NHL season hits one month. Is it time for teams to panic?

Breaking NewsBears reportedly acquiring DT Jeffery Simmons from TitansRead moreTRENDINGBrewers win World SeriesMilwaukee can finally celebrateDybantsa delivers in NBA debutWNBA Finals fatigueJokić's 200th triple-doubleStory byStory byNHL season hits one month. Is it time for teams to panic?Mike Brehm, USA TODAYThu, October 29, 2026 at 2:01 PM UTC·4 min readAbout Our AdsRecommended StoriesThe NHL season is one month old. Here are strong starts we believe.The 2026-27 NHL season is officially one month old. Here are strong starts that have staying power.USA TODAY SportsAlex Tuch scores twice as Capitals beat Flyers 5-2WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Tuch scored his eighth and ninth goals in his first season with Washington, the second into an empty net to help the Capitals seal a 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night.Tuch arrived in a trade from Buffalo and signed an eight-year, $84-million contract extension in June.Associated PressAvalanche Need to Look Themselves in the Mirror About Their StrugglesThe way the Colorado Avalanche have started the 2026-27 season has been less than expected to fans and themselves, given how their first 12 games have gone. DeColorado Avalanche On SIAdvertisementAdvertisementA Stanley Cup favorite, Avalanche searching for ways to break out of an early season funk(AP) — Jared Bednar passed on making his squad rewatch a recent breakdown-filled 6-2 loss in Nashville.“I’m going to show them how bad we were.Associated PressQuinn Hughes breaks Wild franchise record amid hot startThe Minnesota Wild just concluded a five-game road trip, going 3-1-1. One of the major reasons for the success was the play of Quinn Hughes. On Sunday, Hughes scored the game-winning goal for the Wild against his former team, the Vancouver Canucks. On Tuesday night, he added another two points against the Utah Mammoth in the 3-1 win. With another […] The post Quinn Hughes breaks Wild franchise record amid hot start appeared first on ClutchPoints.ClutchPointsBlackhawks Could Make a Splash Soon Amid Slow StartThe 2026-2027 season has gotten off to a rocky start for the Chicago Blackhawks. The team has posted a disappointing 4-8 record through the first 12 games of the campaign. The results have gotten marginally better since the return of captain Connor Bedard into the lineup. However, the squad still is not performing at the […] The post Blackhawks Could Make a Splash Soon Amid Slow Start appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYFlyers' Matvei Michkov Draws High Praise from Rival Coach: 'Only a Matter of Time'The league has been put on notice.The Hockey News - Philadelphia FlyersBill Guerin Worries Wild Fans With Latest Quinn Hughes UpdateOne of the major storylines that the Wild are facing for the 2026-27 NHL season is the future of former Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes, whom they acquired from Vancouver as part of a blockbuster trade last December.Hughes is playing in the final year of his current contract and, despite having repeatedly said how much […] The post Bill Guerin Worries Wild Fans With Latest Quinn Hughes Update appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYNHL Insider Offers Update on Artturi Lehkonen’s Contract Talks With AvalancheTo no one’s surprise, the Colorado Avalanche have one of the league’s leading goal-scorers through the first four weeks of […]Colorado Hockey NowGuerin Gives Cryptic Update on Quinn Hughes Contract TalksAs days pass, the odds that Quinn Hughes signs a contract extension with the Minnesota Wild seem less and less likely. That might sound odd, given Hughes’s recent comments that his feet are firmly planted and he could see something happening soon.The latest comes from Wild general manager Bill Guerin. To say the least, he […] The post Guerin Gives Cryptic Update on Quinn Hughes Contract Talks appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYMN Wild, Quinn Hughes Haven’t Talked Contract in “a Long Time”Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin was asked for the latest information on Quinn Hughes contract talks... but it turns out they haven't been talking.Minnesota Sports FanTuch scores 2 more goals, Capitals beat Flyers 5-2WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Tuch scored his eighth and ninth goals in his first season with Washington, the second into an empty net to help the Capitals seal a 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night.Tuch arrived in a trade from Buffalo and signed an eight-year, $84-million contract extension in June.Associated PressOilers’ Connor McDavid breaks tie with Wayne Gretzky amid Flames rivalry clashThe Edmonton Oilers are one of the best teams in all of hockey at this time. Connor McDavid is driving this team along at a historic clip . On Wednesday night against the Calgary Flames, he added more history to his long list of accomplishments. McDavid provided an assist on Edmonton’s first goal of the game. This means he has an assist in all of […] The post Oilers’ Connor McDavid breaks tie with Wayne Gretzky amid Flames rivalry clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.ClutchPointsDeen’s Daily: Candid Bednar; Lehkonen Contract Talks; Hellebuyck Wins DebutThe Colorado Avalanche practiced on Tuesday after an embarrassment in Nashville two nights earlier. Jared Bednar was open and honest […]Colorado Hockey NowFlyers' Major Issues Beginning to Bubble to the Surface with Season SpiralingFrustration is beginning to show.The Hockey News - Philadelphia FlyersAs Patrick Kane returns to Detroit, the Chicago Blackhawks great’s scoring slump puts him in uncharted watersThe Patrick Kane-Chicago Blackhawks reunion hasn’t gone exactly as planned. When the three-time Stanley Cup champion returned to the Hawks in the summer, it was a nostalgic, emotional day for the city’s hockey fans. Kane and the team weren’t oblivious to the magnitude of his comeback. “It’s great to be a Blackhawk again,” Kane said July 24. “Obviously the story’s great, coming back to Chicago ...Chicago TribuneOctober Penguins prospect updateOctober is the usual first full month for many hockey seasons around the world. With all the interest in the Penguins burgeoning and growing prospect pool, we’re going to use today’s off day in the NHL to put the attention on how things are going across the organization for their prospects and young players, based […]SB NationBlackhawks F Oliver Moore looks for more growth after positive response to healthy scratchCHICAGO (AP) — In Oliver Moore's 70th NHL game, the promising forward made an ill-advised pass in Chicago's offensive zone that led to a tying goal for Montreal.In Moore's 71st game, he was all over the ice in a big win for the Blackhawks.Associated PressWhy Hasn't Vitali Pinchuk Been In Nashville's Lineup?The KHL star has only appeared in five of the first 12 Predators games this season.Nashville Predators On SIPenguins looking for production beyond Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin a month into seasonThe team's goaltending situation is also a concern as the calendar flips to November in the NHL.USA TODAY Sports