NHL Season Begins: Carolina, Florida, Colorado Lead Championship Contenders

The expansion of the regular season from 82 to 84 games creates a more grueling physical demand on athletes.

Beyond the ice, the NHL is aggressively targeting the European time zone. The league has scheduled regular Monday night games to align with European primetime. This global expansion includes specific international fixtures: the Carolina Hurricanes will face the Seattle Kraken in Helsinki on November 12 and 14, while the Ottawa Senators take on the Chicago Blackhawks in Düsseldorf on December 18 and 20.

Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche Lead Championship Contenders

The Carolina Hurricanes enter the season as a primary favorite. Experts suggest the Hurricanes’ depth makes them exceptionally difficult to beat, particularly as they attempt to maintain their dominance in a league where successful title defenses are historically rare.

The Florida Panthers have proven that successful title defenses are possible, having secured titles in 2024 and 2025. They join the Pittsburgh Penguins (2016 and 2017) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (2020 and 2021) as teams that have achieved this feat since 2016.

Colorado Avalanche are positioned as strong challengers. The team is anchored by stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Makar signed an eight-year contract worth $163.2 million, making him the highest-paid defenseman in the history of the NHL.

Montreal Canadiens Seek Cup Since 1993

The Montreal Canadiens, winners of 24 Stanley Cups, are attempting to end a long drought for Canadian hockey. No Canadian-based team has won the Stanley Cup since 1993.

Despite a youthful roster, the Canadiens reached the semifinals last year before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes. Led by Nick Suzuki, the team remains largely unchanged at key positions but enters the 2026 season with an additional year of maturity and experience.

Ovechkin’s Final Charge and the Oilers’ Coaching Gamble

Alexander Ovechkin, with 929 goals, has extended his contract with the Washington Capitals for one more year. Now 41, Ovechkin believes this 22nd season could result in a second Stanley Cup triumph, his first since 2018. He noted that the new players on the team give them a chance to compete for the championship.

In Edmonton, the Oilers have hired Mike Babcock to replace Kris Knoblauch. Babcock has not coached an NHL game since 2019 and carries a divisive reputation. The Oilers are betting that Babcock’s tactical approach can lead Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to a title, ending a championship drought that has lasted since 1990.

The Rise of New Talent

Macklin Celebrini leads this wave of young talent, representing the future of the league as the 2026-2027 season commences.

The intersection of contracts, like Makar’s deal, and the expansion of the game into cities like Helsinki and Düsseldorf indicates a league in a state of growth.