Greetings, Hockeybuzzers!

It's that time again - to exercise your democratic right as a member of Leafs Nation to express your thoughts, which will then be declared fake and challenged in the supreme court of hockey opinion. MTMLGA!

Welcome to the Official 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction Thread!

You know the drill. Cut and paste the template (below) and fill out your predictions for the year. There are no real rules - put down point totals, beeyotchy insults, general thoughts - I don't particularly care.

AT puck-drop time on opening night I'll get a ref to lock the thread, so your predictions will haunt you like Zaitsev's contract haunts the Senators.

DO NOT MOCK OTHER GUYS' PREDICTIONS IN THIS THREAD!

Do that in the main Leafs threads. But simple rule - if you want to rip a guy a new one for a stupid prediction, you had better have made your own (stupid) predictions first. Otherwise, we will practice social distancing on your ass.

There are no prizes. I will not declare an official winner. Rather, the purpose of this exercise is for you to demonstrate your Leafy geniousness, and to allow others to witness your glory.

So without further ado...

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The Leafs will finish:

Well ahead.
The main reason for this is:

Talented and flexible lineup and innovative coach
The biggest surprise will be:

They will either clinch early (if math of clinching works out in Division of 7 with 4 making it or win by a lot)
The biggest disappointment will be:
Bogosian

The unsung hero will be:
Vesey
The goat will be:
The other 6 teams
People think this guy is good, but he sucks (and the reason is):
Simmonds - he used to be good and his skill set might not transfer well
People think this guy sucks, but he's not so bad (and the reason is):

Vesey - punchable face
The best move Dubas did in the off-season was:

Brodie
If I was GM, I would have:
Picked up perry
If you remember nothing else I said, remember I said this about the 2020-21 Leafs:

The current system of economic inequality is not sustainable and (frank) the asterisk. The only worry is the Yanks Covid the season away. Lastly, 4 Leafs in top 15 scoring

More to come

E4
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PLAYER PREDICTIONS

The Forwards:

Kenny Agostino:

Hopefully he has a good stock market advisor
Joey Anderson:
Why do they still use kid name? Try Joseph or Joe if you want people to take you seriously
Alex Barabanov:
Probably has a good year
Travis Boyd:
We need more Travis Boyd’s on the team. We should try to get all of them
Justin Brazeau:
Can’t make up his mind if he’s a 1970 Québécois independents politician or high alcohol content beer.
Adam Brooks:
Secret alt right cultist who’s worried he drunkenly confided to Marner
Rourke Chartier:
Are Welsh or French
Pierre Engvall:
Most likely player for first traded
Tyler Gaudet:
Will play 3 games. Everyone will freak out when he scores on first shift and then he fades away.
Zach Hyman:

Plays well but isn’t happy on third line. Roger will argue that he can sign for league minimum because he’s rich. He won’t be back next year but that’s not part of this set of predictions. That’s a freebie.

Alexander Kerfoot:

Everybody loves him
Mitchell Marner:
Top 5 in points. Whole things about his mom and Pornbub quiets down. Max is aroused and disgusted $ like normal
Auston Matthews:

Most goals in league
Ilya Mikheyev:
Becomes a top shut down forward and opens a highly successful chain of borscht outlets
William Nylander:

Is so good that AA writes personalized DMs to everyone acknowledging he was wrong.
Nic Petan:
Plays 10. Nobody notices
Nicholas Robertson:
Plays 9 games. Everybody goes crazy. Becomes starter in playoffs.
Scott Sabourin:
Lands a role as the voice of Ronnie the Rook in Disney’s animated remake of Queen’s Gambit
Wayne Simmonds:
Don’t know enough about his game. Does he have hands to do something in front of net on pp or is he just taking up space?
Jason Spezza:
If he’s 75# as good as last year, I’m ok
John Tavares:
Need real JT all year. If so, he can dominate with Willie and Jimmy
Joe Thornton:

Playing with Austin and Mitch will take 10 years off his age (down to 53). If they can manage his minutes, it could be dynamite. They’ll play a prank on him and leave him asleep in the bench after game in Winnipeg one Tuesday night. He’ll wake up after plane has left thinking he’s been traded. Will be great incentive. Also he could kill someone if he hears the real story about Jumbo the elephant too often.
Jimmy Vesey:

