After recharging my crystal ball it came up blank so here are my predictions anyways...

Soon it will be October, the multi-colored autumn is creeping upon us, and of course this means the start of a brand new NHL Olympic-free season. Here are my third annual absurd and bizarre but fundamentally correct predictions for the 2017-2018 nhl season:

1) Connor Mcdavid, Auston Matthews, Nathan Mckinnon, and Jonathan Drouin will challenge for the Art Ross. Will they get 100 points? Every year I expect a 120 point season and it just doesn't happen. 






2) I predict a 3 way fight for the Norris. My choices from last year are back in PK Subban and Victor Hedman. My surprise choice as the 3rd challenger is Shea Weber. PK might win it this time because Ellis will be missing for several months which should increase PK's ice-time. He is also more comfortable with his teammates. Weber will be set up by Drouin on the powerplay and this should add to his goal total. He will also have an increased work-load after the exit of many veteran hab defencemen. I did not take Karlsson because he may miss the first month but if he doesn't...

3) The Maurice Richard trophy will go either to Patrick Laine or Auston Matthews. My choice for the Calder, Laine was sidetracked by a concussion last year.  Both of these young guns proved they have that old fashioned sniper aptitude of the 1970's and 80's. Steve Stamkos could be there as well but once again his fitness is unknown.






4) Who will finish ahead between Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto? Honestly this is difficult because I am not sure whether Bergy is through fiddling with the line-up. At this point I think Toronto, a member of the axis of evil,  and Ottawa will be ahead of Montreal and probably challenge for first with Tampa. However, if Montreal were to get that first line center we have been anticipating for eons they may be better than their inter-province rivals and challenge Tampa.


5) Boston, Philadelphia, and  Detroit will not make the playoffs. The axis of evil foiled again except for those darn infernal  leafs.



6) Who will win the Cup this year? Still unsure, I will not be shocked if the Oilers and Tampa are in the final.





7) Once again, I repeat as a time traveller Habs will finally trade for a first line center ahem. I am hoping for any of the following Duchene, Giroux, Tavares, or Nugent- Hopkins. I will not be pleased if they get a Bozak type center. I hope this prediction becomes confirmed by the end of the month.




8) I am thinking one of these two players will be traded this year by the habs the erratic Galchenyuk or the hardest working man in the NHL Gallagher. Either Lindgren or McNiven will also be sadly gone. 



9) The Avs will become Nathan Mckinnon's team after Duchene is traded. The habs will become Jonathan Drouin's team. They will lead their team in scoring and become bona-fide superstars. They will become showtime athletes.






10) Crosby, Toews, Benn, Kane, Seguin, Carter, Getzlaf etc etc etc are just plain too old- Pierre Mcguire

11) Donald Trump will resign by the the time the Stanley Cup is handed out. Ok vafanculo I predicted Hillary would win...

Health Advisory: Well anyways one can hallucinate and these predictions could collapse if injuries or illness occur or players decide to go to the olympics..