What Will the Atlantic Division Standings Look Like in 2025-26?
The Atlantic Division has long been one of the most competitive battlegrounds in the NHL, a crucible where dynasties are forged and rivals clash year after year. Each season brings its own blend of renewal and uncertainty, as established powerhouses defend their ground and upstart challengers strive to disrupt the order. The 2025-26 campaign is no exception, and the narrative threads weaving through the division are as compelling as ever. With the Florida Panthers seeking to extend their reign, the Tampa Bay Lightning holding tight to the last stretch of their golden era, and the Toronto Maple Leafs still chasing their elusive glory, the stage is set for drama from October to April.
1. Florida Panthers - Record: 50-25-7, 107 points
The Panthers have established themselves as the Atlantic's elite, snapping with back-to-back Stanley Cups and a roster built to sustain a championship window. Being led by a deep core of veterans in Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, and Aaron Ekblad, alongside effective role players, Florida's stability and experience give them a real edge. Their continued salary cap flexibility has allowed them to subsidize impending raises and remain strong up front and on the back end. While some suggest they may relax during the regular season, the nucleus remains laser-focused on another deep playoff run. As a result, they're the safest bet to top the division for 2025-26.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning - Record: 48-28-6, 102 points
Despite its core aging slightly, Tampa Bay remains a formidable force thanks to its experience and high-end talent. This makes them perennial contenders. Their offseason tweaks have shored up forward depth without disrupting chemistry, and Andrei Vasilevskiy remains as reliable as ever in net. Look for them to challenge Florida through the season, potentially grabbing the division title if their depth delivers and their veterans stay healthy.
3. Toronto Maple Leafs - Record: 46-30-6, 98 points
The Leafs return with high expectations following their division-winning 2024-25 campaign. Losing Mitch Marner certainly leaves a scar, and additions like Matias Maccelli and Nicolas Roy soften the blow. Regardless, replicating Marner’s production remains a tall order. With a healthy Auston Matthews, a revamped coaching approach under Berube, and scoring depth, Toronto should still rank among the top competitors in the strong Atlantic.
4. Ottawa Senators - Record: 43-32-7, 93 points
Ottawa continues its upward trajectory. Last year’s breakthrough, making the playoffs with 97 points, was a long-awaited return. They’re carrying that victory momentum into 2025-26, supported by a developing corps of top-tier forwards and defensemen. While adding depth up front, they’ll still need more consistent goaltending to fully vault into the top tier. Expect them to sit comfortably as a solid playoff team once again.
5. Detroit Red Wings - Record: 39-32-11, 89 points
The Wings continue to look solid on paper, building around young pillars like Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Moritz Seider. A full season with head coach Todd McLellan should give the Wings the push they need. If the consistency is there, the Red Wings are bound to return to the playoffs after this current playoff drought. A few tweaks could push them ahead of more veteran teams. Otherwise, they’ll likely stay competitive on the fringe of the top half.
6. Montreal Canadiens - Record: 38-35-9, 85 points
Montreal pulled off a notable resurgence in 2024-25, finishing 40-31-11 and securing a playoff spot with one of the league's youngest rosters. With rising stars like Lane Hutson leading the charge, the Canadiens appear poised to take another step forward. Their defensive issues, however, could resurface. On any given night, they can hang with anyone. Consistency and defensive depth remain obstacles. They’ll be competitive, but relegated to battling in the lower half of the playoff picture.
7. Buffalo Sabres - Record: 35-40-7, 77 points
Buffalo is once again on the outside looking in. Despite flashes of promise with stars like Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson, their in-season production faltered last year. This resulted in a 79-point finish. Modest offseason moves haven’t paved the way for a leap forward. Without significant breakout performances or a shakeup, they’re likely to again hover near the bottom of the playoff race.
8. Boston Bruins - Record: 32-45-5, 69 points
Boston’s fall from grace continued in 2024-25, finishing dead last in the Atlantic Division with 76 points. This was their first losing season since 2006-07. A coaching change to Marco Sturm and some bottom-six additions may provide a spark, but there’s little to suggest a major turnaround just yet. For now, rebuilding seems more likely than a dramatic bounce-back.
As the Atlantic Division embarks upon another season, the intrigue is as thick as the ice itself. Champions and challengers alike know that the margin between triumph and disappointment is often measured in a handful of points, a single overtime loss, or a late-season surge. What makes the Atlantic unique is not only its talent but its unpredictability, for no lead is secure and no team can ever afford mediocrity. This year promises yet another rollercoaster of narratives, such as old dynasties fading, new ones rising, and the perennial question of who will step forward when it matters most.
