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We’re all a bit scrambled with the NHL launching a second season in the identical calendar 12 months. So allow us to spell it out for you as play begins this week:
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A is for Alex, as Ovechkin enters this season with 730 targets, a lock to get at the very least 12 to move Marcel Dionne and Brett Hull after which have a look at 36 to catch Jaromir Jagr. That may simply go away Gordie Howe (801) and Wayne Gretzky (894) in entrance of a 37-year-old Ovie.
B is for Beijing. Set the alarm for brand new sleep routines to lastly see best-on-best once more; McDavid and MacKinnon vs. Matthews, or Kucherov taking over Tre Kronor. However see beneath for the caveat.
C is for COVID-19. The pandemic is already into extra time, however its full defeat remains to be unsure regardless of the most effective intentions of the league and well being authorities. Josh Archibald’s coronary heart situation underlined the stubbornness of some anti-vax hedgers andwhereas limits on crowd sizes are lifting, cross-border journey stays a priority, as is concern of a brand new outbreak someplace within the globe impacting the Video games.
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D is for the draft. Anaheim’s Mason McTavish, the third total decide, could possibly be the one one from this 12 months’s crop with an opportunity of sticking round at the very least 9 video games, as No. 1 Owen Energy returned to highschool. It’s the primary time in 15 years the highest canine didn’t instantly wish to soar to the NHL.
E is for ESPN. Absolutely invested once more after a hiatus that started in 2005, the Disney affiliate’s seven-year TV deal brings the upper profile the league wants popping out of COVID and will increase its streaming avenues. It’s an estimated $400 million US annual deal.
F is for 55 years, the longest Stanley Cup drought in NHL historical past if the Leafs don’t win it subsequent spring. F additionally means the primary spherical and the letter grade Toronto administration will get if it failsonce more.
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G is for Gretzky. The Nice One joins Turner Sports activities on its hockey panel, a part of the brand new TV panorama, reverse Mark Messier on ESPN. How a lot will it ache Wayne to name out gamers, coaches and GMs on air?
H is for Habs and well being. Not simply getting vaxed, however psychological well-being. Montreal’s Carey Worth has heightened that consciousness, as have uncooked feedback from Robin Lehner and others, making it much less a taboo subject. It’s additionally important to remain abreast of concussion protocol, hazing, bullying and discrimination. Argue if you’ll that gamers ought to brush off such issues and play, nevertheless it’s a brand new world off the ice.
I is for IIHF. The brand new president is Canadian-born Luc Tardif, an upset winner within the government vote, however handed sizzling potato points such because the Olympics and the Jalen Smereck incident in his first month.
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J is for Jack. It appears Eichel has to maneuver on earlier than the Sabres can. One other Buffalo boondoggle.
Okay is for Kraken. Daring title and neat emblem, however a troublesome act following the miracle of the Vegas Golden Knights. For now, let’s all get pleasure from a scenic new metropolis and ultimately, two balanced conferences.
L is for Lou Lamoriello on Lengthy Island. The GM is lastly getting the brand new rink to duplicate the regional satisfaction of Nassau with the $1.5 billion UBS Area close to Belmont Racetrack. However the Isles have a hellish 13-game street journey to begin the 12 months earlier than it might probably open.
M is for McDavid. The Oilers lastly appear set to show the Connor and neglect their puzzling playoff previous. Any star who has gained the Hart Trophy 3 times, as McDavid might this season, finally has collected a Cup.
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N is for New York and New Jersey. One aspect of the Hudson River certainly should produce a post-season qualifier, proper?
O is for overhaul. Incoming coaches embrace ex-Vegas savant Gerard Gallant with the Rangers, Andre Tourigny in Arizona and with fiery John Tortorella extinguished in Columbus, welcome to Brad Larsen. Within the government suite, Chris Drury changed John Davidson as GM of the Rangers, JD touchdown again in Columbus.
P is for playoffs. Again to 3 groups per division and wildcards who should all survive an 82-game schedule. No less than we’re again to a Cup presentation in June.
Q is for Quinn Hughes and the Canucks. No Canadian staff had a worse common season in 2021, on and off the ice, however don’t rely them out.
R is for Rask. After 14 seasons, Tuukka leaves a giant gap in Boston’s aim for Jeremy Swayman to fill.
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S is for wage cap. At $81.5 million, it didn’t get any larger through the summer time. One GM predicted to The Hockey Information “we’ll get up firstly of the season and doubtless 25 groups will principally be on the cap with solely a bit of cushion.”
T is for Tampa Bay. Three-peat? Titillating!
U is for College of Michigan. Energy determined to skip the Sabres for a 12 months, one in every of 4 Wolverines taken within the prime 5 2021 draft picks with Matty Beniers, Luke Hughes and Kent Johnson. Mackie Samoskevich went twenty fourth, for a complete of seven former first-rounders chasing a nationwide title. You may virtually hear Hail To The Victors on the Frozen 4 already.
V is for Vezina and Andrei Vasilevskiy. The mischief-maker in us desires to see Vaz have an MVP-worthy season and get vexed once more in voting, if solely to listen to Kucherov repeat his rant about GMs gumming up the trophy tally.
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W is for Girls. Making continuous breakthroughs in professional administration, participant growth, teaching and officiating. Now please get them a viable league of their very own.
X is for crossing off cross checks. Let’s see if the brand new penalty normal survives till X-mas.
Y is for Yandle and the ‘Yotes. By no means thoughts Tony Stark, Flyers’ D Keith Yandle is 42 video games away from breaking Doug Jarvis’s Iron Man mark of 964 consecutive. He’s set to move Jarvis on Jan. 18, 2022, a house sport in opposition to Detroit. The Coyotes, in the meantime, are rumoured to depart Phoenix/Glendale for the 964th time as their area cleaning soap opera renews.
Z is for Zdeno Chara. The outdated Island lighthouse will probably be 45 come playoff time, however isn’t getting any smaller.
lhornby@postmedia.com
