By JAKE Diblasio / Sports columnist
With the Four Nations Faceoff ending, it seems impossible to believe that each NHL team still has more than 20 games left to play. With so much time remaining, the league’s entire landscape could shift.
Which team sneaks into a wildcard spot?
Which player makes a late case for the Hart Trophy?
Who gets traded at the deadline?
With all the excitement, numerous unique scenarios may present themselves. While it seems some awards and scenarios are almost a guarantee, like Connor Hellebuyck winning the Vezina trophy or the Winnipeg Jets making the playoffs, others are much less likely. Unlikely situations can and will happen throughout the remainder of the season, making for another great year of hockey. Here are my predictions:
1. Mikko Rantanen gets Traded Again
On January 24, the hockey world was stunned when Mikko Rantanen was traded. The Colorado Avalanche legend was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes as part of a deal that included Martin Necas and Jack Dury. Though a month has passed, it already seems that the 28-year-old forward could be on the move again. Rantanen has recorded back-to-back seasons with over 100 points as he continues to be one of the best wingers in the league. The Hurricanes have no questions about the talent surrounding their newly acquired player but are concerned about his long-term outlook with the team. Rantanen’s contract is set to expire after this season, at which point he will become an unrestricted free agent. Thus far, the two sides have been unable to agree on a new contract extension. Carolina was in a similar situation last season after trading for Jake Guentzel. Once the season ended, Guentzel elected not to return to Carolina and instead signed a 7-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Rumors are swirling that the Hurricanes will trade Rantanen if both parties can’t agree on a long-term deal, and I believe there is some truth to that. It is a real possibility we see Mikko Rantanen play for three teams this season.
2. Alexander Ovechkin Breaks Wayne Gretzky’s Goal Record
Coming into the season, it was not a question of whether Alexander Ovechkin would break Wayne Gretzky’s record for all-time goals but when. It seemed all offseason, that’s all anybody could talk about. Now, the record is within reach for the Capitals legend to take. The Great 8 needs 13 more goals in 25 games to become the NHL’s all-time goal leader. Ovechkin had an electric start to the season with 15 goals in the first 18 games of the year. Unfortunately, in a game against the Utah Hockey Club, the 2004 first overall pick would break his leg and be sidelined for over a month. Since his return, Ovechkin has accumulated another 14 goals, bringing his career total to 882. After not participating in the Four Nations Faceoff, the 2018 Stanley Cup champion should be well rested for the remainder of the season. Along with playing for a record, Ovechkin is also fighting to win his third Presidents Trophy as the Capitals strive to be the best team in the NHL. While 13 goals in 25 games is a lot to ask of Ovechkin even if he was in his prime, if anybody could go on a hot streak like that, it would be him. I have confidence that Alexander Ovechkin will make history this year and take Gretzky’s record.
3. The Las Vegas Golden Knights win the Stanley cup
Predicting the Stanley Cup at any point in the season is a tough task, but the Golden Knights have a compelling case to win it all. Currently, the 2023 Stanley Cup champions stand in first place in the Pacific Division over teams like the Oilers and Kings. None of this is possible without Jack Eichel. The 4-time All-Star is having a career year in Sin City, where he has 69 points through 56 games, which puts him on pace to have the best year of his career. Eichel and the Golden Knights are tied with the third-best power play percentage in the NHL at 27.4% and have scored 125 even-strength goals, the 6th most of any NHL team. Not only have the Golden Knights been one of the top teams when it comes to scoring, but they have also allowed the 6th fewest goals per game in the NHL. While regular season statistics are impressive, that does not always translate into the playoffs for some team but that is not the case for Las Vegas. In the last six years, the Golden Knights have found their way to three conference championships and, of course, won the Stanley Cup 2 seasons ago. If there is a team built to win the Stanley Cup this season, it is the Golden Knights.
4. Zach Werenski Wins the Norris Trophy
In a year where it seemed that the Columbus Blue Jackets would be in a race for the first overall pick, they find themselves fighting for a wild card spot, and Zach Werenski is a large reason why. Werenski is second in goals, assists, and points for a defenseman this season. The 9-year veteran has been a large reason why the Blue Jackets have found success scoring this year, contributing 18 goals himself, with only Cale Makar having more. Werenski has also been an iron man for the Blue Jackets, only missing one game this season, while other top Norris candidates like Quinn Hughes have missed some time this season. While it would take a lot for Werenski to win the Norris this year, it is not impossible. It is no guarantee that the Canucks make the playoffs, which voters may hold against Hughes, and if Makar’s production were to drop while Werenski heats up, the award could be his for the taking.
As the NHL enters the last quarter of the regular season, anything could happen. Teams could look to sell some of their stars, make a late playoff push, and players will be fighting to make their case for the end of season awards. What viewers see today from the NHL will look drastically different from what they see by the end of the season. Crazy situations will happen, which could reshape the whole league. While players may be chasing numbers and awards, they all have one goal at the end of the day: hoist the Stanley Cup and be crowned the best team in the world.