2025-26 Predictions
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2025 10:17 pm
Time for the highly anticipated, never correct pre season prediction.
Last year was one of my better years but I still missed the boat on finals.
Season starts Thursday. We had some unfortunate scheduling issues that caused a few teams to fully sign teams before the draft and overpayments were required, No Zach meant Rantanen was $17.50, No Tony meant $6.75 for Kadri, no Combo meant $11.75 for Ehlers, no Swackers meant $9.25 for hischer and no Serge meant $23.28 for Matthews and $12.25 for Crosby whic...... What? Serge was at the auction? He paid a record setting $23.25 when he could of got him for less the $20? Oh well the mustangs have money to burn.
As always my comments/predictions are not meant to offend anyone. They are just the blunt facts.
AHL WEST 4 horse race Winning Combo, Magic, Puck Warfare, and Shootloose
1-Shootloose
Even not being able to make the draft, Shootloose had enough left over from last year to be my top choice. Good top 4 defencemen but depth is lacking. With Carllson and newly acquired Fantelli the forwards will be more youth driven but still solid,
1-Winning Combo
Winning Combo has once again one of the most balanced teams in the league however all categories are slightly down from last year. Having one of top offensive defenseman (Hughes) is nice as well as point/ehlers for forwards. While team is not as strong, this division is easily winnable and I have decided to make them my second choice in the West.
3- Magically Delicious
Every year it is the same old story for Dan. Big Big forwards, screw the defense and goalies. This year the forwards are trending in the older range and risk injuries to really hurt his chances. An injury free season probably means Magic win division, but with the abundance of older players (Kopitar, Tavares, Ovechkin), that's very unlikely.
4- Puck Warfare
The defending champ from 3 years ago is off of full tank mode. With only $40 he will be competing with the other 3 but will be clearly an underdog. Lots of farm talent available means he could be 4th best in the regular season but best in playoffs. No will want a first round match with them.
5-Red Ravens
I stand by my previous prediction that Red ravens as the favorite for seasons 2027-28 to 2028-30. He has a great farm plus players ready to go. Only one more season before the Anchor that is Laine hold him back. Only 1-2 more years of pain and then lots of success.
AHL West Thieves on top
AHL EAST
1- Cheap Thieves
Once again I'm forced to predict the champs from two years ago as division and Conference champs. The Thieves had closed the overall AHL Titles score to Bob-8, Daniel-4, but the Big M's decided to do a "hold my beer" last year and now lead 9-4. Having $36.50 in injured player to end the year did not help his cause. With Drysdale and Harley now injecting youth and Wrenski/sergachev as auction wins the defence will be strong (but not the strongest in the AHL). With cheap contracts for hughes/stutzle/robertson, the Thieves were able to also get big time forward help in AHO as well as take high risk Tkachuk.
2 Canadian Gothic
Gothic looks as always has a solid team. Last year he finished second in the conference, Having Cheap Thieves in same division means an extra playoff round is most likely required. With underdogs still with a great team, 2nd is not gonna be easy. With the resurgence of the Montreal Canadiens, maybe Dale will not be as focused as normal and slip to 3rd which would be a disaster.
3- Underdogs
The Underdogs saw a huge improvement for 2rd year in a row. The entire pool conspired against Cheap Thieves/Gothic and allowed the Underdogs to get back Josh Morrisey for $2.00 LESS then last years salary. Underdogs should easily get a playoff spot however the key will be to get top 2 to avoid hard second round match.
4-Steelheads
Not being able to attend the auction fully, does hurt the Steelheads roster selection, and although Bob did a great job filling in, its tough. I said it before 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. No big strengths on forwards but not weak, Defense will need some help.
5-Mustangs
This is a prediction that could change with one trade. Top end forwards are good but defense/ forward depth are very weak. Some good farm players could net good rentals but that can only get so much. The league is always more fun with a competitive Mustangs team, but with Toronto/Pittsburgh/ Vegas combo playing so few games the big 3 will not get as much use as others.
