The National Hockey League’s 2026-27 season is set to get underway on Tuesday with five games on the schedule. The defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes will face the Florida Panthers at 5 pm ET. Montreal & Toronto will do battle at 7 pm ET, while the Rangers and Bruins face off at 8 pm ET.
Two late games will close out the opening day of the 2026-27 campaign, both of which feature Western Conference teams. The Edmonton Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks at 10 pm ET, while half-an-hour later, Vegas takes on the Chicago Blackhawks.
Earlier this week, I shared my Eastern Conference preview ahead of the 2026-27 season and today, we’re going to look at the Western Conference, who have produced just three Stanley Cup champions in the last 11 seasons.
Central Division
Chicago Blackhawks
It was another season to forget in Chicago as the for the fourth straight season, the Blackhawks finished last in the Central Division and have now been without playoff hockey since the bubble in 2020. Chicago is hoping that this is the year they can take that next step in their rebuild and they’ll be doing so with the return of a familiar face and a new captain.
In late July, the Blackhawks announced the return of three-time Stanley Cup champion and former first overall pick Patrick Kane, signing him to a two year deal. Meanwhile, earlier this month, the Blackhawks announced that Connor Bedard will be the team’s new captain, but an offseason injury, and subsequent surgery, will keep him out of the lineup until mid-November.
The Blackhawks made one of the more notable trades in the offseason, acquiring Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres, along with forward Jordan Greenway, in exchange for the 2026 fourth overall pick. Chicago also added a veteran presence to the blueline in free agency by signing Ian Cole to a one-year deal. Among the names to leave the Blackhawks in the offseason include Ilya Mikheyev, Louis Crevier and Andre Burakovsky.
Notable Additions: Patrick Kane (F), Bowen Byram (F), Ian Cole (D), Jordan Greenway (F).
Notable Departures: Ilya Mikheyev (F), Louis Crevier (D), Andre Burkovsky (F), Matt Grzelcyk (D).
Player to Watch: Frank Nazar.
First Game: Tuesday, September 30th @ Vegas Golden Knights at 10:30 pm ET.
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche had an outstanding regular season, finishing with a 55-16-11 record, good for first in the Central Division & Western Conference. Their strong regular season also earned them the Presidents’ Trophy by virtue of finishing first in the National Hockey League’s overall standings.
Colorado steamrolled through the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a sweep of the Los Angeles Kings in round one, followed by a 4-1 series win over Minnesota. The Avalanche then met the Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final, where they were ultimately swept.
Heading into the offseason, there wasn’t a ton that the Avalanche needed to do, but they did add some depth to their lineup. In June, the Avs moved on from Russian forward Valeri Nichushkin, dealing him to Columbus, while acquiring Fabian Lysell & Fedor Svechkov in trades with the Boston Bruins and Nashville Predators, respectively. Meanwhile, Forward Jaden Schwartz was signed by the club on July 1st, along with former first round pick Noah Juulsen.
Notable Additions: Jaden Schwartz (F), Fabian Lysell (F), Fedor Svechkov (F), Noah Juulsen (D).
Notable Departures: Valeri Nichushkin (F), Ivan Ivan (F), Jack Drury (F), Joel Kiviranta (F).
Player to Watch: Gavin Brindley.
First Game: Wednesday, September 30th vs Los Angeles Kings at 10 pm ET.
Dallas Stars
After three consecutive appearances in the Western Conference Final, the Dallas Stars had a much earlier postseason exit last season than many were expecting. The club fell in six games in the first round at the hands of the Minnesota Wild, leaving several questions heading into the offseason.
With rumours swirling about his future in the Lone Star State, Jason Robertson opted to sign a one-year deal with the club, rather than a long-term deal. Robertson’s new contract walks him to unrestricted free agency next summer, so in one way, it could be a make-or-break season for the Dallas Stars.
Captain Jamie Benn is back, as well, signing a one-year deal in early July. In terms of external additions to the roster this past summer, there wasn’t a ton. The most notable addition saw Finnish forward Joel Kiviranta sign a one-year deal in the opening days of the NHL’s free agency window. Meanwhile, forward Mavrik Bourque left the organization in July via a trade with the Nashville Predators.
