Weekly Takes - Monday, October 7 Edition

Weekly Takes - Monday, October 7 Edition...

1. My 2024-'25 NHL Predictions...

Eastern Conference

Atlantic

1. Florida

2. Toronto

3. Boston

4. Tampa Bay (WC1)

5. Buffalo

6. Ottawa

7. Detroit

8. Montreal

Metropolitan

1. New York Rangers

2.  New Jersey

3. Carolina

4. New York Islanders (WC2)

5. Pittsburgh

6. Washington

7. Philadelphia

8. Columbus (x)

Western Conference

Central

1. Dallas (2)

2. Colorado

3. Nashville

4. Winnipeg (WC1)

5. Utah

6. Minnesota

7. St. Louis

8. Chicago

Pacific

1. Edmonton (1)

2. Vancouver

3. Vegas

4. LA (WC2)

5. Seattle

6. Calgary

7. Anaheim

8. San Jose

My Stanley Cup Finals Prediction

Edmonton defeats New York Rangers

Conn Smythe Trophy: Connor McDavid

My Individual Awards Predictions

• Hart Memorial Trophy: Connor McDavid

• Calder Memorial Trophy: Logan Stankoven

• 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: Alexander Barkov

• General Manager of the Year: Barry Trotz

• Jack Adams Award: Sheldon Keefe

2. Here is my only takeaway from the Jays end-of-season press conference: Ed Rogers does not have interest in firing employees that have term on their deal.

Mark Shapiro has a year left and John Schneider has a year left, and Ross Atkins has two.

These guys were never getting fired this offseason.

Next offseason though? That's a different story.

3. The Orioles are at a crossroads with their core.

They came in together with lots of hype, had instant regular season results, etc, but have nothing to show for it after two postseason "runs."

They have to decide who they want around for the long-run. They have to have success before they have to pay everyone.

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

1. Chiefs

2. Ravens

3. Lions

4. 49ers

5. Texans

6. Bills

7. Packers

8. Vikings

5. It is criminal that the Bengals have built such a poor defence around their ultimate franchise quarterback.

Letting Jesse Bates walk was an all-time blunder that they have not been able to recover from.

6. It is hard to fathom Aaron Rodgers surviving the season.

I have no idea why a team goes out and signs an old quarterback, only to surround him with such a poor offensive line.

7. Never before in Toronto sports have I seen a team hijacked by a player the way Toronto FC has been hijacked by Lorenzo Insigne.

There is no path forward for him in Toronto. None.