Five NHL Pre-Season Predictions For The Blackhawks, Blues And The Central Division

The NHL’s training camps are here, and it’s time to predict what will happen in the pre-season. 

We kicked off the process by looking at five predictions for the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division teams. Wednesday, we were focused on five predictions for the Metropolitan Division. And today, we’re making five predictions for the NHL's Central Division:

Prediction: New Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Laurent Brossoit has an excellent training camp and wins the starter’s job away from Petr Mrazek.

The Blackhawks made a slew of additions this summer, bringing in forwards Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen and Ilya Mikheyev, as well as defensemen Alec Martinez and T.J. Brodie. But arguably, their best acquisition was netminder Laurent Brossoit, who signed for two years at $3.3 million per season.

The 31-year-old Brossoit posted strong numbers with the Winnipeg Jets last season, including a .927 save percentage and 2.00 goals-against average in 23 games. 

Brossoit’s biggest question mark is his usage, as his single-season career high is 24 games played. But given that 32-year-old Mrazek is far from a lock to be the starter again in Chicago, Brossoit has a golden opportunity to make the No. 1 job his own. 

While we still don’t see the Hawks as a playoff team, we do see Brossoit being the long-term solution in net for Chicago.

Prediction: In Winnipeg Jets RFA Cole Perfetti signs a long-term contract extension, and he starts the year on a tear as part of Winnipeg’s second forward line.

Perfetti is still looking for a contract for the upcoming season, but the 22-year-old center is supposed to be a key component of Winnipeg’s present and future. His ice time dropped last season, but the Jets have a new coach in Scott Arniel, and opportunities can change.

Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has $5.77 million in cap space to get him back in action. We predict Cheveldayoff will figure it out soon enough, and Perfetti will sign somewhere in the area of a four- or five-year contract.

The Jets must develop youngsters internally, as they’re not a popular free agent destination. Because of that, Perfetti will get every opportunity to secure a spot in the top six. If he takes advantage of that opportunity, Perfetti will lay the groundwork for the next generation of dynamic young players in Winnipeg with a breakout campaign.

Prediction: Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog doesn’t see action at the start of the regular season, but before the end of the calendar year, he returns and instantly provides a boost on offense and in general. 

The Avalanche have lacked depth since Landeskog could not play for them for the last two seasons while recovering from surgeries to his knee and quadriceps. 

The team has said he likely won’t be ready at the beginning of this coming season, but the team has hinted that he isn’t all that far away from returning to the ice.

When he does come back, Landeskog will give the Avs a massive emotional boost and a ripple effect in the depth department. We’re not suggesting Landeskog will carry the team on his back, but we do think Landeskog isn’t returning to be a fringe contributor or a charity case.

The Avalanche aren’t the deepest team in the NHL, nor are they close to being given that label. But if Landeskog can get anywhere close to the level he was at when he was injured, which saw him record 30 goals and 59 points in 51 games in 2021-22, Colorado will benefit immensely. He’s one of the reasons the Avalanche won a Stanley Cup not long ago, and he’s aiming to be a difference-maker yet again.

Prediction: First-year St. Louis Blues blueliner Philip Broberg wins a spot on the second defense pairing and pushes Nick Leddy for time on the first pair.

The Blues went out on a limb when they offer-sheeted Broberg and fellow Edmonton Oilers youngster Dylan Holloway this summer. When veteran D-man Torey Krug was lost for the season with an injury, Broberg suddenly became a fit for St. Louis’ second pair.

Ideally for Blues GM Doug Armstrong, Broberg’s 81 regular-season games of NHL experience won’t stop him from asserting himself as a legitimate top-four defenseman. If Broberg can push the 33-year-old Leddy for time on St. Louis’ top defense pair with Colton Parayko, all the better.

Broberg is still just 23 years old, so there’s plenty of room to grow his game. He’ll be out of the harsh media glare in Edmonton, which could help him develop into a high-end competitor. 

Clearly, Armstrong sees talent in Broberg, and the way things are shaking out for the Blues, a trial by fire could be in store for him right away in St. Louis. That could ultimately hurt his development, or he could rise to the occasion – and that’s what we see for Broberg.

Prediction: In Salt Lake City, Utah Hockey Club PTO player Kailer earns a roster spot with a solid training camp.

The 25-year-old Yamamoto spent last season in Seattle, where he put up eight goals and 16 points in 59 games. But he’s just a few years removed from a 20-goal, 41-point season with Edmonton, and that’s probably why Utah took a chance on him with a pro tryout.

With the young Utah HC roster, Yamamoto can provide the experience and scoring the team needs to succeed in the Central. He’s not going to break the bank if and when Utah signs him to what probably will be a one-year contract. He won’t be one of Utah’s top six forwards, but he can help out the club’s depth. If he returns to that 20-goal form, he’ll be a serious bargain for Utah GM Bill Armstrong. 

Yamamoto’s prime is still ahead of him. While there wasn’t a fit for him anywhere else in the NHL, he can do well with Utah HC and work toward a longer-term contract next summer.

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