The NHL season is officially underway today! Being the start of the NHL season, I decided to do something unique and different that no one has ever done before... a Bold Predictions blog. As the name suggests, the goal is to come up with a list of predictions that sit somewhere between a bit unlikely to absolute nuts.

Let's begin.

1) Connor McDavid wins the Rocket Richard Trophy with 61 goals
NHL players are competitive beings and after a year of McDavid hearing about how "Matthews might be better because of his goal scoring," I think we see the Oilers captain kick things up a notch and score a frenzy of goals this season to earn his first Rocket Trophy.

2) Jesse Puljujarvi has a better season than Kailer Yamamoto
It may or may not be with the Edmonton Oilers, but by the time the season ends, Jesse Puljujarvi with have better numbers (goals and assists) than Kailer Yamamoto.

3) Evan Bouchard takes over top PP duties by December 1st
Whether it's because Bouchard just looks that good on the second unit or that Tyson Barrie just isn't doing enough on the top line, by the beginning of December, Evan Bouchard will be the main PP quarterback for the Oilers. It will certainly make his next contract an interesting thing to keep an eye on.

4) RNH scores 25 goals
The Nuge's role has changed on this team since he was drafted 1st overall and likely will play much of his time on the third line this season. Despite that, between finding great chemistry with Ryan McLeod, and likely Jesse Puljujarvi, as well as having a great year on the powerplay, Nuge will put up 25 goals for the first time since the 18/19 season.

5) Edmonton loses every regular season game to Calgary; still beats them in the second round
Time to start getting creative with these predictions. Edmonton will end up losing the three regular season games they play against the Calgary Flames, leading Flames fans to puff out their chests in superiority as the two teams once again meet in the second round of the playoffs. Despite that, Edmonton will once again go on to surpass Calgary (this time in 6 games) to move on to the Western Conference Finals.

6) John Klingberg will be an Oiler by the Trade Deadline
There were reports in the summer that Edmonton was trying to find a way to make this deal work. Klingberg signed a one year deal with the Ducks, in the hopes of raising his own value and getting traded to a contender at the deadline. Holland and the Oilers will return to this player and pick him up as their big deadline acquisition.

7) Dylan Holloway wins the Calder
For years, the Oilers have had a flurry of talented young rookies who have not been able to win the Calder Trophy due to a number of circumstances. This year, the Oilers will surprise as Dylan Holloway spends the whole season in Edmonton in the top six and wins the Calder with a 22-35-57 point campaign.

8) Connor McDavid has his first NHL fight
McDavid has done just about everything you can in the NHL...aside from fight. Sure he has gotten into scrums and taken some shots at guys but this season we will see McDavid square off in his first legitimate NHL fight. I'm making bold predictions so I suppose I have to pick a player as well... let's say Brayden Point.

9) Raphael Lavoie gets a callup. Scores in his first NHL game
Lavoie is a prospect I have been rooting for since he was drafted. His first full NHL season was a mixed bag but there were bursts where he showed off his goal scoring prowess that he has shown at every other level he has played in. Lavoie will get a short callup to Edmonton this season and will immediately make an impression by scoring a sweet one timer goal in his first NHL game.

10) Every Oilers commentator gets sick at the same time; team asks me to do commentary to fill in.
It could happen?

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