NHL 19 projects newly signed center John Tavares as the Conn Smythe Trophy winner in his first season with the Maple Leafs. Toronto is predicted to defeat the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins before edging the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Eastern Conference Final and then defeating the Sharks for the Cup.
Led by projected Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson, San Jose is predicted to advance to the Cup Final by defeating the Anaheim Ducks, the Presidents' Trophy-winning Vegas Golden Knights and finally the Nashville Predators in the Western Conference Final.
NHL 19 projects a huge season for Connor McDavid, with the Edmonton Oilers center claiming the Ted Lindsay Award and Art Ross and Hart trophies -- despite the fact that the Oilers are predicted to miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Defenseman
Rasmus Dahlin
, selected by the Sabres with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, is predicted to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets is projected to win the Vezina Trophy for the third time. Center Ryan O'Reilly of the St. Louis Blues is predicted to win the Selke Trophy as the top defensive forward.
The simulator projected the Tampa Bay Lightning to top the Oilers in the 2018 Cup Final. In reality, the Washington Capitals defeated the Golden Knights to win their first championship.
