We’re nearly at the start of NHL training camps, and that means it’s a great time for a handful of pre-season predictions.
We’re starting that job by focusing on five predictions for the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division teams. Here they are:
Prediction: Boston Bruins star goalie Jeremy Swayman isn’t around for training camp as he angles for a contract, but he agrees on a new deal just before the regular season begins.
Swayman is Boston’s top netminder, but he won’t be in camp right away as he plays a high-stakes game of chicken with Bruins GM Don Sweeney.
The Boston Bruins have announced their training camp roster. G Jeremy Swayman is not included so he'll show up in the reserve section until he signs.
https://t.co/fcHxhxNCsO— NHL Rosters (@NHL_Rosters) September 17, 2024
That said, the 25-year-old Swayman won’t want to miss any regular-season games. By signing just before camp ends – while being in prime condition year-round – he will be able to step right in and contribute right away in the regular season.
Swayman is a Grade-A goalie, but the business of the sport is forcing him into a place he doesn’t want to be. For that reason, he’ll eventually find common ground with Sweeney and become a central piece of the puzzle once again.
Prediction: Buffalo Sabres veteran goalie James Reimer earns the backup job, but up-and-comer Devon Levi shows in camp he can be a reliable option later on.
Reimer signed with the Sabres for one year and $1 million, but he will face competition from 22-year-old Levi, who spent most of last season with AHL Rochester.
The 36-year-old Reimer had a decent .904 save percentage on the Detroit Red Wings last season, but he’ll play behind a solid Sabres defense corps. His individual numbers should improve this season, even if he plays about as much as he did in ‘Motown’ last year, which was 25 games.
Levi split the season between the AHL and NHL but his .899 SP and 3.10 goals-against average in the NHL shows he’s still got room to grow his game. Levi may begin the year in Rochester, but we see his game notably improving, and he should get another shot at the NHL level sooner than later.
Related: NHL’s Top Issues Facing the Buffalo Sabres: Ruff’s Return, Thompson’s Resurgence and Goaltending Tandem
Prediction: Detroit Red Wings top defenseman Moritz Seider signs a contract extension in the middle of training camp. His deal – which we believe will pay him $8.5 million per season – will ensure he begins the regular season without missing any time.
Per PuckPedia, the Red Wings currently have $8.74 million in salary cap space after signing dynamic young winger Lucas Raymond to an eight-year, $64.6-million contract.
If Seider – the team’s top defenseman and a cornerstone component of GM Steve Yzerman’s plans – wants to play a full 82-game slate of games, he must settle for about $8.5 million per season.
In fairness, players comparable to Seider – Buffalo’s Owen Power ($8.35 million) – give Yzerman reason to keep Seider’s contract demands reasonable. And if Seider doesn’t feel like he’s being treated properly, he can sign for a short term and try again to hit a bigger jackpot down the line.
In any case, we expect Seider not to miss any time and contribute right out of the gate for Detroit. Seider is too crucial to fight tooth and nail over financial issues, and both sides must temper their demands to ensure Seider is in the lineup to begin the season. As the Red Wings learned last season, any missed opportunity for one more point in the standings can cost them.
Related: Reaction: Detroit Red Wings’ New Deal For Lucas Raymond Can Become A Bargain
Prediction: Tampa Bay Lightning veteran D-man Ryan McDonagh looks right at home in his second stint with the team, solidifying the Bolts’ second defense pairing.
Some in the hockey world were shocked when the Lightning brought back McDonagh in a trade with the Nashville Predators. But after Tampa Bay GM Julien BriseBois dealt star blueliner Mikhail Sergachev, the Lightning needed a proven veteran on the back end, and the 35-year-old McDonagh fits that bill.
Along with newcomer Cam Atkinson and center Luke Glendening, McDonagh is the oldest member of the Lightning, and he understands the team culture and expectations for the Bolts this season.
He won’t be on Tampa’s top ‘D’ pairing – that will be comprised of fellow left-handed shot Victor Hedman – but McDonagh will be relied on to provide smart defending while chipping in a few points here and there.
Related: Lightning’s Victor Hedman Reacts To Seeing Steven Stamkos In Yellow: ‘It’s Just Different’
Prediction: Toronto Maple Leafs veteran Max Pacioretty capitalizes on his professional tryout offer, winning the left winger position on the Leafs’ second line. Meanwhile, youngster Nick Robertson doesn’t perform poorly at camp, but he slides down the depth chart and begins the year on the Buds’ third line while Toronto ships out at least one or two veterans low down on the depth chart.
The Leafs’ depth at left wing is Toronto’s greatest weakness, but bringing in the 35-year-old Pacioretty will prove to be a savvy move from Leafs GM Brad Treliving. Pacioretty will have a very strong camp and shine on the Leafs’ second line with John Tavares and Mitch Marner.
Meanwhile, the ripple effect of Pacioretty taking the second-line left wing spot will push Robertson onto Toronto’s third line. And the fourth line will likely feature Bobby McMann, Connor Dewar and Pontus Holmberg. That means something will have to give for a few Leafs near the bottom of the depth chart – most notably, veteran David Kampf and winger Ryan Reaves.
At least one, if not both, of Kampf and Reaves will be traded or demoted to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies to be used in case of injury or underachieving play. Regardless, the competition for a fourth-line role (and a third-pair defense spot) will be fierce in Leafs Land, and that’s a good thing in Toronto’s big picture.
Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum.
Related: The Maple Leafs Finished Summer Moves By Adding Pacioretty And Hakanpaa – Or Did They?
Related: Bruins’ Defenseman Believes Jeremy Swayman And Linus Ullmark Will Thrive In New Setups
Related: Sidney Crosby Is The NHL’s Biggest Steal Since Gordie Howe
News Summary:
- Five Bold NHL Pre-Season Predictions For The Bruins, Sabres, Leafs And Atlantic Division
- Check all news and articles from the latest NHL updates.