The 2009-2010 NHL season is finally under way. Teams like the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers have Stanley Cup aspirations, while the Phoenix Coyotes and New York Islanders are just hoping they can call their cities home past this season. It's a wild and unpredictable league, and that is why those of us who watch professional hockey love it so much. So here are the much anticipated top-10 storylines for the 2009-2010 NHL season.
10. The Phoenix/Winnipeg/Hamilton Coyotes vs. The New York/Kansas City/Las Vegas? Islanders:
I know these stories have been drawn out long enough, but it's worth talking about them one more time. Whether it's Jim Balsillie or Mark Cuban or even the United States government, someone will buy the Phoenix Coyotes. Even in this recession, there are too many rich people who are more than eager to get a hold of a professional sports franchise. I along with others agree that the Hamilton Coyotes sounds like a more attractive NHL team (who would sell out every game until 2020, by the way), but based on the court results it looks like they are staying in the States. As for the New York Islanders? No one cares about the New York Islander. Let's move on.
9. Defense Haunting Detroit:
Defensive lapses by defenseman Brad Stuart denied my Detroit Red Wings from winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, and those problems seemed to have followed Detroit to Stockholm for the Premiere Games. Experts worried that offense would be the issue for the Wings, but defense seems to be their primary concern once again. Their back checking looked flat in Sweden and their goaltending allowed too many soft goals. It may be too early to worry (back-to-back wins in Detroit helped), but they look shaky early on.
8. Colorado Living Without Joe:
Who didn't get sentimental watching Joe Sakic's number get retired at the Pepsi center on Avs opening night? Not only did the Avalanche honor one of the greatest NHL leaders of all time (and not to mention one of the best players of his generation), but they also spanked a projected elite team with their win over the San Jose Sharks. The Avalanche may be headed for some rough years, but don't tell them that. They are 4-1-1 as of October 14 and lead the Northwest division.
7. Showing his Hart:
Alexander Ovechkin may end up being the greatest NHL scorer of all time. He is on pace to shatter NHL goal scoring records, and if he wins the Hart Trophy again this year he will join Wayne Gretzky and Bobby Orr as the only players to win three Hart trophies in a row. He is a pleasure to watch and I am truly glad that he plays for an Eastern Conference team so that I only have to see his extravagant goal celebrations once a year.
6. Don't Mess With Toronto:
I think everyone knew what Maple Leafs' GM Brian Burke would eventually to do his new team. He brought toughness and solid defense to the Anaheim Ducks and they responded by winning the Cup in 2007. He hopes to repeat that strategy in Toronto, but it might be a bit more challenging seeing as the Leafs have ZERO legitimate true-blood goal scorers besides Phil Kessel, and he's out until at least late November. Note to opposing teams: don't run Kessel or 12 goons will retaliate.
5. Defense Wins Championships:
I am going to miss Florida Panthers color commentator Randy Moller's creative goal celebrations when Jay Bouwmeester lights the lamp. "SHOOTS HE SCORES BOUWMEESTER! PAY THAT MAN HIS MONEY!" But his trade to Calgary gives the Flames the best overall first line defensive pairing in the league. Paired with Dion Phaneuf, Bouwmeester is poised to have a great year, and if Jarome Iginla and Ollie Jokinen can pace the scoring load, the Flames have a good shot at making a deep playoff run.
4. Rookies Making Impacts:
John Tavares. Matt Duchene. James Van Riemsdyk. Matt Gilroy. Ville Leino. Benn Ferriero. I could go on. Rookies will make an impact this year more than ever because this year they come in all varieties. Tavares and Duchene are future cornerstones of their respective teams. Van Riemsdyk and Leino look to provide secondary scoring. Gilroy and Ferriero will be role players. Every one of them made their teams out of training camp. Shows how important it is to impress your coaches even when the games don't count.
3. The Broad Street Bullies Back at it Again:
Thank you Paul Holmgren. You have singlehandedly made my season and six more to come more enjoyable to watch simply because I will never again have to see Chris Pronger four times a year during the regular season. The Blockbuster trade right before the 2009 NHL Entry Draft saw Pronger and a minor league prospect go to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for offensive threat Joffrey Lupul (going back to the team that drafted him) along with future-stud defenseman Luca Sbisa and a whopping TWO first round draft picks going to Anaheim. Although Pronger can light the lamp and play a solid defensive game, the Flyers brought him in primarily to play not so nice with Penguins forwards Cindy; I mean Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Who doesn't want to see another Philly-Pittsburgh playoff match up?
2. Champs Responding:
Fresh off of their third Stanley Cup championship, the Pittsburgh Penguins have the components to win it again in 2010. Crosby and Malkin have already started strong for the Pens, and the core of the Cup team was kept together with the exceptions of Hal Gill (Montreal) and Rob Scuderi (Los Angeles). One key issue is obviously the inevitable Cup hangover, but another concern could end up being health. Sidney Crosby is already having groin issues, and Sergei Gonchar is about as fragile as Marian Gaborik. Without any serious injuries and some intense focus, I see the Penguins returning to the postseason as a high seed and with a new found hunger for a repeat.
1. Expectations in the Windy City and in Cali:
Never before have I seen so much talent on two teams, and never before have I seen such high expectations from two cities. Starting on the West coast, San Jose shipped off two of its better players to acquire the leagues most self-obsessed player. He's also had two 50-goal seasons in his career. Playing alongside big Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley must absolutely tear the league up this year and give every ounce of credit to his teammates in order to win me back. His three goals in San Jose's home opener help. San Jose's time for a Cup is now and it has been for the last four years.
In Chicago, the Blackhawks are also so totally stacked that at least another Conference Finals is a must. They not only kept everyone from last year, but also brought in Marian Hossa whose "I came to (insert city) to win a Stanley Cup" speech is getting a bit old. He does score a lot, though (40 goals last year). This team has everything. Incredible defense. Balanced scoring. Grit. Toughness. Leadership. I could continue. Don't get me wrong—I hate the Blackhawks almost as much as the Penguins, but they have the best overall talent in the league this year and should win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1960s.