If he works out, another big find
The Defence:

Zach Bogosian:

Only trust on 4th and only if he’s playing with Lehtonen
TJ Brodie:
Giddeup
Travis Dermott:
Hesthehestheworstomygodihatehimnoyoyrecrazyhesgood
Justin Holl:
Fine
Mac Hollowell:
Got nothing
Teemu Kivihalme:

Mikko Lehtonen:
Yeah
Timothy Liljegren:
See Dermott because Leaf fans are (frank)ing insane
Martin Marincin:
Wedgie, don’t make cover there and smack you
Jake Muzzin:
Dearly beloved. Hope he and Holl are reall shut down
Morgan Rielly:
Hoping hoping hoping for something Giuliani big
Calle Rosen:
Ok
Rasmus Sandin:

Would like to see something happen this year
The Goalies:

Frederik Andersen:

You better Freddie. You really, really better
Jack Campbell:
Give us some games
Aaron Dell:
Taxi
Michael Hutchinson:

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The League:

Top 4 teams, North Division (in order):

Toronto
Calgary
Edmonton
Montreal
Winter pegs
Ottawa
Vancouver (for our trolls)
Top 4 teams, West Division (in order):
Vegas
Colorado
St. Louis
Arizona

Top 4 teams, Central Division (in order):
Dallas
Tampa
Carolina
Nashville

Top 4 teams, East Division (in order):

Phili
Washington
Boston
Pittsburg
Most surprising team:
Arizona
Most disappointing team:
St.Louis

Art Ross winner:
Too hard to figure these out because I’m tired and divisions are weird
Hart winner:

Norris winner:

Calder winner:

Vezina winner:

Richard winner:
Austin

Playoffs:

North Division winner:
Leafs
West Division winner:
Colorado
Central Division winner:
Dallas
East Division winner:
Washington
Stanley Cup winner:
Leafs
Conn Smythe Trophy winner: Nylander

- Atomic Wedgie

The Leafs will finish: 1st in division

The main reason for this is: Matthews playing hart level and Rielly having a reliable partner and bring fully healthy. Jumbo holding the team accountable in the room

The biggest surprise will be: Simmonds. fully healthy for the first time in years

The biggest disappointment will be: I want to say Lehtonen, hope not.

The unsung hero will be: as always Rielly and Muzzin

The goat will be: Matthews

People think this guy is good, but he sucks (and the reason is):

People think this guy sucks, but he's not so bad (and the reason is): Andersen, above average goalie that had a .936 svp and 1.84 gaa in the playoffs and still gets blame.

The best move Dubas did in the off-season was: Brodie to make the top 4 above average and Thornton who will be great in the room

If I was GM, I would have: told the media that Nylander is going nowhere and that the people on hockeybuzz are wrong for trying to trade him every week

If you remember nothing else I said, remember I said this about the 2020-21 Leafs: jumbo might not put up a lot of points but he is going to be the best locker room presence this group has ever had



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PLAYER PREDICTIONS

The Forwards:

Kenny Agostino: waived

Joey Anderson: will be Hyman 2.0 eventually

Alex Barabanov: good start but doesnt have the same impact Mikheyev had year one.

Travis Boyd: 4 G 6 A

Justin Brazeau: no games

Adam Brooks: gets 6 games, will be full time next year

Rourke Chartier:

Pierre Engvall: falls out of favor this year

Tyler Gaudet:

Zach Hyman: 7 G 10 A - signs a 5 year deal

Alexander Kerfoot: Bounce back! 5 G 14 A

Mitchell Marner: 18 G 44 A

Auston Matthews: get 40 G (60 goal pace) 30 A.