Notable Additions: Joel Kiviranta (F), Kyle Burroughs (D), Brandon Halverson (G).
Notable Departures: Mavrik Bourque (F), Vladislav Kolyachonok (D), Nathan Bastian (F), Remi Poirier (G).
Player to Watch: Wyatt Johnston.
First Game: Friday, October 2nd vs St. Louis Blues at 9 pm ET.
Minnesota Wild
Since their first trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2003, the Minnesota Wild have yet to return to the Western Conference Final and this year was no exception. The Wild finished third in the Central Division, beat the Dallas Stars in round one before losing to Colorado in the second round.
Minnesota’s biggest move came early in the offseason as they completed a deal with the Calgary Flames. The Wild acquired forward Blake Coleman and defenseman Olli Maatta in exchange for defenseman Jake Middleton and a trio of draft picks including a 2029 second rounder. As for the most notable player to leave The State of Hockey in the offseason, that’s Mats Zuccarello, who signed with the Los Angeles Kings.
One piece of business that the Minnesota Wild were hoping to get done prior to training camp was a contract extension for star defenseman Quinn Hughes. Nothing ever materialized on that front and while the Wild still remain optimistic that they’ll get something done with the 2026 Olympic gold medalist, as things stand at this moment, Hughes is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Notable Additions: Blake Coleman (F), Olli Maatta (D), Maxim Shabanov (F).
Notable Departures: Jacob Middleton (D), Mats Zuccarello (F), Marcus Johansson (F).
Player to Watch: Danila Yurov.
First Game: Thursday, October 1st @ Nashville Predators at 8 pm ET.
Nashville Predators
After making some big splashes in the summer of 2024, the Nashville Predators have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in back-to-back years and are in that middle area where teams don’t want to be.
The Predators went out this summer and brought in some much needed depth. In a trade with the Dallas Stars, the club acquired RFA forward Mavrik Bourque and signed him to a six-year deal. New GM Chris MacFarland also added Ross Colton, Adam Edstrom and Nils Hoglander in trades with the Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks, respectively.
Among those who left Music City this past summer include Eric Haula, Luke Evangelista and Jordan Oesterle, the latter of whom announced his retirement from professional hockey in mid-July. The Predators face an uphill battle in their quest to make the postseason and in reality, I have a hard time seeing them making it this season.
Notable Additions: Mavrik Bourque (F), Nils Hoglander (F), Adam Edstrom (F).
Notable Departures: Erik Haula (F), Luke Evangelista (F), Jordan Oesterle (D).
Player to Watch: Mavrik Bourque.
First Game: Thursday, October 1st vs Minnesota Wild at 8 pm ET.
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues enter the 2026-27 campaign with just one playoff appearance in the last four seasons and it’s safe to say that General Manager Alexander Steen is looking for a trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in his first year at the helm based on moves he made over the summer.
Just before the NHL Entry Draft, the Blues and Washington Capitals agreed to a deal that would see St. Louis acquire Connor McMichael and prospect Milton Gastrin in exchange for Jordan Kyrou. A few days later, the Blues made another trade to boost their top-six, this time with the Anaheim Ducks. Steen was able to land Mason McTavish for a pair of first round picks in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
Along with Jordan Kyrou, defensemen Matt Kessel & Justin Holl and forward Akil Thomas left the club over the summer. Thomas signed with the Vancouver Canucks, while Kessel and Holl joined the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals, respectively.
Notable Additions: Connor McMichael (F), Mason McTavish (F), Brandon Carlo (D).
Notable Departures: Jordan Kyrou (F), Matt Kessel (D), Justin Holl (D).
Player to Watch: Mason McTavish.
First Game: Friday, October 2nd @ Dallas Stars at 9 pm ET.
Utah Mammoth
After making the Stanley Cup Playoffs in their second year in Salt Lake City, the Utah Mammoth are determined to return to the big dance next spring and will look to do so with two new names in their top nine, both of whom have plenty of postseason experience.
Over the summer, General Manager Bill Armstrong acquired Vincent Trochek in a deal with the New York Rangers on July 1st and on the same day, signed former New York Islanders captain Anders Lee to a three-year contract. Goaltender Sebastian Cossa was added in a trade with the Detroit Red Wings on day two of the NHL Entry Draft, while Armstrong also shored up his defensive corps by signing Andrew Peeke.
