NHL 2024-25 daring predictions: Revisiting our preseason prognostications

Utah can be one of many NHL’s highest-scoring groups? The Stars Stanley Cup winners? Dylan Larkin — and lots of others — 40-goal scorers?

Heading into the 2024-25 NHL season, The Athletic requested its hockey employees for daring predictions, and two months later, some are holding up nicely whereas others look to have been a bit too daring.

Right here’s a progress report on every prediction, from the writers able to take a victory lap to the various who want a mulligan.

---

Preseason daring prediction: Trevor Zegras is not going to be traded this season

Outlook: Nonetheless in play

It appears like there have been two factions at work right here: those that really feel like a Zegras commerce is inevitable and people (i.e., Zegras/Geese followers) who’re past bored with seeing his identify in trade-related/hypothesized/predicted tales. Thoughts you, it’s onerous to peg what his worth is or could possibly be. He had been wholesome till he received injured this week and his return date is unsure. Those that’ve watched him intently can see he’s taking part in a extra accountable 200-foot sport beneath Greg Cronin. However he’s additionally on a 34-point tempo. Zegras could be a distressed asset, however GM Pat Verbeek isn’t going to maneuver a extremely expert 23-year-old ahead for an additional crew’s throwaways. — Eric Stephens

Preseason daring prediction: Jeremy Swayman will battle early

Outlook: Lock it in

This one was simple. It wasn’t simply that Swayman missed all of coaching camp earlier than signing his contract. He needed to regulate to the bodily and psychological pressure of being the go-to goalie following the commerce of Linus Ullmark. On high of that, most of his teammates struggled out of the gate. It’s no surprise Swayman wasn’t himself. — Fluto Shinzawa

Preseason daring prediction: Owen Energy will double his earlier high-goal whole

Outlook: Nonetheless in play

Energy is already nearly midway to a profession excessive in factors 26 video games into the season and has three objectives. He wants 9 extra within the ultimate 66 video games to get to my preseason daring prediction. Provided that he performs 22 minutes an evening and has a job on the ability play, 12 objectives remains to be a quantity that’s in play, but it surely’s not fairly a lock. — Matthew Fairburn

Preseason daring prediction: Jonathan Huberdeau will crack the 80-point plateau

Outlook: To this point, not so good. However there’s time …

Whereas Huberdeau’s objective totals look extra promising in comparison with final 12 months (he had one level in all of December 2023), we form of figured his assists can be up. Nonetheless, he isn’t trending towards an 80-point season, per Hockey Reference. But when he goes on some form of scoring run between now and the tip of the season, perhaps that adjustments. — Julian McKenzie

Preseason daring prediction: Seth Jarvis will get a shot at heart

Outlook: To this point, not so good. However there’s time …

The Hurricanes nonetheless haven’t discovered who can be their second-line heart, however to this point it hasn’t been Jarvis. Coach Rod Brind’Amour has bounced between utilizing Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jack Drury in a extra featured position, whereas Jarvis has remained on the wing. Jarvis has additionally not been used a lot on faceoffs — a key for any Brind’Amour heart — since coming back from an upper-body harm. — Cory Lavalette

Preseason daring prediction: The Blackhawks will end 25 factors higher than final season

Outlook: It’s a protracted shot

This season hasn’t gone as anticipated for the Blackhawks, which was obvious with Luke Richardson’s firing on Thursday. They’re extra aggressive than a season in the past — they’ve led, been tied or inside a objective within the third interval in 25 of 26 video games — however their file is even worse. Does a brand new coach change that? We’ll see. However they need to win so much to satisfy the daring prediction. — Scott Powers

Preseason daring prediction: Cale Makar could have 100 factors

Outlook: Nonetheless in play

This prediction is trying strong by means of the primary two months of the season. Makar leads all defensemen with 34 factors, which ranks thirteenth amongst all gamers. He’s on an 82-game tempo of 103 factors, so he’s proper on monitor. As anticipated, Makar is getting loads of his manufacturing completed on the ability play, the place he’s tied for fourth within the NHL with 14 factors. — Jesse Granger

Preseason daring prediction: Yegor Chinakhov will bloom as a objective scorer

Outlook: Nonetheless in play

Chinakhov threatened to make this prediction appear like pure genius with three objectives and 7 factors within the Blue Jackets’ first 5 video games. He’s since cooled off and is at the moment out of the lineup day after day with an upper-body harm. However as soon as he returns, the 23-year-old Russian will get a top-six position on a membership that’s been surprisingly productive. He has seven objectives in 21 video games, that means our prediction of 25-plus remains to be in play. Our prediction of elevated ice time? He’s gone from 15:10 final season to 17:01 beneath coach Dean Evason. — Aaron Portzline

