Bold NHL Predictions To Finish Season
So far this NHL Season, we’ve experienced everything from full arenas with screaming fans and a sense of normalcy to silent, empty arenas, and Omicron. As we flip the calendar to 2022, with the worst of COVID-19’s impact on the season hopefully in the rear-view mirror, let’s look ahead to 10 bold NHL predictions that are sure to pack excitement into the rest of the league year.
10.) Trade Deadline Blockbuster: Claude Giroux
While this is becoming more and more likely, the shock will still be there once the trade call is made. Claude Giroux has been the face of the Philadelphia Flyers franchise for over ten seasons, not to mention their captain. Giroux will likely get to pick his next destination, and the Flyers sound like they’ll be happy to accommodate. Giving Giroux a chance to engrave his name on the Cup, even if it’s within the division, is the right thing to do.
9.) Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins Takeover Deadline Day
Speaking of Trade Deadline Day, a pair of teams who know their window for another championship is closing will steal the headlines. The Penguins and Bruins have aging stars (Malkin and Bergeron) on expiring deals and are looking for another chance to add to their trophy case before significant roster turnover. Expect both teams to be busy stockpiling expiring deals for future assets in March.
8.) Edmonton Oilers Trade for a Goalie
Ken Holland’s inability to solve Edmonton’s goaltending issue has led the Oilers on a roller-coaster ride. It’s possible the Oil end up with the league’s two leading scorers this season, and patience is running out of the fanbase to build a winner around their two-generational stars. All of these factors will force Management’s hand in trading futures for a goaltender, Jake Allen or Joonas Korpisalo, to name a few options, to save the season.
Speaking of Edmonton…
7.) Playoff Choke Team: Edmonton Oilers
Ultimately, the Oilers will fall too far behind the pack in their pursuit of the postseason and will be on the outside looking in. If this isn’t a house cleaning, Ken Holland and the rest of his management team will have more than enough time to reassess how they’re building around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. It’s getting hot in Oil Country.
6.) Maple Leafs Fall Short (again) Leading to Major Changes
The Toronto Maple Leafs have proven they can win in the regular season. What they haven’t done is prove they can win when it matters. Unfortunately for Leaf fans, that will continue this season as the Eastern Conference is as competitive as it’s been in years. With a likely playoff matchup against one of Boston, Tampa Bay, or Florida, success will elude them again this postseason. Another early playoff exit likely means Dubas’ job along with a major shakeup of the Leaf core.
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5.) Playoff Cinderella Team: Anaheim Ducks
One of the teams I believe will emerge from the pack to squeeze into the playoffs in the Western Conference are the Ducks. Anaheim has enjoyed a youth injection this season and has the makings of future stars in Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras, to name a few. If they manage to get into the tournament, as we saw from Montreal last season, anything can happen. It’s invaluable to have the opportunity to have young players play meaningful games in May and June and the Ducks will get that chance this year.
4.) Eastern Conference Will be Represented by the State of Florida
Florida has enjoyed plenty of success when it comes to hockey in recent years. Most of that success has come from one side of the state with the Tampa Bay Lightning. This season, it’ll be the other way around. The Florida Panthers have been a force and haven’t skipped a beat under interim coach Andrew Brunette. With a few deadline additions, the Panthers are going to be a worthy opponent in the Stanley Cup final.
3.) Stanley Cup Winner: Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas has had everything including the kitchen sink thrown at them this year when it comes to injuries. Not to mention trading for a player who needed a first-of-its-kind disk replacement surgery. Jack Eichel, Alec Martinez, Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty are just a few names who’ve had extended absences on the IR this season. Despite the circumstances, on the back of Robin Lehner and depth, the Golden Knights are getting healthy at the right time. Vegas is primed to get over their Stanley Cup hump and keep the party going all offseason in Sin City.
2.) McDavid, Makar, and Shesterkin Lead NHL Award Winners
While none of these three names will surprise you, they are all deserving of taking home hardware at the end of the season. McDavid is in line for another Hart trophy if he can fight off his teammate Leon Draisaitl, while Makar and Shesterkin look to be among the favorites for the Norris and Vezina trophies, respectively. As for the Jack Adams, while the favorites are Rod Brind’Amour and John Hynes, a dark horse candidate is Bruce Boudreau if he can sneak the Vancouver Canucks into the 2022 Playoffs.
1.) Montreal Canadiens NHL Draft Lottery Winners
Not necessarily as bold as you’d like it to be, the Canadiens going from three wins away from their 25th Stanley Cup eight months ago to likely Draft Lottery winners in 2022 is hard to wrap your head around. Sure, they weren’t expected to make it to The Final last season, let alone knock out the Maple Leafs and Golden Knights with 500 fans cheering them on, but this fall from grace has been something to behold.
On the bright side, the Canadiens are in line to pick Kingston Frontenacs center Shane Wright in front of their home fans in June at the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal. Not a bad consolation prize in a lost season.
