As the NHL prepares for the 2026/27 season, teams are currently managing a shortened preseason training camp. Coaches are working to determine the best formation of their lineups while players compete for spots on the primary rosters before the opening game.
To provide a snapshot of the league’s current state, Sportnet has detailed 32 stories, one for each team, highlighting varying situations ranging from Stanley Cup pursuits to full-scale rebuilds.
Roster Changes and Financial Milestones
The Anaheim Ducks have retained center Leo Carlsson after matching a five-year offer sheet from Philadelphia. With an average annual salary of 18 million dollars, Carlsson becomes the highest-paid player in the NHL. Following a previous season where he recorded 67 points (29 goals and 38 assists) in 70 games, the Ducks organization expects his performance to match his salary.
In Chicago, Patrick Kane is returning to the Blackhawks after three seasons. Kane previously won three Stanley Cups with the organization, though he now joins a significantly different team.
Leadership and Transitions
The Boston Bruins are seeking a new captain after playing the previous season without one; former captain Brad Marchand was traded to Florida in March 2025. Top candidates for the role include defenseman Charlie McAvoy and forward David Pastrňák. Uncertainty remains regarding the appointment after the football club Tottenham Hotspur briefly tagged Pastrňák as the Bruins’ captain in a social media post before deleting it.
The Calgary Flames have entered a definitive rebuild, moving on players such as Kadri, Andersson, Weegar, and Coleman. The team is shifting focus to a younger core including Zayne Parekh, Dustin Wolf, and Šimon Nemec, as well as forwards Samuel Honzek and Martin Pospíšil. The club aims to build a playoff-caliber team to coincide with the opening of a new arena in 2027.
Goalie Shifts and Playoff Outlooks
Carolina Hurricanes face a transition in goal after Frederik Andersen departed for Edmonton. Andersen had been a key figure in Carolina’s Stanley Cup run, winning 13 of his first 16 playoff games with a 1.89 goals-against average. The Hurricanes will now rely on Pjotr Kočetkov, who saw his last season end in December due to injury, and Brandon Bussi, who has completed only one full NHL season.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres are entering a new era after returning to the playoffs for the first time in 15 years last season. Despite losing key players like Bowen Byram and Alex Tucha over the summer, the Sabres reached the second round’s seventh game and are viewed as a team that should maintain a consistent playoff presence in the coming years.
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