The 2025-26 NHL regular season has come to a close, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway. It's time to take a look back at the season and hand out grades to every team in the league. Here's a breakdown of each team's performance, with a focus on their regular-season achievements and areas for improvement.
Anaheim Ducks: B+
The Ducks had a solid season, finishing with a B+ grade. They showed significant improvement, especially with their forward talent, and have a strong core of young stars like Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Beckett Sennecke. However, they still need to address their defensive and goaltending weaknesses to become a true playoff contender.
Boston Bruins: B-
The Bruins had a decent season, finishing with 100 points and making the playoffs. However, they have underlying flaws that were masked by elite players and goaltending. Their defensive metrics are among the worst in the league, and relying on goaltending alone is not a sustainable long-term strategy.
Buffalo Sabres: A
The Sabres had a remarkable season, turning things around after a poor start. They fired their general manager and kept winning, making the playoffs and winning the Atlantic Division. They have a mix of young talent and stars, and their late-season success deserves an A grade.
Calgary Flames: D+
The Flames had a challenging season, trading away veterans and struggling with goal-scoring issues. They overachieved in 2024-25 but did not address their goal-scoring problems. Their goaltending situation also needs improvement, as Dustin Wolf regressed and Devin Cooley was outplayed.
Carolina Hurricanes: A
The Hurricanes had a consistent and successful season, finishing with an A grade. They were efficient, aggressive, and had a strong goaltending performance. Their top-to-bottom roster strength and lack of major weaknesses make them a force to be reckoned with.
Chicago Blackhawks: F
The Blackhawks had a disappointing season, regressing down the stretch and winning fewer than 29 games. They have some young talent, but their overall performance and lack of improvement make them a contender for the worst team in the league.
Colorado Avalanche: A
The Avalanche dominated the NHL from start to finish, earning an A grade. They had the best record and underlying numbers, and their star players like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar performed exceptionally well. Their consistent excellence and depth make them a top contender.
Columbus Blue Jackets: D
The Blue Jackets had a mixed season, with a strong start followed by a late-season collapse. They missed the playoffs despite a strong coaching change. Their inconsistent performance and inability to maintain a high level of play throughout the season are concerning.
Dallas Stars: A
The Stars had a strong season, finishing with an A grade. They had a rock-solid team from top to bottom and found playoff success. Their high-end talent and recent playoff appearances put them in a strong position to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Detroit Red Wings: D-
The Red Wings had a challenging season, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year. They had a strong top five or six players, including Moritz Seider, but their lack of depth and defensive issues are major concerns. Their late-season collapse and playoff drought are a cause for concern.
Edmonton Oilers: C
The Oilers had a mixed season, with a strong start but inconsistent goaltending. Their supporting cast needs improvement, and their division placement helped them avoid a weaker playoff race. Their goaltending situation and overall team depth are areas for concern.
Florida Panthers: C-
The Panthers had a tough season, missing the playoffs despite a strong start. They were decimated by injuries, including the loss of key players like Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk. Their late-season struggles and goaltending issues contributed to their disappointing season.
Los Angeles Kings: C-
The Kings had a challenging season, finishing with a C- grade. They struggled to improve their offense and defense, and their in-season move to acquire Artemi Panarin was not enough to turn things around. Their overall performance and lack of improvement are a cause for concern.
Minnesota Wild: A
The Wild had a strong season, finishing with an A grade. They had a strong roster and made a significant trade for Quinn Hughes. Their division placement and strong performance make them a top contender, despite some questions about their center depth.
Montreal Canadiens: A
The Canadiens had a successful season, with a strong core of young talent. Cole Caufield's 50 goals, Nick Suzuki's outstanding performance, and the emergence of Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov make them a team to watch in the future.
Nashville Predators: C-
The Predators missed the playoffs and had a mediocre season. They did not make significant changes and are still searching for a new general manager. Their average performance and lack of improvement are a cause for concern.
New Jersey Devils: D
The Devils had a challenging season, missing the playoffs for the fourth time in six years. They have some strong players, including Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, but their overall performance and lack of improvement are a cause for concern.
New York Islanders: D
The Islanders had a tough season, missing the playoffs despite a strong start. Their late-season meltdown and reliance on goaltending and young talent like Matthew Schaefer are areas for improvement.
New York Rangers: F
The Rangers had a disappointing season, missing the playoffs and finishing as the worst team in the Eastern Conference. Their poor performance, injuries, and lack of improvement make them a contender for the worst team in the league.
Ottawa Senators: B
The Senators had a solid season, with a strong goaltending performance and high-end forward talent. Their inconsistent goaltending and defensive issues are areas for improvement, but their overall performance and potential for success make them a team to watch.
Philadelphia Flyers: A
The Flyers had a strong season, finishing with an A grade. They played a relentless defensive game and had a late-season surge. Their flaws and reliance on shootouts are concerns, but their recent improvements and young talent make them a team to watch.
Pittsburgh Penguins: A
The Penguins had a successful season, exceeding all preseason expectations. Their star players and general manager's roster moves contributed to their success. Their future Hall of Famers and young talent make them a top contender.
San Jose Sharks: C+
The Sharks had a competitive season, taking a step toward a playoff contender. Their continued emergence of Macklin Celebrini and strong young core make them a team to watch in the future.
Seattle Kraken: D
The Kraken had a mediocre season, finishing with a D grade. They have little star power and have been a painfully mediocre franchise. Their need for improvement and star players is evident.
St. Louis Blues: D
The Blues had a challenging season, with goaltending issues and questions about their forwards. Their overall performance and lack of improvement are a cause for concern.
Tampa Bay Lightning: A
The Lightning had an outstanding season, winning 50 games despite injuries. Their top players and strong goaltending performance make them a serious Stanley Cup contender.
Toronto Maple Leafs: F
The Maple Leafs had a forgettable season, missing the playoffs and failing to improve. Their poor performance and lack of improvement make them a contender for the worst team in the league.
Utah Mammoth: B+
The Mammoth had a strong season, finishing with a B+ grade. They added talent and had a young core, creating excitement and expectations. Their performance and potential for success make them a team to watch.
Vancouver Canucks: F
The Canucks had a disappointing season, finishing as the worst team in the league. Their struggles and lack of improvement are a cause for concern, and their rebuild efforts are a work in progress.
Vegas Golden Knights: B-
The Golden Knights had a mixed season, with a late-season coaching change and mediocre overall record. Their injuries and goaltending issues contributed to their performance, but they have a strong core and a path to success in the playoffs.
Washington Capitals: D
The Capitals had a challenging season, missing the playoffs despite a strong goaltending performance. Their injuries and special teams issues were significant problems. Their salary cap flexibility and trade assets make them a team to watch in the offseason.
Winnipeg Jets: F
The Jets had a well-earned F, missing the playoffs and facing challenges. Their front office's slow changes and reliance on Connor Hellebuyck's performance contributed to their struggles. Their need for major changes is evident.
