The NHL season is here. But what should we expect from it?
31 teams are chasing the Colorado Avalanche, who, after winning the Stanley Cup in 2022, are again the favorites to lift the trophy in late spring 2023.
The Game Day hockey writers Frank Ammirante and Pat Pickens will take a stab at projecting how the 2022-23 NHL season will go.
All NHL betting odds are current as of Oct. 7, 2022, at Caesars Sportsbook.
Stanley Cup Final Pick 2024
Carolina Hurricanes defeat Colorado Avalanche
The Hurricanes, who added Brent Burns, Max Pacioretty, and Paul Stastny to a core that has won its division in consecutive years, should do enough to unseat the three-time defending Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning then surge past Colorado in the Cup Final. Raleigh then parties like it’s 2006. — PAT PICKENS
- Be sure to check out our full 2023 Stanley Cup Predictions & Odds
Los Angeles Kings defeat New York Rangers
Adding stud forward Kevin Fiala to a roster flush with young talent can take the Kings to the next level, knocking off Igor Shesterkin and the Rangers. — FRANK AMMIRANTE
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Hart Trophy Picks
Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche
It is only a matter of time until voters give him the lifetime-achievement Hart Trophy. He should have won it by now, and I think this is the year he finally get his due. — PAT PICKENS
Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers
McDavid is the favorite for this award every year as a virtually automatic 100-plus point producer, especially as he continues to carry the Oilers to contention. — FRANK AMMIRANTE
Read our full 2023 NHL MVP predictions
Vezina Trophy Picks
Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders
The Isles’ chances of reaching the postseason likely center around their goaltender standing on his head almost every night. If Sorokin does that, as intrastate rival Igor Shesterkin did last season, he should run away with the award. — PAT PICKENS
Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders
Sorokin is a major contender for this award as he enters his age-27 season after posting an impressive 2.40 GAA and .925 SV% last year. — FRANK AMMIRANTE
See our full Vezina Trophy odds report.
Norris Trophy Picks
Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
There’s so much buzz about Cale Makar that it seems almost impossible that he matches the hype this season. Josi, who has led the Predators in points in three straight seasons and put up an eye-popping 99 points while finishing as the Norris runner-up to Makar in 2022, should be the beneficiary. — PAT PICKENS
Moritz Seider, Detroit Red Wings
Look for Seider to take a Year 2 leap after he delivered on lofty expectations in his rookie campaign, putting up 50 points in 82 games for the rebuilding Red Wings. — FRANK AMMIRANTE
Calder Trophy Picks
Shane Wright, C, Seattle Kraken
Wright was projected as the No. 1 pick in 2022, yet slipped to Seattle with the fourth selection. Wright will start the year with the Kraken, and you can bet he has a strong desire to prove the teams that passed on him wrong. — PAT PICKENS
Matty Beniers, C, Seattle Kraken
The second overall pick of the 2021 draft is ready to take on a large role with the Kraken after posting nine points in 10 games during his brief stint last year. — FRANK AMMIRANTE
Bold Predictions
New Jersey Devils Make Playoffs
Every year there’s one upstart that crashes the playoff field. As long as New Jersey’s core of Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Ondrej Palat, Dougie Hamilton, and Mackenzie Blackwood can stay healthy for the full season, the Devils have a great opportunity to crack the Eastern Conference top-eight.
New York Rangers Win Eastern Conference
The Rangers have another level in their game if high-end young talents like Alexis Lafrenière can improve on last season’s production. — FRANK AMMIRANTE
