The 2026-27 NHL season opens Tuesday with an expanded 84-game schedule, and the race for the Stanley Cup in 2027 begins immediately. While parity remains the league’s hallmark, five teams emerge as the most serious contenders, according to NHL staff projections.
The Montréal Canadiens represent the best chance to end Canada’s 33-year Cup drought. After finishing last in 2022-23, they climbed to sixth in 2025-26 with 106 points and advanced to the Eastern Conference Final. This season marks a full shift from rebuilding to championship contention. Stars such as Nick Suzuki—a Selke Trophy winner—Cole Caufield, who scored 51 goals last year, and rising talents Lane Hutson, Juraj Slafkovský, and Ivan Demidov form a core built for sustained success.
Goaltender Jakub Dobeš, who delivered in the playoffs last spring, could challenge for the Vezina Trophy if he extends his strong play. The defense, led by Noah Dobson and Mike Matheson, provides stability, while Chris Kreider offers veteran forward leadership. Under head coach Martin St. Louis and general manager Kent Hughes, Montréal’s front office has structured the roster to compete at the highest level.
The Carolina Hurricanes, last year’s champions, enter as the favorites to repeat. Their defensive system remains the league’s most effective, even without a single superstar. The roster features depth across the board, with key players like Jaccob Slavin returning. The team holds $8.5 million in cap space, allowing flexibility in free agency, and controls a surplus of draft picks, including an extra 2028 first-rounder from the Rantanen trade.
With Connor Hellebuyck in net and a clear divisional advantage over weaker Metropolitan rivals such as the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers, Carolina’s path to another Cup Final is the most straightforward in the East. The Hurricanes’ roster construction balances continuity with strategic upgrades. While the departure of goaltender Freddie Andersen to Edmonton creates an opening, Hellebuyck remains a reliable starter, and backup Pyotr Kochetkov has proven capable in playoff spots. The blue line, anchored by Slavin and K’Andre Miller, could see reinforcements if the team targets a high-upside defenseman in free agency.
The Edmonton Oilers possess the talent to finally break through. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl lead a roster stacked with elite players, and under coach Mike Babcock, the team’s focus on detail could pay off. After decades without a Cup, Edmonton’s combination of firepower and experience makes them a realistic contender. The development of young defenders like Evan Bouchard provides stability on the blue line. Unlike other contenders, Edmonton does not rely on depth, McDavid and Draisaitl alone can carry a team, but the Oilers’ ability to perform in critical moments will determine whether they end their 37-year Cup drought.