As with any big trade, the Utah Mammoth had to part with some quality assets in their deal with the Rangers. Defenseman Sean Durzi and forward prospect Cole Beaudoin were acquired by New York. German forward JJ Peterka was also moved in the offseason as he landed with the Boston Bruins.
Notable Additions: Vincent Trochek (F), Anders Lee (F), Sebastian Cossa (G), Andrew Peeke (D).
Notable Departures: JJ Peterka (F), Sean Durzi (D), Cole Beaudoin (F).
Player to Watch: Daniil But.
First Game: Thursday, October 1st vs Chicago Blackhawks at 9:30 pm ET.
Winnipeg Jets
Last season marked just the second time since 2018 that the Winnipeg Jets missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs and things went from bad to worse over the summer after it was revealed, and confirmed by the player himself, that Connor Hellebuyck requested a trade.
Hellebuyck didn’t report to Winnipeg’s training camp two weeks ago and a trade hasn’t materialized yet, despite there being interest from a handful of teams, including the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. With Hellebuyck’s trade request at the back of his mind, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff signed goaltender Stuart Skinner to a two-year deal.
Aside from their goaltending situation, the Jets were able to bring in some depth on the blue line by signing Mario Ferraro, Henry Thrun and Jack St. Ivany. 2026 eighth overall pick Viggo Bjorck is poised to play a big roll too and after impressing the club during training camp, he was named to their opening night roster.
Notable Additions: Stuart Skinner (G), Mario Ferraro (D), Jack St. Ivany (D), Viggo Bjorck (F).
Notable Departures: Jonathan Toews (F), Eric Comrie (G), Ville Heinola (D), Jaret Anderson-Dolan (F).
Player to Watch: Viggo Bjorck.
First Game: Friday, October 2nd vs Boston Bruins at 8 pm ET.
Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks broke their seven-year postseason drought last season and had a nice playoff run to build on for this year, coming two wins away from reaching the Western Conference Final.
Anaheim didn’t make many moves in the offseason as they had some internal business to take care of. After an offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers for Leo Carlsson, the Ducks matched, with the Swede now earning 18 million annually for the next five seasons. RFA forward Cutter Gauthier signed a six-year deal worth $13.5 million annually just before training camp opened.
With $31.5 million committed for Carlsson and Gauthier, the Ducks needed to clear up some cap space and did so by placing veteran forward Chris Kreider on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract. Kreider became a free agent and went on to sign with the Montreal Canadiens. Veteran blueliner Jacob Trouba also left the club this summer and he headed to NorCal, signing a four-year deal with the San Jose Sharks.
Notable Additions: Nick Jensen (D), Jeff Malott (F), Laurent Brossoit (G), Nikita Klepov (F).
Notable Departures: Jacob Trouba (D), Chris Kreider (F), Ross Johnston (F), Jeffrey Viel (F).
Player to Watch: Nikita Klepov.
First Game: Friday, October 2nd @ Vegas Golden Knights at 10 pm ET.
Calgary Flames
It’s the final season at the Saddledome for the Calgary Flames and while the future looks bright, both on and off the ice, there may be some growing pains this year for the organization as they’ve been without playoff hockey since 2022.
The Flames added a big piece to their blue line in the offseason, acquiring former second overall pick Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils. Nemec is poised to play a big role with Zayne Parekh for many years to come. Jacob Middleton was acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Wild, while Calgary-born Alexander Nylander signed a one-year contract after a successful PTO during training camp.
On their way out of Calgary over the summer was veteran forward Blake Coleman and defenseman Olli Maatta, who were dealt to Minnesota in the Jacob Middleton trade, while defenseman Andreas Englund, who was only signed by the club on Canada Day, was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Red Wings over the weekend.
Notable Additions: Simon Nemec (D), Jacob Middleton (D), Alexander Nylander (D), Maxim Tsyplakov (F).
Notable Departures: Blake Coleman (F), Olli Maatta (D), Andreas Englund (D), Daniil Miromanov (D), Ryan Lomberg (F).
