It is common to make predictions for the season ahead just before it begins. But because there are so many unknowns at that time, even smart prognosticators usually miss by a wide margin on many things.
But now just past the one-third point of the 2019-20, there is quite a bit more information to process and consider in trying to guess how the 2019-20 season will go. Today’s Daily Cup of Joe asks you to get out your crystal ball and figure out how the rest of the season will go.
The standings
The Hurricanes currently sit in the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. That is a good place to be but adjusted for games played, the Canes have a slim lead of one point over the Lightning and two points over the Rangers. Where will the Hurricanes finish in the regular season standings?
Scoring
Right now Andrei Svechnikov leads the team in scoring with Dougie Hamilton and Sebastian Aho close behind. Who will ultimately lead the team in scoring? Can Svechnikov and Hamilton maintain their scorching paces? Where do yo think each finishes for points?
Goalie
Through 28 games Petr Mrazek has been the starter, but that might be changing before our very eyes with James Reimer just completing consecutive starts and running his streak to four straight strong outings. What happens in total with goaltending for the remainder of the season?
Don Waddell
With Erik Haula’s situation looking dicey and the team at but not significantly above the playoff cut line, will Don Waddell make a move or two to bolster the team? If so, what type/caliber of player would you expect? In that vein, will we in fact see the return of Justin Williams?
Room for improvement
Despite the team’s success, there are multiple players with room for improvement as the season wears on. Jake Gardiner has struggled acclimating to a new team. After excelling as a mid-season addition in 2018-19, Nino Niederreiter has been mostly unable to find the net so far in 2019-20. Which, if either, of these players do you see rebounding? What other player do you see posting significantly better numbers in the remaining part of the season as compared to now?
If you were a betting man or woman…
Of something that is not a sure thing, what is one prediction you would bank on for the rest of the season?
If you wanted to roll the dice…
What is one long shot or outlandish prediction that you have for the rest of the season?
Go Canes!
Standings: The Canes will be fighting for the final wild-card spot the remainder of the season. The interesting aspect will be if any Atlantic team can be part of the mix—I expect Florida and Tampa to get the 2nd and 3rd playoff spots, just not sure if Buffalo or Toronto can move up to challenge for the wild card. If not, four teams in the Metro (Car, Pitt, Philly, NYR) are fighting for 3 spots. So 75% on the Canes making the playoffs.
Scoring: Aho leads the team with 83 points; TT with 75; Svech with 66; Hamilton with 62.
Goalie: Both goalies have good and meh streaks. The second half will see a true platoon.
Waddell: I wouldn’t bet. What looked like big wins (Niederreiter and Gardiner) are break-even at this point.
RFI: Niederreiter will end up with 16g/23a or better. His shooting % is currently 7.1%. His career average is 12%. He will end the year around 10.5%.
Sure thing: Aho leads the team in scoring.
Outlandish: Nedeljkovic gets 3 or more games and has the best sv% of the goalies.
The Nedeljkovic situation is interesting. I have to imagine that the team would like to see him at least audition at the NHL level such that they can gauge whether he is ready to at least be a backup. But if the team is sitting at the edge of the cut line with no margin for error, the goalies are generally getting it done and there are no injuries, I am not certain that will happen.
Standings: Canes will have enough surge after February to finish 3rd Metro.
Scoring: Turbo will lead team in points.
Goalie: Same thoughts as ctcaniac (platoon is likely end result).
Waddell: I’m betting he pulls off a trade for someone like Toffoli or Athanasiou.
RFI: Gardiner will be top 4D (Pesce’s partner) by end of regular season
Sure thing: TVR/Fleury rotation will be over by New Year, same time a Raleigh outdoor game is announced for NHL Stadium Series 2021.
Outlandish: Williams returns, but not to Carolina.
Outlandish: Wadell trades for Taylor Hall. Canes Finnish 2nd or 3rd but lose to the Craps in OT in Gm 7 Jets win the Cup – 1st Canadian team since 1993.