NHL Writers Poll: The most overpaid and underpaid players, buyer's remorse and more

It's time for some bolder NHL predictions and hot predictions for the upcoming season as opening week is already underway.

In Hockey News, 56 respondents gave their predictions on several topics, including the Stanley Cup champion in Part 1 and breakout players in Part 2. Now it's time for Part 3 with analysis by Adam Proteau. Enjoy:

Which player will benefit most from a change of scenery?

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Analysis: There were many answers to that question, but top of mind was new Montreal right winger Laine, who joined the Canadiens in a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets but is starting the season on long-term injured reserve. Voters are anticipating when Laine will return, and a fresh start will help him improve his production.

The second place went to a player – Zegras from Anaheim – who has not yet been sold, but may change his employer by the end of the season. He emerged in trade speculation last season after the Ducks traded Jamie Drysdale and has been declining in the lineup. Also taking second place was Askarov, who is starting the year with the San Jose AHL team but has a chance to become a starting player for the Sharks after requesting a trade from Nashville.

Related: NHL Writers Poll: Predicting Stanley Cup Champions and Major Award Winners in 2024-2025

Which team will suffer the most from buyer's remorse?

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Analysis: While some pollsters believe the Capitals are an improved group compared to the 2023-2024 squad that barely made the Stanley Cup playoffs, most survey respondents described Washington as a team that will regret making many moves. This includes trading Pierre-Luc Dubois, Andrew Mangiapane and Jakob Chychrun for the next seven years.

The Bruins were joined by Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov, but finished second in that category, followed by the new-look Predators with Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei and the Kraken with Chandler Stephenson and Brandon Montour.

Related: NHL Writers Poll: Predicting who will break out, who will retire, who will get fired and more

Which star player will be replaced?

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Analysis: The top two players in this category are two slick right wingers – Winnipeg's Ehlers and Toronto's Marner – who are playing in the final season of their current contract. The Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Hockey Club were Marner's projected destinations, while the New York Islanders, Vancouver Canucks and Knights received multiple votes for Ehlers.

Ehlers and Marner face increased pressure because they operate in major hockey media markets, as does Nazem Kadri in Calgary. But almost every player who received at least one vote appeared in trade speculation.

Which rookie are you most looking forward to?

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Analysis: New Flyers phenom Michkov spent a year in the Russian KHL league last season after being selected by Philadelphia in the 2023 NHL Draft. He fell from the top spot in the draft because it was unclear whether he would join the NHL soon (or at all). , but now he plays for the Flyers and can showcase his dynamic and exciting game.

Relatively close behind him is San Jose's Celebrini, this year's No. 1 pick, and then Montreal defenseman Hutson. Only seven newcomers received at least one vote, so it's expected that the eventual Calder winner will be from outside this group.

Who will face Connor McDavid for the Art Ross Trophy?

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Analysis: McDavid dominated the Art Ross Trophy voting as the NHL's top point producer, but his biggest challenger for the title this year is Colorado's MacKinnon, who finished second last season with 140 points. Last year's winner, Art Ross – Kucherov from Tampa Bay, took second place in this question. He scored 144 points, a career high that he likely won't reach again.

What off-season move is the most effective?

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Analysis: The New Jersey Devils have been a popular pick that has done a lot of damage this season, and one of the biggest reasons was the acquisition of goaltender Markstrom from the Flames. The 34-year-old Swede will have one of the best defenders in the league in front of him this year, and Markstrom showed last season that he can bounce back after a transition period.

Stamkos, whom the Preds picked up on the free agent market, was second in that category, followed by new Ottawa goaltender Ullmark – who received a huge contract extension on Wednesday – followed by new Leafs coach Berube, new Bruins center Lindholm and new Sabers coach Ruff.

Who is the most overpaid player in the NHL?

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Analysis: Edmonton defenseman Nurse's reputation took a beating after last year's postseason, when he was a candidate for a healthy position. But at a salary of $9.5 million per season – for the next six years – Nurse won almost half of the votes in that category. Next in that category was Beleaguered Flames left winger Huberdeau, followed by new Capitals center Dubois, longtime Sharks defenseman Vlasic and Chicago blueliner Jones.

The 29-year-old Nurse is entering the third year of an eight-year contract, so for better or for worse – and like everyone who received at least one vote here – he is committed to his current team for the foreseeable future and needs the most.

Who is the most underpaid player in the NHL?

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Analysis: With an average annual salary of $8.7 million, Crosby has provided excellent value to the Penguins for years. And his new contract extension, which begins next season at the same salary, gives the Pens a huge hometown discount – which is reflected in the voting for this category.

In second place in the voting was captain Vancouver Hughes, who will earn $7.85 million over the next three years. In third place was Edmonton D-man Bouchard, who had a breakout year last season and has collected $3.9 million this season before becoming an RFA member next summer.

What player or team's bad season was an indicator of reality?

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Analysis: Huberdeau had another poor offensive production record last season, and at age 31, he's entering the back nine of his NHL career, so voters in this category gave him the most votes.

In second place were the rebuilt Penguins, then the rebuilding Flames and the still-developing Kraken. However, Dubois doubts whether he will improve his performance in Washington. Somewhat surprisingly, Buffalo star Thompson finished third, tied with the Senators and Sabers overall.

What player or team's good season was an aberration?

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Analysis: Florida's Reinhart had a career-best season with 57 goals, but voters are skeptical he can match or better that mark this year.

There are also people on the Flyers' rookie team who don't think they're as good as they looked in the first half of the 2023-24 season, while six Jets voters see them as less than the sum of their parts this upcoming season. And the Oilers – who were one vote shy of a Cup championship – got three votes here.

Which older player will show the most signs of aging?

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Analysis: Burns, from Carolina, is one of the most effective D-men of his generation, but he will turn 40 next March and voters clearly expect his performance to be worse this year. Boston's Marchand, who will turn 37 in May, and Washington's Ovechkin, who just turned 39, also received significant votes.

Which backup goalkeeper could become number 1?

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Analysis: Ducks' No. 1 goaltender, John Gibson, is recovering from appendicitis, which has opened up another opportunity for the backup to step in and take over the Anheim starter's job on his own. He played in 44 games last season and had a .902 save percentage on a rebuilding Ducks squad. In Karolina, Kochetkov is seen as the goalkeeper of the future once Frederik Andersen leaves. Stolarz from Toronto also received many votes, who won the League Cup with Florida last season and who may be the Leafs' No. 1 player this year, especially if Joseph Woll cannot stay healthy.

They say which city will get the next NHL team?

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Analysis: Rumors of NHL expansion have been circulating for months, with most THN voters believing Houston could host the league's 33rd team. Atlanta, which had two NHL goals but is working on a third, was second, followed by Quebec City in a distant third.