Way-too-early Stanley Cup predictions

With the NHL season right around the corner, CommRadio sports staff came together to share their way-too-early Stanley Cup predictions:

Florida Panthers vs. Dallas Stars

Florida is coming off of a Stanley Cup-winning season, and they are in a good position to return to the final this year. They did lose star defenseman Brandon Montour and some other key pieces in free agency, but they still have plenty of depth, particularly at forward.

Sergei Bobrovsky has had a resurgence in his career since landing in Florida. A two-time Vezina winner, he finished third in voting for the award last year. After struggling for much of his career in the postseason, he has found his way with the Panthers and has played well in each of the last two playoffs in which the Panthers made the final both years.

The Lightning could make a push after landing Jake Guentzel, but they did lose captain Steven Stamkos. The Rangers and Maple Leafs return plenty of talent as well, but they haven’t gotten the necessary postseason performances in recent years.

As for Dallas, they lost experienced leaders in Joe Pavelski and Ryan Suter, but they are still led by franchise mainstays Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.

This is also a young team that will keep gaining more experience and getting better. Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen and Jake Oettinger have all been named All-Stars, and all three are only 25 years old.

These three are going to be the faces of the franchise for the next decade, and their talent combined with the experience of players like Benn and Seguin could give Dallas a chance at its first title since 1999.

New York Rangers vs. Edmonton Oilers

Two of the best teams in the league, the Rangers and the Oilers have everything they need to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Rangers have come close in past years, losing in the first round to the New Jersey Devils in 2023 and losing in the Eastern Conference Finals to the eventual Stanley Cup champions Florida Panthers.

New York’s roster contains some of the best in the league, with the powerhouse goalie tandem of Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick in the net.

The Blueshirts found their playoff powerhouses in Alexis Lafreniere and Vincent Trocheck, and the two look to have another great regular season playing alongside Artemi Panarin.

Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad are looking to have another standout year – the duo combined for 147 points in the 2023-24 regular season, primarily playing together on the first line.

The Rangers didn’t acquire too many offseason pieces, but they acquired winger Reilly Smith from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft – and a lot of people are speculating he’ll join Kreider and Zibanejad on the first line.

In the West, the Oilers are the standout choice.

The Oilers came oh-so-close last season, losing to the Panthers in the Finals, but ultimately pushing the series to a Game 7.

Of course, the shining star on the team is the league’s golden boy, Connor McDavid. Argued as the best hockey player of this generation, McDavid can do just about anything, and he could even be on the path to his fourth Hart Trophy this season.

Netminder Stuart Skinner was phenomenal in the playoffs, and he’s looking to carry that momentum into the regular season.

Edmonton’s big offseason move was extending center Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year, $112 million contract extension. Draisaitl, a staple of the franchise, scored 106 points in the regular season, which ranked seventh in the league.

Dallas Stars vs. New York Rangers

With the official NHL season stepping onto the ice this week, it’s only fair to go ahead and crown this season's two potential champions. With deep runs last year both the Dallas Stars and New York Rangers have the missing pieces to make their Stanley Cup appearance.

Last year, the Stars won the West with 113 points, one point off the league lead. Once again are preseason locks for the postseason, with Veterans such as Matt Duchene and Tyler Seguin to lead the team back to where last year ended. Loss was heavy though with the retirement of Joe Pavelski, but fresh legs are present.

On to this season, the Stars have already had a confident 5-0-1 start through their preseason.

Meanwhile, up north the New York Rangers fell short in the same stepping stone as the stars. Their ability to make it to that next step will come from…

The Rangers set team records this past season with 55 wins and 114 points during the season itself setting them in the right direction for what would be the team's deep playoff run, and now start to the new season.

A key to the Rangers making that next step will be their weapon, Alexis Lafreniere, who set NHL highs in goals, assists, points, and games played in the 2023-24 season.

They also hold a weapon in front of the net with Igor Shesterkin, who kept New York in games last season with his ability to keep pucks out of the net.

The two teams will play one another twice during this regular season, but will not meet until Dec. 20. Fans will be able to get a glimpse into what this year's Stanley Cup Finals could look like.

Jacob Rudy is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jar7371@psu.edu.

Adrianna Gallucci is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email amg7989@psu.edu.

Bronwyn Liber is a second-year student majoring in Broadcast Journalism. To contact her, email brl5354@psu.edu