2026-27 NHL Stanley Cup Contender Tiers: Ranking All 32 Teams From Cup Favorites to There's Always Next Year

The Hockey Writers published a tiered ranking of all 32 NHL teams for the 2026-27 season, categorizing them into five contender tiers from Stanley Cup favorites to rebuild projects. The analysis, authored by Mark Scheig and published on August 5, 2026, comes at the midpoint of the NHL offseason, approximately one month after the draft and free agency period and about one month before training camps open. The piece notes that while all teams get a fresh start, only a handful realistically contend for the Stanley Cup, with Detroit highlighted as a notable ongoing storyline.