10 Crazy Predictions for 2017

-       Patrick Kane will fall out of the Top 10 in scoring.  Sorry Chicago this year will be a little more difficult than you are used too.

-       Winnipeg Jets rookie Patrick Laine will dominate the rookie class.  Laine along with Jets captain Blake Wheeler will lead the Jets to a wildcard spot. 

-       Semyon Varlamov will not be the starter for the Colorado Avalanche come All-Star break, and it won’t be because of injury.

-       Suspensions will be on the increase again this year.  Radko Gudas of the Philadelphia Flyers is currently suspended and big shocker it won’t be his last one this season. 

-       Marc-Andre Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins will be the big fish come trade deadline day.  The expansion draft for Las Vegas will create the most active trade deadline day in recent history.

-       Ben Bishop of the Tampa Bay Lightning will be the goalie for the Lightning all season and will lead them deep in the playoffs.  He will be the expansion draft goalie that the Las Vegas team is looking for.  Tampa Bay is looking at this season as Stanley Cup or bust.

-       Fighting will drop 20% and cheap shots will increase 20%. (you asked for it NHL).

-       John Tortorella will be the first coach fired as Columbus will stumble out of the gates.  Jack Capuano (New York Islanders) and Darryl Sutter (Los Angeles Kings) are also on the hot seat.

-       College sensation Jimmy Vesey will be a failure.  It never pays to play the “I don’t want to play for you card”…. look at history.

-       Conner Hellebuyck will solidify himself as the starting goalie in Winnipeg.  This Jets team is full of young talent. 

INSIDE EDGE HOCKEY NEWS

* Photo by USAToday Sports Images