Taylor Swift Lyrics for Every NHL Team's Upcoming 2025-26 Season
In what is expected to be one of the most-watched podcast episodes of all time, Taylor Swift will grace partner Travis Kelce's show, New Heights, on Wednesday night.
The teaser dropped early Tuesday at 12:12 am and has since racked up over 100 million views and counting on Instagram, as the singer revealed the title of her 12th studio album: "The Life of a Showgirl."
New Heights sent out another teaser on Wednesday morning, featuring a very hyped-up Jason Kelce screaming in excitement.
What else will she reveal on her first-ever appearance in a podcast come Wednesday night? Will she drop a single from the album?
While we all wait in anticipation, let's make this about hockey as we hockey fans love to do. Here's one Swift lyric for every NHL team headed into 2025-26.
Anaheim Ducks
1 of 32
Song Lyric: "You don't know about me, but I'll bet you want to" from "22"
Reason Why: Is this the year the Ducks jump from "group of promising prospects," to "truly cohesive squad ready to compete"? We aren't sure, but we'd like to know about them this year.
Up-and-coming goalie Lukas Dostal is coming into the season as a 25-year-old looking to prove he's really among the best goalies in the league, and Anaheim made its fair share of "money where your mouth is" changes this summer.
Boston Bruins
2 of 32
Song Lyric: Wages earned and lessons learned
But I, I'm right where you left me
Help, I'm still at the restaurant
Still sitting in a corner I haunt
"Right Where You Left Me"
Reason Why: Bruins fans are allowed one more cry when Brad Marchand returns to TD Garden in his Panthers uniform bright and early next season. Then it's time to move on, and the future isn't all that terrifying with Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm healthy to start the season.
Buffalo Sabres
3 of 32
Song Lyric: But you're in self-sabotage mode
Throwing spikes down on the road
But I've seen this episode and still loved the show
"The Tortured Poets Department"
Reason Why: No matter what the Sabres do, which is rarely "make a good decision," we just can't look away. Despite it all, we even find ourselves rooting for them to figure it out in their messy way. We've watched the episode where they don't make the playoffs for an NHL record 14 years, and it's tough to imagine they'll magically figure it out this time around.
But what if they do?
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Calgary Flames
4 of 32
Song Lyric: So much for summer love, saying us, 'cause you weren't mine to lose.
"August"
Reason Why: The Flames were never supposed to be battling for a playoff spot last season, but much like "August," it sure was fun to "live for the hope of it all" and cancel plans just in case Lord Stanley called for the heck of it.
Of course, the 2024-25 playoffs weren't Calgary's to have or to lose. The whimsy was fun, but the reality of building a perennial playoff team is going to hit a bit harder this season.
Carolina Hurricanes
5 of 32
Song Lyric: I know they said the end is near
But I'm still on my tallest tiptoes
Spinning in my highest heels, love
Shining just for you...
I'm still a believer, but I don't know why
I've never been a natural, all I do is try, try try.
"Mirrorball"
Reason Why: The Hurricanes just won't go away anytime we write them off and tell them to leave us alone. Sure, they aren't exactly naturals—you won't find a Connor McDavid or a playoff Bob on this team.
But you can't knock them for showing up every year and trying their hearts out to win a conference finals game. They finally got one last year, and the team has improved. But will they make it two this year?
Chicago Blackhawks
6 of 32
Song Lyric: You ain't gotta pray for me
Me and my wild boy
And all of this wild joy.
"But Daddy I Love Him"
Reason Why: Connor Bedard hasn't been dealt an ideal hand in his first few years in the league, and he looked particularly deflated about it last year. I'm not promising "wild joy" for Bedard in 2025-26, but he's going to be OK.
Even though next year will still be rough, the light at the end of the tunnel should start shining with more developmental pieces taking steps.
Colorado Avalanche
7 of 32
Song Lyric:
I wish you would come back
Wish I never hung up the phone like I did, I
Wish you knew that
I'll never forget you as long as I live and I
Wish you were right here, right now, it's all good
I wish you would.
