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Champions Issue 2018
It’s our annual Champions Issue, celebrating the best of the best from the season that was, including a 22-pages on the Washington Capitals, our Top 10 Moments from the NHL season and profiles on the top teams from the AHL, KHL, top Euro and women’s leagues, the Memorial Cup and much more. Plus, 31 NHL players ready to break out next season, and why the NHL coaching ranks have gone college crazy.
LITTLE CITY COMES UP BIG
MAJOR JUNIOR IS BIG business, with large cities such as Vancouver, Quebec and Calgary all boasting teams. So it was nice to see the little guy take home the Memorial Cup this season, as the Acadie-Bathurst Titan defeated the host Regina Pats to win the 100th edition of the junior classic. Bathurst, N.B., is literally the smallest market in the CHL, with a population of just 12,000. But there were 1,500 fans waiting at the airport for the victorious Titan, while the championship party had an even bigger turnout. “The parade was almost 5,000 people,” said GM Sylvain Couturier. “When you put that into perspective, it’s nearly half the town. They went through the tough times and stuck with us.” Indeed, only five years ago it looked as though the franchise was…
ASK ME ANYTHING
Ecb (@bce1801) asks: “Where do you rank Nicklas Backstrom in the history of Swedish forwards? Could he get enough points to pass Mats Sundin all-time?” I believe he’s one of the best Swedish players, not just forwards, of all-time. He’s already 11th in points (799) and ninth in assists (590) among his NHL countrymen, and he’s fifth in points per game among qualified Swedish NHLers, too. He’s been excellent relative to his competition, ranking second in assists and fifth in points among all NHLers since he debuted in 2007-08. Backstrom, for me, should be mentioned in the same breath as Joe Thornton, Henrik Sedin and Ryan Getzlaf when we’re talking about the best pure playmaking centers of this generation. Backstrom has, of course, often had the luxury of playing with Alex Ovechkin…
THN AWARDS
MARIO LEMIEUX AWARD (Best player) CONNOR McDAVIDEdmonton Must an MVP make the playoffs? Our voters indicate so, but there was little debate over McDavid being hockey’s best talent. Make that two straight Art Ross Trophies and 100-point seasons for the Oilers’ franchise face. The only players with two scoring titles by age 21: McDavid and Wayne Gretzky. RUNNERS-UP 2. Nathan MacKinnon, Col3. Taylor Hall, NJ4. Sidney Crosby, Pit5. Claude Giroux, Phi BOBBY ORR AWARD (Best defenseman) DREW DOUGHTYLos Angeles Doughty’s 26:50 of ice time per game led all NHLers, and he ranked among the best blueliners in points, Corsi For, Corsi Against, Quality of Competition and shorthanded minutes per game. The Kings ask him to do everything, and he answers the bell every night. He blends high skill with gritty physicality. Doughty is a complete defenseman. RUNNERS-UP 2. Victor…
NEW HIRE CHALLENGE-O-METER
MICROMANAGED DON WADDELLHurricanes GM Good luck, Mr. Waddell. No one knows exactly how much owner Tom Dundon plans to meddle in the decision-making process, but his reported struggles to even find a GM say a lot. GREAT EXPECTATIONS BILL PETERSFlames coach Peters is respected but never made the playoffs in four tries with Carolina. He won’t have that much of a leash in a Canadian market. TURNKEY OPERATION KYLE DUBASMaple Leafs GM He’ll be scrutinized more than any new hire, but he takes over a rising Stanley Cup contender. He’s looking for finishing touches now, not foundational pieces. THE CLEANER ROD BRIND’AMOURHurricanes coach With so much turmoil and potential personnel change around him, it is Brind’Amour’s job to take whichever players remain and whip them into shape. HANDS ARE TIED PAUL FENTONWild GM Fenton takes over a team wanting to contend yet completely hamstrung…
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