**Strong contenders from the 2025-26 season, including the Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, and Dallas Stars, return with largely intact rosters and favorable depth heading into the 2026-27 campaign.** Carolina, fresh off a Stanley Cup title, projects near the top again with elite goaltending and special teams, while Colorado’s five-on-five dominance and goal differential from last year position it as a Presidents’ Trophy favorite. Additions across the league, such as improved goaltending for Florida and roster tweaks in Washington and Edmonton, could push more clubs toward the 100-point threshold. Preseason results and early injury reports will shape initial sentiment, with schedule strength, back-to-back games, and division rivalries influencing pace. Trader consensus reflects historical patterns where typically 6–9 teams clear 100 points in an 82-game schedule, driven by the wisdom of crowds pricing roster health and momentum.