NHL 2014-15 Predictions: First coach fired? Most overhyped team, player?
Who makes the playoffs? Who misses the playoffs? Who wins the Mark Messier Leadership Award?
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All of these are valid questions. But there are so many more that need answers.
Here are our predictions for everything from overhyped teams and players to the first coach fired this season. The panel: Greg Wyshynski, Puck Daddy editor; Sean Leahy, Puck Daddy editor; Ryan Lambert, Puck Daddy columnist; Jen Neale, Puck Daddy writer; Josh Cooper, Puck Daddy editor; Jen LC, Puck Daddy analytics columnist; Sam McCaig, Yahoo Sports hockey editor; Nick Cotsonika, Yahoo Sports columnist; Darryl “Dobber” Dobbs, Puck Daddy fantasy hockey writer.
And here … we … go.
MOST OVERHYPED TEAM IN 2014-15
Greg Wyshynski: Tampa Bay Lightning
Sean Leahy: Tampa Bay Lightning
Ryan Lambert: Colorado Avalanche
Jen Neale: Pittsburgh Penguins
Josh Cooper: Pittsburgh Penguins
Jen LC: Colorado Avalanche
Sam McCaig: Colorado Avalanche
Nick Cotsonika: Anaheim Ducks
Darryl “Dobber” Dobbs: Dallas Stars
***
MOST UNDERHYPED TEAM IN 2014-15
Greg Wyshynski: Vancouver Canucks
Sean Leahy: New Jersey Devils
Ryan Lambert: New Jersey Devils
Jen Neale: Dallas Stars
Josh Cooper: Washington Capitals
Jen LC: Nashville Predators
Sam McCaig: Washington Capitals
Nick Cotsonika: San Jose Sharks
Darryl “Dobber” Dobbs: New York Islanders
***
MOST OVERHYPED PLAYER IN 2014-15
Greg Wyshynski: Jason Spezza
Sean Leahy: Ryan Johansen
Ryan Lambert: Marc-Andre Fleury
Jen Neale: Connor McDavid (not even in league yet and I'm already sick of him)
Josh Cooper: Evgeni Malkin
Jen LC: Brooks Orpik
Sam McCaig: Ryan Miller
Nick Cotsonika: Jarome Iginla
Darryl “Dobber” Dobbs: Steven Stamkos
***
MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER IN 2014-15
Greg Wyshynski: Cory Schneider
Sean Leahy: Loui Eriksson ... OK, Ales Hemsky
Ryan Lambert: Alex Ovechkin
Jen Neale: Antoine Roussel
Josh Cooper: Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Jen LC: Mark Giordano
Sam McCaig: Loui Eriksson (all-time underrated champion returns to take back his title)
Nick Cotsonika: Paul Stastny
Darryl “Dobber” Dobbs: Jaroslav Halak
***
FIRST COACH FIRED
Greg Wyshynski: Paul MacLean
Sean Leahy: Randy Carlyle
Ryan Lambert: Randy Carlyle
Jen Neale: Paul MacLean
Josh Cooper: Todd McLellan
Jen LC: Peter DeBoer
Sam McCaig: Randy Carlyle
Nick Cotsonika: Randy Carlyle
Darryl “Dobber” Dobbs: Craig Berube
***
PLAYER WITH THE MOST GAMES SUSPENDED
Greg Wyshynski: Zac Rinaldo
Sean Leahy: Zac Rinaldo
Ryan Lambert: Zack Kassian
Jen Neale: John Scott
Josh Cooper: Rich Clune
Jen LC: Zac Rinaldo
Sam McCaig: Zac Rinaldo
Nick Cotsonika: Zack Kassian
Darryl “Dobber” Dobbs: Steve Downie
***
BIGGEST SUMMER 2014 FREE-AGENT BUST
Greg Wyshynski: Matt Niskanen
Sean Leahy: Deryk Engelland
Ryan Lambert: Brooks Orpik
Jen Neale: Clayton Stoner
Josh Cooper: Thomas Vanek
Jen LC: Dave Bolland
Sam McCaig: Ryan Miller
Nick Cotsonika: Brooks Orpik
Darryl “Dobber” Dobbs: Matt Niskanen
