{"id":914266,"date":"2026-09-29T16:34:16","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T16:34:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/914266\/"},"modified":"2026-09-29T16:34:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T16:34:16","slug":"sportsnet-nhl-insider-predictions-for-2026-27-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/914266\/","title":{"rendered":"Sportsnet NHL Insider predictions for 2026-27 season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The NHL season begins Tuesday night, earlier than we\u2019re used to. The Panthers and Hurricanes \u2014 a battle between teams that won the past three Stanley Cups \u2014 drop the puck first on what should be a very entertaining five-game slate.<\/p>\n<p>Gavin McKenna suits up for his first Maple Leafs game against the Canadiens, the Rangers look to start off a bounce-back campaign against Boston, Mike Babcock\u2019s Oilers get going against Vancouver, and the Golden Knights host the Blackhawks, who begin without Connor Bedard.<\/p>\n<p>With 84 games in 2026-27, there is no shortage of storylines, from players in new places to trades to watch out for to the several coaching changes that will bring a new flavour to their teams.<\/p>\n<p>As we always do, we\u2019ve reached out to a wide range of Sportsnet hockey personalities and contributors to share their predictions for the season ahead.<\/p>\n<p>From regular season division winners to individual award picks, and a Stanley Cup winner to where we think Connor Hellebuyck will land, here is how our Insiders see the season unfolding.<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790699654_364_SNPodcast_RealKyperBourne_1280x720-640x360.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Real Kyper and Bourne\"\/>Real Kyper and Bourne<\/p>\n<p>Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne talk all things hockey with some of the biggest names in the game. Watch live every weekday on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ \u2014 or listen live on Sportsnet 590 The FAN \u2014 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportsnet.ca\/590\/real-kyper-bourne\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Full episode<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Atlantic Division regular season winner<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: Montreal<br \/>David Amber: Montreal<br \/>Frank Seravalli: Montreal<br \/>Jason Bukala: Montreal<br \/>Luke Fox: Montreal<br \/>Eric Engels: Montreal<br \/>Eric Francis: Montreal<br \/>Mark Spector: Montreal<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: Montreal<br \/>Nick Kypreos: Montreal<br \/>Justin Bourne: Montreal<br \/>Sam McKee: Florida<br \/>Matt Marchese: Montreal<br \/>Mike Futa: Florida<br \/>Wayne Scanlan: Montreal<br \/>Sam Cosentino: Florida<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: Tampa Bay<br \/>Emily Sadler: Montreal<br \/>Ryan Dixon: Tampa Bay<br \/>Michael Amato: Montreal<br \/>Rory Boylen: Tampa Bay<\/p>\n<p>Metro Division regular season winner<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: Washington<br \/>David Amber: Washington<br \/>Frank Seravalli: Carolina<br \/>Jason Bukala: Carolina<br \/>Luke Fox: Washington<br \/>Eric Engels: Carolina<br \/>Eric Francis: Washington<br \/>Mark Spector: Carolina<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: Carolina<br \/>Nick Kypreos: Carolina<br \/>Justin Bourne: Carolina<br \/>Sam McKee: Washington<br \/>Matt Marchese: Washington<br \/>Mike Futa: Carolina<br \/>Wayne Scanlan: Carolina<br \/>Sam Cosentino: Carolina<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: Carolina<br \/>Emily Sadler: Carolina<br \/>Ryan Dixon: Washington<br \/>Michael Amato: Carolina<br \/>Rory Boylen: Carolina<\/p>\n<p>Pacific Division regular season winner<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: Edmonton<br \/>David Amber: Edmonton<br \/>Frank Seravalli: Edmonton<br \/>Jason Bukala: Edmonton<br \/>Luke Fox: Edmonton<br \/>Eric Engels: Edmonton<br \/>Eric Francis: Vegas<br \/>Mark Spector: Edmonton<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: San Jose<br \/>Nick Kypreos: Edmonton<br \/>Justin Bourne: Edmonton<br \/>Sam McKee: Edmonton<br \/>Matt Marchese: Edmonton<br \/>Mike Futa: Edmonton<br \/>Wayne Scanlan: Vegas<br \/>Sam Cosentino: Edmonton<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: Vegas<br \/>Emily Sadler: Anaheim<br \/>Ryan Dixon: Edmonton<br \/>Michael Amato: Edmonton<br \/>Rory Boylen: Edmonton<\/p>\n<p>Central Division regular season winner<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: Minnesota<br \/>David Amber: Minnesota<br \/>Frank Seravalli: Dallas<br \/>Jason Bukala: Colorado<br \/>Luke Fox: Minnesota<br \/>Eric Engels: Colorado<br \/>Eric Francis: Colorado<br \/>Mark Spector: Dallas<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: Colorado<br \/>Nick Kypreos: Utah<br \/>Justin Bourne: Colorado<br \/>Sam McKee: Colorado<br \/>Matt Marchese: Colorado<br \/>Mike Futa: Colorado<br \/>Wayne Scanlan: Colorado<br \/>Sam Cosentino: Colorado<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: Colorado<br \/>Emily Sadler: Minnesota<br \/>Ryan Dixon: Dallas<br \/>Michael Amato: Dallas<br \/>Rory Boylen: Colorado<\/p>\n<p>Stanley Cup Finalist<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: Florida<br \/>David Amber: Edmonton<br \/>Frank Seravalli: Washington<br \/>Jason Bukala: Carolina<br \/>Luke Fox: Carolina<br \/>Eric Engels: Florida<br \/>Eric Francis: Colorado<br \/>Mark Spector: Dallas<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: Colorado<br \/>Nick Kypreos: Edmonton<br \/>Justin Bourne: Edmonton<br \/>Sam McKee: Edmonton<br \/>Matt Marchese: Florida<br \/>Mike Futa: Washington<br \/>Wayne Scanlan: Carolina<br \/>Sam Cosentino: Florida<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: Montreal<br \/>Emily Sadler: Carolina<br \/>Ryan Dixon: Washington<br \/>Michael Amato: Dallas<br \/>Rory Boylen: Utah<\/p>\n<p>Stanley Cup Winner<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: Edmonton<br \/>David Amber: Washington<br \/>Frank Seravalli: Minnesota<br \/>Jason Bukala: Colorado<br \/>Luke Fox: Edmonton<br \/>Eric Engels: Colorado<br \/>Eric Francis: Florida<br \/>Mark Spector: Montreal<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: Florida<br \/>Nick Kypreos: Florida<br \/>Justin Bourne: Carolina<br \/>Sam McKee: Toronto<br \/>Matt Marchese: Edmonton<br \/>Mike Futa: Edmonton<br \/>Wayne Scanlan: Colorado<br \/>Sam Cosentino: Edmonton<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: Colorado<br \/>Emily Sadler: Colorado<br \/>Ryan Dixon: Colorado<br \/>Michael Amato: Tampa Bay<br \/>Rory Boylen: Florida<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790699655_218_32-Thoughts-podcast-Elliotte-Friedman-Kyle-Bukauskas-640x360.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"32 Thoughts: The Podcast\"\/>32 Thoughts: The Podcast<\/p>\n<p>Hockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportsnet.ca\/podcasts\/32-thoughts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Latest episode<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Hart Trophy<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>David Amber: Connor McDavid<br \/>Frank Seravalli: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Jason Bukala: Cale Makar<br \/>Luke Fox: Connor McDavid<br \/>Eric Engels: Nathan MacKinnon<br \/>Eric Francis: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Mark Spector: Connor McDavid<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Nick Kypreos: Connor McDavid<br \/>Justin Bourne: Connor McDavid<br \/>Sam McKee: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Matt Marchese: Connor McDavid<br \/>Mike Futa: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Wayne Scanlan: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Sam Cosentino: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: Nathan MacKinnon<br \/>Emily Sadler: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Ryan Dixon: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Michael Amato: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Rory Boylen: Nathan MacKinnon<\/p>\n<p>Art Ross Trophy<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: Connor Bedard<br \/>David Amber: Connor McDavid<br \/>Frank Seravalli: Connor McDavid<br \/>Jason Bukala: Connor McDavid<br \/>Luke Fox: Connor McDavid<br \/>Eric Engels: Nathan MacKinnon<br \/>Eric Francis: Nathan MacKinnon<br \/>Mark Spector: Connor McDavid<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: Connor McDavid<br \/>Nick Kypreos: Connor McDavid<br \/>Justin Bourne: Connor McDavid<br \/>Sam McKee: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Matt Marchese: Connor McDavid<br \/>Mike Futa: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Wayne