NHL Power Rankings: Best Teams in the NHL Today

The best teams in the NHL today entering the 2026–27 season are the Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. Colorado earns the No. 1 position because it combines the league’s top projected offense with the No. 2 defense. Carolina is nearly identical on paper, while Tampa Bay and Florida round out the first tier with championship-level star power at both ends.

These 2026–27 NHL power rankings are a projection, not a ranking of completed 2026–27 results. The starting point is the average of SOG Sports’ separate offense and defense rankings. The final order also considers goaltending, playoff translation, star ceiling, depth, health, coaching and the size of each team’s offseason changes.

For the two underlying lists, see the best NHL offenses entering 2026–27 and the best NHL defenses entering 2026–27.

Quick Answer: Who Is the Best Team in the NHL?

The Colorado Avalanche are projected to be the best team in the NHL entering 2026–27. The Carolina Hurricanes rank second, the Tampa Bay Lightning third, the Florida Panthers fourth and the Dallas Stars fifth.

How the NHL Power Rankings Were Built

The base score is the average of each team’s projected offense rank and defense rank:

Combined average = (offense rank + defense rank) ÷ 2.

A lower average is better. Colorado and Carolina both produce a 1.5 average, while Tampa Bay follows at 4.0. The method prevents one elite unit from completely hiding a major weakness. Edmonton’s No. 3 offense, for example, is pulled down by its No. 23 defense.

The calculated average establishes the initial order. Tie-breakers then consider goaltending, five-on-five sustainability, playoff translation, health, depth, coaching stability and whether a roster is integrating major changes.

Why a Simple Average Is Not Enough

Offense and defense do not contribute to winning in perfectly identical ways. Elite goaltending can raise a team’s playoff ceiling beyond its regular-season defensive rank, while a top-heavy offense may become easier to contain in a seven-game series.

The average also creates exact ties. Colorado and Carolina both score 1.5. Boston and Philadelphia both score 17.0. Utah and Toronto both score 18.5. Columbus and St. Louis both score 19.5.

Those ties require an editorial decision. Colorado receives the top spot because its star-driven offense creates the higher single-game ceiling. Boston ranks above Philadelphia because its profile is more balanced. Utah ranks above Toronto because it carries fewer extreme weaknesses, while Columbus receives the edge over St. Louis because its young core offers the stronger growth path.

Tier 1: Stanley Cup Favorites

Tier 1 contains the four teams with the clearest championship path because they combine top-end talent, reliable five-on-five play and enough defensive strength to survive difficult playoff matchups.

Tier 1 of the 2026–27 NHL power rankings, featuring Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers.

#1 Colorado Avalanche

Power-ranking case: Colorado combines the No. 1 projected offense with the No. 2 projected defense, giving it the league’s best complete profile.

Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar can take over games in different ways, while the Avalanche defend through skating, retrievals and long stretches of possession. Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood give the roster enough stability in goal. Carolina is almost inseparable on paper, but Colorado receives the top spot because its star-driven offensive ceiling is slightly higher.

#2 Carolina Hurricanes

Power-ranking case: Carolina owns the No. 1 projected defense and No. 2 offense after a championship season built on forechecking, depth and five-man pressure.

Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Andrei Svechnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers give the Hurricanes enough skill to finish the possessions their system creates. The departure of Frederik Andersen adds uncertainty in goal, but Carolina’s structure consistently lowers the burden on its goaltenders. No team has a stronger regular-season floor.

#3 Tampa Bay Lightning

Power-ranking case: Tampa Bay ranks inside the top five on offense and top three on defense, which is the profile of a genuine Stanley Cup favorite.

Nikita Kucherov still organizes an elite attack around Brayden Point, Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Victor Hedman and John Carlson give the Lightning a veteran defensive spine that can control a playoff series. Age is the primary concern, but the best version of this roster can beat anyone.

#4 Florida Panthers

Power-ranking case: Florida’s healthy lineup has championship-level talent on both sides of the puck, even after a difficult 2025–26 season.

Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart create a brutal mix of skill, pressure and interior scoring. The move from Sergei Bobrovsky to Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid introduces uncertainty in goal. Florida sits fourth because the ceiling belongs in Tier 1, while the health and goaltending floor remain less certain than the top three.