Ilya Mikheyev: 9 G 10 A

William Nylander: 25 G 20 A

Nic Petan:

Nicholas Robertson:

Scott Sabourin:

Wayne Simmonds: 8 G 7 A

Jason Spezza: 5 G 8 A

John Tavares: 25 G 25 A

Joe Thornton: 3 G 15 A

Jimmy Vesey: 14 G 20 A


The Defence:

Zach Bogosian: 1 G 5 A

TJ Brodie: 2 G 12 A

Travis Dermott: 3 G 10 A

Justin Holl: 2 G 8 A

Mac Hollowell:

Teemu Kivihalme:

Mikko Lehtonen: 2 G 5 A

Timothy Liljegren: 1 G 3 A

Martin Marincin: 2 A

Jake Muzzin: 4 G 6 A

Morgan Rielly: 9 G 30 A

Calle Rosen:

Rasmus Sandin:


The Goalies:

Frederik Andersen:

Jack Campbell:

Aaron Dell:

Michael Hutchinson:

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The League:

Top 4 teams, North Division (in order): Toronto, EDM, CAL, VAN


Top 4 teams, West Division (in order): COL, STL, VEG, LA (maybe MIN)


Top 4 teams, Central Division (in order): TBL, CAR, DAL, CBJ


Top 4 teams, East Division (in order): who knows. WASH, PIT, PHI, BOS (buffalo gets close)

Most surprising team: LA

Most disappointing team: MTL

Art Ross winner: McDavid

Hart winner: Matthews but likely Mackinnon

Norris winner: Hedman

Calder winner: Laf

Vezina winner: Vasilevsky

Richard winner: Matthews


Playoffs:

North Division winner: Toronto (gotta happen eventually)

West Division winner: Col

Central Division winner: Tampa

East Division winner: Pit (Sids last hurrah)

Stanley Cup winner: Col

Conn Smythe Trophy winner: Mac

The Leafs will finish: 2nd in the North Division; 7th in the NHL

The main reason for this is: They have more points than some teams and less than others

The biggest surprise will be: Jack Campbell

The biggest disappointment will be: Wayne Simmonds

The unsung hero will be: Mikheyev (assuming the stars are sung heroes)

The goat will be: Zack Bogosian

People think this guy is good, but he sucks (and the reason is): Kerfoot; lacks physicality and will to engage and isn’t good enough offensively to compensate for that failing

People think this guy sucks, but he's not so bad (and the reason is): Justin Holl; with the right support, Holl is an effective, albeit not contemporary, top 4 guy. He doesn't lead the line, but he supports it just fine.

The best move Dubas did in the off-season was: Signing Brodie

If I was GM, I would have: Not signed Thornton and Simmonds; I get the low risk / low cost aspect, but older and slower is not the way to go in the modern NHL

If you remember nothing else I said, remember I said this about the 2020-21 Leafs: The team is designed to withstand injuries better than before on both the front and back-end, but we will score less.


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PLAYER PREDICTIONS

The Forwards:

Kenny Agostino: Marlies

Joey Anderson: 9GP: 2G - 1A ;3Pts

Alex Barabanov: 26GP 5G - 5A ;10Pts

Travis Boyd: 16GP 2G - 5A ;7Pts

Justin Brazeau: Marlies

Adam Brooks: 2GP 0G - 1A ;1Pts

Rourke Chartier: Marlies

Pierre Engvall: 32GP 6G - 8A ;14Pts

Tyler Gaudet: Marlies

Zach Hyman: 52GP 15G - 12A ;27Pts

Alexander Kerfoot: 47GP 8G - 17A ;25Pts

Mitchell Marner: 56GP 20G - 57A ;77Pts

Auston Matthews: 54GP 40G - 31A ;71Pts

Ilya Mikheyev: 50GP 10G - 18A ;28Pts

William Nylander: 56GP 26G - 26A ;52Pts

Nic Petan: Marlies

Nicholas Robertson: 28GP 11G - 5A ;16Pts

Scott Sabourin: Marlies

Wayne Simmonds: 52GP 10G - 7A ;17Pts

Jason Spezza: 50GP 7G - 15A ;22Pts

John Tavares: 56GP 25G - 32A ;57Pts

Joe Thornton: 50GP 4G - 25A ;29Pts

Jimmy Vesey: 55GP 11G - 11A ;22Pts


The Defence:

Zach Bogosian: 45GP 2G - 10A ;12Pts

TJ Brodie: 50GP 4G - 21A ;25Pts

Travis Dermott: 38GP 2G - 11A ;13Pts

Justin Holl: 51GP 1G - 12A ;13Pts

Mac Hollowell: Marlies

Teemu Kivihalme: Marlies

Mikko Lehtonen: 48GP 7G - 21A ;28Pts

Timothy Liljegren: 3GP 0G - 1A ;1Pts

Martin Marincin: Marlies

Jake Muzzin: 50GP 5G - 17A ;22Pts

Morgan Rielly: 56GP 7G - 38A ;45Pts

Calle Rosen: 1GP 0G - 0A ;0Pts

Rasmus Sandin: 7GP 0G - 3A ;3Pts


The Goalies:

Frederik Andersen: 36GP: 19-13-4, .916Svp

Jack Campbell: 19GP: 12-4-3, .919Svp

Aaron Dell: 1GP: 0-1, .848Svp

Michael Hutchinson: Marlies

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The League:

Top 4 teams, North Division (in order): Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal


Top 4 teams, West Division (in order): Colorado, Vegas, St. Louis, Arizona


Top 4 teams, Central Division (in order): Tampa Bay, Dallas, Carolina, Columbus


Top 4 teams, East Division (in order): Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, New York Islanders

Most surprising team: Montreal

Most disappointing team: Buffalo

Art Ross winner: Nathan MacKinnon

Hart winner: Connor McDavid

Norris winner: Alex Pietrangelo

Calder winner: Alexis Lafreniere

Vezina winner: Andrei Vasilievskiy

Richard winner: Auston Matthews


Playoffs:

North Division winner: Toronto

West Division winner: Vegas

Central Division winner: Dallas

East Division winner: Philadelphia

Stanley Cup winner: Toronto

Conn Smythe Trophy winner: Auston Matthews


Do I really think the Leafs are going to win it? No, but I'm not betting against them!

The Leafs will finish:

3rd in division

The main reason for this is:

I like what Habs did in the off season and think Vancouver will keep improving.

The biggest surprise will be:

Campbell

The biggest disappointment will be:

Brodie

The unsung hero will be:

Mikheyev

The goat will be:

Brodie

People think this guy is good, but he sucks (and the reason is):

Holl. I don't see how he's a top 4 defenseman. He's a 5/6 for me.

People think this guy sucks, but he's not so bad (and the reason is):

Dermott. He's not as bad as some Leaf fans say he is. I'm not a fan of his either but he seems to be a popular scapegoat.

The best move Dubas did in the off-season was:

Not trade Freddy Andersen.

If I was GM, I would have:

Signed Pietrangelo.

If you remember nothing else I said, remember I said this about the 2020-21 Leafs:

The BIG 4 have to all show up in the playoffs. Not just scoring. But being dominant 2 way players, outworking their opponents and not tapping out when things aren't going their way.

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PLAYER PREDICTIONS

The Forwards:

Kenny Agostino:

Joey Anderson: 2 G 4 A

Alex Barabanov: 5 G 5 A

Travis Boyd: 4 G 3 A

Justin Brazeau:

Adam Brooks:

Rourke Chartier:

Pierre Engvall: 3 G 3 A

Tyler Gaudet:

Zach Hyman: 14 G 17 A

Alexander Kerfoot: 9 G 19 A

Mitchell Marner: 17 G 53 A

Auston Matthews: 43 G 34 A

Ilya Mikheyev: 12 G 24 A

William Nylander: 25 G 25 A

Nic Petan:

Nicholas Robertson: 10 G 10A

Scott Sabourin:

Wayne Simmonds: 8 G 13 A

Jason Spezza: 5 G 10 A

John Tavares: 25 G 40A

Joe Thornton: 6 G 28 A

Jimmy Vesey: 8 G 8 A


The Defence:

Zach Bogosian: 1 G 4 A

TJ Brodie: 5 G 15 A

Travis Dermott: 4 G 14 A

Justin Holl: 3 G 13 A

Mac Hollowell:

Teemu Kivihalme:

