Utah shall be one of many NHL’s highest-scoring groups? The Stars Stanley Cup winners? Dylan Larkin — and plenty of others — 40-goal scorers?
Heading into the 2024-25 NHL season, The Athletic requested its hockey workers for daring predictions, and two months later, some are holding up nicely whereas others look to have been a bit too daring.
Right here’s a progress report on every prediction, from the writers able to take a victory lap to the various who want a mulligan.
Preseason daring prediction: Trevor Zegras is not going to be traded this season
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
It looks like there have been two factions at work right here: those that really feel like a Zegras commerce is inevitable and people (i.e., Zegras/Geese followers) who’re past uninterested in seeing his identify in trade-related/hypothesized/predicted tales. Thoughts you, it’s exhausting to peg what his worth is or could possibly be. He had been wholesome till he received injured this week and his return date is unsure. Those that’ve watched him carefully can see he’s taking part in a extra accountable 200-foot sport underneath Greg Cronin. However he’s additionally on a 34-point tempo. Zegras is perhaps a distressed asset, however GM Pat Verbeek isn’t going to maneuver a extremely expert 23-year-old ahead for one more group’s throwaways. — Eric Stephens
Jeremy Swayman struggled early for the Bruins, however is healthier as of late. (Michael Reaves / Getty Photographs)
Preseason daring prediction: Jeremy Swayman will wrestle early
Outlook: Lock it in
This one was straightforward. It wasn’t simply that Swayman missed all of coaching camp earlier than signing his contract. He needed to alter to the bodily and psychological pressure of being the go-to goalie following the commerce of Linus Ullmark. On high of that, most of his teammates struggled out of the gate. It’s no marvel Swayman wasn’t himself. — Fluto Shinzawa
Preseason daring prediction: Owen Energy will double his earlier high-goal complete
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
Energy is already nearly midway to a profession excessive in factors 26 video games into the season and has three targets. He wants 9 extra within the last 66 video games to get to my preseason daring prediction. Provided that he performs 22 minutes an evening and has a job on the ability play, 12 targets continues to be a quantity that’s in play, but it surely’s not fairly a lock. — Matthew Fairburn
Preseason daring prediction: Jonathan Huberdeau will crack the 80-point plateau
Outlook: To this point, not so good. However there’s time …
Whereas Huberdeau’s objective totals look extra promising in comparison with final yr (he had one level in all of December 2023), we form of figured his assists can be up. Nevertheless, he isn’t trending towards an 80-point season, per Hockey Reference. But when he goes on some form of scoring run between now and the top of the season, perhaps that adjustments. — Julian McKenzie
Preseason daring prediction: Seth Jarvis will get a shot at middle
Outlook: To this point, not so good. However there’s time …
The Hurricanes nonetheless haven’t found out who shall be their second-line middle, however up to now it hasn’t been Jarvis. Coach Rod Brind’Amour has bounced between utilizing Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jack Drury in a extra featured position, whereas Jarvis has remained on the wing. Jarvis has additionally not been used a lot on faceoffs — a key for any Brind’Amour middle — since coming back from an upper-body damage. — Cory Lavalette
Preseason daring prediction: The Blackhawks will end 25 factors higher than final season
Outlook: It’s a protracted shot
This season hasn’t gone as anticipated for the Blackhawks, which was obvious with Luke Richardson’s firing on Thursday. They’re extra aggressive than a season in the past — they’ve led, been tied or inside a objective within the third interval in 25 of 26 video games — however their file is even worse. Does a brand new coach change that? We’ll see. However they need to win quite a bit to fulfill the daring prediction. — Scott Powers
Preseason daring prediction: Cale Makar can have 100 factors
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
This prediction is trying strong by the primary two months of the season. Makar leads all defensemen with 34 factors, which ranks thirteenth amongst all gamers. He’s on an 82-game tempo of 103 factors, so he’s proper on monitor. As anticipated, Makar is getting plenty of his manufacturing executed on the ability play, the place he’s tied for fourth within the NHL with 14 factors. — Jesse Granger
Yegor Chinakhov has had a powerful begin to the season with the Blue Jackets. (Jason Mowry / Getty Photographs)
Preseason daring prediction: Yegor Chinakhov will bloom as a objective scorer
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
Chinakhov threatened to make this prediction seem like pure genius with three targets and 7 factors within the Blue Jackets’ first 5 video games. He’s since cooled off and is presently out of the lineup everyday with an upper-body damage. However as soon as he returns, the 23-year-old Russian will get a top-six position on a membership that’s been surprisingly productive. He has seven targets in 21 video games, which means our prediction of 25-plus continues to be in play. Our prediction of elevated ice time? He’s gone from 15:10 final season to 17:01 underneath coach Dean Evason. — Aaron Portzline
Preseason daring prediction: The Stars will win the Stanley Cup
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
