Time for the highly anticipated, never correct pre season prediction.
Last year I had some big whiffs (undercounted Whalers and Gothic), I will not make that mistake again this year.
The October 5th draft day was one of the later ones, and already 2 NHL games in the books. With the short time frame, I expect a lot of player movements to occur between today and first game.
As always my comments/predictions are not meant to offend anyone. They are just the blunt facts.
AHL WEST 3 horse race Winning Combo, Magic, and Shootloose
rebuilds Ravens and Puck Warfare
1-Winning Combo
Winning Combo has once again one of the most balanced teams in the league. Top forwards are B-, defense A, Goalies C+, and depth , while not outstanding, is on the better side. Getting Letang right away makes them have one of the best D-teams in entire league. I have decided to make them my top choice in the West and getting the bye in the conference would be huge.
2-Shootloose
Slight regression from last year , however as always a strong d core. Top forwards are a C and Defense A-. The goalies are good however they are all east coast teams and coverage is an issue. His top defenseman in the league Erik K from 2 years ago had a bad year last year. At a $10.00 contract he will need a bounce back or else Shootloose will fall lower then 2nd.
3- Magically Delicious
Every year it is the same old story for Dan. Big Big forwards, screw the defense and goalies. A huge trade preseason (marchand and malkin) keeps the theme going. Forwards are B+, defence D, and goalies C-. Depth does not exist. Magic will benefit from the over lack of teams trying for playoffs, however without some luck a first round exit might be in the cards.
4- Puck Warfare
The defending champ from 2 years ago is in full tank mode. He will be competing with Red Ravens and others to finish in last and get the most lottery balls. I assume his fate will depend on how fast he can unload Pasta (currently still a Puck Warfare). The victory chocolates have all been eaten and now the hard work of rebuild begins.
5-Red Ravens
I would like to predict Red ravens as the favourite for seasons 2026-27 to 2028-29. He has a great farm plus 5 more 1st's next 2 years. Bryan has done an amazing job moving pieces and selecting players. Only 1-2 more years of pain and then lots of success.
AHL West Thieves on top
Gothic/Steelheads/Underdogs very competitive
Reject -Mustangs
AHL EAST
1- Cheap Thieves
Once again I'm forced to predict the defending champs Thieves as the favourite. Red ravens is planning to do what the Thieves have accomplished the last 6 years , Use 3 years to gut the team, buy bad contracts, trade 3 years of cash for future cash, trade all rentals for picks, and draft well. The Thieves are in the honeymoon of success and will remain competitive for a few more years. Overall AHL score is Bob-8, Danirel-4. Can he close the gap? For this year Forwards are A, Defence A-, goalies A-. His draft comments were specific to target the Whalers, however I think John, Bob, and Ed will have a say.
2 Canadian Gothic
Gothic looks as always has a solid team. Last year he quietly won the division and drafted like a master(GM of the year). Biggest weakness is lack of high end forwards, but he has great depth. Having Cheap Thieves in same division means an extra playoff round is most likely required. With underdogs and steelheads still with great teams, 2nd is not gonna be easy.
3- Underdogs
The Underdogs saw a huge improvement over last year, and looks better this year. I almost had them ahead of Gothic. Trading away Makar was a big gamble but assets that came back are starting to help. Underdogs should easily get a playoff spot. As a former champ, he knows what it takes to make a run and come trade deadline day, JP is not afraid to pull the trigger.
4-Steelheads
Division winner, from 2 years ago the Steelheads regressed last year. Not being able to attend auction fully does hurt the Steelheads roster selection although Bob did a great job filling in. (side not, some things in life are more important then a hockey pool and thanks for the work you do, tough, sad, and we appreciate it ). That being said Steelheads will have another playoff team that should make the playoffs as I could of had them ahead of Gothic. Makar is a beast and could win nights by himself.
5-Mustangs
The Mustangs projected for a similar spot. I tried really hard to find a quality top notch defenceman and could not. Matthews and Barkov will be very good but not enough to help this team compete. Goalie coverage is good, only 9!!!! empty nights. The one good thing about the Mustangs, the have a great farm core, probably top 3 in the AHL league and will be a very competitive team in next few years, sadly not this year.
