NHL Season Update: Quarter Mark Review
The 2025-26 NHL season has reached its quarter mark, with all 32 teams having played more than 20 games. As usual, there are some positive surprises, such as the Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks, as well as the not-so-positive surprises, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues, and Vancouver Canucks.
To assess each team’s performance, we’ve assigned a letter grade based on their current standings, statistics, and overall performance. The grades are divided into five categories: A, B, C, D, and F. In this article, we’ll review each team’s progress, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, and provide an overall grade.
A Grades: The Top Performers
The teams with an A grade have demonstrated exceptional performance, with the Colorado Avalanche leading the pack. They have the best record in the league, with a 137.9-point pace, and are excelling in both offense and defense. The Avalanche are averaging 4.00 goals per game, the highest in the NHL, and have the fewest goals allowed per game.
Nathan MacKinnon is having an outstanding season, with a strong case for his second Hart Trophy. Cale Makar is also performing exceptionally well, potentially challenging MacKinnon for the Hart Trophy. The Avalanche’s supporting cast has been consistent, making them a top contender for the Stanley Cup.
The Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders, and Pittsburgh Penguins also received A grades, with each team demonstrating significant strengths and minimal weaknesses.
B Grades: The Middle of the Pack
The teams with B grades have shown solid performance, but with some areas for improvement. The Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, and Vegas Golden Knights all fall into this category.
These teams have demonstrated strengths in various areas, such as defense, goaltending, or offense, but have also struggled with consistency, injuries, or special teams. The Bruins, for example, have a strong defense but have been plagued by injuries to key players.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Winnipeg Jets also received B grades, with each team showing promise but requiring improvement in specific areas.
C Grades: The Struggling Teams
The teams with C grades have faced significant challenges, with the Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs all struggling to find consistency.
These teams have shown flashes of brilliance, but have been hindered by injuries, poor goaltending, or an inability to score goals. The Capitals, for example, have been led by Alex Ovechkin’s strong performance, but have struggled to find consistency in their scoring attack.
D Grades: The Bottom Feeders
The teams with D grades have faced significant struggles, with the Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and St. Louis Blues all performing below expectations.
These teams have been plagued by poor offense, defense, or goaltending, and have struggled to find consistency. The Flames, for example, have been unable to score goals, with the second-lowest goals-per-game average in the NHL.
F Grade: The Worst Performer
The Nashville Predators received an F grade, with the worst record in the NHL and significant struggles in all areas, including offense, defense, and goaltending.
The Predators have been unable to find consistency, with a lack of goal scoring and poor goaltending contributing to their struggles. Filip Forsberg has been a bright spot, but the team’s overall performance has been disappointing.
