The favorites to win the Stanley Cup are the usual contenders for the last few years, but injuries dropped the Florida Panthers a few spots.

The Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers are among the Stanley Cup favorites at several sportsbooks, but there is public momentum behind several other teams in what is seen as a wide-open Stanley Cup race as the 2025-26 NHL season begins on Tuesday.

The Edmonton Oilers strengthen their roster with a key $1.5M addition following Connor McDavid’s extension, aiming to compete for the Stanley Cup this season.

If so, McDavid likely would run away with the Hart Trophy that he is considered the favorite to win for a fourth time in 11 seasons, according to a panel of 15 NHL.com voters. McDavid received nine first-place votes and 62 voting points. Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon was second with three first-place votes and 54 voting points.

That tantalizing aroma you smell is the scent of freshly zambonied ice because hockey is back, and so are the NHL Power Rankings. With the 2025-26 season just underway, our first rankings are here to set expectations for the 82 games ahead of us.

The Florida Panthers are the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champions, but they aren't the preseason favorites to take home the title during the 2025-26 NHL campaign.

From MVP and Norris predictions to Stanley Cup picks, The Sporting News projects the biggest storylines for the NHL season.

"This team has gotten close, so that was a big part of staying and knowing that I still have a chance to win. I have a few more years here and that's all I'm looking to do," Mattias Ekholm said