Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner (Image via Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP) As the 2025–26 NHL season opens, a panel of NHL.com writers and editors has weighed in on who is most likely to hoist the Stanley Cup, and the consensus is that the next champion will come from the Golden Knights. According to the NHL, a total of 15 staff members made their preseason predictions, and five picked the Vegas Golden Knights to win the Cup, among which Mitch Marner is predicted to be one of the picks for the Conn Smythe Trophy. However, the panel has not just picked players from the Golden Knights but from all other teams as well.
Golden Knights lead poll, other NHL stars close behind
While the Golden Knights snagged the most votes, the opinions among staff members were quite diverse, highlighting just how competitive this season is shaping up to be. Some analysts predict that the champion will likely come from the Golden Knights, due to their depth, strong rosters, or recent performance trends.Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars received significant backing in both divisional and conference predictions on many ballots, even landing in the top spot at times. Several contributors believe the Stars could rise as the Western Conference champions and make a serious run for the Stanley Cup.
NHL Preseason Highlights | Avalanche vs. Golden Knights – October 1, 2025
On the flip side, some NHL panels are sticking with Vegas’s more seasoned and deeper lineup, while others are banking on Colorado, with MacKinnon and Rantanen as key players, to make a strong push. A few even took a chance on Eastern teams, backing the reigning champion Panthers or the underdog Hurricanes, though those choices were more of a rarity in the overall voting.
Overview of the NHL season kickoff and stakes
The 2025–26 NHL season kicks off on Tuesday with an exciting tripleheader on ESPN featuring the Chicago Blackhawks taking on the Florida Panthers, the Pittsburgh Penguins facing off against the New York Rangers, and the Colorado Avalanche going up against the Los Angeles Kings.This year, there’s no clear favorite, and the predictions show a mix of hope, doubt, and an acknowledgment of the league’s competitive balance. The Golden Knights are getting some early attention, but with so many strong teams in the running, a lot will hinge on player health, current form, playoff matchups, and the all-important momentum. However, the margin for error is razor-thin, and in the world of postseason hockey, surprises are always lurking around the corner.Also read: Wayne Gretzky signs new multiyear TNT contract, bringing insight to NHL broadcasts | NHL News – The Times of India