Preseason daring prediction: The Stars will win the Stanley Cup

Outlook: Nonetheless in play

Prime 10 in objectives per sport, high 5 in goals-against per sport, high 5 in penalty kill and a top-10 goalie in Jake Oettinger. The Stars are proper the place we anticipated them to be, among the many league’s finest groups, and so they’re doing it with an underperforming energy play and comparatively sluggish begins from Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston, all of which probably will positively regress to the imply. Even with Tyler Seguin’s potential season-ending surgical procedure (one thing which probably will make the Stars extra aggressive within the commerce market), Dallas stays a number one contender for the Stanley Cup. — Mark Lazerus

Preseason daring prediction: Dylan Larkin will rating 40 objectives

Outlook: Nonetheless in play

This season hasn’t gone how the Pink Wings would have hoped, however Larkin is certainly near being on tempo to threaten 40 objectives. There’s loads of season left, after all, however he’s been a pressure, significantly on the ability play. Detroit might actually use some extra offense from down the lineup, however their high gamers (Larkin, Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat) have been scoring to start the 12 months. — Max Bultman

Preseason daring prediction: Stuart Skinner will end high 5 in Vezina voting

Outlook: Not taking place

Skinner went from maybe the presumptive starter for Crew Canada on the 4 Nations tourney coming into the offseason to not making the crew due to his subpar begin. Skinner sports activities an .889 save proportion in 17 appearances. He’s additionally surrendered 5.26 extra objectives than anticipated in all conditions, per Pure Stat Trick. His final begin earlier than rosters have been due was one among his finest, but it surely was too little too late. — Daniel Nugent-Bowman

Preseason daring prediction: Adam Boqvist will escape

Outlook: It’s a protracted shot

It’s not that Boqvist has been horrendous — an anticipated objective fee of round 50 p.c for an inexpensive, third-pair defenseman could possibly be worse — however he hasn’t come near a breakout, both, and really performed his approach out of the lineup for many of November. He’s again, although, and scored in consecutive video games by means of Thursday. Greater than something, that prediction was primarily based on Boqvist getting an entire bunch of power-play time, and that’s as soon as once more Aaron Ekblad’s job to lose. In all probability not taking place. — Sean Gentille

Preseason daring prediction: Quinton Byfield will turn into the Kings’ finest participant

Outlook: Not taking place

Can I say I used to be kidding? No? Hey, I purchased into the thought of Byfield constructing on his breakout season. Seeing him with simply three objectives and 11 factors almost a 3rd of the best way into the season is a bit baffling. He’s again at his pure place however the transition from taking part in on wing with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe to centering his personal line hasn’t been seamless. It’s not that he’s hurting their lineup however the Kings turning into an actual menace within the Western Convention will look extra sensible if he begins to look extra like a number one participant on their roster like Kopitar and Kempe are. — Eric Stephens

Preseason daring prediction: Matt Boldy will rating 40 objectives and 40 assists

Outlook: Nonetheless in play

This felt like a lock in mid-November when he had 10 objectives in his first 16 video games, however Boldy has gone six video games and not using a objective and has one in his previous 9. Nonetheless, he was on tempo for 36 objectives and 43 assists for a 79-point whole by means of Thursday, which might set up profession highs. It is a man who tends to get white sizzling, particularly as a result of he’s a high-volume shooter (93 in 25 video games this season, 3.7 per sport). — Michael Russo

Preseason daring prediction: Juraj Slafkovský will hit 70 factors

Outlook: To this point, not so good. However there’s time …

Slafkovský has 14 factors in 23 video games and has 56 video games left to get 56 factors. Doesn’t appear ideally suited. However final season at this level, Slafkovský had 7 factors in 25 video games and completed with 43 factors in his ultimate 57 video games. Placing up some extent per sport from right here on out is a excessive bar, however Slafkovský has not but reached the extent we noticed from him final season. There’s loads of room for him to develop. I’m not keen to jot down off this prediction simply but, although it’s not trying nice to this point. — Arpon Basu

Preseason daring prediction: Juuse Saros will win the Vezina Trophy

Outlook: Not taking place

Saros is absolutely the least of the Preds’ issues. He’s having a fantastic season — you may even name it a unprecedented season, given the utter lack of assist he’s getting. However he isn’t standing on his head sufficient to ship wins for the league’s worst offensive crew. Or is that this simply the worst crew, interval? Crew failure to this extent repels particular person awards. — Joe Rexrode

Preseason daring prediction: The Devils will end with the East’s finest file

Outlook: Nonetheless in play

The Devils’ offseason overhaul has led to a profitable begin to 2024-25. Their place within the East standings is a bit inflated by video games they’ve in hand, however they have been nonetheless fourth in factors proportion by means of Thursday. One sizzling streak and so they could possibly be proper within the combine with the leaders. — Peter Baugh

Preseason daring prediction: Noah Dobson will rating 70 factors once more — and get an enormous extension

