The 2026-27 NHL season is still on the horizon, but the early projection board is already loaded with big swings: young defensemen chasing historic scoring totals, rookies stepping into featured roles, and several veteran stars being asked to reset their ceilings. Here is a club-by-club notebook of the bold calls around the league.
Big numbers on the blue line and in the crease
Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin is pegged for a 90-plus-point season that would put him atop the League’s defensemen and in Norris Trophy territory. Calgary rookie Zayne Parekh is being projected for 20 or more goals, a total that would place him among the position’s most dangerous finishers. Montreal’s Lane Hutson could pace all NHL blue-liners with at least 75 assists and 60 even-strength points, while the Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer is being given a 30-goal target. Only Cale Makar in 2024-25 and Mike Green in 2008-09 have reached that mark as defensemen since 1993-94.
Los Angeles could get a rare all-around line from Brandt Clarke: at least 10 goals, 60 points, 25 power-play points and 180 blocked shots. Tampa Bay’s John Carlson, at age 36, is projected to establish a personal best with 34 or more power-play points. Vegas defenseman Shea Theodore could likewise clear 30 man-advantage points, well beyond his previous high of 19 in 2024-25. Nashville’s Roman Josi is in position to become the first defenseman aged 36 or older to collect 70 points since Nicklas Lidstrom reached 70 in 2007-08.
In net, Carolina’s Brandon Bussi has been forecast to reach 38 wins and lead the NHL. Colorado’s Mackenzie Blackwood could post the League’s best save percentage at .920 or higher over at least 40 appearances. Minnesota’s Jesper Wallstedt has an even larger workload projected: seven shutouts, a .918 save percentage across a minimum of 50 games, and a Vezina Trophy case. The Rangers may lean heavily on Igor Shesterkin, who is projected to lead the NHL in games played with at least 65, total saves and goals-against average among qualifying goaltenders. That would mark the heaviest single-season workload for a goalie since 2021-22.
Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson is being lined up for his first 100-point campaign. Boston newcomer JJ Peterka could rebound by scoring at least 35 goals and leading the Bruins. In Columbus, Charlie Coyle is projected to lead Blue Jackets forwards with 15 or more multi-point outings, while Pittsburgh’s Egor Chinakhov could top the Penguins with at least 35 goals.
Rookies, scoring races and team milestones
Chicago’s Roman Kantserov could lead all rookies with more than 25 goals. Philadelphia’s Porter Martone is projected for a bruising, productive debut with at least 60 points, 200 shots and 100 hits; no rookie has reached all three thresholds since Filip Forsberg in 2014-15. Toronto’s Gavin McKenna could become only the third rookie since 2008-09 to record 70 points, joining Mathew Barzal and Artemi Panarin. Winnipeg rookie Viggo Bjorck is projected to join Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi in the 20-goal group.
Dallas has the ingredients for a three-player 100-point line, with Jason Robertson, Mikko Rantanen and Wyatt Johnston all projected to get there. No team has had three 100-point scorers since Edmonton’s Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins did it in 2022-23. Florida could produce three 40-goal forwards in Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart, matching a feat last achieved by Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos in 2023-24.
Edmonton’s Zach Hyman is projected to rediscover the finishing touch under former coach Mike Babcock, scoring 40 or more goals for the second time after his 54-goal season in 2023-24. Detroit’s Lucas Raymond could set a new career mark with at least 40 power-play points. New Jersey’s Jack Hughes is projected to take the NHL shot crown with 350 or more attempts. In Ottawa, the post-Brady Tkachuk trade opportunity could put Drake Batherson in a class of one: 40 goals, 80 points, 200 shots and 100 hits.
San Jose’s Will Smith could hit 40 goals and 40 assists while skating on the top unit with Macklin Celebrini. Seattle’s Bobby McMann is projected for 30 goals, which would make him just the second Kraken player to reach that number after Jared McCann’s 40-goal campaign in 2022-23; it would also surpass McMann’s previous best of 20 from 2024-25. St. Louis rookie Jimmy Snuggerud could lead the Blues with 35 or more goals.
Utah’s Dylan Guenther is being projected for a 50-goal push near the top of the NHL scoring race. Vancouver’s Marco Rossi could lead the Canucks with at least 60 points. Washington’s Jordan Kyrou is projected to score 40 for the first time and finish as the Capitals’ leading goal scorer. Across the League, that is the theme of the coming season’s boldest calls: the next wave is not waiting quietly for its turn.