Mikko Lehtonen: 6 G 14 A

Timothy Liljegren: 1 G 2 A

Martin Marincin: 1 G 0 A

Jake Muzzin: 5 G 20 A

Morgan Rielly:10 G 36 A

Calle Rosen:

Rasmus Sandin: 1 G 3 A


The Goalies:

Frederik Andersen: 20 W 2.45 GAA .916 SV%

Jack Campbell: 8 W 2.38 GAA .913 SV%

Aaron Dell: 1 W 2.98 GAA .885 SV%

Michael Hutchinson:

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The League:

Top 4 teams, North Division (in order):

Montreal
Vancouver
Toronto
Edmonton

Top 4 teams, West Division (in order):

Colorado
Vegas
St. Louis
Arizona

Top 4 teams, Central Division (in order):

Tampa Bay
Carolina
Columbus
Dallas

Top 4 teams, East Division (in order):

Philadelphia
Islanders
Boston
Washington

Most surprising team:

Ottawa

Most disappointing team:

Caigary

Art Ross winner:

McDavid

Hart winner:

MacKinnon

Norris winner:

Carlson

Calder winner:

Kaprizov

Vezina winner:

Vasilevskiy

Richard winner:

Matthews


Playoffs:

North Division winner:

Montreal

West Division winner:

Colorado

Central Division winner:

Tampa Bay

East Division winner:

Philadelphia

Stanley Cup winner:

Tampa Bay

Conn Smythe Trophy winner:

Stamkos

The Leafs will finish: 2nd in Division

The main reason for this is: Freddie not at his best.

The biggest surprise will be: Lehtonen. Playing 2nd pair before playoffs.

The biggest disappointment will be: Vesey.

The unsung hero will be: Hyman.

The goat will be: Willie. Stronger and shooting more.

People think this guy is good, but he sucks (and the reason is): Simmonds. Too slow.

People think this guy sucks, but he's not so bad (and the reason is): Bogosian. Not as slow as advertised.

The best move Dubas did in the off-season was: Signing Bogosian. Finally someone able to clear the crease.

If I was GM, I would have: Played Robertson and Sandin.




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PLAYER PREDICTIONS

The Forwards:

Kenny Agostino:

Joey Anderson:

Alex Barabanov:

Travis Boyd:

Justin Brazeau:

Adam Brooks:

Rourke Chartier:

Pierre Engvall:

Tyler Gaudet:

Zach Hyman: Best season ever and 20 goals.

Alexander Kerfoot:

Mitchell Marner: 20g/ 50a

Auston Matthews: 34g/ 26a

Ilya Mikheyev: 15g/ 15a

William Nylander: 25g/ 25a

Nic Petan:

Nicholas Robertson: 12g/ 12a

Scott Sabourin:

Wayne Simmonds: 8g/ 12a

Jason Spezza: 10g/15a

John Tavares: 20g/ 40a

Joe Thornton: 10g/ 30a

Jimmy Vesey: 8g/ 12a


The Defence:

Zach Bogosian: 8g/ 17a

TJ Brodie: 6g/ 14a

Travis Dermott: 2g/ 8a

Justin Holl: 2g/ 8a

Mac Hollowell:

Teemu Kivihalme:

Mikko Lehtonen: 10g/ 15a

Timothy Liljegren:

Martin Marincin: 0g/ 2a

Jake Muzzin: 5g/ 15a

Morgan Rielly: 12g/ 33a

Calle Rosen:

Rasmus Sandin:


The Goalies:

Frederik Andersen: .909 3.20

Jack Campbell: .912 3.10

Aaron Dell:

Michael Hutchinson:

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The League:

Top 4 teams, North Division (in order):
Toronto
Edmonton
Calgary
Winnipeg


Top 4 teams, West Division (in order):
Colorado
Blues
Vegas
Zona


Top 4 teams, Central Division (in order):
Tampa
Carolina
Nashville
Florida

Top 4 teams, East Division (in order):
Philly
Washington
Boston
Pittsburgh

Most surprising team:
Zona

Most disappointing team:
Habs

Art Ross winner: MacKinnon

Hart winner: MacKinnon

Norris winner: Hedman

Calder winner: Lafrenière

Vezina winner: Hart

Richard winner: MacKinnon


Playoffs:

