The NHL season has just begun, and it’s time to make some predictions. Who will hoist the Stanley Cup in June? Here are my predictions based on team strength and overall performance in recent years on who will be in race for the Cup this summer and who won’t. Vancouver Canucks The team with the worst chance to win the title in the 2016-2017 season is the Vancouver Canucks. Last season they put up the worst goal difference in the NHL, despite the fact that they have a top 15 goalie in their arsenal. As a matter of fact, they didn’t sign any big names over the offseason, and are returning this season with the same starters. Columbus Blue Jackets Next, is the Columbus Blue Jackets, who were low on money this offseason. They have the second worst chance in the NHL because they didn’t have enough money to expand their team over the offseason and are returning with the same starting six that was the worst team in the Eastern Conference last year. Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes started off this season with the 24th best chance to win the title. These chances have since dropped and most likely will continue to drop. Furthermore, they have the worst goalie in the league and injuries are beginning to plague them. Their chances of winning the title will most likely continue to drop the farther into the season they get.
Washington Capitals Then, the team with the 3rd best chance to win the title in 2017 is the Washington Capitals. They have the most solid all-around team in the league in addition to having the 3rd best goalie. Likewise, the Capitals truthfully have a miniscule number of flaws. Tampa Bay Lightning Tampa Bay had the 8th best chance coming into the season and after 3 games have emerged at the 2nd spot. The key to Tampa’s success is that they have a stellar team that has made it to the finals and semifinals in the last two years and have not lost a single player. Chicago Blackhawks Finally, the team with the best chance to win the Stanley Cup in 2017 is the Chicago Blackhawks. In the last 6 years, the Blackhawks have won the Stanley Cup 3 times. Their goalie, Corey Crawford, is improving every year and has become a top 5 goalie in the league. The Blackhawks are overall one of the most talented teams in the league, and correspondingly they have the best chance to win the Stanley Cup. Here are my predictions for the 2016-2017 NHL season, from the very worst to the very best. This June we will see if the Blackhawks, Capitals, and Lightning are on the top at the end of the season, and if the Canucks, Blue Jackets, and Hurricanes are at the bottom. We could also see some totally different teams at the top and bottom of the league by the end of this season.