Every year ahead of the season, we put on our thinking caps, review the stats, the moves, the rosters, and fling some darts to make our predictions on the upcoming season. Some in the past have gone well, others went off the board, and some voters were just giant homers (hi).

Most of the predictions are Leafs focused, so we could have made this review months ago for pointing and laughing purposes, but there were picks that relate to last night’s game so we waited. Now, let’s take a look at how overconfident we were.

Leafs Standings Predictions

NameLeafs finish in DivisionLeafs finish in conferenceLeafs finish overall
seldo235
katya236
Arvind347
Kevin224
Fulemin224
Brigstew112
Hardev225
Species124
nafio246
Annie235
Actual Finish357

Only Arvind was close on all three spaces, nailing two of them dead on and being just off on the Conference finish. Brigs went full homer by naming the Maple Leafs number one in the East, ahead of the Lightning, and just one spot behind the Presidents’ Trophy.

Goals and wins

Name# of winsGoals ForGoals Against
seldo55298245
katya50285230
Arvind45283236
Kevin51233
Fulemin50290230
Brigstew53302255
Hardev54291234
Species55309201
nafio52290240
Annie53All of themAll of them -1
Actual46286251

Once again, Arvind was the most realistic person voting, and the only one to put the Leafs under 50 wins. He was off by one win and three goals for; but overestimated the defence. Katya came close to getting the goals for dead on, and Brigs guessed the Leafs would let in four more goals than they did. He went over, though, and will not take home the showcase.

Predictions: Trades

NameWho gets traded?
seldoLeivo, Sparks, Johnsson, Hyman
katyaCarrick and Leivo
ArvindFuture draft picks
Kevin2019 First
FuleminLeivo, Sparks
BrigstewBrown, Nielsen and a 2nd
HardevSparks, Leivo, 2019 picks
SpeciesPickard, Gauthier, Borgman, Leivo
nafioLeivo,
AnnieLeivo, future picks
ActualCarrick, Leivo, Nielsen, Cracknell, Grundstrom, Lindholm, picks, prospects

This is always a more fun one to predict. Leivo was an easy one to pick as he wasn’t a Babcock favourite. Katya was the only one to pick Carrick, and Species had Pickard leaving, just not on waivers. Kevin had that first on it’s way out and I’m reminded Andrew Nielsen was a thing.

Predictions: Outcomes

NameBest (realistic) outcome for the LeafsWorst case scenario
seldoConference FinalMiss the playoffs
katyaConference FinalMiss the playoffs by one game
ArvindWinning the CupMiss the playoffs
KevinWinning the Cup in VegasInjuries, miss playoffs
FuleminParade down Yonge St.Global warming makes Earth uninhabitable
BrigstewCup ChampionsInjuries, miss playoffs
HardevChampions. OF THE WORLDlose wild card to Buffalo
SpeciesParade down Bay St.Miss the playoffs by one point determined in the April 1 game against the Islanders and losing because Matt Martin gets a hat trick
nafioCup ChampionsMiss the playoffs
AnnieWinning the damn CupNarrowly miss the playoffs, everyone blames Jake Gardiner

We were all way off, and I’m surprised no one picked ‘blow a first round series lead to the Bruins’ as a worst case scenario, because I think I’d have rather missed the playoffs than lose to the Bruins.

Fulemin nailed the worst outcome though, it’s just taking longer than expected.

What we want as hockey fans

NameWhat you want as a fan
seldoBRING ME THE CUP
katyaFUN!
ArvindBetter breakouts, outshooting teams, and hopefully a playoff series win
KevinPlayoff series win vs. Boston
FuleminDynasty
BrigstewCurb stomp Boston in first round and win the Cup
HardevBeat Tampa and Boston
SpeciesLocker room shower access
nafioMany goals, much scoring
AnnieConquering victory, Auston Matthews wearing ridiculous clothes

I didn’t get what I wanted, Katya got lots of fun, Arvind was close to nailing all three predictions again. Kevin, Fulemin, Brigs, and Hardev were all disappointed, Species got himself a restraining order, nafio was correct, and Annie got what she wanted on both fronts.

Stanley Cup Final

NameWho wins the EC?Who wins the WC?Who wins the cup?
seldoTorontoNashvilleToronto
katyaPittsburghSt. LouisSt. Louis
ArvindTampa BayWinnipegWinnipeg
KevinPittsburghWinnipegWinnipeg
FuleminTampa BayWinnipegTampa Bay
BrigstewTorontoSan JoseToronto
HardevTorontoLos AngelesToronto
SpeciesCapitalsSan JoseToronto
nafioTorontoSan JoseSan Jose
AnnieTampa BaySan JoseSan Jose
ActualBostonSt. LouisSt. Louis

First of all, Kevin and Arvind are dead to me.

Second of all, Katya was the only one to pick the Blues going to final, then she picked them to win it all over a team that wears black and gold. 2/3rds of the final correct isn’t too shabby.

Third of all, we’re a bunch of damn homers and proud of it.

Losers

Last place

NameWho finishes last?
seldoDetroit
katyaOttawa
ArvindDetroit
KevinOttawa
FuleminOttawa
BrigstewNYR
HardevOttawa
SpeciesMinnesota
nafioChicago
AnnieOttawa
ActualOttawa

I knew in my heart deep down it would be the Senators taking home the Gil Stein Award for worst team in the league, but I wanted it to be HOCKEYTOWN™ because they deserve it for that nickname they gave themselves.

We made predictions about the NHL awards as well, but we’ll review those next week after the ceremony.

For now, I leave you with this parting gift.