North Division winner: Toronto

West Division winner: Colorado

Central Division winner: Tampa

East Division winner: Philly

Stanley Cup winner: Avs

Conn Smythe Trophy winner: MacKinnon

The Leafs will finish: 2nd in division

The main reason for this is: Over playing Andersen

The biggest surprise will be: Vesey

The biggest disappointment will be: Kerfoot

The unsung hero will be: Spezza

The goat will be: Holl

People think this guy is good, but he sucks (and the reason is): Hyman, and not that he sucks so much as his offence is going to drop off quite a bit not playing with superstars

People think this guy sucks, but he's not so bad (and the reason is): Spezza because he will play responsibly and is someone who can be leaned on to be effective in defensive zone draws

The best move Dubas did in the off-season was: Simmonds

If I was GM, I would have: moved either Sandin or Liljegren. If they’re not going to get a shot with the big club move them now to rebuilding team while they’re still relatively young for picks

If you remember nothing else I said, remember I said this about the 2020-21 Leafs: Thornton will surprise


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PLAYER PREDICTIONS

The Forwards:

Kenny Agostino:[marlies)

Joey Anderson: injury fill in

Alex Barabanov: plays reasonably well but is rotated in and out of the lineup

Travis Boyd: 3 goals, 10 assists

Justin Brazeau: works in maintenance at his home town rink in new liskeard

Adam Brooks: complains to friends and family for not being on taxi squad

Rourke Chartier: who?

Pierre Engvall: will be traded for futures

Tyler Gaudet: waived

Zach Hyman: 6 goals, 14 assists

Alexander Kerfoot: 11 goals, 10 assists

Mitchell Marner: scores 20, sets up 50

Auston Matthews: 36G, 40A

Ilya Mikheyev: starts slow but ends strong. 14G, 20A

William Nylander: 20G, 25A

Nic Petan: Taxi squad

Nicholas Robertson: desperately attempts to further his game as a playmaker so that he can take over for Thornton

Scott Sabourin: Waived

Wayne Simmonds: 20G / 15A (based on him getting consistent PP time)

Jason Spezza: 8G/10A

John Tavares: 25G/25A

Joe Thornton: 15G/40+A

Jimmy Vesey: 18G/20A


The Defence:

Zach Bogosian: 3G, 8A

TJ Brodie: 5G/25A not expecting good results

Travis Dermott: 2G/8A regular to start season, rotates in and out by seasons end

Justin Holl: continues to be a perfect compliment to Muzzin

Mac Hollowell: takes acting gigs in Kraft Dinner commercials to supplement income with no AHL

Teemu Kivihalme: heads home to play in Europe

Mikko Lehtonen: proves to be a great addition once given the opportunity

Timothy Liljegren: injury fill in or traded

Martin Marincin: rotates in and out of lineup when other guys struggle, basically the medium the coaching staff uses to send messages to underperforming players

Jake Muzzin: best shut down guy by far, 5G/12A

Morgan Rielly: 10G/22A proves to be a top tier anchor for a PP

Calle Rosen: Little used taxi squad guy

Rasmus Sandin: injury fill in or traded


The Goalies:

Frederik Andersen: has a great season but is only resigned if he proves he can continue it on in the post season, otherwise will be allowed to walk

Jack Campbell: fine

Aaron Dell: let’s hope Andersen doesn’t get hurt

Michael Hutchinson: *see Aaron Dell

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The League:

Top 4 teams, North Division (in order): Toronto Vancouver Montreal Edmonton


Top 4 teams, West Division (in order): Colorado St Louis Vegas Arizona


Top 4 teams, Central Division (in order): Carolina TB Dallas Columbus


Top 4 teams, East Division (in order): Washington Philadelphia Pittsburgh Boston

Most surprising team: Detroit (even tho they won’t make the post season I expect they’ll be in the mix)

Most disappointing team: Calgary

Art Ross winner: McDavid

Hart winner: MacKinnon

Norris winner: Pietrangelo

Calder winner: Kaprizov

Vezina winner: Hart

Richard winner: Matthews


Playoffs:

North Division winner: Toronto

West Division winner: St. Louis

Central Division winner: Carolina

East Division winner: Washington

Stanley Cup winner: Washington

Conn Smythe Trophy winner: Ovechkin

I really despise the Leafs so I'll abstain from that one....

