Predictions about breakout NHL stars, Avs’ Cup chances, and more

Opening Night of the 2022-23 NHL season It will be on Oct. 11th, with a doubleheader scheduled to be broadcasted by ESPN: Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers At 7:30 ET, follow by Vegas Golden Knights at Los Angeles Kings 10:00 ET

While we have learned a lot about 32 teams during the preseason, there are still some questions. Five of the most important questions have been tackled by a panel made up of analysts and reporters.

• Which player will leap to stardom first?

• Which rookie do you want to see the most?

• What must happen to allow the Avs’ to do it again?

• Which team will disappoint you most?

• Which team will surprise you the most?

How to watch the 2022-23 NHL season ESPN networks — 103 exclusive games, and more than 1,050 games NHL Power Play on ESPN+.

What player will leap to stardom this season, and why?

Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporter: Moritz Seider He made a leap last season scoring 52 points in 82 games to win the Calder Trophy. He could possibly increase his profile with another outstanding season and be considered for the Norris Trophy.

Leah Hextall, NHL broadcaster: Just completed a $41 million, four-year deal Jason Robertson He is driven and can build on his 40+ goal season in Dallas. He’s a star in Dallas, and a household name in hockey.

Victoria Matiash is an NHL analyst It’s amazing to me that we haven’t seen anything even close. Lucas Raymond Yet to prove his worth. After an entire 82-game season, he seemed to have lost some of his momentum. Through his second tour with the Detroit top line and center, the 20-year old will be more prepared and more productive. Dylan Larkin.

Arda Öcal, NHL broadcaster: Jack Hughes. Last season, he had some great highlight-reel goals. He even threw his stick into the crowd when he won overtime. On-ice flash: He and Trevor Zegras It seems like they are cut from one cloth. I’m here for it all.

Kristen Shilton, NHL reporter: Cole Caufield. Martin St. Louis was the Canadian’s youngster when he brought this youngster to life last season. Montreal’s roster has a huge opportunity. Caufield is an excellent goalie and has great hands. This season, he could help a team that desperately needs him.

Greg Wyshynski, NHL reporter: Tim Stützle has been at the center Claude Giroux And Alex DeBrincat During the preseason Ottawa Senators, which I imagine is a pretty good spot if you’re Tim Stützle. Last season, he scored 58 points in just 79 games. This could be a multiplier.

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Which rookie do you want to see the most?

Clark: Matty Beniers The expectation that he will challenge for the Calder Trophy has been set by his nine-point performance in his first ten games. Now, it’s up to how he views the full 82-game year.

Hextall: Jake Sanderson. The University of North Dakota product has everything you need in a NHL defenseman. He’s a top skater, can move the puck and makes smart decisions.

Matiash: Cole Perfetti. The Jets’ No. It will be the 10th overall pick for 2020. It is obvious that the team could use this boost, both emotionally and productively.

Öcal: Other than Shane Wright I would love to see the Habs vs. The Habs. Juraj Slafkovsky He will be able to play in the Montreal lineup. He will he be there for the entire season? He has the size and hands to be a successful player, as well as loads of confidence.

Shilton: Mason McTavish. The Anaheim Ducks Freshman showed his skills at the World Juniors in Aug, where he won MVP honors. Canada also won gold with eight goals (and 17 points) thanks to his efforts. He will bring creativity, speed, and top-end skill to the growing Ducks’ team.

Wyshynski: Many of these rookies sound exciting. But do they have the ability to change the fate of their team? Logan Thompson Could very well decide whether or not they are successful. Vegas Golden Knights Make the playoffs with your starting goalie Robin Lehner Get ready for the season.

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What is the best way for the Avs’ to win again? How likely are you to see it happening?

Clark: Find a second-line consistent center. Nazem KadriThe team feels that the gap left by’s departure can be filled internally. If it is, then it solves a major problem. They could be asked to look elsewhere for the solution if they don’t. Whatever it is, they will play an important role in the Avs chances of a consecutive title.

Hextall: To do it again, the Avalanche will need to pick up the pieces where the team left off. And most importantly, they must stay healthy. That takes some luck. However, the Avs appear to have a great chance of winning. Oh, and Nathan MacKinnon He isn’t content with what he has won, he wants more.

Matiash: One of Pavel Francouz Or Alexandar Georgiev must run with the starter’s job in net. Someone — J.T. Compher Or Alex Newhook Or someone else — must Somewhat Nazem Kadri should be replaced at the second-line center. Both are unlikely to happen, I believe.

