NHL 15-16: Bold Predictions

NHL training camps are officially getting underway which can only mean one thing. Another exciting season of hockey is just around the corner. Today, I’d like to make my 5 bold predictions for the 2015-2016 season. I’d love to hear what your bold prediction is for the upcoming season down in the comment section.

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1. Edmonton Oilers phenom rookie Connor McDavid will finish his season matching/or exceeding a point per game (PPG) pace.

McDavid looks poised to begin the season on the top line in between Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle. A fully healthy season by Hall would go a long way to both helping his linemates production and teams success. Both Hall and Eberle will be more than capable of producing at least 75 points each.

If scoring wasn’t teetering on all-time lows, I’d say McDavid could put up 100 points. Only way that’d be possible is if we saw a dramatic change in average goals per game, which isn’t likely to happen. Connor will manage to break the 100 point barrier at some point in his career though, the kid is that good.

2. Cody Hodgson will re-establish himself as an everyday NHL’er under new bench boss Peter Laviolette in Nashville.

Nov 26, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Cody Hodgson (19) during the game against the Winnipeg Jets at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a rollercoaster ride of a career for Cody Hodgson. Beginning in Vancouver, issues with a nagging back at the beginning ruffled some feathers causing deeper internal issues between the relationship of the GM and player. When the Canucks dealt Hodgson to Buffalo for Zack Kassian, it was seen as a slam dunk by the majority of the hockey community.

But there’s a notion that his time in Buffalo was this terrible disaster. We’re talking about a guy who tallied 34 points in a shortened 48 game season in 12-13. He followed that up in 13-14 with 44 points in 72 games. Yes 14-15 was a veritable disaster for Cody, as he only managed 13 points in 78 games. But the entire season was a disaster for the Sabres. They only 161 goals (101 less than the top team). Only 4 players even had 30 points or more. The stats across the board for Buffalo were ugly.

Starting on the third line in Nashville alongside Calle Jarnkrok and Steve Moses, he’s already on what could be one of the more productive third lines in the league. With injuries, or poor play by guys in the top 6, it’s conceivable that Cody could find himself back in a top 6 role by season’s end, as the Preds are hungry for some more goal scoring. Hodgson has the ability to produce on the powerplay as well. 30-40 point range might be a safe bet for year one in Nashville.

3. Newly acquired Ducks F Carl Hagelin will reach the 20 goal and 40 point barrier for 1st time in his career.

The speedy forward bounced around a bit in the Rangers lineup. He averaged more time in the top 6 in his first couple seasons, watching his ice-time drop the past two seasons. It’s tough to get first line minutes when a teams best player (Rick Nash) plays the same position.

Having him play the off-wing was never really a viable option. Plus, the Rangers are built from the net out. The overall goals for isn’t too bad, but New York depends on its 4 lines for productivity more than most teams. This is why news of Rick Nash needing more skill up front tends to be talked about.

Hagelin steps into a slightly more potent offense with some up and coming young defenseman. Whether Carl lines up next to Kesler on the 2nd line, or spends some time with Getzlaf and Perry on the top line, one thing is clear. Hagelin should easily top 20 goals and 40 points for the first time in his career. His ceiling in Anaheim could be the 50-55 point range in a year or two.

4. Blackhawks newly acquired F Marko Dano will attain regular top 6 duties by the end of season.

Mar 13, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Marko Dano (56) against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

When the Saad deal took place, on the surface the trade looked as though the prized piece was C Artem Anisimov, along with this promising young prospect named Marko Dano. By the time we reach the conclusion of the 2015-2016 season, Dano will largely be seen as prize of that trade.

His game transitioned easily from the KHL to North American style when he first joined Springfield of the AHL. Last year, he enjoyed a 35 game stint with the Blue Jackets where he tallied 21 points. Consider Dano in the mix with Teuvo Teravainen and Artemi Panerin of young guys looking for more ice-time. Curious to see what his ceiling for point production could be.

5. Dallas Stars will be Stanley Cup contenders 2015-2016

No team did a better job in the offseason in shoring up its weaknesses than the Dallas Stars. They had a hole in their top 6, they filled that with Patrick Sharp. Their lucratively paid goalie who is often-injured had a dreadful season. They added Antti Niemi, giving them a solid tandem that should help give Lehtonen enough time off to keep him healthy.

The Stars needed an upgrade on the blue-line, and addressed that with the Johnny Oduya trade. Regardless, there’s a few factors that could either help elevate or drop them down. Valeri Nichushkin needs to have the breakout season on that top line that experts are predicting he’ll have this year. He just needs to stay healthy. Sharp and Spezza create one of the best 2nd line duos in the league.

Losing talented prospect Brett Ritchie for a few months is going to hurt but they have some depth for that. Continued growth from D John Klingberg will be essential for the Stars to compete. A somewhat underrated blue-line that has a couple prospects that could make an impact. No team got stronger all-around, and that’s what elevates the Stars into Cup contenders.

Next: Islanders trade Grabner to Maple Leafs

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