"I Wish You Would"
Reason Why: We talk way too much about Mikko Rantanen's short stint with the Hurricanes because it was flashy and dramatic. The team missing him the most, though, is Colorado.
The Avalanche will stay relevant forever as long as Nathan Mackinnon and Cale Makar are around, but it's tough to imagine them replacing Rantanen anytime soon. The cap-space situation is what it is, but it feels like they're spinning their wheels heading into this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets
8 of 32
Song Lyric: Today is never too late to be brand new.
"Innocent"
Reason Why: The Blue Jackets are expected to lean back into building the fundamentals of a consistent playoff-making team this season after last season's unexpected postseason push.
They're exactly where they need to be. Ivan Provorov has extended for the long term, and it'll be exciting to watch Adam Fantilli grow into a bigger role.
Dallas Stars
9 of 32
Song Lyric:
We're getting stronger now
Find things they never found
They might be bigger
But we're faster and never scared
You can walk away, say we don't need this
But there's something in your eyes
Says we can beat this.
"Change"
Reason Why: It might seem like the Stars are stagnant after three straight appearances in the Western Conference Final but no Cup Final appearances to show for it, but that's not the case.
The team has been patient, with Jim Nill making ahead-of-the-curve tweaks each year and budding stars like Wyatt Johnston gaining the necessary playoff experience to take the next step. Could it all pay off this year after a full season of Rantanen and a new head coach at the helm?
Detroit Red Wings
10 of 32
Song Lyric:
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail
Strategy sets the scene for the tale
...And I swear
I'm only cryptic and Machiavellian
'Cause I care.
"Mastermind"
Reason Why: Is Steve Yzerman a mastermind or not? As Red Wings fans grow impatient with trusting the hush-hush Yzerplan, this is the year when there are real expectations to at least bring in a legit new member of the core.
Edmonton Oilers
11 of 32
Song Lyric:
I forget how the West was won
I forget if this was ever fun
I just know these people only raise you to cage you.
"But Daddy I Love Him"
Reason Why: Connor McDavid's got a lot to think about as a pending free agent after two straight losses in the Cup Final with the Oilers. Is it even fun to hang the WCF banner anymore?
Does the Edmonton front office want what's best for McDavid, or will its missing out on improving the goaltending for years get to him as he mulls his future over?
Florida Panthers
12 of 32
Song Lyric: If you wanted me dead, you should've just said
Nothing makes me feel more alive
So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street
Crash the party like a record scratch as I scream
"Who's afraid of little old me?"
You should be.
"Who's Afraid of Little Old Me"
Reason Why: Yeah, you're foolish if you aren't terrified of the Florida Panthers at this point. They're going for the three-peat with basically their entire core intact, and they only seem to grow stronger and build more momentum when anyone comes close to challenging them.
Los Angeles Kings
13 of 32
Song Lyric:
I was so ahead of the curve, the curve became a sphere
Fell behind all my classmates and I ended up here.
"This Is me Trying"
Reason Why: Where are the L.A. Kings going at this point? After four consecutive first-round exits and not enough adjustments or attempts to beat the Oilers, it looks like the front office has almost accepted falling behind.
Minnesota Wild
14 of 32
Song Lyric:
When you’re young, you just run,
But you come back to what you need.
"This Love"
Reason Why: The Wild are figuring it out, and they had a solid playoff appearance last season despite the first-round exit. The young players on this team could build something special and more consistent this year once they address the burning question: Do they "need" Marco Rossi?
Montreal Canadiens
15 of 32
Song Lyric:
You know how scared I am of elevators,
Never trust it if it rises fast…
I thought the plane was goin' down
How'd you turn it right around?
"Labyrinth"
Reason Why: The Canadiens will be one of the most interesting teams to keep your eye on this season after an ahead-of-schedule playoff appearance last term.
Nick Suzuki proved his ceiling is even more impressive than we thought, and his leadership established a team identity as the Canadiens welcomed rookie phenom Lane Hutson and continued to establish their core.
Will they keep building things up with less pressure or hunt for a playoff spot again?
