Winners and Losers of the 2026 NHL Preseason
The 2026 NHL Preseason began on Sept. 19 and concluded on Sept. 26. It was shorter than in previous years, with teams averaging four games. This is to accommodate the larger 84-game regular-season schedule commencing this season.
It gave the 32 NHL clubs less time to evaluate their rosters for the coming season. Still, it provided several notable stories that could carry over into the upcoming regular season.
Among them is the rising cost of signing young talent carried over from the offseason. Two notable players made headlines with their ongoing trade requests, while some promising rookies gave us glimpses of what might be ahead for their big-league debuts.
With the 2026-27 regular season about to begin, here's our take on the winners and losers of the 2026 NHL preseason.
Losers: Columbus Blue Jackets
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The offseason wasn't pleasant for Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell. He had to deal with trade rumors about superstar defenseman Zach Werenski and scoring winger Kirill Marchenko, while contract negotiations with first-line center Adam Fantilli stalled.
Waddell and Werenski stamped out the rumor fires for now. However, Marchenko's reported unwillingness to sign a contract extension kept the trade speculation swirling. As for Fantilli's contract talks, there was no sign of progress as training camp neared.
Marchenko was evasive when questioned about his future, which did nothing to quell trade conjecture. Fantilli finally signed a six-year contract worth an average annual value of $13.5 million on Sept. 24, but by then, he'd missed most of training camp and the preseason.
Meanwhile, Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness wasn't pleased that a couple of his players arrived for training camp out of shape. The Jackets will also be without goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, who's out indefinitely because of offseason shoulder surgery.
The Blue Jackets wanted a drama-free training camp in preparation for this season. Instead, Marchenko's uncertain future, Fantilli's contract talks keeping him out of camp, and player fitness concerns became unnecessary distractions.
Winners: Promising Rookies
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Every NHL preseason features the debut of promising young prospects hoping to begin their big-league careers. Some eventually go on to become superstars in their own right, or even a generational talent.
This preseason is no different, with a handful of youngsters drawing attention as they prepare for their rookie campaigns.
All eyes are on Gavin McKenna of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Chosen first overall in this year's draft, the 18-year-old winger showed potential as a top-six forward skating alongside John Tavares and William Nylander on the Leafs' second line.
San Jose Sharks forward Ivar Stenberg has also made a promising impression. The second overall pick in this year's draft, the 18-year-old Stenberg finished among the preseason's leading scorers with five points, including a hat-trick performance against the Anaheim Ducks.
Boston Bruins forward James Hagens already has five NHL games under his belt from last season. The 19-year-old was among the leaders with 10 shots on goal.
Other notables include Montrรฉal Canadiens defenseman David Reinbacher, Chicago Blackhawks center Anton Frondell, New York Islanders forward Cole Eisermann, and Carolina Hurricanes forwards Felix Unger Sรถrum and Bradly Nadeau.
These youngsters still face the daunting challenge of sticking with their teams through the full regular season. Nevertheless, their preseason performances suggest some of them could be ready to begin the first chapters of what could be promising professional careers.
Losers: Detroit Red Wings
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The summer of 2026 won't be fondly remembered by the Detroit Red Wings and their fans.
Center Dylan Larkin requested a trade in June, providing a three-team list of preferred clubs, none of which could afford the Red Wings' high asking price. In July, Steve Yzerman was abruptly relieved of his duties as general manager. Meanwhile, restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson needed a new contract.
As training camp opened, the Red Wings still hadn't found a suitable replacement for Yzerman. It wasn't until Sept. 15 that assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff was named interim GM while the search for a full-time replacement continued.
Larkin reported for training camp rather than hold out for a trade. That led to an uncomfortable press conference where he acknowledged Red Wings fans' desire to know why he wanted to be moved, but declined to reveal his reasons.
Meanwhile, Edvinsson remained unsigned as the preseason ended. He practiced with his teammates but couldn't participate in scrimmages or take part in preseason games. That could hurt his performance by the time he's finally signed and ready to return to action.
The Red Wings approach the regular season without a new GM, with Larkin in the lineup but still wanting a trade, and one of their top-two defensemen without a contract. Taken together, this doesn't bode well for their hope of ending their decade-long postseason drought.
Winners: Notable Players on New Teams
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Every NHL offseason has some players changing teams through trades or free agency. As training camp opened, Florida Panthers left wing Brady Tkachuk, Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Bowen Byram, and New York Rangers winger Pavel Dorofeyev were among the focus of attention.
The Panthers acquired the 26-year-old Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators on June 21. Two days later, Chicago landed the 25-year-old Byram from Buffalo and signed him to a six-year extension on July 1. On June 26, the Rangers got the 25-year-old Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights and signed him to a long-term deal.
Tkachuk had five points in two games with the Panthers before being sidelined for precautionary reasons due to a minor injury. He finished among the preseason's leading scorers and is expected to be ready for the season opener this week.
Byram tallied a hat trick in a preseason win over the Minnesota Wild on Sept. 21 to sit among the preseason's top goal scorers. Meanwhile, Dorofeyev's three points tied him with four other Rangers among his new team's preseason points leaders.
Others with solid postseason performances with new clubs included Winnipeg Jets goaltender Stuart Skinner, New Jersey Devils winger Luke Evangelista, San Jose Sharks forward Mason Marchment, Ottawa Senators winger William Eklund, and Montrรฉal Canadiens winger Chris Kreider.
Losers: Connor Hellebuyck and the Winnipeg Jets
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During the offseason, Connor Hellebucyk was a fixture in the rumor mill. In August, the 33-year-old goaltender publicly revealed his trade request, creating more drama as training camp approached in September and earning the top spot on our September NHL Trade Targets Big Board.
Hellebuyck was a no-show for training camp in an obvious attempt to pressure management into finding a suitable trade destination. In accordance with the CBA, the Jets suspended him without pay, though general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff left the door open for the three-time Vezina Trophy winner to return.
Cheveldayoff also said that he would continue listening to offers for Hellebuyck, but the return would have to make sense for the Jets. However, it's apparent thus far that he hasn't received anything to his liking yet.
Both sides are now in a bind. Hellebucyk's holdout hurts his trade value, making it difficult for Cheveldayoff to get suitable offers. Meanwhile, it leaves the Jets facing this season without their superstar goaltender when they're trying to rebound from a disappointing 2025-26 campaign.
Cheveldayoff has a well-earned reputation for patiently waiting for appropriate returns for players who requested trades, as former Jets Evander Kane, Jacob Trouba, and Pierre-Luc Dubois can attest. This situation is carrying over into the regular season, to the detriment of both sides.
Winners: Young Players Landing Lucrative Contracts
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The salary cap rising to $104 million for 2026-27 led to lucrative long-term contracts for a handful of 22-year-olds or younger this summer. Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson and San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini led the way with average annual values between $18 million and $18.8 million.
That trend continued on the eve of training camp. Carlsson's teammate Cutter Gauthier ($13.25 million) and Washington Capitals winger Ryan Leonard ($10.5 million) also got substantial raises on long-term deals.
Center Adam Fantilli's contract negotiations with the Columbus Blue Jackets carried over into training camp and the preseason before an agreement was reached on a six-year deal on Sept. 24. The 21-year-old Fantilli will earn an AAV of $13.75 million.
With the salary cap projected to reach $127.5 million by 2028-29, expect substantial raises for NHL stars to continue, especially those slated to become free agents next summer. The days of teams inking young talent to affordable short-term bridge deals until they establish themselves could become a thing of the past.
Stats via NHL.com. Salary and contract info via PuckPedia.
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