1 Player on Every NHL Team to Get Excited About Ahead of the 2026-27 Season

Key Points:

• The 2026-27 NHL season, featuring an expanded 84-game schedule, is set to begin on Sept. 29, with all 32 teams opening training camp and fans looking to key players to lead their teams.
• Rising stars like Anaheim Ducks' Cutter Gauthier, Buffalo Sabres' Zach Benson, and Montreal Canadiens' Ivan Demidov are highlighted as promising talents poised to make significant impacts this season.
• Established superstars such as Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), and David Pastrňák (Boston Bruins) are expected to continue driving their teams' success and contend for individual accolades.
• Several teams undergoing rebuilding or retooling phases, including the Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Vancouver Canucks, are relying on young players like Matvei Gridin, Zach Werenski, and Zeev Buium to spearhead their progress.
• Veterans like Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) face pivotal seasons, balancing leadership roles and contract considerations as their teams aim to return to playoff contention.