The 2025-26 NHL season is at the quarter mark, with the calendar hitting Thanksgiving and turning to December in a few days. Usually, this is the time of the season when everyone can find the contending teams and the sellers. Because it’s Thanksgiving and we’re all in a happy mood (or should be), let’s take a positive approach for every team.
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What is a realistic best-case scenario for every team? This doesn’t mean every team makes the playoffs, per se. However, for the rest of the season, there are a few routes that can leave a team better off. So, since this article requires some scrolling, let’s dive in!
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are in Cup or bust mode. Making the playoffs isn’t enough, and making a run isn’t either. They must prove they can get over the hump. The ideal is for general manager (GM) Erik Tulsky to make a splash or two to prove that the Hurricanes are all in and have a roster that can win it all.
That means the Hurricanes acquire a goaltender but also an elite scorer who can beat teams in multiple ways. The Eastern Conference Final is where the team goes flat, and they need that star player who does it all. With this in mind, it would be fun to see them acquire Tage Thompson in a blockbuster of sorts.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Like many teams in the Eastern Conference, the Columbus Blue Jackets are a bubble team right now. The ideal is a playoff berth to build off the near miss from last season, and to do so with their star players leading them. That means Zach Werenski is playing at a Norris Trophy level, and Adam Fantilli, who is finding his footing with nine goals (including four in the last four games), turns up the heat to be a great scorer.
New Jersey Devils
The obvious is to get and stay healthy. The Jack Hughes injury was a rough blow, and one that fans like to point to as a sign that the team is cursed. It’s more than the Hughes injury; the New Jersey Devils have battled injuries all season.
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The extra layer to the injury woes is that the Devils prove they can win without Hughes in the lineup. They’ve been a mess since he went down, and it’s a surprise to see the defense and goaltender struggle in his absence as well.
New York Islanders
There is plenty of optimism on Long Island right now, mostly because of Matthew Schaefer. The New York Islanders are in a playoff position, and the future is bright because of him. Making the playoffs is a bonus at this point. What will put the season over the top is if Schaefer wins all of the accolades and awards. That includes making the Olympic team, winning the Calder Trophy, and receiving Norris Trophy votes. He’s the star to build around, and the Islanders having the next great defenseman will have them heading into next season with Cup aspirations.
There’s so much optimism on the Island because of Schaefer. They are in a playoff position, and the future is bright because of him. Making the playoffs is a bonus. What will put this season over the top is Schaefer winning all the accolades where he’s on the Olympic team, wins the Calder, and gets Norris consideration. He’s the star to build around, and this team can head into next season with Cup aspirations.
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers must see what the Islanders are doing and what they’ve done in the past six months and be irate about it. Their rival went from a team with no direction to a revitalized group seemingly overnight. Now, the Rangers are in the same spot that the Islanders were last season and can use a retool on the fly.
It can happen with the right moves. The Rangers must find a trade partner for Artemi Panarin can get a decent amount in return (which won’t be easy since he has a no-trade clause). Plus, they must move on from some veterans and land a few prospects in return. Then, with a little lottery luck, things can turn around quickly
Philadelphia Flyers
As one of the pleasant surprises in the NHL, a playoff push would be great for a team trending in that direction. However, the big picture with the Philadelphia Flyers involved them making progress towards contention. That means Matvei Michkov looks like the elite player many expect him to be, Trevor Zegras proved he’s a core piece for the future, a handful of elite prospects are making an impact, and Rick Tocchet gets the most out of the roster every night. It can happen and ultimately result in a great season in the process.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Like the Flyers, there’s a lot of optimism with the Pittsburgh Penguins and their hot start. With the young players already making an impact, the hope is that they do more down the stretch and accelerate the timeline. Plus, the goaltending duo of Arturs Silov and Sergei Murashov can change the perspective on the Penguins for years to come.
Washington Capitals
If this is Alexander Ovechkin’s last season in the NHL, a great sendoff would be nice. This version of the Washington Capitals can do that with Logan Thompson playing at a Vezina-caliber level and the offense starting to find its footing.
Boston Bruins
Another surprise in the NHL so far is the Boston Bruins, a team many expected to be at the bottom of the Atlantic, yet it is one of the best. The ideal is to keep playing well but also allow the youth movement to take off. This involves the Bruins being in a playoff spot and possibly easing James Hagens into the lineup in the last month to help the team win now and in the future.
