1 Player on Every NHL Team to Get Excited About Ahead of the 2026-27 Season

The NHL offseason ended last week when the 32 clubs opened their training camp. With the league's expanded 84-game schedule, the Sept. 29 puck drop for the 2026-27 regular season is only days away.

A new season always brings hope for players and fans of every club. Stanley Cup contenders believe that this is the year they win hockey's holy grail. Playoff contenders dream of taking the next step toward a championship, while rebuilding clubs try to break through as postseason teams.

Fans of every NHL team will look to one player to stoke their hopes for improvement. It could be an established superstar, a player with the potential to become an elite player, or a promising youngster.

Here's our take on one player on every NHL team to get excited about this season.

The rebuilding Anaheim Ducks made significant strides last season, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18 and upsetting the Edmonton Oilers in the first round. Left winger Cutter Gauthier led their offensive attack.

Gauthier is part of the Ducks' young core that includes playmaking center Leo Carlsson and sophomore winger Beckett Sennecke. He enjoyed a breakout sophomore season, leading the Ducks with 41 goals and 69 points in the regular season . He was also their postseason leader with 12 points.

At 6'2" and 205 pounds, the 21-year-old Gauthier is quickly becoming one of the NHL's top power forwards. He can also play center, doesn't shy away from physical play, and his hard, accurate shot could put him within range of 50 goals this season.

After missing the playoffs in 2024-25, the Boston Bruins rebounded last season with 100 points to earn a wild-card spot . David Pastrňák played a major role in the Bruins' bounce-back performance.

Pastrňák, 30, is among the league's elite scoring forwards. The Bruins right winger scored 100 points last season, finishing among the league's top-10 scorers . He also became the third player in Bruins history with at least four 100-point seasons.

The Bruins are hoping to build on last season's performance. With Pastrňák still in his prime, they have a good chance to do so. Few skaters can match his combination of shooting power, skating, and offensive instincts.

After 14 long seasons , the Buffalo Sabres finally ended their playoff drought last season. With established stars like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin and promising players like Josh Doan, Noah Östlund, Konsta Helenius, and Zach Benson, the Sabres are an emerging force in the Eastern Conference.

Of their young players, the 21-year-old Benson has emerged as one to watch. A pesky sparkplug winger, the 5'10", 178-pound left winger had 43 points in 65 games last season. He proved his worth in his first NHL postseason, finishing fourth among the Sabres playoff scorers with nine points in 13 games.

Benson's two-way skills and his energetic, agitating style earned him a seven-year contract with a $7.5 million AAV. A fan favorite in Buffalo, his production will continue to improve as he gains experience.

After barely missing the playoffs in 2024-25 , the Flames plunged toward the bottom of the standings last season. Management continued shipping out veterans as it pursued its rebuilding plan, putting faith in the youngsters they drafted or acquired through trades.

Matvei Gridin could be the youngster who brings some excitement to weary Flames fans. A 2024 first-round pick, the 20-year-old winger is a talented offensive forward with an accurate shot and strong playmaking skills. He's projected to be among the Flames' top-six forwards this season.

Called up by the Flames in January, the 6'1", 182-pound Gridin had 20 points in 37 games. If he builds on that promising effort this season, the Flames could have a budding offensive star on their hands.

Acquired from the Dallas Stars in last year's Mikko Rantanen trade, Logan Stankoven played a crucial role in the Carolina Hurricanes' march to the 2026 Stanley Cup. Centering the second line between wingers Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake, the 23-year-old led the Hurricanes with 11 postseason goals.

Stankoven and his linemates gave the Hurricanes an invaluable second-line scoring punch that had been missing in previous seasons. The 5'8", 165-pounder is a small but versatile forward, capable of playing center or wing. He proved that he could handle the wear and tear of playoff hockey.

Coming off a career-high 44-point performance, Stankoven should be more productive this season. His energetic, hard-working style and quick release will continue to make him difficult for opponents to contain.

With young superstar captain Connor Bedard sidelined to start the season, Chicago will look to Frank Nazar and rookie Anton Frondell to carry the load at center. This could give the 19-year-old Frondell a great opportunity to prove his worth early in his NHL career.