Scanlan: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Sam Cosentino: Connor McDavid<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: Nikita Kucherov<br \/>Emily Sadler: Connor McDavid<br \/>Ryan Dixon: Nathan MacKinnon<br \/>Michael Amato: Connor McDavid<br \/>Rory Boylen: Nathan MacKinnon<\/p>\n<p>Calder Trophy<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: Gavin McKenna<br \/>David Amber: Cole Hutson<br \/>Frank Seravalli: Gavin McKenna<br \/>Jason Bukala: Ivar Stenberg<br \/>Luke Fox: Porter Martone<br \/>Eric Engels: Porter Martone<br \/>Eric Francis: Gavin McKenna<br \/>Mark Spector: Ivar Stenberg<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: Porter Martone<br \/>Nick Kypreos: Gavin McKenna<br \/>Justin Bourne: Gavin McKenna<br \/>Sam McKee: Gavin McKenna<br \/>Matt Marchese: Porter Martone<br \/>Mike Futa: Ivar Stenberg<br \/>Wayne Scanlan: Porter Martone<br \/>Sam Cosentino: Ivar Stenberg<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: Gavin McKenna<br \/>Emily Sadler: Cole Hutson<br \/>Ryan Dixon: Porter Martone<br \/>Michael Amato: Porter Martone<br \/>Rory Boylen: Jacob Fowler<\/p>\n<p>Norris Trophy<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: Quinn Hughes<br \/>David Amber: Quinn Hughes<br \/>Frank Seravalli: Lane Hutson<br \/>Jason Bukala: Cale Makar<br \/>Luke Fox: Cale Makar<br \/>Eric Engels: Cale Makar<br \/>Eric Francis: Cale Makar<br \/>Mark Spector: Evan Bouchard<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: Matthew Schaefer<br \/>Nick Kypreos: Matthew Schaefer<br \/>Justin Bourne: Cale Makar<br \/>Sam McKee: Cale Makar<br \/>Matt Marchese: Cale Makar<br \/>Mike Futa: Cale Makar<br \/>Wayne Scanlan: Matthew Schaefer<br \/>Sam Cosentino: Quinn Hughes<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: Cale Makar<br \/>Emily Sadler: Quinn Hughes<br \/>Ryan Dixon: Rasmus Dahlin<br \/>Michael Amato: Rasmus Dahlin<br \/>Rory Boylen: Zach Werenski<\/p>\n<p>Vezina Trophy<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: Ilya Sorokin<br \/>David Amber: Logan Thompson<br \/>Frank Seravalli: Logan Thompson<br \/>Jason Bukala: Logan Thompson<br \/>Luke Fox: Logan Thompson<br \/>Eric Engels: Logan Thompson<br \/>Eric Francis: Andrei Vasilevskiy<br \/>Mark Spector: Jake Oettinger<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: Jeremy Swayman<br \/>Nick Kypreos: Ilya Sorokin<br \/>Justin Bourne: Ilya Sorokin<br \/>Sam McKee: Sergei Bobrovsky<br \/>Matt Marchese: Ilya Sorokin<br \/>Mike Futa: Logan Thompson<br \/>Wayne Scanlan: Jesper Wallstedt<br \/>Sam Cosentino: Igor Shesterkin<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: Andrei Vasilevskiy<br \/>Emily Sadler: Igor Shesterkin<br \/>Ryan Dixon: Logan Thompson<br \/>Michael Amato: Logan Thompson<br \/>Rory Boylen: Andrei Vasilevskiy<\/p>\n<p>Jack Adams Award<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: Bruce Cassidy comes off the bench to win it somewhere<br \/>David Amber: Martin St. Louis<br \/>Frank Seravalli: Ryan Warsofsky<br \/>Jason Bukala: Martin St. Louis<br \/>Luke Fox: Spencer Carbery<br \/>Eric Engels: Rod Brind\u2019Amour<br \/>Eric Francis: Ryan Warsofsky<br \/>Mark Spector: Martin St. Louis<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: Jared Bednar<br \/>Nick Kypreos: Peter DeBoer<br \/>Justin Bourne: Rod Brind\u2019Amour<br \/>Sam McKee: Paul Maurice<br \/>Matt Marchese: Ryan Warsofsky<br \/>Mike Futa: Spencer Carbery<br \/>Sam Cosentino: Joel Quenneville<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: Ryan Warsofsky<br \/>Emily Sadler: Martin St. Louis<br \/>Ryan Dixon: Travis Green<br \/>Michael Amato: Ryan Warsofsky<br \/>Rory Boylen: Travis Green<\/p>\n<p>Rocket Richard Trophy<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: Jason Robertson<br \/>David Amber: Leon Draisaitl<br \/>Frank Seravalli: Kirill Kaprizov<br \/>Jason Bukala: Cole Caufield<br \/>Luke Fox: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Eric Engels: Nathan MacKinnon<br \/>Eric Francis: Cole Caufield<br \/>Mark Spector: Cole Caufield<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Nick Kypreos: Dylan Guenther<br \/>Justin Bourne: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Sam McKee: Auston Matthews<br \/>Matt Marchese: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Mike Futa: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Wayne Scanlan: Cutter Gauthier<br \/>Sam Cosentino: Cole Caufield<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: Cole Caufield<br \/>Emily Sadler: Macklin Celebrini<br \/>Ryan Dixon: Jason Robertson<br \/>Michael Amato: Matt Boldy<br \/>Rory Boylen: Dylan Guenther<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/The-Fan-Hockey-Show-logo-1280x720-1-640x360.