Here are my predictions for the final regular season standings as well as the major annual awards. The “Dark Horse” predictions are my “not as likely but could happen” picks.

Final Standings

East

1. Toronto
2. Georgia
3. New England
4. Rochester
5. Buffalo

West

1. Saskatchewan
2. Vancouver
3. Colorado
4. Calgary

Individual Awards

MVP

Winner: Lyle Thompson
Short list: Mark Matthews, Curtis Dickson
Dark horse: Rob Hellyer

Goaltender of the Year

Winner: Nick Rose
Short list: Dillon Ward
Dark horse: Tye Belanger

Defensive Player of the Year

Winner: Graeme Hossack
Short list: Kyle Rubisch, Steve Priolo
Dark horse: Mitch de Snoo

Transition Player of the Year

Winner: Justin Salt
Short list: Latrell Harris, Mike Messenger
Dark horse: Jeff Cornwall

Rookie of the Year

Winner: Josh Byrne
Short list: Zach Currier, Austin Shanks
Dark horse: Drew Belgrave

Les Bartley Award

This one is always a crapshoot. The Bartley award is frequently decided by the question “which team played better than we expected them to”, which by definition is impossible to predict. If a team is  stacked and plays well, then the coach isn’t always considered which is unfair. This is why Derek Keenan only has three of these awards and not six or seven.

Winner: Matt Sawyer
Short list: Derek Keenan, Jamie Batley
Dark horse: Pat Coyle

GM of the Year

This one is also tough because trades and signings that happen during the regular season could change the landscape completely, and they’re impossible to predict as well.

Winner: Rich Lisk
Short list: Jamie Dawick, Doug Locker unless the Stealth tank
Dark horse: Curt Styres or Steve Dietrich if the Knighthawks or Bandits finish in the top two in the East