About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2026-27 NHL season hits one month old this week and two things have stood out recently.
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is off to a red-hot start that puts him in Wayne Gretzky territory if he can sustain it.
Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets and New Jersey Devils pulled off a blockbuster trade with award-winning goalie Connor Hellebuyck heading to the Metropolitan Division. The move happened on the day that Hellebuyck was eligible to return from his team-imposed suspension for failing to report to training camp amid a trade request .
How did those items affect NHL teams' outlooks? Here are USA TODAY Sports' NHL power rankings:
Oct. 13: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) fights with Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. (Jerome Miron, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) Oct. 13: Boston Bruins' Nikita Zadorov fights with the San Jose Sharks' Darnell Nurse (25) during the third period at SAP Center. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) Oct. 13: Florida Panthers left wing Brady Tkachuk (8) celebrates his natural hat trick goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at Nationwide Arena. (Russell LaBounty, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) Oct. 13: New York Rangers' Matt Rempe (73) fights Tampa Bay Lightning's Jeffrey Viel. (Sarah Stier, Getty Images) Oct. 13: Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) celebrates with goalie Spencer Knight (30) after defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins. Bedard made his season debut after offseason shoulder surgery. (Michael Reaves, Getty Images) Oct 13: Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) checks Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) during the second period at Lenovo Center. (James Guillory, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) Oct 12: Minnesota Wild forward Nico Sturm (78) is helped off the ice after he was hit in the head by a puck. (Bruce Kluckhohn, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) Oct 11: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) reacts after scoring a goal against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at Capital One Arena. It was the 930th of his career. (Brad Mills, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) Oct. 9: New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) is helped off the ice after being injured against the Washington Capitals. He was ruled out for the season. (Geoff Burke, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) Oct. 9: Pittsburgh Penguins center Blake Lizotte (46) falls to the ice after a check from Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Carson Soucy (7) during the second period at Nationwide Arena. (Russell LaBounty, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) Oct. 6: Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Gavin McKenna (92) celebrates scoring his first NHL goal against the Nashville Predators during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. (Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) Oct 6: Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) and Seattle Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour (62) fight during the third period at Climate Pledge Arena. (Steven Bisig, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) Oct. 7: NHL stars Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby chat with each other in the final season of their rivalry. Ovechkin announced he'll retire from the NHL after this season. (Patrick Smith, Getty Images) Oct. 8: San Jose Sharks left wing Mason Marchment (27) checks St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Barron (72) during the third period at Enterprise Center. (Jeff Curry, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) Oct. 1 New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) celebrates after scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He's the first Rangers player with a goalie goal. (Brad Penner, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) Oct. 1: The Edmonton Oilers celebrate a goal by defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) in the first period. Bouchard had eight points over his first two games. (Bob Frid, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) Sept. 29: The Carolina Hurricanes raise the 2026 Stanley Cup banner before a game against the Florida Panthers at Lenovo Center. (James Guillory, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) 1 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct. 13: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) fights with Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. (Jerome Miron, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) 1 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct. 13: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) fights with Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. (Jerome Miron, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) 2 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct. 13: Boston Bruins' Nikita Zadorov fights with the San Jose Sharks' Darnell Nurse (25) during the third period at SAP Center. