Ice Hockey

10/3/2025 |  Lapsed fan's guide to the 2025-26 NHL season: Get caught up here (ESPN) The 2024-25 NHL season was a smashing success.
There was Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record. There were the Florida Panthers shattering the hearts of Edmonton Oilers fans for a second straight Final series to win another Stanley Cup. There were the Tkachuk brothers (Matthew and Brady) trying to smash every Canadian player in sight during the 4 Nations Face-Off.

10/2/2025 |  Dallas Stars have a returning coach and the talent for another deep postseason run (Associated Press (AP)) Dallas Stars
Last season: 50-26-6, lost to Edmonton in Western Conference Final.
COACH: Glen Gulutzan, hired July 1 (294-146-125 over four seasons).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 9 at Winnipeg.
DEPARTURES: Coach Pete DeBoer, RW Evgenii Dadonov, C Mikael Granlund, LW Mason Marchment, D Cody Ceci, D Matt Dumba.

10/2/2025 |  Rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks looking for growth from their young players (Associated Press (AP)) Chicago Blackhawks
Last season: 25-46-11, missed playoffs.
COACH: Jeff Blashill, hired on May 22 (204-261-72 over 7 years with Detroit).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 7 at Florida.
DEPARTURES: C Philipp Kurashev, C Joe Veleno, D T.J. Brodie.
ADDITIONS: Coach Jeff Blashill, F Andre Burakovsky, C Sam Lafferty, F Dominic Toninato.
GOALIES: Spencer Knight (17-16-3, 2.72 goals-against average, .901 save percentage), Arvid Soderblom (10-18-7, 3.18 GAA, .898 save percentage).
BETMGM STANLEY CUP ODDS: 500-1.

10/2/2025 |  Golden Knights co-favorites for Stanley Cup with addition of Mitch Marner to veteran core (Associated Press (AP)) Vegas Golden Knights
Last season: 50-22-10, won the Pacific Division, lost in second round to Edmonton.
COACH: Bruce Cassidy (438-228-9-80 and 78 ties over 12 seasons with 3 teams).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 8 vs. Los Angeles Kings.
DEPARTURES: D Alex Pietrangelo, C/RW Nicolas Roy, D Nic Hague.

10/1/2025 |  Guide to the 2025-26 NHL season and Milan Olympics: How to watch and more (Associated Press (AP)) The puck drops on the NHL season Oct. 7 with a tripleheader that includes the Florida Panthers raising a Stanley Cup banner for a second consecutive year and Mike Sullivan making his New York Rangers coaching debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins team he spent much of the past decade with.