Prime 10 in targets per sport, high 5 in goals-against per sport, high 5 in penalty kill and a top-10 goalie in Jake Oettinger. The Stars are proper the place we anticipated them to be, among the many league’s finest groups, and so they’re doing it with an underperforming energy play and comparatively gradual begins from Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston, all of which doubtless will positively regress to the imply. Even with Tyler Seguin’s potential season-ending surgical procedure (one thing which doubtless will make the Stars extra aggressive within the commerce market), Dallas stays a number one contender for the Stanley Cup. — Mark Lazerus
Preseason daring prediction: Dylan Larkin will rating 40 targets
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
This season hasn’t gone how the Pink Wings would have hoped, however Larkin is certainly near being on tempo to threaten 40 targets. There’s plenty of season left, after all, however he’s been a pressure, notably on the ability play. Detroit may actually use some extra offense from down the lineup, however their high gamers (Larkin, Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat) have been scoring to start the yr. — Max Bultman
Preseason daring prediction: Stuart Skinner will end high 5 in Vezina voting
Outlook: Not taking place
Skinner went from maybe the presumptive starter for Crew Canada on the 4 Nations tourney coming into the offseason to not making the group due to his subpar begin. Skinner sports activities an .889 save share in 17 appearances. He’s additionally surrendered 5.26 extra targets than anticipated in all conditions, per Pure Stat Trick. His final begin earlier than rosters have been due was considered one of his finest, but it surely was too little too late. — Daniel Nugent-Bowman
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Preseason daring prediction: Adam Boqvist will escape
Outlook: It’s a protracted shot
It’s not that Boqvist has been horrendous — an anticipated objective fee of round 50 % for an inexpensive, third-pair defenseman could possibly be worse — however he hasn’t come near a breakout, both, and truly performed his means out of the lineup for many of November. He’s again, although, and scored in consecutive video games by Thursday. Greater than something, that prediction was primarily based on Boqvist getting an entire bunch of power-play time, and that’s as soon as once more Aaron Ekblad’s job to lose. In all probability not taking place. — Sean Gentille
Preseason daring prediction: Quinton Byfield will develop into the Kings’ finest participant
Outlook: Not taking place
Can I say I used to be kidding? No? Hey, I purchased into the concept of Byfield constructing on his breakout season. Seeing him with simply three targets and 11 factors practically a 3rd of the best way into the season is a bit baffling. He’s again at his pure place however the transition from taking part in on wing with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe to centering his personal line hasn’t been seamless. It’s not that he’s hurting their lineup however the Kings changing into an actual menace within the Western Convention will look extra sensible if he begins to look extra like a number one participant on their roster like Kopitar and Kempe are. — Eric Stephens
Preseason daring prediction: Matt Boldy will rating 40 targets and 40 assists
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
This felt like a lock in mid-November when he had 10 targets in his first 16 video games, however Boldy has gone six video games with no objective and has one in his previous 9. Nonetheless, he was on tempo for 36 targets and 43 assists for a 79-point complete by Thursday, which might set up profession highs. It is a man who tends to get white sizzling, particularly as a result of he’s a high-volume shooter (93 in 25 video games this season, 3.7 per sport). — Michael Russo
Preseason daring prediction: Juraj Slafkovský will hit 70 factors
Outlook: To this point, not so good. However there’s time …
Slafkovský has 14 factors in 23 video games and has 56 video games left to get 56 factors. Doesn’t appear superb. However final season at this level, Slafkovský had 7 factors in 25 video games and completed with 43 factors in his last 57 video games. Placing up a degree per sport from right here on out is a excessive bar, however Slafkovský has not but reached the extent we noticed from him final season. There may be plenty of room for him to develop. I’m not keen to write down off this prediction simply but, although it’s not trying nice up to now. — Arpon Basu
Preseason daring prediction: Juuse Saros will win the Vezina Trophy
Outlook: Not taking place
Saros is absolutely the least of the Preds’ considerations. He’s having a positive season — you would possibly even name it a unprecedented season, given the utter lack of assist he’s getting. However he isn’t standing on his head sufficient to ship wins for the league’s worst offensive group. Or is that this simply the worst group, interval? Crew failure to this extent repels particular person awards. — Joe Rexrode
Preseason daring prediction: The Devils will end with the East’s finest file
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
The Devils’ offseason overhaul has led to a profitable begin to 2024-25. Their place within the East standings is a bit inflated by video games they’ve in hand, however they have been nonetheless fourth in factors share by Thursday. One sizzling streak and so they could possibly be proper within the combine with the leaders. — Peter Baugh
