As the 2025-26 NHL season approaches, several teams face potential challenges due to aging rosters. While experience and veteran leadership can be valuable assets, they can also lead to decreased performance, increased injuries, and difficulties keeping up with the faster, more skilled players entering the league. Here are four teams that could face adversity in the upcoming season:
1. Washington Capitals:
The Washington Capitals defied expectations last season, finishing near the top of the league after many had written them off. A significant factor in their success was the resurgence of Alex Ovechkin, who surpassed Wayne Gretzky's goal record. However, the Capitals also benefited from career years from several other players, including Dylan Strome, Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson. It is unlikely that all of these players will replicate their best-ever performances, suggesting a potential regression in offensive output.
The Capitals' defense and goaltending will need to compensate for any offensive decline. While they have a mix of youth and experience, the Capitals may struggle to maintain their high level of play from last season, especially in a competitive Metropolitan Division. Predicting the team to contend for the President's Trophy again may be unrealistic.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins:
The Pittsburgh Penguins' era of dominance, led by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, is nearing its end. While Crosby remains a top player, Malkin and Letang have shown signs of decline. The team's depth is also a concern, and they may struggle to keep up with the younger, faster teams in the league.
The Penguins may consider trading some of their veteran players to rebuild for the future. However, a full-scale rebuild would mean the end of an era, and it remains to be seen if the Penguins' management is ready to take that step. As it stands, it is unlikely the Penguins will be competitive in the 2025-26 season.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning:
The Tampa Bay Lightning, who were dominant for several years, still possess high-end talent with players like Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Andrei Vasilevskiy. However, the team's core is aging, and they have lost some key players in recent years. The Lightning's depth on defense is also a concern.
Despite these challenges, the Lightning still have the potential to make a deep playoff run. Their success will depend on Vasilevskiy's continued excellence and whether their aging core can stay healthy and productive. While a deep playoff run is possible, it's been a while since Tampa Bay has accomplished this.
4. Los Angeles Kings:
The Los Angeles Kings are another team with an aging core, including Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. While they have added some younger players in recent years, the Kings may struggle to keep up with the faster teams in the Western Conference. Goaltending is also a question mark for the Kings.
The Kings' success will depend on whether their veteran players can maintain their level of play and whether their younger players can step up and contribute. If both happen, the Kings could potentially be a playoff team, though that is not guaranteed.
While these teams may face challenges due to their aging rosters, they also have the potential to surprise. Veteran leadership and experience can be valuable assets, and if these teams can stay healthy and get contributions from their younger players, they could still be competitive in the 2025-26 season.
