NHL Sour Rankings: Early Look at Struggling Teams
The first NHL Sour Rankings of the 2025-26 season focus on the teams performing the weakest so far. Just a month into the season, the standings remain closely contested, with only a handful of teams near the bottom. Currently, six teams sit below a .500 winning percentage, highlighting the league’s competitive balance.
Overview of the Bottom Teams
As part of a yearly tradition, The Hockey News tracks the NHL's lower-tier teams each month. This edition concentrates on those hovering near the bottom of the standings.
Top Draft Prospect: Gavin McKenna
Teams struggling this season may look to the upcoming draft with hope. The top prospect is Gavin McKenna, a dynamic winger who has excelled in the WHL and is currently posting strong numbers at Penn State in the NCAA. His creativity and skill have generated considerable excitement around his potential.
"His dynamic skill and creativity have teams excited for the possibility of adding the winger."
Other Notable Draft Prospects
The draft class is expected to be strong and deep compared to recent years. Tynan Lawrence is widely regarded as the top center, bringing a blend of speed, skill, and power that makes him a sought-after player.
Summary
Though early in the season, these rankings highlight the NHL's competitive parity and shine a light on the future talent prospects that struggling teams may target to improve.
“It’s widely considered a strong draft with more depth at the top than recent years.”
Author’s Summary
The NHL’s tight standings emphasize parity as teams near the bottom look to top prospects like Gavin McKenna to change their fortunes.
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