Bold Forecasts for the 2026‑27 NHL Season: From Barzal to Stars, Hellebuyck to Blackhawks

The 2026‑27 NHL season is just around the corner, and it’s time for pre‑season predictions at The Hockey News.

We began with division‑by‑division forecasts, then moved on to individual‑award picks, and now we close the series with four bold outlooks for the year.

When we label these predictions ‘bold,’ we aren’t claiming they are certain to happen. Instead, they are scenarios that could plausibly unfold given the right circumstances. They may seem far‑fetched, but they’re certainly fun to debate.

Here are our four bold predictions for the upcoming NHL season.

1. Nashville Predators Part Ways with Coach Andrew Brunette Early December, Welcoming John Tortorella

It may seem surprising, but the Predators could bring Tortorella back into the fold. Consider that the Vegas Golden Knights never hired him, even at season’s end, showing how unpredictable such moves can be.

After a busy summer of roster additions, General Manager Chris MacFarland has positioned the Predators for a rebound. Yet the Central Division remains fiercely competitive, and Brunette was not among MacFarland’s hires.

Coaching changes often precede player trades, and given Brunette’s lack of recent success, he stands out as a prime candidate for dismissal.

Should Nashville hire him, it would mark Tortorella’s seventh NHL stop. Time and again, teams have revived his career when others counted him out, making Nashville a plausible next—and perhaps final—destination.

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2. Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck Faces Suspension Through Year‑End, Then Heads to Chicago Blackhawks for Spencer Knight and Frank Nazar

Did you catch Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff’s recent press conference, where he announced Hellebuyck’s suspension for skipping training camp? It hardly reads as an overture of goodwill.

Alternatively, it suggests Hellebuyck may face a prolonged wait before Winnipeg agrees to a trade that maximizes return—a view we share.

Such a package might seem excessive for a single goaltender, but Hellebuyck is just two seasons removed from Hart Trophy MVP honors. Settling for less would likely disappoint Jets supporters.

Adding 25‑year‑old Spencer Knight would give Winnipeg a reliable goaltending duo alongside rookie Stuart Skinner, while Frank Nazar could contribute immediately and down the road.

Chicago could take a significant leap forward with Hellebuyck in net. Even if parting with Nazar hurts, the investment would likely pay off.

3. Vancouver Canucks Move Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk to Pittsburgh Penguins at Trade Deadline for the Ruck Brothers and a Third‑Round Pick

For months—perhaps years—Pettersson’s name has surfaced in trade talks, yet his hefty salary and six‑year contract have rendered him nearly impossible to move.

However, if Canucks general manager Ryan Johnson remains patient, the Penguins could emerge as a viable partner. Acquiring Pettersson would still demand a solid return, provided Vancouver absorbs a few million dollars in the deal.

That said, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas recognizes Vancouver won’t part with Pettersson for nothing, even though shedding his $11.6 million cap hit is the main allure.

Marcus and Liam Ruck, both drafted by Pittsburgh this year, are British Columbia natives. Even if they aren’t assured of immediate impact, Johnson could easily pitch the move to Canucks supporters.

With the legendary Sedin twins overseeing the franchise, bringing in the Rucks would generate strong PR for Vancouver. Dubas could justify moving them if he also secured DeBrusk, who is under contract for five more seasons.

Such a trade would benefit both clubs, though Canucks fans might need a few months to warm up to the idea.

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4. Dallas Stars Start Slow, Ship Jason Robertson to New York Islanders for Mathew Barzal, Who Then Inks a Seven‑Year, $15 Million‑Per‑Year Deal

Both Dallas and New York face intense pressure this year, albeit for different motives. The Stars aim to advance deeper into the playoffs than they have recently, while the Islanders simply want to return to the postseason after two straight years of missing out.

Should Dallas stumble out of the gate and the Islanders endure a similar slow start, both general managers—Jim Nill of the Stars and Mathieu Darche of the Islanders—will likely seek a shakeup. A trade along these lines could be the solution.

Robertson is locked in for only this season, after which he becomes an unrestricted free agent, whereas Barzal remains under contract for the next five years at a reasonable $9.1 million annual salary.

With Tyler Seguin’s $9.8 million‑per‑year deal expiring at season’s end, Nill would acquire a premier center while freeing up cap space for use this year or in the future.

Neither Barzal nor Robertson is flawless, but both may see their windows close sooner rather than later in their current situations. Moreover, the Islanders possess ample cap space to grant Robertson a substantial raise starting in 2027‑28.

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