Carolina Hurricanes capture the 2026 Stanley Cup!

As the club and supporters keep celebrating, attention turns forward to autumn via this early NHL Power Rankings edition.

Besides the list, we highlight the main early-offseason narrative for every team, ahead of the NHL draft June 26-27 and free agency start July 1.

Ranking method: ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors submit a 1-32 poll reflecting 2026-27 season forecasts.

Note: Earlier rank for each club points to the last regular-season version from April 10. Cap figures come from PuckPedia.

1. Carolina Hurricanes

Previous ranking: 2

The Canes sit strongly for ongoing success ahead, yet face a pair of notable free agents this summer. Netminder Frederik Andersen becomes unrestricted, while blueliner Alexander Nikishin is restricted. Should improvements be sought, roughly $12 million in cap room allows flexibility.

2. Colorado Avalanche

Previous ranking: 1

GM Chris MacFarland left for the Predators, prompting Joe Sakic to resume control in Colorado. The forward group looks solid with most core pieces secured long term. On the back end matters appear more unsettled. Cale Makar can ink an extension this summer, likely at a big bump from his present $9 million AAV, and he ranks among just four defenders under contract from the 2026 postseason roster.

3. Dallas Stars

Previous ranking: 3

Focus centers on talks with Jason Robertson, a restricted free agent whose last contract carried a $7.75 million cap hit through this season. The 26-year-old posted 45 goals and 96 points in 2025-26, totaling 155 goals and 365 points across his prior four campaigns.

4. Montreal Canadiens

Previous ranking: 7

The Habs identified which contributors matter most for continued progress after an unexpected Eastern Conference finals run this spring. Montreal must settle new pacts for RFA forwards Joseph Veleno, Kirby Dach and Zack Bolduc plus defender Arber Xhekaj. After that the club will seek veteran depth pieces around the edges.

5. Buffalo Sabres

Previous ranking: 4

From the longest playoff absence in pro sports to Eastern Conference finals contention - plus a memorable merchandise item - the 2025-26 year proved unforgettable for Buffalo. The chief offseason issue is reaching terms with unrestricted free agent Alex Tuch, among the top names available this summer. Buffalo also needs agreements with RFAs Peyton Krebs, Zach Benson and Michael Kesselring inside roughly $12 million of cap space.

6. Vegas Golden Knights

Previous ranking: 15

The Golden Knights again face a tight cap picture this summer with $4.625 million available. Top UFA defenseman Rasmus Andersson heads the list, while Pavel Dorofeyev and Akira Schmid are RFAs. The period could also clarify Alex Pietrangelo, who sat out 2025-26 recovering from injury yet has signaled interest in returning.

7. Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous ranking: 5

The leading question for Tampa entering free agency centers on re-signing defender Darren Raddysh, who tallied 22 goals and 70 points at age 30 in 2025-26 after combining for 70 points across the two prior seasons. The club can also lock up Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov, entering the final year of a $9.5 million AAV deal, removing him from the 2027 free-agent pool.

8. Minnesota Wild

Previous ranking: 6

The Wild competed hard yet fell in the second round to the Avalanche. To advance farther next season they face several veterans reaching UFA status: Nick Foligno, Marcus Johansson (signed to play in Sweden next year), Vladimir Tarasenko, Mats Zuccarello, Robby Fabbri, Zach Bogosian and Jeff Petry. RFAs Bobby Brink and Daemon Hunt also require new contracts. Beyond those moves, will GM Billy Guerin pursue another major trade after the Quinn Hughes deal last December?

9. Florida Panthers

Previous ranking: 26

The Panthers' primary summer addition will be captain Aleksander Barkov, who missed all of 2025-26 after a lower-body injury from the prior preseason. GM Bill Zito holds over $15 million in cap space and must allocate some toward goaltending with both Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov as UFAs. Will another major trade or signing follow?

10. Boston Bruins

Previous ranking: 9

A call looms soon on veteran forward Viktor Arvidsson, a key contributor this season. The 33-year-old UFA has drawn interest from multiple clubs seeking top-six solutions. Boston possesses $15.4 million to address its offseason targets, potentially including another veteran center while rookie James Hagens continues developing.

11. Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous ranking: 8

Entering 2025-26 some expected a rebuild with Sidney Crosby and others possibly finishing elsewhere. Instead Crosby and teammates fought back into the playoffs. With Evgeni Malkin already extended this spring, GM Kyle Dubas will seek upgrades using nearly $38 million in cap space plus abundant future draft assets for trades.

12. Ottawa Senators

Previous ranking: 10

The Senators' near-term plans hinge on choices regarding UFAs Claude Giroux, Nick Cousins and Nick Jensen. Next comes addressing goaltending depth behind Linus Ullmark. Could this summer bring a major trade to gain ground on Atlantic Division rivals?

