The Colorado Avalanche hold firm at No. 1 in the latest ESPN NHL power rankings, boasting an impressive 82.6% points percentage midway through the 2025-26 season. With only four regulation losses, Denver’s squad exemplifies dominance, sending eight players to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. This marks the first NHL participation since 2014, adding extra intrigue as 11 of 12 teams have unveiled rosters featuring a blend of current stars, veterans, and prospects.
Tampa Bay Lightning climb to No. 2, topping all clubs with 11 Olympians and fueling the “Battle of Florida” narrative alongside the Panthers’ nine. As rosters solidify ahead of February’s tournament, these rankings—compiled by ESPN’s panel through Thursday’s games—highlight how international duty intersects with domestic success. For more on the Avalanche’s sustained lead, check our updated power rankings analysis.
Lightning lead the Olympic charge from Florida
Tampa Bay’s 11 Olympians set a high bar, blending skill from multiple nations. Oliver Bjorkstrand (Denmark), Erik Cernak (Slovakia), and Anthony Cirelli, Brandon Hagel, and Brayden Point (all Canada) anchor the forwards, while Victor Hedman (Sweden) provides defensive stability. J.J. Moser (Switzerland) and Wojciech Stachowiak (Germany) add depth, with Zemgus Girgensons (Latvia) and Jake Guentzel (USA) rounding out a diverse group. This haul edges out intra-state rivals Florida, totaling 20 skaters from the Sunshine State if Russia participated.
The Lightning’s rise from No. 5 underscores their 65.5% points clip, positioning them as Cup contenders. Guentzel’s American leadership pairs with Hedman’s experience, potentially carrying Tampa’s hopes internationally. Facing Philadelphia twice and Pittsburgh next, they aim to build momentum before the Olympic break.
Florida Panthers sit at No. 15 but contribute nine, including Finns Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen, Swede Gustav Forsling, and Americans Seth Jones and Matthew Tkachuk. Canadians Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart join Latvian Uvis Balinskis and Finn Niko Mikkola. Captain Aleksander Barkov would have bolstered Finland if healthy, amplifying the rivalry.
This Florida dominance reflects scouting pipelines and player development, with Tampa’s edge in quantity but Florida’s quality in stars like Tkachuk. As detailed in ESPN’s full rankings, such representation could impact playoff pushes post-Olympics.
Avalanche and Wild anchor the West’s elite
Colorado’s eight Olympians read like an all-star lineup: Finns Joel Kiviranta and Artturi Lehkonen, Swede Gabriel Landeskog, Canadian Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar (plus Devon Toews), Czech Martin Necas, and American Brock Nelson. MacKinnon’s prowess and Makar’s dynamism position Canada strongly, while the group’s cohesion mirrors the Avs’ league-best form.
Minnesota Wild at No. 3 send seven, heavy on Swedes like Jonas Brodin, Joel Eriksson Ek, Filip Gustavsson, and Jesper Wallstedt, plus Americans Matt Boldy and Brock Faber, German Nico Sturm, and traded Quinn Hughes (USA). Absent Kirill Kaprizov due to Russia’s exclusion hurts, but sleepers like Faber could shine. Their 66.7% points percentage keeps them playoff-bound.
Dallas Stars drop to No. 4 but boast Finnish core Miro Heiskanen, Roope Hintz, Esa Lindell, plus Czech Radek Faksa, Canadian Thomas Harley, American Jake Oettinger, and Finn Mikko Rantanen. “Helsinki, Texas” could surprise in Milan. Facing a tough road slate, they maintain 68.2% points.
These Western powers exemplify balanced rosters, blending nationalities for depth. For context on surging teams like Colorado, see our week 6 power rankings.
Mid-pack movers and international surprises
Carolina Hurricanes (No. 5) contribute five: Finn Sebastian Aho, Danes Frederik Andersen and Nikolaj Ehlers, American Jaccob Slavin. Detroit Red Wings (No. 6) feature American Dylan Larkin, Swede Lucas Raymond, German Moritz Seider. Philadelphia Flyers (No. 7) send Latvian Rodrigo Abols, Finn Rasmus Ristolainen, Canadian Travis Sanheim, Czech Dan Vladar—Ristolainen chasing Olympic glory after his 2014 world juniors heroics.
Montreal Canadiens jump to No. 8 with Finn Oliver Kapanen, Slovak Juraj Slafkovsky, Canadian Nick Suzuki, French Alexandre Texier. New York Islanders (No. 9) have lone Canadian Bo Horvat, eyeing future additions like Matthew Schaefer. Washington Capitals (No. 10) include Slovak Martin Fehervary, Canadians Logan Thompson and Tom Wilson.
Pittsburgh Penguins (No. 11) boast Sidney Crosby (Canada), Swedes Erik Karlsson and Rickard Rakell, Latvian Arturs Silovs—potentially Crosby’s last Olympic captaincy. Buffalo Sabres (No. 12) send Swede Rasmus Dahlin, Finn Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, American Tage Thompson, the latter snubbed from 4 Nations but thriving here.
These mid-tier teams leverage Olympics for momentum, with snubs like Cole Caufield sparking debate. Vegas Golden Knights (No. 13) counter with elite like American Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin, Canadian Mitch Marner and Mark Stone, Czech Tomas Hertl.
Lower ranks and potential breakout stories
Edmonton Oilers (No. 14) feature German Leon Draisaitl, Canadian Connor McDavid, Germans Josh Samanski, Czech David Tomasek—McDavid’s OT heroics a recurring theme. Toronto Maple Leafs (No. 16) lack Canadians post-trades but have Swedes Oliver Ekman-Larsson and William Nylander, American Auston Matthews.
Seattle Kraken (No. 17) send Danes Oscar Fisker Molgaard and Philipp Grubauer (Germany), Finns Kaapo Kakko and Eeli Tolvanen—Kakko poised for redemption. Ottawa Senators (No. 18) boast German Tim Stutzle, Americans Jake Sanderson and Brady Tkachuk, Danes Lars Eller and Mads Sogaard, Finn Nikolas Matinpalo.
Los Angeles Kings (No. 19) include Finns Joel Armia, Canadian Drew Doughty, Swiss Kevin Fiala, Swede Adrian Kempe, Canadian Darcy Kuemper. Boston Bruins (No. 20) feature Finn Henri Jokiharju, Swede Elias Lindholm, Americans Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman, Czechs David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha—Pastrnak fired up post-worlds triumph.
New York Rangers (No. 21), San Jose Sharks (No. 22 with Hart contender Macklin Celebrini for Canada), and beyond fill niches: Czechs abound from Anaheim Ducks, Germans from New Jersey Devils. Bottom feeders like Vancouver Canucks surprisingly send six despite poor standings.
As Olympics near, these rankings foreshadow talent drains and returns. Teams like Tampa and Colorado could leverage international success for Stanley Cup runs, while underdogs eye upsets in Italy. Monitor schedules—Avs host Columbus and Toronto soon—for clues on post-break form. Full Olympic details here via ESPN.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.