As the 2026-27 National Hockey League (NHL) season gets underway, several teams and players stand out as frontrunners in both the regular season and Stanley Cup playoff projections. The Montreal Canadiens are widely viewed as contenders to end Canada’s longest Stanley Cup drought, which has lasted since their last championship in 1993. Bolstered by a core of players entering their prime, including Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, and Lane Hutson, Montreal’s roster blends experience with youthful talent, prompting expectations that the Canadiens may finally take the pivotal step toward a long-sought title.
In the Eastern Conference, Montreal is favored to lead the Atlantic Division, with a potential playoff run that could see them face off against teams such as Carolina and Dallas. Meanwhile, other Eastern teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, and Buffalo Sabres are also positioned to compete for playoff spots, with wild-card places expected to be hotly contested.
On the Western Conference side, Colorado emerges as an early Stanley Cup favorite. After falling short in the playoffs in recent seasons, the Colorado Avalanche are predicted to advance deep into the postseason, with expert forecasts tipping them to face Montreal in the Stanley Cup Final. The Avalanche’s dynamic star Nathan MacKinnon is projected to be a strong contender for the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player. The team’s defense, led by standout Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild, has also drawn attention, with Hughes considered a top candidate for the Norris Trophy awarded to the best defenseman.
The Minnesota Wild, having reached the second round of the playoffs last season, aim to build on that progress with the resources invested in securing Hughes, signaling their commitment to becoming perennial contenders. Their general manager Bill Guerin’s moves this offseason suggest the team is positioning itself to compete for the Stanley Cup in the near term.
In other developments, the Dallas Stars are facing a critical season amid concerns over the future of key players like Jason Robertson, who is signed only through 2026-27. Having reached the Western Conference Finals three times but failing to advance to the Stanley Cup Final, Dallas views the current campaign as pivotal to maintaining their championship aspirations.
On the coaching front, Martin St. Louis of Montreal has been singled out as a candidate for the Jack Adams Award recognizing the NHL’s top coach. Meanwhile, Sheldon Keefe of New Jersey may face early pressure, with some predictions suggesting he could be among the first coaches to be dismissed this season.
The expectations for individual awards also highlight rising stars. Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers and Andrei Vasilevskiy of Tampa Bay are leading candidates for the Vezina Trophy as top goaltenders, while rookies Porter Martone of Philadelphia and Ivar Stenberg of San Jose are generating buzz for the Calder Trophy recognizing the league’s top rookie.
As the season unfolds, key storylines will include whether Montreal can finally secure their first Stanley Cup in over three decades, how Connor McDavid’s recent contract extension influences the Edmonton Oilers’ fortunes, and whether Colorado can capitalize on its talented core to end a championship drought of its own. The 2026-27 NHL season promises a competitive landscape across divisions, with playoff positioning and individual performances set to shape the race to hockey’s ultimate prize.