The2025–26 NHL season is the109th season of operation (108th season of play) of theNational Hockey League (NHL). The regular season began on October 7, 2025.[1] This will be the final regular season played under the 82-game schedule before the schedule will expand to 84 games in 2026–27.[2] A mid-season break will take place in February due to the NHL's participation in the2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.[1] TheStanley Cup playoffs are then planned to begin in April 2026, ending with theStanley Cup Final in June. After playing the previous season under its temporary identity, the Utah Hockey Club was renamed theUtah Mammoth in the off-season.[3]
The 2020 extension of the 2013collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expires at the end of the 2025–26 NHL season.[4][5] On June 27, 2025, the league and theNHL Players' Association agreed on a new four-year extension that will take effect from the 2026–27 to 2029–30 seasons. Among the changes under the agreement, the 2026–27 regular season will expand from 82 to 84 games.[2]
After opting to play the2024–25 season with a temporary identity, theUtah Hockey Club announced on January 29, 2025, that fans attending their following four home games in late January and early February could vote for a permanent identity for the club, with the final three options being the existing Utah Hockey Club, Utah Mammoth, and Utah Wasatch. While the Wasatch name was not one of the six finalists, it was intended to honor the idea of a mythical snow creature similar to the yeti, with a "Utah-centric" approach inspired by theWasatch Mountains;[7] though originally considered a likely name, "Yeti" or "Yetis" had been ruled out as a choice following trademark disputes withYeti Holdings.[8] One day later, on January 30, the team announced that "Wasatch" was being removed from the survey, being replaced by previously announced option "Utah Outlaws".[9]
On April 30, 2025, speculation arose that "Mammoth" was the selected name following leaks online that showed the team changing itsYouTube handle to "UtahMammoth."[10] This speculation was confirmed on May 7, 2025, when the team officially revealed their permanent name as the "Utah Mammoth." A new logo and uniforms were revealed as well, retaining the same color and striping scheme.[11]
On April 19, 2025, three days after the conclusion of their season, the Ducks fired Cronin. In two seasons with Anaheim, Cronin compiled a 62–87–15 record, missing the playoffs in both years.[12] Quenneville, most recently head coach of theFlorida Panthers from 2019 to 2021, was named head coach on May 8.[13]
Montgomery was fired on November 19, 2024, after the Bruins started the season 8–9–3. In just over two seasons with the Bruins, Montgomery totaled a 120–41–23 record with two playoff appearances, including aPresidents' Trophy in2023 following one ofthe greatest regular seasons in NHL history. Sacco, a Bruins assistant coach, and formerly head coach of theColorado Avalanche from 2009 to 2013, was named interim head coach the same day,[14] and finished out the season with a 24–30–6 record. Sturm, most recently head coach of theLos Angeles Kings' AHL affiliate, theOntario Reign, and who played five seasons for the Bruins from 2005 to 2010, was named head coach on June 5.[15]
Richardson was fired on December 5, 2024, after the Blackhawks began the season 8–16–2. In just over two seasons with Chicago, Richardson totaled a 57–118–15 record, failing to reach the playoffs in either completed year. Sorensen, previously the head coach of the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate, theRockford IceHogs, was named interim head coach the same day.[16] Sorensen became the first Swedish-born head coach in NHL history,[17] and finished out the season with a 17–30–9 record. Blashill, most recently an assistant coach with theTampa Bay Lightning, and previously head coach of theDetroit Red Wings from 2015 to 2022, was named head coach on May 22.[18]
DeBoer was fired on June 6, 2025, eight days after the Stars' elimination from the2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In three seasons with the team, DeBoer recorded a 149–68–29 record, reaching the Western Conference finals in all three seasons, but failing to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.[19] Gulutzan, who had previously coached Dallas from 2011 to 2013, and most recently served as an assistant coach with theEdmonton Oilers, was named head coach on July 1.[20]