Preseason daring prediction: Noah Dobson will rating 70 factors once more — and get an enormous extension
Outlook: It’s a protracted shot
The 70-point factor is a pipe dream with Dobson sitting on 12 factors by 27 video games. And the eight-year $8-million-or-so extension is perhaps a pipe dream too. Dobson continues to be simply 24, however he’s hit a plateau this season for the middling Islanders. Whoops. — Arthur Staple
Preseason daring prediction: Igor Shesterkin will win the Vezina Trophy
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
The Rangers are in a little bit of a rut, however Shesterkin has had a very good yr. His 8-9-1 file isn’t overly spectacular, however he has taken a lot of the Rangers video games in opposition to playoff groups and had a .908 save share by Thursday with higher underlying numbers. He’s not among the many Vezina front-runners at this level, however him successful the award isn’t not possible. He additionally now doesn’t have any contract speak hanging over him. He agreed to a record-setting eight-year extension Friday. — Peter Baugh
Preseason daring prediction: Travis Inexperienced will win the Jack Adams Award
Outlook: It’s a protracted shot
If the Senators reverse their fortunes after a less-than-ideal begin, Inexperienced’s case for the Jack Adams could possibly be made. When Ottawa performs at its finest, it appears to be like like a playoff group. The difficulty is consistency. That’s on Inexperienced to assist instill in his personal group. However proper now, we don’t suppose Inexperienced will find yourself on many ballots for coach of the yr honors. — Julian McKenzie
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Preseason daring prediction: The Flyers can have a top-15 energy play
Outlook: It’s a protracted shot
It seemed so promising early. The Flyers transformed on eight of their first 31 power-play probabilities by eight video games, good for eighth within the NHL. Since then it’s resumed its place on the backside of the league. Since Oct. 27, solely the Bruins have a worse energy play than the Flyers’ 10.4 % success fee. Sooner or later, maybe quickly, the Flyers could also be pressured to decide on assistant coach Rocky Thompson, who simply can’t appear to get this a part of the Flyers’ sport going. — Kevin Kurz
Marcus Pettersson could possibly be an enormous goal for groups on the commerce deadline. (Patrick Smith / Getty Photographs)
Preseason daring prediction: Marcus Pettersson will develop into a trade-deadline commodity
Outlook: Lock it in
Pettersson was No. 2 on our large board and would-be UFAs that top on a commerce record don’t often find yourself staying with their groups. The Penguins received 4 consecutive video games earlier than Friday, their finest run of the season. They’re inside placing distance of a playoff spot — and it’s attainable meaning they maintain on to Pettersson. However a case may be made for placing whereas the iron is sizzling. There aren’t any indications a long-term extension is on the desk right here in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are within the mushy center however nearer to the underside than the highest. Protecting a participant like Pettersson doesn’t make a lot sense. — Rob Rossi
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Preseason daring prediction: William Eklund will lead the group in scoring
Outlook: To this point, not so good. However there’s time …
Along with his 18 assists and 23 factors, Eklund is second in these classes to Mikael Granlund so the chance does exist of the 22-year-old overtaking the veteran. The possibilities of that may enormously enhance if the Sharks have been to maneuver Granlund earlier than the commerce deadline. Eklund can construct up his objective complete as he has solely 5 in 28 video games, and he might have to carry off a hard-charging Macklin Celebrini who’s practically at a degree per sport since coming back from damage. However the left wing in his third full season has develop into the front-line core participant the Sharks imagined when taking him at No. 7 within the 2021 draft. — Eric Stephens
Matty Beniers is struggling to provide in his third full season with the Kraken. (Steph Chambers / Getty Photographs)
Preseason daring prediction: Matty Beniers will rating 30 targets
Outlook: Not taking place
I’m able to capitulate early on this prediction. After what gave the impression to be a snake bit, sophomore hunch marketing campaign for the 2023 Calder winner, the gifted Kraken middle has by some means remained in shooing-percentage hell this season. By means of 27 video games earlier than Friday, Beniers had scored simply 4 occasions on 51 photographs and is carrying a 7.8 % capturing clip that’s lower than half of the conversion fee he managed in his electrical rookie season. Beniers must rating at a 44-goals per 82-game tempo over the stability to hit 30, which is a large stretch for a participant that has scored simply 19 targets in his most up-to-date 104 video games performed by Thursday. — Thomas Drance
Preseason daring prediction: Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway’s success will result in extra supply sheets
Outlook: Lock it in
I’m extra assured about this now than I used to be firstly of the season. Broberg missed 12 video games with an damage, however when within the lineup, he’s been arguably the Blues’ finest defenseman. Likewise, Holloway has maybe been their most versatile productive ahead. There will not be an an identical scenario the place two gifted gamers can be found on a group — on this case the Oilers — that may’t afford to match a proposal sheet. However with the best way Broberg and Holloway are taking part in, the vultures shall be out. — Jeremy Rutherford
