The Longest Season: Banner Night in Raleigh and the McKenna Era Begins
Eighty-Four Games: What Changed and Why
The NHL and the Players’ Association agreed to expand the regular season from 82 to 84 games — the first 84-game slate since 1993-94 — with the two extra games coming as additional divisional matchups. Translation: more rivalry nights, more four-point swings, and a schedule that now stretches from late September to April 10, when all 32 teams play simultaneously on the final day. The trade-off for players: fewer preseason games. The 1,344-game marathon is also the earliest start since the 2007-08 season.
Opening Night: Five Games, One Banner
The season launches with an ESPN tripleheader in the United States and a Sportsnet doubleheader in Canada — five games, all on one night:
| Time (ET) | Opening Night Matchup | TV |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00 PM | Panthers at Hurricanes — Cup banner night in Raleigh | ESPN |
| 7:00 PM | Canadiens at Maple Leafs — Gavin McKenna’s possible debut | Sportsnet |
| 8:00 PM | Rangers at Bruins | ESPN |
| 10:00 PM | Canucks at Oilers — Babcock’s Edmonton debut | Sportsnet |
| 10:30 PM | Blackhawks at Golden Knights | ESPN |
Carolina Hurricanes Sebastian Aho Jersey — Black Home
The first banner in Raleigh in 20 years. Sebastian Aho and the Hurricanes swept through two rounds, won the East in five and took down Vegas in six for the franchise's second Cup — and now the celebration opens the season. The No. 20 in black home premium.
Banner Night: The Last Three Champions, One Ice Sheet
The schedule makers outdid themselves. Carolina raises its first banner in 20 years — the franchise’s second Cup, won with a sweep through the first two rounds, a five-game East Final and a six-game defeat of Vegas — in front of the Florida Panthers, who lifted the Cup in both 2024 and 2025. It is the last three Stanley Cup winners sharing one sheet of ice on night one. Both teams also begin life without their longtime goaltenders: Sergei Bobrovsky left for Toronto in free agency, and Frederik Andersen departed Carolina.
And Florida’s opener doubles as the debut of the league’s newest soap opera: Brady Tkachuk, acquired from Ottawa in the June 21 blockbuster, now lines up alongside brother and Team USA teammate Matthew Tkachuk. Two of the game’s most physical, most provocative forwards, on the same roster, chasing a third Cup in four years. Brady returns to Ottawa for the first time on October 21.
Florida Panthers Home Jersey — Red
Two Cups in three years, and now Brady joins Matthew in South Florida after the June blockbuster with Ottawa. The Panthers' home red — add your own name and number to write the next chapter.
The McKenna Era Begins in Toronto
One night after the draft lottery gods smiled, and two months after signing his entry-level deal on July 3, 18-year-old Gavin McKenna — the No. 1 pick of the 2026 draft and the most hyped prospect since Connor McDavid — could make his NHL debut when Toronto hosts Montreal. The Maple Leafs need him: they missed the playoffs last season and rebuilt accordingly, adding Bobrovsky in goal, forwards Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger and Jack Roslovic, and installing Jim Hiller as head coach.
The Canadiens, fresh off a run to the conference finals, provide the opposition; the following night McKenna could face last year’s No. 1 pick and reigning Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer when Toronto visits the Islanders — the sport’s future, head-to-head, within 24 hours.
Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews Jersey — Home Blue
New coach, new goalie, same captain. After missing the playoffs, Toronto rebuilt around Auston Matthews with Bobrovsky in net and Jim Hiller behind the bench — and No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna possibly debuting opening night. The captain's home blue with the C.
The Season's Big Dates
Beyond opening night, the 84-game calendar is stacked:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept 30 | Penguins at Flyers • Kings at Avalanche — TNT rivalry doubleheader |
| Oct 7 | Ovechkin’s 22nd — perhaps final — home opener, vs Crosby’s Penguins |
| Oct 25 | Heritage Classic — Canadiens at Jets, Winnipeg |
| Nov 12 & 14 | Global Series Finland — Hurricanes & Kraken in Helsinki |
| Dec 21 & Jan 17 | Stanley Cup Final rematch — Golden Knights vs Hurricanes, home and home |
| Dec 31 | Winter Classic — Avalanche at Utah Mammoth, Rice-Eccles Stadium |
| Feb 5–6 | All-Star Weekend returns — new international format, UBS Arena |
| Apr 10 | Final day — all 32 teams in action simultaneously |
Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid Jersey — Home
Mike Babcock takes over an Oilers side still built around the most electrifying player on the planet. Connor McDavid opens the season at home against Vancouver on September 29 — the No. 97 home premium for the start of a new era.
How to Choose Your NHL Jersey: Home, Away, Breakaway or Custom
Not sure which style fits your fandom? Here is the short version — four ways to rep your team through an 84-game grind:
| Style | Best For | Look & Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Home / Away | The classic fan pick | Team colors, relaxed layering fit — the jersey you see in every arena crowd. |
| Premium / Breakaway | Everyday wearing | Lighter, softer and more breathable — built for wear beyond the rink. |
| Custom Jersey | Your own name & number | Same premium build with your personal details — the ultimate flex. |
| Reverse Retro | Nostalgia hunters | Vintage color schemes and classic eras — the collector’s pick. |
Every Team, One Place
The new season is here. Tap your team to jump straight to its full jersey collection:
Rink-Side Fit & Care Guide
Hockey jerseys run generously by design — they are cut to layer over a hoodie for cold rinks, so stick with your usual size for the classic fit or size down for a sharper look. Machine wash cold, inside-out on a gentle cycle and hang dry to keep stitched names, numbers and captain patches crisp through an 84-game marathon.
The Opening Night Shopping List
Draisaitl, Stone, Bedard, Ovechkin, Crosby and the Panthers’ blank canvas — all in stock now.
Season Opener FAQ
Q: When does the 2026-27 NHL season start?
Tuesday, September 29, 2026, with five games: Panthers at Hurricanes (5 p.m. ET, ESPN) as Carolina raises its Stanley Cup banner, Canadiens at Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet) in Gavin McKenna's possible debut, Rangers at Bruins, Canucks at Oilers, and Blackhawks at Golden Knights.
Q: Why is the NHL playing 84 games this season?
The NHL and the NHL Players' Association agreed to expand the regular season from 82 to 84 games - the first 84-game season since 1993-94 - with the two extra games added as divisional matchups in exchange for fewer preseason games. The season runs from September 29 to April 10, when all 32 teams play on the final day.
Q: Who won the 2026 Stanley Cup?
The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in six games to win the franchise's second Stanley Cup and first since 2006. Carolina swept its first two playoff rounds, then won the Eastern Conference Final in five games.
Q: Where do the Tkachuk brothers play now?
Both in Florida. Brady Tkachuk was traded from the Ottawa Senators to the Panthers on June 21, 2026, joining his brother Matthew Tkachuk - the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup champion's top-line winger and his Team USA teammate. Brady returns to Ottawa for the first time on October 21.
Q: Do you ship internationally?
Yes — we ship to North America and Europe, with free delivery on orders over $59 and 30-day easy returns.