With Covid-19 calling the shots, no one is sure when the NHL will start. It could be as early as Jan. 1, but no one is counting on that. Regardless, here are 10 predictions for the upcoming NHL campaign:

1. Buffalo’s Jack Eichel and Taylor Hall will both finish in the top six in the league goal scoring. Eichel was eighth in 2019-20. Their skating and skill are a perfect fit.

2. Henrik Lundqvist is going to play more in Washington than the Capitals think he is. The Capitals will discover how competitive he is. If he gets on a roll, the Caps are going to run with him.

3. The Oilers will regret not upgrading their goaltending. If the NHL embraces an All-Canadian Division where do you rate Edmonton’s goaltending? Is it sixth or seventh? Maybe.

4. The Canadiens will make the playoffs from an All-Canadian Division. Call it a hunch more than a projection. But Montreal’s offseason moves improved the team’s offense.

5. The Red Wings will be much, much, more competitive. Perhaps that’s not saying much, considering they won 17 of 71 games in regulation and were -122 in goal-differential. But GM Steve Yzerman has put together a solid defensive group. The goaltending will be improved and the Red Wings will score more goals.

6. The 2020-21 regular-season won’t go as smoothly as bubble playoff hockey. Nothing cataclysmic will occur, but Covid-19 will cause problems for us this winter.

7. Zdeno Chara, who will turn 44 in March, will still be a defensive force. Assuming it will be for Boston, but it is odd that he’s not re-signed yet. Imagine Chara playing for Colorado, Vegas or Tampa or any other contender?

8. New York Rangers goalie Igor Shestyorkin will win the Calder Trophy. If he doesn’t win it, or at least be a finalist, the Rangers won’t have the success we think they will.

9. The Flyers are going to severely miss retired defenseman Matt Niskanen. The Capitals missed him after they traded him to Philadelphia. Niskanen is dependable, above average in all aspects of the game. Feels like we haven’t seen the last of him.

10. Torey Krug has an exceptional season in St. Louis. Krug has been underestimated throughout his career. He will bring plenty of energy and defensive points to the Blues.

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