Tier 2: True Contenders

Tier 2 teams can win the Stanley Cup, but each carries a more visible weakness involving secondary scoring, age, health, goaltending or roster transition.

Tier 2 of the 2026–27 NHL power rankings, featuring Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights, Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils.

#5 Dallas Stars

Power-ranking case: Dallas ranks fourth defensively and eighth offensively, producing one of the league’s most balanced contender profiles.

Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen give the Stars several ways to generate offense. Miro Heiskanen and Jake Oettinger anchor the defensive side. Dallas does not have the same obvious weakness as many teams below it, but it must become more direct when opponents protect the middle in playoff games.

#6 Vegas Golden Knights

Power-ranking case: Vegas pairs a top-five defense with enough high-end offense to remain a serious contender.

Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner can control entries and manipulate coverage, while the veteran blue line protects the slot and manages difficult game states. The concern is secondary finishing after Pavel Dorofeyev’s departure and a less settled goaltending picture. Vegas remains dangerous because its best players fit playoff hockey.

#7 Washington Capitals

Power-ranking case: Washington’s No. 7 offense and No. 11 defense create a strong regular-season profile with fewer obvious weak links than most teams outside the top six.

The Capitals can score in several ways and still protect leads through veteran awareness and structure. Replacing John Carlson’s puck movement and difficult minutes is the biggest challenge. Washington’s age curve lowers the long-term ceiling, but its depth and balance make another strong season realistic.

#8 New Jersey Devils

Power-ranking case: New Jersey’s No. 6 offense gives it elite upside, but the No. 13 defense and a new goaltending setup keep the Devils at the bottom of Tier 2.

Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt can overwhelm opponents with speed when healthy. Anthony Mantha, Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist improve the forward depth. The Devils rise into the top five if the blue line protects the middle and the goaltending transition is smoother than expected.

Tier 3: Strong Playoff Teams

Tier 3 contains teams that should expect to compete for the playoffs and can win a round, but their offense-defense balance is less complete than the top eight.

Tier 3 of the NHL power rankings prediction, featuring the Wild, Kings, Oilers, Rangers, and Canadiens.

#9 Minnesota Wild

Power-ranking case: Minnesota is the first team outside the contender tiers because its No. 9 defense and No. 12 offense form a strong, balanced base.

Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek lead the scoring, while Quinn Hughes changes the team’s exits and transition game from the back end. The Wild’s best five-man unit can compete with anyone. Forward depth and Filip Gustavsson’s recovery create enough uncertainty to keep Minnesota ninth.

#10 Los Angeles Kings

Power-ranking case: Los Angeles ranks 10th defensively and 13th offensively, giving it a credible playoff floor without a clear championship-level strength.

Adrian Kempe, Kevin Fiala and Quinton Byfield provide the offensive core, while the team’s neutral-zone structure limits rush chances. Peter Laviolette must preserve that defensive identity while helping the Kings play with more pace. The roster is good enough to win a round, but it still needs another gear.

#11 Edmonton Oilers

Power-ranking case: Edmonton has the No. 3 projected offense but only the No. 23 defense, creating the widest split among the top teams.

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can drag the Oilers through any regular-season stretch or playoff series. Frederik Andersen, Mike Babcock and a reshaped blue line could stabilize the other end, but several changes must work at once. Edmonton ranks 11th because its ceiling is much higher than its defensive floor.

#12 New York Rangers

Power-ranking case: The Rangers are the inverse of Edmonton, ranking sixth defensively and 21st offensively.

Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox provide elite defensive value, while Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson add new dimensions to the blue line. Pavel Dorofeyev gives the offense a needed finisher, but New York must create more consistently at five-on-five. The goaltending can carry the Rangers into the playoffs; the offense determines how far they go.

#13 Montreal Canadiens

Power-ranking case: Montreal’s No. 9 offense gives it one of the league’s most exciting young attacks, but the No. 22 defense creates real volatility.

Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield lead a group that can attack with speed and finish before defenses set. Lane Hutson drives transition from the blue line, although the young defense still makes costly coverage and puck-management mistakes. Montreal can beat No. 13 if its goaltending and in-zone defense improve together.

Tier 4: Playoff-Caliber With Real Volatility

Tier 4 is the league’s volatile middle. Every team here has enough talent to make the playoffs, but one major weakness could also push it below the cut line.