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 3 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct. 13: Florida Panthers left wing Brady Tkachuk (8) celebrates his natural hat trick goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at Nationwide Arena. (Russell LaBounty, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) 4 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct. 13: New York Rangers' Matt Rempe (73) fights Tampa Bay Lightning's Jeffrey Viel. (Sarah Stier, Getty Images) 5 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct. 13: Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) celebrates with goalie Spencer Knight (30) after defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins. Bedard made his season debut after offseason shoulder surgery. (Michael Reaves, Getty Images) 6 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct 13: Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) checks Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) during the second period at Lenovo Center. (James Guillory, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) 7 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct 12: Minnesota Wild forward Nico Sturm (78) is helped off the ice after he was hit in the head by a puck. (Bruce Kluckhohn, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) 8 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct 11: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) reacts after scoring a goal against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at Capital One Arena. It was the 930th of his career. (Brad Mills, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) 9 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct. 9: New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) is helped off the ice after being injured against the Washington Capitals. He was ruled out for the season. (Geoff Burke, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) 10 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct. 9: Pittsburgh Penguins center Blake Lizotte (46) falls to the ice after a check from Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Carson Soucy (7) during the second period at Nationwide Arena. (Russell LaBounty, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) 11 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct. 6: Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Gavin McKenna (92) celebrates scoring his first NHL goal against the Nashville Predators during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. (Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) 12 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct 6: Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) and Seattle Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour (62) fight during the third period at Climate Pledge Arena. (Steven Bisig, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) 13 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct. 7: NHL stars Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby chat with each other in the final season of their rivalry. Ovechkin announced he'll retire from the NHL after this season. (Patrick Smith, Getty Images) 14 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct. 8: San Jose Sharks left wing Mason Marchment (27) checks St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Barron (72) during the third period at Enterprise Center. (Jeff Curry, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) 15 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct. 1 New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) celebrates after scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He's the first Rangers player with a goalie goal. (Brad Penner, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) 16 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Oct. 1: The Edmonton Oilers celebrate a goal by defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) in the first period. Bouchard had eight points over his first two games. (Bob Frid, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) 17 / 17 Fights, checks and big plays from the 2026-27 NHL season Sept. 29: The Carolina Hurricanes raise the 2026 Stanley Cup banner before a game against the Florida Panthers at Lenovo Center. (James Guillory, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect) NHL power rankings Number in parentheses is the change from the previous power rankings two weeks ago:
The Canucks are at the bottom of the NHL standings again amid a 10-game losing streak. The latest was to the Wild in former captain Quinn Hughes' return to Vancouver. He got a goal and his 500th career point in the game. The league's worst penalty kill gave up two more goals.
Connor Bedard is back from injury and averaging a point a game, but offseason acquisition Bowen Byram is out with an injury. The defenseman with the $12.5 million cap hit has one point in six games.
The Kings were the last NHL team to pick up their first win of the season. Scoring (2.33 goals per game) and penalty killing (65.5 percent) have both been a problem.
They finally won in their 10th game, ending a team-record worst start, and are now on a 3-1 run. Matvei Michkov has led the way with six goals and two assists in his last five games.
The Flames are turning things around with a 4-1 run after an 0-5 start in which they were often blown out. That includes wins against Anaheim, Carolina and Minnesota.
Coach Rick Bowness called out players again after a 7-3 loss to Florida. "If they're not embarrassed, we don't want them on the team," he said. The Blue Jackets played a couple stronger games afterward before a 6-2 loss to Toronto.
The Ducks rallied from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Flyers and end a five-game losing streak. Leo Carlsson, whom the Flyers signed to an offer sheet (the Ducks matched), had a goal and an assist in the game.
With Hellebuyck traded, will fellow U.S. Olympic goal medalist Dylan Larkin be next? The Red Wings center and former captain reportedly has expanded the number of places where he'd accept a trade to 10 teams . Defenseman Simon Edvinsson remains unsigned.
Forward Ben Kindel is on the injured list after he collapsed on an Oct. 22 flight . General manager Kyle Dubas described the incident as a "vasovagal episode." According to the Mayo Clinic , that occurs "when you faint because your body overreacts to certain triggers."
Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had been mentioned in trade rumors involving Hellebuyck but is staying. He has given up at least three goals in every game, including two to former Sabre Alex Tuch in a loss to the Capitals.
The Jets received goalie Nico Daws, forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, prospect Alexander Command and two draft picks in the Hellebuyck trade. They lost the Heritage Classic in their first game after the trade. Mercer had two shots and no points in his Jets debut.
