The defending Stanley Cup champions have topped the inaugural Super 16 Power Rankings for the upcoming season, earning unanimous support from a majority of NHL.com’s participating voters. With 11 out of 15 experts ranking them first, the team’s dominance in preseason expectations underscores their status as the league’s early favorite. The rankings highlight their continued influence as a title contender heading into the new campaign. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if they can sustain their momentum.

The defending Stanley Cup champions are the No. 1 team in the first edition of the Super 16 Power Rankings for this season. The Hurricanes are ranked No. 1 by 11 of the 15 participating NHL.com voters ...