THG Makes His 2025 Stanley Cup Pick

[@NicoSqueeko]

That thumbnail is Diabolical 🤣

[@Jweldsandlifts]

Totally uncalled for 😢

[@samchase2460]

Absolutely incredible

[@jamesmorton6934]

@@Jweldsandlifts I totally agree!!

[@rileyholden-zc9ip]

If that match up happens I would root for the sharks

[@NicoSqueeko]

@@rileyholden-zc9ip If the Sharks made it to the playoffs, I'm sorry Vancouver i love you but I'm rooting for the sharks.

[@patbrennan6572]

I've been a Utah Hockey Club fan for longer than I can remember and I think this is their year . Lets go Hockey Club.

[@lesliechow6866]

do you have amnesia?

[@WideTier]

😂😂

[@JasonSmith-pe5py]

We rule the Rocky MTN region for a few more yrs at least still homie.NEXT YR-2025-26 Id have Utah in the playoffs,& probably a true contender in 2027.But the AVS are today,& likely will still be in the mix by 2027.

[@45scienceproject]

​@@JasonSmith-pe5py I dunno buddy I know it's early but our boys here in SLC are looking REALLY fucking good through three (again rose colored glasses are TOTALLY on here because we're in the honeymoon phase). I have loved the AVS for a long time but... I live here and can GO to these UHC games. No shade to CO at all as we have your AA affiliate here still in the Grizzlies who we will also continue to root for and whose games I'll still attend. I'll always have a soft spot for the beloved AVS but UHC is MY FUCKING TEAM now.

[@Zark_Moneybags69]

Hockey Club vs Maple leaves Stanley cup tis year!!

[@ComiskeyMatt]

This is KZbin at its best. Just a Canadian guy doing a solo 20-minute one-take video with a continous stream of hockey talk.

[@jdavidblais]

@@ComiskeyMatt le meilleur !!

[@Diamondback0006]

As an unbiased Sharks fan, I think the analysis in your thumbnail was much better. After seeing the rookie tournament, I don't think the Sharks will ever lose another game ever.

[@justinz39sabres]

as a sabres fan i agree

[@chrisbelos2834]

Sharks wins the cup against the Sabres. anything can happend

[@jasoncahill8555]

LMFAO......GOODLUCK WITH THAT BUDDY

[@yoholmes273]

I think the Sharks are headed for the right direction

[@Sir_Godz]

frikin dynasty i tells ya

[@capacitatedflux]

Good thumbnail 👍🏻

[@SirManfly]

At least put the Rangers as champs because they've been just as good as any team the last few years and Dallas still seems to be a bit overrated to me. The Oilers weren't supposed to be able to beat them but did.

[@Mynamesbob8]

As a sabres fan that thumbnail is the closest we'll ever get to the playoffs

[@SirManfly]

Rebuilds can take forever and this Oiler fan would know having suffered through the "Decade Of Darkness"!! Can't help but think that when the years of top draft picks finally pays off that the Sabres will contend for a lot of years to come !

[@pyqio]

that is true, but the Sabres have been in a rebuilding for over a decade now. some of their picks back then are now over their UFA.

[@rosshamilton1394]

​@SirManfly As a fan who supports both the Edmonton Oilers and the Buffalo Sabres as my teams in the East and West, my pain is equally shared. Since 2006, I really preferred the Oilers to face the Sabres in the SCF that year as opposed to Carolina, and I would have been OK with Buffalo winning the Cup under the GOAT-Head, given the history of the 99 SCF. This year, I have high hopes that Buffalo, under Lindy Ruff, will break the playoff drought and make it to the playoffs. Maybe there will be a Battle of the QEW playoff series against Toronto in the first round...

[@alexmacdougall5700]

"I guess that takes toronto out. I mean, just logically." Absolutely ruthless

[@swavekbu4959]

"I think therefore I am." Nope, "Leafs won't win the Cup" is the new reductionistic statement.

[@Andriig75]

You gotta play the odds 😜

[@Todd-s9z]

The disrespect putting the leafs out and Boston before teams that’s didn’t even make the playoffs. I may be biased because I’m a leafs fan but what many are missing is this is the best additions they have ever had for defence. Also Berube is already putting them to work hard in training camp to start implementing proper ways to come at the game. They are going from a coach who only had ahl experience before the leafs to a coach who has won the cup with the blues who when they won it had no business being that team. Now I’m not going to jump out and say they are winning the cup but with the big guys and force added to the defence I don’t think they will be spending as much time in their own end which will allow their star players more opportunity to score. I can tell everyone easily why they have failed in the first round and it’s always been the lack of pushback with not to physical of a team but now going into the leafs end is going to be hell. Oh and not only did they add that size berube specifically stated he wants this team to play hard and be tough to deal with every game. When asked what you need to win he said flat out be physical because no players like to deal with that. That is one of the reasons the panthers won the cup because on paper they are not the best team but they play physical and don’t slow down.

