Central remains toughest division in league

With NHL training camps set to open in just over five weeks’ time, the Central Division still looks like one of the toughest places to earn a playoff spot in the league.

With three of the top seven teams in the NHL standings last season residing within it — including the Presidents’ Trophy winning Colorado Avalanche (121 points) — it’s clear that the most likely path back to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the Winnipeg Jets is by earning one of the two wild-card berths available in the Western Conference.

And since a couple of teams in the Pacific Division are on the rise, including the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks (who missed the playoffs by four points in Macklin Celebrini’s second NHL season), it’s likely going to take north of 90 or 92 points to punch a post-season ticket.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the moves that were made in the Central, realizing there are a few questions left unanswered for the Jets and the seven other clubs:

Winnipeg Jets

2025-26 record: 35-35-12, 82 points, seventh in Central Division

Projected cap space: US$4.482 million

New faces: G Stuart Skinner, D Mario Ferraro, D Jack St. Ivany, C Viggo Bjorck, F Noah Gregor.

The big question: What will happen with goalie Connor Hellebuyck — will he stay or will he go?

The crystal ball says: Until another team steps up with a significant offer, the three-time Vezina Trophy winner is the starting goalie for the Jets. Coupled with the addition of Skinner, the Jets have the makings of featuring the best one-two punch between the pipes in the NHL. With an improved defence corps and some bounce-back performances both up front and on the back end, this is a group that has the potential to be in the mix to be in the top-8 in the West.

Colorado Avalanche

2025-26 record: 55-16-11, 121 points

Projected cap space: US$404,159

New faces: F Fabian Lysell, LW Jaden Schwartz, F Fedor Svechkov, F Vinnie Hinostroza, D Noah Juulsen

The big question: How will the Avalanche respond to losing in the third round?

The crystal ball says: For a good chunk of last season, the Avalanche looked like a sure bet to come out of the West and push for a second Stanley Cup title since 2022. The injury to Cale Makar was costly and Nathan MacKinnon didn’t get enough offensive help. But Colorado remains one of the top Cup contenders.

Dallas Stars

2025-26 record: 50-20-12, 112 points

Projected cap space: (minus) US$1.360 million

New faces: D Kyle Burroughs, F Joel Kiviranta

The big question: What does a one-year deal mean for the future of left-winger Jason Robertson?

The crystal ball says: Robertson vetoed a trade to the Seattle Kraken that would have included an eight-year extension worth a reported US$15 million average annual value (AAV), so can the Stars find a way to extend him before the NHL trade deadline? If not, general manager Jim Nill will either use Robertson as a self rental or look to move him in a blockbuster that will be similar to the one that brought Mikko Rantanen to Dallas in 2025.

Minnesota Wild

2025-26 record: 46-24-12, 104 points,

Projected cap space: US$1.153 million

New faces: G Calvin Pickard, LW Blake Coleman, F Maxim Shabanov, F Justin Kirkland, D Olli Maatta

The big question: Can Bill Guerin convince Quinn Hughes to stick around?

The crystal ball says: Guerin made a massive swing to add the slick blue-liner in a blockbuster deal and he rewarded the Wild GM by helping the team advance past the first round for the first time since 2014. But he’s only got one year left on his current contract and is looking for a massive payday that could be in the range of what Kirill Kaprizov got in an extension that kicks in this fall (US$17 million AAV). The expectation is that Hughes will sign a three-year pact, but the Wild would love a longer commitment.

Utah Mammoth

2025-26 record: 43-33-6, 92 points

Projected cap space: US$4.585 million

New faces: C Vincent Trocheck, LW Anders Lee, D Andrew Peeke, D Zac Jones, G Sebastian Cossa

The big question: Can the Mammoth take the next step?

The crystal ball says: Getting into the playoffs was the first step for this young core and they put their speed and skill on display in the opening round before the Golden Knights found a way to slow them down. They’ve got strong goaltending with Karel Vejmelka and a group that is hungry to show they’re just getting started. GM Bill Armstrong added experience with Trocheck, Lee and Peeke, plus they’ve got several skilled forward prospects like pushing for regular work. The Mammoth have the makings of being a 100-point team.

St. Louis Blues

2025-26 record: 37-33-12, 86 points

Projected cap space: US$4.369 million

New faces: C Mason McTavish, F Connor McMichael, F Ross Johnston, D Brandon Carlo

The big question: What will new GM Alex Steen do next?

The crystal ball says: By making two picks in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft and acquiring centre Mason McTavish from the Ducks, the Blues have already made moves for both the present and the future. But goalie Jordan Binnington — who backstopped his team to the Stanley Cup in 2019 — is on an expiring contract and has been passed on the depth chart by Winnipegger Joel Hofer, so he’s someone who could be on the move between now and the NHL trade deadline.

Nashville Predators

2025-26 record: 38-34-10, 86 points

Projected cap space: US$7.67 million

New faces: RW Mavrik Bourque, C Jack Drury, C Ross Colton, LW Nils Hoglander, F Alex Kerfoot, F Vitali Pinchuk, C Adam Edstrom, D Ilya Lyubushkin, D Jack Ahcan

The big question: Where will Chris MacFarland make his biggest impact?

The crystal ball says: It’s rare to see a GM slide over to a team within the same division before his contract expires, but the Avalanche gave permission for MacFarland to take a promotion in Music City as GM and president of hockey operations, taking over the big chair from Barry Trotz. MacFarland has already upgraded the forward group and you can be sure more moves will be on the horizon to bolster the roster.

Chicago Blackhawks

2025-26 record: 29-39-14, 72 points

Projected cap space: US$2.827 million

New faces: D Bowen Byram, D Ian Cole, RW Patrick Kane, LW Cole Smith, LW Jordan Greenway, F Jack Pridham, F Roman Kantserov

The big question: Who will pick up the slack offensively as Connor Bedard gets healthy?

The crystal ball says: The good news was that the face of the franchise signed a five-year extension with an AAV of US$15 million, but Bedard suffered a shoulder injury during the off-season and will be on the shelf to start the campaign. Having Anton Frondell for the season should help and there’s no doubt Bowen Byram gives Chicago a bona fide No. 1 D-man that can run the top power play. But it’s hard to envision a playoff berth is in the cards.

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