Laviolette was fired on April 19, 2025, two days after the conclusion of the Rangers' season. In two seasons with the Rangers, Laviolette recorded a 94–59–11 record, winning thePresidents' Trophy and reaching the Eastern conference finals in his first year, but missing the playoffs in his second.[21] Sullivan, most recently the head coach of thePittsburgh Penguins from 2015 to 2025, was named head coach on May 2.[22]
Tortorella was fired on March 27, 2025, with the Flyers holding a 28–36–9 record, and after a 1–10–1 record in their 12 games prior to Tortorella's dismissal. In just under three seasons with Philadelphia, Tortorella posted a 97–107–33 record, with no playoff appearances. Shaw, previously an assistant coach, was named interim head coach the same day,[23] and compiled a 5–3–1 record over the final nine games of the season. Tocchet, most recently the head coach of theVancouver Canucks from 2023 to 2025, and who played 11 seasons for the Flyers from 1984 to 1992 and 2000 to 2002, was named head coach on May 14.[24]
Sullivan and the Penguins mutually agreed to part ways on April 28, 2025, 11 days after the conclusion of the Penguins' season. In nine and a half seasons with Pittsburgh, Sullivan totaled a 409–255–89 record, reaching the playoffs seven times and winning back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in2016 and2017.[25] Muse, most recently an assistant coach with theNew York Rangers, was named head coach on June 4.[26]
Bylsma was fired on April 21, 2025, six days after the conclusion of the Kraken's season. Bylsma recorded a 35–41–6 record in his only season with Seattle, missing the playoffs.[27] Lambert, most recently an assistant coach for theToronto Maple Leafs, and previously head coach of theNew York Islanders from 2022 to 2024, was named head coach on May 29.[28]
On April 29, 2025, fourteen days after the conclusion of the Canucks' season, Tocchet and the Canucks mutually agreed to part ways. In two and-a-half seasons with Vancouver, Tocchet recorded a 108–65–27 record with one playoff appearance, reaching the second round in2024.[29] Foote, the assistant coach, was promoted to head coach on May 14.[30]
On May 5, 2025, four days after the Kings' first-round elimination from theplayoffs, Blake and the Kings mutually agreed to part ways. Blake had served as general manager since 2017, overseeing five playoff appearances, but never advancing past the first round.[31] Holland, who was most recently general manager of theEdmonton Oilers from 2019 to 2024, was named general manager on May 14.[32]
On April 22, 2025, five days after the conclusion of the Islanders' season, and with his contract expiring, the team announced that Lamoriello would not return as general manager. Lamoriello had served as general manager of the Islanders since 2018, overseeing five playoff berths, including two Eastern Conference finals appearances.[33] Darche, who had been an assistant general manager with theTampa Bay Lightning since 2022, was named general manager on May 23.[34]
On April 22, 2025, Francis was promoted to president of hockey operations. Botterill, an assistant general manager, who was previously general manager of theBuffalo Sabres from 2017 to 2020, was promoted to general manager the same day.[35]
Wells Fargo Center, the home of the Philadelphia Flyers, was renamed toXfinity Mobile Arena on August 14, 2025, under a new naming rights deal withXfinity, a subsidiary ofComcast (which owns the team and arena through itsSpectacor division).[37]
This is the final year on the original 30-year lease onKeyBank Center, the home of theBuffalo Sabres.Erie County, the entity responsible for the lease, announced it would not renew its lease once it expires, and the nominal owner, the city ofBuffalo, indicated an inability to afford keeping the arena open.[39][40] In a statement to the press, Sabres chief operating officer Pete Guelli insisted that the team did not intend to relocate.[citation needed] On July 30, 2025, it was announced by the Buffalo Sabres and KeyBank that the naming rights to KeyBank Center were extended through the 2035–36 season.[41]