[@jabronirigatoni4648]

@@Todd-s9z if you make it, hopefully your new captain does not have tummy aches this time

[@BraydenKing-nz2gz]

@@Todd-s9zstatistically the leafs were the third most physical team in the league last year and were neck and neck with the bruins in that regard all series. I think the problem is all our team focuses on is getting tougher and they keep doing the same thing. Add guys that don’t really help cuz they big and can hit which is not doing anything for the leafs at all. Despite what media says the leafs are a physical team and consistently trying to fix something that is not broken is why they keep failing

[@bradgerthoffer2803]

Buffalo taking L's even in the thumbnail 😅

[@Stzu-s2bt55]

That’s how low buffalo is. They’re such an embarrassing in the NHL. They take 1 step forward and a 1,000 steps back. It’s sad that the Sabers can’t find a glimpse of hope.

[@AreYouKittenMeRtNow]

Christ 😂🤦🏼‍♀️

[@thunderhammerx2966]

​@Stzu-s2bt55 They've not even been that bad the last two seasons. "1,000 steps back" is outright hyperbolic. Drought ends soon, but they prob don't get out of the first round when they get there.

[@choppergunner8650]

​@@Stzu-s2bt55relocate Buffalo

[@jarryd8167]

Buffalo sports is so poverty but not quite poverty enough to not see what winning could actually feel like which is arguably worse

[@314jph]

Can't wait to revisit this in 9 months.

[@Liv4epicness11]

Sabres might as well be in rebuilding forever. But a winning season would be awesome. We’re not used to seasons above .500.

[@christopherkuzek9816]

no one shuffles magnets like you brother lol

[@brandonswartz3321]

Shannon you are buzzin with the videos this week fella. Workin hard like a Torts training camp.

[@abovewater6918]

This is why hockey is the best. There's so many good teams and not one clear favorite to win

[@yotakev99]

Always say this to my buddies that watch football and basketball. Even in February/March, you still don't have a clear playoff bracket in the NHL.

[@Venture143]

RIP Dallas, about to get the New Jersey treatment

[@mcthunderstick2374]

Ugh and I drafted Heiskanen in my fantasy league 😢

[@DannOfSteel]

We can only hope

[@choppergunner8650]

Stars vs. Panthers SCF, Panthers in 5 to repeat the cup

[@obi-wankenobigoat]

@@choppergunner8650panthers got worse lol, they not repeating, prob not even going back to the finals, it’s edmontons year, only a few teams made as much improvement as they did but none of those teams were already top 2.

[@choppergunner8650]

@@obi-wankenobigoat edmonton is NOT going to the cup finals 😂 also, how exactly did the Panthers get worse if their top players and Bobrovsky are still there? Montour was probably the biggest loss, but he's nowhere near his 2022-23 form. Also, the guy wanted like, the entire Panthers cap left. Adam Boqvist breakout szn incoming, they're going to change him like they changed Forsling.

[@kmadigan1347]

As a wild fan, i see how you got the unknown tier for them, but they were a consistent playoff team every season. The outlier last season was the plague of season ending injuries on the team. If the team is healthy all season i think they are a great team and can get back to the playoffs. Not to mention having no money to spend until 2025-26, they should look great at the start of that season

[@ElGuapo361]

Ah, hell. Now you've jinxed us. RIP Stars.

[@KevinButler55]

It was a good run

[@steadyrhythms9571]

to be fair i already viewed it as more of a transition year for us. i think the loss of pavs and tanev and the addition of some questionable RHDs will keep the team from reaching last year’s heights. until they prove me wrong i think they’ll be upset in the first or second round. i believed too hard last year, maybe i need to go back to doubting like i did with the rangers the entire WS season until the final pitch.

[@KevinButler55]

@@steadyrhythms9571 heh, right there with you on believing too hard last year. And, if I'm being honest, I'm still not sure I entirely believe the Rangers are defending champs 😂

[@UltimateBreloom]

​@@KevinButler55Easy to forget these days lol.

[@PiYodTong]

​@@steadyrhythms9571 This isn't a transition year, next year is. We won't to be able to afford everyone we have this year and it will look much different next year, not just the blueline.

[@Serenessl1994]

The moment Jonny passed away columbus became a rebuilding team

[@angrydalailama6089]

They already were. CBJ is BAD.

[@toddc2707]

Columbus has been in rebuild since they entered the league

[@boydriceisawesome2520]

not yet too much vets for them to be in a rebuild

[@Wafflenobs]

New Jersey getting way too much respect for a team that missed the playoffs last season.

[@RCAR77]

Agreed

[@canuck2444]

@@Wafflenobs they were missing their top guy for half a season..a couple others underperformed. I think he is basing his assessment off the season prior when everyone was healthy for the most part.

[@Dracobackpacksack22]

@@Wafflenobs isles fan here. A healthy Hamilton and competent goaltending is a big difference. I think they will run the metro.

[@jboz24]

As a Devils fan, they are heavily dependent on staying healthy. I don’t think they have the depth of other teams but did improve drastically at Defense and Goaltending from last year. But, I think Hughes and Dougie staying healthy will be key factors in the overall structure of this team in 24/25.

[@JohnnyReno71]

👍

[@lschneider7088]

Thank you for not picking Jersey this year!

