With the NHL season close to beginning, let’s take a look at the predictions for each team, conference winners, and who will get the title of the Stanley Cup Champion for the 2025 season.
Off Season News:
This offseason didn’t bring blockbuster trades, unless you count Toronto Maple Leafs star, Mitch Marner, getting traded to the Vegas Golden Knights for Nicholas Roy and a draft pick. Anaheim dealt Trevor Zegras to Philadelphia for Ryan Poehling and draft compensation, the Bruins brought in a new head coach, Marc Sturm, and Anaheim also sent goalie John Gibson to Detroit for Petr Mrazek.
Metropolitan:
Philadelphia Flyers:
Philadelphia had a significant shift due to their change in head coaching. Rick Tocchet might be able to bring this team success that John Tortorella couldn’t. Their young core is promising, whether it’s promising this year is another story.
Pittsburgh Penguins:
Time is running out for the Crosby-Malkin-Letang era. Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes depend entirely on how much gas those veterans have left. The Erik Karlsson addition helped bring some life back into the lineup, but inconsistency remains their biggest issue. A wild card spot? Possibly. A Cup run? Probably not.
New Jersey Devils:
After a disappointing last season, yet somehow better than the 2023 season, the Devils are once again hunting for a playoff breakthrough. Jacob Markstrom looked sharp in goal last season, but injuries have piled up like it’s 2023 again. If Jack Hughes and the blue line stays healthy, this team could absolutely take the Metro.
New York Rangers:
The Rangers fell short in the postseason once again, but they remain one of the East’s most complete rosters. Igor Shesterkin is still one of the best goalies in the league, and Artemi Panarin is coming off a monster year. The question will be if the team’s aging core can hold off younger, faster divisional rivals. Expect them near the top all season, with another “but can they do it in the playoffs?” narrative incoming.
New York Islanders:
The Isles are the same as ever, with defense-first and offense-later (or never). Ilya Sorokin can steal them games, but Bo Horvat and Mat Barzal need to start scoring more than the defensemen. Probably a lower playoff seed if they make it.
Carolina Hurricanes:
Carolina has been knocking on the door for years, and this might finally be their year. With one of the most balanced rosters in the NHL and a deep defensive core, the Hurricanes look like early favorites to win the Metro. If they can get consistent goaltending, the Stanley Cup might have a future in Raleigh.
Columbus Blue Jackets:
Adam Fantili is electric, David Jiricek’s coming along, but Columbus still looks like a team in progress. Avoiding last place might be the goal again, but they’re building something. Slowly.
Washington Capitals:
Alex Ovechkin is no longer chasing Wayne Gretzky’s scoring record of 894, since he passed it last season, with 897 goals. That should make things easier for this team right? The Caps could surprise people again, and they always seem to thrive when everyone counts them out.
Atlantic:
Boston Bruins:
Jeremny Swayman remains strong in front of the net, but Boston is slowly descending into their “we used to be good” phase. Marco Sturm takes over as head coach, but the loss of their veteran core is still showing. Charlie McAvoy can’t do it all.
Buffalo Sabres:
Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin are stars for this team, but their goaltending is… questionable. If Buffalo stays healthy and gets even average goalie play, they could sneak into the playoffs. But that’s a very big if.
Detroit Red Wings:
The Red Wings’ rebuild feels endless. Patrick Kane’s still playing, and John Gibson joins as the new goalie in Detroit. They’ll win some, lose more, and just hope it means progress.
Florida Panthers:
The two-time defending champions. Matthew Tkachuk is out until December after his surgery in August, and Alexander Barkov will be out for another seven to nine months due to knee surgery. The rest of the lineup is strong, but you can’t replace the kind of spark Tkachuk and Barkov have brought the team.
Montreal Canadiens:
They shocked everyone last year, but lightning rarely strikes twice. They’re solid, fun to watch, and definitely on the rise, just probably not this year.
Ottawa Senators:
The Senators made their first playoff appearance in seven years just last season. Brady Tkachuk might try to outshine his brother while he’s injured, but Ottawa still feels like one big move from being a real threat.
Tampa Bay Lightning:
Still one of the best teams in the league, and somehow still underrated. Stamkos, Point, and Kucherov will make sure this team stays in the mix come April.
Toronto Maple Leafs:
“No Marner, no problem.” We’ll see. With him gone, other players need to step up in order to keep the Leafs winning. Auston Matthews will still score 50, and William Nylander and Matthew Knies remain strong, but playoff success is always this team’s Achilles’ heel.
Central:
Chicago Blackhawks:
A young, growing team. Connor Bedard remains their star player. Frank Nazar has shown promise in the preseason, so he could potentially lead the team to some wins. Will they make the playoffs? Probably not. But they can make a strong push and hopefully set themselves up for the upcoming years.
Colorado Avalanche:
The Avs are the popular pick to win it all. Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and a fully healthy roster make them scary. ESPN says Cup favorites, and they might be right.
The Dallas Stars
The Stars are by far the most underrated team in the league. They have made it to multiple Western Conference titles in recent years, yet rarely get full credit. They are a strong dark-horse contender.
Minnesota Wild:
The Wild will look to regain the consistency they lacked last season. Kirill Kaprizov can only carry them so far without consistent secondary scoring or goaltending stability.
Nashville Predators:
Nashville is more of a middle of the pack team. They have potential to upset, but I can’t see them as serious contenders this season.
St. Louis Blues:
The Blues are likely a rebuilding team this season. They may surprise in some matchups, but their depth issue will keep them out of the playoff picture.
Winnipeg Jets:
Connor Hellebuyck is the star in Winnipeg, after he won the Hart and Vezina last year. But the question this year is whether the rest of the roster can consistently support him.
Pacific:
Anaheim Ducks:
Anaheim made several moves in the offseason, from trading Gibson and Zegras for other players and draft picks. Still, they’re likely a few years away from any real contention.
Calgary Flames:
The Flames are close to being a strong team, but their Western peers, such as Edmonton and Vancouver, always seem to be a little bit stronger. Their success will depend on whether their young core can step up.
Edmonton Oilers:
Two straight Stanley Cup Final losses to Florida sting, but Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl remain hockey’s most unstoppable duo. Expect them to come out swinging in search of redemption.
Los Angeles Kings:
Solid depth and steady goaltending make L.A. strong, but their inconsistency keeps them from breaking into the league’s top tier. They could be a playoff team again, just not a scary one.
Utah Mammoth:
The NHL’s newest team has real potential. With Clayton Keller leading the way, Utah could shock a few people and fight for a wild ward spot in their inaugural season.
San Jose Sharks:
Still deep in a rebuild. It’s going to be another long year in the Bay Area. No amount of Tiktoks from Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith (the other one) will be able to help this team see the playoffs.
Vancouver Canucks:
Off-ice drama continues to follow this team- from the lingering J.T. Miller tensions last year, to rumors of Quinn Hughes joining his brothers in New Jersey. They’re talented, but distractions could derail progress.
Las Vegas Golden Knights:
Vegas remains just like Vegas, flashy, dangerous, and not too shy to make bold moves. Adding Mitch Marner gives them another offensive weapon, and he feels like a great addition to the team. Expect them back in the mix out West.
PREDICTIONS:
Atlantic: Florida Panthers
Metropolitan: Carolina Hurricanes
Central: Dallas Stars
Pacific: Edmonton Oilers
Stanley Cup Champions: Carolina Hurricanes.
Sources:
Madison Sheridan • Nov 3, 2025 at 10:31 am
This is a very well written article as it has depth of insight but also opinion at the same time. It was nice that each team’s potential was outlined and then opinions were still added within and at the end.