Overview
- The 2025-26 campaign starts Oct. 7 with a tripleheader featuring Florida vs. Chicago, Pittsburgh at the New York Rangers, and Colorado at Los Angeles.
- Florida begins a threepeat bid without captain Aleksander Barkov for 7–9 months due to a knee injury, with Matthew Tkachuk expected to miss the early season after surgery.
- Under the new CBA in effect this season, LTIR relief is generally capped at a player’s prior-year average salary unless ruled out for the entire season and playoffs, and playoff lineups must be cap compliant with 20 eligible players for every game.
- Toronto set its opening roster with Anthony Stolarz starting in goal and Cayden Primeau listed as backup, while Nick Robertson edged Easton Cowan for a forward spot after a tight camp competition.
- San Jose acquired defenseman Ryan Ellis and his $6.25 million cap hit from Philadelphia, sending Carl Grundstrom and Artem Guryev to the Flyers.