2021 NHL Predictions: North Division

The NHL returns to play Wednesday, January 13th. Hockey is back!

Said to be in contention for the most unusual year in league history, the 2021 season has hockey fans hoping for a smooth progression through the struggling times of COVID-19. In an attempt to start the 2022 Regular Season on time, a 56-game season will occur this year, followed by a [somewhat] traditional 16-team playoff.

Let's take a deeper dive into the North Division and see which teams I believe will have success in this shortened year:

1. Montréal Canadiens

Montréal was a pleasant surprise in the playoff bubble eliminating the Penguins in the Play-In Round. Few teams benefitted more from the time off than the Canadiens. They appear to be a confident bunch heading into the start of the season and look to prove the doubters wrong. Montréal must find ways to produce more offense if they wish to compete with the high-powered North Division.

Montréal's defense is elite and will demonstrate that this year. Jeff Petry & Brett Kulak posted the league's 4thbest CF% (Corsi for %) for defensive pairings last season. Jake Allen provides relief as the backup to Carey Price. Edmundson and rookie Alexander Romanov create depth on the left side. Oh, and don’t sleep on captain Shea Weber, a player seeking to regain elite status and capture his first Stanley Cup. Given their recent success and the additions of Tyler Toffoli, Josh Anderson, Joel Edmundson, and Jake Allen, a fresh start could be just what this team needed.

The Canadiens have a lot to prove this year.

2. Toronto Maple Leafs

Can you win with $40 million of your payroll used on four players? The math says $40,489,366 between Matthews, Tavares, Marner, and Nylander, to be exact. The math also says if Team A scores more goals than Team B in the game, Team A wins. Toronto is an offense-first team, none of which is news to any Leafs fan. Alternatively, their makeup doesn't focus on keeping the puck out of their net. Something has to give, right? The North Division will provide plenty of opportunities for the Leafs to light the lamp this year. 6 out of the 7 Canadian teams finished in the bottom half of goals against last year, suggesting we may be in for some high-scoring games this year.

Dubas believes this team can win now. On paper, the Leafs should compete for a top spot in the division and even compete with the league's best. Management is depending on the team to close out games and demonstrate accountability. The additions of T.J. Brodie, Joe Thornton, and Wayne Simmonds should help keep the locker room in check and maintain focus towards the end goal.

3. Edmonton Oilers

On pace to compete for the Pacific Division title before the stoppage, the Oilers went off the rails as the team suffered a disappointing Play-In Round loss to the Blackhawks.

Ken Holland provided the necessary depth at the center position signing Kyle Turris, a proven right-shot veteran who can play special teams and win faceoffs. Additionally, and possibly the most important signing, Holland persuaded Oilers 2016 4th overall pick Jesse Puljujärvi to re-sign with the team after requesting a trade under the former management regime. With consistent goaltending from Koskinen and Smith, the Oilers should find themselves fighting for a chance atop the North Division.

Besides, they do have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

4. Vancouver Canucks

Despite losing Jacob Markström and Chris Tanev to the Flames in Free Agency, Vancouver yields two of the game’s best young talents in Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes. Captain Bo Horvat and J.T. Miller made great leaps last season as they picked up the scoring when Brock Boeser missed time with injury. Finishing 9th overall in league scoring last year, the Canucks look to match their output in 2021 and hope their team can replicate their success of last year. If the depth players start scoring consistently, this team could finish even higher on this list.

The biggest concern for the Canucks is if their defensive play can take a step forward. Fans will like Nate Schmidt as he is a tough, puck-moving defender that can skate very well. He will be a positive surprise for fans and is capable of posting a new career-high in points. Furthermore, the swap of Markström for Stanley Cup winner Braden Holtby will not be as great of a loss or the Canucks as many believe. Thatcher Demko should take a step forward in his progression and give Vancouver one of the league’s better duos alongside Holtby.

Don’t sleep on the Canucks.

Hockey starts tomorrow with Pittsburgh against Philadelphia at 5:30pm on NBC Sports.