Weekly Takes - Monday, September 28th Edition
Weekly Takes - Monday, September 28th Edition
My 2026-2027 NHL Predictions…
Eastern Conference
Atlantic
Florida (1)
Tampa Bay
Montreal
Toronto (WC1)
Buffalo (WC2)
Ottawa
Boston
Detroit (x)
Metropolitan
Carolina (2)
Washington
New York Rangers
New Jersey
Philadelphia
Columbus
Pittsburgh
New York Islanders
Western Conference
Central
1. Dallas (2)
2. Colorado
3. Minnesota
4. Utah (WC1)
5. Winnipeg
6. Nashville
7. St. Louis
8. Chicago (x)
Pacific
Edmonton
Vegas
San Jose
Los Angeles (WC2)
Anaheim
Seattle (x)
Calgary (x)
Vancouver (x)
2026-2027 Stanley Cup Finals Prediction: Florida defeats Edmonton
Individual Awards Predictions
Hart Memorial Trophy: Macklin Celberini
Calder Memorial Trophy: Gavin McKenna
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Matthew Schaefer
Vezina Trophy: Igor Shesterkin
Art Ross Trophy: Connor McDavid
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy: Auston Matthews
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Nick Suzuki
General Manager of the Year: Mike Grier
Jack Adams Award: Paul Maurice
2. As for the Maple Leafs, I agree with their defensive pairings and a majority of their forward lines, but I would like to see McKenna with Auston Matthews, while I would like Matthew Knies with Nick Paul on the third line to form a true heavy, shutdown line.
But that is neither here nor there.
The biggest thing will be adding a top-nine, right-handed shot forward at the deadline. I said it after free agency, but I fear the Leafs went a bit too extreme with a “top six, bottom six.” I get the logic, wanting to free up the top two lines for more offensive situations… I just think they went a bit too extreme.
But at the end of the day, their ceiling is being a Cup contender, if Matthews is Matthews, McKenna has a strong year, Darren Raddysh leads the D core, and Sergei Bobrovsky bounces back.
Their worst case is not making the playoffs, but I truly only see that happening if Bobrovsky falls off a cliff.
3. My 2026 MLB Playoffs Predictions…
American League…
Wild Card…
Rangers in 3 vs White Sox
Yankees in 3 vs Red Sox
ALDS…
Rays beat Rangers in 4
Yankees beat Guardians in 4
ALCS…
Yankees beat Rays in 7
National League…
Wild Card…
Phillies beat Braves in 3
Cubs beat Padres in 3
NLDS…
Brewers beat Cubs in 4
Dodgers beat Phillies in 4
NLCS…
Dodgers beat Brewers in 6
World Series…
Dodgers beat Yankees in 6
4. As for the Blue Jays, it is the end to a shocking season.
They were inches away from a World Series and management responded by adding Dylan Cease, Spencer Miles, Tyler Rogers, and Kazuma Okamoto in the offseason, only for the returning core to completely collapse.
But that is why I remain hopeful that the Jays can return to World Series contention in 2027.
Add another starting pitcher to complement Cease, Trey Yesavage, Jose Soriano, and Cody Ponce, add another reliever to complement Louis Varland, Miles, Rogers, and Mason Fluharty, and add a designated hitter, second basemen, and platoon outfielder to complement the existing position core.
And from there, hope that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. simply had a season from hell, Addison Barger stays healthy, and Alejandro Kirk starts more than 79 games.
All seems doable to me.
5. And if the above happens, everyone will forget of Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s. comments from the past week.
The only thing that cures a PR crisis is winning.
6. A team that does not look like a few moves away from contending?
The Packers.
The Matt Lafleur era is over, the offensive line is not good, and they have no running game. And their defence better hope that they are a Micah Parsons return away from looking at the very least competent on defence.
7. Mike McCarthy making drastic changes to the Steelers’ offensive line after just two weeks of the season is the truest sign yet that it is a different culture in Pittsburgh.
The next step? Winning a game in Cleveland on a short week. Their ultimate achilles heel.
8. Picking the Patriots to miss the playoffs was a popular preseason pick, given the drama around Mike Vrabel and the fact their schedule is brutal compared to a season ago.
I thought Drake Maye + the addition of AJ Brown would be enough to have them sneak in a playoff spot.
I was… wrong. I am nowhere near ready to hop off the Maye bandwagon, but he is struggling, Brown will likely be a nonfactor all year, and they have no run game to fall back on.
Not a pretty scene.
9. The Chargers need to trade Justin Herbert.
I am all for pointing fingers at Jim Harbaugh, but he is not Herbert’s first NFL coach, and he went out in the offseason and hired one of football’s greatest offensive minds.
It is on Herbert. He is not that guy. He will not be in LA, anyway.
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