**The 2026-27 NHL season opens with broad parity across 32 teams, where projected point totals from preseason models and betting markets cluster most clubs between 85 and 105 points.** Contenders such as the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights enter with rosters built for 100-plus point seasons after strong 2025-26 finishes, while rebounding clubs like the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs add depth that could push them comfortably over 80. Rebuilding sides including the Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Seattle Kraken sit near or below the threshold in projections, creating the main swing factor. Youth-driven gains from the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, and Montreal Canadiens, combined with schedule difficulty, injury management, and goaltending stability, will determine how many teams clear 80 points by season’s end. Trader consensus reflects this distribution of outcomes rather than any single dominant storyline.