By Tassos Kirkos

As we continue our trudge through the NHL offseason and we are mired in the age-old struggle of coming up with content to produce when there is no hockey being played, I’ve decided to try my hand in blog-writing as others in the CHR world have recently done too.

So whether you are on the beach, grilling in the backyard, watching CHR Summer Videos, or getting caught up in a great MLB season (how ‘bout them Jays), I sincerely hope you are all enjoying summer and a bit of a break from hockey.

We can’t wait to bring CHR back on September 8th. The energy we all have in the studio is exciting and we have a bunch of fun in store for you all.

With all that being said, here are two sentences on every NHL team as we head into the 2025-26 NHL season:

Anaheim Ducks: They got older and slower with an eye on a playoff spot. Sorting out the Mason McTavish situations, a big step from Leo Carlsson, and a full season as a starter for Lukas Dostal could push them their.

Boston Bruins: It feels like more steps back will be needed before any steps forward. Can Jeremy Swayman have a bounce-back?

Buffalo Sabres: Blow it up. Sell the team.

Credit: Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Calgary Flames: Dustin Wolf is arguably the most entertaining young goalie in the NHL. Does a hot start from Zayne Parekh make a Rasmus Andersson move more likely?

Carolina Hurricanes: More of the same, success that won’t end in triumph. I can’t believe Ehlers is the needle mover that was needed in the “star” category.

Chicago Blackhawks: A full season of Artyom Levshunov is going to be my sneaky pick for the Calder Trophy - though overshadowed potentially by Calder-candidate teammate Sam Rinzel. Spencer Knight will get his first full NHL season with the starter’s reins, time to see if he will take it and run.

Colorado Avalanche: One of the NHL’s elite that I have pegged to take a step backward. More from their depth will be needed if they want to be a true Stanley Cup contender.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Feel good story from last year in the wake of tragedy. Would love to see a playoff berth for this group along with the continued emergence from players like Fantilli, Voronkov, Chinakov, Marchenko, and Werenski.

Dallas Stars: Trading away Jason Robertson seems like an enormous mistake waiting to happen. This has to be the biggest go-for-it year for this group that has all the tools to win the Cup - go win it for Jamie Benn.

Detroit Red Wings: Though many are growing weary of the Yzerplan - I will note that many of their draft picks have not yet reached their full potential in the NHL, so there is more room for growth. The issue for me lies in wasted roster spots, especially on the back-end, and suspect goaltending.

Edmonton Oilers: A Connor McDavid extension will loom over this team like a dark cloud until pen hits paper. I don’t feel they have the horses right now for another trip to the Final, not that it matters until the Captain is signed.

Florida Panthers: Time to go for the three-peat (even if Matthew Tkachuk is losing his speed year-over-year at the highest rate in the NHL). I’m excited to watch hockey grow in South Florida in the coming years as a result of the Panthers success.

Los Angeles Kings: Quinton Byfield is the player I am rooting for the most this year to take a big leap in his development. Seeing Corey Perry in a Kings sweater will be weird - see you in Round 1, Oilers fans.

Minnesota Wild: What will the Kaprizov contract look like (my guess: around $15 million AAV) and will it be the biggest contract in the NHL, even bigger than #97’s number? One of my favorite current teams to watch in the NHL.

Montreal Canadiens: Can the goaltending hold up enough for a return to the playoffs? Ivan Demidov looks ready to challenge for the Calder Trophy this year.

Nashville Predators: Gavin McKenna contender to the highest degree. Not much to like about this team, especially with the concerns surrounding the health of Roman Josi.

New Jersey Devils: The health of Jack Hughes will determine if this team is a contender or pretender this year. The contract for Luke Hughes will also be a distraction for the team until it gets signed (my suggestion: 3 year bridge deal $5 million AAV).

New York Islanders: I really want to see Matthew Schaefer in the NHL this season, even if he didn’t play many games last year. If he does make the team, could older defensemen like Mayfield or Adam Pelech be available for the right price in the name of getting younger?

New York Rangers: How much of the stunted development of Alexis Lafreniere will impact the long-term outlook of this franchise. If they make the playoffs, it will be because Igor Shesterkin dragged them there.

Ottawa Senators: This team got a taste of the playoffs for the first time. Does that come with a renewed sense of urgency at the start of the season to make it back there?

Philadelphia Flyers: I don’t envision much of a sophomore slump from Matvei Michkov, especially if he is playing alongside Trevor Zegras. The issue with the Flyers, as it has always been in Philadelphia, is who is between the pipes.

Pittsburgh Penguins: “Welcome to Pittsburgh, Gavin McKenna” - Sidney Crosby

At least Penn State isn’t too far of a drive away…

San Jose Sharks: The forward core fast and skilled, but none of the defense prospects have successfully made the jump yet to the League. Will Sam Dickinson be a San Jose Shark or a London Knight this year?

Seattle Kraken: This team needs an identity more than any other in the NHL. If Matty Beniers and Shane Wright can establish themselves as premier 1C and 2C, then an identity will start to form.

St. Louis Blues: The amount of noise surrounding Jordan Kyrou has always confused me. What does Jordan Binnington look like in a year he is poised to be the Olympic starting goalie for Team Canada?

Tampa Bay Lightning: Still feels weird not having Steven Stamkos as a part of this core. Regression from Victor Hedman with not much in the way of blue-chip defense prospects in the pipeline worries me.

Utah Mammoth: One of the most intriguing teams going into this new hockey year, headlined with the addition of JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres. A fresh new logo, an owner that wants to win and make his mark in the market, and some very exciting young pieces = UTAH MAMMOTH WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS!!

Vancouver Canucks: This team is too thin to have much of a better 2025-26 than 2024-25. The Quinn Hughes Exit Strategy will be must-watch television.

Vegas Golden Knights: Mitch Marner elevates a loaded offensive group. Losing Alex Pietrangelo for what appears to be the rest of his career really hurts, especially when you include trading Nic Hague to the Predators.

Washington Capitals: This could be the NHL swan song for The Great 8. Spencer Carberry is my favorite coach in the NHL, but I do see some regular season regression ahead for the Caps (also, how about Niklas Backstrom ripping it up for Brynas).

Winnipeg Jets: What will Connor Hellebuyck look like come playoff time? His performance will be the biggest “doesn’t matter what you do in the regular season, it is all about playoffs” of any player in the NHL.

Two Sentences on Every NHL Team on August 19th

Kaprizov Ink’s Richest Deal in NHL History. McDavid Contract Influenced?

Reminder to Blackhawks Fans: Practice Patience With This Methodical Rebuild