With the season starting tomorrow I have had a look at the league and come up with 5 predictions as to what I think will potentially happen. Not everyone will agree with what I have come up with but without the benefit of hindsight, any prediction is, to a degree, as good as another.
1 - The Stanley Cup final will be between the Anaheim Ducks and the Tampa Bay Lightning
Last year the final was between Chicago and Tampa Bay and whilst many expected Chicago to do well I don't think many expected Tampa to get that far and even push Chicago to six games. With the Blackhawks losing Saad and others along with some new players coming in I think they will take a down year this year. They'll still qualify for the playoffs, but will be eliminated in the Western Conference Final by the Ducks. In the East I think the Lightning will be a stronger and more mature team this year and after beating the Penguins in the Eastern Conference Final they will beat the Ducks in 7 games.
2 - Jaromir Jagr will score 50 points or more with the Florida Panthers.
Jaromir Jagr is fourth in the all time points list just 48 points behind the great Gordie Howe in 3rd. Jagr has made it clear that he wants to carry on playing for as long as possible in the past and hopefully he avoids injuries and is able to continue to cement his legacy. Playing with the Panthers last season his production increased from 0.50 PPG to 0.90 PPG. Whilst that isn't sustainable it is an indication of how well the younger Panthers players work with Jagr and how his play-making abilities complement them well. I can see him hitting 50 points again.
3 - Crosby will score 100+ points again and regain the Art Ross trophy
Last season wasn't Crosby's best season, that much is clear. With the addition of Phil Kessel to his wing he finally has a top winger to play alongside who is being utilised correctly. Kessel will likely break his own seasons best but I can see him and Crosby working incredibly well. There have been glimpses of it in the pre-season and in the new 3-on-3 overtime format they have been a joy to behold. I reckon that Crosby will return to his dominant ways and score 40 goals and 70 assists.
4 - The Arizona Coyotes will come last by at least 15 points.
The Coyotes are at the bottom of the ladder right now and with Edmonton and Buffalo getting better they're only going to struggle. Coyotes have had youth but they do not have depth and some of their better players are ageing in Smith and Doan. This year will be all about coming last and draft Auston Matthews. He will be able to market the team well and be a great addition for them to start pulling in the other direction.
5 - The Vancouver Canucks will miss the playoffs.
Jim Benning isn't coming across as a good GM with the way he is handling the Canucks. The trade for Sutter was lopsided and they haven't added any better players this season to help them challenge. The Sedin's are 35 now and whilst they might still be incredibly gifted they're going to start to decline in the coming years. They can't continue to rely on them to score. Brandon Sutter will struggle in Vancouver as well.
Roll on tomorrow!
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