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Preseason daring prediction: Andrei Vasilevskiy shall be a Vezina Trophy finalist
Outlook: It’s a protracted shot
Vasilevskiy might have extra two-way assist this season, however he isn’t within the Vezina Trophy race proper now. That’s a dialog led by the likes of Connor Hellebuyck, Lukas Dostal and Filip Gustavsson. Vasilevskiy is having a positive season up to now — he has saved 3.97 targets above anticipated by 20 video games whereas incomes a .909 save share — however these numbers aren’t glowing like a number of the league’s finest and even his peak years. The season isn’t over but and he tends to warmth up because the strain rises, however he has plenty of floor to make up. — Shayna Goldman
Preseason daring prediction: Mitch Marner will rating 40 targets
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
Marner had one objective in October. Then, a heater capturing the puck in November. He had eight targets in 12 video games. Marner continues to be off the 40-goal tempo although. He seems headed extra for his third 30-goal season than his first 40-goal marketing campaign. If head coach Craig Berube will get his means although and Marner begins capturing the puck extra aggressively, there’s nonetheless an opportunity Marner comes near and even hits 40 targets. Through the again half of the 2021-22 season, Marner shot the puck extra aggressively than ever and punched in 29 targets throughout a 46-game stretch. That’s what he’ll want the remainder of the best way to hit 40. — Jonas Siegel
Utah Hockey Membership
Preseason daring prediction: Utah will end as one of many NHL’s highest-scoring groups
Outlook: Not taking place
Did anybody right here whiff as a lot as this prediction? Apart from an early flurry to start out the season, Utah has struggled mightily to attain this season, sitting twenty third in targets per sport and twenty fourth on the ability play by Thursday. A number of the Hockey Clubbers’ younger expertise has failed to interrupt by, with Logan Cooley on tempo for fewer than 20 targets and plenty of their 20-goal producers from final season arising nicely wanting these projections within the early going. Connor Ingram’s struggles in objective and accidents on protection have harm their file, however regressing offensively to this extent is the larger shock given the forged up entrance. — James Mirtle
Preseason daring prediction: Elias Pettersson will bounce again and lead the group in scoring
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
It actually hasn’t been an out-of-the-gate, no-doubt-about-it, he’s-back-like-John-Wick stage bounce again for Pettersson this season, however the star Canucks middle has discovered his type of late. He’s again to controlling play and nonetheless has an opportunity to guide all Vancouver gamers in scoring. By means of Thursday, he ranked first in factors and factors per sport amongst Canucks forwards, however what I didn’t anticipate was Quinn Hughes to hit even one other stage of preposterous kind this season. By means of Thursday, Hughes was holding a six-point lead over Pettersson within the level manufacturing division this season, so Pettersson nonetheless has some catching as much as do. — Thomas Drance
Preseason daring prediction: Pavel Dorofeyev will end second on the group in targets
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
The hope with this prediction was that Dorofeyev would reap the benefits of a much bigger alternative than he’s had thus far in his profession, and that’s precisely what has occurred by two months. By means of Thursday, Dorofeyev was second on the Golden Knights with 12 targets, just one behind group chief Ivan Barbashev. He has contributed each at even power and on the highest power-play unit, and has been an integral a part of Vegas’ seventh-ranked offense. — Jesse Granger
Preseason daring prediction: The Pierre-Luc Dubois deal will repay
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
There’s loads of highway left earlier than I can do a victory lap, however I be ok with predicting good issues for Dubois. Is he taking part in to a 70-point tempo, as I mentioned he would? Not fairly. Has he been a significant catalyst for the Caps’ early-season success? Completely. He’s crushing most of his minutes because the 2C, which allowed Washington to arrange favorable matchups for Alex Ovechkin’s line, and has helped Connor McMichael get off to a scorching begin. To this point, so good. — Sean Gentille
Preseason daring prediction: Nikolaj Ehlers will play out the season after which stroll as a UFA
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
Ehlers is a point-per-game participant now, principally as a result of he’s been each bit nearly as good on the highest energy play as marketed: useful on entries, good within the excessive slot, artistic with choices within the zone. He’s additionally harm, nursing a lower-body damage suffered in opposition to Vegas on Nov. 29. It’s tough to say what any of this implies for his future, although. I consider the “self-rental” possibility continues to be on the desk for Winnipeg. If latest call-up Brad Lambert bursts offensively, Ehlers may develop into a commerce chip. (For the suitable return, it won’t take that Lambert burst.) An extension doesn’t seem like a front-burner, midseason possibility, however should even be thought-about a risk. — Murat Ates
(Prime picture of Pink Wings middle Dylan Larkin celebrating after scoring a objective: Brian Bradshaw Sevald / Imagn Photographs)