[@canadianman4624]

For the past 5 years, the Eastern Conference was represented by a team from the Atlantic. I guess an argument could be made that the Rangers would have an easier road to the finals, but they haven't made it yet. The Atlantic is still stacked and whichever team battles through the first two rounds is, to my mind, going to the finals.

[@EskimowSC]

Well damn, alright boys, Stars are predicted to win, which means we definitely won't. It's been a good season, tried our best. See you all in the 2025-26 season for another round.

[@Mokloko2019]

@@EskimowSC Rangers fans: YESSSS WE BARELY GOT PREDICTED TO WIN, LETS GOOOO WERE GONNA WIN IT

[@dcnyr1996]

@@Mokloko2019 Can't be too sure b/c they are due to take a step back - 3 guys ( the entire line ) Panarin, Trocheck & Laf had career years. Not likely to happen again. Plus tough division & the NJD will bounce back somewhat from 115 to 82 to about 95 area. PHI will be improved the NYI, PIT & WSH are always tough for them & oddly CLB will probably be better than last yr even with the Gaudreau tragedy hanging over them.

[@jeremy_logan]

@EskimowSC as an Avs fam we'll see you guys in the offs again next year I'm sure. Hopefully Nichuskin stops being an idiot

[@CapsBrotha]

In the process of trying to catch up with THG, less 2 minutes in my sleeping cat turned on opposite sides and put her paw on my arm. Either my cat knows you’re a fellow cat owner or simply acknowledges how soothing the audio of your videos are

[@woodsie22]

Blues fans don’t know what to expect out of the team, either. I think the fan expectations are relatively low. As long as the players look like they’re making an effort and they at least stay in the playoff race to the end of the season, I think the fans would be happy. They’re also helped by the fact that the Cardinals really ticked off their fans, so the Blues are looking like the better run organization at the moment.

[@AV57]

I just want them to play meaningful games all season, and mix in some of the prospects (Dean, Bolduc, Dvorsky, Peterson) so they can get some good learning experience. That way, in 3 years or so the Blues can be near the top of the division with a deep roster.

[@Rorschachqp]

Maurice's record shows how fans don't fully understand how coaching and GM jobs work. So much of your effectiveness can be affected by the guy/s above you. If your owner wants one thing, the GM has to obey and execute or get fired and be stained from any other future jobs. Yet because it was the GM that was the executor, he gets blamed. Same with coaches...if the coach can't get the personnel he wants, he may be ineffective in one situation, then he does get what he needs/wants on another club and suddenly he's coach of the year.

[@ChrisBumeter]

San Jose would easily go undefeated if they only had to play the Blues 🤪

[@anthonyfaccaro7118]

Try to explain to all the haters that blues were a playoff team last year if we actually tried against the sharks. Some are picking us to finish last which is as bonkers as people thinking the blackhawks are a playoff team.

[@winkletown8828]

San jose would still lose, trash will remain trash.

[@TradingFeline]

@@winkletown8828do you not know what happened last season?

[@ll7868]

Vancouver Canucks in the West and the New York Rangers in the East are my 2025 Stanley Cup Finals predictions. Last year I picked the Oilers and Canes, came close. Year before that was the Flames and Habs, that one still hurts my ego. I can't pick the same teams back-to-back although I really like Edmonton's chances again this season, so it's Jets or Canucks and I think Vancouver has a slight edge, that "eye of the tiger". I had to pick a Canadian team, since Eastern Canadian teams playoff chances are sketchy except the Leafs (I honestly expect them to choke every year) it's the Rangers because it would be a classic rematch of 1994, hopefully with a different outcome.

[@super8bitvideos]

Relocation has been historically beneficial to teams almost immediately. Would not be surprised if Utah sneaks in. A full, actual, arena will help wonders for 41 games.

[@sharkhaos_probably]

Having three pacific division teams in rebuilding means the return of Death Valley

[@Fultoncards]

Shannon, MIN is vying for a playoff spot. They put up 103 points two years ago. Boldy and Rossi should trend up. The only difference between them and STL is STL somehow got better goaltending last year. But, MIN has a better PP, and they play up-tempo hockey. I agree, we don't know what to expect from MIN, especially with uncertainty on their backend. But, on paper they are probably better than WSH or the NYI who you have in the playoff tier.

[@AreYouKittenMeRtNow]

When THG announced that unknown category I was like … 👀😅 welp I know who’s going in there FIRST!! 🤦🏼‍♀️ Totally fair assessment. Though I’d actually be more stressed if THG was praising Buffalo lmao

[@playstationsGhost]

lol. That thumbnail got me. Also, poor Pavelski if Dallas does win.

[@frizzledog]

I'm sorry but Buffalo is going to make the playoffs this season, I got the faith. Structure is what they need, accountability and discipline. Ruff will drive them there.

[@JonathanSeagull13]

So, just curious, which team would you drop out? Everyone are claiming their teams make playoffs, but nobody says which team they will be surpassing.

[@JarradBruessel32]

Lmfao ruff has never developed young players. They have one goalie with 2 months of nhl level play thats it. They aren't making it. They are a feeder team for better teams. Accept what you are.

