We have a hockey season going on here, which can only mean one thing: the 2025-26 NHL power rankings will be updated all year.
Please note that these power rankings were launched in mid-November. For certain sports and leagues, we wait until the season has had a little time to marinate before getting into these. At the time of the first power rankings of the campaign, every team has played about 20 games, or nearly a quarter of their season.
Each Thursday, as circumstances warrant, Bracket Yard will update the rankings. Is your team on top, bringing up the rear, or one of the 30 teams in between? All the answers you seek are below. Following the rankings release, we will have brief commentary on the state of play from over the past week. Please also note: These rankings will NOT be updated on weeks during the Olympic break in February 2026.
2025-26 NHL Power Rankings: The Latest
Latest Update: November 20, 2025
(Tier 1) Colorado, Carolina, Anaheim, Dallas, New Jersey, Winnipeg, Detroit, NY Islanders
(Tier 2) Los Angeles, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Boston, Washington, Tampa Bay, Vegas
(Tier 3) Montreal, Utah, Seattle, NY Rangers, Florida, Columbus, Ottawa, Philadelphia
(Tier 4) San Jose, Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver, Buffalo, Nashville, St. Louis, Calgary
Click to enlarge image.
Power Rankings Weekly Commentary
Most recent commentary at top.
November 20, 2025
There is a ton of parity in the league at this point in the 2025-26 season. So much, in fact, that it was very difficult to differentiate certain teams. Okay, most teams, if I’m being honest. There are a few clear top teams, and a very obvious bottom teams, but other than that? The middle is so muddled, we need some teams to go on long winning or losing streaks just to separate them.
Most teams are still very much in it. How do we know that? 21 teams have between 20 and 24 points on the season. That is a massive middle. The teams will grow apart, gradually, but it doesn’t appear to be happening any time soon.