Media Predictions Thread

[Kin]

Thought it might be good to have a single spot for any Media predictions out there.

DGB put out the first part of his season preview today, focusing on as he puts it the bottom feeders and the middle of the pack teams. The Leafs are 1 of 7 bottom feeders:

Toronto Maple Leafs

Last season: 29-42-11, 69 points, dead last in the NHL.

Offseason report: They flipped Jonathan Bernier for Frederik Andersen, kind of, and that's probably an upgrade. They also confused their more analytically inclined fans by signing guys like Matt Martin and Roman Polak. But none of that was as important as the night that this happened.

Outlook: Long term, it's pretty darn good. ESPN prospect guru Corey Pronman didn't just rank their prospects as the best in the league, he said that "there are zero reasonable arguments for anyone to even be in the same conversation." So the future looks bright. But the future isn't here yet, and this season figures to be one of slow but steady progress at best.

In the spotlight: In 1985, Toronto drafted Wendel Clark with the first pick in the draft. You could make a good argument that the three most promising Maple Leafs rookies in the 31 years since are all going to be on this year's opening night roster. William Nylander, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews all look like they could be something special, and their progress this year will be far more important than wins and losses.

Bold prediction: For the first time in 50 years, a Maple Leaf captures the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year?but it's Nylander, not Matthews.

https://sports.vice.com/ca/article/down-goes-browns-nhl-preview-part-1-bottom-feeders-and-middle-of-the-pack-teams

 

[TBLeafer]

NHL point projections: How we see 2016-17 season unfolding

 

[Bullfrog]

My favourite part:

Bold prediction: For the first time in 50 years, a Maple Leaf captures the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year?but it's Nylander, not Matthews.

I really do think Nylander's going to be something special.

 

[TBLeafer]

My favourite part:

Bold prediction: For the first time in 50 years, a Maple Leaf captures the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year?but it's Nylander, not Matthews.

I really do think Nylander's going to be something special.

Personally speaking, I'm rooting for Marner to surprise and take it.

 

[ZBBM]

My favourite part:

Bold prediction: For the first time in 50 years, a Maple Leaf captures the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year?but it's Nylander, not Matthews.

I really do think Nylander's going to be something special.

Personally speaking, I'm rooting for Marner to surprise and take it.

I am rooting for DGB to be right, but only if his insane season just barely edges out Matthews' own.

 

[Kaberle15]

My favourite part:

Bold prediction: For the first time in 50 years, a Maple Leaf captures the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year?but it's Nylander, not Matthews.

I really do think Nylander's going to be something special.

Personally speaking, I'm rooting for Marner to surprise and take it.

I am rooting for DGB to be right, but only if his insane season just barely edges out Matthews' own.

The last time they had a rookie runing for the Calder race it was Mike Johnson in 97-98 season this season they do have 3 players that can run for it!

 

[herman]

The last time they had a rookie runing for the Calder race it was Mike Johnson in 97-98 season this season they do have 3 players that can run for it!

Don't forget Zaitsev!

 

[LuncheonMeat]

My favourite part:

Bold prediction: For the first time in 50 years, a Maple Leaf captures the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year?but it's Nylander, not Matthews.

I really do think Nylander's going to be something special.

Personally speaking, I'm rooting for Marner to surprise and take it.

I'm with you.

 

[Kin]

Part 2 of the DGB preview. No point predictions but he has the Leafs in last in the division:

https://sports.vice.com/ca/article/down-goes-browns-nhl-preview-part-2-contenders-hard-to-figure-out-teams-and-predictions

 

[ZBBM]

Part 2 of the DGB preview. No point predictions but he has the Leafs in last in the division:

https://sports.vice.com/ca/article/down-goes-browns-nhl-preview-part-2-contenders-hard-to-figure-out-teams-and-predictions

Based on tonight's game, he looks like Nostradamus/JeanneDixon/TheIncredibleKreskin/CarnacktheMagnificent.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Part 2 of the DGB preview. No point predictions but he has the Leafs in last in the division:

https://sports.vice.com/ca/article/down-goes-browns-nhl-preview-part-2-contenders-hard-to-figure-out-teams-and-predictions

Based on tonight's game, he looks like Nostradamus/JeanneDixon/TheIncredibleKreskin/CarnacktheMagnificent.

It's not the Tank, but it's definitely going to be a 'learning' season.

 

[mr grieves]

THN has a preview, with some charts. 84 points was 20th last season.

link to article: http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/thn-s-2016-17-nhl-season-preview-toronto-maple-leafs

 

[Kin]

[tweet]785923130871189504[/tweet]

 

[Deebo]

Will this be the year that the Red Wings finally miss the playoffs?

 

[Frank E]

So I'm getting a feeling that some members of the media don't think the Leafs are going to be very good this year.

 

[Fletch]

Will this be the year that the Red Wings finally miss the playoffs?

TSN Senior Hockey Reporter thinks so:

11. The lights will go out in Joe Louis Arena for the final time on April 9 without a 26th straight spring of Stanley Cup playoff action. This is the year the longest postseason streak in pro sports ends. The NHL?s oldest roster will sorely miss possession driver and magic man Pavel Datsyuk, as coach Jeff Blashill hinted this week.