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With exactly one week to go until the start of the 2024-25 NHL regular season, predictions are flying across social media, with fans engaging in debates regarding various teams around the league.
After the Florida Panthers captured their first Stanley Cup in franchise history last season, the team is looking to go back-to-back this year. Of course, in addition to the Edmonton Oilers looking to avenge their Stanley Cup Finals loss last season, a number of other teams are eagerly looking to make waves this season.
Five bold NHL predictions for the 2024-25 season
#1: Chicago Blackhawks break .500
Last year, the Chicago Blackhawks finished with the worst record in the Central Division, posting a 23-53-6 record throughout the regular season. Heading into this season, the team has the worst odds to win the Central Division on FanDuel.
Despite that, GM Kyle Davidson made a number of noteworthy moves that have the team sitting in a good spot ahead of the 2024-25 season.
With the return of Teuvo Teravainen and the addition of Tyler Bertuzzi, the Blackhawks could surprise a lot of people this season.
#2: Matvei Michkov wins the Calder Trophy
Heading into the 2024-25 NHL season, many fans believe that No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini will win the Calder Trophy. Although the race may very well come down to health, don't be surprised to see Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov raising the trophy at the 2024-25 NHL awards ceremony.
As a highly-touted player who is considered to be NHL-ready, Michkov and Celebrini are poised to battle it out throughout the regular season in pursuit of the highly-coveted Calder Trophy. Our prediction? Michkov winds up getting the nod.
#3: Ovechkin passes Gretzky's all-time scoring record
Heading into the 2024-25 NHL season, Alex Ovechkin needs 41 goals to tie Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time goal scorer and 42 to surpass him.
Although Ovechkin scored just 31 goals last season, two years before that he logged 50 goals, and next year he logged 42.
While it's been more a question of when Ovechkin will pass Gretzky than a question of if he will, with the record just out of arms reach, look for the future Hall of Famer to put the pedal to the metal.
#4: Detroit Red Wings go another year without a playoff appearance
Last season, the Detroit Red Wings came up just shy of a Stanley Cup Playoff berth. This season, the team is entering the season without doing much to address their blue line deficiency. In addition, without a standout netminder, this season may not pan out the way fans hope.
Given the fierce competition in the Atlantic Division, Detroit fans may have to go another year without a playoff appearance if the Red Wings front office doesn't make some big moves before the trade deadline.
#5: Florida Panthers don't make it to the Stanley Cup Finals
At the end of last season, the Florida Panthers were the favorites to win the Stanley Cup. Now, however, after seeing quite a bit of roster overhaul this summer, the team sits in second place on FanDuel's betting odds to win the Cup, just slightly ahead of the Devils, Avalanche, and the Stars.
While the team will ride a massive wave of momentum into this season, given their roster overhaul this summer, don't be surprised to see the Panthers come up short in their quest to make it back to the Stanley Cup Finals.
