Buffalo Sabres: 2016-2017 Predictions Around the League

My predictions for the NHL 2016-2017 campaign, including this current off-season. Of course, there will be an emphasis on Buffalo Sabres related events.

I figured it was time to dust off the ol’ crystal ball and give it a shake. This will be the start of a series of articles based on my predictions for the Buffalo Sabres & pretty much anything NHL related. Some of these predictions may seem plausible, while others may seem a bit more outlandish. Hopefully you’re able to find a glimmer of possibility to some of the predictions I make, while getting a chuckle at some of the more bold ideas I forecast.

————————–Around the League Predictions 2016-2017 ————————-

[1] Connor McDavid ends the season top 5 in points, Jack Eichel will score more goals than him

[2] By summer of 2017 Quebec will have been approved as the next NHL expansion city after Las Vegas

[3] Ben Bishop will be traded by the trade deadline

[4] Lindy Ruff wins the Jack Adams award

[5] The Buffalo Sabres edge out the Boston Bruins by 1 point to claim the 8th playoff seed in the eastern conference

[6] Patrick Roy is fired by the NHL all star game

[7] Artemi Panarin finishes the season with more points than both Patrick Kane and Jonathan Towes

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[8] The Florida Panthers finish 1st overall in the Eastern Conference

[9] Taylor Hall will finish in the top 10 of league leaders in points, making Edmonton’s trade look all the more foolish

[10] Sam Reinhart finishes 5th or higher in Lady Byng voting

[11] The Buffalo Sabres & Toronto Maple Leafs rivalry grows even stronger. Robin Lehner and Frederik Andersen engage in one of the most epic goalie fights since the turn of the century

[12] The 2016 draft class features at least five 1st round picks that stay in the NHL past their 9 game tryout

[13] P.K . Subban sets a franchise high record for points for a defenseman during the regular season

[14] Team USA disappoints in the World Cup of Hockey…. seriously how do you leave Phil Kessel off the team?

[15] One of the Colorado Avalanche ‘core’ forwards is traded before the start of the season

[16] Mitch Marner will score more points than Auston Matthews if the Toronto Maple Leafs decide to keep him up with the big team

[17] Dougie Hamilton from the Calgary Flames is traded before December (I would love for the Buffalo Sabres to target him)

[18] Jimmy Vesey signs with the Boston Bruins and is booed everytime he steps onto a rink in either Buffalo or Nashville

[19] John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks wins the Veniza

[20] The NHL announces that the Buffalo Sabres will host the 2017-2018 Winter Classic

Next: Sabres' Chances Of Signing Jimmy Vesey Are Not Looking Good

I hope you found these predictions to be enjoyable and at least somewhat conceivable. My next post on predictions will focus on the Buffalo Sabres prospects. Thank you for taking the time to read this article, I look forward to seeing your comments and feedback!