NHL: Sleeper teams

The 2025-26 NHL season is officially underway with things kicking off this past Tuesday.

Everyone knows about the favorites and the teams that are pretty much locks for the postseason, but there are always a few surprises when we get towards the latter half of the year in March and April.

Here are some teams that could be some sleepers this season.

Ottawa Senators

The Sens made the playoffs a season ago before losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs in round one of the playoffs.

This season hinges on internal growth from the squad because Ottawa didn’t make a big move in the offseason.

They bring back basically the same squad from a year ago, and under Travis Green, the Senators have been a very reliable, defensively sound team.

I think Ottawa has the tools to make a deep playoff run this season.

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal essentially ended its rebuild after making the playoffs last season on the backs of its young core.

The Habs upgraded on the blue line over the summer by acquiring Noah Dobson from the Islanders on draft day, a move that will elevate the squad both offensively and defensively.

This is exactly what the Canadiens needed and I think they take the next step forward and become a true threat in the East.

Utah Mammoth

Utah addressed their needs in the offseason, which was goal scoring, so they went out and got one of the best forwards available for trade in JJ Peterka.

We’ve seen over the last couple of years, dating back to the Arizona days, that this team likes to go on lengthy losing streaks whenever they're in a playoff position. Finding a way to break those streaks will be key this year.

A healthy Dylan Guenther could score north of 30 goals and Clayton Keller will obviously be a top player in the league.

This team is right there and I say they make the playoffs this year.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets have real potential and all the keys to make the postseason a go on a run.

Blueliner Zach Werenski is the leader on the backend and when he’s at the top of his game, he’s one of the best the league has to offer.

There is also some great talent in the top-six forward group with guys like Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko continuing to mature.

Columbus was the best team in the NHL in 5 on 5 play last season and barely missed out of the playoffs when nobody thought they would even be in the conversation.

CBJ will have a lot of juice coming into this year and I wouldn’t be surprised if they sit comfortably in one of the three Metro playoff spots.

Anaheim Ducks

Everything that makes the Ducks enticing this season is their plethora of youngsters who have cracked the starting lineup.

They’ve found a balance throughout different parts of their lineup and have developed one of the best farm systems in the league.

The young guys like Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Mason McTavish all have the tools to have big-time breakout years.

Adding veterans like Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund supplies good experience to a young team that I think could be in the running for a playoff spot this season.

Watch out for Anaheim in the West this year.

Austin Moran is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email acm6506@psu.edu.