The leaves are changing around North America which means only one thing for puck heads, it’s time for the new NHL season to begin. As many of us swear off our fantasy football teams already we turn our prognostication skills towards the 2015-16 NHL season.
Getting together the crack minds of our NHL staff is always a special undertaking. The crew was asked for the usual predictions of what teams will finish where as well as some off the wall categories like surprising and disappointing teams and players.
The staff was nearly unanimous in the Pacific Division by picking Anaheim over Calgary. The Central Division is up for grabs according to our staff with votes equally split between Minnesota, Nashville and St. Louis. Stanley Cup Champion Chicago showed up on nobody’s ballot to win their division.
The Eastern Conference was full of uncertainty with the staff. The majority of the staff picked Tampa Bay to edge of the Canadiens for the title. Across the way in the Metropolitan, the voters split their favorite between Washington and the Rangers.
The Conference Finals predications were all over the map. The staff overwhelmingly felt that Ducks would return to the Western Conference Final for the second straight year. Their opponent was much debated. The votes came in for Chicago, Minnesota, Nashville and St. Louis. Basically proving the Central Division teams are considered once again to be even nearly even.
The staff had a more unfired thought in the Eastern Conference. The majority of the crew felt Montreal would faceoff vs. Washington or Tampa Bay.
The ultimate prize of course is the Stanley Cup. Looking through the eyes of the PHN writers provided many different matchups. The most common matchup predicted was Anaheim taking on Tampa Bay. Though there was a majority thinking that matchup would happen, there was zero agreement on who the chalice would be awarded two. For the first time in history the PHN staff was equally divided between three teams, Anaheim, Montreal and Tampa Bay.
The individual awards were showed far more agreement with the group. Alex Ovechkin is expected to take home another Art Ross Trophy and Jack Eichel is thought to win the Calder Trophy over Connor McDavid.
Most writers believe that Claude Julien is on the hottest seat in the league and will not make it through the season. Joining him on the not so fun list are the Rangers, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Boston and the Maple Leafs and the most disappointing teams this coming season.
As always, the staff is looking at the positive side of the season too. Keep your eyes on Columbus, Florida, Calgary, Minnesota, Buffalo and Arizona to surprise many fans this season.
Eight months from now we can look back and see how right the staff is. Once in a while, like last season, the group proves to know what they are talking about. With many differing opinions showing up this season, some are bound to be right. Enjoy the 2015-16 season fans.
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