The Hockey News has put together 32 questions for each team site reporter to answer in advance of the upcoming 2023-24 season.
If you are looking for some bold, off-the-cuff, first-thought predictions heading into the 2023-24 NHL season, Winnipeg Jets team site editor Carter Brooks has got you covered.
With 32 burning questions proposed by THN team sites editor Michael Traikos, the following answers may have you laughing, crying, or possibly Googling as you skim through the possible narratives with 2023-24 very much in the forefront.
There may even be a slight Jets flavour sprinkled throughout the answers.
With no further adieu:
1. Who will win the Hart Trophy?
Connor McDavid, overwhelmingly.
2. Who will win the Art Ross (how many points)?
See above, Connor McDavid, again.
3. Who will win the Rocket Richard (how many goals)?
Auston Matthews, with a bounce-back 65-goal campaign.
4. Who will win the Norris Trophy?
Josh Morrissey will build upon his breakout 2022-23 season.
5. Who will win the Vezina Trophy?
Connor Hellebuyck, wearing Winnipeg’s Polar Night Blue.
6. Who will win the Calder Trophy?
Connor Bedard, hands down.
7. Who will win the Selke Trophy?
Mitch Marner, a true gentleman.
8. Who will win the Jack Adams Award?
Sheldon Keefe will lead his team to the Stanley Cup.
9. Who will be the first coach fired?
Peter DeBoer will find himself on the chopping block, once again.
10. Which GM is feeling the heat the most? Why?
Kevin Cheveldayoff, due to keeping Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck on Winnipeg’s roster as the two stars enter the final years of their respective contracts, with pending UFA status forthcoming.
11. Which player is due for a breakout?
Matias Maccelli, of Arizona.
12. Which team is due for a breakout?
Anaheim, who else?
13. Which player will suffer a setback?
Anze Kopitar, due to the emergence of new second line centre Pierre-Luc Dubois.
14. Which team will suffer a setback?
Colorado will begin its fall from grace.
15. Who will win the Presidents’ Trophy as the best regular season team?
Toronto will conquer the regular season and playoffs.
16. Who will win Stanley Cup (and who will they beat)?
Toronto, beating Winnipeg in a dream all-Canadian matchup.
17. Who will win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP?
Auston Matthews, cementing his role as the next captain of the Leafs.
18. What Canadian team will go the furthest?
Toronto.
19. Who will have the best odds of winning the Draft Lottery?
Dallas, just an horrific 2023-24 season.
20. What player will benefit the most from a change in scenery?
Pierre-Luc Dubois.
21. Which team will suffer the most from buyer’s remorse?
Ottawa.
22. Which star player will be traded (and to where)?
Nikita Kucherov, due to off-ice issues. He will not be traded, but rather released. Prompting outrage and boycotts from fellow Russian players.
23. Other than Connor Bedard, which rookie are you the most excited to see?
This question assumes I’m interested in following along the rookie season of Connor Bedard… Of course I am! But Logan Cooley will be a not-so-distant second.
24. Who will challenge Connor McDavid for the Art Ross Trophy?
Auston Matthews will have a sensational 2023-24 campaign.
25. What off-season move will be the most impactful? (can be player/coach/GM)
Ottawa’s move of Alex DeBrincat.
26. Who is the NHL’s most overpaid player?
Rick DiPietro, $1.5 million through 2028-29.
27. Who is the NHL’s most underpaid player (not including entry-level contract)?
Mark Giordano.
28. Whose bad season was an indicator of reality? (can be player or team)
Mathew Dumba - there is a reason it took until August 6 for him to sign a contract.
29. Whose good season was an aberration? (can be player or team)
Eric Staal. He is old as sin.
30. What older player will show signs of ageing?
Sidney Crosby.
31. What backup goalie could end up as a No. 1?
Laurent Brossoit. 2023 postseason - enough said.
32. Which city will be get the next NHL team?
Rock Springs, Wyoming.