Chosen third overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, Frondell made his big-league debut late last season. He showed plenty of promise with nine points in 12 games, and could be up for the challenge of playing as their second-line center when this season begins.

The 6'1", 198-pound Frondell is a physical, competitive two-way forward with the versatility to play center or wing. He plays a style similar to Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov. If that ability shines through this season, he could become a serious contender for the Calder Memorial Trophy .

Led by center Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar, the Colorado Avalanche dominated the standings last season, finishing with a league-leading 121 points and their first Presidents' Trophy since 2020-21.

Makar has established himself as the league's top defenseman and a superstar in his own right, but MacKinnon remains the Avs most exciting player. The 31-year-old center reached the 100-point mark last season (127 points) for the fourth straight season, while his 53 goals earned him his first Maurice Richard Trophy .

Since 2022-23, only Edmonton's Connor McDavid and Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov have more total points than MacKinnon. He will remain a contender for the scoring title as the Avalanche attempt to bring the Stanley Cup back to Colorado for the first time since 2022.

For the second straight year, Zach Werenski was the Columbus Blue Jackets' best player. He led them in scoring with 81 points , one less than his team-leading (and career-best) 82-point performance in 2024-25. His efforts made him the first Blue Jackets defenseman to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy .

That award capped a difficult season for Werenski and his teammates. Their inconsistency cost them a playoff berth. In June, it was reported that the 29-year-old defenseman would welcome a trade. He was nearly shipped to the Dallas Stars, but insisted on staying to help the Blue Jackets win.

Despite the offseason turmoil, Werenski remains the Blue Jackets' top star and their best hope for ending their six-year playoff drought. An elite puck-moving defenseman in his prime, he will take on more of a leadership role this season.

After reaching the Western Conference Final in three straight years , the Stars were eliminated in the first round last season. To get back on track, they'll look to core players like Wyatt Johnston to lead the way.

Despite the Stars' early postseason exit, Johnston continued to blossom into a first-line center . The 23-year-old had his best season to date, finishing with a career-high 45 goals and 41 assists for 86 points to finish second among the Stars' leading scorers . He also had six points in as many playoff games.

The 6'1", 187-pound Johnston is a smart two-way player who has yet to reach his full potential. Signed through 2029-30 with an $8.5 million AAV, he will remain a crucial part of their lineup as they transition away from older Stars like Tyler Seguin and team captain Jamie Benn.

The Detroit Red Wings have endured inconsistency over the past three seasons, which stretched their playoff drought to 10 years. While that's resulted in front-office turmoil and uncertainty about the future of former captain Dylan Larkin, a bright spot remains star defenseman Moritz Seider.

Since being chosen sixth overall by the Red Wings in the 2019 NHL Draft, Seider has steadily developed into an elite all-around defenseman. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2021-22 and has become the anchor of the Red Wings' blue line.

Seider, 25, is a workhorse who logs big minutes in all situations. He had a league-leading 2104:39 of total time on ice per game last season and a career-high 60 points. The young German is entering his prime and remains crucial to the Wings' hopes of ending their long postseason drought.

Entering his 12th NHL season, Connor McDavid continues to outshine all current NHL superstars. He proved it again last season by leading the league with 90 assists and 138 points to earn the Art Ross Trophy for the sixth time, tying him for second all-time with Hall of Famers Mario Lemieux and Gordie Howe.

The 29-year-old McDavid also won the Ted Lindsay Award for the fifth time, tying him with Wayne Gretzky for first place in that category. In the prime of his career, the Edmonton Oilers captain could continue adding to his trophy case this season.

McDavid is still pursuing his first Stanley Cup to cement his legacy among the game's greatest players. Given that motivation, he should continue to dazzle NHL fans with his impressive offensive skills.

An injury-filled season resulted in the Florida Panthers missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018-19. They'll attempt to return to Stanley Cup contender status this season with a healthier roster, buoyed by the addition of winger Brady Tkachuk.

The 26-year-old Tkachuk was acquired from the Ottawa Senators in June, joining his older brother Matthew on the same NHL team for the first time. They won't be on the same line to start the season, but it's only a matter of time before they do.

