Daily Faceoff’s 2026-27 NHL team preview hub
The NHL is back – early. With the regular-season schedule expanding to 84 games and the preseason mercifully shortened, the puck drops on the 2026-27 campaign Sept. 29, marking the league’s earliest start date in 18 years.
What will a new year bring? Can the Carolina Hurricanes repeat as Stanley Cup champions? Will the Florida Panthers make a serious run at three championships in four years after bringing in Brady Tkachuk to join his brother Matthews? Can the Edmonton Oilers correct course and put Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl back in the title hunt? Will Gavin McKenna help transform the Toronto Maple Leafs’ trajectory?
So many questions will soon be answered. While we await the opening puck drop, with the Panthers visiting the Hurricanes at 5:00 p.m ET Sept. 29, Daily Faceoff is here to catch you up on all 32 teams with full previews, including lineup projections, key additions and departures, rookies to watch, predictions and more.
Below, you’ll find links to every team preview, with a new one dropping every weekday (plus some weekends in September).
2026-27 NHL TEAM PREVIEWS
Aug. 19: Anaheim Ducks, by Matt Larkin
Aug. 20: Boston Bruins, by Anthony Trudeau
Aug. 21: Buffalo Sabres, by Scott Maxwell
Aug. 24: Calgary Flames, by Mike Gould
Aug. 25: Carolina Hurricanes, by Kyle Morton
Aug. 26: Chicago Blackhawks, by Steven Ellis
Aug. 27: Colorado Avalanche, by Scott Maxwell
Aug. 28: Columbus Blue Jackets, by Matt Larkin
Aug. 31: Dallas Stars, by Anthony Trudeau
Sept. 1: Detroit Red Wings, by Scott Maxwell
Sept. 2: Edmonton Oilers, by Mike Gould
Sep. 3: Florida Panthers, by Kyle Morton
Sept. 4: Los Angeles Kings, by Matt Larkin
Sept. 7: Minnesota Wild, by Anthony Trudeau
Sept. 8: Montreal Canadiens, by Steven Ellis
Sept. 9: Nashville Predators, by Scott Maxwell
Sept. 10: New Jersey Devils, by Kyle Morton
Sept. 11: New York Islanders, by Anthony Trudeau
Sept. 14: New York Rangers, by Kyle Morton
Sept. 15: Ottawa Senators, by Matt Larkin
Sept. 16: Philadelphia Flyers, by Anthony Trudeau
Sept. 17: Pittsburgh Penguins, by Matt Larkin
Sept. 18: San Jose Sharks, by Steven Ellis
Sept. 19: Seattle Kraken, by Scott Maxwell
Sept. 20: St. Louis Blues, by Anthony Trudeau
Sept. 21: Tampa Bay Lightning, by Scott Maxwell
Sept. 22: Toronto Maple Leafs, by Matt Larkin
Sept. 23: Utah Mammoth, by Mike Gould
Sept. 24: Vancouver Canucks, by Anthony Trudeau
Sept. 25: Vegas Golden Knights, by Mike Gould
Sept. 26: Washington Capitals, by Kyle Morton
Sept. 27: Winnipeg Jets, by Mike Gould
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