Get ready to mark it down, because Leo Carlsson is about to drop at least 90 points this upcoming 2026-27 NHL season. Yeah, you heard that right. This isn’t just some pipe dream, it’s the next step for a player who has improved every single year he’s been in the league, and honestly, he’s already an outstanding talent just getting better.
Carlsson’s Ascent and the Ducks’ Wild Ride
Listen, everyone knows the $18 million per year salary cap number is a monster. It’s an overpay, no doubt, but the Ducks had to match that offer. They could not afford to lose him for some middle or back-end first-round picks, even if it was four of them. The good news? That overpay isn’t going to make him a bad player. Not even close. Carlsson took a HUGE leap in his development from year one to year two back in 2025-26. His point pace per 82 games? It jumped from 52 in his rookie year, dipped slightly to 49 in year two, then roared up to 78 in year three. That progression isn’t stopping. He’s got another year of NHL experience, incredible talent, and he’s on a team absolutely loaded with offense. They are probably going to have to outscore their defensive problems, which means Carlsson is going to have endless opportunities. This is his breakout year, plain and simple.
Boston’s Defensive Disaster and the Looming Playoff Miss
On the flip side, things are looking grim in Boston, and I’m calling it right now: the Bruins are going to miss the playoffs. Sure, 2025-26 was a “bounce-back” year, they improved by 24 points and played their way in. But let’s be real, there was a serious “smoke-and-mirrors” vibe to that whole thing, and those red flags are flying high for this season. This Eastern Conference is a meat grinder, and the Atlantic Division is fiercely competitive. The Bruins are still missing a true No. 1 center, which is a problem, but their defense? Yikes. They ranked near the bottom of the league in pretty much every defensive metric during 5-on-5 play, including expected goals against and high-danger scoring chances against. And their brilliant offseason solution? Adding Connor Clifton and Will Borgen. Seriously? Jeremy Swayman was their superhero last season, bailing them out constantly, and he’s going to need to be Superman again just for them to have a prayer. With teams like the Rangers, Capitals, Maple Leafs, and Panthers all getting better around them, staying in contention is going to be a brutal scratch-and-claw fight. They just won’t cut it.
Dahlin’s Time to Shine in Buffalo
Speaking of breakout years, get ready for Rasmus Dahlin to finally snag his first Norris Trophy. The Sabres are officially back on the map, and even though the roster is “slightly weakened” short-term this offseason, they still have enough talent to push for playoff contention a second year in a row. Dahlin is the top talent on that roster, period. He’s been building towards this, and he’s about to make some serious noise.
So, what’s next? Opening night for the 2026-27 season is going to be must-watch. We’re about to see if Carlsson hits that 90-point mark, if Boston’s defense truly collapses, and if Dahlin finally gets his hardware. Get ready, it’s going to be a wild season!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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