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NHL Eastern Conference teams ranked ahead of 2026-2027 season

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 29, 2026, 3:34 PM

Last updated Jul 29, 2026

NHL Eastern Conference teams ranked ahead of 2026-2027 season

Summary

As the NHL prepares for the 2026-2027 season, four Eastern Conference teams are highlighted as frontrunners. The Florida Panthers excel in physical gameplay, finishing second in the league for hits last season. The Montreal Canadiens boast a strong offense, with Cole Caufield scoring 51 goals and Nick Suzuki setting a franchise points record. The Buffalo Sabres, who won the Atlantic Division, rely on a premier defensive pairing and ranked seventh in goals against. The Carolina Hurricanes, last season's Stanley Cup Champions, maintain an edge with scoring depth throughout their roster. The competitive atmosphere in the conference is expected to persist as these teams prepare to build on their recent performances.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Florida Panthers ranked for physical play and offseason acquisitions.
•Montreal Canadiens celebrated for strong offense and young talent.
•Buffalo Sabres recognized for solid defensive core and performance.
•Carolina Hurricanes highlighted for depth scoring as defending champions.

Latest Updates

3:34 PMYahoo Sports — Ranking the NHL Eastern Conference’s Four Best Teams

What they're saying

"
The Eastern Conference was a battlefield last season. Each team that made the playoffs fought tooth and nail for their spot. Each round only became more intense. Going into next season, fans of the NHL can expect to see the competitive nature of this conference return. Four teams are undoubtedly the strongest going into next […] The post Ranking the NHL Eastern Conference’s Four Best Teams appeared first on The Lead.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Buffalo Sabres Florida Panthers Montreal Canadiens Hockey