(Photo by RG. org)

MONTREAL CANADIENS

Well, Les Canadiens decided to take steps up and reach the Eastern Conference Finals. They hope to keep the momentum going into 2026-2027 and hopefully reach the promised land....you want me to say something in French? Fine....

(Le Canadien de Montreal va etre une des meilleures equipes de la Ligue nationale de hockey.)

DETROIT RED WINGS

Well, time ran out. The organization let the prodigal son, Stevie Y, leave and the captain, sorry ex-captain, Dylan Larkin, wants to go also. Could the Red Wings be able to regroup or will the drought continue in Hockeytown? Things look bleak right now.

BOSTON BRUINS

Okay, that's more like it. After a lost 2024-2025, the Bruins made huge strides in 25-26' by making the playoffs. The health of David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy are paramount for Boston's continued progress in 26-27.

OTTAWA SENATORS

The Sens made the playoffs for the second consecutive season, and nothing will stop them from ascending....wait, you traded the captain? Well, back to square one, I guess. I swear Eugene Melnyk is screwing this franchise beyond the grave.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Well, the Lightning continue to buck the trend of fading away into obscurity as they hope that 26-27 isn't the end of their memorable run. Does the core of Kucherov, Hedman, Point and Vasilevskiy have one more shining moment in them?

BUFFALO SABRES

It finally happened! The Sabres made the playoffs after 14 seasons, and they won the Atlantic Division!.....then the organization decided to tear down the roster piece by piece. Sometimes a good thing doesn't last, even for a franchise that needs many good things.

FLORIDA PANTHERS

After back-to-back Stanley Cup conquest, the Panthers took a step back last season and went into a quiet offseason...no, they didn't, Florida traded for Brady Tkachuk and added to an already lethal squad. The tide could turn again in Sunrise.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Toronto decided to crash out early, so they didn't have to "leaves" the playoffs and eventually "won" the #1 pick to get Gavin McKenna. You know, I really don't have faith in this squad that I'm not going to bother with the countdown.

If you were wondering, it's 59 years and counting.

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

CBJ is stuck in neutral and I hope they can find that fire that they had during the 2018-2019 playoffs. Coach Rick Bowness hopes the Blue Jackets can break through as Adam Fantilli and Zach Werenski continue to flourish.

CAROLINA HURRICANES

After seasons of missing the boat, the Hurricanes broke through and captured the franchise's second Stanley Cup. With the same team intact, Carolina will defend their championship and in no way piss off the hockey gods or cause any strife.

Yep, that will do it.

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Well, the Flyers got out of neutral and made some noise last season by advancing to the second round of the playoffs....and they extended Trevor Zegras long-term. After poaching for Leo Carllson, the Flyers come into this season, meaning business and a repeat of last season.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

NJD has become the Minnesota Twins of the NHL, last season they were down and out, so that means they will make the playoffs this season. If so, Jack Hughes and the gang will look for an upswing and a nice playoff run in 26-27.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Hold up, wasn't this team supposed to bow out gracefully? The old men Penguins stymied the NHL with one last playoff memory, unfortunately, they were swept. Can the older men Penguins replicate that this season? I don't think that will happen.

NEW YORK RANGERS

The Rangers are somewhat in a rebuild, but they still have a Norris Trophy candidate in Adam Fox and Mika Zibanejad is still at the top of his game. NYR could surprise everyone with a playoff berth in 26-27. Seriously, it could happen.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

The Islanders have a franchise face in Matthew Schaefer as the rookie had an outstanding season. Now if other pieces can stay healthy, Belmont's team can make a big splash and ruffle feathers with a fierce playoff run.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

The Caps are slowly but surely preparing for Ovie's send-off as the acquisition of Alex Tuch from Buffalo can attest. They could be a playoff bound team if they focus on the younger talent. I think Ovie has two more years in the tank left though.

MINNESOTA WILD

It seems as if the Wild are coming out of their shells. Trading for Quinn Hughes has them believing in a Stanley Cup run. You guys are going to extend him, right? Fingers crossed if you are a Wild fan.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Seriously, is Dollar Bill cursing this franchise from the afterlife? And Conor Bedard is out for months because of injury? It's going to be a long season again for CM Punk's favorite team.

(Photo by NHL.com)

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Another season of underachieving has fans in an uproar in the Music City. Will this be the year where the big money acquisitions from two years ago be able to cash in a playoff run for the Preds?

UTAH MAMMOTH

Now, this is how you run a hockey club! The Mammoth made the playoffs in their second season in SLC. The ceiling is high for them and don't be surprised if they make the Western Conference Finals.

(Nope, no Phoenix reference here, because what's the point.)

COLORADO AVALANCHE

(Photo by Wikipedia)

This picture was Colorado in the WCF against the Golden Knights. Despite dominating the regular season, the Avs collapsed and self-destructed. This season, they extended Cale Makar which is good news. However.....

8 years and $163,200,000 is a good investment, but the salary cap isn't forgiving.

ST. LOUIS BLUES

Last season was kind of a downgrade after their spectacular run the previous season. Robert Thomas was named the captain as his leadership is paramount for the success of the Blues this season.

DALLAS STARS

They are the new Carolina Hurricanes, a team that's close but not there yet. Hey, Jason Robertson has returned on a one-year deal. This should be the year they breakthrough, right? Right?

WINNIPEG JETS

Eek, the Jets took many steps back in 25-26 and now, their stonewall goalie Connor Hellebuyck wants a plane ticket out of Winnipeg. Could be a long season for the Jets.

EDMONTON OILERS

Desperation thy name is the Oilers. After a timid first round exit, Edmonton waited to hire Mike Babcock as coach. That last statement wasn't a joke. Can Babcock help McJesus fulfill his destiny?

ANAHEIM DUCKS

The Ducks broke through with a playoff win, then the Flyers decided to lure Leo Carlsson with an offer sheet. The Ducks took the picks and let him go...wait, (checks notes)...they matched the five-year, $90 million offer. Oh, boy.

CALGARY FLAMES

Entering their final season at the Saddledome, the Flames are like their arena, out-of-touch. They have a good nucleus, but can that nucleus improve to where Calgary is a playoff team?

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Thank your lucky stars that the Hurricanes kept the Pandora's box of the NHL closed, but VGK has the tools to get back to a Stanley Cup conquest. It's bound to happen, homes.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Look up East Hastings Street on Google. This part of Vancouver resembles the Canucks right now, just full of trash. Can we count down till Elias Patterson wants out?

LOS ANGELES KINGS

Like the movie Groundhog Day, the Kings wake up with a first-round exit seemingly every season. This will be their first season without Anze Kopitar. Can they fill the void of his absence and persevere?

SEATTLE KRAKEN

Honestly, the Kraken are just there. Apparently, Jason Robertson didn't want to go there which tells you. Also, I have lost hope with Shane Wright. Hopefully, Seattle can make a push for the playoffs.

SAN JOSE SHARKS

This team has the look to be something special. 2026-2027 is a springboard for the Sharks as their main guy, Macklin Celebrini, is front and center and extended to some big money, like a FIVE-YEAR, $94 MILLION deal. The future is bright, they have to wear shades.

Hey, NHL executives, you do realize that this isn't the NBA. You can't just throw money around.

Anyways, that is the 2026-2027 NHL preview. It should be a rocking season......now, crank up the NHL on TNT theme.

(For more content, check out our Facebook page, our website www.realsportsmarksaz.com, the Wix mobile app and our Instagram page)