Utah, Sharks, McDavid and Carlsson headline 2026-27 NHL predictions

With the 2026-27 NHL season about to begin, a six-person panel at La Presse has mapped out the major storylines to watch, from breakout teams to risky contracts. Their predictions highlight big expectations for the Utah Mammoth and San Jose Sharks, heavy pressure on Connor McDavid and Leo Carlsson, and strong praise for Ivan Demidov’s deal with the Montreal Canadiens.

Utah and San Jose tabbed as risers, contenders flagged as risks

When asked which team could take the biggest step forward, the group gravitated toward two clubs: the Utah Mammoth and San Jose Sharks. Mathias Brunet believes Utah, now viewed as a roster with no glaring holes, is poised for its first 100-point season and a meaningful playoff run. Several colleagues instead focused on San Jose, arguing that Macklin Celebrini, now better supported, is ready to push the Sharks into relevance sooner than expected.

On the downside, a handful of established powers are viewed as vulnerable. The Los Angeles Kings, described by Brunet as the league’s oldest team and set to play a more aggressive style under a new coach, are picked as a candidate to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2021. The Toronto Maple Leafs come up repeatedly as a potential disappointment, with some writers seeing a roster built around a strong attack, a reliable goalie and what one of them portrays as a troubling gap between the two.

The Florida Panthers are also flagged as a team that might be overestimated, with concerns about age and accumulated wear on a heavily used core. Buffalo’s situation is another point of concern: after a division title and deep run last spring, the Sabres are described as having taken notable offseason hits, leading some panellists to suggest they could regress all the way out of the playoff picture.

McDavid, Carlsson under spotlight as coaching seats heat up

Individually, pressure points are clear. Connor McDavid is a recurring theme: Brunet calls this a do-or-die year for the Edmonton Oilers, while Guillaume Lefrançois notes that McDavid’s below-market deal only postpones the question of a long-term commitment. There is open speculation that, if Edmonton fails to rebound, the superstar could seriously reassess his future with the franchise.

Leo Carlsson is the other focal point. Two writers single him out as a player under intense scrutiny because of his massive contract, described as a heavy burden for a 21-year-old whose cap hit doubles that of Demidov. Auston Matthews is framed as central to a potential “last dance” scenario in Toronto as he tries to shake a reputation for fading in big moments, while Connor Bedard is portrayed as a generational talent who now needs to establish himself as the dominant force he was projected to be, despite limited support around him.

Behind the bench, several coaches are portrayed as sitting on hot seats before the first puck drop. Lindy Ruff in Buffalo is mentioned multiple times, with the Sabres’ front office characterized as impatient and the roster viewed as weakened. Sheldon Keefe in New Jersey, Todd McLellan in Los Angeles, Jon Cooper in Tampa Bay and Andrew Brunette are also listed among the leading candidates to be replaced if their teams stumble out of the gate or show signs of an ending competitive window.

Demidov’s deal praised, Raddysh and Sourdif contracts questioned

The panel devotes significant attention to contract value. Ivan Demidov is the clear consensus as the best deal handed out this summer: his US$9.1-million cap hit is repeatedly contrasted with Carlsson’s, which is double for a shorter term. Several writers argue that the Canadiens will benefit from having a top-end talent locked in for nearly all of his twenties at what they consider a very reasonable price.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, several long-term bets draw criticism. Darren Raddysh’s eight-year, US$68-million extension with the Maple Leafs is singled out as a major gamble on a 30-year-old defenceman with only one big season on his résumé. Bowen Byram, acquired at a high cost by the Chicago Blackhawks, is attached to what one writer calls an outsized contract relative to his NHL track record so far.

Justin Sourdif emerges as another flashpoint. With just one full season and 35 points to his name, panellists question how he could warrant an eight-year pact at US$6.3 million per year. Alex Tuch, signed for eight years in Washington at age 30, and Jacob Trouba, extended for US$33 million over four years despite what are described as troubling defensive numbers, round out a portrait of a league where long-term commitments will be scrutinized as closely as on-ice performance throughout the 2026-27 campaign.