How Will The NHL’s Central Division Standings Look in 2025-26?

The Central Division is one of the most stacked divisions in all of hockey and sports, especially during this 2025-26 season. With powerhouse teams like Colorado and Dallas still chasing Stanley Cup glory, and a gritty group of challengers nipping at their heels, this division promises no shortage of drama. Winnipeg looks to follow up on its Presidents' Trophy campaign, while Minnesota and St. Louis aim to prove they can return to the postseason mix. Meanwhile, the newly rebranded Utah Mammoth enter their second season in Salt Lake City, hungry to establish themselves in front of a passionate new fanbase. Add in rebuilding squads like Nashville and Chicago, and the Central becomes a fascinating blend of contenders, sleepers, and work-in-progress teams. Let’s break down how the standings could shake out this year.

Colorado Avalanche - Record: 48-27-7, 103 points

The Avalanche remains the class of the Central Division thanks to their depth, speed, and star power. Their core of elite talent ensures they can handle injuries and slumps better than most teams. Even if they face occasional inconsistencies, their balanced roster gives them a clear edge. Strong play on the blue line and in the net will keep them steady, and their top-six forwards remain among the best in the NHL. Younger players stepping into bigger roles could push them even higher. Colorado should lead the division from start to finish. Their Stanley Cup window is still very much open.

Dallas Stars - Record: 45-29-8, 98 points

Dallas has the mix of veteran savvy and young firepower to stay near the top of the Central. While a coaching change introduces some uncertainty, the Stars roster is deep and versatile enough to adjust quickly. Their ability to roll multiple lines will keep them in most games, and their defensive corps still has bite even with some changes. A key for them will be whether their goaltending can remain steady across a long season. Expect them to be a consistent playoff team and a dark horse for the division crown. They may not be quite as dominant as Colorado, but they’re right on their heels.

Winnipeg Jets - Record: 43-30-9, 95 points

The Jets won the Presidents' Trophy last season with 116 points, but regression is likely in 2025-26. Even so, their foundation is still strong with elite goaltending and a productive top six. They may not repeat their historic pace, but they’ll still be a dangerous and competitive team. Winnipeg’s defensive depth will be tested, and avoiding injuries will be key. If they can find more scoring from the middle of their lineup, they’ll remain a top-three threat in the Central. Their overall consistency and veteran leadership ensure they stay in the playoff picture. A small step back, which tends to happen after outstanding regular-season performances without playoff success, doesn’t erase their contender status.

Minnesota Wild - Record: 40-32-10, 90 points

Minnesota is looking for a bounce-back year, and they have the pieces to pull it off. Health was a big issue last season, and a full, healthy lineup changes the equation significantly. Their defensive depth is a strength, and they’ll rely heavily on their structure to grind out wins. Secondary scoring needs to emerge if they want to rise higher than the wild-card range. Consistency has long been their issue, but if younger forwards take a step forward, they could surprise. The Wild play with grit and discipline, which makes them a tough opponent in divisional games. A playoff spot is realistic if everything clicks.

St. Louis Blues - Record: 38-33-11, 87 points

The Blues showed signs of life last season and hope to build on that progress. They finished just short of the playoffs, but their second-half surge hinted at better things ahead. With a strong veteran core and good coaching, St. Louis will remain competitive. However, their offensive depth remains inconsistent, and they’ll need more production from their younger players to take the next step. In such a competitive division, even small slumps can push them back. Their best-case scenario is sneaking into the playoffs as a wild card. Still, they’re trending upward after a few rocky years.

Utah Mammoth - Record: 34-39-9, 79 points

The Mammoth are in the middle of a major transition after relocating from Arizona, although they’ve abandoned their Arizona history, thus technically being an expansion team in 2024 and rebranding in 2025. Their inaugural season in Utah gave them momentum and a passionate new fanbase, but on-ice success is still a work in progress. They have intriguing young talent and a few solid veterans, but depth remains an issue compared to the Central’s top teams. Expect them to play a hard, scrappy style that makes them difficult to play against, especially at home. Their goaltending and special teams will likely determine whether they can steal extra wins. Playoff contention seems a year or two away, but the foundation is being built. For now, Utah is about growth and establishing itself as a competitive franchise in a tough division.

Nashville Predators - Record: 34-40-8, 76 points

Nashville’s slide has been hard to ignore. Once a playoff staple, they now look more like a team caught between rebuilding and contending. They lack the depth to match up with the Central’s best and haven’t found consistent scoring solutions. Veteran leadership will help them stay competitive, but too many holes exist in both their forward group and defense. Without major moves, they’ll likely stay near the bottom of the standings. Their ceiling is low, though a few young players stepping up could keep them from sinking entirely. Overall, this looks like another transitional year.

Chicago Blackhawks - Record: 28-44-10, 66 points

The Blackhawks are still in the early stages of their rebuild. Connor Bedard remains the centerpiece, and his development is the most important storyline of the season. While they’ve added some young pieces, they simply don’t have the depth to compete with the stronger Central teams yet. Chicago will struggle defensively and rely heavily on Bedard and a few other forwards for offense. Their focus this year is on player growth rather than wins. Fans should expect another year near the bottom of the standings. Patience is required, but the future looks brighter than the present.

The Central Division is a showcase of variety: elite contenders with legitimate Cup aspirations, scrappy mid-tier clubs fighting for playoff survival, and rebuilding teams laying the groundwork for future success. Colorado and Dallas remain the safest bets to push deep into the spring, but Winnipeg’s high ceiling and Minnesota’s structure make them dangerous wild cards. St. Louis is stuck on the playoff bubble once again, while Utah is beginning to carve out its identity as hockey takes root in the journey. For Nashville and Chicago, this season may bring more growing pains than victories, but the focus is firmly on development. In the end, the Central may or may not crown the Presidents' Trophy winner this time, but it will deliver the hard-fought and emotional rivalries that make it one of the NHL’s most compelling divisions year after year, regardless.