AHL NORTH
1-Whalers
Last years pre-season favorite disappointed during the regular season and then during the playoffs. Makar counts as 3 defenceman by himself, but then add in Fox theodore, sanderson, ghost, and doughty and that IS the best defense group in the AHL. Draistl, Bedard, Necas, Panarin are an amazing top 4, but after that the forwards are not as deep as last years. Some young players need to pick up the slack (looking at you cooley and johnson). Still will be top choice in the North
2-Big M's
Every fricken year, I have to pick this team as a top 2 in the division and once again this year is no different. Last years champ pulled off some gutsy trades before deadline and used those pieces win number 9. This year Big M's defense will be youth and good Dahlin/Hudson/zellewiger/Seider will be relayed on have to take the reins. Rising contracts meant less money in the auction but still a top 5 forwards roster. Oddly this is the weakest farm the Big M's have had in a while as most of them are 2-4 years away. A solid playoff run is once again expected and a trip to the semi-finals is in the cards.
3-Greaseballs
With rising contracts, once again Greaseballs had to rely on auction wins. Greaseballs is the first AHL team to incorporate AI or as Brian calls him "Al" to help with the team. Will not have the firepower to challenge Bigs M's and Whalers but enough to make playoffs. He has had a competitive team 6 straight years, and will compete again.
4 Ingman
Has hinted at selling assets but looking at his team, he can easily make the playoff. Not as balanced as others, but Mcdavid and Mckinnon are huge one-two punch. A big trade for some futures coupled with his strong farm and a contender in 2-3 years.
5-Shortstackers
As always, not attending draft day does hurt his chances. I'm sure Rantanen will be traded as soon as possible (tough to fit on some rosters ) He will have the easiest path to the lottery. Also owns 3 drafts for next year (Mckenna is new McKinnon?).
AHL SOUTH
1-PKdealers
First time in the history of prediction, I will place the Pkdealers in the top spot of the South. Defense is weaker then normal but still 4 solid starters. No elite forwards, but top 8 is competitive with any other team. Farm team actually exists this year and will be used for playoffs. Still ranks well behind top North teams so first round bye is huge to avoid having to play both.
2-Swacker
Visiting mom is top priority so having a signed team was a must on draft day. Very solid team that could still grab the division but also fall to 4th. A superstar on the farm means anything could happen. So many middle contracts of players that could explode or implode.
3-Screaming Eagles
I think the Eagles have also regressed a bit more this year. Still a top team on this side, but rising contracts means little money for auction purchase. The very active Ed will probably whip up a bunch of trades and could vault to the top of division.
4-Scarbourgh Shooters
The trade away of McJesus started the rebuild for Scarborough Shooters and this year will be year 3. Farm looks very promising and got stronger once again this year. Finally get back to competitive status and should challenge for playoff spot. Not sure if can overcome Big M's and Whalers, but stranger things have happened.
5-Broadway
How the nighty have fallen . The window has closed for a few years, and a quick rebuild is in the works. The top team in the division the last 5 years will have to watch others this year. Some big assets to trade and restock the farm. Plus still has players that will be around for rebuild.
Champions predictions winners
Lemieux Whalers
Yzerman Underdogs
Bonk Pkdealers
Bonsignore Swackers
Tuesday Survivor winner
Swackers
Saturday survivor winner
Whalers
Thursday Royal Rumble
South with Big M's winning
Over-all AHL Playoffs
Tiger conference has top contenders Big M's/Whalers
playoff fighters Greaseballs, Ingman, Swackers, Pkdealers scarb shooters, greaseballs
reject Shortstacker, Broadway
Eddie Shack has top contender Cheap Thieves
Playoff teams are shootloose/Steelheads/Underdogs/magic/Gothic/Winning combo/ puck warfare
Reject team Mustangs/red ravens
That will be my prediction
Whalers (over Big M's) in the finals, over Thieves(over Underdogs)
Best of luck to all teams.
