5 bold NHL predictions for 2019
It's officially 2019, and is there a better way to kick off the new year than with some NHL predictions? Below, we've compiled five bold ones that could come to fruition over the next 12 months.
Five-plus 100-point scorers for 1st time since 2006-07
Michael Martin / National Hockey League / GettyScoring is still up across the NHL near the midway point of the 2018-19 campaign, and 15 skaters are currently on pace to eclipse 100 points. The last time five-plus players hit triple digits was during the 2006-07 season (Sidney Crosby, Joe Thornton, Vincent Lecavalier, Dany Heatley, Martin St. Louis, Joe Sakic, and Marian Hossa).
All 15 of this year's candidates maintaining their current clip over 82 games is unlikely. But few will bet against Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon, or Connor McDavid slowing down if they stay healthy. Then there's Mikko Rantanen, Mitch Marner, Johnny Gaudreau, Brayden Point, and Patrick Kane, among others, who all have realistic shots at the 100-point plateau.
Tarasenko gets dealt in Blues' deadline teardown
Jeff Vinnick / National Hockey League / GettyThe St. Louis Blues surely didn't envision being at the bottom of the Central Division standings at the turn of the calendar after an offseason that included acquiring Ryan O'Reilly. Despite heightened expectations, the 2018-19 campaign is all but lost for the Blues, and they're primed to be sellers at the trade deadline.
Vladimir Tarasenko, who has been rumored to be drawing interest, is among St. Louis' most attractive trade chips. The 27-year-old is playing at a career-low 50-point pace, but his goal-scoring prowess will likely intrigue a playoff-bound team. He scored 30-plus goals in four straight seasons prior to 2018-19.
Tarasenko's no-trade clause kicks in next year for the final four seasons of his contract. So the Blues need to act now if they want to make a move.
Matthews maintains shooting percentage, wins Rocket Richard Trophy
Kevin Sousa / National Hockey League / GettyThis one is the boldest of the bunch.
First of all, Auston Matthews has to stay healthy for this prediction to have a chance. Second, Alex Ovechkin currently holds a 10-goal advantage on the Toronto Maple Leafs sniper in the race for the Rocket.
However, Matthews has posted a sky-high 24.1 shooting percentage so far this season, which is no fluke considering he's converting at a 17.1 percent clip for his career and finished last season at 18.2 percent over 62 games. Factor in his key role on the Leafs' loaded top power-play unit, and it's hard to imagine Matthews slowing down for an extended period of time. Whether that's enough to out duel Ovechkin remains to be seen.
Panarin returns to Chicago in free agency
Norm Hall / National Hockey League / GettyWith contract talks under wraps between Artemi Panarin and the Columbus Blue Jackets, the winger's future is completely up in the air. The Russian superstar headlines the unrestricted free-agent class of 2019, and we're predicting he heads back to where his career began and returns to the Chicago Blackhawks.
A source told The Athletic's Scott Powers in August that Panarin would strongly consider a return to the Windy City, where he ran rampant alongside Patrick Kane for two 70-plus-point seasons. Also, Chicago is projected to have $19.6 million in cap space for the 2019-20 season, per Cap Friendly, and the team doesn't have any prominent players to re-sign. The Blackhawks will have enough room to entice Panarin, who should get a major raise from his current $6-million cap hit.
The Blackhawks are in the running for the opportunity to draft Jack Hughes first overall, too, which would be a nice consolation price, or give them an even nicer one-two punch depending on where Panarin goes.
Star-studded crop of RFA's shift NHL's salary landscape
Gerry Thomas / National Hockey League / GettyWhile Panarin headlines the UFAs, the list of RFAs coming off entry-level contracts in 2019 is bananas:
| Player (Pos) | Team | Proj. Cap Space |
|---|---|---|
| Mikko Rantanen (RW) | COL | $32M |
| Mitch Marner (RW) | TOR | $23M |
| Brayden Point (C) | TB | $6.3M |
| Matthew Tkachuk (LW) | CGY | $11.7M |
| Sebastian Aho (C/LW) | CAR | $34M |
| Auston Matthews (C) | TOR | $23M |
| Timo Meier (RW) | SJ | $24M |
| Patrik Laine (RW) | WPG | $23.9M |
| Brock Boeser (RW) | VAN | $32M |
Those players are some of the best young talents in the NHL, and their contract negotiations could shake things up around the league. How much can each player demand? Will there be any offer sheets? Did William Nylander start a trend with his holdout?
Over the last few years, NHL teams have shifted away from bridge contacts in favor of securing young stars while they're under team control, and each team here faces a critical decision. Each player in the group above could haul in at least $7-8 million per year, with some possibly reaching eight digits.
Only 22 skaters league-wide have cap hits of $8 million or more, with just four signing their big-money deals fresh off their ELCs. This year's swarm of pending RFA's will change the way young players get paid and shift the balance of money in the league going forward.
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