The 2025-26 NHL season is set to officially commence on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, ushering in a campaign filled with fresh rivalries, potential historic milestones, and the return of top talent. Fans can anticipate an action-packed opening night, featuring three compelling matchups broadcast on ESPN, setting the stage for what promises to be an engaging season. The league is also gearing up for the return of NHL players to the Winter Olympics in 2026, marking their first participation since 2014.

The defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, will raise their championship banner on opening night as they begin their quest for an unprecedented third consecutive title. However, their path may be more challenging this season, with captain Aleksander Barkov expected to miss significant time, potentially the entire regular season, due to a knee injury. Matthew Tkachuk, another key player for the Panthers, is also sidelined due to injury, adding to the team's early-season hurdles.

A major storyline heading into the season revolves around the future of Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid. While McDavid has signed a short-term contract extension with the Oilers, his long-term future with the team remains a topic of intense speculation as his previous contract expires at the end of this season. This contract situation unfolds at a time when the NHL salary cap is experiencing significant growth, with players like Kirill Kaprizov setting new benchmarks for player salaries.

The league will also see the return of Sidney Crosby to the ice for what is anticipated to be his final NHL season, with the Pittsburgh Penguins captain addressing trade rumors while his future with the rebuilding team remains a point of discussion. Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin continues his pursuit of milestones, aiming to reach 900 career goals after surpassing Wayne Gretzky's all-time record last season.

Beyond the star players, the upcoming season will feature several other notable events and personnel changes. The New York Rangers will debut their new head coach, Mike Sullivan, who previously led the Penguins to two Stanley Cup victories. The Los Angeles Kings are preparing for the farewell season of their long-serving captain, Anze Kopitar. Additionally, the league has introduced minor rule clarifications, including allowing officials more discretion in interpreting situations not explicitly covered by the rules and awarding goals to the player who was fouled on a breakaway. The Utah Hockey Club has also announced its new name: the Utah Mammoth.