What to know about the NHL season, with awards, playoffs and Stanley Cup picks

TRENDINGPackers fall, LaFleur on hot seatLatest NFL updatesMLB playoff scenariosPresidents Cup leaderboardPCA's 40-40 seasonStory byStory byWhat to know about the NHL season, with awards, playoffs and Stanley Cup picksJOHN WAWROW and STEPHEN WHYNOFri, September 25, 2026 at 4:31 PM UTC·3 min readAbout Our AdsRecommended StoriesThe NHL Drama That Has Set Up A Must-Watch Season: Babcock, Tkachuk, Larkin, Hellebuyck And MoreIt was a whirlwind summer around the NHL with trade requests, controversial hirings, and young stars getting paid. Michael Traikos breaks down some of the most intriguing storylines that will follow throughout the 2026-27 season.The Hockey NewsPreviewing The Top NHL Bets For The Hart Trophy And Vezina TrophyTake a look at the top candidates that bettors are considering for the Hart and Vezina Trophy ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season.The Hockey NewsJets’ Connor Hellebuyck Trade to Sharks News Would Help Macklin CelebriniThe Winnipeg Jets still haven’t traded Connor Hellebuyck. The NHL regular season is a week away, and it’s getting a bit awkward. The San Jose Sharks wouldn’t mind being the team that steps in to acquire the Olympic gold medalist. That’s the latest update in a saga that seems like it’ll never end. Connor Hellebuyck […] The post Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck Trade to Sharks News Would Help Macklin Celebrini appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYAdvertisementAdvertisementAtlantic Division Preview: Can Tampa’s Core Make One Last Run?Last season, the story in the Atlantic centered on which of the strongest teams would win the division. With five teams in this division making the playoffs, the Atlantic playoff push was one of the most exciting in the league. The Atlantic Division was the most competitive all season long. This year will be no […] The post Atlantic Division Preview: Can Tampa’s Core Make One Last Run? appeared first on The Lead.The LeadNHL Power Rankings: Setting The Stage For 2026-27Jason Chen is kicking off his weekly NHL Power Rankings series for the 2026-27 season with an early look at how each team stacks up after a busy summer.The Hockey NewsWho's on the NHL coaching hot seat during the 2026-27 season?Several NHL coaches begin the 2026-27 season with new general managers. Who could be on the hot seat?USA TODAY SportsNHL rumors: Connor Hellebuyck linked to Pacific Division playoff contenderThe Connor Hellebuyck saga continues to drag on , with the star netminder suspended after failing to report to training camp. Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is still trying to find a resolution, but one has yet to materialize. The San Jose Sharks have at least explored the possibility of trading for the former Hart Trophy winner, […] The post NHL rumors: Connor Hellebuyck linked to Pacific Division playoff contender appeared first on ClutchPoints.ClutchPointsNHL salary cap expected to increase by record amountNHL salary cap could skyrocket to unprecedented levels.The Big LeadNHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest On The Connor Hellebuyck SagaThere's no end in sight for the standoff between Connor Hellebuyck and Jets management, but that's not stopping the speculation about potential trade destinations.The Hockey NewsPWHL Rumblings: 32-Game Season, Staff Deadline and Team Canada AppointmentsThe PWHL could split into two conferences and play a 32-game season starting in December. Meanwhile, an October 1 deadline for team staff to be in their markets is raising questions, as are Team Canada’s newly announced appointments ahead of November’s World Championship.The Hockey NewsPens Points: Columbus CallingGame three of the Pittsburgh Penguins preseason slate is scheduled for later this evening as they head west to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. This will be the first of two road preseason games, with the second coming on Saturday in the preseason finale. Most importantly, the countdown to the regular season is now […]SB NationToronto's Gavin McKenna headlines a talent-heavy, exciting NHL rookie classThe spotlight is shining brightly on Gavin McKenna as the top pick in the draft, playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the biggest and most intense hockey market in the NHL. “There’s going to be a lot of eyes on him,” said Macklin Celebrini, the 2024 No. 1 pick for San Jose. Celebrini, Matthew Schaefer with the New York Islanders and Connor Bedard with Chicago reached elite levels almost immediately after making the jump.Associated PressMore Reports Back Door is Still Open For Connor Hellebuyck Return to WinnipegAs trade talks cool and the regular season nears, the Jets remain patient, holding out hope their star goaltender will reconsider his trade request and stay.The Hockey News - Winnipeg JetsPanthers To Start Cooper Black Against The Lightning's NHL-Looking LineupThe Florida Panthers will take on an NHL-looking Tampa Bay Lightning lineup in their third pre-season game, with 25-year-old goaltender Cooper Black between the pipes.The Hockey News - Florida PanthersNHL Leadership Shift Addresses Canadian Competitive ImbalanceThe league's leadership shift highlights a growing focus on Canada.Front Office SportsThe Hockey News Wraparound: Will Simon Edvinsson Sign With The Red Wings Before The Season Starts?Emma Lingan, Michael Augello, and Jake Tye discuss Simon Edvinsson’s ongoing contract negotiations, Mikael Granlund’s captaincy in Anaheim, and more.The Hockey NewsCollege Hockey On SI Preseason Power Rankings, Predictions: Puck DropThe 15 biggest NHL Contracts signed by former college players, No. 2 Ohio State opened against at No. 4 Penn State in women's hockey, and the latest both on and off the ice.Boston College Eagles On SICapitals news: Ovechkin takes big step en route to being ready for opening nightThe Washington Capitals have high hopes heading into the 2026-27 season. They added Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou to the roster, while Alex Ovechkin decided to return for his 22nd NHL season . As the captain prepares for the upcoming campaign, he has been dealing with a lower-body injury. Now, head coach Spencer Carbery is giving an update on the […] The post Capitals news: Ovechkin takes big step en route to being ready for opening night appeared first on ClutchPoints.ClutchPointsREPORT: Sharks Interested in Hellebuyck?Is there a fit between the San Jose Sharks and the Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck? Insider Elliotte Friedman thinks that […] The post REPORT: Sharks Interested in Hellebuyck? appeared first on San Jose Hockey Now .San Jose Hockey NowSharks Suddenly Emerge as Surprising Connor Hellebuyck OptionThe San Jose Sharks have emerged as suitors for Connor Hellebuyck, with a deal actually making sense for both sides. The post Sharks Suddenly Emerge as Surprising Connor Hellebuyck Option appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVY