Overview

• Staff panels across major outlets released opening‑week predictions for division races, playoff fields and the Stanley Cup, with Vegas frequently cited after adding Mitch Marner on an eight‑year, $96 million deal.
• Colorado, Dallas, Toronto and Carolina also feature prominently in Stanley Cup picks, underscoring a broad split rather than a single consensus favorite.
• Several previews flag Florida’s outlook as weakened, with multiple panels forecasting a step back given reports that Barkov is out long term and Tkachuk is sidelined into December.
• Award projections show early convergence, with Quinn Hughes widely tipped for the Norris Trophy and Ivan Demidov a leading Calder choice across multiple lists.
• Western storylines include Edmonton’s contention following Connor McDavid’s reported two‑year, $12.5 million extension and growing buzz that the Utah Mammoth could break through as a playoff team.