nhl standings

NHL Standings 2025-26: Penguins Resurface, Sabres Eye Draft, and Early Season Surprises

As the 2025-26 NHL season begins to take shape, the league's hierarchy is already undergoing a fascinating transformation. While the sample size remains small, the initial NHL standings offer a glimpse into potential playoff contenders and teams destined for the draft lottery. For hockey fans across Canada, the early weeks of the season are a time of cautious optimism and statistical scrutiny.

The current narrative is defined by two conflicting stories: the resurgence of a former dynasty and the familiar struggles of a franchise stuck in a rebuild. While the standings are fluid, the early trends suggest a competitive landscape where nothing is guaranteed.

The Main Narrative: A Ghost from the Past

The most startling development in the early 2025-26 campaign is the resurfacing of a hockey titan. For the first time since 2016, the Pittsburgh Penguins have found themselves atop the NHL standings.

This is a significant shift for a team that has been fighting for relevance in the post-Sidney Crosby era. According to reports from The Hockey News, the Penguins are enjoying a breakout start, with management and fans alike wondering if this is a mirage or a return to glory. Just under a decade ago, Pittsburgh was the class of the league, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Seeing them lead the pack so early serves as a nostalgic reminder of their dominance, though the long season remains a grueling test of endurance.

In contrast, the Eastern Conference is witnessing a shocker. As highlighted in recent NHL Power Rankings by CBS Sports, the Florida Panthers—a recent powerhouse—have found themselves languishing near the bottom of the East early in the season. This volatility is what makes the NHL standings so compelling; a team's position in October rarely dictates their fate in April.

Recent Updates and the Race to the Bottom

While the top of the standings is occupied by familiar faces, the bottom is generating a different kind of buzz. The Buffalo Sabres, now in the midst of a historically long playoff drought, appear to be accepting their role in the "McKenna Sweepstakes"—a reference to the high-stakes race for a top draft pick.

A report from Sabre Noise describes the team's atmosphere as a "new NHL standings battle," but the tone implies a battle for draft position rather than playoff positioning. The source refers to a "Tank Commander," a tongue-in-cheek title for a team strategically positioning itself for a high lottery selection. This "Sour Rankings" narrative, discussed by outlets like FOX Sports, highlights teams that are struggling early, with the Sabres being a focal point for fans tracking the inverse of the standings.

The Canadian Context

For Canadian teams, the early standings paint a picture of high expectations. According to ESPN's 2025-26 season tracking, Canadian franchises are looking to solidify their positions immediately. The pressure is immense in markets like Toronto, Montreal, and Edmonton, where a slow start can lead to intense media scrutiny. Unlike the Sabres, who seem resigned to a rebuild, Canadian markets are expected to contend, making every point in the standings crucial.

Contextual Background: The Psychology of the Standings

To understand the current NHL landscape, one must look at the historical patterns of the regular season. The NHL standings are notoriously deceptive in the first quarter of the season. A team on a hot streak in October can easily fade by December due to injuries, fatigue, or regression to the mean.

Historical Precedents

Historically, teams that start poorly but have veteran leadership often recover. However, teams like Buffalo, who are actively looking toward the future, often utilize a "rebuild" strategy that prioritizes youth development over immediate wins. This creates a fascinating dynamic in the standings: genuine contenders fighting for points versus teams playing for the future.

The "Tank Commander" narrative mentioned in the Sabre Noise report is a controversial but accepted part of modern hockey culture. While no team officially admits to losing on purpose, the strategic acquisition of young assets and the trading of veteran players signals a clear intent to improve via the draft.

Immediate Effects on the League

The early standings have immediate implications for coaching staffs and general managers.

1. Trade Market Acceleration: If a team like the Panthers or a struggling Canadian franchise stays at the bottom through November, trade rumors will heat up. Contending teams will look to acquire depth pieces, while struggling teams will look to sell off assets.
2. Fan Engagement: In markets like Buffalo, the "Tank Commander" talk allows fans to find a silver lining in losing—specifically, the chance to draft a franchise-changing player. Conversely, in Pittsburgh, the early success has revitalized a fanbase that was bracing for a decline.
3. Media Narrative: The media focus shifts quickly. As noted in USA TODAY coverage, the narrative changes week to week. One week, a team is a contender; the next, they are a pretender.

Future Outlook: Trends to Watch

As the season progresses, several key trends will determine the final shape of the NHL standings.

The Pittsburgh Penguins: Sustainable or Mirage?

The primary question for hockey analysts is whether Pittsburgh can maintain their perch. The NHL.com official standings will be scrutinized daily. If their goaltending holds up and the core veterans remain healthy, they could be a legitimate threat. However, if they regress, they risk falling into the mushy middle of the playoff race—a dangerous place to be for an aging team.

The Buffalo Sabres and the Draft Lottery

The Sabres' trajectory seems clear. The "Sour Rankings" early inclusion suggests they are prime candidates for the draft lottery. The strategic question for Buffalo is not "how to win now," but "how to develop youth while maintaining a high draft position." This is a delicate balance that requires careful management.

The Canadian Contenders

For Canadian teams, the goal is simple: climb the standings and secure home-ice advantage. The NHL Power Rankings suggest that teams like the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs will likely stabilize and climb, but the early surprises (like the Panthers' struggle) prove that no lead is safe.

Conclusion

The 2025-26 NHL standings are currently a mix of the expected and the surreal. We see a returning giant in Pittsburgh and a familiar story of struggle in Buffalo. For fans in Canada, the season is a marathon, not a sprint. While the "Tank Commander" may be readying troops for a long season in Buffalo, and the Penguins may be enjoying the view from the top, the true standings will only be revealed as the winter deepens and the playoff race heats up.

The lesson so far? In the NHL, the only constant is change. Keep an eye on the official NHL.com standings and trusted sports news outlets to separate the early flukes from the genuine contenders.