Player to Watch: Matvei Gridin.
First Game: Thursday, October 1st vs Seattle Kraken at 9 pm ET.
Edmonton Oilers
After back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025, the ’25-26 season didn’t end how the Edmonton Oilers were hoping it would. The club fell in six games to the Anaheim Ducks in the first round leading to some big changes on and off the ice, including the hiring of Mike Babcock as head coach.
Goaltending has been a question mark in Edmonton for quite a long time now and in the offseason, the Oilers added two – Stanley Cup champion Frederik Andersen and Devon Levi. Additionally, the Oilers signed defenseman Ryan Shea to a five-year contract and forward Mathieu Joseph to a one-year deal.
On July 1st, after 798 games with the Edmonton Oilers, defenseman Darnell Nurse was traded to the San Jose Sharks, with Shakir Mukhamadullin coming back to Alberta in the deal. Goaltender Calvin Pickard moved on from the club as a free agent, Curtis Lazar signed overseas in Switzerland, while Connor Ingram announced his retirement from professional hockey.
Notable Additions: Devon Levi (G), Frederik Andersen (G), Ryan Shea (D), Shakir Mukhamadullin (D), Mathieu Joseph (F).
Notable Departures: Darnell Nurse (D), Curtis Lazar (F), Calvin Pickard (G), Connor Ingram (G).
Player to Watch: Matt Savoie.
First Game: Tuesday, September 29th vs Vancouver Canucks at 10 pm ET.
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings finally escaped facing the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after the two met four years in a row. Last season, the Kings had a date with Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche, who went on to sweep Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Kings General Manager Ken Holland made some nice depth moves in the offseason, bringing in unrestricted free agents Mats Zuccarello, Erik Haula and Erik Gustafsson, while reuniting with Corey Perry on a one-year deal for what will be his 22nd season in the National Hockey League.
On the flip side, the Kings said goodbye to free agents Andrei Kuzmenko, Jeff Malott and Mathieu Joseph, who ended up signing with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers, respectively. Jacob Moverare, the club’s fourth round pick in 2016, decided to leave North America after parts of five seasons in the NHL to join EV Zug in Switzerland’s National League.
Notable Additions: Mats Zuccarello (F), Erik Haula (F), Corey Perry (F), Erik Gustafsson (D).
Notable Departures: Andrei Kuzmenko (F), Jeff Malott (F), Mathieu Joseph (F), Jacob Moverare (D).
Player to Watch: Alex Laferriere.
First Game: Wednesday, September 30th @ Colorado Avalanche at 10 pm ET.
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are hoping to take another big step in their rebuild this season and as he enters his third year in the National Hockey League, 2024 first overall pick Macklin Celebrini will have a ‘C’ on his chest, becoming the youngest captain in franchise history.
While the Sharks have a pretty solid young core to build off of, they need to insulate those players with the right veterans and General Manager Mike Grier did his best to do just that in the summer. Veteran defenseman Jacob Trouba was added via free agency, while Darnell Nurse joined the club through a trade with the Edmonton Oilers. Forward Mason Marchment signed a five-year deal with San Jose on July 1st, joining the club that his late father Bryan played and worked for prior to his passing in 2022. Meanwhile, 2026 second overall pick Ivar Stenberg will begin the season with the team in the NHL.
Defenseman Mario Ferraro, who was the subject of trade rumors over the last couple of seasons, left the Sharks as a free agent to join the Winnipeg Jets. Veteran forward Jeff Skinner opted to head overseas for the first time in his professional hockey career, while John Klingberg and Ryan Reaves decided to hang up the skates.
Notable Additions: Jacob Trouba (D), Darnell Nurse (D), Ivar Stenberg (F), Mason Marchment (F).
Notable Departures: Mario Ferraro (D), Jeff Skinner (F), John Klingberg (D).
Player to Watch: Ivar Stenberg.
First Game: Thursday, October 1st vs Florida Panthers at 10 pm ET.
Seattle Kraken
Five years into their time in the National Hockey League and the Seattle Kraken have just one Stanley Cup Playoff appearance to their name and after a very quiet summer, it’s shaping up to be another tough year in the Pacific Northwest.
