TribLive writers offer predictions for 2025-26 NHL season

The 2025-26 NHL season is about to commence, and TribLive writers Seth Rorabaugh and Justin Guerriero, assistant sports editor Jonathan Bombulie and columnist Tim Benz have thoughts on how the season will shake out. Here’s a look:

Award winners

Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)

Seth Rorabaugh: Connor McDavid, Oilers

Justin Guerriero: Nikita Kucherov, Lightning

Jonathan Bombulie: Connor McDavid, Oilers

Tim Benz: Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche

Calder Memorial Trophy (rookie of the year)

Rorabaugh: Ivan Demidov, Canadiens

Guerriero: Ivan Demidov, Canadiens

Bombulie: Ivan Demidov, Canadiens

Benz: Ivan Demidov, Canadiens

Vezina Trophy (top goalie)

Rorabaugh: Connor Hellebuyck, Jets

Guerriero: Connor Hellebuyck, Jets

Bombulie: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning

Benz: Jordan Binnington, Blues

James Norris Memorial Trophy (best defenseman)

Rorabaugh: Cale Makar, Avalanche

Guerriero: Zach Werenski, Blue Jackets

Bombulie: Cale Makar, Avalanche

Benz: Miro Heiskanen, Stars

Art Ross Trophy (most points)

Rorabaugh: Connor McDavid, Oilers

Guerriero: Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche

Bombulie: Connor McDavid, Oilers

Benz: Connor McDavid, Oilers

Frank J. Selke Trophy (best defensive forward)

Rorabaugh: Anthony Cirelli, Lightning

Guerriero: Anthony Cirelli, Lightning

Bombulie: Anthony Cirelli, Lightning

Benz: Nico Hischier, Devils

Jack Adams Award (best coach)

Rorabaugh: André Tourigny, Mammoth

Guerriero: Mike Sullivan, Rangers

Bombulie: Sheldon Keefe, Devils

Benz: Mike Sullivan, Rangers

Maurice Richard Trophy (most goals)

Rorabaugh: Brayden Point, Lightning

Guerriero: William Nylander, Maple Leafs

Bombulie: Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs

Benz: Jason Robertson, Stars

Postseason predictions

Eastern

Atlantic Division champion

Rorabaugh: Lightning

Guerriero: Panthers

Bombulie: Lightning

Benz: Panthers

Metropolitan Division champion

Rorabaugh: Hurricanes

Guerriero: Hurricanes

Bombulie: Devils

Benz: Hurricanes

Other playoff teams

Rorabaugh: Panthers, Senators, Maple Leafs, Devils, Rangers, Capitals

Guerriero: Maple Leafs, Devils, Rangers, Blue Jackets, Lightning, Senators

Bombulie: Maple Leafs, Panthers, Hurricanes, Rangers, Canadiens, Blue Jackets

Benz: Devils, Rangers, Bruins, Lightning, Canadiens, Capitals

Conference finals

Rorabaugh: Hurricanes over Panthers

Guerriero: Hurricanes over Maple Leafs

Bombulie: Lightning over Hurricanes

Benz: Panthers over Canadiens

Western

Central Division champion

Rorabaugh: Stars

Guerriero: Stars

Bombulie: Avalanche

Benz: Avalanche

Pacific Division champion

Rorabaugh: Golden Knights

Guerriero: Oilers

Bombulie: Oilers

Benz: Kings

Other playoff teams

Rorabaugh: Oilers, Kings, Avalanche, Jets, Blues, Mammoth

Guerriero: Jets, Avalanche, Golden Knights, Kings, Mammoth, Wild

Bombulie: Stars, Golden Knights, Canucks, Kings, Wild, Jets

Benz: Canucks, Golden Knights, Stars, Mammoth, Oilers, Predators

Conference finals

Rorabaugh: Stars over Golden Knights

Guerriero: Stars over Oilers

Bombulie: Oilers over Stars

Benz: Avalanche over Stars

Stanley Cup champion

Rorabaugh: Stars

Guerriero: Hurricanes

Bombulie: Oilers

Benz: Avalanche