A pugnacious power forward, Tkachuk should fit in well with the Panthers' aggressive physical style. He'll also bring a welcome shot of youth, energy, and scoring to their talented but aging roster.

The retirement of long-time Los Angeles Kings first-line center Anze Kopitar leaves a big hole on their forward lines. It provides Quinton Byfield with a big opportunity to establish himself in that role .

Chosen second overall by the Kings in the 2020 NHL Draft, all eyes will be on the 24-year-old Byfield. A big power forward who can play center or wing, the 6'5", 230-pounder has had three seasons with 20-plus goals and between 49 and 55 points, but Kings fans await his big breakout season.

Byfield will get that chance this season. With his big frame, puck-handling ability, and two-way skills, he has the physical tools to become a dominant center. This could be the year he finally puts it all together.

This season will be Quinn Hughes' first full campaign with the Minnesota Wild since being acquired from the Vancouver Canucks last December. His addition last season helped the Wild reach their fourth-best regular season (104 points) and win their first playoff round since 2015.

An elite puck-moving defenseman, Hughes won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2023-24. Given his impressive offensive skills, he could add a second Norris Trophy to his mantle. He and Brock Faber give the Wild one of the league's best defensive pairings .

Hughes' eligibility for unrestricted free-agent status next July has raised uncertainty about his future in Minnesota. Nevertheless, his play this season could turn the Wild into a true Stanley Cup contender.

Four years after finishing last in the NHL standings, the Montreal Canadiens reached the Eastern Conference Final last season. Promising winger Ivan Demidov played a key role in his club's impressive improvement.

A creative puck-handling winger with terrific vision and hockey smarts, the 20-year-old Demidov led all rookies with 63 points last season, finishing as runner-up for the Calder Memorial Trophy . He will continue to play a significant role for the Canadiens during his sophomore campaign.

The Canadiens have a bevy of young stars like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, and Juraj Slafkovsky. However, Demidov could be the best natural talent of the bunch. He's only scratched the surface of his potential.

The Nashville Predators are under new management for the second time in three years, as former Colorado Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland took over the role in June. He has been retooling the roster, focusing on promising players like Matthew Wood.

Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, and Steven Stamkos are well-known veterans, but Wood is part of the Predators' next generation of potential stars. The 21-year-old is coming off a promising 17-goal, 30-point rookie campaign. He could see more playing time since winger Luke Evangelista was traded to New Jersey.

At 6'4" and 202 pounds, Wood is a big power forward who could blossom into a dangerous scoring winger for the Predators. He's a pure goal scorer with a quick release who uses his size and reach to generate scoring chances.

Injuries continued to plague Jack Hughes last season, which contributed to the New Jersey Devils missing the playoffs. The talented 25-year-old center appeared in 61 games but still led his club with 77 points.

Hughes is a game-changing franchise player with outstanding offensive skills. He's already proven his capabilities when healthy. In 2022-23, he set the Devils' single-season franchise record with 99 points while leading his club to a franchise-record 112-point campaign.

A healthy Hughes could lead the Devils back into playoff contention this season. He's entering his prime and could break his own franchise points record.

Chosen first overall by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL Draft, Matthew Schaefer wasted little time establishing himself as a superstar. Skating on the top defense pairing, he finished with 23 goals and 59 points 82 games.

It was an astounding rookie performance, making Schaefer the youngest player to win the Calder Memorial Trophy. He also became the first to win by unanimous vote since Hall of Fame winger Teemu Selanne in 1992-93.

A highly skilled puck-moving defenseman, Schaefer is the foundation piece for the retooling Islanders. The 6'2", 186-pounder has the potential to become as great a defenseman as Islanders Hall of Famer Denis Potvin.

Despite the New York Rangers' poor performance last season, Igor Shesterkin reminded everyone he remains among the NHL's best goalies regardless of the team in front of him. The 30-year-old goalie finished among the league leaders with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage.

In his seven NHL seasons, Shesterkin has been the one constant for the Rangers, who've gone from winning the Presidents' Trophy in 2023-24 to finishing near the bottom of the standings two years later. His consistency and clutch play has put him among the league's top goalies.

