NHL Hockey Returns, Early Prediction Has Beginning Of Lightning Dynasty

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The National Hockey League begins their 103rd season Wednesday evening. As the KSL Sports hockey insider I am establishing my predictions now – the Tampa Bay Lightning will win the Stanley Cup (I think).

I’ve been wrong before – if you listen to the Utah Puck Report, you know that last season I picked the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the Stanley Cup. The St. Louis Blues ended up the champions over the Washington Capitals.

A doc, a dog and a Cup. @NHLonNBCSports #stlblues pic.twitter.com/AVVd8q8qp2

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) October 2, 2019

NHL Champions

What has changed with the Lightning that will get them out of the first round this season? Not too much, and that is why I think they will win this one and maybe the next few.

They have depth in every position. Tampa Bay has the best goalie in the league – Andre Vasilevskiy (which kills me to admit as a huge Johnathan Quick fan).

Nikita Kucherov is coming off a league-best 128 points and Ryan McDonagh and Brayden Point were among the top in plus-minus and power-play goals respectively.

MAKE YOUR PICK ⬇️ #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/4iFYpQtBJc

— NHL (@NHL) October 2, 2019

When you look back on the dynasties of the NHL, they almost all started with a bad loss in a year when they should have won it all. The Islanders, Redwings and even last year’s winners the Capitals had to lose in order to figure out how to win.

By not panicking and making a bunch of crazy trades over the offseason, they’ve kept guys that have something to prove and the experience to learn from mistakes that got them swept last season.

“This year is a little bit different for me and I’m really excited for that. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

Practice day | Erik Cernak: pic.twitter.com/EQZ9kyIfPW

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 2, 2019

ECHL Champions

Last season I predicted that the Utah Grizzlies would go to the Kelly Cup Championship. The team ended up losing to the Idaho Steelheads in the first round.

I am sticking with my prediction – this year the Grizzlies will go deep into the playoffs.

The @Avalanche farm system was just ranked the second-best system in the #NHL and that should get Eagles fans VERY EXCITED for the upcoming season.

📝 https://t.co/bV4lXdzUNV#EaglesCountry #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/7r9ehuHnzY

— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) September 5, 2019

Making predictions in the ECHL is tricky. Minor league teams have so much movement during the offseason, and being an affiliate to the Avalanche, the Grizzlies don’t have much control over their starting goalie or as many as 10 of their top players.

With that being said, I believe with the Avalanche being as involved as they are, they will make sure the Grizzlies are stacked with talent because it will help the organization at all levels.

We have released Joe Wegwerth, Felix Lauzon, and Jeff Smith from Training Camp. They will join the @UtahGrizzlies.#EaglesCountry #GoGrizzGo

— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) September 26, 2019

It seems that would be the case for all organizations, but I can tell you from experience that it is not.

If the Avalanche and the AHL’s Colorado Eagles remain relatively healthy this season, the Grizzlies will have the run fans have been waiting so many years for.

I’ll go one further and predict a Las Vegas Golden Knights vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup final.

Now, let’s do that hockey.

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Utah Puck Report is hosted by hockey insider and former pro goalie, Jay Stevens. From interviews with NHL hall of famers to updates on Utahns in the NFL – you’ll find it all on this podcast. Subscribe wherever you find podcasts for on sports.ksl.com.