Miss Cleo is back! As per the usual set up, I met Miss Cleo by a dumpster out behind the local Dominoes and traded her one box of wine and a carton of cigarettes in exchange for the use of her psychic powers.
1. Connor McDavid Will Win the Scoring Title.
"Oooooh child, this is the most confident I've been on a prediction that didn't involve paternity in at least six weeks," is what Cleo told me when I asked her who would win the NHL scoring title this season.
Of course the odds of a rookie winning the Art Ross are pretty low, since even Wayne Gretzky could only manage a tie. Still, with 87 taking the title last year it's not impossible that it could happen. I even saw today where Stamkos said that McDavid is probably better than he is, and if that is true, then he has as good a chance as anyone.
2. The Stanley Cup Will go to the Islanders
With Leddy, Boychuk, de Haan and Hamonic, the Islanders have an incredible defense. They have Tavares, Okposo, Lee, Strome, Grabovski, Neilson and Kulemin on forward and I like their goalie.
Overall, they have a very deep, highly talented team. I like them to finally do some damage in the Playoffs.
3. Max Domi Will Have an Excellent Year
He's not going to win the Calder because of Connor McDavid, but he should be one of the league's top rookies. I predict a 20 goal, 50 point season.
4. The Hurricanes Will Make the Playoffs
Injuries have put a damper on Jordan Staals career, but if healthy he can be one of the best players in hockey because of his dominant ability to possess the puck. Eric Staal is still excellent, Jeff Skinner - if healthy - has elite potential and they have some of the best young defensemen in hockey.
I also like the addition of Eddie Lack and think they'll be the surprise team of the NHL this year....I mean, Miss Cleo thinks so, anyways.
5. The Rangers Will Miss the Playoffs
The East is much better than it's been and the Rangers will be hard pressed to make it when three Atlantic teams automatically get in. The Rangers success depends nearly 100% on Lundqvist and I predict that his age will finally begin to show this season.
He only played 46 games last season and if he can't get back to 60+ the Rangers are in trouble. With the Capitals, Penguins and Islanders all too good to miss the Playoffs, the Rangers will have to battle for a Wild Card spot with the Blue Jackets, Flyers and Hurricanes who I think will surprise.
6. Taylor Hall Will Score 50+ Goals
It's not like it's likely or anything, but if anyone is going to usurp Ovechkin as the goal-scoring champion, it will be the already dangerous Taylor Hall now that he has McDavid to pass him the puck.
Consider this: McDavid is supposedly the best player to enter the league since Crosby. Crosby has never had anyone close to Taylor Hall as his winger, as far as I know, so this should be interesting.
7. The Oilers Will Make the Playoffs
"Come on Child, give me an easy one...that is kind of obvious," said Miss Cleo.
Agreed.
8. The Canucks Will Finish Last in the NHL
Miss Cleo was no fan of any of the Canucks off season moves. I see steep declines in their aging forwards and I just don't think their D is Playoff worthy.
9. Dubnyk Falls Back Hard and Wild Stuggle Before Making Kuemper #1 Goalie
When a guy shatters the previous expectations that were held for him, it's often impossible to follow it up. The Wild have a nice team, but Dubnyk will struggle to keep up his Vezina-like play and will eventually be replaced with the possibly more talented Darcy Kuemper.
10.Cody Franson Will Shock the World By Signing With Arizona
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