Thu Oct 09 00:20:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

With the 2025-26 NHL season kicking off, CBS Sports has released its inaugural power rankings. The Florida Panthers are aiming for a three-peat Stanley Cup victory, facing strong competition from the Edmonton Oilers and other contenders like the Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, and Tampa Bay Lightning. Teams like the Utah Mammoth and Ottawa Senators are potential dark horses. Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks hope to demonstrate improvement.

**News Article:**

**NHL Season Heats Up: CBS Sports Releases First Power Rankings for 2025-26**

NEW YORK – The ice is freshly zambonied and the puck is dropped as the 2025-26 NHL season gets underway. CBS Sports has released its first power rankings, setting the stage for an exciting season of competition.

The Florida Panthers, fresh off back-to-back Stanley Cup victories, are aiming for a rare three-peat, a feat not seen since the New York Islanders’ dominance in the early 1980s. Standing in their way are the Edmonton Oilers, who have faced the Panthers in the last two Stanley Cup Finals and are hungry for a championship title.

“The Panthers have a target on their back,” a CBS Sports analyst commented. “But the Oilers, with their star power, are definitely the team to watch. Don’t count out the Avalanche, Golden Knights and Lightning either. This should be a very competitive season.”

Other teams to watch include the Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, and Tampa Bay Lightning, all considered serious Stanley Cup threats. The Utah Mammoth and Ottawa Senators are being eyed as potential dark horse contenders, capable of making a deep playoff run.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks are looking to prove their critics wrong and demonstrate significant improvement. “These teams are in rebuild mode, but they are hoping to show progress and surprise some people,” the analyst noted.

As the season begins, fans are encouraged to follow the action closely and see if these predictions hold true. The full CBS Sports NHL Power Rankings are available online and on air. (Check your local listings or contact your TV provider for availability.)

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