13. Edmonton Oilers

Previous ranking: 12

Before the Cup Final concluded, defender Darnell Nurse requested a trade, making a solid return essential as Edmonton potentially enters the final full season with Connor McDavid. The club may also need a new head coach, as initial selection Mike Babcock remains on hold amid an NHL and NHLPA review of his 2023 stint with the Blue Jackets.

14. Philadelphia Flyers

Previous ranking: 11

This offseason centers on two ex-Ducks who landed in Philly: Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale, both restricted free agents originally drafted in Anaheim. Those contracts will consume part of the Flyers' $37.5 million in cap space while the team seeks more "Rick Tocchet style" additions. Might this summer include a trade of Matvei Michkov, who appeared mismatched with the new coach?

15. Anaheim Ducks

Previous ranking: 16

The Ducks likewise have several strong RFAs to retain, headlined by top-six forwards Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier plus defenders Olen Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov. With $38.8 million available they can complete those deals and bolster a roster that improved markedly and upset the Oilers in the playoffs. Defense could be a priority with Radko Gudas, John Carlson and Jacob Trouba all UFAs.

16. Utah Mammoth

Previous ranking: 13

A playoff club in just its second year, the Mammoth appear ready to progress further in 2026-27. Assistant captain Alexander Kerfoot (UFA) and Barrett Hayton (RFA) need new agreements, after which GM Bill Armstrong will add pieces to an already balanced roster. Will next season mark the debut of last year's No. 4 pick Caleb Desnoyers?

17. Washington Capitals

Previous ranking: 19

This offseason revolves around Alex Ovechkin and his choice to continue playing or step away. Once decided, GM Chris Patrick must optimize the roster for another Cup push with the Great Eight or begin the post-Ovi transition.

18. Detroit Red Wings

Previous ranking: 18

Dylan Larkin's trade request opened the 2026 transaction period, and securing a strong return will shape the rest of GM Steve Yzerman's summer. It may also affect veteran UFAs Patrick Kane, David Perron and James van Riemsdyk.

19. New York Islanders

Previous ranking: 17

Peter DeBoer arrived late in 2026-27 and may reshape the roster ahead of his first full season. That starts with a decision on captain Anders Lee, an UFA, and Mathew Barzal, whose name surfaced repeatedly in trade speculation this spring.

20. Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous ranking: 14

The Blue Jackets have multiple key players reaching free agency, including UFAs Boone Jenner, Mason Marchment, Danton Heinen and Erik Gudbranson plus RFAs Adam Fantilli, Cole Sillinger, Jet Greaves and Yegor Zamula. They hold $32.4 million in cap space to complete those deals and add around a core that has hovered near the playoff line the past two seasons.

21. Los Angeles Kings

Previous ranking: 21

An Anze Kopitar-sized gap exists after the future Hall of Famer retired. Will Quinton Byfield step into the top-line center role or will Los Angeles pursue an external addition? The Kings have been connected to nearly every trade target this summer, and speculation will continue until a deal occurs or the season starts. The club must also decide on RFA defender Brandt Clarke, mentioned in some rumors as a potential trade piece.

22. New Jersey Devils

Previous ranking: 24

Newly hired GM Sunny Mehta takes over a club that reached the second round just two seasons ago. He and the front office must address RFAs Arseny Gritsyuk, Paul Cotter and Simon Nemec - the latter also linked to trade talk - while captain Nico Hischier enters the final year of his deal and becomes extension eligible.

23. San Jose Sharks

Previous ranking: 22

For much of 2025-26 it appeared the Sharks would reach the playoffs. They fell short, yet GM Mike Grier will use the coming weeks to position them better for 2026-27. Breakout star Macklin Celebrini carries just a $975,000 cap hit next season before becoming an RFA, while Will Smith ($950,000), Michael Misa ($986,250) and Sam Dickinson ($953,750) remain on entry-level deals. How much of the Sharks' $40.6 million will fund veteran support for the young core?

24. Toronto Maple Leafs

Previous ranking: 28

The Maple Leafs have a new GM in John Chayka and an unnamed incoming head coach, yet those items rank below the top headlines. They secured the No. 1 overall draft pick and appear set to take Gavin McKenna, while franchise center Auston Matthews remains the subject of persistent trade speculation.

25. Winnipeg Jets

Previous ranking: 23

On the positive side the Jets have most of their core signed long term, including Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Gabriel Vilardi, Adam Lowry, Neal Pionk and Connor Hellebuyck. On the negative, Hellebuyck's post-regular-season comments sparked trade speculation. Any deal for the three-time Vezina winner would need to impress GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and receive approval from Hellebuyck, who holds a no-movement clause, yet would clearly reshape the franchise.