Story Summary
The Carolina Hurricanes are No. 1 in the first Super 16 Power Rankings of the pre-season. The defending Stanley Cup champions received the top spot from 11 of 15 voters and earned 234 points after finishing last season 53-22-7. The Colorado Avalanche are second with 225 points and two No. 1 votes, while the Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers each received one. The rankings are compiled from 15 ballots, with a first-place selection worth 16 points, second worth 15 and so on. The release also includes last season’s records, voting totals and training-camp storylines for each club, with the Avalanche, Stars, Panthers and Golden Knights completing the top five.
Key Facts
- Carolina Hurricanes finished last season with a 53-22-7 record and were the defending Stanley Cup champions.
- The Hurricanes were ranked No. 1 by 11 of 15 voters and collected 234 points in the Super 16.
- The Colorado Avalanche are second in the Super 16 with 225 points and received two No. 1 votes.
- The Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers each received one No. 1 vote from the 15 voters.
- The Super 16 uses a 16-to-1 point scale: a first-place vote is worth 16 points, second 15, third 14 and so on.
- Dallas Stars are third in the Super 16 with 189 points; Florida Panthers are fourth with 173 points; Vegas Golden Knights are fifth with 169 points.
- Carolina’s camp questions include Seth Jarvis recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and restricted free-agent defenceman Alexander Nikishin remaining unsigned.
- Tyler Seguin’s progress from an ACL injury is the key pre-season watch for Dallas. He had surgery after sustaining the injury on 2 December 2025.
- Florida’s pre-season focus includes integrating Brady Tkachuk, Garnet Hathaway, Radko Gudas and Jacob Markstrom, with forward-line chemistry among the key questions.
- Colorado’s mental readiness after last season’s postseason disappointment is a central pre-season storyline.
- Other teams in the Super 16 include Tampa Bay Lightning (7), Minnesota Wild (8), Buffalo Sabres (9) and Washington Capitals (10) in the initial pre-season ordering.
- Training-camp storylines include Minnesota’s goaltending situation, John Carlson joining Tampa Bay’s blue line and Mike Babcock returning behind Edmonton’s bench.
IHM Discussion
That consensus still sits alongside several tangible uncertainties noted by the site’s writers. Carolina’s early training camp will be watched for how it manages a roster that includes a recovering Seth Jarvis and an unsigned restricted free-agent defenceman, Alexander Nikishin, and for how quickly the organisation moves past the usual post-championship distractions. The Avalanche sit immediately behind Carolina in the voting, and the commentary shifts from roster construction to psychological readiness – whether Colorado has closed the book on last season’s playoff defeat or will carry the sting into the new campaign.
The Stars’ placement at No. 3 is driven as much by questions around Tyler Seguin’s availability as it is by last season’s underlying strength; Seguin’s recovery from an ACL surgery complicates Dallas’s pre-season planning. Florida’s high ranking reflects the presence of established core pieces and notable additions, but the Panthers’ pre-season priority is clearly line chemistry and how quickly newcomers like Brady Tkachuk and Jacob Markstrom integrate. Across the Super 16, the items writers singled out – goalie competitions, defensive additions, coaching changes and veteran recoveries – are practical, immediate tests that are likely to shape how these clubs begin the regular season rather than long-term destiny.
Why It Matters
pre-season power rankings do not decide a season, but they summarise expectation and the clearest early concerns. For Carolina, the support of 11 voters sets a high bar: the Hurricanes must manage training-camp attention and specific roster questions to avoid a slow start. For Colorado and Dallas, the rankings point to different but important pre-season assignments – a mental reset for the Avalanche and health management for the Stars. Florida must integrate significant additions, while Vegas begins under new coach Ryan Craig. The rankings identify near-term checkpoints in camp, pre-season games and early-season form, where teams can either validate or undermine those expectations.
Mini Q&A
How are the Super 16 Power Rankings determined?
Fifteen voters each submit a ranking; a first-place pick is worth 16 points, second is worth 15, third is worth 14 and so on, producing a total-points table for 16 teams.
Who is No. 1 in the first Super 16 pre-season rankings?
The Carolina Hurricanes are No. 1; they were chosen first by 11 of the 15 voters and accumulated 234 total points. Carolina finished last season 53-22-7.
Which teams received No. 1 votes besides Carolina?
The Colorado Avalanche received two No. 1 votes, while the Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers each received one No. 1 vote.
What are the main pre-season concerns for the Hurricanes?
Carolina will be watched for how Seth Jarvis progresses from off-season shoulder surgery and whether restricted free-agent defenceman Alexander Nikishin remains unsigned.
What key storyline should Stars fans watch in camp?
Tyler Seguin’s progress from an ACL injury sustained on 2 December 2025, and his subsequent surgery, is the central Dallas pre-season storyline.
Coach Mark Comment
Carolina’s priority in camp is to re-establish the standards that carried it to the Cup while managing the early absences and uncertainties around the roster. A repeat bid starts with sharp habits, clear structure and a settled group before the games count.
What Comes Next
Training camp and the pre-season will provide the first updates on roster fits, player health and line chemistry before the regular season begins.
IHM Final View
The Hurricanes top the opening Super 16 for good reason: they are the reigning champions and received broad support from the 15 voters. That status comes with immediate tests – personnel questions, a recovering Jarvis and an unsigned restricted free agent – to be assessed in camp and the pre-season. Colorado, Dallas and Florida follow closely, each with a clear pre-season storyline. The Super 16 offers an early lens on expectation rather than a prediction of long-term outcomes.