Nashville Predators
16 of 32
Song Lyric:
I hate it here so I will go to secret gardens in my mind
People need a key to get to; the only one is mine.
"I Hate It Here"
Reason Why: It must be hard to be on the Predators right now, after all the promising moves from two offseasons ago, somehow resulting in an almost worse on-ice product.
But it didn't make sense on paper. Juuse Saros could bounce back this year, and the Predators should ignore the noise and go to secret gardens in their mind in hopes of a slightly more positive 2025-26.
New Jersey Devils
17 of 32
Song Lyric:
Dear reader, bend when you can
Snap when you have to
Dear reader, you don't have to answer
Just 'cause they asked you
(You should find another)
Dear reader, the greatest of luxuries is your secrets
Dear reader, when you aim at the devil
Make sure you don't miss.
"Dear Reader"
Reason Why: The Devils "snapped" with inopportune injuries to star center Jack Hughes and much of the defensive core last season, which did their season in as a weak first-round exit.
If they remain healthy, though, they've got some "secrets" up their sleeve and could surprise folks in a bounce-back season.
New York Islanders
18 of 32
Song Lyric:
Familiarity breeds contempt
Don't put me in the basement
When I want the penthouse of your heart
Diamonds in my eyes
I polish up real, I polish up real nice.
"Bejeweled"
Reason Why: The Islanders haven't done much in this wishy-washy era, but there's a sense of newness headed into the season with No. 1 overall Matthew Schaefer on board and Mat Barzal returning at full strength.
One super-strong season from Ilya Sorokin in net, and we're looking at the playoffs for the Islanders. They can polish up real nice, but will they?
New York Rangers
19 of 32
Song Lyric:
They never see it comin', what I do next
This is how the world works
You gotta leave before you get left
I can feel the flames on my skin
He says, 'Don't throw away a good thing'
But if he drops my name, then I owe him nothin'
And if he spends my change, then he had it comin'.
"I Did Something Bad"
Reason Why: The Rangers are certainly in their Reputation era after a tumultuous 2024-25, resulting in missed playoffs and longtime team staples traded away without a second thought. Will they make it all count and bounce back this year?
Ottawa Senators
20 of 32
Song Lyric:
All they keep asking me (All they keep asking me)
Is if I'm gonna be your bride
The only kinda girl they see (Only kinda girl they see)
Is a one-night or a wife.
"Lavender Haze"
Reason Why: Can we just let the Senators cook? They're in the lavender haze between finally making the playoffs and becoming true contenders right now, and they get this season to revel in that and enjoy the next run without thinking too much about what's next.
Philadelphia Flyers
21 of 32
Song Lyric:
But I, I was high in the sky
With Pennsylvania under me
Are there still beautiful things?
"Seven"
Reason Why: This year, the Flyers are allowed to dream a little, with team legend Rick Tocchet in his first year behind the bench, and Trevor Zegras getting a crack at a redemption era after some disappointments in Anaheim.
Will it be perfect? Probably not. Might there be beautiful things? Oh, yes.
Pittsburgh Penguins
22 of 32
Song Lyric:
You squeeze my hand three times in the back of the taxi
I can tell that it's gonna be a long road
I'll be there if you're the toast of the town, babe
Or if you strike out and you're crawling home
Don't read the last page
But I stay when it's hard, or it's wrong, or we're making mistakes.
"New Year's Day"
Reason Why: The Penguins might have a rough year or two ahead of them, but Sidney Crosby ain't leaving so easily.
San Jose Sharks
23 of 32
Song Lyric:
We're so young
But we're on the road to ruin
We play dumb but we know exactly what we're doin'
We cry tears of mascara in the bathroom
Honey, life is just a classroom.
"New Romantics"
Reason Why: The Sharks have been on a rough but exciting road to relevancy for the past few years. There's still some ruin to sift through on the way back up, but they know what they're doing. And hey, they're still young after all.
Seattle Kraken
24 of 32
Song Lyric:
If it's all in my head, tell me now
Tell me I've got it wrong somehow
I know my love should be celebrated
But you tolerate it.
