We have seen more parity in the NHL over the previous three seasons. There haven’t been as many glaringly weak teams, but will that continue this season and beyond as the salary cap continues to increase significantly?

Last season, Vancouver was the only team under 72 points. In 2022, six teams had 68 points or fewer, while six teams in 2023 had 70 and below. In 2024, only four teams were below 76 points; three had fewer than 76 points in 2025, and last season only two teams had fewer than 77 points. We have seen a consistent decline in truly non-competitive teams, and I wonder if it tightens up even more this season.

The six teams below 82 points last season included Seattle (79), Toronto (78), Calgary and the New York Rangers (77), Chicago (72), and Vancouver (58). Most feel Toronto should be more competitive this season, and so should the Rangers. Seattle is determined to improve, and even though they were unable to land Artemi Panarin and Jason Robertson, despite offering them big money, they will keep trying. I don’t think they’ve done enough to make the playoffs, but I don’t see them regressing much.

Calgary is similar to last season, while Chicago has more young skill, but with Connor Bedard out for the first month to six weeks, their chances of competing for the playoffs don’t look much better. Vancouver is the only team I would say with 100 per cent certainty won’t make the playoffs. They are trying to rebuild their franchise, both on and off the ice. Other teams are good bets to miss, but no one thought San Jose would be in the mix last year and they were, so you never know.

This is how teams fared last season.

There were 11 teams with 98-plus points. Why did I use 98, you are wondering? Because this season the league expands to 84 games played, so winning one of those two extra games, or losing both in OT/SO, will give a team an extra two points, and I’m wondering how many teams will reach 100-plus points.

Here is how many teams reached 98-plus points the past five seasons:

© Oilers Nation