The Seattle Kraken made just two moves in the offseason, one via trade and one through free agency. A week before the draft, Seattle acquired forward Mackie Samoskevich from the Florida Panthers before signing him to a three-year deal on July 1st. Also on July 1st, the Kraken signed 6’9″ winger Curtis Douglas, who spent part of last season with the team’s rival, the Vancouver Canucks.
Even in terms of players leaving Seattle in the summer, there weren’t many. Jaden Schwartz and Jamie Oleksiak signed with the Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks, respectively, on the opening day of free agency. Then earlier this month, Eeli Tolvanen signed a one-year deal with the New York Rangers.
Notable Additions: Mackie Samoskevich (F), Curtis Douglas (F).
Notable Departures: Jaden Schwartz (F), Jamie Oleksiak (D), Eeli Tolvanen (F).
Player to Watch: Berkly Catton.
First Game: Thursday, October 1st @ Calgary Flames at 9 pm ET.
Vancouver Canucks
It was a disastrous season for the Vancouver Canucks as they finished with the worst record in the National Hockey League, made some changes in the front office and behind the bench, and unfortunately, didn’t land the first overall pick. But things aren’t all bad in the Lower Mainland as they have a decent prospect pool to build from.
Plenty of veterans found their way to the Vancouver Canucks over the summer. After 14 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, forward Brendan Gallagher heads home to Vancouver for what could be his final NHL season. Joining Gallagher is Luke Schenn, who is set for his third stint with the Canucks, and defenseman Jamie Oleksiak. Forward Paul Cotter, signed to a one-year deal on July 1st, is a nice depth piece for the club on forward. Late last week, the Canucks found a new backup to play behind Kevin Lankinen, with Thatcher Demko on the sidelines. Leevi Merilainen was claimed off waivers from the Ottawa Senators.
Marcus Pettersson and Nils Hoglander were among the notable departures in the offseason as they were dealt to the New York Rangers and Nashville Predators, respectively. Teddy Blueger signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Danila Klimovich inked a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers, while Nils Aman signed a three-year contract with Djurgardens IF in Sweden.
Notable Additions: Brendan Gallagher (F), Jamie Oleksiak (D), Luke Schenn (D), Paul Cotter (F), Leevi Merilainen (G).
Notable Departures: Marcus Pettersson (D), Nils Hoglander (F), Teddy Blueger (F), Danila Klimovich (F), Nils Aman (F).
Player to Watch: Zeev Buium.
First Game: Tuesday, September 29th @ Edmonton Oilers at 10 pm ET.
Vegas Golden Knights
That brings us to our final team in the Western Conference and last season’s runner-up, the Vegas Golden Knights. The Golden Knights are celebrating their tenth season in the NHL in 2026-27 and with three Stanley Cup Finals appearances under their belt, they’re hoping to make it four this year.
With their core locked up and the club set up nicely depth-wise, there wasn’t much that General Manager Kelly McCrimmon needed to do over the offseason. The biggest news out of Vegas came a little over two weeks ago when they signed captain Mark Stone to a two-year contract extension, which will kick in ahead of the 2027-28 season.
After one season away, which he spent in Colorado & Calgary, Victor Olofsson rejoins the Vegas Golden Knights, signing a one-year deal in the summer. Other notable additions include forward Marc Gatcomb and defenseman Adam Ginning, both of whom signed two-year deals. Former Winnipeg Jets first round pick Ville Heinola also signed in Vegas during the offseason.
On the trade front, the Golden Knights moved on from Pavel Dorofeyev (New York Rangers), Akira Schmid (Florida Panthers), Kaeden Korczak (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Keegan Kolesar (Detroit Red Wings). Meanwhile, Colton Sissons signed a two-year pact with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Notable Additions: Victor Olofsson (F), Marc Gatcomb (F), Ville Heinola (D), Adam Ginning (D).
Notable Departures: Pavel Dorofeyev (F), Akira Schmid (G), Kaeden Korczak (D), Keegan Kolesar (F), Colton Sissons (F).
Player to Watch: Trevor Connelly.
First Game: Tuesday, September 29th vs Chicago Blackhawks at 10:30 pm ET.