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo (2) checks Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (48) during the second period of the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens 2026 Heritage Classic ice hockey game at Princess Auto Stadium. (Terrence Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (48) celebrates a goal against the Winnipeg Jets in the second period during the 2026 Heritage Classic ice hockey game at Princess Auto Stadium. (James Carey Lauder, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Viggo Björck of the Winnipeg Jets skates against Montreal Canadiens during the first period of the 2026 NHL Heritage Classic. (Cameron Bartlett, Getty Images) Winnipeg Jets center Dawson Mercer (19) skates towards Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier (45) in the first period during the 2026 Heritage Classic ice hockey game at Princess Auto Stadium. (James Carey Lauder, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Game action during the first period at the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens 2026 Heritage Classic ice hockey game at Princess Auto Stadium on Oct. 25, 2026. (Terrence Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) The Montreal Canadiens and the Winnipeg Jets play during the first period of the 2026 NHL Heritage Classic. (Cameron Bartlett, Getty Images) Game action during the first period at the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens 2026 Heritage Classic ice hockey game at Princess Auto Stadium on Oct. 25, 2026. (Terrence Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Game action during the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens 2026 Heritage Classic ice hockey game at Princess Auto Stadium on Oct. 25, 2026. (Terrence Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Opening ceremonies at the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens 2026 Heritage Classic ice hockey game at Princess Auto Stadium on Oct. 25, 2026. (Terrence Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 9 Outdoor battle as Jets and Canadiens hit the ice in NHL Heritage Classic Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo (2) checks Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (48) during the second period of the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens 2026 Heritage Classic ice hockey game at Princess Auto Stadium. (Terrence Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 9 Outdoor battle as Jets and Canadiens hit the ice in NHL Heritage Classic Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo (2) checks Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (48) during the second period of the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens 2026 Heritage Classic ice hockey game at Princess Auto Stadium. (Terrence Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 2 / 9 Outdoor battle as Jets and Canadiens hit the ice in NHL Heritage Classic Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (48) celebrates a goal against the Winnipeg Jets in the second period during the 2026 Heritage Classic ice hockey game at Princess Auto Stadium. (James Carey Lauder, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 3 / 9 Outdoor battle as Jets and Canadiens hit the ice in NHL Heritage Classic Viggo Björck of the Winnipeg Jets skates against Montreal Canadiens during the first period of the 2026 NHL Heritage Classic. (Cameron Bartlett, Getty Images) 4 / 9 Outdoor battle as Jets and Canadiens hit the ice in NHL Heritage Classic Winnipeg Jets center Dawson Mercer (19) skates towards Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier (45) in the first period during the 2026 Heritage Classic ice hockey game at Princess Auto Stadium. (James Carey Lauder, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 5 / 9 Outdoor battle as Jets and Canadiens hit the ice in NHL Heritage Classic Game action during the first period at the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens 2026 Heritage Classic ice hockey game at Princess Auto Stadium on Oct. 25, 2026. (Terrence Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 6 / 9 Outdoor battle as Jets and Canadiens hit the ice in NHL Heritage Classic The Montreal Canadiens and the Winnipeg Jets play during the first period of the 2026 NHL Heritage Classic. (Cameron Bartlett, Getty Images) 7 / 9 Outdoor battle as Jets and Canadiens hit the ice in NHL Heritage Classic Game action during the first period at the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens 2026 Heritage Classic ice hockey game at Princess Auto Stadium on Oct. 25, 2026. (Terrence Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 8 / 9 Outdoor battle as Jets and Canadiens hit the ice in NHL Heritage Classic Game action during the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens 2026 Heritage Classic ice hockey game at Princess Auto Stadium on Oct. 25, 2026. (Terrence Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 9 / 9 Outdoor battle as Jets and Canadiens hit the ice in NHL Heritage Classic Opening ceremonies at the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens 2026 Heritage Classic ice hockey game at Princess Auto Stadium on Oct. 25, 2026. (Terrence Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 21. St. Louis Blues (0) Offseason acquisitions Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael are playing on the second line. McTavish is tied for the team lead with six goals and 10 points.
