Who looks like the top team in the Central Division?

The Central Division is widely regarded as the toughest division in the NHL, and the early going shows that a few teams can be Stanley Cup Playoff contenders.

The Colorado Avalanche certainly set the pace last year, getting off to an incredible start before running away with the Presidents’ Trophy. The Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild weren’t all that far behind them, with the Wild showing they can be one of the top teams in the division if they get hot at the right time.

In the early stages of the 2026-27 season, there’s certainly been a surprise in how the teams in the division have played. The Stars have struggled, and the Avs don’t look nearly as strong. Minnesota has been looking pretty good, but teams like the Utah Mammoth and Winnipeg Jets are trying to put their names in the hat for a top-three spot in the Central.

On Friday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton share their thoughts on the Central’s best team.

Tyler Yaremchuk: If you could redo your pick to win the Central Division, you would pick [blank]. Would you still go with Colorado, or are you maybe feeling some love there with the Minnesota Wild looking good?

Carter Hutton: I think Minnesota. That might be the case, right? With the huge combo of Kaprizov and Boldy going, I just think as we age into this season here, I just don’t think Bill Guerin is done. I think he’s going to be proactive. He’s going to try to go out fine guys, and I think Wallstedt is kind of blooming into that outright, just absolute stud. So, I think that’s an important factor. I still think Colorado remains the benchmark of the division. That is the team to beat, but Minnesota is coming. I would put Dallas just outside of those ones.

You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…