NHL 2023-24 bold predictions: Breakouts, bouncebacks, trades and the first

The NHL’s first 70-goal season since 1993. A Vezina Trophy finalist in Carolina. And a Vezina incumbent taking a back seat in Boston?

Those were among the responses The Athletic got this week when it asked its NHL staff for their bold predictions for the 2023-24 season.

Here’s one prediction per team as we enter the first weekend of regular-season play:

They will become Mason McTavish’s team: For the second straight year, the Ducks determined they will go without a captain. They haven’t had one since Ryan Getzlaf retired. First-year coach Greg Cronin has said he’ll see who could emerge from their leadership group. I could get all crazy here and say Trevor Zegras is going to explode for 100 points or Anaheim is going to shock the world and earn a playoff berth, but I think one prediction that’s bold and more realistic is the 20-year-old McTavish taking a large step as a two-way center and starting to give off some Ryan O’Reilly vibes. McTavish is ultra-serious about his game, and his commitment to the craft has worn well in the Ducks’ dressing since Day 1. — Eric Stephens

Nick Schmaltz will lead the team in scoring: The Coyotes have been getting a lot of nice reviews this fall. Logan Cooley looks like he could be a Calder Trophy finalist and Clayton Keller is coming off a monster 86-point year, while newcomers Jason Zucker and Alex Kerfoot give Arizona its deepest roster of forwards in years. In all the hype, few are talking about Nick Schmaltz and his potential impact on the 2023-24 roster. Schmaltz quietly averaged almost a point per game in two consecutive seasons cut short by injury. A healthy Schmaltz has a chance to chase down Keller for the team’s overall scoring title and could easily crash past his previous career high of 59 points. — Eric Duhatschek

Jeremy Swayman will become the No. 1 goalie: The 24-year-old continues to improve. He is technically sound and is developing mentally after having to make a Game 7 start against the Panthers last year when Linus Ullmark flamed out. Swayman is motivated after an uncomfortable arbitration hearing that resulted in a $3.475 million award. The Bruins will rotate the goalies. But it will be clear by the playoffs who deserves the Game 1 net. — Fluto Shinzawa

Don Granato will win the Jack Adams: If the Sabres take the jump many around the league are expecting and qualify for the playoffs, Don Granato is going to be a serious Jack Adams Award contender. He’s developed Buffalo’s young core from the beginning and would have a strong narrative working on his side by ending the longest playoff drought in the league. The opportunity is there for Granato to take home some hardware. — Matthew Fairburn

Nazem Kadri will…