[@ianregan4008]

Good insight, Devil's for me are a question mark because of goaltending mostly. I wonder if Buffalo or Ottawa can finally take off with their youth. Gonna be an interesting year for sure, with alot of teams in the mix.

[@retskni]

Nice one! Glad to see you have the cajones to make your call now, before the season starts. Bookmarked this vid to watch it again in June 2025. Go Canucks Go!

[@reasonablerage4370]

We talk about how teams get worse after winning/ or losing the cup, I think these two teams either stayed the same or got better. West - Edmonton The additions of Ardvisson and Skinner make their top 6 the best in the league by a wide margin. Their bottom 6 showed up in the finals and got them to where they were. My biggest concern is their LHD position but I think they'll have their defense core sorted out by the deadline. For goaltending, your goalie is as good as your defense, Oilers proved doubters wrong! East - Florida You can argue how Florida got worse, I don't see it that way. No states tax and defending their title put them as a "likely" favorite to repeat. No concerns with their team, I like what I see with their forward core and defense, despite losing a few key players. My pick? Come to me after the deadline. I do not see Dallas winning, let alone the Rangers. Both have issues with certain players not performing in playoffs.

[@chrismdb5686]

Edmonton has 1 1/3 scoring lines right now with EK out of the lineup long term. Skinner is dodgy in net, and the other doesn't play a lick of defense (nor has he ever in his long career). How people see their moves as a positive this off-season is beyond me.

[@anthonyfaccaro7118]

Oilers are the oldest team in the league that lost a ton of team speed. Combine that with a group of dmen that frankly are not that great, gonna lose a lot of 7-6 games, assuming their PP is 30% again. Mcdavid cant play all 60 min. Will be a dumpster fire by xmas. Bowman is an asshat.

[@reasonablerage4370]

@@anthonyfaccaro7118 Kind of sounds like the 2015 Hawks, slighty older, did not stop them.

[@kasrasadrehashemi174]

​@@chrismdb5686😂 they were considered top in defance last year.😅

[@bicin4k]

Edmonton fan here, time in and time out our management is counting on a few question marks to fill roster spots. We still need at least two decent D, not to mention if injuries happen. We're pretty much counting on several players to overachieve. Which if they do damn this team will be nasty but that's not how the NHL works.

[@Merlin_From_Shrek_3]

THG just asking for it lmao

[@HarrisonHollers]

That KAndre Miller game tying goal at MSG against the Stars would be an excellent preview to a Cup Final between New York and Dallas! Let it go 7!

[@phyrexian5704]

Maybe extend the tail on the P in "My Pick" Lol

[@ravespartalive6496]

I had to look twice, I thought, wow he really hates dallas😂

[@DeadKaat]

Love your stuff THG! Been watching you since last year after about a decades long break in interest from Hockey. To me the Devil's being higher than Winnipeg is a little questionable. I'm from Jersey and ironically I'm a Flyers and Canes fan. But Jersey is just not consistent when it comes to getting into the post season and not being eliminated in the first round. I think it's gonna be a tight race again in metro for that wild card spot but we'll see how the year goes. Thank you for making great videos and I hope to see your Canucks in the post season

[@LSA30]

Seeing that in your 2020 totally-serious video you had Vegas in 2023, Florida in 2022, and Toronto in 2021, are the Leafs next? Nah😂

[@jeremybrazier786]

If Oettinger gets hot during the playoffs they win the cup. Im an oilers fan and he is underrated. Should get a couple vezina before he hangs up the pads for good

[@KingPK]

Seems like Utah should be in the Unknown category. Will a new location be that much of a boost?

[@anthonyfaccaro7118]

They have to learn that games 50 through 70 count just as much. Think arizona BS had a lot to do with it, from a players perspective, not knowing things...but 2 seasons in a row they were in it, until they absolutely werent.

[@omfg322]

If demko is healthy throughout the playoffs, i can see van making a good run to the cup just with that crazy forward depth and norris winning dman.

[@fantasyguru26]

Vancouver needs another solid D man if they want to contend.

[@bronzeandsteel3344]

​@@fantasyguru26 Agreed, but we'll see what happens if Elias Othersson comes in from Abby

[@yoshpeters3079]

@@fantasyguru26 they could have won the cup last year if demko and boeser didn’t get hurt.

[@steve8803]

@@yoshpeters3079 injuries are a part of the game. That's why you need depth. There are so many guys that continue to play through injuries too. Like Draisaitl.

[@yoshpeters3079]

@@steve8803 Hughes played through injuries but he wasn’t very good same as draisatl. But it’s different if your vezina goalie gets hurt than you’re basically fucked.

[@alexgembala2384]

“The ability to disappoint fans when expectations go up” 😭😭😭 to accurate

[@jayvardy]

It'd be nice to see OV get one more along with the goal record. The young players in WSH are better than they get credit for and really stepped up last year. The additions of Dubois, Roy, Mangiapane, Chychrun, and the continued expanded role of young players and getting some of the old dogs out of the way might be enough to boost the team into being a more serious contender. But a Cup is still a pretty big longshot. One can hope.

