Optimism reigns supreme with the start of the NHL season just around the corner.

While hopes are high of a playoff position and run to the Stanley Cup among all of the teams, only a handful will truly be surprise squads.

Here are the four most likely to make the great leap from being also-rans last season to a playoff position when the 2025-26 campaign is complete.

Utah Mammoth

As the Utah Hockey Club for their first season in Salt Lake City, the now-nicknamed Mammoth advanced from their most recent stretch as the Arizona Coyotes, missing the playoffs by seven points. The gap will be closed this coming season.

By adding J.J. Peterka via trade from the Buffalo Sabres, Utah boasts a strong top two lines that also include Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, Barrett Hayton and

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