-------------------------------------------------------------

The League:

Top 4 teams, North Division (in order): Oilers, Leafs, Flames, Canucks


Top 4 teams, West Division (in order): Colorado, Vegas, St. Louis, Anaheim


Top 4 teams, Central Division (in order): Carolina, Tampa, Dallas, Columbus


Top 4 teams, East Division (in order): Philadelphia, NYI, Washington, Boston

Most surprising team: Philadelphia

Most disappointing team: Nashville

Art Ross winner: McDavid

Hart winner: MacKinnon

Norris winner: Quinn Hughes

Calder winner: Tim Stützle

Vezina winner: Carter Hart

Richard winner: Ovechkin


Playoffs:

North Division winner: Vancouver

West Division winner: Colorado

Central Division winner: Tampa

East Division winner: Philadelphia

Stanley Cup winner: Colorado

Conn Smythe Trophy winner: MacKinnon

The Leafs will finish: 1st in division. 5th overall.

The main reason for this is: Better goaltending

The biggest surprise will be: Dermott

The biggest disappointment will be: Hyman

The unsung hero will be: Muzzin

The goat will be: Vesey

People think this guy is good, but he sucks (and the reason is): Apparently everyone not named Matthews sucks.

People think this guy sucks, but he's not so bad (and the reason is): Holl receives the most unwarranted hate.

The best move Dubas did in the off-season was: Brodie.

If I was GM, I would have: Made moves based on emotion and then over-corrected them later.

If you remember nothing else I said, remember I said this about the 2020-21 Leafs:


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PLAYER PREDICTIONS

The Forwards:

Kenny Agostino: Irrelevant

Joey Anderson: Mostly irrelevant

Alex Barabanov: Over analyzed early on. Ultimately pretty irrelevant.

Travis Boyd: Still irrelevant

Justin Brazeau: Who? Irrelevant

Adam Brooks: See above.

Rourke Chartier: Irrelevant

Pierre Engvall: Struggles to stay in lineup. Becomes irrelevant.

Tyler Gaudet: Surprised if he plays a game.

Zach Hyman: Biggest disappointment this year. Will struggle when outside of top 6.

Alexander Kerfoot: Steady.

Mitchell Marner: 100 point regular season pace. 70ish points.

Auston Matthews: 40 goals. Even in 56 game season.

Ilya Mikheyev: Will play well if given time in top 6. Will struggle offensively similar to Hyman on third line.

William Nylander: 25+ goals. At least 3 photoshoots.

Nic Petan: Irrelevant. Will barely see the ice.

Nicholas Robertson:Will have opportunity after about 20 games. No idea about success.

Scott Sabourin: Biggest accomplishment will be Mathews learning his name. Irrelevant.

Wayne Simmonds: Will put up #s on powerplay.

Jason Spezza: Similar to last year.

John Tavares: Steady. close to PPG on the year.

Joe Thornton: 35-40 points.

Jimmy Vesey:Out of top 6 in 10 games or less.


The Defence:

Zach Bogosian: Will play to his paycheque.

TJ Brodie: Don't know much. Hopeful he is steady.

Travis Dermott: Same old same old. Needs a brain transplant to become top 4 defenseman

Justin Holl: Will play top 4 minutes regardless of the fact he is not a top 4 defenseman out of necessity. This will make people angry.

Mac Hollowell: Irrelevant.

Teemu Kivihalme: Irrelevant.

Mikko Lehtonen: Hoping he overtakes Holl. Hope is all I have.

Timothy Liljegren: 2 or more injuries necessary before he sees regular time.

Martin Marincin:Should never see the ice again.

Jake Muzzin: Steady if healthy. (and alive)

Morgan Rielly: Back to 18-19 Rielly.

Calle Rosen: Irrelevant.

Rasmus Sandin: Will get a chance. Hopeful he can play his way into top 6.


The Goalies:

Frederik Andersen: Good in a contract year.

