Canadiens and Oilers headline Sportsnet insiders’ 2026-27 predictions

On the eve of the 2026-27 NHL season, Sportsnet has polled a broad group of its insiders and contributors for predictions that span division winners, major award races and Stanley Cup favourites. The results place several Canadian markets, notably Montreal and Edmonton, squarely in the spotlight as the league embarks on an expanded 84-game schedule.

Canadiens heavily backed in Atlantic Division

In the Atlantic Division, the Montreal Canadiens receive the lion’s share of votes to finish first in the regular season. A handful of ballots go to the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, but the bulk of Sportsnet’s panel projects Montreal as the team most likely to top the standings in that group.

No other Atlantic club commands similar support, which effectively casts the Canadiens as the likeliest division powerhouse in these forecasts. That expectation fits with other pre-season discussions that have already framed Montreal as a team on the rise and a strong bet to solidify its playoff position.

Edmonton, Colorado and Florida drive Cup conversation

Predictions for the Metropolitan Division split mostly between the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes, who gather almost all of the first-place votes. Out West in the Pacific, the Edmonton Oilers dominate the insider ballots as regular-season winners, though Vegas, San Jose and Anaheim each receive scattered support.

The Central Division outlook is led by the Colorado Avalanche, with Dallas, Minnesota and Utah also appearing in the mix on some ballots. When insiders are asked to project Stanley Cup finalists and champions, Edmonton, Colorado, Florida and Washington emerge most frequently, while a few bolder picks highlight Montreal, Toronto, Tampa Bay and Utah as potential surprise Cup winners.

Celebrini, McDavid and Thompson headline awards races

For the Hart Trophy as league MVP, many insiders back Macklin Celebrini as their choice, with Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon sharing most of the remaining support. McDavid is the clear favourite in Art Ross voting as projected scoring champion, although Celebrini, MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov and Connor Bedard are all mentioned as contenders.

The Calder Trophy race for rookie of the year appears wide open in the panel’s eyes. Gavin McKenna, Porter Martone, Ivar Stenberg, Cole Hutson and Jacob Fowler all earn notable backing, reflecting a deep incoming class. On defence, Cale Makar stands out as the leading candidate for the Norris Trophy, ahead of Quinn Hughes and emerging names such as Lane Hutson, Matthew Schaefer, Rasmus Dahlin and Zach Werenski.

In goal, Logan Thompson is a popular pick for the Vezina Trophy, with Ilya Sorokin also receiving strong support. Established stars Andrei Vasilevskiy, Igor Shesterkin and Jake Oettinger, along with rising netminder Jesper Wallstedt, round out the main goaltending choices. Taken together, the predictions sketch a season where new faces could crash the awards scene, even as McDavid and other familiar superstars remain central to the league’s storylines.