Utah can 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 asked its hockey staff for bold 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 numerous who want a mulligan.
Preseason daring prediction: Trevor Zegras won’t 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 arduous to peg what his worth is or may very well 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 enjoying a extra accountable 200-foot sport underneath Greg Cronin. However he’s additionally on a 34-point tempo. Zegras may be a distressed asset, however GM Pat Verbeek isn’t going to maneuver a extremely expert 23-year-old ahead for an additional crew’s throwaways. — Eric Stephens
Jeremy Swayman struggled early for the Bruins, however is healthier as of late. (Michael Reaves / Getty Pictures)
Preseason daring prediction: Jeremy Swayman will wrestle early
Outlook: Lock it in
This one was simple. It wasn’t simply that Swayman missed all of coaching camp earlier than signing his contract. He needed to modify to the bodily and psychological pressure of being the go-to goalie following the commerce of Linus Ullmark. On prime of that, most of his teammates struggled out of the gate. It’s no surprise Swayman wasn’t himself. — Fluto Shinzawa
Preseason daring prediction: Owen Power will double his earlier high-goal complete
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
Energy is already virtually 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. On condition that he performs 22 minutes an evening and has a task on the facility play, 12 targets continues to be a quantity that’s in play, however it’s not fairly a lock. — Matthew Fairburn
Preseason daring prediction: Jonathan Huberdeau will crack the 80-point plateau
Outlook: Up to now, not so good. However there’s time …
Whereas Huberdeau’s aim totals look extra promising in comparison with final yr (he had one level in all of December 2023), we form of figured his assists could 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, possibly that modifications. — Julian McKenzie
Preseason daring prediction: Seth Jarvis will get a shot at heart
Outlook: Up to now, not so good. However there’s time …
The Hurricanes nonetheless haven’t found out who can be their second-line heart, however to this point it hasn’t been Jarvis. Coach Rod Brind’Amour has bounced between utilizing Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jack Drury in a extra featured function, whereas Jarvis has remained on the wing. Jarvis has additionally not been used a lot on faceoffs — a key for any Brind’Amour heart — 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 an extended 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 aim within the third interval in 25 of 26 video games — however their document is even worse. Does a brand new coach change that? We’ll see. However they should win so much to satisfy the daring prediction. — Scott Powers
Preseason daring prediction: Cale Makar can have 100 factors
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
This prediction is wanting stable by way of 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 observe. As anticipated, Makar is getting lots of his manufacturing achieved on the facility 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 Pictures)
Preseason daring prediction: Yegor Chinakhov will bloom as a aim scorer
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
Chinakhov threatened to make this prediction appear like pure genius with three targets and 7 factors within the Blue Jackets’ first 5 video games. He’s since cooled off and is at present out of the lineup each day with an upper-body damage. However as soon as he returns, the 23-year-old Russian will get a top-six function 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
High 10 in targets per sport, prime 5 in goals-against per sport, prime 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 greatest groups, they usually’re doing it with an underperforming energy play and comparatively gradual begins from Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston, all of which seemingly will positively regress to the imply. Even with Tyler Seguin’s potential season-ending surgical procedure (one thing which seemingly 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 Crimson Wings would have hoped, however Larkin is certainly near being on tempo to threaten 40 targets. There’s lots of season left, after all, however he’s been a pressure, significantly on the facility play. Detroit might actually use some extra offense from down the lineup, however their prime gamers (Larkin, Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat) have been scoring to start the yr. — Max Bultman
Preseason daring prediction: Stuart Skinner will end prime 5 in Vezina voting
Outlook: Not occurring
Skinner went from maybe the presumptive starter for Group Canada on the 4 Nations tourney coming into the offseason to not making the crew due to his subpar begin. Skinner sports activities an .889 save proportion 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 one in all his greatest, however it was too little too late. — Daniel Nugent-Bowman
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Preseason daring prediction: Adam Boqvist will get away
Outlook: It’s an extended shot
It’s not that Boqvist has been horrendous — an anticipated aim fee of round 50 p.c for an inexpensive, third-pair defenseman may very well 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 way of Thursday. Greater than something, that prediction was based mostly 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 occurring. — Sean Gentille
Preseason daring prediction: Quinton Byfield will turn out to be the Kings’ greatest participant
Outlook: Not occurring
Can I say I used to be kidding? No? Hey, I purchased into the thought of Byfield constructing on his breakout season. Seeing him with simply three targets and 11 factors practically a 3rd of the way in which into the season is a bit baffling. He’s again at his pure place however the transition from enjoying 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 turning into an actual menace within the Western Convention will look extra practical 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 out a aim and has one in his previous 9. Nonetheless, he was on tempo for 36 targets and 43 assists for a 79-point complete by way of Thursday, which might set up profession highs. This can be 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: Up to now, 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 preferrred. 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’s lots of room for him to develop. I’m not prepared to jot down off this prediction simply but, although it’s not wanting nice to this point. — Arpon Basu
Preseason daring prediction: Juuse Saros will win the Vezina Trophy
Outlook: Not occurring
Saros is absolutely the least of the Preds’ considerations. He’s having a positive season — you may even name it a rare 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 crew. Or is that this simply the worst crew, interval? Group failure to this extent repels particular person awards. — Joe Rexrode
Preseason daring prediction: The Devils will end with the East’s greatest document