Jack Campbell: Steady. Will push for starter if Freddie struggles.

Aaron Dell: Only if there are Covid issues.

Michael Hutchinson: Irrelevant.

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The League:

Top 4 teams, North Division (in order):Leafs, EDM, Van, OTT (need atleast one hail mary prediction)


Top 4 teams, West Division (in order): COL, STL, VEG, SJ


Top 4 teams, Central Division (in order): TBL, CHI, CAR, NASH


Top 4 teams, East Division (in order): WASH, PITT, BOS, Buff (lol)

Most surprising team: I guess either Buff or OTT based on my stupid picks above.

Most disappointing team:

Art Ross winner: Mcdavid

Hart winner: Mcdavid

Norris winner: Makar

Calder winner: Laffy

Vezina winner: No idea.

Richard winner: Matthews (tie)


Playoffs: No more predictions.

North Division winner:

West Division winner:

Central Division winner:

East Division winner:

Stanley Cup winner:

Conn Smythe Trophy winner:

Forums :: Toronto Maple Leafs :: The Official 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction Thread

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The Leafs will finish: 2nd in Div.

The main reason for this is: Team scoring

The biggest surprise will be: Robertson

The biggest disappointment will be: Simmonds

The unsung hero will be: Campbell

The goat will be: Dermott

People think this guy is good, but he sucks (and the reason is): Holl. Too slow.

People think this guy sucks, but he's not so bad (and the reason is): Vesey. Size/skating.

The best move Dubas did in the off-season was: Adding veteran presence

If I was GM, I would have: Added one more top four defenceman

If you remember nothing else I said, remember I said this about the 2020-21 Leafs: Lack of quality blueline depth and inconsistent goaltending still the weak areas and fatal flaws of this team.


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PLAYER PREDICTIONS

The Forwards:

Kenny Agostino: Underwhelmed

Joey Anderson:.

Alex Barabanov:

Travis Boyd: Hope to see him get a chance

Justin Brazeau:. Waffles

Adam Brooks:

Rourke Chartier: good one, Randy, good one.

Pierre Engvall: Fourth line, pk.

Tyler Gaudet:

Zach Hyman: Love this guy

Alexander Kerfoot: Good work rate.

Mitchell Marner: Top five in NHL scoring

Auston Matthews: Most goals in nhl

Ilya Mikheyev: surprise me, Mik, with an injury comeback

William Nylander:. Good offensively.

Nic Petan: no thank you.

Nicholas Robertson: Great hockey sense

Scott Sabourin:

Wayne Simmonds: won't last on the powerplay

Jason Spezza: pro

John Tavares: bounceback for JT

Joe Thornton: intangibles but don't overplay him

Jimmy Vesey: meh?


The Defence:

Zach Bogosian:. Much needed physical presence

TJ Brodie: solid?

Travis Dermott: too shakey

Justin Holl: too slow

Mac Hollowell: no

Teemu Kivihalme: no

Mikko Lehtonen: idk

Timothy Liljegren: give the kid time

Martin Marincin:NOOOO

Jake Muzzin: love him

Morgan Rielly: bounceback season

Calle Rosen:

Rasmus Sandin: going to be very good


The Goalies:

Frederik Andersen: Freddy is Freddy

Jack Campbell: competent

Aaron Dell:

Michael Hutchinson:

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The League:

Top 4 teams, North Division (in order): Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver


Top 4 teams, West Division (in order):Avalanche, Knights, Blues, Sharks


Top 4 teams, Central Division (in order):Lightning, Stars, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets


Top 4 teams, East Division (in order): Flyers, Capitals, Islanders, Penguins

Most surprising team: Rangers

Most disappointing team: Bruins

Art Ross winner: C. McDavid

Hart winner: C. McDavid

Norris winner: Hedman

Calder winner: Lafreniere

Vezina winner: Carter Hart

Richard winner: Matthews


Playoffs:

North Division winner: Calgary

West Division winner: Avalanche

Central Division winner: Lightning

East Division winner: Capitals

Stanley Cup winner: Capitals

Conn Smythe Trophy winner: Ovechkin