2021 Top 10: #5 — SERAVALLI: 32 Bold Predictions For The 2021-22 NHL Season
Ah yes, everyone’s favourite article: the predictions.
Writers love to take big looks at seasons and fans love to pick them apart.
And this year, the fifth most-read article saw Frank Seravalli dive into some predictions for the season. There are a few that already are looking good.
1. The Toronto Maple Leafs won’t just win one round this season, their first since 2004. They’ll win two before falling short in the Eastern Conference Final. They also won’t be Canada’s last team standing.
2. Unflappable Spencer Knight will become the first goaltender since Steve Mason in 2008-09 to win the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. It won’t take long until it’s officially Knight’s crease in Sunrise, supplanting $10 million man Sergei Bobrovsky.
3. Marc Bergevin will shake Geoff Molson’s hand and depart his post as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens following this season. There were already rumblings during the Stanley Cup Final that Bergevin would ride off into the sunset if the Habs hoisted the Cup last season. The job wears on you – especially taking the heat in two languages.
4. The Arizona Coyotes will relocate to Houston after 25 seasons in the desert. The City of Glendale has already notified the ‘Yotes it intends to terminate the team’s lease at Gila River Arena after this season. The Coyotes have attempted to jumpstart numerous new arena projects, all of which have fallen flat. Yes, the NHL has been patient. They don’t want to leave the fifth biggest city in the U.S., but Houston is fourth, fits in the Central Division better, has a viable NHL arena and prospective owner. Oh, yes, and can’t imagine NHL owners would mind the couple hundred million dollar relocation fee after floating players a billion during the pandemic.
5. Jack Eichel WILL be traded before Christmas, putting a merciful end to the drama that has hung over the Sabres franchise like a dark cloud. Buffalo will work with an interested mystery team to approve an artificial disc replacement and pave the way for a deal.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.