In this edition we share our bold picks pertaining to Western Conference teams or players.
Todd Cordell: Sami Vatanen will contend for the Norris Last year I predicted he'd breakout in a big way and would tally 40+ points while establishing himself as a high-end blue liner. He only managed 37 points but that was in 67 games.
With another year of development under his belt I think he's really going to take off this season.
He's a good possession player - despite Clayton Stoner being his most frequent partner - and he can produce at both even-strength and on the power play.
The Ducks should be very good again this season so if Vatanen stays healthy and can play 75+ games I think he'll be in the conversation for the Norris when all is said and done.
Tim Chiasson: Nathan MacKinnon gets 75 points MacKinnon struggled last season, as well as missed some time, but I think he's ready to start hitting numbers that people had in mind for him when he was drafted first overall.
He's got tremendous talent and he just spent yet another season hanging around with the best player in the world. That has to count for something - and it surely isn't going to hurt.
With Ryan O'Reilly out of the picture in Colorado, MacKinnon's role is likely going to increase, which will only help his cause for more offensive production.
Matt Henderson: Flames won't regress I'm going to predict that the Flames do not regress in the 2015-2106 season. Now, I hate the Calgary Flames with a passion that burns brighter than 1000 Suns and their entire run last year was held together by pure luck and rubber bands, but I love the addition of Hamilton. I love it for them so much that I think he is going to be the 2nd level of stability that organization needs after the Giordano pairing.
That might not seem like a bold prediction, but without Hamilton I would have the Flames finishing below the Oilers this year. That's how much of a dumb-luck fluke, smoke-and-mirrors show their record was last year. That's also how much of an impact I think Hamilton makes to the Flames. I hate it. The whole thing makes me sick.
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