As the NHL enters its 100th season, fans across the globe are ready to witness a new chapter of hockey filled with energy, enthusiasm, and electrifying moments. With blockbuster trades and major team adjustments the 2025-26 NHL season offers new promise for players and fans alike.
During the offseason, many changes occurred in the NHL. For example, a key trade sent star player Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for forward Nicolas Roy. This trade benefits the Golden Knights’ roster, which already features top players like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, and positions the Vegas Golden Knights for a chance to capture their second championship since joining the league in 2017. Another notable off-season trade was a deal in which the Carolina Hurricanes acquired defenseman K’Andre Miller from the New York Rangers in exchange for a package that included a second-round pick, a conditional first-round pick, and prospect Scott Morrow. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers acquired young center Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks, who in turn used their free capital to acquire veteran forward, Chris Kreider, from the New York Rangers.
Of more local interest, the New York hockey teams are looking for their first NHL title since the Rangers earned the Stanley Cup in 1994. After losing in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024 to the Florida Panthers in six games, the Rangers disappointed New York hockey fans last year by failing to make the playoffs, trading away their key players, and starting a fundamental process of rebuilding. As mentioned, the Rangers traded veteran Chris Kreider after 13 seasons with the team, and K’Andre Miller after five seasons. This followed a mid-season trade of their captain and hard-hitting defenseman, Jacob Trouba. During the offseason, the Rangers then fired Head Coach Peter Laviolette and replaced him with Mike Sullivan, a two-time Stanley Cup winner as Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Rangers also acquired free agent Vladislav Gavrikov, a 29-year-old defenseman who formerly played for the Los Angeles Kings, who had been an Olympic Russian Gold Medalist.
Meanwhile, the New York Islanders are looking for their first championship since 1983, when they won their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup. During the 2025 offseason, the Islanders undertook a major transition similar to their New York counterparts. This included trading defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for second-season forward Emil Heineman and two draft picks. Dobson was one of only two defensemen in Islanders history to record 60 or more assists in a single season. Perhaps most significantly, the Islanders won the 2025 NHL draft lottery and selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer, a world-class skater and winner of three international gold medals for Canada with the first overall pick in the draft.
“I’m most excited to see Matthew Schaefer on the ice this season because he was the number one overall draft pick that the Islanders were able to secure. He is going to be a major building block in the next era of Islanders hockey,” said freshman Harry Dorfman.
This NHL season is special, in particular, because some teams – including the aforementioned Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Chicago Blackhawks – are celebrating their 100th year anniversaries, each having been established in 1926. None, however, are favorites to win the Stanley Cup. According to ESPN, the teams that are considered favorites to win this season include the Edmonton Oilers, the Carolina Hurricanes, the Colorado Avalanche, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Dallas Stars. Notably, the Florida Panthers are not on this list, despite having won the Stanley Cup for the last two seasons in a row and being the 19th NHL franchise to win back-to-back Cups. However, most other sources actually list the back-to-back champion Panthers as the outright favorite.
“Florida will have a hard chance for a 3-peat this year due to Alexander Barkov’s injury,” said Assistant Principal Mr. Miller.
Alexander Barkov, the Panthers Captain, tore his ACL and MCL in his right knee during practice on Sept. 25, 2025. Barkov is not only the Panthers’ star forward, but also is known for his leadership role on and off the ice.
Whoever emerges as victorious in June, this NHL season promises to bring fresh excitement and entertainment to hockey fans around the world.
“It’s great to have hockey back; there’s no better sport in the world to watch than hockey. Let’s go Rangers!” said Mr. Miller.