered in the playoffs, losing to the Dallas Stars in the second round. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s performance raised concerns as the team looks to bounce back this season. The Jets also welcomed back veteran centre Jonathan Toews.
Ottawa Senators:
Led by young stars Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and Jake Sanderson, the Senators secured a playoff spot after a long hiatus. Although they were eliminated in the first round by the Leafs, the team remains optimistic about their young core’s potential. Ottawa aims to build on last season’s success and make a deeper playoff run.
Montreal Canadiens:
The Habs showed significant improvement last season, earning a playoff berth ahead of schedule. Lane Hutson emerged as a standout rookie defenseman, while acquisitions like Noah Dobson bolstered the team’s defense. With promising young talent and experienced players, Montreal aims to build on its recent success and compete for a playoff spot.
Calgary Flames:
Despite low expectations, the Flames made a late-season push for a playoff spot but narrowly missed out. The team saw standout performances from Dustin Wolf and Nazem Kadri, but offensive struggles plagued them throughout the season. Calgary looks to address their scoring woes and develop young talent like Zayne Parekh to boost their competitiveness.
Vancouver Canucks:
The Canucks had a challenging season marred by injuries and internal conflicts. Changes in coaching staff and player acquisitions, including Evander Kane, aim to revitalize the team. Vancouver aims to bounce back from a disappointing season and compete for a playoff spot in the upcoming campaign.
