Top Ten Teams Most Likely to Win the Presidents' Trophy in the 2021 NHL Season
A lot has changed since Tampa won the Cup about a month ago, quite the free agency we had. Biggest changes that come to mind: Markstrom to Calgary, Krug to St. Louis, Pietrangelo to Vegas, Domi to Columbus, Hall to Buffalo, not to mention many others. But through all the transformations who do you think will pull out on top of the league with the most points in the 2021 NHL regular season?I always tend to make these lists similar to the standings of the previous season, so do forgive me.
Also, feel free to reply to any of my comments, and argue against any of them if you want.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. It is a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. The Lightning have three Stanley Cup championships in their history, in 2003-04, 2019-20, and 2020-21. My personal favourite to win the Cup next in 2021. When they beat Boston last playoffs, I knew that we could very well be looking at a dynasty team. That's not easy though. If they can stay under the cap limit with the guys they got, I think they'll be one of the favourites every year for the next few years, if not longer. I really can't see any team from the East being that competitive against them, except for maybe Boston and Columbus.
They didn't win the president's trophy, but they won something even better: the Stanley Cup!
My Western favourite for 2021. The addition of Pietrangelo could very well push them over the line to a Cup. I was quite surprised by the way the Canucks were able to put up a strong fight against them, not a good sign for Vegas. But, with each playoff run they learn lots, and get that experience that could also be the turn to a Cup. Not to mention their legendary goaltending, probably the best in the league.
They've beaten the san jose sharks 13 times in a row. That's good enough for me.
Vegas has 2 very good goalies, I don't know if they will keep both for all the season but if they do it could be good if they notice one team in their division is doing really good against one of them (they can put the other goalie against that team)
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League. The Avalanche and Coyotes are the only two teams in their division not based in the Central Time Zone; the teams are... read more The Avs seem to be the early heavy favourite to win the Stanley Cup, so how could I not put them first on this list? I was quite surprised to see the Stars beat them last playoffs, but I doubt the Avs will let that kind of thing happen again. I almost guarantee them going to the semi-finals. They've got high quality goaltending, defense, and offense above all. MacKinnon is one of the best players right now; but even taking him out of the equation, they're an amazingly talented team.
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League. I guess the Canucks were just super hot last playoffs, because there's no way that they have a better team than the Blues. Especially now, I think that the Blues have improved their team, which puts them in a very good position to succeed. If Binnington can keep up his great goalkeeping, then they could easily lead the league in points in 2021.
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Flames are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League. I don't want to overestimate the Flames, since they're my 2nd favourite team. But, with the addition of Markstrom, and if he can be as good as he was last season, then the Flames will be a solid Cup contender. Granted, they lost Brodie, but they also gained Tanev. Overall they're a better team than last year. Also remember that they gave the Stars a good go last playoffs, without Tkachuk, and the Stars went to the finals! Just talking about that gets me excited! Part of me thinks I should have put them a bit higher on the list.
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. They are members of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. I'm very skeptical about the Flyers. A lot of people were picking them to win the Cup last playoffs, but I was definitely not on board with that prediction. I don't know, they don't give me a Cup contending feeling at all. I guess they don't have the experience yet. If Patrick could become a late bloomer, then we're looking at something a lot different. I hope they can get somewhere though, I've always like the Flyers.
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League as a member club of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. Okay, the Bruins are still a Cup contender, no question about that. Remember that they didn't have Rask when they played against Tampa last playoffs. They are going to be more of an underdog next season, so it wouldn't surprise me if they surprised everyone. They also have a good chunk of young talent that's just getting started.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often simply referred to as the Leafs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. They always do good in the season and now they don't have to go against Tampa Bay or Boston so, they could be very good
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League. I know, they went to the finals, why are they so low? Well, I don't really see them as a regular season kind of team, they are really a playoff team, which is an amazing thing to be. I also find it hard to think that they'll be as good as last season. They definitely are still a Cup contender, but I am predicting that they're slightly on the down-slope. Prove me wrong Dallas.
The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference. The Penguins are one of two NHL franchises in Pennsylvania,... read more I personally think that the Habs beating the Penguins doesn't really say that much. The Habs were hungry, the Pens weren't. Crosby could very well still get a fourth Cup. The fact that everyone seems to be thinking that their time is up, makes me think that they could jump out of nowhere and grab another Cup. Don't underestimate the Penguins, they're still loaded with talent.
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League.
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League. If there's a Canadian division, I could very well see Edmonton winning it. McDavid is only going to get better, and Draisaitl is probably at his peak. So they will be better in 2021. If Smith can continue to be a solid goalie, then, as weird as it is to say, they could be a Cup contender. The defense is what they want to forget about. But, if they're offense can be insanely good, then maybe the defense won't matter as much. We all know defense is needed though, so good luck Edmonton.
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They are members of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.
The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference. The Capitals are owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, headed... read more
The Vancouver Canucks are an ice hockey team based in Vancouver, British Columbia. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League.
The Ottawa Senators (French: Sénateurs d'Ottawa) are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The Senators play their home games at the 18,652-seat Canadian Tire Centre,... read more
The Montreal Canadiens (French: Les Canadiens de Montréal) are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.
The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League.