Atlantic Division and Hart Memorial Predictions

    6 days into the season and I can't tell you how fired up I am for another great NHL season! With all the skill on each team in the NHL, it is never easy to predict what could happen for the season, but it makes for some great content and debate. Over the next few entries, I plan on making some predictions for the season; including those who I think will take home the NHL prizes and goodies. So, without further a-due let's get started...

In my opinion, the most competitive division in hockey right now is the Atlantic division. 

My Standings Predictions:

1st - Tampa

2nd - Boston

3rd - Toronto

4th - Florida

5th - Montreal

6th - Buffalo

7th- Detroit

8th - Ottawa

As you can see, it is no surprise that the top 3 teams are  pretty much in the same order as last year. Toronto made some major moves in the off-season adding Tyson Barrie, Jason Spezza and former KHL player Ilya Mikayev. I also have a feeling that Babcock and the Leaf’s training staff are going to rely heavily on their back up (Hutchinson) to have Andersen ready for the playoffs. This is why I don't see them jumping to 1st or 2nd.  Between first and second, I think it's anybody's to grab... With Boston making a final last year and Tampa being embarrassed in the first round of the playoffs, I imagine both teams will try to rest their players when they can which will likely cost them a few points. 

Where things begin to get interesting is 4th through 6th.  Florida, to me, is the most interesting team of the year. They’ve addressed their issues in goaltending when they signed former Vezina winning goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, as well as, Stanley Cup caliber coach, Joe Quenville. They definitely were not a team that had trouble scoring and their defense is league average, look for them to push for a wildcard.

Buffalo is another interesting team. Ever since they got Eichel, it seems as though the league is just waiting for them to break through. And with Dahlin entering his second season, it is possible they could squeak into a wildcard. However, they haven't given me any reason to think they can overcome their regular season issues, so for me they are a miss.

 Montreal Canadiens are looking very solid this year too. They remind me of the Maple Leafs a few years ago; fast, young and talented , looking to find their team identity. Also let's not forget they missed the playoffs by a measly 1 point, with the best goalie in the world in the crease, Don't count them out for making a push for a wildcard spot too! 

The Red Wings are a team that is on the right path but like the Senators I think their goal is to draft and develop, they have continually gotten better since moving on from their long standing players Datsyuk and Zetterberg. I love their young talent like American-born center Dylan Larkin, and how can you not love the recent 4 goal scoring winger Anthony Mantha. All in all Detroit in my opinion is only a few pieces away from being a playoff team again.

Unfortunately, for one team there needs to be a last place finisher, and this year that position belongs to the Ottawa Senators. With a full rebuild in place, the Senators are not looking to make any push for the playoffs, I imagine they will try to get the best value for their vets and continue to draft and develop. If you're an Ottawa Sens fan, it's going to be a tough season...However, the future looks bright with players like Thomas Chabot, Brady Tkachuk and young blue chip prospect Erik Brannstrom. 

Hart trophy nominees: 

Connor McDavid - 124 points (53 goals , 71 assists)

Nathan Mackinnon - 103 points (45 goals ,58 assists)

Aleksander Barkov - 100 points (41 goals, 59 assists)

One of the most coveted awards: The Hart Memorial Trophy; awarded to the most valuable player to their team. This year, I'm predicting that McDavid puts up a monster season, dragging his team to the playoffs, just edging out a lethal Colorado team and their MVP Nathan Mackinnon. Now, Mackinnon had his coming out party 2 years ago and I don't see him slowing down, both figuratively and literally so watch for him to make a very convincing case against his counter part McDavid. 

Connor McDavid chasing down Captain of
Florida Panthers Aleksander Barkov

I'm putting Barkov at #3 for the Hart. Barkov consistently has been the "most underrated player", but that has come and gone. This guy is on everyone's radar now and he is also on a team that could do major damage in the league (barring any major injuries). Barkov put up 96 points last season and has been on an upward trajectory since joining the league. If he can hit 100 points this season, there's no reason to believe he can't take home the shiny trophy in 2020.

Make sure to vote who think will win the Hart memorial this year down below!