The 2024-25 NHL season is about to get underway, and meaning it is time to start projecting what might occur across the league all through the common season.
There was a ton of motion all through the offseason, and lots of groups can be beginning recent with the hope of contending for a Stanley Cup this coming season. Within the Jap Convention, there are a number of groups that missed the postseason in 2023-24 that need to qualify in 2024-25, together with the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Purple Wings, and Ottawa Senators. One of many these groups nearly definitely can be within the 2024-25 Stanley Cup Playoff area.
That is the time to make some spicy projections so far as groups making or lacking the playoffs and what gamers could possibly be taking dwelling some {hardware} when the mud settles on the yr. Here’s a record of some daring predictions for the upcoming marketing campaign which have an opportunity of coming true when it is all stated and accomplished.
Senators lastly make the playoffs
There are fairly just a few groups within the Jap Convention which might be trying to interrupt that proverbial glass ceiling and eventually make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this coming season. The Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Purple Wings are among the many groups that would get the job accomplished, nevertheless it’s the Ottawa Senators that can finally take that subsequent step.
Possibly I am only a glutton for punishment, however the Senators have the required items to be a playoff staff in 2024-25. One of many greatest points for Ottawa final season got here on the defensive finish of the ice. As a staff, the Senators tallied a 3.43 goals-against-average, which was the fifth-worst mark within the NHL. Joonas Korpisalo and Anton Forsberg each had goal-against-averages that eclipsed the three.20 mark, so the Senators went out and bought a frontline begin to man the crease within the type of Linus Ullmark. Ullmark might not have had a Vezina Trophy-winning season in 2023-24, however might bounce again to type and not using a netminder like Jeremy Swayman lurking over his shoulder. In accordance with Cash Puck, the Senators had a -30 purpose differential (fifth-worst within the NHL), so stability within the defensive zone might severely alter the staff’s fortunes.
Ottawa has a powerful prime line that features the likes of Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk and Claude Giroux. The most important query mark would be the well being of possible second-line heart Josh Norris, who has appeared in simply 58 video games over the previous two seasons because of harm. If Norris can keep wholesome and strengthen the center of the ice, it is not loopy to suppose the Senators could be a playoff staff this season.
Filip Forsberg wins Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy
It is no secret the Nashville Predators had been among the many most lively groups in free company. This can be a franchise that added forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault to their prime six, and that would result in Filip Forsberg enjoying out of his thoughts all through the 2024-25 marketing campaign.
Forsberg has at all times been a productive purpose scorer since breaking into the NHL again within the 2012-13 season. Nonetheless, the Swedish star has tallied two 40-goal seasons over the previous three years, together with a career-high 48-goal displaying in 2023-24. That was good for sixth within the NHL with among the league’s prime gamers like Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov ending above him. However, Nashville’s offseason additions might definitely result in an uptick in Forsberg’s offensive manufacturing. With Marchessault and Stamkos anticipated to hitch Forsberg on the Predators’ prime power-play unit, Forsberg ought to have an opportunity for extra power-play targets than he is had up to now. Whereas it’s going to possible take an enormous effort for Forsberg to guide the league in targets, it is not out of the realm of prospects.
Avalanche declare Central Division’s prime playoff spot
Since successful the Stanley Cup in 2022, the Colorado Avalanche have gained only one playoff collection within the final two installments of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Avalanche did take down the Winnipeg Jets in 5 video games within the 2024 postseason, however well being has definitely been a thorn within the staff’s facet.
The Avalanche have been with out captain Gabriel Landeskog for every of the final two seasons because of a number of knee procedures. As well as, fellow ahead Artturi Lehkonen has been working his approach again from offseason shoulder surgical procedure. Assuming that each Landeskog and Lehkonen do not miss a ton of time to begin the season, the Avalanche have the goal-scoring prowess to be one of many prime groups within the Western Convention, particularly if star heart Nathan MacKinnon produces one other MVP-caliber season. Search for the Avalanche to be a juggernaut as soon as once more within the Central Division race.
Jake Oettinger has confirmed shades of being an elite goaltender in the course of the first 4 seasons of his NHL profession. Whereas his efficiency in 2023-24 wasn’t excellent, Oettinger definitely has the flexibility to bounce again and produce an distinctive marketing campaign this coming season.
The Dallas Stars are anticipated to be one of many prime groups within the Western Convention, so Oettinger has the great fortune of getting an elite staff enjoying in entrance of him. Oettinger tallied a 35-14-4 file to associate with a 2.72 goals-against-average and a .905 save proportion in 2023-24. Nonetheless, based on Cash Puck, Oettinger registered a .953 save proportion when going through unblocked photographs final season regardless of having a down yr. Oettinger’s profession goals-against-average stands at 2.51, which is within the ballpark that it might take for Oettinger to be a finalist for the Vezina Trophy because the league’s prime netminder.
Sidney Crosby has been an icon for the Pittsburgh Penguins through the years and has given the franchise three Stanley Cups. He is achieved a lot, nevertheless it’s not insane to entertain the potential for the staff shifting him previous to the 2025 commerce deadline.
It is laborious to wrap your thoughts across the Penguins buying and selling Crosby, nevertheless it’s not exterior of the realm of prospects. The Penguins did add veteran ahead Kevin Hayes to deliver some grit to their checking line, whereas additionally touchdown former first-round decide Rutger McGroarty. Nonetheless, it will not be stunning if the Penguins aren’t in playoff rivalry when the commerce deadline rolls round. That is when Kyle Dubas and firm might must make a really tough resolution. Whereas Crosby did simply signal a contract extension, his cap hit is not astronomical at $8.7 million, so it is a moveable contract to the proper staff. It is also value noting that Crosby is 37 years previous and should need to chase one last ring. If he actually does and it is not occurring with Pittsburgh, maybe they resolve it is time to half methods after twenty years.
