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
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