Won’t you come home, Stanley?

The Winnipeg Jets, currently in the midst of a new season, have been the subject of much discussion due to a variety of compelling storylines. One of the central issues revolves around the Connor Hellebuyck crease crisis and the potential for 18-year-old Viggo Bjorck to rise to prominence. The team's head coach, Scott Arniel, finds himself under scrutiny as well.

Free Press hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe will continue to cover these topics in-depth, including a series of Jets previews next week. However, the journalists are also keeping a close eye on the broader NHL landscape, with the 2026-27 campaign set to begin in a few days. Upcoming events include the final standings, playoff results, and league awards.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are banking on Gavin McKenna's contributions to lead them to the top, while the Montreal Canadiens aim to build on last year's success with a promising young core. The Ottawa Senators hope to put their recent soap opera behind them. In the Western Conference, the Edmonton Oilers are relying on the leadership of Mike Babcock, while the Calgary Flames prepare to bid farewell to the Saddledome.

Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks are bracing themselves for what could be a long and difficult rebuilding process. The Carolina Hurricanes, led by coach Rod Brind'Amour, aim to win their second Stanley Cup in as many decades. Veteran players like Alexander Nikishin and Nikolaj Ehlers return to help bolster the team. The Florida Panthers, fresh off a playoff absence, will welcome back Aleksander Barkov and Taylor Tkachuk from Ottawa, forming a potent combination.

Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks introduce their new captain, 20-year-old Macklin Celebrini, who has already made a significant impact with 115 points last season. Notably, Celebrini has the makings of a true generational talent, potentially capable of capturing multiple Stanley Cups throughout his career. In the NBA, Alex Ovechkin, the 41-year-old Washington Capitals power forward, is returning for his 22nd season, aiming to surpass Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal tally.