Outlook: It’s a protracted shot

The 70-point factor is a pipe dream with Dobson sitting on 12 factors by means of 27 video games. And the eight-year $8-million-or-so extension could be a pipe dream too. Dobson remains to be simply 24, however he’s hit a plateau this season for the middling Islanders. Whoops. — Arthur Staple

Preseason daring prediction: Igor Shesterkin will win the Vezina Trophy

Outlook: Nonetheless in play

The Rangers are in a little bit of a rut, however Shesterkin has had a great 12 months. His 8-9-1 file isn’t overly spectacular, however he has taken a lot of the Rangers video games towards playoff groups and had a .908 save proportion by means of Thursday with higher underlying numbers. He’s not among the many Vezina front-runners at this level, however him profitable the award isn’t unattainable. He additionally now doesn’t have any contract speak hanging over him. He agreed to a record-setting eight-year extension Friday. — Peter Baugh

Preseason daring prediction: Travis Inexperienced will win the Jack Adams Award

Outlook: It’s a protracted shot

If the Senators reverse their fortunes after a less-than-ideal begin, Inexperienced’s case for the Jack Adams could possibly be made. When Ottawa performs at its finest, it seems like a playoff crew. The difficulty is consistency. That’s on Inexperienced to assist instill in his personal group. However proper now, we don’t assume Inexperienced will find yourself on many ballots for coach of the 12 months honors. — Julian McKenzie

Preseason daring prediction: The Flyers could have a top-15 energy play

Outlook: It’s a protracted shot

It seemed so promising early. The Flyers transformed on eight of their first 31 power-play possibilities by means of eight video games, good for eighth within the NHL. Since then it’s resumed its place on the backside of the league. Since Oct. 27, solely the Bruins have a worse energy play than the Flyers’ 10.4 p.c success fee. In some unspecified time in the future, maybe quickly, the Flyers could also be pressured to decide on assistant coach Rocky Thompson, who simply can’t appear to get this a part of the Flyers’ sport going. — Kevin Kurz

Preseason daring prediction: Marcus Pettersson will turn into a trade-deadline commodity

Outlook: Lock it in

Pettersson was No. 2 on our huge board and would-be UFAs that prime on a commerce record don’t often find yourself staying with their groups. The Penguins gained 4 consecutive video games earlier than Friday, their finest run of the season. They’re inside putting distance of a playoff spot — and it’s doable meaning they maintain on to Pettersson. However a case might be made for putting whereas the iron is sizzling. There are not any indications a long-term extension is on the desk right here in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are within the mushy center however nearer to the underside than the highest. Conserving a participant like Pettersson doesn’t make a lot sense. — Rob Rossi

Preseason daring prediction: William Eklund will lead the crew in scoring

Outlook: To this point, not so good. However there’s time …

Together with his 18 assists and 23 factors, Eklund is second in these classes to Mikael Granlund so the chance does exist of the 22-year-old overtaking the veteran. The probabilities of that can enormously improve if the Sharks have been to maneuver Granlund earlier than the commerce deadline. Eklund can construct up his objective whole as he has solely 5 in 28 video games, and he might have to carry off a hard-charging Macklin Celebrini who’s almost at some extent per sport since coming back from harm. However the left wing in his third full season has turn into the front-line core participant the Sharks imagined when taking him at No. 7 within the 2021 draft. — Eric Stephens

Preseason daring prediction: Matty Beniers will rating 30 objectives

Outlook: Not taking place

I’m able to capitulate early on this prediction. After what gave the impression to be a snake bit, sophomore stoop marketing campaign for the 2023 Calder winner, the gifted Kraken heart has in some way remained in shooing-percentage hell this season. By way of 27 video games earlier than Friday, Beniers had scored simply 4 instances on 51 pictures and is carrying a 7.8 p.c capturing clip that’s lower than half of the conversion fee he managed in his electrical rookie season. Beniers must rating at a 44-goals per 82-game tempo over the stability to hit 30, which is a large stretch for a participant that has scored simply 19 objectives in his most up-to-date 104 video games performed by means of Thursday. — Thomas Drance

Preseason daring prediction: Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway’s success will result in extra supply sheets

Outlook: Lock it in

I’m extra assured about this now than I used to be initially of the season. Broberg missed 12 video games with an harm, however when within the lineup, he’s been arguably the Blues’ finest defenseman. Likewise, Holloway has maybe been their most versatile productive ahead. There will not be an equivalent scenario the place two gifted gamers can be found on a crew — on this case the Oilers — that may’t afford to match a proposal sheet. However with the best way Broberg and Holloway are taking part in, the vultures can be out. — Jeremy Rutherford