Last year was one of my better years but I still missed the boat on finals.
Season starts Thursday. We had some unfortunate scheduling issues that caused a few teams to fully sign teams before the draft and overpayments were required, No Zach meant Rantanen was $17.50, No Tony meant $6.75 for Kadri, no Combo meant $11.75 for Ehlers, no Swackers meant $9.25 for hischer and no Serge meant $23.28 for Matthews and $12.25 for Crosby whic...... What? Serge was at the auction? He paid a record setting $23.25 when he could of got him for less the $20? Oh well the mustangs have money to burn.
As always my comments/predictions are not meant to offend anyone. They are just the blunt facts.
AHL WEST 4 horse race Winning Combo, Magic, Puck Warfare, and Shootloose
1-Shootloose
Even not being able to make the draft, Shootloose had enough left over from last year to be my top choice. Good top 4 defencemen but depth is lacking. With Carllson and newly acquired Fantelli the forwards will be more youth driven but still solid,
1-Winning Combo
Winning Combo has once again one of the most balanced teams in the league however all categories are slightly down from last year. Having one of top offensive defenseman (Hughes) is nice as well as point/ehlers for forwards. While team is not as strong, this division is easily winnable and I have decided to make them my second choice in the West.
3- Magically Delicious
Every year it is the same old story for Dan. Big Big forwards, screw the defense and goalies. This year the forwards are trending in the older range and risk injuries to really hurt his chances. An injury free season probably means Magic win division, but with the abundance of older players (Kopitar, Tavares, Ovechkin), that's very unlikely.
4- Puck Warfare
The defending champ from 3 years ago is off of full tank mode. With only $40 he will be competing with the other 3 but will be clearly an underdog. Lots of farm talent available means he could be 4th best in the regular season but best in playoffs. No will want a first round match with them.
5-Red Ravens
I stand by my previous prediction that Red ravens as the favorite for seasons 2027-28 to 2028-30. He has a great farm plus players ready to go. Only one more season before the Anchor that is Laine hold him back. Only 1-2 more years of pain and then lots of success.
AHL West Thieves on top
AHL EAST
1- Cheap Thieves
Once again I'm forced to predict the champs from two years ago as division and Conference champs. The Thieves had closed the overall AHL Titles score to Bob-8, Daniel-4, but the Big M's decided to do a "hold my beer" last year and now lead 9-4. Having $36.50 in injured player to end the year did not help his cause. With Drysdale and Harley now injecting youth and Wrenski/sergachev as auction wins the defence will be strong (but not the strongest in the AHL). With cheap contracts for hughes/stutzle/robertson, the Thieves were able to also get big time forward help in AHO as well as take high risk Tkachuk.
2 Canadian Gothic
Gothic looks as always has a solid team. Last year he finished second in the conference, Having Cheap Thieves in same division means an extra playoff round is most likely required. With underdogs still with a great team, 2nd is not gonna be easy. With the resurgence of the Montreal Canadiens, maybe Dale will not be as focused as normal and slip to 3rd which would be a disaster.
3- Underdogs
The Underdogs saw a huge improvement for 2rd year in a row. The entire pool conspired against Cheap Thieves/Gothic and allowed the Underdogs to get back Josh Morrisey for $2.00 LESS then last years salary. Underdogs should easily get a playoff spot however the key will be to get top 2 to avoid hard second round match.
4-Steelheads
Not being able to attend the auction fully, does hurt the Steelheads roster selection, and although Bob did a great job filling in, its tough. I said it before 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. No big strengths on forwards but not weak, Defense will need some help.
5-Mustangs
This is a prediction that could change with one trade. Top end forwards are good but defense/ forward depth are very weak. Some good farm players could net good rentals but that can only get so much. The league is always more fun with a competitive Mustangs team, but with Toronto/Pittsburgh/ Vegas combo playing so few games the big 3 will not get as much use as others.
