Five NHL Contenders Struggling Early in the 2025–26 Season
As the 2025–26 NHL season hits the quarter mark, a handful of teams that were expected to cruise toward the playoffs have instead stumbled into trouble. It’s still early, sure, but the trends aren’t great, and fans are already starting to feel uneasy. Let’s walk through five teams that, surprisingly, find themselves outside the playoff picture right now.
First up are the Edmonton Oilers. After back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final, nobody expected this kind of slow start. A 9-9-5 record through 23 games has landed them 12th in the West, and their defensive issues have been exposed in a big way. With a goals-against average sitting at 3.57—fifth worst in the league—it’s clear that neither the system nor the personnel are holding up. Their offense hasn’t been its usual explosive self either. And because salary-cap room is tight, major changes won’t come easily. With stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the roster, missing the playoffs would be shocking, but for the first time in years, it doesn’t feel impossible.
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The New York Rangers are also in unexpected territory. After reworking their defense and making some tweaks up front, they were supposed to take a step forward. Instead, they’ve posted a disappointing 10-10-2 record and currently sit 14th in the East. What’s really hurting them is their home performance—just one win at Madison Square Garden. Defense and goaltending have mostly held up, but their offense has flatlined, averaging only 2.50 goals per game. When only Calgary and Nashville are scoring less, that’s a serious problem.
The St. Louis Blues, who energized fans with a late surge last year, have taken a sharp step backward. Sitting near the bottom of the West with a 6-9-6 record, they own the league’s worst goals-against average at 3.76. That alone has dragged them out of contention. With talk already swirling about selling off veterans and reshaping the roster, it’s clear that this season may end up being more about transition than contention.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have also found themselves in an unfamiliar spot. At 9-9-3, only Buffalo sits below them in the conference. Injuries have piled up, and defensive inconsistencies have been glaring. Their offense can still score, but allowing too many goals per game has wiped out whatever advantages they’ve had. They’ll get healthier, but time isn’t slowing down for them.
Finally, the Vancouver Canucks are once again stuck in neutral. With a 9-11-2 record and sitting 14th in the West, they’re technically close to a playoff spot, but the climb is crowded. First-year coach Adam Foote has a huge challenge ahead, and roster changes may be coming if things don’t turn soon. Missing the playoffs again would be a major setback for the franchise.
There’s still plenty of hockey left, but for these five teams, the warning lights are definitely flashing.
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