The 2026-27 NHL season opens with an 84-game schedule and notable roster shifts, including Brady Tkachuk joining Florida, Gavin McKenna debuting with Toronto, and questions around Edmonton’s goaltending. Preseason projections from models like Stathletes and The Athletic place roughly 20-24 teams above 90 points, led by Colorado, Carolina, and Dallas, while bottom clubs such as Vancouver, Chicago, and Toronto sit well below the 80-point line. Early results show Boston and the Rangers atop the standings after a handful of games. Trader consensus on the number of teams clearing 80 points reflects this spread, factoring in injury risk, divisional parity, and how the expanded schedule affects point accumulation for rebuilding and contending clubs alike.