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Season Preview 2017-18
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
3 CHICAGO> BLACKHAWKS
CENTRAL BEST-CASE SCENARIO STAN BOWMAN’S STROKE of salary-cap escape genius has become an annual tradition. As usual, the Hawks enter the year with key contributors gone. This time it’s Marian Hossa (equipment allergy), Artemi Panarin (trade), Niklas Hjalmarsson (trade), Johnny Oduya (free agency), Trevor van Riemsdyk (expansion), Brian Campbell (retirement) and Scott Darling (trade). But the GM has always done a great job finding replacement value, be it through shrewd acquisitions or promoting from within. Is Connor Murphy, for example, a big downgrade from Hjalmarsson, or do fans just know less about Murphy because he was in Arizona? He’s six years younger and plays a similar gritty style. Chicago hopes to get a big rookie splash from OHL mega-scorer Alex DeBrincat. He has Panarin-like skills, which is good with Panarin out and Brandon…
7 COLORADO> AVALANCHE
CENTRAL BEST-CASE SCENARIO ONLY THE MOST optimistic of Avs fans can envision a happy 2017- 18 season in Colorado. A successful year won’t mean making the playoffs but could mean certain things go right. Rookie center Tyson Jost profiles as a high-impact player if he can stick with the team. Maybe he does and challenges for the Calder Trophy. Mikko Rantanen led Colorado with 20 goals last season and will push for at least 25 this year. General manager Joe Sakic signed Nail Yakupov and acquired Colin Wilson for relatively cheap, so maybe each player realizes some untapped potential. If enough of the forwards make strides, we can finally see Nathan MacKinnon play to the ability that made him the No. 1 draft pick in 2013. He hasn’t had much help, but…
3 CALGARY> FLAMES
PACIFIC BEST-CASE SCENARIO IF MIKE SMITH can provide average (or better) goaltending – like he did in five of the past six seasons in Arizona – the Flames will be one of the best defensive teams in the West and a sure thing for 100 points, which is coach Glen Gulutzan’s stated objective. Calgary thought it was getting a top goalie last season, but Brian Elliott struggled out of the gate, got hot for a couple months and then was a disaster in the playoffs. The Flames bolstered their blueline, replacing plodders Dennis Wideman and Deryk Engelland with Travis Hamonic and Michael Stone. Opponents will no longer be able to feast once Mark Giordano, Dougie Hamilton and T.J. Brodie are off the ice. Up front, Calgary is convinced Micheal Ferland has the array…
SOAPBOX
Nolan Patrick comes down with another bizarre illness called “Greyscale,” limiting him to under 45 NHL games as he searches for the cure. – @RealKidPoker Six Russian players, led by Alex Ovechkin, defy the NHL and leave mid-season to play in the Olympics. All six get food poisoning on the charter flight and fail to appear in any games. Russia finishes fourth. – Don DeLeskie The Blackhawks fire Joel Quenneville and rehire Mike Keenan as coach and GM. Keenan immediately trades Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane to the Rangers for Mark Messier. – Jason Fink Buffalo plays a road game in Vegas. Evander Kane is never heard from again. – @stewsquared As the season draws to a close, dead last Vegas Golden Knights announce that they’re relocating to Seattle. Michael Buble, having just signed up for a long…
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