Öcal: Goaltending was not the reason that the Avs won the Stanley Cup. But they won. They won. Darcy Kuemper It’s gone. This was the fourth time in NHL history that a Cup-winning starting goalie went to another team. They have Alexandar Georgiev and Pavel Francouz. The team can make another Cup run if their goaltending is good.

Shilton: Newhook must be hired in Colorado to fill the second-line center position. Georgiev needs to move into the highest phase of his career. The Avalanche don’t have to be content with their current situation. Colorado has great potential to go backwards with the right retooling.

Wyshynski: It’s a bit cliché, but locating that previously insatiable hunger to win. It’s not easy to find the motivation you need to win the Stanley Cup. It’s quite another to have the desire to win a second consecutive Cup. Sidney Crosby Did it. Victor Hedman Did it. Nathan MacKinnon? Cale Makar do it?

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Which team is most likely not to disappoint you?

Clark: The Winnipeg Jets. They are talented enough to challenge for at most a wild-card spot. However, the same could be said of the Vancouver Canucks Vegas Golden Knights, who missed the playoffs last year. The Jets may be able to make it back into the playoffs. It is possible they might miss the playoffs, however, as the Western Conference seemed to be stronger.

Hextall: The Boston Bruins. Jim Montgomery, the new head coach, will have to deal with early-season injuries. First-line wing Brad Marchand, No. 1 defensemen Charlie McAvoy The top 4 defensemen Matt Grzelcyk All of them will miss the first months. Although the B’s will be competitive but not a contender, they won’t be in the top 10.

Matiash: The Washington Capitals. Too old or too beaten up. Alex Ovechkin Score, and Newbie Darcy Kuemper Although they may steal a few of them, neither will do enough to win out in what’s expected to be an even harder Metropolitan Division this year.

Öcal: One of the Pittsburgh Penguins Washington Capitals. Many hockey fans have been waiting for this moment for years. It seems like one of these teams may not make it to the playoffs. With many of the same faces in Pittsburgh, and the “band is back together”, one must wonder if Father Time will catch on or if legacy will allow for more youthful players. There are two men who could prove someone wrong, but hey…

Shilton: The Minnesota Wild. Was there anything they could have done to improve on last season’s performance? Minnesota has talent, but it is not a good sign for the NHL. It looks like other teams could pass right by the Wild.

Wyshynski: Vancouver Canucks Bruce Boudreau is a Vezina Trophy-caliber goalie for the Canucks. Thatcher Demko They also have an impressive collection of offensive players. Their defense is not my favorite. Their depth is not appealing to me, and at least four other teams are better than them in the division. Boudreau’s offseason negotiations revealed that there is a strange dysfunctionality within the organization.

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Which team is more likely to surprise you in a positive manner?

Clark: Ottawa Senators Getting Alex DeBrincat Claude Giroux adds two more players to their top-six. Jake Sanderson could be the next homegrown talent to help the Sens realize their goals. But Cam TalbotThe injury to’s raises questions about their ability to manage the net for the start of the season.

Hextall: The Detroit Red Wings. GM Steve Yzerman signed a free agency contract and went to work David Perron, Andrew Copp, Dominik Kubalik, Ben Chiarot And Olli MaattaTo name just a few. He found the solution in net, trading and signing Ville HussoHe was a good player for St. Louis. This, plus Detroit’s young stars, could be a significant step forward for the Wings under Derek Lalonde as their new head coach.

Matiash: The Columbus Blue Jackets. Youngsters Kent Johnson And Cole Sillinger You will see a bigger impact in the coming years than you expected. The overlooked addition of Erik Gudbranson He helps strengthen the blue line and, while he is only one player, Johnny Gaudreau Dynamic is as dynamic as it gets.

Öcal: The New York Islanders. The last season was a series of tragic events. One of their most important players. Mathew BarzalNow, a long-term agreement has been signed. Ilya Sorokin He is set to be the league’s top goaltender. This team is ready to prove that last year was an exception and remind the league why it reached the conference finals twice in a row.

Shilton: The Buffalo Sabres. This growing group exudes optimism. Tage Thompson To Rasmus Dahlin To Alex Tuch. The addition Eric Comrie The offseason move of in net was highly underrated. The Sabres are not likely to be easy this season.

Wyshynski: The New Jersey Devils. If Andrew Brunette, the new assistant coach, fixes the power play and they get competent goaltending, the Devils can make it to the playoffs. Jack Hughes again. All of this is possible with a talented and young team.