And other storylines of note as the NHL resumes
With the NHL now a week into its new season, I figured it would be a good time to circle back to the league and discuss the interesting storylines I expect to see out of this season. Oh and don’t worry, my fearless (read: unfounded) predictions will be here as well.
Much like the past nearly two years of our lives, COVID-19 will still be a major talking point for the league. However, in this storyline it should be a bit brighter. With the league stating that over 95% of its players are vaccinated, we can be thankful that this should see far fewer disruptions in the schedule as well as having the added bonus of the players being positive role models for fans around the world. While the league did not make vaccinations mandatory for its players, it did impose a few rules on the few who chose to not get vaccinated. Those that are unvaccinated will not be able to visit bars, restaurants, gyms, and pools while on the road with their team. In my head, this is already enough to get the last few players vaccinated. What type of player in a team sport like hockey would want to be the one guy ostracized and unable to bond with the team over dinner and drinks? Even more than just comradery, the league imposed a rule that those players still unvaccinated will lose one day’s pay for each day they miss due to COVID-19. While the league estimates that 98% of players are vaccinated, I would expect these two rules to kick it up to near 100% (barring those players that don’t take the vaccine due to religious or medical reasons).
As we look to the ice itself, the Tampa Bay Lightning look to win an astounding third Stanley Cup in a row. While the team returns with largely the same core as last year, star winger Nikita Kucherov came off the ice hurt during Saturday’s contest against the Washington Capitals. Early reports expect Kucherov to miss an extended period of time, much to the chagrin of bench boss Jon Cooper and fantasy owners (me) alike. On the other hand, the team was in fine form during the season last year before Kucherov came back from injury to carry them to their second straight cup. Can they do it again? Time will tell.
On to player specific news, we need to look no further than Jack Eichel and Alex Ovechkin. Wait, are they being traded for each other? No, their stories couldn’t be more different. Eichel and the Buffalo Sabres have developed quite an interesting relationship over the past two years—and that’s putting it lightly. The two parties have been having a large disagreement over the proper way to proceed with Eichel’s injury, a herniated disc in his neck. After Eichel refused surgery, the Sabres have since removed Eichel as the captain of the team as they are being forced to go in a different direction. Eichel will miss considerable playing time and because of this it should prove difficult for the Sabres to find a fair return for their star centerman. Elsewhere, in a much happier state of affairs, Ovechkin chases the all-time goals record held by Wayne Gretzky. At the beginning of the season, he was 164 goals behind the all-time great. We can expect him to take sole ownership of third place by the end of the season, passing Marcel Dionne and Jaromir Jagr on his way to Wayne’s record.
And now, the predictions. Without getting too into the weeds, let’s get right to who I think are the top four teams in the league. In the Eastern Conference I can see the wily New York Islanders cracking through behind amazing coaching and defence. Alongside them are the Toronto Maple Leafs who finally break through the first round and snowball that confidence into the conference finals and straight to the Stanley Cup. In the Western Conference, it would be foolish to not see the Colorado Avalanche meet the Vegas Golden Knights. Much like the Leafs, the Knights will break through their notably more recent demons and make the cup finals. Unfortunately for the Knights they’ll meet a Leafs team too good to stop and behind future Conn Smythe winner Auston Matthews, the Leafs will take the series 4-2 and win their first cup since 1967. Simple as that.