I love making predictions about the NHL. Rarely do I care enough to track them to see if I'm right. I spew them out with little thought, often going all on my gut. Lately, though, I've been putting my predictions down in Cortex posts. Earlier I did my 5 ridiculous predictions for the current NHL season, and then looked back on them more recently. Today, let's load up five more crazy predictions now that the trade deadline is over.
Nick Foligno will sign as a free agent with the Maple Leafs
Everyone expects Foligno to go back to Columbus, but if the Leafs are able to put together a respectable Cup run, I say he stays. He shouldn't command much salary at his age and with his production, and it doesn't look like Columbus is going to be competitive next year. Torts might not even be back. If Foligno truly believes that he can win a Stanley Cup in Toronto, he might just come back for another season in the blue and white after this one.
Matthew Tkachuck and Calgary will break up
Watching Matthew Tkachuk this year has been rough. He looked totally lost most of the time he actually attmpted to play hockey, and his antics were reportedly called out by his teammates in a players only meeting. Tkachuk was too focused on being a pest and not nearly focused enough on being a productive hockey player. He's slightly behind his points pace for last season and way behind his pace from 2018-19. I think he might be done in Calgary, but I think it'll be him that asks to leave rather than the team asking him to go.
Leafs will part ways with William Nylander in the off season
This one is wild and very unlikely. I don't even believe it, but I think it's remotely possible if things don't go well in Toronto's post-season run. Nylander is a great player on a good contract, but he's also the third guy in the core four if not the fourth or outside the bubble entirely. He's definitely behind Matthews and Marner. He's probably more valuable than Tavares at this point – or will be soon – so I think the Leafs would move on from their captain if they could. Problem is, he's got a full no-movement clause, so Tavares is staying put. If the Leafs need to shake things up, to fit guys like Hyman under the cap, it might be Nylander who pays the price and Robertson who takes his place.
Laine will leave Columbus
Patrick Laine wasn't happy in Winnipeg. He asked to be traded and got his wish. He then proceeded to get benched in Columbus and go ice cold, barely putting up any production for long stretches of time. He's an RFA at the end of the season so Columbus has his rights, but he doesn't have to sign a contract if he doesn't want to. I think that Laine wants out of there, and wouldn't be shocked to see him start his sixth season in the NHL on his third team. Guess that Laine is better than Matthews argument is over, huh?
A Canadian team will win the Stanley Cup
Another one people won't agree with, but I'm doing it. Making silly little safe predictions is no fun, and what better year for a Canadian team to win it all? There is going to be a Canadian team in the final four, and each of the four playoff teams from Canada will present a problem for anyone. The Oilers have the best player on the planet and probably the third or fourth best as well. The Leafs are a deep team with massive firepower up front. Montreal and Winnipeg have all-world goalies who can steal a round. I'm saying a Canadian team wins the Stanley Cup this year. Send it.