AHL NORTH
1-Whalers
Last years pre-season favorite disappointed during the regular season and then during the playoffs. Makar counts as 3 defenceman by himself, but then add in Fox theodore, sanderson, ghost, and doughty and that IS the best defense group in the AHL. Draistl, Bedard, Necas, Panarin are an amazing top 4, but after that the forwards are not as deep as last years. Some young players need to pick up the slack (looking at you cooley and johnson). Still will be top choice in the North
2-Big M's
Every fricken year, I have to pick this team as a top 2 in the division and once again this year is no different. Last years champ pulled off some gutsy trades before deadline and used those pieces win number 9. This year Big M's defense will be youth and good Dahlin/Hudson/zellewiger/Seider will be relayed on have to take the reins. Rising contracts meant less money in the auction but still a top 5 forwards roster. Oddly this is the weakest farm the Big M's have had in a while as most of them are 2-4 years away. A solid playoff run is once again expected and a trip to the semi-finals is in the cards.
3-Greaseballs
With rising contracts, once again Greaseballs had to rely on auction wins. Greaseballs is the first AHL team to incorporate AI or as Brian calls him "Al" to help with the team. Will not have the firepower to challenge Bigs M's and Whalers but enough to make playoffs. He has had a competitive team 6 straight years, and will compete again.
4 Ingman
Has hinted at selling assets but looking at his team, he can easily make the playoff. Not as balanced as others, but Mcdavid and Mckinnon are huge one-two punch. A big trade for some futures coupled with his strong farm and a contender in 2-3 years.
5-Shortstackers
As always, not attending draft day does hurt his chances. I'm sure Rantanen will be traded as soon as possible (tough to fit on some rosters ) He will have the easiest path to the lottery. Also owns 3 drafts for next year (Mckenna is new McKinnon?).
AHL SOUTH
1-PKdealers
First time in the history of prediction, I will place the Pkdealers in the top spot of the South. Defense is weaker then normal but still 4 solid starters. No elite forwards, but top 8 is competitive with any other team. Farm team actually exists this year and will be used for playoffs. Still ranks well behind top North teams so first round bye is huge to avoid having to play both.
2-Swacker
Visiting mom is top priority so having a signed team was a must on draft day. Very solid team that could still grab the division but also fall to 4th. A superstar on the farm means anything could happen. So many middle contracts of players that could explode or implode.
3-Screaming Eagles
I think the Eagles have also regressed a bit more this year. Still a top team on this side, but rising contracts means little money for auction purchase. The very active Ed will probably whip up a bunch of trades and could vault to the top of division.
4-Scarbourgh Shooters
The trade away of McJesus started the rebuild for Scarborough Shooters and this year will be year 3. Farm looks very promising and got stronger once again this year. Finally get back to competitive status and should challenge for playoff spot. Not sure if can overcome Big M's and Whalers, but stranger things have happened.
5-Broadway
How the nighty have fallen . The window has closed for a few years, and a quick rebuild is in the works. The top team in the division the last 5 years will have to watch others this year. Some big assets to trade and restock the farm. Plus still has players that will be around for rebuild.
Champions predictions winners
Lemieux Whalers
Yzerman Underdogs
Bonk Pkdealers
Bonsignore Swackers
Tuesday Survivor winner
Swackers
Saturday survivor winner
Whalers
Thursday Royal Rumble
South with Big M's winning
Over-all AHL Playoffs
Tiger conference has top contenders Big M's/Whalers
playoff fighters Greaseballs, Ingman, Swackers, Pkdealers scarb shooters, greaseballs
reject Shortstacker, Broadway
Eddie Shack has top contender Cheap Thieves
Playoff teams are shootloose/Steelheads/Underdogs/magic/Gothic/Winning combo/ puck warfare
Reject team Mustangs/red ravens
That will be my prediction
Whalers (over Big M's) in the finals, over Thieves(over Underdogs)
Best of luck to all teams.