"Tolerate It"
Reason Why: "Tolerating it" is exactly how I feel watching a Kraken game. Shane Wright and Matty Beniers have thrilling upsides, but they're still young and inconsistent, and they're surrounded by too many passengers. I'm always looking for a little more out of this team, and it's hard to believe it's there until we see it.
St. Louis Blues
25 of 32
Song Lyric: Catastrophic blues.
"Hits Different"
Reason Why: There isn't exactly a "catastrophe" afoot in St. Louis, but why does this team always feel handicapped by bad contracts of the past that have lasted forever?
The Blues' playoff run under head coach Jim Montgomery was thrilling last season, and they were the hottest team in the second half.
If they can avoid injuries this year, they might still be in it. If not, their depth situation is a tough pill to swallow.
Tampa Bay Lightning
26 of 32
Song Lyrics:
Ask me what I've learned from all these years
Ask me what I've earned from all these tears
Ask me why so many fade, but I'm still here.
"Karma"
Reason Why: The Lightning are looking for their ninth straight playoff appearance in 2025-26, and we all tip our hats to the dynasty that refuses to fully burn out.
Even last playoff run, they gave the Panthers their biggest fight leading up to the Cup Final with Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and others seriously injured.
Toronto Maple Leafs
27 of 32
Song Lyrics:
I pictured you with other girls in love
Then threw up on the street
Like waiting for a bus that never shows
You just start walkin' on
They say that if it's right, you know
Each bar plays our song
Nothing has ever felt so wrong.
"Hits Different"
Reason Why: Who are the Maple Leafs without Mitch Marner? We know why they had to let go of him, and it might be for the best when all is said and done. But it's going to feel "wrong" until at least halfway through the season when we find out what the new-look Leafs are made of.
Utah Mammoth
28 of 32
Song Lyric:
New to town with a made-up name.
"The Lucky One"
Reason Why: The Utah Hockey Club has a name headed into this season: The Mammoth.
They also made a few solid moves to bring more veteran presence to their youthful core with additions such as Nate Schmidt and Brandon Tanev. Will their young players gain more offensive consistency this year?
Vancouver Canucks
29 of 32
Song Lyric:
And when I felt like I was an old cardigan
Under someone's bed
You put me on and said I was your favorite.
"Cardigan"
Reason Why: Brock Boeser re-signed with the Canucks this offseason, and it seemed like even they were a little confused about it. Losing Pius Suter stings, as does the general vibe around the team after last season's mess, but maybe there's still something here.
Vegas Golden Knights
30 of 32
Song Lyric:
The jokes weren't funny, I took the money
My friends from home don't know what to say
I looked around in a blood-soaked gown
And I saw something they can't take away
'Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned
Everything you lose is a step you take.
"You're On Your Own Kid"
Reason Why: All eyes are on Mitch Marner after he joined the Golden Knights in the blockbuster of free agency. Will he bring enough to get Vegas back in the Cup conversation?
At the very least, the haters can't take away his decision...or his new opportunity.
Washington Capitals
31 of 32
Song Lyric:
Long live all the mountains we moved
I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you
I was screaming, "Long live that look on your face"
And bring on all the pretenders
One day, we will be remembered.
"Long Live"
Reason Why: Alex Ovechkin is in the last year of his contract, and after breaking the all-time goals record last season, this could be The Great 8's last hurrah in the NHL.
What a legacy to reflect on, and what a goal-scoring era he had a gigantic hand in inspiring.
Winnipeg Jets
32 of 32
Song Lyric:
Please, I've been on my knees
Change the prophecy
Don't want money
Just someone who wants my company
Let it once be me
Who do I have to speak to
About if they can redo the prophеcy?
"The Prophecy"
Reason Why: Seriously, can someone take Kevin Cheveldayoff's money and turn this team into the legit contender it deserves to be?
The Jets have a pattern now of underperforming in the playoffs and making the same mistakes despite one of the best first lines in the league and the best regular-season goalie year after year.
Something isn't adding up.
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