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Fan Hockey Show\"\/>The Fan Hockey Show<\/p>\n<p>Sportsnet&#8217;s Matt Marchese and former Los Angeles Kings executive Mike Futa take you around the league on Sportsnet 590 The FAN\u2019s national hockey show, airing live across the country daily from noon-2 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportsnet.ca\/590\/the-fan-hockey-show\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Latest episode<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Which team will Connor Hellebuyck play for this season?<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: Carolina<br \/>David Amber: New Jersey<br \/>Frank Seravalli: None<br \/>Jason Bukala: Detroit<br \/>Luke Fox: Florida<br \/>Eric Engels: Buffalo<br \/>Eric Francis: Florida<br \/>Mark Spector: Buffalo<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: Florida<br \/>Nick Kypreos: Detroit<br \/>Justin Bourne: Buffalo<br \/>Sam McKee: Vegas<br \/>Matt Marchese: San Jose<br \/>Mike Futa: Carolina<br \/>Wayne Scanlan: Buffalo<br \/>Sam Cosentino: Minnesota<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: Buffalo<br \/>Emily Sadler: Utah<br \/>Ryan Dixon: Utah<br \/>Michael Amato: San Jose<br \/>Rory Boylen: Buffalo<\/p>\n<p>How many Canadian teams will reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs?<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: Four<br \/>David Amber: Four<br \/>Frank Seravalli: Three<br \/>Jason Bukala: Two<br \/>Luke Fox: Three<br \/>Eric Engels: Four<br \/>Eric Francis: Three<br \/>Mark Spector: Three<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: Three<br \/>Nick Kypreos: Three<br \/>Justin Bourne: Four<br \/>Sam McKee: Three<br \/>Matt Marchese: Four<br \/>Mike Futa: Three<br \/>Wayne Scanlan: Three<br \/>Sam Cosentino: Four<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: Three<br \/>Emily Sadler: Four<br \/>Ryan Dixon: Five<br \/>Michael Amato: Three<br \/>Rory Boylen: Three<\/p>\n<p>How many points will the Art Ross winner get?<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: 131<br \/>David Amber: 132<br \/>Frank Seravalli: 131<br \/>Jason Bukala: 144<br \/>Luke Fox: 141<br \/>Eric Engels: 138<br \/>Eric Francis: 127<br \/>Mark Spector: 128<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: 148<br \/>Nick Kypreos: 134<br \/>Justin Bourne: 141<br \/>Sam McKee: 135<br \/>Matt Marchese: 143<br \/>Mike Futa: 125<br \/>Wayne Scanlan: 135<br \/>Sam Cosentino: 130<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: 130<br \/>Emily Sadler: 137<br \/>Ryan Dixon: 131<br \/>Michael Amato: 141<br \/>Rory Boylen: 146<\/p>\n<p>How many goals will the Rocket Richard winner score?<br \/>Elliotte Friedman: 62<br \/>David Amber: 56<br \/>Frank Seravalli: 55<br \/>Jason Bukala: 58<br \/>Luke Fox: 54<br \/>Eric Engels: 55<br \/>Eric Francis: 55<br \/>Mark Spector: 58<br \/>Iain MacIntyre: 58<br \/>Nick Kypreos: 55<br \/>Justin Bourne: 57<br \/>Sam McKee: 55<br \/>Matt Marchese: 52<br \/>Mike Futa: 54<br \/>Wayne Scanlan: 55<br \/>Sam Cosentino: 56<br \/>Sonny Sachdeva: 55<br \/>Emily Sadler: 54<br \/>Ryan Dixon: 54<br \/>Michael Amato: 52<br \/>Rory Boylen: 53<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The NHL season begins Tuesday night, earlier than we\u2019re used to. The Panthers and Hurricanes \u2014 a battle&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":914267,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[43,44,41,39,42,40],"class_list":["post-914266","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-headlines","tag-news","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-topnews","tag-topstories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/914266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=914266"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/914266\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/914267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=914266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=914266"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=914266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}