The2026 All-Star Game was planned to be held in early February 2026, atUBS Arena inElmont, New York, the home of theNew York Islanders. The league intended to use the game as a "send-off" for the league's players participation at the2026 Games inMilan andCortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, with players who would have competed in both leaving directly from New York to Italy. This was scheduled to be the first time that the league participated in theOlympics since 2014, and it would have been the first time the All-Star Game was held in the same year as Olympic participation since2002.[44] However, the league announced on April 30, 2025, that the game had been canceled, with UBS Arena instead hosting an unspecified Olympic kickoff event.[45] By October 2025, the league decided to canceled the event altogether and postpone UBS Arena's turn to host the All-Star Game to 2027.[46]
Updated to game(s) played on October 24, 2025. Source: National Hockey League[47] Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
Updated to game(s) played on October 24, 2025. Source: National Hockey League[47] Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
Updated to game(s) played on October 24, 2025. Source: National Hockey League[48] Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
Updated to game(s) played on October 24, 2025. Source: National Hockey League[47] Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
Updated to game(s) played on October 24, 2025. Source: National Hockey League[47] Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
Updated to game(s) played on October 24, 2025. Source: National Hockey League[48] Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
The following goaltenders led the league in regular seasongoals against average at the completion of games played on October 21, 2025, while playing at least 175 minutes.[50]
TheBoston Bruins unveiled a new logo, permanently adopting the re-designed "spoked B" logo previously used in their2023–24 centennial season and 2024 centennial game. The team also introduced new uniforms, resembling jerseys worn by the Bruins in the 1980s and 1990s as well as the prior season's centennial game.[51]
TheCarolina Hurricanes revealed a new road jersey, based off the jersey the team wore during the2023 Stadium Series held atCarter-Finley Stadium. The logo is recolored in black and red, with theflag of North Carolina on the left shoulder, and a "strutting Stormy" mascot logo, based off of the vintage logos of the four "Tobacco Road" college teams in the area, on the right shoulder.[52]
TheChicago Blackhawks debuted a centennial edition uniform, which will temporarily replace their regular red home jerseys for the entire season. This uniform mostly resembles their current home jerseys, but added a lace-up collar and gold trim around the crest and back numbers, as well as the 100th anniversary patch on the right shoulder.[53]
TheDetroit Red Wings unveiled a centennial edition uniform, which they will wear for select home games. They feature inspirations from the previous incarnations of the team, the Detroit Cougars and the Detroit Falcons, as well as a chain-stitched crest featuring the original version of the team's "winged wheel" primary logo.[55]
TheEdmonton Oilers revealed a new third jersey to be worn seven times during the season. The light-tan uniform features an all-new "Oilers" wordmark as the crest and a new "Oil Country" shoulder patch, with a blue shoulder yoke and blue and orange striping.[56]
TheLos Angeles Kings debuted a new third jersey to be worn 16 times during the season. The jersey resembles the Kings' original 1967 uniforms, featuring the team's classic crown logo as the crest, but with a black base and silver striping replacing the original forum blue and gold.[57][58]
TheMinnesota Wild re-introduced their former white jerseys, worn from their2000–01 inaugural season through2012–13, as a 25th anniversary uniform, but with the formerly-tan striping and sleeve numbers now gold.[59]
TheNew York Rangers debuted a centennial edition uniform, which they will wear for select home games. They feature a lighter shade of blue compared to their regular jerseys and the diagonal "RANGERS" wordmark in white lettering, paying tribute to the uniforms worn by the team during theirinaugural 1926–27 season.[60]
ThePittsburgh Penguins unveiled a new third jersey featuring a yellow base with black striping and their skating-penguin crest without its usual triangle. The jersey features multiple design choices referencing the city of Pittsburgh itself, with the gold base evoking previous Penguins third jerseys.[62]