Buffalo Sabres
It’s hard to find a best-case scenario for the Buffalo Sabres, a team that’s going nowhere and has been for a while (15 years for those keeping track). Jokingly, the best is if Terry Pegula sells the team. Realistically, the best is having a clear vision at the end of the season. Maybe that means a new front office or a teardown, or just a change or two to figure out the direction. Anything will help at this point.
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings and their fanbase are chomping at the bit to make it to the playoffs. It looks like all the moves GM Steve Yzerman pulled off are finally paying off as they are playing well. Two things will put this season over the top. One, all the pieces fall into place, and there isn’t a glaring weakness holding them back (looking at you, goaltending). Two, Yzerman makes a big move to get this team both into the playoffs and into the contention conversation. He hasn’t taken that swing yet, and maybe this is his time to do so.
Florida Panthers
A three-peat would be all the sweeter considering the difficult season the Florida Panthers are having. They’ve battled injuries and are still in the mix with the rest of the conference. If they can get Matthew Tkachuk back and start to look like the juggernaut we’ve grown accustomed to over the years, then they’ll once again be the team to beat in the NHL and chase history while they are at it.
Montreal Canadiens
Right now, the Montreal Canadiens need to get healthy. In the big picture, this was the season they were hoping to take a big leap, and at times, they’ve looked like that type of team. If they can find a second or third line center and the young core still plays well, they can enter the playoffs looking like the next great team on the rise, which is what they want to be.
Ottawa Senators
The Senators are hoping to make the playoffs even without great goaltending. The good news is that Linus Ullmark is finding his footing but they lack a backup, and the position has let them down. The hope is that either they rebound in the net or the star power in the forward and defensive units outweigh it, and they still have a great season.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning had a November to remember as they won eight of their 11 games to move up to the top of the Atlantic Division. They’ll look to keep that contention window open and do so with Andrei Vasilevskiy turning back the clock and the top-six continuing to take over games.
Toronto Maple Leafs
At this point, the ideal feels like a retool where they end up with a top-five pick. Sure, they can make a push for the playoffs but even if that happens, what is the ceiling for this version of the Toronto Maple Leafs? Instead, a few trades to add youth, speed, and depth scoring to the lineup might leave them better off.
Chicago Blackhawks
The hot start can be seen as false hope, and they’ll come crashing back to earth, especially in a Central Division that has plenty of top-end talent. However, there’s a good chance this team makes the playoffs and starts taking significant strides towards becoming a juggernaut. Connor Bedard is looking like the superstar the Chicago Blackhawks drafted in 2023, and the young core to starting to come together. Better yet, they have stability on the net. Don’t be surprised if the Blackhawks sneak into the playoffs.
Colorado Avalanche
This team looks like the most suited to win the Stanley Cup. The Colorado Avalanche are playing great across the board, and along with having two Hart Trophy-caliber players (Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar), they have plenty of depth as well.
The only question is what move this front office makes to get over the hump. The Avalanche need depth and possibly a middle-six center, so in a season where everything has gone right for them, look for that type of trade.
Dallas Stars
If it weren’t for the Avalanche, everyone would be talking about the Dallas Stars are a juggernaut to watch. They are also playing great across the board and have a forward unit that can particularly overwhelm anyone. They are also in the Cup or bust mold, and it will be interesting to see what string Jim Nill pulls to set this team up for another run.
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild went from the sky is falling to the sky is the limit. They look a lot like the same team that made the playoffs last season, only to lose in the First Round. So, what changes for them to get over that hump? This season, it’s having the same cast of stars in the top six but also a defense with a one-two punch as Brock Faber and Zeev Buium can do it all at the blue line. Maybe it’s the year they advance to the Second Round after all.
Nashville Predators
A fire sale that gets the Nashville Predators out of this mess might be the best thing to happen to them. GM Barry Trotz kicked the can down the road, and now, he must face the music. This team needs to move on from an aging and declining group and add youth to its roster.
The question is, what does their path out look like? Filip Forsberg, Jonathan Marchesault, and Steven Stamkos all have no-trade clauses and limit what Trotz can do. If they remove them, then the Predators can get decent returns. The next step is building through the draft and development. The good news is that Brady Martin is a long-term project, so they can take time with a rebuild if they go that route.
