NHL preseason predictions get ESPN’s summer report card

ESPN has started handing out grades on its NHL preseason predictions for 2025-26, and the early scoreboard is a proper mixed bag: a Stanley Cup call cashed, a Detroit front-office forecast hit, and several Atlantic Division swings missed the net.

In a July 23 review, ESPN senior NHL writer Greg Wyshynski looked back at the bold calls made before the season for all 32 teams. The predictions covered standings, player production, trades, awards and the job security of coaches and executives.

How did ESPN's NHL preseason predictions do?

Through the Carolina Hurricanes entry in ESPN’s review, Wyshynski’s running record stood at 4-5. The wins included Rasmus Dahlin becoming a Norris Trophy finalist, Steve Yzerman leaving the Detroit Red Wings general manager job, Nick Robertson staying with Toronto through the season, and Carolina winning the Eastern Conference on the way to the Stanley Cup.

A “bold prediction” in this setting means a preseason call that goes beyond a safe expectation, such as a specific trade, award finish or division title. ESPN then judged each call against what happened during the season and offseason.

Boston opened the ledger with a miss. ESPN had forecast that the Bruins would trade Pavel Zacha, but Wyshynski wrote that Boston’s 100-point season and offensive rebound under coach Marco Sturm changed the picture. Zacha finished with 65 points in 78 games and remained with the club, even as ESPN described him as an attractive trade option because of his $4.75 million annual cap hit through the coming season.

Buffalo gave ESPN its first hit. Dahlin became a Norris Trophy finalist for the first time after producing 19 goals and 55 assists in 77 games, according to the review. Wyshynski noted that the Sabres’ end to their playoff drought raised the profile of Dahlin’s season, while Zach Werenski won the Norris and Cale Makar also remained in the award picture.

Detroit was another correct call for ESPN. Wyshynski had predicted that Yzerman would “fail upward,” and the review said Yzerman was no longer Red Wings general manager as of July 15 after Detroit missed the playoffs again. ESPN reported that he moved from executive vice president and GM into a senior adviser role for governor and CEO Chris Ilitch.

Which predictions missed in the Atlantic Division?

The Panthers prediction missed when Sergei Bobrovsky did not take a long, lower-cost deal to stay in Florida. ESPN said the Panthers instead traded for Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom, while Bobrovsky signed with Toronto for three years and $21 million, a $7 million average annual value.

Montreal’s Kaiden Guhle call also fell short. ESPN said the Canadiens earned wide attention with a run to the conference finals, but Guhle was limited to 39 regular-season games by injury and had eight assists in 19 playoff games.

Ottawa’s Dylan Cozens prediction missed by the numbers. ESPN had set the mark at new career highs beyond 31 goals and 68 points, but Cozens finished an 82-game Senators season with 28 goals and 31 assists.

Tampa Bay also came up just shy of ESPN’s Atlantic Division forecast. Wyshynski wrote that the Lightning recovered from a 1-4-2 start and injuries to make the playoffs, but with Victor Hedman out after March 19, they finished three points behind Buffalo.

Toronto supplied a technical win. ESPN predicted the Maple Leafs would retain Nick Robertson, and he stayed through Game 82 while under contract. He was later traded to Pittsburgh for a fourth-round pick on July 1, after becoming a restricted free agent.

The biggest hit came in the Metropolitan Division, where ESPN’s Carolina call landed. Wyshynski wrote that the Hurricanes won the Eastern Conference and then the Stanley Cup, helped by scoring from Taylor Hall, Logan Stankoven and Nikolaj Ehlers, strong goaltending from Frederik Andersen before Brandon Bussi took over in the Final, and long breaks between rounds.

This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.