The 2025-2026 NHL season is underway and while the season is so new, it feels already like the Central Division is going to be the toughest division to conquer

The Central Division was the toughest in the NHL last season, producing the Presidents’ Trophy winner in the Winnipeg Jets, three teams that put up more than 100 points in the standings (Jets, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche) and both wild-card qualifiers from the West (Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues).

Winnipeg Jets center Jonathan Toews received an incredible welcome from fans in his first NHL game in over two years.

Among Stars players, Mikko Rantanen received Richard Trophy votes (2.9%) Miro Heiskanen got Norris Trophy votes (5.7%) and Jake Oettinger got Vezina Trophy votes (17.1%). Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan also received 8.6% of votes in the Adams Award poll.

Update 1.1.2 delivers stability in Franchise Mode alongside new jerseys and visuals If you've ever had your dynasty crash right when you were about to sweep a rival—or watched your custom roster disappear faster than a puck in overtime—then Update 1.

Connor McDavid remains No. 1, but who lands after? Here's who the ESPN panel believes is best for this season.