Philadelphia and Pittsburgh head into the 2025-26 NHL season with patience, not playoff sprint urgency. Philadelphia formalizes a new era under Rick Tocchet, shifting toward player development and a refreshed team identity after a rough finish to last season. The Flyers’ goaltending committee—Sam Ersson, Ivan Fedotov, and Aleksei Kolosov—offers opportunity but adds uncertainty in net, with Carter Hart moving on. Morgan Frost and Owen Tippett are expected to shoulder more offense, while Cam York and a budding young core aim to prove the rebuild is real.

In Pittsburgh, an aging but elite core remains, led by Crosby, Malkin, and Letang, while management searches for a sustainable bridge to the next competitive iteration. Trades like Jake Guentzel’s move (and Rakell/Rust adjustments) signal a shift to younger depth, with Tristan Jarry’s return to form and Blomqvist riding as a homegrown backup. The Penguins will lean on Drew O’Connor and Puustinen to diversify scoring, balanced by a crease that may rely on Jarry and the developing keepers. The season will hinge on small gains in roster identity, injuries, and deadline moves rather than immediate Cup contention.