The Ducks were patient. They waited until the end of the season before firing him, despite a 23-47-12 record. Perhaps they wanted to keep him to ensure they finished in the bottom of the rankings…

Lindy Ruff started last season to boos during the Devils’ home opener. He finished among the contenders for the Jack Adams Trophy. Solid.

Just because a prediction didn’t come true doesn’t mean it wasn’t good, and also, I don’t know why this guy still has a job.

In my eyes, a coach in an ejection seat cannot make it past December 1st. Eakins surrendered in mid-April. Not so bad.

His new two-year contract proves me wrong, but things were brewing in Toronto at the start of the season. I could have done worse.

I was right. Expectations were high. Except that the Devils filled them.

Eichel was under pressure and he responded. The Golden Knights won the first Stanley Cup in their short history and Eichel had 26 points in 22 playoff games. Mission accomplished !

Huberdeau was the first to admit that he had a first season in Calgary that fell short of expectations. Things didn’t click between him and Darryl Sutter, who was fired at the end of the season. Let’s see how it goes this year.

There was pressure on Gaudreau, and Gaudreau was under pressure, as a result. Successful prediction.

“When I opened La Presse that October morning, I spat out my oatmeal. Lefrançois’ prediction was the spark I needed. »

– Stanley Cup Champion Jack Eichel

In my own words: “Eichel, like Mark Stone, will need to be at the top of his game to avoid a second playoff-less season. » It ended well.

Ilya Samsonov has become the Leafs’ number one goaltender.

A bargain, indeed! Bergeron finished his final career season with 27 goals, 58 points and the Bruins won a record 65 “regular season” games. The only downside was the elimination in the first round.

Well, OK, maybe I went too far when I said it was the best contract of the off-season. That said, I still think his contract looks good. Paul had a more difficult end to the season in terms of production, but his impact goes beyond that.

He had 79 points in 82 games for the Senators. Another prediction in the win column.

The 74 games that Norris spent in the infirmary saved him from countless hits. Basically, this contract is even more advantageous today.

I’m not changing my mind. He was at the heart of a historic season for the Boston Bruins with a base salary of 2.5 million.

He scored 22 more points than any other Jackets player. He was not the source of his team’s problems last season.

Kadri returned to normal with 56 points and the Flames missed the playoffs.

Palat suffered an injury early in the season and only played in 49 games last season, recording 23 points. My reservations about his $6 million, five-year contract persist.

He had his job stolen by a mustachioed guy not even 25 years old, and his percentage rate (.888) confirms that $5 million per season is about $3 million too much.

This prediction was based on Kuemper’s poor health and surprisingly, it was Tom Wilson, John Carlson, T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom who got into trouble.

Without being less good than his team, he was not good at all. I thank him for making me look good.

A prediction that has aged well: 1 goal in 70 games, and a differential of -24.

The Wild had a good season. He finished third in his section, with 103 points, but 10 fewer than the previous season. He lost in the first round as in 2022.

At least they finally made it to the second round of the playoffs.

And guess what? They confirmed this self-made prediction with another quick release in the spring.

Clearly, I carried them in my heart, the Capitals…

I persist and sign. Such an ordinary team defensively can hardly aspire to great honors.

Next question.

This one hurts. Columbus finished in the depths of the NHL. And nothing promises more success this year, unless there is a surprise…

Yes N. Not my best, that one. I expected better from the Senators.

So close…

Yes, no.

It took them 82 games, but the Islanders made it to the playoffs. It’s better than nothing.

They finished with 104 points. I wasn’t far away.