Over the next few days, the word “happy” will be everywhere as we all ring in the new year with good wishes to family, friends, the person bringing the takeaway, and blessed baristas who make mornings possible through their jobs.
“Happy New Year!” it's something we'll all hear and say around town, even if the actual level of joy fluctuates.
When it comes to NHL teams, some definitely have to work harder than others to find something fun to drink to. For every Colorado Avalanche team that could set a new points record, there are the Winnipeg Jets stunned by being knocked off the President's Trophy.
However, hockey, like everything outside the rink, has its ups and downs, and it's important to bet on the good when you get the chance.
With that in mind, as we turn the calendar and contemplate what's in store for us in 2026, it seems wise to highlight at least one reason for all 32 NHL teams to be happy.
1. Colorado Avalanche (30-2-7): On top of all the wins their team has achieved, Avs fans can look forward to the first 70-goal season since Teemu Selanne and Alexander Mogilny scored 73 goals each in 1992-93. Nathan MacKinnon has 39 caps to his name and is currently on track to score 71 goals.
2. Dallas Stars (25-8-7): Here's the fourth-longest-tenured captain in the NHL who's still going strong; 17-year veteran Jamie Benn has 27 goals this season after his debut in 2025/26 was delayed by a punctured lung.
3. Minnesota Wild (24-10-7): Regardless, Wild fans must be happy that Bill Guerin has a general manager who has the drive-to-success gene. Is “Billy Guts” a great nickname or a terrible nickname?
4. Tampa Bay Lighting (23-13-3): Congratulations on the unexpected joy of seeing Darren Raddysh score 72 points, just 35 more than his career high of 37.
5. Carolina Hurricanes (24-12-3): To all that capitalization (nearly $14 million, according to Puckpedia) and the possibility that something big could be done with it before the March 6 trade deadline.
6. Detroit Red Wings (24-14-3): Only five teams in the league have two guys with at least 20 goals, and Detroit is one of them thanks to Alex DeBrincat (20) and Dylan Larkin (21).
7. Philadelphia Flyers (20-12-7): Where would the Flyers be without three rookies in Trevor Zegras, Dan Vladar and Christian Dvorak? Greetings, boys.
8. Montreal Canadiens (21-12-6): Lane Hutson (62)nd overall in 2022) is indeed shaping up to be one of the biggest conscription coups of the last 10 years. His 78 points in 2025 are only surpassed by Kale Makar (91) and Zach Werenski (82) in scoring by defensemen.
9. Buffalo Sabers (21-14-4): A 10-game winning streak? Need I say more?! What a way to ring in 2026.
10. Florida Panthers (21-15-3): Remember when the Panthers acquired Brad Marchand at the trade deadline and we all thought it would be a fun three-month fling? This guy leads the team with 23 goals and feels like an important member of the team.
11. New York Islanders (22-14-4): Considering how quickly they stand up for him These days the Isles are clear about how happy they should be to see Matthew Schaefer in 2026 and beyond.
12. Edmonton Oilers (20-15-6): Oilers fans just need to know that Connor McDavid will be with the Oilers until at least 2028.
13. Washington Capitals (21-14-5): For Jakob Chikhrun to be sent to prison for a long term. The Capital sophomore leads all Blues with 15 goals this season.
14. Vegas Golden Knights (10-17-11): The Knights would have liked to toast their health, but that wasn't going to happen with this veteran-filled roster.
15. Pittsburgh Penguins (17-12-9): 2026, which involves chasing the playoffs? Fans of pens will clink their glass to this.
16. Toronto Maple Leafs (18-15-6): If the last few games are any indication, all is not lost in Toronto. And given the way the club has looked to start the season, Leafs fans have a lot to cheer about.
17. Ottawa Senators (18-15-5): Shout out to Tim Stutzle and the 17 points he has scored in his last 10 games. The streak marked the beginning of the second 90-point season for the Sens' most talented forward.
18. San Jose Sharks (20-17-3): If you're lucky with the first pick, then they'll snag a Comet like the Sharks did with McLean Celebrini in 2024. This is the Shark Tank of your dreams.
19. Anaheim Ducks (21-16-3): How can you not be excited to know that Leo Karlsson will be at the top of your lineup for years to come?
20. Los Angeles Kings (16-13-9): Shout out to Anze Kopitar, the Slovenian trailblazer who still has half a season left in his impressive NHL career.
21. New Jersey Devils (21-17-2): Another squad that can only wish for a toast to good health. Instead, the Devils are facing another season with significant injuries to key players.
22. Columbus Blue Jackets (17-16-6): New toys are always exciting, so shout out to Mason Marchment and the four goals he scored in five games for Columbus.
23. Seattle Kraken (16-14-7): The hope is that Jake O'Brien, the eighth overall pick last June, can one day become the offensive dynamo Seattle so desperately needs.
24. Nashville Predators (18-17-4): Raise a glass to Steven Stamkos for scoring 600 points.th NHL goal Wednesday night in a win over Vegas. And while you're at it, keep your glass raised and toast to the idea that Nashville could actually see a playoff game in 2026, which isn't something we expected to say quite late in 2025.
25. Calgary Flames (18-18-4): Flames fans can be blessed to have the goaltending duo of Dustin Wolf and Devin Cooley, who are one of only 10 in the NHL with a team save percentage of .900 or better.
26. Boston Bruins (21-18-2): Welcome the opportunity to land a pair of picks in the top half of the first round thanks to the Leafs landing a 2026 first-rounder at last year's deadline.
27. Utah Mammoth (18-19-3): Things haven't been as rosy in Utah this year, but knowing that the team is so supported by ownership and still has plenty of young talent developing in the NHL or arriving soon should be encouraging for Mammoth fans for 2026 and beyond.
28. New York Rangers (19-18-5): Welcome the return of Adam Fox to the lineup on Wednesday and the faint hope that he can spark this flagging team.
29. St. Louis Blues (15-18-8): Perhaps it's time to make a toast to the longtime Blues, who could be moving on from St. Louis early in the new year given the state of the team.
30. Vancouver Canucks (16-20-3): Hey, if you're looking to trade a captain with some major NHL equipment on his shelf, it's always nice to get a return package that gives hope for the future. At least 2026 – unlike 24 and 25 – will not be defined by endless speculation about the departure of serious stars from the team.
31. Chicago Blackhawks (14-18-7): It would be great to toast Connor Bedard with Team Canada, but 2030 is a lock. And at least unlike Connor in Edmonton, Bedard's early career blossoming will coincide with the return of regular hockey tournaments featuring the best of the best. His chances for glory are approaching.
32. Winnipeg Jets (15-19-4) This is the last possible moment for this collapsing Jets franchise to have any hope; Winnipeg could try to salvage its season early in 2026, when it plays nine of 11 games at home from Jan. 6-24. It's not often you say this, but the team will need a game like the Sabers to get back into contention.
