Weekly Takes - Monday, October 6th Edition

Weekly Takes - Monday, October 6th Edition 

1. My 2025-26 NHL Predictions… (x) means no chance to make the playoffs

Eastern Conference

Atlantic 

1. Toronto (2)

2. Tampa Bay

3. Florida 

4. Ottawa (WC1)

5. Montreal 

6. Buffalo

7. Boston

8. Detroit  (x)

Metropolitan 

1. Carolina (1)

2. New Jersey

3. New York Rangers

4. Washington (WC2)

5. Columbus

6. New York Islanders (x)

7. Philadelphia (x)

8. Pittsburgh (x)

Western Conference

Central

1. Dallas (1)

2. Colorado 

3. Winnipeg

4. Minnesota (WC1)

5. St. Louis (WC2)

6. Utah 

7. Nashville (x)

8. Chicago (x)

Pacific

1. Vegas (2)

2. Edmonton

3.  Vancouver

4. LA Kings

4. Vancouver

5. Anaheim 

6. San Jose 

7. Calgary (x)

8. Seattle (x)

Individual Awards Predictions 

- Hart Memorial Trophy: Nikita Kucherov 

- Calder Memorial Trophy: Ivan Demidov 

- James Norris Memorial Trophy: Cale Makar 

- Vezina Trophy: Igor Shesterkin 

- Art Ross Trophy: Connor McDavid

- Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy: Auston Matthews

- Frank J. Selke Trophy: Anthony Cirelli 

- General Manager of the Year: Kelly McCrimmon  

- Jack Adams Award: Jon Cooper

2. The Blue Jays are not striking out, nor making mistakes defensively. They are getting clutch hits from everyone in their lineup and have gotten incredible starting pitching.

The same story since June, sparkled in with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ascending into stardom when it matters the most.

Going to be difficult to beat, these Blue Jays.

3. The play of Guerrero Jr. is why you always pay your superstar.

Maybe it doesn’t work out. But I rather lose with my superstar than be too afraid to commit to someone with the talent he has.

More so when he has literal spite for your biggest competitor.

4. My Super Bowl Power Rankings, after Week 5…

1. Kansas City

2. Buffalo

3. Detroit

4. Philadelphia 

5. Green Bay

6. 49ers (if they can stay healthy)

7. Bucs

8. Denver

9. Chargers

10. Rams

I think the Seahawks, Commanders, and Colts are good, but it is tough to lump them in with the teams above. 

5. I have no issues with the Rams going for it in overtime. You don’t play for the tie.

But not putting the ball in Matt Stafford’s hands is absolutely awful from Sean McVay.

3. I see people saying “the Bengals need to trade for a quarterback!"

It does not matter. With an o-line and defence that bad, it does not matter who is at quarterback. They were not even a playoff team with Joe Burrow.

Russell Wilson would die under centre behind that offensive line.

6. I am completely out on Kyler Murray.

The 49ers are not healthy and the Rams have Matthew Stafford and Puka Nauca, but are otherwise flawed. Yet the Cardinals, despite a decent roster, are done in the AFC West after just five weeks.

Awful.