As the 2024-2025 NHL season gets underway, hockey fans are already looking ahead to the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. While it's impossible to predict with certainty which teams will make a deep run, some squads are already generating buzz as potential contenders. The Daily Faceoff has analyzed the current rosters, coaching staffs, and trends to identify the top teams to watch in the pursuit of the coveted Cup. From reigning champions to dark horse contenders, we take a closer look at the NHL teams that could be the ones to beat in 2026.
Which NHL teams look like 2026 Stanley Cup contenders right now? Daily Faceoff
![[Dreger] The Blues front office is changing with Kevin Maxwell and Peter Chiarelli leaving the club to pursue other opportunities. Chiarelli is a candidate in NSH interview process and Maxwell is expected to return to NYR in a management role.](https://preview.redd.it/8hs9m3tumlrg1.jpeg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=ce4550e1caea7b79f0c63dd506935cd41dc4d243)
