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Todd Cordell
Jack Eichel will be a top-3 scorer and keep the Buffalo Sabres in the playoff race longer than most expect.
He was the only player in the league to average more than four shots per game last season and the entire offense runs through him so he should have no problem piling up the points.
With a better supporting cast -- headlined by the (desperately needed) additions of two capable puck movers in Nathan Beaulieu and Marco Scandella -- and a new, forward-thinking head coach in Phil Housley, who gives his players freedom to create, I think Eichel will have more opportunities and his skill-set will be maximized.
Jared Crozier
Steven Stamkos could be the league's forgotten superstar. With all the accolades and spotlight bestowed on the likes of Crosby, McDavid and Matthews, Stamkos' injury history and the fact he plays way down in Tampa sometimes puts him out of sight, out of mind. As laid back as he comes across, you have to think that it doesn't sit well with him that a competitor with his talent level is somewhat overlooked (he was listed as the 7th best centre in the league in the recent NHL.com/NHL Network rankings).
This will be a resurgent year for Stamkos, who will flirt with both 50 goals and 100 points. He will take home at least one piece of hardware next July, (one or more of - Art Ross, Rocket Richard, Hart, Ted Lindsay) and at the very least he make himself a Hart Trophy finalist. As a result, the Lightning bounce back from a disappointing season that was derailed because their captain played just 17 games, and will win the Atlantic Division regular season crown in a walk.
Either that or Stamkos is truly cursed, will play a month and then get put on the shelf again. It could go either way.
James Tanner
I don't really think its that much of a "bold" prediction, but I will predict that the Leafs will win the division and that Auston Matthews will win the Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP.
I see the Leafs completely running away with the NHL's weakest division and Matthews dominating defenses as teams try to account for the fact that Kadri/Marleau, Matthews/Nylander and JVR/Marner are all on different lines.
Lucas Neilson
Bold predictions in Atlantic:
1. Lightning win the Atlantic and Stamkos scores 50+
2. Mitch Marner chips in with 60+ assists
3. Anthony Mantha leads the Red Wings with 30+ goals
4. Shea Weber produces less than 40 points for the first time in 10 seasons (minus lockout season)
5. Frederik Andersen wins the most goalie games in one season in Maple Leafs history (37+)
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