THW NHL Predictions Panel

It’s (finally) that time of year again, where hope abounds and everyone gazes into their crystal pucks in order to make their predictions about the immediate future of NHL hockey.

In the best of years, this task is borderline folly, for who can really know what to expect when paper rosters and schedules play out at the rink? And in a 48 game, compressed schedule, it gets even trickier when you consider how little teams have been given to prepare, especially those who made major adjustments over the summer.

There’s the risk of injury (groin pulls for $100, Alex), past & potential free agent signings & trades, new coaches & systems, division-heavy / rivalry-fueled schedules, and, of course, the reality that the Stanley Cup is the most difficult trophy in sport to win, period.

(Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE)
Which team will have their picture taken with the Cup this June? (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE)

Here at The Hockey Writers, we’ve assembled a squad of 17 contributors who have offered up their best guesses as to who will win this year’s NHL Awards, as well as the Conference & Stanley Cup Champion teams.

Please feel free to add your own predictions in the comments section below.

One thing we can all agree on? It’s good to be talking about actually NHL hockey again.

Individual Awards

THW Contributor Hart Art Ross Richard Norris Vezina Calder
Chris Wassel Quick Malkin Malkin Weber Quick Granlund
Fred Poulin Quick Malkin R. Nash Chara Quick Granlund
Dan Rice Toews Datsyuk Kovalchuk Chara Miller Granlund
Margann Laurissa Giroux Malkin Stamkos Weber Rinne Granlund
Mike Miccoli Giroux Stamkos Stamkos Chara Quick J. Schultz
Mark Ritter Crosby Crosby Malkin Weber Lundqvist J. Schultz
Ryan Pike Malkin Malkin Stamkos Karlsson Lundqvist Baertschi
Matthew Dimmick Giroux Malkin Stamkos Doughty Quick Huberdeau
Anton Tibaldi Malkin Crosby Stamkos Pietrangelo Lundqvist Huberdeau
Jameson Cooper Stamkos Giroux Stamkos Chara Rask Huberdeau
Adam Stafki Malkin Malkin Stamkos Weber Quick Granlund
Santino Fasulo Crosby Crosby Stamkos Weber Lundqvist Galchenyuk
Marcy Dimichele Crosby Crosby Ovechkin Pietrangelo Quick Huberdeau
Stephen Stoneman Lundqvist R. Nash Kessel M. Staal Lundqvist Strome
Michael Farkas Crosby Crosby Gaborik Doughty Price J. Schultz
Josh Smith Stamkos Malkin Stamkos Weber Lundqvist Granlund
Ian McLaren Malkin Malkin Stamkos Chara Lundqvist Yakupov

Conference Champions / Stanley Cup Winner

THW Contributor East West Stanley Cup
Chris Wassel Bruins Canucks Canucks
Fred Poulin Penguins Blues Blues
Dan Rice Capitals Blackhawks Blackhawks
Margann Laurissa Flyers Blues Flyers
Mike Miccoli Rangers Kings Rangers
Mark Ritter Penguins Kings Penguins
Ryan Pike Rangers Kings Rangers
Matthew Dimmick Rangers Blues Rangers
Anton Tibaldi Penguins Blues Penguins
Jameson Cooper Lightning Kings Lightning
Adam Stafki Rangers Blues Rangers
Santino Fasulo Penguins Blues Penguins
Marcy Di Michele Rangers Canucks Rangers
Stephen Stoneman Rangers Blues Rangers
Michael Farkas Penguins Kings Penguins
Josh Smith Rangers Canucks Rangers
Ian McLaren Hurricanes Blues Hurricanes

There you have it. Puck drops on Saturday at 3 pm EST!

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