[@winkletown8828]

Ovechkin needs to just hang up the skates. He's holding the entire team back. Retire already.

[@jameshenry5274]

I am biased. I think Vancouver (my team) belongs ahead of NJ. EP40 was injured. Sounds like he isn't now and he should be motivated. In goal there is a strong back up in Silovs, and most likely Demko is back fairly early and they have a great tandem. Thanks for your great work Shannon.

[@ah64longbow]

The Toronto logic is definitely the most valid part of this video lmao

[@AndyLong]

Yup clearly if Bruins are out so are the saplings 😂

[@paulthompson8793]

Leafs improved their D core this year as well as a goalie upgrade, should certainly help them.

[@AmosDohms]

Toronto is probably a better team then Nashville, I'd put them on par or slightly better then NJ. With that said, we're talking about the Leafs here, so I'm content with them being outside the top-10.

[@thomasshortis5562]

The bruins have consistently made the playoffs because of good goaltending and defense which will still hold true this year so long as swayman plays. Offensively i would say the bruins have improved since last year because we got lindholm and are expected some of the younger guys to take a step forward such as poitras, geekie and frederic

[@kennysdead500]

I feel like the Bruins should commit to a rebuild or at least a retool at forward

[@thomasshortis5562]

@@kennysdead500 i disagree i think the bruins have already retooled effectively. We dont have alot of aging players besides marchand and i like some of the younger guys we have in the lineup. Winning a cup is hard but sustained success will always give us a chance for one

[@flyingfluffyhockey]

As a Panther fan, I am just enjoying the now yearly assumption that , yeah, they might win the cup this year. Just beautiful.

[@Stzu-s2bt55]

Rest in peace fluffy

[@Leafs_Suck]

They won't repeat....lucky to win last year...won't even make the final this year

[@Stzu-s2bt55]

@@Leafs_Suck lucky to win last year? Are you serious? Every team that goes through a 82 game regular season makes the playoffs and has to go through 4 rounds to win the cup and you say they got lucky? I really want love to know why the hell would you even think that they were lucky to win the cup. I don’t care if they almost collapse in the finals because that’s why this is hardest trophy in ALL SPORTS! When your team wins a cup, come back to me with a better answer.

[@Leafs_Suck]

@@Stzu-s2bt55 we shall see how it goes

[@GenLeeConcepts]

Hey Shannon, the season is almost upon us; meaning you are really gonna earn your keep. So let us enjoy/see the bunnys and kitties before things get serious again. Meanwhile-having picked every loser for more years than I can remember, my heart says Edmonton this year...not for the city or for Canada in general. Nope, I'm just hoping for Conner McDavid. He's worked so very hard and is so very good. Truly this #1 draft pick deserves the Cup. I have to think back to Bobby Orr to find another I felt the same way towards. Bobby was a bit nicer, and more humble. With Connor-quite literally-he put his team on his back this past season, and it almost hurt to see the tax-free florida panthers take it away from him in a final period of play! Is that sentimental gibberish? Remember...kitties and bunnies!

[@colesoucie3573]

Unwarranted to give new jersey that much credit

[@awsomedude12345678]

I knew it Right when Shannon started i though about it and thought he's gonna pick Dallas over rangers. Proof i watched the hockey guy all summer long

[@infinity-vm4ul]

10/10 thumbnail.

[@mattlau]

Nice analysis, but the Canucks with a healthy Demko makes a case for the Cup. They are a solid darkhorse for winning it all this year. They were able to take the Oilers to 7 with their 3rd string goalie and both Oilers and Panthers didn't have consistent stellar goaltending throughout the Finals. Demko would have easily stole a couple games at the very least. Losing Boeser in the last game was a huge loss, so I am happy he is feeling better. And this was all done with the Canucks most expensive player not playing up to standard. Imagine if they had Pettersson playing like he did in the Bubble. The team they have today is a lot stronger up front, and they've replaced Zadorov's size with more size on the backend. I wouldn't sleep on them.

[@kfeigel]

I would love to see an Oilers vs Rangers final

[@jordancarlin9687]

Mark Messier drops the ceremonial puck

[@jimklose648]

@@kfeigel agreed

[@scotthall1658]

Nothing would anger my household more.

[@weez82]

My top 4 in each conference is West: Colorado, Edmonton, Vancouver, Dallas. East: Florida, NYR, Carolina, Toronto. My cup pick is Edmonton. I like what they did in the off season. Hockey is so good and its amazing to have so many good teams. Let's Go Avs!!!!

[@paulthompson8793]

Really? I thought they had a pretty bad off season, losing 2 nhl players for nothing without really getting anything decent to replace em. Skinner had a season and honestly I doubt think he'll do it again, but I guess we'll see.

[@kasrasadrehashemi174]

@@paulthompson8793 oh wow two very young players that were still unknowns is not big of a deal . Skinner is going to be good .

[@jcoats5529]

Toronto 😅 nope NjD

[@wick3dx17x]

I do really like the NJ team a lot I just don't know if I can put them over those other contenders because of experience. Great list, no issues at all.