TheSan Jose Sharks re-introduced their former teal uniforms, previously worn from1998 to2007, as their "Heritage 2.0" 35th anniversary jersey.[63]
TheSeattle Kraken unveiled a new third jersey. The jersey is black, with sonar-inspired stripes on the sleeves and socks. The crest, stripes andMuckleshoot Tribe sponsor patch glow in the dark, referencingbioluminescence commonly found in deep sea creatures.[64]
TheSt. Louis Blues revealed a new logo and colors based on the "heritage" blue note used in the2017 and2022 Winter Classic games. The home uniforms resemble those worn in the 2017 game and utilized as an alternate jersey from 2018 to 2025, while the road uniforms resemble those worn in the 2022 game. The previous navy-accented blue home jersey were retained as alternates.[65]
TheUtah Mammoth debuted their first jersey set since rebranding from the Utah Hockey Club. The home jerseys have replaced the diagonal "UTAH" wordmark with the Mammoth primary logo crest and Utah state outline shoulder patches, while the road uniforms retain the wordmark in an overhauled font and feature the Mammoth logo on the shoulders.[66]
TheWashington Capitals revealed a new third jersey for the second consecutive season. The new red jersey, worn for 15 home games, features striping and a white yoke referencing the Capitals' original 1970s and 1980s uniforms, but with the "Screaming Eagle" crest andCapitol dome shoulder patches of the 1990s and early 2000s, as well as the previous season's 50th anniversary alternate.[67]
On June 28, 2025, the Ottawa Senators selectedBruno Idzan 181st overall in the sixth round of the2025 NHL entry draft, making him the firstCroatian selected in the NHL draft.[69]
On October 11, 2025, Colorado Avalanche defensemanBrent Burns played his 1,500th NHL game, becoming the 23rd player to reach the mark.[70]
On October 18, 2025, Toronto Maple Leafs forwardJohn Tavares became the fourth player to score 500 points with two different teams.[71]
On October 21, 2025, Edmonton Oilers forwardAdam Henrique played his1,000th NHL game, becoming the 409th player to reach the mark.[72]
This is the 12th and final season of the Canadian national broadcast rights deal withSportsnet, before a new 12-year contract begins in 2026–27.[73] The original deal expiring this 2025–26 season includes Sportsnet's sub-licensing agreements to air SaturdayHockey Night in Canada games onCBC Television, French-language broadcasts onTVA Sports,[74] and the final year ofAmazon Prime Video's two-year streaming deal.[75]
Linear television
SaturdayHockey Night in Canada games air on CBC, one or more of thefour Sportsnet feeds,Sportsnet One,Sportsnet 360, orCitytv. Decisions on network assignments are made on a week-by-week basis, and select games may simulcast on multiple networks.[76]
Sportsnet airsWednesday Night Hockey, the Winter Classic, Stadium Series, and All-Star Game.[74]
Sportsnet+ will stream games depending on tier, with national games available on the Standard level, out-of-market games on the Premium tier, and via authenticated streaming on participating teams.[78]
This is the fifth season of the league's seven-year U.S. national broadcast rights deals with theESPN family of networks andTNT Sports.[79] With changes to both networks' rights to theNBA (with ESPN having a reduced schedule underits new NBA contract, and TNT having lostits rights to that league entirely), as well as ESPN opting out of its currentMajor League Baseball contract after the 2025 season,[80][81] a total of 16 more national games will be on linear channels this season. ESPN will continue to produce 100 games, but three more will be on its linear channels versus being exclusively streamed. With 13 more games this season, TNT will hit the maximum 72 allowed per season in its contract for the first time.[80][82]
Linear television
ESPN will continue to have the opening day tripleheader, but their select games for the rest of the regular season will now be on any day of the week except Wednesdays, including a Sunday night doubleheader on April 5 (airing in place ofSunday Night Baseball).[81][83]ABC's schedule includesHockey Saturday on 10 select Saturdays between January and April. For the second consecutive season, the Stadium Series will be on ESPN instead of ABC. As per the rotation, ABC holds the rights to theStanley Cup Final this season.[84][83]
