The NHL season is here, and it’s time to make some bold predictions. Canada’s seven teams head into the season with high hopes, big questions and plenty of possibilities. From Vancouver’s rebuild to a young hockey team on the rise in Montreal, there’s no shortage of storylines for Canadians to follow from coast to coast.
Of course, it wouldn’t be hockey season without making a few predictions. We’re not here to play it safe, so we’re going out on a limb with some big calls. Some of these predictions might look pretty smart by the time the season wraps up, while others could be completely off the mark. But that’s the fun of it. It doesn’t stop us from dreaming big.
With the stage set, let’s take a look at all seven Canadian NHL teams and make one bold prediction for each.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Bold Prediction: Gavin McKenna Scores 30+ Goals as a Rookie
Gavin McKenna enters Toronto with plenty of hype, but we’re going one step further and predicting the 18-year-old will reach 30 goals in his first NHL season. The first overall pick has the talent, scoring touch and hockey IQ to make an immediate impact, and playing alongside established stars should give him plenty of opportunities.
Thirty goals is a big ask for any rookie, especially with the pressure that comes with playing in Toronto. But as a prospect, McKenna has shown he can produce against top competition. If he finds his feet quickly in the NHL, don’t be surprised if he gives Leafs fans plenty to cheer about.
Calgary Flames
Bold Prediction: Dustin Wolf Wins the Vezina Trophy
Dustin Wolf had a rough sophomore season, posting a .899 save percentage and a 3.01 goals-against average over 57 games. So naturally, we’re predicting he’ll win the Vezina Trophy. Wolf was a Calder Trophy finalist as a rookie and showed flashes of being a top-tier goalie, making this less crazy than it sounds.
If Calgary’s young defence takes a step forward and Wolf gets back to the form he showed in his rookie campaign, he could make a serious leap. Going from a .899 save percentage to the NHL’s top goalie in one season would be quite the comeback story.
Ottawa Senators
Bold Prediction: Sens Win Their First Playoff Series Since 2017
Ottawa has made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, but the Senators are still waiting for their first series win since 2017. After losing captain Brady Tkachuk this summer, there are certainly some new questions around this team. But the Senators still have a young core led by Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson and the newly acquired William Eklund, who should help replace some of the offence they lost.
Our bold call? Ottawa finally gets over the hump. Winning a playoff series in a stacked Atlantic Division won’t be easy, but after two straight first-round exits, this could be the season the Senators take that next step.
Vancouver Canucks
Bold Prediction: Canucks Make the Playoffs
Okay, this might be the bravest prediction on the list. The Canucks finished dead last in the NHL last season with just 58 points and missed the playoffs by 32 points. They also traded away Quinn Hughes, so expecting a playoff spot one year later might sound completely ridiculous.
But that’s exactly what makes it a bold prediction. A healthy Thatcher Demko, a bounce-back season from Elias Pettersson and the arrival of young defenceman Zeev Buium could help turn things around. Add in continued growth from Vancouver’s young players, plus a new coaching staff and front office, and we could see a major turnaround in Vancouver.
Edmonton Oilers
Bold Prediction: Connor McDavid Scores 170+ Points
Connor McDavid just finished last season with 138 points, but we’re feeling a little more ambitious. Our prediction? The Oilers captain blows past his career high of 153 points and reaches 170 or more. They call him McJesus for a reason.
It would take a monster season, but McDavid has already shown he can put up video-game numbers. He led the NHL in scoring last season with 48 goals and 90 assists, and this would be his biggest offensive season yet. With Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard and the rest of Edmonton’s offensive firepower around him, why not dream big?
Winnipeg Jets
Bold Prediction: Stuart Skinner Makes Everyone Forget About Hellebuyck
This one might sound crazy, but you never know what can happen in the NHL. Stuart Skinner posted a .888 save percentage last season, while Connor Hellebuyck is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner. But with Hellebuyck asking for a trade and Skinner already in Winnipeg, the Jets could soon have a new No. 1.
We’re betting on Skinner to have a huge bounce-back season and make Jets fans forget what they were missing. He’s already shown he can handle the pressure, helping Edmonton reach the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back seasons. If he finds that form again, Winnipeg could have a very different outlook in net.
Montreal Canadiens
Bold Prediction: Habs Win the Stanley Cup
Why not go all the way? The Canadiens already showed they’re ahead of schedule by reaching the Eastern Conference Final last season, winning two seven-game series along the way. Now they get another year of experience from a young core that includes Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson.
Montreal has the scoring, speed and young talent to make another deep run, while Jakub Dobes proved he can handle the pressure after his strong performance in the playoffs. Our boldest prediction yet? The Canadiens bring the Stanley Cup back to Montreal for the first time since 1993.