[@Just_Gaming4Fun89]

Yes I agree and hope the Stars are the Stanley Cup winners for this upcoming season. Go Stars Go!

[@PiYodTong]

​@@Mark-xt5lo kthanxbai

[@robclem8407]

@@Just_Gaming4Fun89 I have high aspirations and equally questions for my Stars. In recent WC finals and SC finals, it seems like Dallas simply ran out of gas at the end. They were undersized taking a beating from Vegas, Colorado & Edmonton. I think the head office sees that and are trying to build a younger team this season. Pavs, as great as he was, kinda disappeared as the playoffs went along. Old & and undersized, he wasn’t the Pavs of the regular season. Seguin & Benn looked pretty good, but Pavs wasn’t a factor which made the top line ineffective. It was the young guys like Stankoven, Harley & Johnston that kept us in it. I think we’ll be in the thick of it at the end, but who knows how it’s gonna shake out? As for Robertson, he needs to work on his legs, his skating speed and put on some muscle. He needs to be more physical and be able to take those hard checks. He just seems a little soft to me.

[@pucksfromthepinetree]

Fun video. I did my prediction video last night.....I've got Dallas v NJ in the CUP with Dallas winning.

[@johnhendrickson1806]

Coming from a Rangers fan from New Jersey I really wish the best for The Devils this year. I know so many devils fan and seeing the fall from grace was really hard. The defensive and goaltending issues were glaring even when they beat us in 2023. They seem to have addressed their issues well and I can imagine that there certainly won’t be another regular season sweep between us again this year. And would love this rivalry to see more playoff time.

[@JasonSmith-pe5py]

I agree with a lot of that-but id only have 9 contenders,& drop Nashville,& NJ to playoff tier-but ahead of the rest,&.move Vegas back into contender status. WPG should make the playoffs but not be listed a contender-like ya did. My preseason prediction probably would be NYR beating Edmonton...Dallas loses another WCF,& TB gets back to ECF. But only cuz my AVS are a such big question-probably not for making the playoffs-that should be a virtual lock. Although nobody is really a lock in the preseason in the NHL. But their floor should be pretty damn high. It's their ceiling that could be subject to a lot of variance. Besides young NHLers like Kovalenko,& Richie-any teams ceiling can raise greatly based on how impactful their "rookies" are. But with Nichuskin,& Landyeskog we have as much potential ceiling variance as any contender.If the playoffs start,& neither is in our lineup for whatever reason(& out for the entire playoffs I mean)-I doubt we can win the West. But if 80-90% Landy(if hes 80-90% of his former caliber),& Nichuskin whole from addiction-show up to start the playoffs & everything else went as Id predict-Id have us winning the Cup over the Rangers. But with the question marks I think having us #5 going in,& Dallas winning is totally fair.But Nichuskin,& Landyskog-when Lehkonen comes back-would give us potentially the most talented roster in the NHL...or at least the West-my opinion. I sure hope it comes together--'22 was an amazing AVS run,& '23 the Nuggets. But I'm still hoping for my 1st spring working at Ball arena where BOTH the AVS,& Nuggets can make at least WCF runs...maybe 2025 it'll happen.

[@bsfm6990]

New Jersey suffered the curse last year let’s see who gets it this year

[@anthonyfaccaro7118]

Edmonton

[@marquisduhsade]

@@anthonyfaccaro7118 0% chance

[@Slipings]

@@marquisduhsade literally tho LOL

[@JarradBruessel32]

​@@marquisduhsadethis just in, mcdavid and draisaitl have collided in practice shattering their legs and will be out the rest of the season.

[@oisinholz]

As mainly a Flyers fan, but also a big Sharks fan, I am very excited for hockey season in 3+ years

[@shylawild]

Since 2021 Columbus has drafted: 5th 6th 3rd 4th Sounds like a team rebuilding to most.

[@jimmyzarkis6276]

no they are just a development team for the rest of the league like buffalo. Any time those signs of getting better, they ship them out.

[@leftcoaster67]

What saddens me is they don't improve despite the draft positions.

[@bustertn2014]

As a Vegas fan that's fair. We lost about 100 goals from last year just in scoring, let alone losing Martinez, Thompson etc.

[@capthappy8884]

Yuuuup! Got THIS sabre fan w the thumbnail!!! I said, "noooooo way!"!😂😂😂

[@JuanMendoza-td1dc]

Oilers vs Panthers rematch confirmed! Thank you THG

[@rickhammond2473]

Vegas Golden Knights will be back

[@dancharles4890]

Love that the kitty popped its head in right at the end, looked at the board, then you, then the board like "The Hockey Guy" is cray-cray

[@BrotherAlpha]

14:30 ... I would have pushed Jersey down, because they have injury issues already.

[@blairkerr7911]

Great job going through so many teams so early on.Curious about what moves Dallas made in the off season?

[@johnsparkman2007]

The Montreal Canadiens!...I knew Shannon was going to say it 😂. GO HABS GO.

[@JarradBruessel32]

Lmfao what?

