San Jose Sharks

NHL predictions 2.0: New Stanley Cup favorite, surprise Hart Trophy front-runner and more

NHL predictions 2.0: New Stanley Cup favorite, surprise Hart Trophy front-runner and more

How much could have changed in a month? Ask the Edmonton Oilers. When The Athletic polled its NHL staff for 2024-25 predictions in the preseason, Connor McDavid was the prohibitive favorite for the Hart Trophy, and his team was the front-runner to win the Stanley Cup. Now? Well, the Oilers are the top pick in […]

NHL predictions 2.0: New Stanley Cup favorite, surprise Hart Trophy front-runner and more Read More »

Each NHL team’s biggest concern a month into the 2024-25 regular season

Each NHL team’s biggest concern a month into the 2024-25 regular season

We’re just over a month into the NHL regular season, and for some teams, the high hopes and optimism of the preseason have faded away for one reason or another. The Athletic asked its NHL staff this week for each team’s biggest concern at this point. The responses covered the full spectrum, from goaltending and

Each NHL team’s biggest concern a month into the 2024-25 regular season Read More »

NHL’s biggest surprises early in 2024-25: Emerging stars, unexpected starts and more

NHL’s biggest surprises early in 2024-25: Emerging stars, unexpected starts and more

Just over three weeks into the 2024-25 NHL season, things are looking interesting. The Edmonton Oilers — our preseason Stanley Cup favorites — are struggling to score goals. The Calgary Flames and Minnesota Wild — two teams that missed the playoffs last year — are unexpectedly off to hot starts. And the Winnipeg Jets are

NHL’s biggest surprises early in 2024-25: Emerging stars, unexpected starts and more Read More »

NHL 2024-25 bold predictions: Breakout players, trades, offer sheets and 40-goal scorers

NHL 2024-25 bold predictions: Breakout players, trades, offer sheets and 40-goal scorers

Will the NHL’s newest club finish as one of the highest-scoring teams in the league? Will Pierre-Luc Dubois finally find a long-term home with the Washington Capitals? Are players like Juraj Slafkovský going to make a significant jump in their production? Those were among the responses The Athletic got this week when it asked its

NHL 2024-25 bold predictions: Breakout players, trades, offer sheets and 40-goal scorers Read More »

NHL 2024-25 season predictions: Stanley Cup winner, playoff teams, dark horse and more

NHL 2024-25 season predictions: Stanley Cup winner, playoff teams, dark horse and more

Can the Florida Panthers repeat as Stanley Cup champions or is it the Edmonton Oilers’ turn to go from runners-up to No. 1? What will happen in the Eastern Conference wild-card race? After kicking off The Athletic NHL staff’s season predictions Thursday with individual awards, today we look at team expectations. Who makes the playoffs?

NHL 2024-25 season predictions: Stanley Cup winner, playoff teams, dark horse and more Read More »