Tier 4 of the 2026–27 NHL power rankings, featuring Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Utah Mammoth, Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres.

#14 Ottawa Senators

Power-ranking case: Ottawa is more balanced than explosive, ranking 19th offensively and 14th defensively.

Tim Stützle, Drake Batherson and Dylan Cozens remain important creators after Brady Tkachuk’s departure, with William Eklund and Andre Burakovsky added to help replace the lost offense. Jake Sanderson and Linus Ullmark give the Senators a credible defensive foundation. Ottawa’s playoff chances depend on whether the new forward mix can generate enough high-end scoring.

#15 Boston Bruins

Power-ranking case: Boston’s offense and defense both project around the middle of the league, but the roster still has game-changing stars at each end.

David Pastrňák and JJ Peterka give the Bruins a dangerous wing combination. Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman provide a strong defensive backbone. Boston receives the tie-break over Philadelphia because its profile is more balanced, although center depth remains the issue most likely to cap the ceiling.

#16 Philadelphia Flyers

Power-ranking case: Philadelphia combines the No. 8 projected defense with the No. 26 offense, making it one of the ranking’s most extreme teams.

The Flyers can suppress shots and make opponents work for clean entries, with Travis Sanheim and a young mobile blue line supporting improved goaltending depth. Matvei Michkov and Travis Konecny give the offense a clear direction, but the team still needs more creation through the middle. Philadelphia can make the playoffs if the defense buys enough time for the young scorers.

#17 Utah Mammoth

Power-ranking case: Utah’s No. 20 offense and No. 17 defense create a balanced bubble-team profile without an elite unit.

Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley receive veteran support from Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee. Mikhail Sergachev and MacKenzie Weegar give the defense a strong top-pair foundation. Utah receives the tie-break over Toronto because its roster has fewer extreme weaknesses, even though the Maple Leafs own the higher star ceiling.

#18 Toronto Maple Leafs

Power-ranking case: Toronto ranks 10th offensively but 27th defensively, producing a high-ceiling roster with major transition risk.

Auston Matthews and William Nylander keep the attack dangerous after Mitch Marner’s departure. Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz could become one of the league’s better tandems, but the team is also integrating a new coach and different defensive personnel. Toronto can finish far above No. 18 if the new structure settles quickly.

#19 Buffalo Sabres

Power-ranking case: Buffalo sits close to league average in both categories, ranking 18th offensively and 20th defensively.

Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin give the Sabres top-end talent, while the rest of the roster has enough speed and size to support a playoff push. The problem is familiar: individual ability has not consistently become reliable team results. Buffalo is a fair bubble team until its power play, goaltending and defensive detail improve together.

Tier 5: Bubble Teams With Upside

Tier 5 teams need a meaningful breakout, stronger depth or improved goaltending to become dependable playoff teams.

Tier 5 of the 2026–27 NHL power rankings, featuring Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders, San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks.

#20 Columbus Blue Jackets

Power-ranking case: Columbus ranks 16th defensively and 23rd offensively, with a young roster capable of climbing quickly.

Adam Fantilli, Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson give the Blue Jackets an emerging offensive core, while Valeri Nichushkin adds established finishing. Zach Werenski remains the team’s most important two-way driver. Columbus receives the tie-break over St. Louis because its young stars offer the clearer upward path.

#21 St. Louis Blues

Power-ranking case: St. Louis combines the No. 15 defense with the No. 24 offense, giving it a solid floor but limited margin when the scoring dries up.

Robert Thomas now leads a reshaped attack featuring Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael after Jordan Kyrou’s departure. Brandon Carlo adds another dependable defensive presence. The Blues can remain in the playoff race, but the new forward combinations must replace the rush creation they lost.

#22 New York Islanders

Power-ranking case: The Islanders rank 12th defensively but 28th offensively, placing enormous pressure on Ilya Sorokin and the defensive structure.

Matthew Schaefer gives the blue line more mobility, while Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech and Alexander Romanov help protect the middle. Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat need more support from the younger forwards. New York can stay competitive, but the offense remains too thin to project into the playoffs confidently.

#23 San Jose Sharks

Power-ranking case: San Jose’s No. 17 offense shows how quickly the young core is rising, but the No. 26 defense still leaves the Sharks outside the playoff picture.

Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith can become one of the league’s most dangerous young combinations. Mason Marchment adds a direct scoring presence, while Jacob Trouba, Darnell Nurse and Yaroslav Askarov give the defense more experience and upside. San Jose is a legitimate breakout candidate, just not a finished team.

#24 Pittsburgh Penguins

Power-ranking case: Pittsburgh ranks 15th offensively and 29th defensively, creating a team that can still score but may struggle to control games.

Sidney Crosby remains an elite offensive organizer, and Andrei Kuzmenko adds finishing. The blue line still has puck-moving talent, but age, recovery speed and goaltending create a low defensive floor. Pittsburgh can outperform No. 24 if Crosby drives another exceptional season and the team defends through possession.

#25 Anaheim Ducks

Power-ranking case: Anaheim’s No. 14 offense gives the young core real upside, but the No. 31 defense keeps the Ducks near the bottom of the overall ranking.

Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke can create a major offensive jump. Lukas Dostal provides promise in goal, but the blue line lost several veterans and must withstand more difficult minutes. Anaheim is dangerous enough to surprise teams and inconsistent enough to miss the playoffs comfortably.

Tier 6: Long-Shot Playoff Teams

Tier 6 teams have recognizable stars or promising young pieces, but too many current weaknesses to project confidently into the postseason.

Tier 6 of the 2026–27 NHL power rankings, featuring Nashville Predators, Winnipeg Jets, Detroit Red Wings, Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks.

#26 Nashville Predators

Power-ranking case: Nashville ranks 22nd offensively and 25th defensively, leaving it without a clear top-half strength.

Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi and Juuse Saros remain high-level pillars. Mavrik Bourque, Ross Colton and Jack Drury add pace and lineup competition. The Predators can rebound, but too much depends on several veteran and younger pieces improving at the same time.

#27 Winnipeg Jets

Power-ranking case: Winnipeg’s No. 19 defense is supported by Connor Hellebuyck, but the No. 29 offense creates a major imbalance.

Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele can still punish mistakes and carry the power play. The concern is what happens when opponents contain the first line and force the secondary forwards to create. Hellebuyck keeps Winnipeg competitive, but the offense must provide more than one reliable wave.

#28 Detroit Red Wings

Power-ranking case: Detroit ranks 25th offensively and 24th defensively, which accurately reflects a roster that still lacks a dependable team-wide identity.

Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat can produce enough offense to move the Red Wings upward. Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson give the defense a strong future foundation. Goaltending, depth and five-on-five consistency remain the reasons Detroit sits outside the projected playoff race.

#29 Calgary Flames

Power-ranking case: Calgary’s improved No. 21 defense cannot fully offset the league’s No. 32 projected offense.

Simon Nemec and Jake Middleton strengthen the blue line, and the Flames can stay competitive when the game remains structured. The roster still lacks a proven top-end creator capable of carrying the offense through long stretches. Calgary needs a breakout season from a younger forward to escape Tier 6.

#30 Chicago Blackhawks

Power-ranking case: Chicago remains a rebuilding team, ranking 27th offensively and 28th defensively.

Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar and the returning Patrick Kane give the offense more legitimate creation. Bowen Byram and Ian Cole improve the blue line’s transition ability and experience. The Blackhawks should be better, but their young roster will still produce long stretches of inconsistency.

Tier 7: Rebuilding Teams

Tier 7 contains the two teams with the largest overall roster and structural questions entering 2026–27.

Tier 7 of the 2026–27 NHL power rankings, featuring Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Canucks.

#31 Seattle Kraken

Power-ranking case: Seattle ranks near the bottom on both sides, with the No. 31 offense and No. 30 defense.

Mackie Samoskevich adds speed and upside, but the Kraken still lack the elite creator who consistently bends defensive coverage. Losing Jamie Oleksiak also reduces the margin on the blue line. Seattle can remain competitive through depth and structure, but the roster does not yet have enough difference-makers.

#32 Vancouver Canucks

Power-ranking case: Vancouver ranks 30th offensively and 32nd defensively after a major organizational and roster reset.

Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser remain proven offensive talents, while Thatcher Demko can raise the floor when healthy. The trade of Quinn Hughes removed the player who drove exits, possession and offense from the blue line. Vancouver needs its new coaching staff and young defenders to establish a new identity before it can climb the rankings.