TNT will continue to air Wednesday night games throughout the regular season, the Thanksgiving Showdown, the Winter Classic, and select Sunday afternoon games in March and April.[85] With its loss of rights to the NBA, TNT will also air games on 14 selected Tuesdays (occupying what was theNBA on TNT's flagship window), a Thursday game on October 30, and a doubleheader onMartin Luther King Jr. Day (counterprogramming the NBA'straditional slate of games on that day).[80][81] Not all of TNT Sports' regular season games will be exclusive broadcasts and are thus subject toblackout in local markets.[82]
Streaming
All ESPN-produced games will be available on ESPN's newdirect-to-consumer streaming service.ESPN+ andHulu will also continue to have exclusive games on select days throughout the season, mostly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. ESPN+ also has theNHL Power Play on ESPN+ out-of-market package.[83]
HBO Max streams all TNT Sports-produced games.[82]
This is the third season of the league's six-year deal withSiriusXM andSiriusXM Canada to simulcast all 32 teams' local regular season and postseason broadcasts.[86]
The Tampa Bay Lightning announced an agreement withScripps Sports to replaceFanDuel Sports Network Sun as the team's local broadcast partner.WXPX-TV will serve as the flagship station for Lightning games.[87] A DTC streaming option will also be available.[88]
The New York Rangers promoted the radio broadcast team ofKenny Albert (play-by-play) andDave Maloney (color commentator) to replaceSam Rosen andJoe Micheletti in the television booth.Alex Faust and Dave Starman were then brought in to replace Albert and Maloney, with Faust serving as Albert's backup on television during the latter's national TV assignments.[91][92][93][94]
The New York Islanders fired long-time radio announcers Chris King and Greg Picker. King had served as the radio play-by-play man since the1998–99 season, with Picker becoming a radio analyst ahead of the2013–14 season. The Islanders later announced thatAlan Fuehring will take over on radio play-by-play withJosh Bailey as analyst. Additionally,Thomas Hickey will now serve as the primary television analyst withButch Goring moving to a backup role.[95][96]
Toronto Maple Leafs announcerJoe Bowen announced his impending retirement after the season. Bowen began calling Maple Leafs games in the1982–83 season mainly on radio, though he also called regional games on television from1989 to1995, and from1998 to2014.[97]
The New Jersey Devils hiredDon La Greca as its new television play-by-play announcer, replacingBill Spaulding. La Greca was previously the backup radio play-by-play announcer of the New York Rangers.[98]
The St. Louis Blues did not renew the contract of television play-by-play announcerJohn Kelly, ending his 20-year run with the team. The Blues then announced that they will employ a radio and TV simulcast of their games, withChris Kerber andJoe Vitale serving as game announcers, and TV color commentatorJamie Rivers returning to his previous role as studio analyst. The Blues joined the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, and Dallas Stars as the only teams to employ a radio and TV simulcast.[99]
The Los Angeles Kings will once again employ separate radio and TV broadcast crews, hiring former Blues announcer John Kelly as its new television play-by-play announcer to replaceNick Nickson. Additionally, the team brought inRay Ferraro,Tony Granato andJarret Stoll to rotate withJim Fox in the TV color analyst role, and Josh Schaefer will serve as Kelly's backup while also serving as the lead radio play-by-play announcer.[100][101] Kelly was also hired by ESPN to call select nationally televised NHL games for ESPN and ESPN+.[102]
On July 30, 2025, the NHL announced a global digital rights deal withDAZN, which will see its international streaming service NHL.tv move to DAZN as part of or as an add-on subscription in around 200 countries. The agreement succeeds an existing streaming partnership the NHL had withSportradar.[103][104]
For the eighth consecutive season, the NHL Saturday and NHL Sunday package of regular season games will air across selected European broadcasters.[105][106]
ESPN will additionally air its slate of games in Latin America, Brazil, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania and the Netherlands, and will air games throughDisney+ in select markets in Asia and Europe.[107]
Sky Sports will air selected games in the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and San Marino.[108]
