The 2024-25 The season is just around the corner and that means it's time to start planning for what might happen in the league during the regular season.
There has been plenty of movement throughout the offseason, and many teams will be starting fresh in hopes of competing for the Stanley Cup next season. There are several teams in the Eastern Conference that missed the 2023-24 postseason and are looking to qualify for 2024-25, including the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators. One of those teams will almost certainly be in the field for the 2024-25 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Now it's time to make some juicy predictions about which teams will make or miss the playoffs and which players could take home some hardware when the dust settles on the year. Here is a list of some bold predictions for the upcoming campaign that have a chance of coming true when all is said and done.
Senators Finally make the playoffs
There are a number of teams in the Eastern Conference trying to break through that proverbial glass ceiling and finally reach the Stanley Cup playoffs next season. The Buffalo saber And Detroit Red Wings are among the teams that could get the job done, but it's the Ottawa Senators who will ultimately take the next step.
Maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment, but the Senators have what it takes to be a playoff team in 2024-25. One of the biggest problems for Ottawa last season was on the defensive side of the ice. As a team, the Senators posted a 3.43 goals against average, which was fifth-worst in the NHL. Joonas Korpisalo And Anton Forsberg Both had a goals-against average that topped 3.20, so the Senators went out and secured a frontline start to man the crease Linus Ullmark. Ullmark may not have had a Vezina Trophy-winning season in 2023-24, but could return to form without a goaltender like that Jeremy Swayman lurking over his shoulder. According to Money Puck, the Senators had a goal differential of -30 (fifth-worst in the NHL), so stability in the defensive zone could significantly change the team's fortunes.
Ottawa has an impressive top line that includes, among others Tim Stützle, Brady Tkachuk And Claude Giroux. The biggest question mark will be the health of the prospective second-line center Josh Norriswho only played in 58 games in the last two seasons due to injury. If Norris can stay healthy and strengthen the middle of the ice, it's not crazy to think the Senators can be a playoff team this season.
Filip Forsberg wins the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy
It's no secret Nashville Predators were among the most active teams in free agency. This is a franchise that has made progress Steven Stamkos And Jonathan Marchessault into the top six, and that could lead to Filip Forsberg going crazy throughout the 2024-25 season.
Forsberg has always been a prolific scorer since entering the NHL in the 2012-13 season. However, the Swedish star has scored two 40-goal seasons in the last three years, including a career-high 48 goals in the 2023/24 season. That was good for sixth place in the NHL with some of the best players in the league Connor McDavid And Nikita Kucherov land above him. On the other hand, Nashville's offseason additions could very well lead to an increase in Forsberg's offensive production. With Marchessault and Stamkos expected to join Forsberg on the Predators' top power play unit, Forsberg should have a chance at more power play goals than in the past. While it will likely require a tremendous effort for Forsberg to lead the league in goals, it is not out of the question.
avalanche Secure the Central Division's top playoff spot
Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2022, the Colorado Avalanche have only won one playoff series in the last two installments of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The avalanche destroyed that Winnipeg Jets in five games in the 2024 postseason, but health was certainly a thorn in the team's side.
The Avalanche were without a captain Gabriel Landeskog for each of the last two seasons due to multiple knee surgeries. Furthermore, fellow strikers Artturi Lehkonen has recovered from offseason shoulder surgery. Assuming both Landeskog and Lehkonen don't miss much time early in the season, the Avalanche have the scoring ability to be among the top teams in the Western Conference, especially with star centers Nathan MacKinnon produces another MVP-caliber season. Look for the Avalanche to once again be a heavyweight in the Central Division race.
Jake Oettinger has shown that he is an elite goaltender through the first four seasons of his NHL career. Although his performance in the 2023/24 season was not ideal, Oettinger certainly has the ability to bounce back and have an exceptional season next season.
The Dallas Stars Expected to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference, Oettinger is fortunate to have an elite team in front of him. Oettinger posted a 35-14-4 record, 2.72 goals against average and a .905 save percentage during the 2023-24 season. Still, according to Money Puck, Oettinger posted a .953 save percentage on unblocked shots last season despite having a down year. Oettinger's career goals-against average is 2.51, which is about the level Oettinger could reach as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender.
Sidney Crosby was an icon for the Pittsburgh Penguins over the years and has brought the franchise three Stanley Cups. He's accomplished so much, but it's not crazy to consider the possibility of the team moving him before the 2025 trade deadline.
It's hard to imagine the Penguins trading Crosby, but it's not outside the realm of possibility. The Penguins added an experienced forward Kevin Hayes to add some grit to their checking line while also landing the former first-round pick Rutger McGroarty. Still, it won't be shocking if the Penguins are out of playoff contention as the trade deadline approaches. Then Kyle Dubas and Co. could have to make a very difficult decision. Although Crosby just signed a contract extension, his cap hit isn't astronomical at $8.7 million, so it's a moveable contract with the right team. It's also worth noting that Crosby is 37 years old and may want to pursue one final ring. If he really does and it doesn't happen with Pittsburgh, maybe they'll decide that after two decades it's time to part ways.
