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Tina Poole
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Predictions for the 2016-17 NHL Season
The 2016-17 NHL season is just around the corner and, as everyone knows, you can’t start a season without making wild predictions about what will happen. So let’s get to it! These are my big predictions for the 2016-2017 NHL campaign.
Every Canadian team will make the playoffs!
Not since the 1985-86 season has every Canadian team made the NHL playoffs, so for this prediction to become reality, a lot has to go right. In Montreal, Carey Price has to be Carey Price and avoid any injuries. In Toronto, Auston Matthews has to be Connor McDavid, but maybe a little better. Vancouver, Winnipeg and Calgary will need their younger players to step way, way up. Edmonton needs to learn defense and have a goalie who can stop the puck. Ottawa needs to hope the new coaching staff can work some magic.
As it stands, Vancouver and Toronto currently have the longest odds to win the Stanley Cup, meanwhile Ottawa and Montreal are the most likely to make the playoffs.
Chances of this prediction coming true: 5%
Michel Therrien will be the first coach fired!
They say every coach has an expiry date. And while there are plenty in Montreal who feel that Michel Therrien has hit his and he’s now just that gross carton in the back of the fridge, whether fans like it or not (and most don’t), he received a mulligan for last season, largely because his boss, Marc Bergevin, took much of the blame for the on ice catastrophe. One would think (hope?) that Therrien would have a very small margin for error this year. If Montreal falters to start the season, Therrien might finally be kicked out of the fox hole. Bergevin has shown a lot of patience with Therrien despite Montreal’s struggles to score and heavy reliance on Price. At some point though, Therrien’s luck will have run out. The question is when?
Chances of this prediction coming true: 60%
Patrick Roy becomes the next head coach of the Montreal Canadiens
When Patrick Roy quit the Colorado Avalanche, there was much speculation that he would join the Habs organization in some capacity. Should Montreal get off to that bad start I was just talking about and Therrien gets axed, maybe the Habs will go back to the man who helped deliver their last Stanley Cup (and coached Radulov to a monster season in Quebec City!). It’s not like Geoff Molson and Marc Bergevin would have to worry about St. Patrick quitting on the Canadiens again, would they?
Chances of this prediction coming true: 20%
Marc Bergevin will trade for Evander Kane
Let’s face it, Bergevin doesn’t exactly have a stellar track record when it comes to trades/free agent signings. For example, Bergevin traded for Zack Kassian who also has a history of bad behavior, both on and off the ice. Then there’s Andrew Shaw, who had some controversy surrounding him as well. He’s also brought in Radulov, who’s been known to be somewhat problematic.
Well, if Marc Bergevin is looking to continue his Suicide Squad style selection, Evander Kane is currently facing several charges in Buffalo for allegedly grabbing three women during an altercation.
Just putting it out there, Kane is only 25 years old and has the potential to score 30+ goals (though he’s ever done it once….). It will take a real desperate GM to trade for Kane. Will Bergevin get that desperate?
Chances of this prediction coming true: 11%
Alexander Radulov accidentally/on purpose conks Michel Therrien on the head with his stick after being placed on the 4th line. Therrien sustains a concussion and places Radulov on the 1st line and 1st unit PP
Radulov has struck a coach while sitting on the bench before. Therrien is known for his lack of trust if you don’t perform to his expectations. Historically, Radulov has better scoring stats in the KHL. His best season in the NHL was 2007-08 when he had 26 goals and 58 points over 81 games. Radulov will likely start in the Habs top six, but there are no guarantees he’ll remain there long-term. At that point, anything is possible and the above just seems like the most likely scenario.
Chances of this prediction coming true: 98%
The 2016-17 NHL season will bring a lot of hockey
The beginning of the hockey season always brings much excitement and anticipation as teams all start afresh. Every team feels they have a shot at winning the Stanley Cup, but in reality only like three do. The good news is, between now and when we’ve finally figured out which teams are legit, we’re going to get some 1,230 games that will be over analyzed, pushed through all the hot take machines, argued about on Twitter, raise fans hopes falsely, crush some dreams, make a few others come true, and that’s all before the playoffs begin!
Buckle up.
Chances of this prediction coming true: 100%
Follow Tina on Twitter @tpoole00
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