The 2025–26 NHL season was the 109th season of operation (108th season of play) of the National Hockey League (NHL). The regular season began on October 7, 2025, and was the final regular season played under the 82-game schedule before the schedule expands to 84 games in 2026–27. A mid-season break took place in February due to the NHL's participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The Stanley Cup playoffs began in April 2026 and ended on June 14, with the Carolina Hurricanes defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in six games to capture their second Stanley Cup in franchise history and first since 2006.
After playing the previous season under its temporary identity, the Utah Hockey Club was renamed the Utah Mammoth in the off-season.
League business
Collective bargaining agreement The 2020 extension of the 2013 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expires at the end of the 2025–26 NHL season. On June 27, 2025, the league and the NHL Players' Association agreed on a new four-year extension 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.
Entry draft The 2025 NHL entry draft took place on June 27–28, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Utah rebranding After opting to play the 2024–25 season with a temporary identity, the Utah Hockey Club announced on January 29, 2025, that fans attending their following four home games in late January and early February could vote for a permanent identity for the club, with the final three options being the existing Utah Hockey Club, Utah Mammoth, and Utah Wasatch. While the Wasatch name was not one of the six finalists, it was intended to honor the idea of a mythical snow creature similar to the yeti, with a "Utah-centric" approach inspired by the Wasatch Mountains; though originally considered a likely name, "Yeti" or "Yetis" had been ruled out as a choice following trademark disputes with Yeti Holdings. One day later, on January 30, the team announced that "Wasatch" was being removed from the survey, being replaced by previously announced option "Utah Outlaws".
On April 30, 2025, speculation arose that "Mammoth" was the selected name following leaks online that showed the team changing its YouTube handle to "UtahMammoth." This speculation was confirmed on May 7, 2025, when the team officially revealed their permanent name as the "Utah Mammoth." A new logo and uniforms were revealed as well, retaining the same color and striping scheme.
Coaching changes + Coaching changesOff–seasonTeam2024–25 coach2025–26 coach Notes Anaheim Ducks Greg Cronin Joel Quenneville On April 19, 2025, three days after the conclusion of their season, the Ducks fired Cronin. In two seasons with Anaheim, Cronin compiled a 62–87–15 record, missing the playoffs in both years. Quenneville, most recently head coach of the Florida Panthers from 2019 to 2021, was named head coach on May 8. Boston Bruins Jim MontgomeryJoe Sacco* Marco Sturm Montgomery was fired on November 19, 2024, after the Bruins started the season 8–9–3. In just over two seasons with the Bruins, Montgomery totaled a 120–41–23 record with two playoff appearances, including a Presidents' Trophy in 2023 following one of the greatest regular seasons in NHL history. Sacco, a Bruins assistant coach, and formerly head coach of the Colorado Avalanche from 2009 to 2013, was named interim head coach the same day, and finished out the season with a 24–30–6 record. Sturm, most recently head coach of the Los Angeles Kings' AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, and who played five seasons for the Bruins from 2005 to 2010, was named head coach on June 5. Chicago Blackhawks Luke RichardsonAnders Sorensen* Jeff Blashill Richardson was fired on December 5, 2024, after the Blackhawks began the season 8–16–2. In just over two seasons with Chicago, Richardson totaled a 57–118–15 record, failing to reach the playoffs in either completed year. Sorensen, previously the head coach of the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, was named interim head coach the same day. Sorensen became the first Swedish-born head coach in NHL history, and finished out the season with a 17–30–9 record. Blashill, most recently an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and previously head coach of the Detroit Red Wings from 2015 to 2022, was named head coach on May 22. Dallas Stars Peter DeBoer Glen Gulutzan DeBoer was fired on June 6, 2025, eight days after the Stars' elimination from the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. In three seasons with the team, DeBoer recorded a 149–68–29 record, reaching the Western Conference finals in all three seasons, but failing to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. Gulutzan, who had previously coached Dallas from 2011 to 2013, and most recently served as an assistant coach with the Edmonton Oilers, was named head coach on July 1. New York Rangers Peter Laviolette Mike Sullivan Laviolette was fired on April 19, 2025, two days after the conclusion of the Rangers' season. In two seasons with the Rangers, Laviolette recorded a 94–59–11 record, winning the Presidents' Trophy and reaching the Eastern Conference finals in his first year, but missing the playoffs in his second. Sullivan, most recently the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2015 to 2025, was named head coach on May 2. Philadelphia Flyers John TortorellaBrad Shaw* Rick Tocchet Tortorella was fired on March 27, 2025, with the Flyers holding a 28–36–9 record, and after a 1–10–1 record in their 12 games prior to Tortorella's dismissal. In just under three seasons with Philadelphia, Tortorella posted a 97–107–33 record, with no playoff appearances. Shaw, previously an assistant coach, was named interim head coach the same day, and compiled a 5–3–1 record over the final nine games of the season. Tocchet, most recently the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks from 2023 to 2025, and who played 11 seasons for the Flyers from 1984 to 1992 and 2000 to 2002, was named head coach on May 14. Pittsburgh Penguins Mike Sullivan Dan Muse Sullivan and the Penguins mutually agreed to part ways on April 28, 2025, 11 days after the conclusion of the Penguins' season. In nine and a half seasons with Pittsburgh, Sullivan totaled a 409–255–89 record, reaching the playoffs seven times and winning back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017. Muse, most recently an assistant coach with the New York Rangers, was named head coach on June 4. Seattle Kraken Dan Bylsma Lane Lambert Bylsma was fired on April 21, 2025, six days after the conclusion of the Kraken's season. Bylsma recorded a 35–41–6 record in his only season with Seattle, missing the playoffs. Lambert, most recently an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and previously head coach of the New York Islanders from 2022 to 2024, was named head coach on May 29. Vancouver Canucks Rick Tocchet Adam Foote On April 29, 2025, fourteen days after the conclusion of the Canucks' season, Tocchet and the Canucks mutually agreed to part ways. In two and-a-half seasons with Vancouver, Tocchet recorded a 108–65–27 record with one playoff appearance, reaching the second round in 2024. Foote, the assistant coach, was promoted to head coach on May 14.In–seasonTeamOutgoing coachIncoming coach Notes Columbus Blue Jackets Dean Evason Rick Bowness Evason was fired on January 12, 2026, after Columbus began the season 19–19–7. In a season and a half with Columbus, Evason totaled a 59–52–16 record, missing the playoffs in his one completed season. Bowness, most recently head coach of the Winnipeg Jets from 2022 to 2024 before retiring at the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, was named head coach the same day. Los Angeles Kings Jim Hiller D. J. Smith* 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. New York Islanders Patrick Roy Peter DeBoer Roy was fired on April 5, 2026, with four games remaining in the season, after the Islanders started the season 42–31–5, including a 3–7–0 in his final 10 games and a four-game losing streak immediately preceding his dismissal. In parts of three seasons with the Islanders, Roy recorded a 97–78–22 record, with one playoff appearance. DeBoer, most recently head coach of the Dallas Stars from 2022 to 2025, was named head coach the same day. Vegas Golden Knights Bruce Cassidy John Tortorella 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. (*) Indicates interim
Front office changes