AHL NORTH
1-Whalers
One of the most disastrous predictions of all time as I had Whalers last year slated for rebuild. Not only did they compete but they were an empty net goal away from winning the title after being up 3-1. At auction they were like the pimp with a bundle of cash and seemed like they bid on everything and everyone. A solid defense plus a huge pool of talented forwards should make the Whalers the favourite in a very competitive conference where winning the division and first round bye is massive. A new franchise player is always nice to have.
2-Big M's
Every fricken year, I have to pick this team as a top 2 in the division and this year is no different. Depth is strong at forwards and above average on defense. This year Big M's defense will rely on youth and promise to start the season. Gone are the good old days of Barrie, Krug, Vatanen, and Josi and Durzi/Hudson/Jones/Seider will have to take up the mantle. The giraffe will also need a bounce back year. A solid playoff run is once again expected and a trip to the semi-finals is in the cards.
3-Greaseballs
With rising contracts, overall team will be weaker. Brian who historically has had great auction buys, only had $21 this year. This looks to be the last of Greaseballs runs. Greaseballs has had a competitive team 5 straight years, and will compete again, but will be placed lower on projections. just tough to beat the top 2. Playing poker every night in Niagara, means phone updates for all his AHL scores.
4 Ingman
Finished last year 3rd overall in conference. Defence is very strong but forwards are a bit weaker barring any trades. Ingman could easily finish above Greaseballs, but like most, be hard pressed to surpass top 2. Ingman will make the playoffs and with one good trade has a chance to upset in playoffs.
5-Shortstackers
The 2-time AHL champion and 3-time champions league winner is clearly still on the further decline. As always, not attending draft day does hurt his chances. After Fox and Suzuki, I assume everyone is on the market, Nathan M should bring a nice catch. One of the fun races to watch is who can tank the best. Jay, Zach, and Bryan, and Ryan , lest see who can do it better?
AHL SOUTH
1-Broadway
And once again Broadway had a great regular season and then struggled in making finals. This has become a tradition of this NYC based team, maybe this is the year? Very close but probably the best forwards in the entire league, defence is weakest it has been in a while. The window for success has closed a bit on Broadway but is still fav in this division. Having Conner Mcdavid means any game can be won especially since on west coast and most have gone to bed.. I predict this team to contend with Eagle for division and make a long playoff run once again this year.
2-Screaming Eagles
While Broadway has regressed, I think the Eagles have also regressed a bit this year. Still a top team on this side. A playoff finalist from 2 years ago they have a chance again this year. At the auction, while Ed did not make a lot of transactions, he watched and scoped out the competition. Quiet owner who did not say one word. Should easily finish top 4 in Tiger Williams and another finals appearance will not surprise.
3-Swacker
First of the also-rans Swackers will have another unpredictable team. depending on first 3rd of season means they are either hard buyers or sellers. Solid defense and above average forwards make them a good bet for playoffs. I expect some very late nights in January/February watching Swackers players. Could this be the year of the Irish and knock off all the big dogs?
4-PKdealers
One of the also-rans. While not in the top 4 of conference, dealers should compete for 5th-8th spot. The Pkdealers will have another empty night slated, however it is game 7 of the finals and we can live with it. Pretty flat team with no strengths or weaknesses, make the playoffs and need farm guys to grow up for any run. Expect Cellebrini to play, get a contract and possible new franchise player.
4-Scarbourgh Shooters
The trade away of McJesus started the rebuild for Scarborough Shooters and this year will be year 2. Farm looks very promising and got stronger this year. I'm looking for team manager to prove their skills and find a way to finish worse then the other 3 tankers (Ravens, Warfare, and Stackers).
Champions predictions winners
Lemieux Whalers
Yzerman Thieves
Bonk Steelheads
Bonsignore Eagles
Tuesday Survivor winner
Eagles
Saturday survivor winner
Thieves
Over-all AHL Playoffs
Tiger conference has top contenders Big M's/Eagle/Broadway/Whalers
playoff fighters Greaseballs, Ingman, Swackers, Pkdealers
reject Shortstacker, Scarb shooters
Eddie Shack has top contender Cheap Thieves
Playoff teams are shootloose/Steelheads/Underdogs/magic/Gothic/Winning combo
Reject team Mustangs/red ravens/puck warfare
That will be my prediction
Broadway (over Whalers) in the finals, over Thieves(over Combo)
Best of luck to all teams.