NHL: Bold predictions of comeback players for the 2019-20 season

Each season, certain NHL players don’t quite match the standard set for them. Which ones will bounce back during the 2019-20 season.

Every season, NHL fans see talented players hit speed bumps. Whether the team has changed, injuries occur or other intangible circumstances, some players are destined to regress. All hope is not lost.  Each year players bounce back too.

There are obvious ones like Jamie Benn and Patrik Laine, but let’s give a prediction of a few comeback players that people aren’t talking about.  Here’s the starting lineup.

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Nazem Kadri – Colorado Avalanche

As much as it pains all Montreal Canadiens fans, it was hard not to like Nazem Kadri. He is one of a few in the league who seems to play old-time hockey while still contributing on the score sheet.  The trouble became giving him ice time and a meaningful offensive role in Toronto with all the moving pieces there.

Now with the Colorado Avalanche, with a presumed increased role and more time on the powerplay, there shouldn’t be a reason for his stats not to improve.  The Avalanche need someone of Kadri’s grit and it should especially pay off that he has the moves to put the puck in the net.

Bold Prediction: Kadri will be back to 30 goals. He’ll have career highs in hits and shots. Plus he’ll be in the top ten in NHL faceoff percentage.

Max Pacioretty – Vegas Golden Knights

Does anyone remember the perennial 30 goals and 60 points a season left-wing from Montreal?  He’s only two seasons removed from this and it seems most have forgotten what a threat he is.  Injuries have played a role for Max Pacioretty, but for whatever reason, he hasn’t been the same lately.

Here’s why he’ll bounce back – the Mark Stone effect. Sure, it took a little time for Pacioretty and Stone to get acquainted in the regular season, but the playoffs were a different story. Pacioretty scored an amazing five goals and six assists in seven games in the playoffs last year for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Bold Prediction: Pacioretty will score 40 goals for the first time in his career while matching career bests in shots and powerplay points.

Clayton Keller – Arizona Coyotes

Clayton Keller suffered, like many before him, from the dreaded sophomore slump. As a rookie, it seemed he was just what the doctor ordered in the desert. After so many high draft picks didn’t blossom, the Arizona Coyotes had finally found a gem. In his second season, Keller was another story.

It’s not like he was terrible. However, there was not only a lack of progress forward but a little regression as well. Although it is kind of cheating to call him a right wing, as I predict he’ll move to the left side, the acquisition of Phil Kessel will do wonders. It will not only take the focus off Keller, but also boost his offensive output.

Bold Prediction: Keller will double his goal total from last season, improve his plus/minus by at least +15 and outscore newly acquired Phil Kessel.

Dougie Hamilton – Carolina Hurricanes

Dougie Hamilton will forever be known as the draft pick attached in the Kessel trade from Toronto to Boston. Hamilton has been a solid NHL defenseman and as good as he was in Calgary, I see him getting much better. Although it is technically a “comeback”, it’s more of a true breakout.

As he matures and with the young talent on the Carolina Hurricanes getting better and better, Hamilton has nowhere to go but up. Give it time and he may be put near the same level as the other notable player Boston selected in the Kessel trade – Tyler Seguin.

Bold Prediction: Hamilton will lead all defensemen in goals and add an extra four minutes of ice time per game.

Shayne Gostisbehere – Philadelphia Flyers

Can someone tell me what happened last season to Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere? You see players go through regression, but seeing a player seemingly headed toward their prime have their offensive output cut almost in half is a rarity.

Part can be attributed to the continued growth of Travis Sanheim and Ivan Provorov, but I see no reason that “The Ghost” will not return to form this season.  Truth be told, it’s not the analytics that I am going off of, but more of a gut feeling.

Bold Prediction: Gostisbehere will crack 60 points again and lead all Eastern defensemen in powerplay points.

Cory Schneider – New Jersey Devils

This may be my most bold prediction of the article. Cory Schneider has regressed every year for the last three seasons. In fact, there were thoughts that he had lost the crease last season by many.  So why am I saying what I’m saying?

The talent around him is so much better. I’m not saying some of his regression is not his fault, but you can only do so much with the team around you. The existing New Jersey Devils from last season will take a step forward, but the additions will help Schneider tremendously.  It’s hard to take advantage of him when P.K. Subban and Wayne Simmonds are nearby.

Bold Prediction: Schneider will top 30 wins and 6 shut outs for the first time and be a top 5 goalie in goals against average.