TSN HOCKEY SEASON PREVIEW Recap: Video Analysis, Top 10s, Bold Predictions, and More

TORONTO (October 6, 2015) – With last night’s TSN HOCKEY SEASON PREVIEW SPECIAL, TSN’s all-star team of Hockey Insiders and experts primed fans for puck drop on the 2015-16 season. Here is a rundown of the show’s highlights.

WATCH: TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger: Who is on the Hot Seat?

In the “Hot Seat” segment, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger identifies the players, coaches, and GMs who have something to prove during the 2015-16 season, including:

• Ottawa Senators’ forward Bobby Ryan: A four-time 30-goal scorer, Ryan scored just 18 goals last season after agreeing to a seven-year, $50 million extension with the Senators. Ryan’s production has to improve if the Sens are to make the playoffs.
• Boston Bruins’ coach Claude Julien: Regardless of what team president Cam Neely says, many believe Boston’s brass aren’t keen on Julien’s coaching style. His future was questioned when newly appointed GM Don Sweeney took his time announcing Julien would be back.
• San Jose Sharks’ GM Doug Wilson: Although Wilson was allowed to make another coaching change in San Jose, a sub-par season may end his run with the Sharks.
• Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon: MacKinnon will need to return to Calder Trophy-winning form for the Avs to climb back into the playoffs. He missed the last six weeks of the season because of a broken foot, leaving him with just 14 goals in 64 games.
• Anaheim Ducks’ coach Bruce Boudreau: A trip to the conference final kept Boudreau behind the bench, but a shoddy start or midseason lapse could cost him his job with the Stanley Cup contenders.

WATCH: TSN Hockey Senior Reporter Frank Seravalli’s 10 Bold Predictions

The hockey world is in for a few surprises in the 2015-16 season, and TSN Hockey Senior Reporter Frank Seravalli reveals his 10 bold predictions:

1. Buffalo’s Jack Eichel will FINALLY one-up Connor McDavid, beating out the #1 pick for the Calder Trophy
2. But this won’t be a season of losing for McDavid; he’ll help the Oilers snap hockey’s longest playoff drought at nine years.
3. Hall of Fame hot head Patrick Roy will lead the league in coach’s challenges, keeping a close eye on goalie interference
4. The Detroit Red Wings will miss the playoffs for the first time in 25 seasons
5. Mark Giordano will claim the first Norris Trophy in Calgary Flames history
6. And Giordano’s Flames will defy analytics for the second straight season to make the playoffs
7. Human highlight reel Vladimir Tarasenko will be the NHL’s new scoring champion
8. Claude Giroux will lead the league in 3-on-3 overtime goals
9. Impending unrestricted free agent Dustin Byfuglien will NOT finish the season in Winnipeg
10. And Phil Kessel will score 50 goals. Sorry, Leafs Nation.

WATCH: TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie: Montreal’s Power Play Must Improve

What has to improve for the Montreal Canadiens to go deeper in the playoffs? TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie says it’s the power play: “It’s not even that the power play was in the bottom third of the league last year. [General Manager] Marc Bergevin talked about how many times they needed a power play goal, or even some momentum from the power play, even if they didn’t score.”  

WATCH: TSN Hockey Analyst Aaron Ward: Connor McDavid Already A Complete Player

In his “Ward’s World” segment, TSN Hockey Analyst Aaron Ward identifies the ways that the #1 draft pick will make an impact and reshape the Edmonton Oilers in his rookie season: “He’s 18. You’ve seen the goals; you’ve seen his dominance in junior hockey. But just in his small body of work in the pre-season, he has a complete grasp of how to play this game. He’s game-ready for the Edmonton Oilers and a great reason for excitement because he takes care of all ends of the ice.”  

WATCH: TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button’s Top 10 Rookies

Which first-year players will make the biggest impact in 2015-16? TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button unveils his projected list:

1. Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton
2. Jack Eichel, C, Buffalo
3. Sam Bennett, LW/C, Calgary
4. Artemi Panarin, LW/RW, Chicago
5. Dylan Larkin, LW/C, Detroit
6. Noah Hanifin, D, Carolina
7. Ben Hutton, D, Vancouver
8. Colton Parayko, D, St. Louis
9. Colin Miller, D, Boston
10. Nik Ehlers, RW, Winnipeg

 

WATCH: TSN Original Feature: Tyler Seguin

Fronted by James Duthie, this TSN Original Feature highlights Dallas Stars’ forward Tyler Seguin, whose outgoing personality is making him a household name in Dallas. Armed with a selfie stick, Seguin is a new type of hockey star – one built for the era of social media.  

WATCH: TSN Hockey Analyst Ray Ferraro: Raffi Torres Doesn’t Get It

The regular season hasn’t even begun, but the 41-game suspension handed down to San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres is already a hot topic. TSN Hockey Analyst Ray Ferraro weighs in, saying the suspension was appropriate: “Multiple hits, multiple suspensions throughout his career – he’s clearly a player that just doesn’t get it. He either can’t or won’t change his ways, and it seems like he’s one of the only players who repeatedly gets suspended for the same types of hits. Raffi Torres’ ability to play in the NHL is no more important than the players who he head-hunts.”  

WATCH: TSN Hockey Analyst Jeff O’Neill: Alex Galchenyuk Needs to Break Through

Can the Canadiens accomplish something special this season? TSN Hockey Analyst Jeff O’Neill says Alex Galchenyuk is a key piece of the puzzle: “He’s going to realize that providing offence, being responsible in your own zone, and playing against top-flight competition is a different animal. He’s also got to find a way to keep Alex Semin interested for a full season, which remains to be seen if it can be done.”  

Final Standings and Playoff Predictions

Who does the TSN Hockey panel pick to win the division, conference, and Stanley Cup titles? Here’s the full list of predictions.

TSN Hockey Season Preview Coverage The network’s in-depth preview coverage continues tonight (Tuesday, Oct. 6) at 7 p.m. ET on TSN2 with the 2015-16 season preview edition of TIM HORTONS THAT’S HOCKEY. Hosted by Gino Reda, Canada’s most-watched daily hockey show keeps fans up-to-date on the biggest storylines heading into the new season, with in-depth reports on all seven Canadian teams. The show is immediately followed by the TSN HOCKEY FANTASY DRAFT SPECIAL, airing tonight (Tuesday, Oct. 6) at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN2. James Duthie hosts the network’s annual 60-minute fantasy hockey production. The TSN Hockey analysts drafting eight-player fantasy teams are last year’s playoff champ Dave Hodge, regular season winner Jeff O’Neill, Aaron Ward, Martin Biron, and Keith Jones. The show will highlight potential sleepers, as well as players to be wary of in the “Buyer Beware” segment.