[@diggergeensen860]

I think Ottawa did a good job in their actual rebuild, a bit of late rebuild mismanagement, an asset wasted in the hockey Canada situation, and failure to get any kind of NHL goaltending at all has held them back. Looking forward to them having a much better season. I’m not sure how Demko could have played any better than Silovs did in the playoffs. Maybe his experience in that game 7, but Silovs was on a heater.

[@fg8512]

Shannon the thumbnail was perfect 😂

[@troyhanks7279]

Not sure I agree with Tampa being a contender over teams like Boston and Toronto but who knows. Excellent video, Shannon

[@bbeaup]

13:06 one of the unintentionally funniest moments i’ve seen from this channel

[@JasminCarrier]

GO PREDS!

[@billygordon7295]

Love the Toronto take. I think with the talent on that team at some point they’ll make a real run in the playoffs….. but they have to prove it.

[@lurven141]

When you said Detroit instead of Dallas, it's a sign! Detroit will make it to the playoff and climb far 24/25! :)

[@JeikobuNippon]

I hope your prediction for the Stars ages as well as your prediction for the Devils last year.

[@jeffblazeos4083]

I just have florida again - they didn't lose any core pieces, they have shown willingness to get creative in front office and add pieces, they play a playoff style of hockey, bobs getting older and he might fall off but he hasn't yet and I just watched Aaron Rodgers play MVP football at 40 so maybe Sergei has another run in him

[@Realistic316]

they are definitely going to be hard to beat

[@LSA30]

One can only hope. Go Cats!

[@anthonyfaccaro7118]

Making the finals 3 years in a row is a TON of hockey. The reason edmonton made the finals interesting, IMO, was they fact the panthers were exhausted. I can even see them stumble out of the gate this season, cup hangover sure but mostly because they are at like 204 games played since oct '22. Another finals appearance would make that about 305 games in two and a half years. With the length of the postseason now theres a reason its rare to go 3 times in a row. Would be funny if they did, the 2 florida teams doing it. Must be the weather lol.

[@tequila6306]

Montour isn’t a big piece to you?

[@nerinamak3298]

@@tequila6306No, you take his 22-23 stats out of the equation he is a $4.5m guy. Florida never considered resigning him

[@Joe_Ma99]

I’m with you Shannon, Dallas has been knocking on the door for awhile now. They have to break through one of these years. Why not 2025?

[@JarradBruessel32]

Because deboer is the coach? You don't seem to realize this...

[@Motownsports89]

The only ones saying Detroit is a failure are trolls and people who don't understand the game.

[@fistmcstrongpunch2776]

What else would You call missing the playoffs since 2016 other than a failure? They have built a decent team but zero results. Detroit has had enough time to do a rebuild and a half, maybe two rebuilds. Sorry bro that's an L if it ain't a failure.

[@Motownsports89]

@fistmcstrongpunch2776 Rebuilding in the right direction.

[@vipeholmskolan6052]

​@@fistmcstrongpunch2776 I call it a full teardown rebuild that is almost but not quite there.

[@Stzu-s2bt55]

I don’t think that they are a failure but remember they are a team with high expectations this year so if they miss the playoffs. That’s a failed season. It’s not trolls that are taking it’s the truth. They need to play at a consistent level for a 82 game season and not fall apart in the late part of the season.

[@deltagolavista1]

@@fistmcstrongpunch2776 The only teams that 'rebuild' in less than 5 years are teams that win the draft lottery. Detroit has been trending in the right direction. I personally think they are going to take a step back this year, but that doesn't mean the rebuild has been a failure. If a team starts having to sell of players that they got during the rebuild (such as Eichel in Buffalo) then it can be labelled a failure.

[@zarajday]

I haven't watched this yet (I'm about to) but knowing how I felt before Friday's game, I would have put Tampa in the Unknown because they aren't completely hopeless and not a rebuild, but also not a true contender at this point for the cup and even making the playoffs isn't a guarantee. I'm feeling more optimistic now with two 4-1 victories, one against the excellent Hurricanes. Not great, but optimistic. Edit: I misunderstood what unknown meant lol Thought it meant unknown if they would be in the playoffs not unknown if they were a rebuild. But also I find that Shannon often estimates Tampa higher than I do as a fan which makes me feel better because I'm constantly second guessing whether Tampa is good anymore.

[@youngandfree93]

Detroit failed because they were 8 points into a playoff spot then choked. Good depth teams don't do that.

[@JarradBruessel32]

They improved depth and got better goaltending. A healthy husso finally since midway his first year helps a ton. Lyon will finally have some rest and talbot is as consistent as they come.

[@SeanFarrellYZ]

I really, really don't want to have to say this, but Toronto's D is probably the best it's been in the last 4-5 years, at least on paper. I'm pretty confident they're in the playoffs and contending. Any G can play well enough behind good D, plus fresh voice behind the bench too.

[@tylertoestoes]

YES!!! HE DIDN’T JYNX US THAT WAS SO CLOSE!

[@plonrainy]

NY RAGS definitely winning cup in '25 you can schedule the june broadway parade

[@armandoperez7967]

I am a Panthers fan and I would love to see them win another championship but I am a realist and agree with your points.

