"With the 2025-26 NHL season nearly here, it's time to make some bold predictions about what will and will not happen on the way to handing out the Stanley Cup. That established, here are bold predictions for the NHL's 32 teams in the 2025-26 season. These educated guesses range from statistical achievements to awards predictions to coach firings to Stanley Cup playoffs prognostications. Enjoy, and welcome back, hockey!"
"Zacha has been a real find in Boston after being acquired from New Jersey in 2022. I'm not sure how much trade chatter is teams calling GM Don Sweeney than vice versa. But with two years left on his deal with a terrific cap hit ($4.75 million per year) and limited trade protection, he could be a coveted two-way center for a contender."
"Dahlin finished sixth for the Norris last season. He's on the radar. The 25-year-old needs a few things to break his way to get into the Norris top three for the first time. Dahlin probably needs at least 70 points and to finish as a plus player. He needs the analytics community to rally for his case. And he needs voters to either find the greatness of his game -- or sympathy for his lot in life -- while playing for the Sabres."
Bold, team-by-team projections cover the 2025-26 NHL season across all 32 franchises, spanning trades, awards, coaching moves and playoff odds. The Bruins are viewed as non-contenders who may pursue aggressive roster moves, with Pavel Zacha identified as a likely trade candidate because of his contract, two-way skillset and limited protection. Rasmus Dahlin is projected as a Norris Trophy finalist if he posts roughly 70 points, finishes plus/minus positive and secures analytic and voter support while skating next to Bowen Byram. Other emerging Norris candidates include Miro Heiskanen, Thomas Harley and Charlie McAvoy.
Read at ESPN.com
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