NHL Power Rankings: Igor Shesterkin Out for Season as Hurricanes Take Top Spot

The opening two weeks of the 2026-27 NHL season have delivered a series of seismic shifts that have fundamentally altered the league’s competitive landscape. While the Toronto Maple Leafs have debuted their 2026 first-overall pick, the focus across the league has shifted toward a devastating injury in New York and an unexpected arrival of a new contender in the West.

The most significant shock involves New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin. On October 16, it was confirmed that Shesterkin will miss the remainder of the 2026-27 season due to a lower-body injury. This loss removes a perennial Vezina Trophy candidate from a roster that entered the year with championship aspirations.

The Rangers face a significant challenge following the loss of their primary goaltender for the remainder of the season.

Western Conference Surges and Statistical Anomalies

While the Rangers grapple with a vacancy in the crease, the Utah Mammoth have become the league’s most surprising early-season success story. In their first year following the franchise’s relocation, the Mammoth have jumped to a 5-2-0 start. This performance has propelled them into the top six of the DAZN power rankings, fueled by an offense that has adapted quickly to its new environment.

In Edmonton, the arrival of head coach Mike Babcock has coincided with a historic scoring explosion from defenseman Evan Bouchard. Through the first six games of the season, Bouchard leads the league in defensive scoring with 14 points, including six goals. His play has positioned him as an early favorite for the Norris Trophy and provides a critical offensive engine for an Oilers team looking to capitalize on their veteran core.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have also seen an immediate return on their most recent investment. Gavin McKenna, the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, has provided an instant spark to the Toronto offense. McKenna’s transition to the professional ranks has been seamless, offering the Maple Leafs a dynamic secondary scoring threat that has bolstered their early-season record.

Early Season Struggles and the “Panic Index”

Not every team has found the start of the 2026-27 campaign as welcoming. Several projected contenders are currently facing significant statistical hurdles:

Dallas Stars: Expected to lead the Central Division, the Stars have stumbled to a 2-3-1 start, leaving them in seventh place within the division. Vancouver Canucks: While Elias Pettersson has shown signs of a revival, the team has struggled. Much of this is attributed to goaltending instability with Thatcher Demko sidelined; Kevin Lankinen has posted a .786 save percentage through his first six appearances. Calgary Flames: Defensive lapses defined the Flames’ 0-3-0 opening stretch, during which the team surrendered 16 goals. The have defied early expectations with a strong start in their new home.

In contrast to these struggles, the Minnesota Wild have utilized a highly specialized advantage to stay competitive. The Wild’s power play has operated at a 41.2% conversion rate through the second week of October, a mark that leads the league and has compensated for early-season injuries to their defensive corps.

As the schedule progresses into late October, the primary question remains whether the Utah Mammoth can sustain their high-scoring pace and how the Rangers’ front office will respond to the long-term absence of their franchise goaltender. The margin for error for the rest of the league has narrowed significantly.

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