The 2026–27 NHL season is the 110th season of operation (109th season of play) of the National Hockey League (NHL). The season features an 84-game regular season schedule for the first time since 1993–94. The regular season began on September 29, 2026. The Stanley Cup playoffs are then planned to begin in April 2027, ending with the Stanley Cup Final in June.
League business
Collective bargaining agreement On June 27, 2025, the league and the NHL Players' Association agreed on a new four-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that will take effect from the 2026–27 to 2029–30 seasons. Among the changes under the agreement, the 2026–27 regular season expands from 82 to 84 games, featuring two more divisional games; the additional regular season games will come with a reduction in the number of preseason games played, down from 6 to 4.
Additionally, as part of the new CBA, the 2026–27 season will see the end of the use of amateur emergency back-up goaltenders (EBUGs) supplied by the home team for each game; instead, teams must hire their own emergency goaltender who will travel with the team and is permitted to have other non-player team duties. To prevent the hiring of "ringers", each team's new EBUG must fulfill the following conditions: they must not have played professional hockey at any level in the previous three seasons, cannot have ever played a single game in the NHL under a standard player contract, cannot have played more than 80 professional games in their careers, and are not on the reserve list or restricted free agent list of any NHL teams. If a team signs three or more goaltenders, the team is still required to hire a permanent EBUG but is not required to have their EBUG present for a game. EBUGs will be required to wear 00 as their uniform number.
Winnipeg Jets franchise consolidation On September 24, 2026, the NHL announced that the franchise records and statistics of the original Winnipeg Jets from 1972 to 1996 would be moved from the inactive Arizona Coyotes franchise to the current Winnipeg Jets franchise. As a result, the Jets' franchise records include both its original and current incarnations as well as the Atlanta Thrashers.
Entry draft The 2026 NHL entry draft took place on June 26–27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.
Coaching changes + Coaching changesOff–seasonTeam2025–26 coach2026–27 coach Notes Edmonton Oilers Kris Knoblauch Mike Babcock Knoblauch was fired on May 14, 2026, two weeks after the Oilers' elimination from the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. In parts of three seasons with the team, Knoblauch totaled a 135–77–21 record, with two consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances in and . Babcock, most recently head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets during part of the 2023 offseason, was cleared by the NHLPA and NHL in an investigation on June 18, and was named head coach on June 23. Los Angeles Kings Jim HillerD. J. Smith* Peter Laviolette Hiller was fired on March 1, 2026, after the Kings started the season 24–21–14, including a 2–5–1 record in his final eight games. In parts of three seasons with Los Angeles, Hiller posted a 93–58–24 record, reaching the playoffs in both of his completed seasons, but losing to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round both times. Smith, most recently an assistant coach for Los Angeles, and formerly head coach of the Ottawa Senators from 2019 to 2023, was named interim head coach the same day. Smith finished out the season 11–6–6, with Los Angeles being swept in the first round of the playoffs. Laviolette, most recently head coach of the New York Rangers from 2023 to 2025, was named head coach on June 9. Toronto Maple Leafs Craig Berube Jim Hiller Berube was fired on May 13, 2026, approximately a month after the end of the Maple Leafs' season. In two seasons with Toronto, Berube posted a 84–62–18 record, reaching the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs in his first year, but missing the playoffs in his second. Hiller, most recently head coach of the Los Angeles Kings from 2024 to 2026, was named head coach on June 17. Vancouver Canucks Adam Foote Manny Malhotra Foote was fired on May 19, 2026, approximately a month after the end of the Canucks' season. In his only season with Vancouver, Foote recorded a 25–49–8 record, finishing last in the NHL. Malhotra, the head coach of the Canucks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, and who played for the NHL Canucks from 2010 to 2013, was named head coach on June 1.Vegas Golden KnightsBruce CassidyJohn Tortorella Ryan Craig Cassidy was fired on March 29, 2026, with eight games remaining in the season, after the Golden Knights started the season 32–26–16, including a 3–5–2 record in his final ten games. In just under four seasons with Vegas, Cassidy recorded a 178–99–43 record, with three playoff appearances, leading the franchise to its first Stanley Cup championship in 2023. Tortorella, most recently head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers from 2022 to 2025, was named head coach the same day, signing a contract for the remainder of the season and playoffs. Tortorella finished out the season 7–0–1, with Vegas reaching the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, but losing to the Carolina Hurricanes. On June 16, the Golden Knights announced that Tortorella would not return as head coach for the 2026–27 season. Craig, the head coach of the Golden Knights' AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, and previously an assistant coach with Vegas from 2017 to 2023, was named head coach on June 17. (*) Indicates interim
