It’s the first day of the 2025-26 NHL Season.
Hockey fans can rejoice once more: surviving another offseason full of trade rumors, not-so-permanent retirements — ahem, Marc-Andre Fleury — and the first — and hopefully, last — decentralized draft.
Swirling around the league are a few key storylines, so here’s what you want to know heading into the season and a few things to look out for.
There’s a new highest paid player in town
Kirill Kaprizov signed a record-breaking $136 million contract with the Minnesota Wild on Sept. 30, earning $17 million per year over the next eight years. While the forward’s contract doesn’t kick in until the 2026-27 season, when it does, Kaprizov’s salary will take up at least 16% of the team’s cap hit.
Kaprizov’s contract was the subject of much speculation over the summer. The 28-year-old turned down an original extension offer valued at $128 million — leaving fans to worry Kaprizov would leave Minnesota for bigger markets. But the superstar is sticking around Saint Paul, quelling fans’ fears and catapulting the forward’s status to the current highest paid NHL player.
With Kaprizov’s recent re-signing, all eyes are now turned towards Connor McDavid. The Oilers’ captain agreed to terms on Oct. 6 for two years at $12.5 million per year, the same annual average value he was making in his last long-term deal.
Indisputably the best player in the league, whatever McDavid wanted, he probably could’ve gotten. The Oilers’ can afford to break the bank on their captain’s contract more than they can afford to lose him to another team.
Why didn’t the Oilers lock down their star to a longer deal?
Many anticipated McDavid would take a short-term, team-friendly deal to keep the Oilers in playoff contention for the next few seasons, according to ESPN writer Greg Wyshynski.
He’s giving Edmonton an ultimatum: cup in two years or free agency for McDavid. There’s only so long the captain can stay loyal to the Oilers, and it appears we’ll find out what happens in 2028.
There’s a chance the Edmonton Oilers could look very different in the next few seasons. Time will tell if Bowman will make it work or say “goodbye” to some players.
The Edmonton Oilers goaltending crisis
Speaking of the Oilers, goaltending rears its ugly head once more as the problem that plagues the team.
Edmonton added former Utah Mammoth Connor Ingram to the ranks of their goaltending line up amongst the company of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. In an interview with The Edmonton Journal, General Manager Stan Bowman and Head Coach Kris Knoblauch emphasized that the arrival of Ingram in no way diminished Skinner’s role as starting netminder.
Even if Skinner’s job is safe for now, this transaction poses a larger question about the state of Edmonton’s goaltending. Is goaltending the problem keeping this team from its success?
In the past two seasons, Edmonton has lost back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers. Even if their confidence in Skinner’s .896 save percentage hasn’t wavered, the Oilers need a goaltender who can steal them games.
Goaltending depth can make or break a team when a goaltender can come up big and make a few saves when the team is finding its footing. Having that extra insurance in the crease brings a level of security and strength to a team that’s already good enough to make it to the finals without it.
With Skinner, inconsistency is key. The Oilers need depth, and whether Skinner will fill that role or take a backseat to a goalie that can is something to keep an eye on as the season plays out.
The third time’s the charm
The Florida Panthers are looking for a three-peat. Is this the year they establish their dynasty? Or has the rest of the league cracked the code on the Cardiac Cats?
With only a few personnel changes to speak of and a lengthy six-year, $5.25 million AAV contract signed by Brad Marchand, the Panthers are expected to be a force to be reckoned with this season.
Head Coach Paul Maurice has made his team a formidable opponent, stacking suffocating offensive lines in front of capable defense and a Vezina-winning goalie. Not only are the Panthers standouts on paper — their no-nonsense, hard-hitting style of play is a tested and true winning strategy. Stifling defense and fast-paced plays are woven into this team’s DNA. Whether you like them or not, the Panthers are an exciting team to watch.
But all good things must come to an end. It’s just a question of when. It’s expected that teams around the league know the Panthers are the team to beat in order to punch their ticket to the finals. They’ve come a long way from the underdogs that upset the Boston Bruins two years ago — but has the rest of the league caught up?
The 2025-26 season is officially underway. Over 82 games, we’ll see how the teams match up and what exciting possibilities the league has in store.