Winner of the Vezina Trophy in 2021-22, Shesterkin will be relied on to provide the retooling Rangers with the steady netminding necessary to return to playoff contention. With an improved roster in front of him this season, he'll give the Blueshirts a chance to win every game he starts.

The Ottawa Senators head into this season trying to put the offseason departure of former captain Brady Tkachuk behind them. They'll look to core players such as Tim Stützle to lead the way as they attempt to remain among the Eastern Conference playoff contenders.

A talented, swift-skating playmaking center, Stützle has been a star for the Senators since his rookie season in 2020-21. His 83 points last season led the Senators , marking the third time in four seasons he's held that honor.

Now 24, Stützle is approaching his prime. He will be expected to fill the leadership void. With his impressive offensive skills, he could be poised for a career-best performance this season.

Joining the Philadelphia Flyers late last season, Porter Martone had an immediate impact. He tallied 10 points in nine games, helping the rebuilding Flyers reach the playoffs, and finished second among their playoff scorers with five points in 10 postseason contests.

A big, strong power forward, Martone was chosen sixth overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. The 6'3", 210-pound winger quickly adapted to the NHL pace after only one season at Michigan State University.

Martone's size, offensive skills, and hockey smarts provided the Flyers a welcome boost of late-season energy and scoring. He must now prove he can handle the pace over a full NHL season as a first-line winger . If he performs as expected, he will be a contender for the Calder Memorial Trophy.

Now in his 22nd NHL season, Sidney Crosby is in his 20th season as captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, making him the longest-serving captain in NHL history . It's another of the many accomplishments of the 39-year-old superstar.

Despite his age, Crosby remains among the NHL's most respected elite players. His leadership and all-around play factored into the retooling Penguins exceeding expectations and reaching the playoffs last season. Despite missing 14 games to a knee injury, he led the Penguins with 74 points in 68 games.

The Penguins hope Crosby will defy Father Time once again as they attempt to build on last season's performance. If he avoids injury, he could reach 90 points this season. That would vault him over Hall of Famers Marcel Dionne, Ron Francis, and Gordie Howe into fourth on the all-time points list .

In his second NHL season, Macklin Celebrini became a superstar. At only 19 in 2025-26, the San Jose Sharks' center finished fourth among the league's scoring leaders with 115 points, breaking Joe Thornton's single-season franchise record .

Many promising youngsters have been tabbed with the label of franchise player, but few have been as dazzling in such a short a period as Celebrini. A smart two-way play-making center who excels in big-game situations, he kept the rebuilding Sharks within playoff contention for most of last season.

Celebrini will be expected to lead the young Sharks into the playoffs. The gifted young center has set a high bar for himself, but based on what we've seen thus far, he shouldn't have much difficulty clearing it.

Acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline, Bobby McMann tallied 10 goals and 14 points in 18 games, providing the Seattle Kraken with a jolt of late-season energy. It wasn't enough to get them into the playoffs, but it holds the promise of what he could do for them over a full season.

McMann, 30, is a late-blooming scoring winger. The 6'2", 217-pounder tallied 20 goals with the Maple Leafs in 2024-25 and 29 goals between the Leafs and Kraken last season, earning himself a six-year contract extension .

That deal puts pressure on McMann to deliver on his scoring potential. With his size, speed, and work ethic, he could give the low-scoring Kraken a welcome offensive boost.

Last season was difficult for Robert Thomas. The St. Louis Blues center was plagued by injuries and was the subject of trade speculation. Nevertheless, he finished as their leading scorer , with 64 points in as many games.

Thomas indicated that he was never approached by management about waiving his no-trade clause. On Sept. 2, they gave him a vote of confidence by naming him team captain . With good health and the trade rumors behind him, the talented two-way center could have a strong bounce-back season.

The 27-year-old Thomas will once again center the first line between wingers Dylan Holloway and Jimmy Snuggerud. They should provide the Blues with a lethal scoring punch, giving them a shot at reaching the playoffs this season.

This season could be a crossroads for Nikita Kucherov and the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 33-year-old winger is in the final season of his contract and eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July. The longer he goes without an extension, the more speculation there is about his future in Tampa Bay.

