TribLive writers offer predictions for 2026-27 NHL season

The 2026-27 NHL season is about to begin, and TribLive writers Seth Rorabaugh and Justin Guerriero, assistant sports editor Jonathan Bombulie and columnists Tim Benz and Joe Starkey give their predictions on award winners and champions. Here’s a look:

Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)

Seth Rorabaugh: Connor McDavid, Oilers

Justin Guerriero: Connor McDavid, Oilers

Jonathan Bombulie: Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche

Tim Benz: Macklin Celebrini, Sharks

Joe Starkey: Connor McDavid, Oilers

Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the year)

Rorabaugh: Gavin McKenna, Maple Leafs

Guerriero: Porter Martone, Flyers

Bombulie: Porter Martone, Flyers

Benz: Porter Martone, Flyers

Starkey: Sergei Murashov, Penguins

Vezina Trophy (top goalie)

Rorabaugh: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning

Guerriero: Logan Thompson, Capitals

Bombulie: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning

Benz: Ilya Sorokin, Islanders

Starkey: Logan Thompson, Capitals

James Norris Memorial Trophy (best defenseman)

Rorabaugh: Cale Makar, Avalanche

Guerriero: Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres

Bombulie: Cale Makar, Avalanche

Benz: Lane Hutson, Canadiens

Starkey: Cale Makar, Avalanche

Art Ross Trophy (most points)

Rorabaugh: Connor McDavid, Oilers

Guerriero: Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche

Bombulie: Macklin Celebrini, Sharks

Benz: Connor McDavid, Oilers

Starkey: Connor McDavid, Oilers

Frank J. Selke Trophy (best defensive forward)

Rorabaugh: Aleksander Barkov, Panthers

Guerriero: Nick Suzuki, Canadiens

Bombulie: Jordan Staal, Hurricanes

Benz: Jack Eichel, Golden Knights

Starkey: Sebastian Aho, Hurricanes

Jack Adams Award (best coach)

Rorabaugh: Peter Laviolette, Kings

Guerriero: Rick Bowness, Blue Jackets

Bombulie: Martin St. Louis, Canadiens

Benz: Rick Tocchet, Flyers

Starkey: Paul Maurice, Panthers

Maurice Richard Trophy (most goals)

Rorabaugh: Macklin Celebrini, Sharks

Guerriero: Connor McDavid, Oilers

Bombulie: Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche

Benz: Leon Draisaitl, Oilers

Starkey: Macklin Celebrini, Sharks

Atlantic Division champion

Metropolitan Division champion

Rorabaugh: Sabres, Bruins, Canadiens, Islanders, Flyers, Capitals

Guerriero: Sabres, Blue Jackets, Capitals, Lightning, Penguins, Bruins

Bombulie: Sabres, Panthers, Canadiens, Capitals, Devils, Penguins

Benz: Capitals, Hurricanes, Lightning, Panthers, Sabres, Penguins

Starkey: Canadiens, Sabres, Lightning, Flyers, Penguins, Bruins

Rorabaugh: Lightning over Capitals

Guerriero: Sabres over Hurricanes

Bombulie: Hurricanes over Canadiens

Benz: Canadiens over Flyers

Starkey: Panthers over Hurricanes

Central Division champion

Pacific Division champion

Rorabaugh: Stars, Oilers, Kings, Wild, Mammoth, Golden Knights

Guerriero: Avalanche, Sharks, Knights, Wild, Mammoth, Oilers

Bombulie: Stars, Kings, Wild, Golden Knights, Ducks, Sharks

Benz: Sharks, Avalanche, Wild, Ducks, Kings, Mammoth

Starkey: Oilers, Sharks, Stars, Wild, Ducks, Mammoth

Rorabaugh: Avalanche over Golden Knights

Guerriero: Stars over Avalanche

Bombulie: Avalanche over Ducks

Starkey: Avalanche over Oilers