Biggest Debates and Tie-Breakers

Colorado Avalanche vs. Carolina Hurricanes at No. 1

Colorado and Carolina both average 1.5 across the offense and defense rankings. Carolina has the stronger system-driven floor, but Colorado receives No. 1 because MacKinnon and Makar give it the higher individual ceiling when a playoff game becomes difficult to manufacture.

Edmonton Oilers vs. New York Rangers

Edmonton and the Rangers are mirror images. The Oilers rank third offensively and 23rd defensively; the Rangers rank 21st offensively and sixth defensively. Edmonton receives the edge because McDavid and Draisaitl create a more credible championship ceiling, although the Rangers have the safer regular-season floor.

Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Both teams average 17.0. Boston ranks higher because its offense and defense are both near league average, while Philadelphia depends on a top-10 defense carrying the No. 26 offense. The Flyers can beat the ranking if Michkov accelerates the scoring growth.

Utah Mammoth vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Both teams average 18.5. Toronto has the better offense and higher star ceiling, but Utah owns the more balanced roster. The Mammoth receive the edge because their path to league-average performance requires fewer extreme improvements.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. St. Louis Blues

Both teams average 19.5. St. Louis has the slightly better defense, while Columbus owns the slightly better offense and younger high-end core. Fantilli, Marchenko, Johnson and Werenski give the Blue Jackets the stronger upside case.

Complete 2026–27 NHL Power Rankings

Frequently Asked Questions About the NHL Power Rankings

Who is projected to be the best NHL team in 2026–27?

The Colorado Avalanche rank first because they combine the No. 1 projected offense with the No. 2 defense and possess the highest star-driven ceiling.

How were the NHL power rankings calculated?

The starting point is the average of each team’s offense and defense rank. Goaltending, playoff translation, depth, health, coaching and roster stability are then used to break ties and adjust close calls.

Which teams are in Tier 1?

Tier 1 includes the Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers.

Why are the Edmonton Oilers only No. 11?

Edmonton ranks third offensively but 23rd defensively. McDavid and Draisaitl create a much higher ceiling than No. 11, but the defensive transition makes the overall projection volatile.

Why are the New York Rangers ranked below Edmonton?

The Rangers have the stronger defense and goaltending, but Edmonton owns the more dangerous championship ceiling because of its elite offense. The two teams are separated by only half a point in the combined average.

Which lower-ranked team has the most upside?

Toronto, San Jose and Anaheim have clear paths to beating their rankings. Toronto has established stars and a new goaltending tandem, while San Jose and Anaheim are betting on rapid development from young cores.

Sources and Projection Notes

The ranking order comes from the finalized SOG Hockey power-ranking graphics. Offense and defense inputs come from the separate SOG Sports 2026–27 rankings, with current roster context reviewed using official NHL statistics, team roster pages and the NHL.com Team Reset series.

• NHL.com 2026–27 Team Reset series
• Official NHL 2025–26 standings
• Official NHL team statistics

Last reviewed: July 28, 2026. Trades, injuries, unsigned players and lineup decisions can change the projection before or during the season.

Conclusion: Best NHL Teams Entering 2026–27

The best teams in the NHL today begin with Colorado and Carolina, the only two teams ranked inside the top two on both offense and defense. Tampa Bay and Florida complete the first tier because their healthy rosters still have championship-level talent at every important position.

The most dangerous teams outside Tier 1 are Dallas and Vegas, while Edmonton and the Rangers represent opposite roster constructions with similar overall value. The middle of the league is separated by very little, making health, goaltending and one successful offseason addition capable of changing the playoff picture quickly.

Colorado is the best starting choice, but Carolina’s repeatable structure makes the gap effectively nonexistent.

More NHL Rankings

• Best Offenses in the NHL Today: 2026–27 Prediction
• Best Defenses in the NHL Today: 2026–27 Prediction
• Best NHL Centers Every Year (1967–2026)
• Most Goals Scored in a Single NHL Season
• Most Points in a Single NHL Season
• Most Assists in a Single NHL Season
• SOG Sports NHL

Follow SOG Hockey on Instagram for more NHL rankings, predictions and hockey debates.