Overview

• Major outlets released forecasts on division standings, playoff fields, Stanley Cup matchups and awards as the 2025–26 season opens.
• The Golden Knights are a frequent Western favorite after adding Mitch Marner, with multiple panels projecting a Vegas title run.
• Expectations for a Florida threepeat are tempered by reports of Aleksander Barkov’s season-ending knee injury and Matthew Tkachuk’s absence until at least December.
• There is no single Cup consensus, with picks spread across Vegas, Dallas, Colorado and Carolina among different panels.
• Award projections commonly favor Ivan Demidov for the Calder and Quinn Hughes for the Norris, while MVP selections split among stars such as Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.