After a long off-season, the NHL season is finally upon us.
With opening night just hours away, the NHL expert panel at Sportsnet provided their Stanley Cup predictions along with all of their picks for the major awards.
The panel includes NHL insider Chris Johnston, NHL columnist Mark Spector, NHL writer Luke Fox, Sportsnet 590 The Fan host/Sportsnet columnist Jeff Blair, and NHL staff writer Jeff Simmons.
HART TROPHY
Johnston: John Tavares, New York Islanders — He’s entering the prime offensive seasons of his career and should challenge for the NHL’s scoring title. The last year on Long Island should be a memorable one.
Spector: Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks — The arrival of Ryan Kesler will help the Ducks’ power play, and take some pressure off of Getzlaf, who will have his finest season.
Fox: Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks — He made a run at the trophy this year, and with the Ducks poised to have a fantastic regular season with Ryan Kesler now in the fold, expect big things from Getzlaf, who will stay healthier than Sidney Crosby and get his due for being one of the best all-around forwards in the game.
Blair: Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning — The best player on what will be one of the league’s best teams.
Simmons: Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning — Sidney Crosby seems too obvious, right? Stamkos is healthy and will produce the best statistical season of his career.
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VEZINA TROPHY
Johnston: Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens — He’s the best goalie in the world right now.
Spector: Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins — Still a little bit early to make a call on that Andrew Raycroft trade. Justin Pogge still percolating — in Texarcana
Fox: Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins — For the first time in seven years, we’ll see a goaltender successfully defend his Vezina title. The consistent Finn is 27 — in his prime — and playing behind a stingy defence. His .930 save percentage last year hardly slipped in the pressure of the postseason (an NHL-best .928). No reason to think he won’t keep rolling.
Blair: Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens — Price for the block.
Simmons: Cory Schneider, New Jersey Devils — Sorry, Canucks fans. Schneider is line for a monster year with Martin Brodeur no longer in Jersey. Since 2010-11, Schneider’s .928 save percentage is the best in the NHL.
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NORRIS TROPHY
Johnston: Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings — Finally.
Spector: P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens — He’ll roll in Montreal this season.
Fox: Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings — His gold-medal performance in Sochi and stellar play in the Stanley Cup final have vaulted Doughty high in the conversation. He’s only getting better.
Blair: Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings — It’s his time.
Simmons: Ryan McDonagh, New York Rangers — A bit of a darkhorse but McDonagh is well deserving of the recognition. His points per game have steadily increased every year and he takes an even bigger step forward this season.
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CALDER TROPHY
Johnston: Jonathan Drouin, Tampa Bay Lightning — It looks like he’s going to spend some time with Steven Stamkos. That’s a deadly combo.
Spector: Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames — Points won’t be a problem for Gaudreau. he’ll lead his class to win the Calder.
Fox: Jonathan Drouin, Tampa Bay Lightning — Calder voters love scoring, and Drouin has the skills to light it up — 108 points in 46 games for the Halifax Mooseheads last year. He’s ready.
Blair: Evgeny Kuznetsov, Washington Capitals — It’s a big step up from the KHL to the NHL but he showed in a brief glimpse last season that playing against men for the past couple of years has given him a leg up on other rookies.
Simmons: John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks — Gibson eventually steals the No. 1 job from Frederik Andersen and puts up stellar numbers for a 21-year-old. The Ducks goalie showed outstanding potential in a brief stint last year.
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JACK ADAMS TROPHY
Johnston: Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning — Another great season is in store for the Lightning and that will give one of the NHL’s most unique coaches his due. Cooper wins wherever he goes.
Spector: Lindy Ruff, Dallas Stars — The Stars will impress, unless goaltending undoes Dallas.
Fox: Lindy Ruff, Dallas Stars — The Stars will be the most improved team in the West, and Ruff will be rewarded.
Blair: Barry Trotz, Washington Capitals — He’ll supply the strategic heft behind the bench to take Ovie & Co. nearly all the way back.
Simmons: Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning — Cooper has had success at every level. With an improved roster and a healthy Stamkos, the Lightning jump into contender status.
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WHO WILL WIN THE CONNOR MCDAVID SWEEPSTAKES?
Johnston: Calgary Flames — Remember that you don’t have to finish dead last to win the No. 1 pick. How great would it be to see a star player in Canada?
Spector: Buffalo Sabres — Nip and tuck with Calgary, whose schedule is much tougher. It’ll be close.
Fox: Calgary Flames — Yes, they upgraded in goal, but they also lost their leading scorer in Mike Cammalleri. Great amount of fight in this team, but the talent is just too thin.
Blair: Carolina Hurricanes — He’ll have Carolina on his mind in June.
Simmons: Carolina Hurricanes — The Hurricanes have limited talent — especially with early-season injuries to Jeff Skinner and Jordan Staal — and land the building block forward they desperately need.
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EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPION
Johnston: Montreal Canadiens — They have stars between the pipes and on the blue-line, and enough forward depth to get by. Plus they’re the one team in the conference that can beat Boston.
Spector: Tampa Bay Lightning — Totally wide open. How about Stevie Y making the right moves in March, and the Lightning beat Philly in the East Final.
Fox: Tampa Bay Lightning — A year older and wiser, Tampa flourishes with an improved defence and a full season of Steven Stamkos. Jon Cooper’s young club takes another step towards the elite.
Blair: Tampa Bay Lightning — All those young players learned to compete last season without Steve Stamkos; this season, they’ll go to the Stanley Cup final with him.
Simmons: Pittsburgh Penguins — The addition of Christian Ehrhoff plus new coach Mike Johnston help the Pens get out of their playoff slump. Marc-Andre Fleury steps up big in the playoffs — which works out perfectly considering it’s his contract year.
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WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPION
Johnston: St. Louis Blues — Adding Paul Stastny gives them a high-end option down the middle and a better chance to match lines with tough competition.
Spector: Chicago Blackhawks — They’ll play Anaheim and beat them in a close series that, like last year, will prove to be the real Stanley Cup final.
Fox: Chicago Blackhawks — Steaming at the outcome of last year’s epic Western Conference final, Chicago avenges L.A. and the pattern continues. New guy Brad Richards proves to be a difference-maker on the power-play.
Blair: Chicago Blackhawks — The Blues blue-line depth and the addition of Paul Stastny make the Blues the team to beat in the regular season, but Chicago’s playoff experience gives them the edge.
Simmons: Anaheim Ducks — Ryan Kesler proves to be the missing piece as the No. 2 centre behind Ryan Getzlaf. With Getzlaf, Corey Perry leading the way and improved goaltending from John Gibson, the Ducks make their first Stanley Cup appearance since 2006-07.
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STANLEY CUP CHAMPION
Johnston: St. Louis Blues — Do you believe in miracles?
Spector: Chicago Blackhawks — I’ll stick with the Blackhawks. Team still in its prime, always in the hunt. Boring pick, but let’s talk in June.
Fox: Chicago Blackhawks — Toews and Kane get it done, again.
Blair: Chicago Blackhawks — One more shot before the payroll monster takes an even bigger bite.
Simmons: Anaheim Ducks — In a back and forth affair, the Penguins can’t handle the physicality of the Ducks’ two centres. Anaheim gives Bruce Boudreau his first Cup.
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