Coach Peter DeBoer's Islanders lost 6-3 in his return to Dallas, where he led the Stars to three consecutive Western Conference finals berths before being fired . Everyone kept focus on the game, not the return. "I think what's important is the way we won the game, not who we were playing," said Stars forward Jason Robertson , who scored two goals.
The Predators scored four power-play goals on Oct. 25 against the Avalanche, their most in a game since 2012. That 4-for-7 performance moved them to the league's third-best power play at 33.3 percent.
No. 2 overall pick Ivar Stenberg is tied for the rookie scoring lead with 12 points. He has a rookie-best seven of those on the power play.
With Vincent Desharnais expected to be out four to six weeks after an emergency appendectomy, the Capitals claimed defenseman Jack St. Ivany off waivers from the Jets.
The Rangers signed veteran goalie James Reimer as they cope with a season-ending injury to Igor Shesterkin . Dylan Garand, handed the No. 1 role, has lost three of his last four games, though one was a 1-0 shootout loss.
The Avalanche dealt away some depth during the offseason and it's showing. They have fallen to a 6-5-1 record after losing three of their last four. Colorado was 7-1-4 last season after 12 games.
The Panthers became the first team in NHL history to record three consecutive natural hat tricks . Brady Tkachuk had the first two and Carter Verhaeghe had the third. But they have been dealt another injury blow when goalie Jacob Markstrom was hurt in practice.
Playoff hero goalie Jakub Dobes continues to struggle while Jacob Fowler continues to shine. That includes the Heritage Classic , where Fowler made 33 saves for a 2-1 win against the Jets.
The Kraken's depth will be tested after Jared McCann suffered a lower-body injury. He will miss 10 weeks and has been placed on the injured list.
Auston Matthews has rebounded nicely from his injury-filled 2025-26 season . He's among the league leaders with 19 points in 13 games.
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The Devils get a bump because they won the Hellebuyck trade sweepstakes. They were off to a solid start even before acquiring the three-time Vezina Trophy winner.
Senators fans booed Brady Tkachuk on his return to Ottawa and got the win. However, goalie Linus Ullmark left the game with an injury and was placed on injured reserve.
The Stars have signed veteran forward David Perron as insurance after injuries to Matt Duchene and Oskar Back. He'll be playing in his 20th NHL season once he suits up.
Nikita Kucherov became the Lightning's all-time scorer, passing Steven Stamkos with an assist on Oct. 24. The 2025-26 MVP has 1,138 career points.
The Mammoth lead the league in power play percentage at 38.1 percent, slightly above the Oilers. Clayton Keller leads the way with 10 power play points. The team also had been linked to Hellebuyck rumors.
Despite trading 37-goal scorer Pavel Dorofeyev , the Golden Knights are scoring at a higher pace this season. Jack Eichel has 19 points in 13 games.
Defenseman Quinn Hughes gave an update on his mindset as he's eligible for an extension. "My two feet are planted in Minnesota and, you know, something could happen soon. I'm not really too sure," he told reporters on Oct. 24. "I'm really enjoying playing here."
Rookie James Hagens has had a strong start with nine points in 12 games despite playing a little less than 13 minutes a game.
Connor McDavid is having an otherworldly start, averaging three points a game during his season-opening 11-game point streak. The Oilers have the top three scorers in the league in McDavid (33), Leon Draisaitl (23) and Evan Bouchard (tied for third at 21).
They lead the league in points and that's without defenseman Alexander Nikishin, who signed a one-year, $3 million contract on Oct. 25. Stanley Cup-clinching goalie Brandon Bussi still hasn't reclaimed his form (yielding a five-point game to McDavid) but Pyotr Kochetkov is 6-0 with a 1.70 goals-against average.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL power rankings: Connor McDavid on fire; Devils land Connor Hellebuyck
Source: Sports
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