The Post’s trio of hockey writers share their predictions for the 2025-26 NHL season.
LARRY BROOKSEastern ConferenceMetro Division
Carolina
Devils
Washington
Atlantic Division
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Ottawa
Wild Cards
Florida
Rangers
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WESTERN CONFERENCECentral Division
Colorado
Dallas
Utah
Pacific Division
Vegas
Edmonton
Los Angeles
Adrian Kempe #9 of the Los Angeles Kings and Gabe Smith #93 of the Utah Mammoth fight for the puck. NHLI via Getty Images
Wild Cards
Winnipeg
Anaheim
Playoffs
Eastern Conference finals: Tampa Bay over Carolina
Western Conference finals: Vegas over Colorado
Stanley Cup final: Vegas over Tampa Bay
Awards
Hart Trophy (MVP): Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay
Norris Trophy (Defense): Quinn Hughes, Vancouver
Vezina Trophy (Goaltender): Igor Shesterkin, Rangers
Calder Trophy (Rookie): Ivan Demidov, Montreal
Adams Award (Coach): Craig Berube, Toronto
First coach to be fired: Andrew Brunette, Nashville
Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) controls the puck against the Florida Panthers. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
MOLLIE WALKEREastern ConferenceMetro Division
Carolina
Devils
Rangers
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Atlantic Division
Tampa Bay
Florida
Toronto
Wild Cards
Montreal
Boston
Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) blocks a puck during the first period against the New York Islanders. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
WESTERN CONFERENCECentral Division
Dallas
Minnesota
Colorado
Pacific Division
Vegas
Edmonton
Los Angeles
Wild Cards
Utah
Vancouver
Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) handles the puck against the Edmonton Oilers. Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Playoffs
Eastern Conference finals: Carolina over Florida
Western Conference finals: Dallas over Vegas
Stanley Cup final: Dallas over Carolina
Awards
Hart Trophy (MVP): Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton
Norris Trophy (Defense): Quinn Hughes, Vancouver
Vezina Trophy (Goaltender): Jake Oettinger, Dallas
Calder Trophy (Rookie): Ivan Demidov, Montreal
Adams Award (Coach): Martin St. Louis, Montreal
First coach to be fired: Andrew Brunette, Nashville
Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (29) looks to make a pass in front of Seattle Kraken forward Jordan Eberle (7). Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
ETHAN SEARSEastern ConferenceMetro Division
Carolina
Devils
Washington
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Atlantic Division
Tampa Bay
Montreal
Florida
Wild Cards
Ottawa
Columbus
Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) skates with the puck against the Dallas Stars. AP
WESTERN CONFERENCECentral Division
Dallas
Winnipeg
Minnesota
Pacific Division
Los Angeles
Vegas
Edmonton
Wild Cards
Colorado
Utah
Playoffs
Eastern Conference finals: Carolina over Montreal
Western Conference finals: Vegas over Los Angeles
Stanley Cup final: Vegas over Carolina
Mitch Marner #93 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates up ice against Timothy Liljegren #37 of the San Jose Sharks. NHLI via Getty Images
Awards
Hart Trophy (MVP): Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota
Norris Trophy (Defense): Quinn Hughes, Vancouver
Vezina Trophy (Goaltender): Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg
Calder Trophy (Rookie): Ivan Demidov, Montreal
Adams Award (Coach): André Tourigny, Utah
First coach to be fired: Andrew Brunette, Nashville