St. Louis Blues
Speaking of teams that can use a reset. The St. Louis Blues proved in 2018-19 that it’s possible to go from worst to first midseason. However, this team is in a similar spot as the Predators. The good news is that the situation isn’t as dire since there is young talent on the roster to work with, and the Blues can retool if they desire. The debate is whether they retool or rebuild. That hinges on whether they want to be bold enough and trade Jordan Binnington.
Utah Mammoth
The Utah Mammoth are willing to make the moves needed to get into the playoffs. The JJ Peterka trade in the summer is a good case in point. The problem is that the move was underwhelming (with nine goals and seven assists in 23 games, he has been good but far from a star player). So, with a young team on the rise, the hope is that they make a splash to get into the playoffs and become a contender for years to come. The Mammoth have the assets to make a move and an owner who wants them to be aggressive.
Winnipeg Jets
Hopefully, Connor Hellebuyck isn’t out for a significant time. Likewise, the hope is that the Winnipeg Jets don’t plummet in the standings with him out. Moreover, is this a blessing in disguise? IF so, it’s all worth it. Specifically, Hellebuyck taking a break and a few weeks off can mean he’s well-rested and ready for a play run when the Jets need him most.
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are the sleeping giant out west, with everything coming together this season. They have the elite young talent entering its prime, a great goaltender in Lukas Dostal, and a Hall of Fame coach in Joel Quenneville, who is getting the most out of this group. This combination has the Ducks ahead of schedule but it can allow them to make a playoff run as well and sneak up on a lot of teams.
Calgary Flames
A teardown might be the best thing for a Calgary Flames team stuck in no man’s land. If they can trade Nazem Kadri, Rasmus Andersson, and either Jonathan Huberdeau or Blake Coleman, they can add enough pieces in a trade to accelerate a rebuild. The core is already in place. Now it’s about moving on from the aging one.
Edmonton Oilers
As crazy as it sounds, there’s still a path for the Edmonton Oilers to make it back to the Cup. It will require a significant change, most likely, in the net. However, the Pacific Division isn’t a juggernaut with runaway teams, and they can find their footing to get in. And once the Oilers are in, it’s hard to count them out. What’s working in their favor is that they can and will make a move or two to add depth scoring or fix the defense (goaltending is more complicated). Things look bleak in Oil Country, yet the one team that can still turn it around is the one with two of the top-five players in the NHL.
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings fall into the same category as the Minnesota Wild. They have a team that can make the playoffs but the ceiling is low on this team. So, the hope is that they make a few moves that move the needle (presumably, Corey Perry won’t be enough, although that signing is looking good right now).
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are starting to look like a contender and, better yet, are proving they can win in multiple ways (not just by running up the score). Sure, they can use a true number one defenseman, and get one in the draft but tanking isn’t ideal for the Sharks. Making the playoffs while Macklin Celebrini wins the Hart Trophy is.
Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken are in a tough spot since things can go either way for them. The roster and underlying numbers aren’t good. Yet, they are in a playoff position. So, let’s look at the two opposite paths that somehow are ideal (as Yogi Berra said, “When you get to the fork in the road, take it.”)
The first is that Lane Lambert proves why he’s one of the best coaches in the NHL. Lambert is in his second stint behind the bench, and this time, things seem different as he’s a balanced coach in more than one way. His presence and ability to guide the Kraken to the playoffs would mean that this team finally has stability.
The other is a terrible stretch that forces them to tear it down. They have a few trade chips and can use a reset. The Kraken have been in the murky middle since their founding, and a teardown can allow them a fresh start.
Vancouver Canucks
Like the Sabres in the Eastern Conference, the Vancouver Canucks are a team where it’s hard to find positives, and the best thing at this point is a clear direction. Jim Rutherford made it clear that the Canucks are open for business, and he’s an executive known for operating on his own schedule (the Bo Horvat and JT Miller trades are proof he’s not afraid to make a deal well before the deadline). A few trades aren’t a bad thing at all, and they can either retool or rebuild, so ultimately, they should do one of the two.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights must solve their goaltending, and solve it before the playoffs. They’ve been great in the forward group but not much else. They can make a few moves to strengthen the defense, and if that happens, it will set them up for a Cup run.