[@markm9282]

As a Stars fan I approve this message lol. It will take some of the new D men working out and Otter going to another level than last year but I like it....LFG!

[@winkletown8828]

The big Ott was there last season, a little bit of improvement and he's there, Stankoven is going to be a problem for the opposition this year, yeah, I'm super excited to see him put the league on notice. Harley needs to maintain his effort through the entire season and not take plays off. Robertson is going to be great.

[@Stzu-s2bt55]

You do realize that because Shannon had tha stars winning the cup will not happen because he has jinx the team.

[@parkerlynn1298]

Won’t be able to beat the oil

[@Stzu-s2bt55]

@@parkerlynn1298 that was last year. It’s a new season so it doesn’t matter that Edmonton eliminated Dallas.

[@SLDrisk]

I'm hesitant to say Tampa is a contender. Last season they were fourth in the division behind middle of the road Toronto and Boston. I will confess I'm not aware of any significant acquisitions over the offseason so I imagine they really need another 144 point season from Kucherov (what a beast) to even be in the playoffs again. That said, I am totally willing to admit to being incorrect and would love to hear differing opions.

[@ShenmueAtheist]

Vancouver vs Panthers in the finals. Panthers win second cup.

[@Stzu-s2bt55]

Well let’s just hope riots don’t happen if that’s the prediction

[@ShenmueAtheist]

@@Stzu-s2bt55 nah, Shannon will just be throwing things around in his studio if Vancouver loses in the finals 😆

[@Stzu-s2bt55]

@@ShenmueAtheist it would be amazing if we saw his reaction if they did lose in the finals again. He would be so mad he probably would take a year off from KZbin.

[@McSomething15]

I didn't expect Shannon to predict Montreal vs Anaheim in the finals.

[@RahulSharma-mo3bc]

Oilers vs Devils in the final with the Oilers bringing the cup back to Canada!

[@jaydemerch7957]

I agree I think winnipeg will make playoffs but they are not looking promising this year,I like the thought of dallas winning it.

[@mNag]

11:30 "Y'know what, Vancouver belongs above this line" THG just jinxed the nucks out of a playoff spot.

[@TheHockeyGuy]

If I had any powers at all, things would be very different. I picked the Canucks to miss the playoffs almost every season before this one. I have been told for eight years I am secretly a Canucks hater.

[@mNag]

@@TheHockeyGuy Haha =) We'll see how things shake out, I was just joshing ya

[@marquisduhsade]

NYI, Vegas, Boston, and Toronto all have a better chance than Nashville

[@Stzu-s2bt55]

You have 1 team in the western conference. NY, Boston, Toronto does not count. Dallas, Colorado.Nashville. I don’t have that much belief in the jets and Minnesota because they didn’t upgrade their team this offseason. The predators did.

[@AV57]

Nashville is better than 3 of those teams you listed.

[@Stzu-s2bt55]

@@AV57 maybe Vegas. If they’re healthy. Also the teams he has are eastern conference teams so it doesn’t matter if they were better. Nashville can compete in the west.

[@AV57]

@@Stzu-s2bt55 Well, when it comes to discussing the Cup, it's fair to hypothetically pit western teams versus eastern teams. That is the final boss stage after all. I'm not even a Preds fan, but their 2nd half run last season was nuts. They weren't just beating teams; they were crushing them regularly. If they can get back to that and they have Stamkos and Marchessault, watch out. I'm not sure anyone can beat them if they do that.

[@Stzu-s2bt55]

@@AV57 I’m a hawks so this is going to suck having to play against Nashville. From what I’ve seen in the last part of the season they were rolling. Top to the bottom of the roster was pitching in their scoring. We have to see what happens. It’s a tough 82 season but they can come out and get a shot at the cup.

[@busorenkin55]

19:45 Paul Maurice’s best friend Peter Deboer finally getting a cup win after him would be poetic tbh

[@steadyrhythms9571]

so would have pavelski retiring with a cup win, but that didn’t happen so now i don’t believe in anything but cruel fate in this league. oilers over rangers in 6 for the SCF.

[@JarradBruessel32]

Lmfao deboer winning a cup? You don't seem to understand deboer... prepare for first round exit this year. Last year was an anomaly for deboer. Never has he made the conference finals in back to back seasons. So expect a fall back to middling results.

[@ra81du]

i pray that you are right this time: Dallas champs will be a dream come true!

[@chrisbelos2834]

The Canadiens are in full rebuild but the better days are here. this season is the start of something special. they won the cup in 86 with 6 rookies (and a couple of HOF dynasty era players) so i'm sending the Habs to win the Cup against the Oilers.

[@AmosDohms]

That'd be a fantastic cup final, I'd love it. Just with the Oilers winning, of course. Let's have a repeat of '81 please, without an upset.

[@winkletown8828]

I'd believe Montreal wins the cup before the oil stain led by Mr no show McOverrated

[@AmosDohms]

@@winkletown8828 Thanks man, made my day, now get off the internet please.

[@jamesdean3548]

I always take pleasure in seeing Montreal discarded from the playoff conversation like used toilet paper.