We live in a world where predictions ahead of the NHL season are not enough. Even bold predictions don’t hit the spot. With so many bloggers, platforms, and spaces for reactions and overreactions, the boldest of bold prediction culture is necessary. When looking ahead to the New Jersey Devils and their season, it’s what comes to mind with their predictions.
A prediction is by nature bold. Anything with a 49% or lower chance of happening is bold, so even some mild predictions aren’t going to jump out and wow anyone, as we see below.
Bold Prediction: Jack Hughes Scores 100 Points
Can this happen? Of course. It’s easy to look at Jack Hughes and all the skill he has and just assume he’ll hit the 100-point mark. Yet, this is a bold prediction, albeit one that anyone will make ahead of the 2025-26 season. The Devils have never had a 100-point season from a player, although it’s worth noting that Hughes had 99 points in 2022-23.
A full season from Hughes will have him close to the 100-point mark. He’ll probably pass that mark as he’s in his prime and set up to pile up the points (with a deep roster and reliable wingers helping him as well). So, it’s not that bold. It’s why the Devils must have crazier things happen, and more scenarios must be added.
The Super Bold (Hedge): Nico Hischier Wins The Conn Smythe Trophy
Now this is contingent on the Devils winning the Cup. It also adds a layer to make this prediction feel almost unlikely to happen or at all. That said, this hinges on one thing happening, so if it doesn’t, we can easily say that it was never in play.
The extra layer of boldness is picking Nico Hischier over Hughes. At first, that seems odd since he’s not the star or driving force of this team. Yet, Hischier would be the one to win the Conn Smythe Trophy if the Devils win the Cup. He won’t be taken out of playoff games like Hughes, and he’ll both score and defend up the middle. It’s why there’s a great path for him to win the award if the Devils go on a run.
Now, the prediction feels bold. It’s not just that the pick is for the Devils to win the Cup; it’s that extra layer with Hischier involved. Yet, there’s a better way to make bold predictions.
Devils Bold Prediction Parlays
With these predictions, one thing might not be bold. Yet, paired with other picks and put together, it becomes a super bold prediction. For example, let’s look at these two.
- Hughes scores 100 points, leads the league in the category, scores 50 goals, and wins the Hart Trophy.
As mentioned above, Hughes scoring 100 points isn’t too crazy to envision. It’s also not wild to see him score 50 goals, as he came close in 2022-23 with 47. Then there’s leading the league in points, which means he must outscore Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, and the other elite players in the game. If he does that, which means he’ll have a career year, then he’ll win the Hart Trophy, which he’s a long shot to do. What also makes this a good one is that each leg must hit to add up and make it a prediction that works out (and it probably won’t).
- The Devils are first in the Metropolitan Division at the trade deadline, and then acquire Quinn Hughes at the deadline, who comes in and gets the team over the hump and leads them to a Cup.
As with the previous parlay, this one starts with something mild. The Devils can reasonably have the best record in their division by the time the trade deadline rolls around. If that happens, they’ll be one of the buyers and look to make a big move. Now, things get bold because this bet hinges on another team, in this case, the Vancouver Canucks, being in a position to sell and willing to move on from their star defenseman. Even if the Devils make this trade, there’s no guarantee they win the Cup. So, add this all up and there’s a bold prediction to be proud of.
Now that there are some predictions, let’s make an opposite type. One that is good for different reasons.
The Cynical Prediction: All Things Go Wrong For The Devils
What’s good about this prediction, especially for the fan making it, is that it’s a hedge or a win-win scenario. Either it’s wrong and the team is good, or it happens and the predictor looks like a genius. Take a look at this one, for example.
- Dougie Hamilton and Hughes battle injuries all season, Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec plateau as prospects, Jake Allen and Jacob Markstrom post save percentages under .900, the Devils miss the playoffs, and Sheldon Keefe is fired before the season ends.
This is about as bad as it can get, and like the parlay predictions, each one isn’t bold but added up, it is. With this prediction, if they don’t happen, everyone can say “Well, thankfully, they didn’t” and just move on.
