4 NHL teams that are much improved in 2026

According to a Yahoo Sports article published on August 17, 2026, four NHL teams — the Washington Capitals, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, and New York Rangers — are considered significantly improved heading into the 2026-27 season. Each franchise made impactful additions during the offseason that are expected to boost their performance. The article, written by Vin Santoro, raises the question of whether any of these teams can contend for the Stanley Cup.