Vegas Golden Knights push for another deep run by adding Mitch Marner on a $96 million eight-year deal, turning their offense into an even more formidable playmaking machine alongside Jack Eichel. Marner’s 102 points and 75 assists last season foreshadow a high-scoring duo that could redefine Vegas’s top-line dynamics and PP efficiency.

Off-ice realities braid in: Eichel’s contract talks loom, Cassidy weighs line combos, and Pietrangelo battles a hip injury as the defense navigates a shifting landscape. Vegas remains a frontrunner in the West, with Florida, Colorado, and others eyeing the same throne.

The Battle of Alberta crowns today’s top NHL rivalries, blending fan frenzy, playoff heat, and historic clashes into a modern era ranking. Edmonton and Calgary dominate the list, with 266 meetings since 1980 and a 131-110-18-7 edge for Calgary, signaling a benchmark for intensity and betting interest across the league.

Historic pairings from the Original Six (Bruins-Canadiens, Bruins-Maple Leafs, Flyers-Penguins) sit alongside fierce current rivalries like Capitals-Penguins and Rangers-Capitals. A newer spark, Knights-Sharks, rounds out the top five, while futures odds and conference battles shape the season’s betting narrative.

As 2025-26 approaches, Panthers, Hurricanes, Oilers, and Avalanche sit among the favorites, underscoring how rivalries drive betting markets, player excitement, and fan engagement far beyond traditional matchups.