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Upstart Teams Surge as Established Powerhouses Stumble in 2025-26 NHL Season
12 Nov
Summary
- Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks, and San Jose Sharks exceeding expectations
- Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues, Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers, and Toronto Maple Leafs struggling
- Debate over including Macklin Celebrini or Connor Bedard on Canada's Olympic roster
As the 2025-26 NHL season reaches the midpoint, a clear changing of the guard is taking shape. Upstart teams like the Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks, and San Jose Sharks have been winning far more than anyone expected, while a number of established playoff powerhouses, including the Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues, Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers, and Toronto Maple Leafs, have struggled out of the gate.
This unexpected shift in the league's landscape has created an intriguing dynamic, with the Ducks, Blackhawks, and Sharks emerging as potential contenders, while the Capitals, Blues, Wild, Oilers, and Maple Leafs find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Adding to the intrigue is the ongoing debate over whether Canada should include Macklin Celebrini or Connor Bedard on its Olympic roster, with both young stars making strong cases for inclusion.
As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to see if the upstart teams can sustain their success and if the established powers can turn things around. The NHL's evolving landscape promises an exciting second half of the campaign.