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 proportion by way of Thursday. One sizzling streak they usually may very well be proper within the combine with the leaders. — Peter Baugh
Preseason daring prediction: Noah Dobson will rating 70 factors once more — and get a giant extension
Outlook: It’s an extended shot
The 70-point factor is a pipe dream with Dobson sitting on 12 factors by way of 27 video games. And the eight-year $8-million-or-so extension may be 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 great yr. His 8-9-1 document isn’t overly spectacular, however he has taken many of the Rangers video games towards playoff groups and had a .908 save proportion by way of Thursday with higher underlying numbers. He’s not among the many Vezina front-runners at this level, however him successful the award isn’t unimaginable. 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 an extended shot
If the Senators reverse their fortunes after a less-than-ideal begin, Inexperienced’s case for the Jack Adams may very well be made. When Ottawa performs at its greatest, it appears like a playoff crew. The difficulty is consistency. That’s on Inexperienced to assist instill in his personal group. However proper now, we don’t assume 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 an extended shot
It seemed so promising early. The Flyers transformed on eight of their first 31 power-play probabilities by way of 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 p.c success fee. In some unspecified time in the future, maybe quickly, the Flyers could also be compelled 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 may very well be a giant goal for groups on the commerce deadline. (Patrick Smith / Getty Pictures)
Preseason daring prediction: Marcus Pettersson will turn out to be a trade-deadline commodity
Outlook: Lock it in
Pettersson was No. 2 on our big board and would-be UFAs that prime on a commerce checklist don’t normally find yourself staying with their groups. The Penguins received 4 consecutive video games earlier than Friday, their greatest run of the season. They’re inside placing distance of a playoff spot — and it’s doable 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. Conserving a participant like Pettersson doesn’t make a lot sense. — Rob Rossi
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Preseason daring prediction: William Eklund will lead the crew in scoring
Outlook: Up to now, not so good. However there’s time …
Together 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 probabilities of that may tremendously enhance if the Sharks have been to maneuver Granlund earlier than the commerce deadline. Eklund can construct up his aim 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 turn out to be 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 Pictures)
Preseason daring prediction: Matty Beniers will rating 30 targets
Outlook: Not occurring
I’m able to capitulate early on this prediction. After what gave the impression to be a snake bit, sophomore stoop marketing campaign for the 2023 Calder winner, the gifted Kraken heart has in some way remained in shooing-percentage hell this season. By means of 27 video games earlier than Friday, Beniers had scored simply 4 instances on 51 photographs and is carrying a 7.8 p.c 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 steadiness to hit 30, which is an enormous stretch for a participant that has scored simply 19 targets in his most up-to-date 104 video games performed by way of 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 at first of the season. Broberg missed 12 video games with an damage, however when within the lineup, he’s been arguably the Blues’ greatest defenseman. Likewise, Holloway has maybe been their most versatile productive ahead. There is probably not an similar scenario the place two proficient gamers can be found on a crew — on this case the Oilers — that may’t afford to match a suggestion sheet. However with the way in which Broberg and Holloway are enjoying, the vultures can be out. — Jeremy Rutherford
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Preseason daring prediction: Andrei Vasilevskiy can be a Vezina Trophy finalist
Outlook: It’s an extended 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 to this point — he has saved 3.97 targets above anticipated by way of 20 video games whereas incomes a .909 save proportion — however these numbers aren’t glowing like a number of the league’s greatest and even his peak years. The season isn’t over but and he tends to warmth up because the stress rises, however he has lots of floor to make up. — Shayna Goldman
Preseason daring prediction: Mitch Marner will rating 40 targets
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
Marner had one aim 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 way in which 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 occurring
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 facility play by way of Thursday. Lots of the Hockey Clubbers’ younger expertise has failed to interrupt by way of, with Logan Cooley on tempo for fewer than 20 targets and lots of their 20-goal producers from final season developing nicely wanting these projections within the early going. Connor Ingram’s struggles in aim and accidents on protection have harm their document, however regressing offensively to this extent is the larger shock given the solid up entrance. — James Mirtle
Preseason daring prediction: Elias Pettersson will bounce again and lead the crew in scoring
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
It definitely hasn’t been an out-of-the-gate, no-doubt-about-it, he’s-back-like-John-Wick degree bounce again for Pettersson this season, however the star Canucks heart 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 degree of preposterous type 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 crew in targets
Outlook: Nonetheless in play
The hope with this prediction was that Dorofeyev would make the most of an even bigger alternative than he’s had so far in his profession, and that’s precisely what has occurred by way of two months. By means of Thursday, Dorofeyev was second on the Golden Knights with 12 targets, just one behind crew chief Ivan Barbashev. He has contributed each at even energy 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 enjoying to a 70-point tempo, as I mentioned he would? Not fairly. Has he been a serious 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. Up to now, 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 pretty much as good on the highest energy play as marketed: useful on entries, good within the excessive slot, inventive with choices within the zone. He’s additionally harm, nursing a lower-body damage suffered towards 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 might turn out to be a commerce chip. (For the fitting return, it may not take that Lambert burst.) An extension doesn’t look like a front-burner, midseason possibility, however should even be thought-about a risk. — Murat Ates
(High photograph of Crimson Wings heart Dylan Larkin celebrating after scoring a aim: Brian Bradshaw Sevald / Imagn Pictures)
