NHL expert picks, predictions: Stanley Cup favorites, division winners, award finalists for 2025-26 season

The article provides expert predictions for the 2025-26 NHL season, including potential Stanley Cup favorites, division winners, and award finalists. According to the experts, the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning are the top Stanley Cup favorites, with the Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon and the Lightning's Nikita Kucherov among the leading Hart Trophy candidates. In the division races, the experts foresee the Avalanche winning the Central Division, the Lightning taking the Atlantic, the Carolina Hurricanes claiming the Metropolitan, and the Edmonton Oilers emerging victorious in the Pacific. The Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) is expected to be a close race between the Oilers' Connor Bedard and the Seattle Kraken's Matvei Michkov. Additionally, the Vezina Trophy (best goaltender) is predicted to be a showdown between the Avalanche's Alexandar Georgiev and the New York Rangers' Igor Shesterkin. The article provides a comprehensive outlook on the potential standout teams and players in the upcoming 2025-26 NHL season.