Episode Sylvain Cote (435): SEASON OPENER! Bold Predictions for 2023-24

Some big news as the Jets sign Hellebuyck and Scheifele to 7 year deals. Finally, the season begins and we make some bold predictions about what we think will happen.     Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio

Banter - Thanksgiving - Vancouver / Newman golf -

Title Player Sylvain Cote - connect him to Mark Scheifele

Cote - 99-00 Blackhawks JP Dumont -> 10-11 Predators Matt Halischuk -> 13-16 Jets Mark Scheifelel

Feedback - Nick in Iraq put up sticker in PAX terminal.

News

Jets sign Scheifele and Hellebuyck to 7 x $8.5MM deals

Dahlin - $11 x 8 - big get for Sabres

Bettman coy about expansion at BOG - seems like it’s a done deal

Says expansion fee will be “a lot”

Where? Look to TV Market

What is going on in the WHL?

Kevin Constantine gets fired by Wenatchee for making “ derogatory comments of a discriminatory nature” - THN Ryan Kennedy - “racial slur”

In other recent events:

Red Deer names Kai Uchacz Captain - he had previously been suspended by the Seattle Thunderbirds and then released by the team for racist comments made to teammate

Bill Peters gets hired after history with Akim Aliu

Fridge commented that in conversation between NHL and WHL employee, NHL said “Do you guys have any bleepin’ clue about what’s going on?”

Characterized WHL as “not so much a league but a bunch of fiefdoms”

Flames get arena deal - finally - $1.22 Billion event centre, includes 1000 seat community rink

Guess the 5th

Season Prediction time! 

Last  Season 5 Stories

LAST YEAR: 5 stories to watch this year:

Colorado - are they built to last?

Calgary - did Treliving do as well as we all think?

Seattle - does Shane Wright prove the Habs wrong?

Arizona - does it become a destination game?

Pittsburgh - the band is back but is it too late for Crosby/Malkin and Letang?

Stories to Watch

Can Oilers live up to hype?

Can Vegas have staying power?

Kessel Iron Man streak

Does Patrick Kane end up in buffalo?

Will a Canadian Team win the Cup?

Big Moves in Off Season

Karlsson to Penguins - does he keep them a contender?

Debrincat to Red Wings - can they be more than mediocre

Dubois to LA - have they stepped forward or backward with this trade?

Hall to Chicago with Bedard - can he help? Will they be more than terrible?

Tarasenko to Ottawa - will he help them get to playoffs?

Dom’s Model has Edmonton 107.2 pts and Carolina 107.7 pts as top teams in West and East.

1st and Last by Division

Pacific - Edmonton / San Jose   - Vegas show worthy? Watch CGY -

Metropolitan - Rangers / Flyers - Pittsburgh? Carolina - goalies?

Central - Avalanche / Blackhawks - CBJ / Dallas / Winnipeg- Hellebuyck

Atlantic - Leafs / Canadiens - Bruins  goalies? TBL - no Vasi for 2 months

Leafs

Keys to success outside big names- Klingberg, Samsonov/Woll Bertuzzi

Matthews Goals?

Oilers

Keys to success outside big names - Campbell rebound / Ekholm healthy /

McDavid Goals / Points?

BOLD PREDICTIONS