We’re now a few weeks into the 2025-26 NHL season, and the unbridled optimism among Canadian hockey fans is beginning to fade. There are still plenty of games left to play this season, but we’ve seen enough at this point to have a good idea about where most teams stand in this year’s NHL pecking order.
Could this finally be the year a Canadian team wins the Stanley Cup? With seven Canadian franchises spread out across the country, we have seven opportunities to end the drought and bring Lord Stanley back home.
Let’s take a look at each Canadian franchise and how they’ve started the season. We’ll also take a look at each squad’s top performers up to this point and any major question marks surrounding the team.
Edmonton Oilers
Current record: 5-4-2
It’s Stanley Cup or bust in Edmonton, as Connor McDavid and the Oilers look to return to the finals for a third straight season. The team is off to a slow start but should definitely be in the mix come playoff time. The Oilers’ scoring is down compared to previous years (currently ranked 18th in goals per game), but their power play is still dangerous and converting at a 30% clip. The big question mark for the Oilers this season is between the pipes; they’ll need to get consistent play out of Stuart Skinner if they plan on making another run at the Cup.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Current record: 5-5-1
The Blue Jays are the talk of the town at the moment, but soon all eyes will come back to hockey. The lack of attention has been a blessing for the Leafs, as the team has gotten off to a sluggish start to the season. That record looks even worse when you consider that this was supposed to be the easy start of their schedule. Outside of their top line, Toronto is struggling to put up points and the Leafs have the fourth-worst power play in the league (13.8%). They’ll need to start getting contributions from the rest of their lineup if they want to keep pace in the Atlantic Division.
Winnipeg Jets
Current record: 7-3-0
Coming off their first Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history, the Jets maintained momentum over the summer and currently sit near the top of the Western Conference standings. Their strong start is even more impressive when you realize that they’re still without Cole Perfetti, Adam Lowry and Dylan Samberg. Winnipeg’s been excellent on special teams, with both their power play and penalty kill ranking in the top 10. The strength of this team remains in net with Connor Hellebuyck, and the reigning MVP has picked up right where he left off. While their 5-on-5 metrics could be better, the Jets are off to another great start this season.
Ottawa Senators
Current record: 5-5-1
Things are looking up in the nation’s capital and the Senators are in the thick of Atlantic Division. This team is performing better in a number of key metrics, including 5-on-5 scoring, where they currently sit a respectable 12th in the league. Much of that can be attributed to their core of talented, young forwards like Tim Stutzle, Shane Pinto and Dylan Cozens. The Senators could be in the playoff race down the stretch, but they’ll need much better play out of goaltender Linus Ullmark, whose save percentage currently sits at a paltry .858.
Montreal Canadiens
Current record: 8-3-0
It’s still early but there’s a lot of excitement in Montreal as the Canadiens are building on last year’s surprise playoff appearance with a great start to the new season. Despite being the youngest team in the NHL this season, the Habs are sitting comfortably atop the Atlantic Division. Nick Suzuki leads the NHL in assists (14) and Cole Caufield is tied for the league lead in goals (9), combining to form one of hockey’s most dangerous duos. With major contributions from rookies Ivan Demidov and Jakub Dobes, it’s not hard to see why the future is so bright in Montreal.
Vancouver Canucks
Current record: 5-6-0
The Canucks have overcome some health challenges this season. They survived an early injury to Filip Chytil, but now Quinn Hughes and leading scorer Conor Garland will be sitting out. Thatcher Demko has had a major hand in getting Vancouver through their injury woes; the Canucks goalie has been lights out with a 2.18 GAA and .926 save percentage through his first seven starts. Vancouver’s special teams still need work and they’ll need more consistent scoring from Elias Pettersson, but the Canucks seem to be taking a step in the right direction.
Calgary Flames
Current record: 2-8-1
The Flames rank seventh among the Canadian franchises, sitting at the very bottom of the NHL standings. The team is dead last in shooting percentage (7.5%) and have the 31st ranked power play, converting just 11.4% of the time. We’re only a few weeks into the season but the trade rumours have already begun swirling, with veterans like Nazem Kadri and Rasmus Andersson being mentioned in potential deals. Calgary still has time to right the ship, but it’s looking like it could be a long, cold winter for Flames fans.