6 things we’ve learned from NHL season so far, including Stars, Flames, Maple Leafs takeaways
We are still in the early stages of the 2026-27 NHL season, but there are some trends emerging that are worth paying attention to when it comes to the larger narrative of the season. Whether it’s gambles that paid off in free agency, prospects emerging, or teams languishing in the pain of the season already […]
The 2026-27 NHL season is still in its early stages, but several trends have already emerged. The New York Rangers have made a strong start, currently leading the Metropolitan Division. Their success can be attributed to their solid defense, allowing only eight goals so far, and their offensive growth following the trade of Artemi Panarin.
Young players like Gabriel Perreault and Alex Lafrenière are showing promise. Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars have taken a bold gamble by re-signing Jason Robertson, but their inconsistency and surprising losses to strong teams have raised questions about their potential. Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers are struggling.
The Canadiens' defense is giving up 19 goals in four games, while the Flyers have yet to score any goals in five games. The Rangers are not the only team making progress; the Senators, Capitals, and Islanders have also shown improvement. However, the Carolina Hurricanes have continued to struggle with their goaltending issues, despite their defense's strong performance.
The Calgary Flames have been an alarming disappointment, with a -17 goal differential and a potential "worst of all time" watch on the horizon. The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, have taken a tentative step forward, playing closer games and showing more cohesion.
Written by urgent.news from SB Nation's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