Kucherov is among this generation's greatest stars, sitting third in total points since 2015-16 with 1,041. He won the Hart Memorial Trophy for the second time last season and is a three-time Art Ross Trophy winner. Kucherov also played a big role in the Lightning's 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cup championships.

Coming off a team-leading 130-point performance , Kucherov remains the Lightning's offensive linchpin. Another high-scoring season will keep his club among the Eastern Conference's top teams. It will also improve his chances of a lucrative new deal with the Lightning or another team next summer.

The top prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft class , Gavin McKenna was chosen first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Only 18-years-old, the young left winger is expected to play a significant role in the Maple Leafs' efforts to rebound from a disappointing 2025-26 season.

McKenna was a high-scoring forward with the Western Hockey League's Medicine Hat Tigers before signing last season with Penn State University. It didn't take long for the youngster to adjust to NCAA hockey, tying for fifth among US college scorers with 51 points in 35 games.

Projected as a highly skilled playmaking winger, McKenna could get some playing time alongside team captain Auston Matthews. If he adjusts well to the NHL pace, he could be on the path to becoming the Maple Leafs' next great star.

The Utah Mammoth are among the NHL's most promising teams. After several seasons of rebuilding, they clinched a playoff berth last season, throwing a scare into the Vegas Golden Knights in the opening round of the playoffs before falling in six games.

Dylan Guenther played a major role in the Mammoth's improvement in 2025-26. In his fourth NHL season, the 23-year-old winger enjoyed a breakout performance with a career-high, team-leading 40 goals . He also finished third among Mammoth scorers with 73 points.

Guenther is a smart, hard-working winger with terrific offensive abilities. Paired with rising star center Logan Cooley, he could reach 50 goals this season. He'll remain an invaluable core forward for the Mammoth.

On Dec. 12, the Vancouver Canucks traded superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. Rookie blueliner Zeev Buium was one of the promising young players the Canucks received in the deal.

Buium finished the season with six goals and 26 points in 76 games. The 6'0", 183-pound puck-moving blueliner displayed plenty of potential as a future No. 1 defenseman with his strong skating, offensive instincts, and high hockey IQ.

Canucks management believes Buium is a star in the making and signed him to an eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $9.35 million. Given his impressive skills, he could soon make Canucks fans forget about the departed Hughes.

Last season was Mitch Marner's first with the Vega Golden Knights following nine tumultuous years with the Toronto Maple Leafs. His production dropped from a career-high 102 points in 2024-25 with the Maple Leafs to 80 points in 81 games with the Golden Knights.

However, Marner's production exploded during the Golden Knights' run to the Stanley Cup Final, leading all playoff scorers with 29 points. That performance silenced critics of his postseason record from his time in Toronto.

A creative playmaker with strong two-way abilities, the 29-year-old Marner is in the prime of his career. Now comfortably settled in Las Vegas, he could return to his 100-point form this season.

The Alex Ovechkin era will soon end for the Washington Capitals. As the 41-year-old superstar winds down his career, the Capitals made offseason additions such as wingers Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou and center Boone Jenner.

However, promising young players like 21-year-old Ryan Leonard could have the biggest impact for the Capitals. A physical, high-energy power forward, Leonard had a solid rookie campaign last season with 20 goals and 45 points.

Capitals management liked what they saw and signed Leonard to an eight-year extension worth an average annual value of $10.5 million. That new deal will pressure Leonard to meet heightened expectations, but he seems up to the challenge.

After winning the Presidents' Trophy in 2024-25, the Winnipeg Jets tumbled out of playoff contention last season. Among the few bright spots was the play of Mark Scheifele, who led the Jets with a career-high franchise record of 103 points.

Drafted by the Jets in 2011, Scheifele is their franchise leader with 961 games played, 372 goals, and 907 points. The 6'3", 207-pounder is a big, physical center with strong offensive skills. Now 33, he shows no signs of slowing down.

The Jets enter this season facing the prospect of trading superstar goalie Connor Hellebuyck. Scheifele cannot replace Hellebuyck's goaltending, but he will be expected to provide offense and leadership as the Jets try to bounce back.

Stats and award info via NHL.com . Contract and line combination info via PuckPedia .