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NHL Concern-O-Meter: How Worried Should These 7 Teams Be?

The NHL season is only nine or 10 games old for each team, but it is never too early to start making wild assumptions or jumping to ridiculous conclusions. After…

By Ryan Womeldorf · The Hockey Writers

Published: Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at 4:35 PM

Key Things to Know

Ryan Womeldorf ranks panic levels for seven NHL teams struggling through the first ten games of the season.
The writer assigns the Los Angeles Kings the highest concern rating at 9.5 out of 10 after a 1-4-2 start.
The Montreal Canadiens receive the lowest concern rating at 2.5 out of 10 due to high-end roster talent.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Ryan Womeldorf evaluates the panic levels of seven NHL teams roughly ten games into the season, assigning each a concern rating. The Los Angeles Kings top the list with the highest rating of 9.5 out of 10 after a 1-4-2 start, while the Montreal Canadiens receive the lowest rating at 2.5 out of 10.

The writer expresses major worries for the Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets due to defensive lapses and offensive inconsistency. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, and Buffalo Sabres face mid-to-low concern levels as they navigate early-season injuries, roster turnover, and defensive challenges.

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NHL Concern-O-Meter: How Worried Should These 7 Teams Be?

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