Preseason daring prediction: Andrei Vasilevskiy can be a Vezina Trophy finalist

Outlook: It’s a protracted shot

Vasilevskiy might have extra two-way help this season, however he isn’t within the Vezina Trophy race proper now. That’s a dialog led by the likes of Connor Hellebuyck, Lukas Dostal and Filip Gustavsson. Vasilevskiy is having a fantastic season to this point — he has saved 3.97 objectives above anticipated by means of 20 video games whereas incomes a .909 save proportion — however these numbers aren’t glowing like among the league’s finest and even his peak years. The season isn’t over but and he tends to warmth up because the stress rises, however he has loads of floor to make up. — Shayna Goldman

Preseason daring prediction: Mitch Marner will rating 40 objectives

Outlook: Nonetheless in play

Marner had one objective in October. Then, a heater capturing the puck in November. He had eight objectives in 12 video games. Marner remains to be off the 40-goal tempo although. He seems headed extra for his third 30-goal season than his first 40-goal marketing campaign. If head coach Craig Berube will get his approach although and Marner begins capturing the puck extra aggressively, there’s nonetheless an opportunity Marner comes near and even hits 40 objectives. In the course of the again half of the 2021-22 season, Marner shot the puck extra aggressively than ever and punched in 29 objectives throughout a 46-game stretch. That’s what he’ll want the remainder of the best way to hit 40. — Jonas Siegel

Utah Hockey Membership

Preseason daring prediction: Utah will end as one of many NHL’s highest-scoring groups

Outlook: Not taking place

Did anybody right here whiff as a lot as this prediction? Aside from an early flurry to start out the season, Utah has struggled mightily to attain this season, sitting twenty third in objectives per sport and twenty fourth on the ability play by means of Thursday. Loads of the Hockey Clubbers’ younger expertise has failed to interrupt by means of, with Logan Cooley on tempo for fewer than 20 objectives and loads of their 20-goal producers from final season arising nicely in need of these projections within the early going. Connor Ingram’s struggles in objective and accidents on protection have damage their file, however regressing offensively to this extent is the larger shock given the solid up entrance. — James Mirtle

Preseason daring prediction: Elias Pettersson will bounce again and lead the crew in scoring

Outlook: Nonetheless in play

It definitely hasn’t been an out-of-the-gate, no-doubt-about-it, he’s-back-like-John-Wick stage bounce again for Pettersson this season, however the star Canucks heart has discovered his type of late. He’s again to controlling play and nonetheless has an opportunity to steer all Vancouver gamers in scoring. By way of Thursday, he ranked first in factors and factors per sport amongst Canucks forwards, however what I didn’t anticipate was Quinn Hughes to hit even one other stage of preposterous kind this season. By way of Thursday, Hughes was holding a six-point lead over Pettersson within the level manufacturing division this season, so Pettersson nonetheless has some catching as much as do. — Thomas Drance

Preseason daring prediction: Pavel Dorofeyev will end second on the crew in objectives

Outlook: Nonetheless in play

The hope with this prediction was that Dorofeyev would benefit from an even bigger alternative than he’s had up to now in his profession, and that’s precisely what has occurred by means of two months. By way of Thursday, Dorofeyev was second on the Golden Knights with 12 objectives, just one behind crew chief Ivan Barbashev. He has contributed each at even energy and on the highest power-play unit, and has been an integral a part of Vegas’ seventh-ranked offense. — Jesse Granger

Preseason daring prediction: The Pierre-Luc Dubois deal will repay

Outlook: Nonetheless in play

There’s loads of highway left earlier than I can do a victory lap, however I be ok with predicting good issues for Dubois. Is he taking part in to a 70-point tempo, as I mentioned he would? Not fairly. Has he been a serious catalyst for the Caps’ early-season success? Completely. He’s crushing most of his minutes because the 2C, which allowed Washington to arrange favorable matchups for Alex Ovechkin’s line, and has helped Connor McMichael get off to a scorching begin. To this point, so good. — Sean Gentille

Preseason daring prediction: Nikolaj Ehlers will play out the season after which stroll as a UFA

Outlook: Nonetheless in play

Ehlers is a point-per-game participant now, principally as a result of he’s been each bit pretty much as good on the highest energy play as marketed: useful on entries, good within the excessive slot, inventive with choices within the zone. He’s additionally damage, nursing a lower-body harm suffered towards Vegas on Nov. 29. It’s troublesome to say what any of this implies for his future, although. I consider the “self-rental” possibility remains to be on the desk for Winnipeg. If current call-up Brad Lambert bursts offensively, Ehlers might turn into a commerce chip. (For the proper return, it may not take that Lambert burst.) An extension doesn’t seem like a front-burner, midseason possibility, however should even be thought of a chance. — Murat Ates

(Prime picture of Pink Wings heart Dylan Larkin celebrating after scoring a objective: Brian Bradshaw Sevald / Imagn Photos)