The halfway mark is here! We dive into the 2026 NHL midseason report cards to grade every team. From Colorado’s historic run to Vancouver’s shocking collapse, see how your favorite team stacks up this year.
The winter chill has settled in, and the NHL season has officially crossed the halfway mark. Most teams have played between 46 and 49 games, giving us a clear picture of who is a contender and who is a pretender. It’s time to grab the red pen for our 2026 NHL midseason report cards.
Quick Look: Midseason Grades for Key Teams
| Team | Grade | Midseason Status |
| Colorado Avalanche | A+ | On pace for historic record |
| San Jose Sharks | A+ | From basement to playoff hunt |
| Montreal Canadiens | A | Youngest team ahead of schedule |
| Chicago Blackhawks | B | Connor Bedard keeping them afloat |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | C | Underperforming early, rallying late |
| Vancouver Canucks | F | 9-game losing streak; traded franchise star |
The Honor Roll: Top Performers of 2026
When looking at the 2026 NHL midseason report cards, the Colorado Avalanche sit at the head of the class. They aren’t just winning; they are dominating. Nathan MacKinnon is currently the favorite for the Art Ross, Hart, and Rocket Richard trophies. With a goal differential that nearly doubles the next-best team, Colorado looks like a freight train heading toward the playoffs.
Equally impressive is the turnaround in San Jose. After a miserable 52-point season last year, the Sharks have been dragged into a playoff push by 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini. The “fun factor” at the SAP Center is back, earning them an A+ in our 2026 NHL midseason report cards. Similarly, the Minnesota Wild and Montreal Canadiens have exceeded all expectations, with the Canadiens proving their youth movement is way ahead of schedule.
Solid Progress: The B-Grade Surprise Teams
Several teams are holding their own and showing that a rebuild doesn’t have to be painful. The Chicago Blackhawks have been much more structured under Jeff Blashill. Even with Connor Bedard missing time, the team remained competitive. In Buffalo, a 10-game winning streak following a management change has put the Sabres right back in the wild-card mix.
The Philadelphia Flyers also get high marks in the 2026 NHL midseason report cards. Dan Vladar has been outstanding in net, keeping a team that many expected to be in the basement firmly in the playoff hunt. Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings are battling for the top spot in the Atlantic, led by a Norris-level season from Moritz Seider. These teams may not be elite yet, but they are making significant strides.
The Middle of the Pack: C-Grade Underachievers
Not every team is finding it easy. The Toronto Maple Leafs spent the first three months underperforming, leading to the firing of assistant coach Marc Savard. While Auston Matthews has looked like a superstar lately, the team’s rocky start makes the playoffs a lingering question mark.
The Nashville Predators and Utah Mammoth also find themselves in the “average” category. Nashville has fought back from a terrible first quarter to stay in the hunt, while Utah’s young talent hasn’t quite taken the leap to superstar status yet. When analyzing these 2026 NHL midseason report cards, these teams are the definition of “just okay”—they have the talent to succeed but lack the consistency to reach the next tier.
Failing Grades: The 2026 Season Disasters
Unfortunately, some teams are failing the test in spectacular fashion. The Vancouver Canucks are currently the talk of the league for all the wrong reasons. Beset by injuries and having traded away their franchise player, they recently hit a nine-game winless streak that has them rooted to the bottom of the standings. Their F grade in the 2026 NHL midseason report cards is well-earned.
The New York Rangers are in a similar state of crisis. Despite their veteran core, they are the only team in the East under .500, leading GM Chris Drury to tell fans they will be sellers. Perhaps the most shocking fall is the Winnipeg Jets. After winning the Presidents’ Trophy last year, they have plummeted to 31st place. Old, slow, and unable to hold leads, the Jets are an all-around disaster halfway through the season.
Conclusion
As we close the books on the 2026 NHL midseason report cards, it is clear that this season is defined by extreme highs and lows. While Colorado and San Jose are the gold standards for success, legacy teams like the Rangers and Canucks are facing a painful road to recovery. There is still time for some teams to raise their grades, but for others, the school year is already effectively over.
FAQs about the 2026 NHL Midseason Report Cards
1. Who is the highest-graded team so far?
Both the Colorado Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks earned an A+ in our 2026 NHL midseason report cards due to their historic performance and incredible turnarounds, respectively.
2. Which team has been the biggest disappointment?
The Winnipeg Jets are arguably the biggest shock. They went from winning the Presidents’ Trophy last season to sitting at 31st in the league standings this January.
3. Is Connor Bedard still the main factor for Chicago?
Yes, Bedard is a huge part of their success, but these 2026 NHL midseason report cards highlight that players like Spencer Knight and Tyler Bertuzzi have also stepped up to keep the team competitive.
4. Why did the Vancouver Canucks get an F?
The Canucks have suffered a historic collapse, losing nine straight games and trading away their franchise player while falling to the very bottom of the NHL by points percentage.
5. Which young team is ahead of schedule?
The Montreal Canadiens are currently in the thick of the Atlantic Division race despite being the NHL’s youngest team, showing that their rebuild is progressing faster than expected.
Would you like me to analyze the specific playoff odds for the teams mentioned in these report cards?
