Ranking the Top 10 Most Intriguing NHL Teams Ahead of the 2025-26 Season
Sometimes we want a little more out of our hockey-viewing experience than simply paying attention to the top handful of teams and avoiding the bottom handful of teams all season.
Sometimes, we want some "will-they-won't-they?" and want to pay attention to interesting developments that don't always display on the game-to-game scoresheets.
As we enter the 2025-26 NHL season, there are teams around the league that are worth paying attention to, regardless of their spot in the standings or season projection. Here are 10 intriguing teams to keep your eye on all season when you're looking to shake it up.
10. Anaheim Ducks
1 of 10
Why They're Intriguing: Is this the year the Ducks take a significant step forward in their rebuild and compete for a playoff spot out West? It looks like they're at least going for it, with major moves like hiring Joel Quenneville and trading franchise centerpieces Trevor Zegras and John Gibson.
It'll be a huge year for Lukáš Dostál in net as he solidifies his role as No. 1 goalie after a few super promising seasons, including the maintenance of an above-900 goals against average despite poor defensive performances in front of him.
Players and Storylines to Watch: Will Dostal continue his excellence? Will Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier develop in bigger roles? Could Pavel Mintyukov emerge as one of the best young defensemen in the league? How much can Mikael Granlund, Chris Kreider, and Jacob Trouba do to accelerate this rebuild?
There are plenty of "what ifs" in the world of the Ducks, and that comes with plenty of players who need to rise to the occasion.
9. Toronto Maple Leafs
2 of 10
Why They're Intriguing: Where do the Leafs go from the departure of Mitch Marner? Do they blossom now that the pressure of winning in the window of core four is over, or is his 100+ point production and unique two-way game too much of a loss to recover from?
Players and Storylines to Watch: Matthew Knies is expected to step up in a big way after an explosive 2024-25 in which he scored 29 goals and 58 points and earned an extension. His career progression will be key to filling the Marner void by committee. Will William Nylander and Auston Matthews keep it up offensively without their third heavy hitter?
8. Dallas Stars
3 of 10
Why They're Intriguing: Some of us might be sick of the Stars and their consistent play, resulting in three consecutive trips to the conference finals with nothing else to show for it. To me, they're the ideal blend of watchable, relevant, and will-they-won't-they to generate intrigue this regular season.
The youth movement had a rough playoff run last season, which is often a part of the process on the road to the Cup. Will they come back hungry and more prepared?
Players and Storylines to Watch: We'll get Mikko Rantanen's first full season as a Star, and remember he played his whole career in Denver until that storied midseason trade, so it'll be fun to see him more comfortable in a new role. The Stars also have a new coach in Glen Gulutzan, so we'll see what he can do. We should also keep an eye on Wyatt Johnston as he continues to evolve into a pivotal piece of the puzzle.
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7. Colorado Avalanche
4 of 10
Why They're Intriguing: The Avalanche are fully equipped with two competent goaltenders headed into this season, so that's one less thing they need to figure out compared to last year. Plus, captain Gabriel Landeskog is officially back.
There seems to be some unfinished business lingering this offseason with the Avalanche's cap situation (just $1.3 million under), though. Can they keep Martin Nečas? Can they find a different way to fill the void Rantanen left? There are plenty of questions about the place this Avalanche team has in the world, and Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar can't be the only players to answer them.
Player to Watch: Will Landeskog's first full season back on the ice inspire this team to dig deep and persevere after some real heartbreakers in this window?
6. Montreal Canadiens
5 of 10
Why They're Intriguing: What should you do when you make the playoffs a bit ahead of schedule? Is that your new floor as you continue to establish your roster, or is it just a welcome taste of the future as the Canadiens still have depth to sort out?
The come-from-behind, top-heavy Habs of last season were electric to watch and deserving of their playoff spot, but the offensive core needs some serious help. Will Montreal address that and go for a second year of making the playoffs, or is it still easing into a more established Cup window?
Players and Storylines to Watch: Reigning Calder Trophy winner Lane Huston exceeded some of our wildest expectations last season. He arrived in the NHL as a prototype of what a modern, mobile defenseman should be, and we can't wait to see how he follows up an impressive first year.
Noah Dobson was a great get to establish the defensive core, and we're expecting big things out of Ivan Demidov in his rookie year.
5. New York Rangers
6 of 10
Why They're Intriguing: There will be books written about how tumultuous the 2024-25 season was for the New York Rangers, but will these books have happy endings? That all depends on how the Rangers follow up this year.
No pressure!
With huge chunks of former leadership gone, a new beloved head coach, and a changed defense, we don't know what will happen to the Rangers this season. All we know is it will be interesting.
Players and Storylines to Watch: Will Mike Sullivan show us just how far an elite coach can take a team? Can Adam Fox bounce back into the top defenseman we may have taken for granted? What kind of impact will Vladislav Gavrikov have on a struggling blue line? Will J.T. Miller thrive in his first full season? You could go up and down this roster and make a case for keeping an eye on almost every player.
4. Utah Mammoth
7 of 10
Why They're Intriguing: It's been great to see the Mammoth ownership and front office make moves and attempts to keep the franchise relevant on and off the ice, which is a departure from when the franchise was in Arizona.
The team almost rallied for a playoff push in its inaugural season, but injuries and some inexperience with the core cut those hopes short. Could a healthy team with some savvy additions make some noise this time around?
Players and Storylines to Watch: Will Nate Schmidt and Brandon Tanev add the correct veteran presence to guide some of these younger players? Will Clayton Keller get his second career trip to the playoffs?
3. New Jersey Devils
8 of 10
Why They're Intriguing: The Devils were at the top of many pre-season Cup watch lists ahead of last year, and rightfully so: They'd done a lot to address roster issues, like acquiring goaltender Jacob Markstrom and defenseman Brett Pesce. Their season was derailed by injuries in all the wrong places as they limped to a first-round exit, but now they're back at full strength. Maybe this time around, we'll get to see what this roster is really made of.
Players and Storylines to Watch: Can Jack Hughes stay healthy? Will Jacob Markstrom build on his incredible (and stay healthy)?
2. Washington Capitals
9 of 10
Why They're Intriguing: Many are already giving up on the 2025-26 Capitals after last season's limp second-round exit, but is that fair? Reigning Jack Adams winner Spencer Carbery is just getting started, the entire core is essentially intact, and it could be Alex Ovechkin's last kick at Cup No. 2.
Players and Storylines to Watch: Can Dylan Strome follow up arguably the strongest year of his career with an encore? Will Connor McMichael continue to blow us away as he enters his prime? What will Alex Ovechkin's potential last year in the NHL look like?
1. Vegas Golden Knights
10 of 10
Why They're Intriguing: Is any front office more captivating than the Golden Knights' front office?
They pulled off the move of free agency in acquiring Mitch Marner, and now the hockey world will tune in all season to see how he's fitting in out in Vegas.
Other teams made some moves in a relatively slow offseason, but no playoff team altered the heart of its core like Vegas did in acquiring Marner. On the flip side, we're getting to see one of the best wingers in the game in a completely new environment, alongside new players.
No matter what happens, you know he and Jack Eichel will create stunning hockey plays.
Players to Watch: Hmm...anyone got any ideas, here?
Marner will be heavily discussed, but a storyline that's not being talked about is Eichel being in a contract year. Will he put in a monster season and get a huge extension?
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