Front office changes + General ManagersOff–seasonTeam2025–26 general manager2026–27 general manager Notes Colorado Avalanche Chris MacFarland Joe Sakic On June 2, 2026, MacFarland departed the Avalanche to become president of hockey operations and general manager of the Nashville Predators. Sakic, the Avalanche's president of hockey operations, and previously general manager from 2014 to 2022, re-assumed the role of general manager the same day. Detroit Red Wings Steve Yzerman Shawn Horcoff* On July 15, 2026, the Red Wings announced that Yzerman would step down as general manager, instead becoming a senior advisor to owner Christopher Ilitch; however, he remained in the role until a successor was found. Horcoff, the assistant general manager and general manager of the Red Wings' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins, was named interim general manager on September 15. Nashville Predators Barry Trotz Chris MacFarland On February 2, 2026, Trotz announced his intention to retire as the Predators' general manager, instead serving as an advisor through the end of his contract; however, he stayed in the role until a successor was found. MacFarland, most recently the general manager of the Colorado Avalanche, was named president of hockey operations and general manager on June 2. New Jersey Devils Tom Fitzgerald Sunny Mehta Fitzgerald was fired on April 6, 2026, after the Devils began the season 40–34–3. Fitzgerald had served as the Devils' general manager since 2020, as well as president of hockey operations since 2024, overseeing two playoff berths in six completed seasons. Mehta, most recently assistant general manager of the Florida Panthers, and formerly an executive with the Devils from 2014 to 2017, was named general manager on April 16. St. Louis Blues Doug Armstrong Alexander SteenArmstrong was signed to a three-year contract extension on June 13, 2024, as the president of hockey operations for the Blues. Steen was also named as special assistant to the general manager at the same time through the 2025–26 season, with the intention to become the general manager of the Blues beginning with the 2026–27 season. On April 24, 2026, the Blues formally confirmed that Steen would succeed Armstrong as general manager on July 1, with Armstrong remaining as president of hockey operations; however, the Blues later announced on June 30 that Steen had officially begun his general manager duties that day. Toronto Maple Leafs Brad TrelivingRyan Hardy*Brandon Pridham* John Chayka Treliving was fired on March 30, 2026, after the Maple Leafs began the season 31–30–13. Treliving had served as the Maple Leafs' general manager since 2023, overseeing playoff berths in his two completed seasons. The following day, Toronto announced that assistant general managers Hardy and Pridham would serve as co-interim general managers for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. Chayka, most recently general manager of the Arizona Coyotes from 2016 to 2020, was named general manager on May 3. Vancouver Canucks Patrik Allvin Ryan JohnsonOn April 17, 2026, the day after the conclusion of the Canucks' season, Allvin was fired by the Canucks. Allvin had served as general manager since 2022, overseeing one playoff appearance. Johnson, the assistant general manager, and general manager of the Canucks' AHL affiliate Abbotsford Canucks, was promoted to general manager on May 14.
(*) Indicates interim.
Arena changes This is planned to be the last season the Calgary Flames will play their home games at Scotiabank Saddledome before moving to Scotia Place.
Regular season The regular season began on September 29, 2026, and will end on April 10, 2027.
International games The Seattle Kraken and Carolina Hurricanes are scheduled to play two games against each other on November 12 and 14, 2026 at Veikkaus Arena in Helsinki, Finland. The Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators are scheduled to play two games against each other on December 18 and 20, 2026 at PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Outdoor games The league has scheduled three outdoor games this season: The 2026 Heritage Classic is scheduled for October 25, at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, with the Winnipeg Jets hosting the Montreal Canadiens. The 2027 NHL Winter Classic is scheduled for December 31, at Rice–Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, with the Utah Mammoth hosting the Colorado Avalanche. The 2027 NHL Stadium Series is scheduled for February 20, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with the Dallas Stars hosting the Vegas Golden Knights.
All-Star Game The 2027 All-Star Game is scheduled for February 7 at UBS Arena at Elmont, New York, the home of the New York Islanders. The All-Star Game would be played for the first time since 2024. The league instead held the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025, then the players participated in the 2026 Winter Olympics. The league originally planned a 2026 All-Star Game at UBS Arena as a "send-off" to the Olympics, but decided against it.
Standings
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Statistics
Scoring leaders The following players led the league in regular season points at the completion of games played on October 6, 2026
Player Team Vegas Golden Knights 4 2 8 10 +3 2Edmonton Oilers 3 2 7 9 +7 0Edmonton Oilers 3 4 4 8 +6 0Utah Mammoth 4 5 2 7 –1 2Carolina Hurricanes 4 4 3 7 0 10Utah Mammoth 4 1 6 7 –1 2Vancouver Canucks 4 4 2 6 +4 0Ottawa Senators 3 3 3 6 +4 2Utah Mammoth 4 3 3 6 0 0Toronto Maple Leafs 4 3 3 6 0 0
Leading goaltenders The following goaltenders led the league in regular season goals against average at the completion of games played on October 6, 2026, while playing at least 115 minutes
Player Team St. Louis Blues 2 1 1 0 2 1 44 .955 1.01Dallas Stars 2 1 1 0 2 1 35 .943 1.01New York Islanders 2 1 1 0 2 1 63 .968 1.02Florida Panthers 3 2 0 1 4 1 55 .927 1.27Minnesota Wild 3 2 0 1 5 0 75 .933 1.63New York Rangers 4 3 1 0 7 0 95 .926 1.75Utah Mammoth 3 2 1 0 6 1 69 .913 2.02Tampa Bay Lightning 3 2 1 0 6 0 60 .900 2.05Boston Bruins 3 2 1 0 7 1 81 .914 2.30Detroit Red Wings 3 1 2 0 7 0 72 .903 2.38
Uniforms
Wholesale team changes