NHL Central Division predictions: 3 playoff dark horses for 2024/25 NHL season ft. Minnesota Wild

The HL season kicked off this weekend in Prague with two games, but none involving the Central Division. But the season begins on Tuesday with every game starting this week.

A new season brings optimism for all 32 fan bases as many hope their team will make the playoffs. Heading into the year, the Central Division has plenty of teams looking to make the playoffs, and here are three dark horses from the division to make the playoffs.

NHL Central Division predictions: 3 playoff dark horses

#1, Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild appear to be one year away from competing due to the salary cap constraints from the buyouts of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise.

However, the Wild still have a good roster backed by star forward Kirill Kaprizov. Minnesota has two good goalies in Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury, which helps the Wild's case of making the playoffs.

The Wild are given odds of -135 to make the playoffs, implying a 57.4% chance.

#2, Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago is a rebuilding team - Source: Imagn

The Chicago Blackhawks are in the midst of their rebuild, but manager Kyle Davidson did a good job adding the likes of Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi to add some more offense to the lineup.

Connor Bedard is entering his second season in the NHL and is one of the best players in the league. If he can stay healthy and the Blackhawks get good goaltending, Chicago could sneak into the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Blackhawks are given odds of +800 to make the playoffs. So it's a long shot as Chicago is likely two years away, but this is a much better roster than last season.

#3, Utah Hockey Club

The Utah Hockey Club could make the playoffs in their first year.

Utah has a young core that could help it sneak into the playoffs. The Hockey Club have a good goalie in Connor Ingram who can steal games for Utah.

Utah is given odds of +140 to make the playoffs, implying a 41.7% chance.