NHL Season is Quickly Approaching
![Emily Olcott Staff Writer Rosters are set and the long summer wait is finally over. The puck drops for the NHL on October 7th, with a tripleheader that has fans anxiously awaiting the season’s expected drama, milestones, and unpredictability. On Tuesday, the spotlight first shines on Sunrise, Florida, where the Panthers will raise their championship banner for the second consecutive year before taking on the Chicago Blackhawks. A night of recognition, but also the start of a hunt, shining targets […]](https://www.leprovoc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-31-at-12.01.05-AM.png)
Emily Olcott
Staff Writer
Rosters are set and the long summer wait is finally over. The puck drops for the NHL on October 7th, with a tripleheader that has fans anxiously awaiting the season’s expected drama, milestones, and unpredictability.
On Tuesday, the spotlight first shines on Sunrise, Florida, where the Panthers will raise their championship banner for the second consecutive year before taking on the Chicago Blackhawks. A night of recognition, but also the start of a hunt, shining targets on their backs as the reigning champions with something to prove. In Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby’s Penguins battle the New York Rangers, while Nathan MacKinnon’s Avalanche take on the Kings in Los Angeles. Three games, and three statements to mark the beginning of a long upcoming season.
This season also marks the last time the league will use the 82 game structure for the foreseeable future. The league can also look forward to two games being played in Sweden in November. February will also make time for the Winter Olympics, taking place in Milano Cortina. The first games in almost a decade’s time where NHL players will participate.
The 2025-26 season is shaping up to be one of interest and excitement. Patrick Kane makes an exciting return to Detroit on a one-year, $3 million deal, while Luke Hughes just signed a long term 7-year, $63 million deal with the New Jersey Devils to remain alongside his team and brother Jack. While the veterans have proved themselves, there are several rookies that should be on fan’s radars. Matthew Schaefer for the Islanders and Michael Misa for the Sharks are just two of the many new exciting rookies, drafted first and second overall in this year’s draft class. As some of the older players, including Marc-André Fleury, are on their way out, that leaves plenty of room for young players to shine.
While the season is within reach, all teams enter with a clean slate, some wanting to prove something and some on the mend of a rebuild. The NHL is unpredictable, the talent is young, and the opportunities are endless. The season will officially be underway on Tuesday, October 7th , with a 5:00 PM ET in Sunshine, Florida, with the Florida Panthers taking on the Chicago Blackhawks.
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