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Playoff Special 2024
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.
THAT’S THE SPIRIT
NOT LONG AGO, the Saginaw Spirit were sitting at the bottom of the OHL. After a long stretch of stability between 2005-06 and 2019-20 – during which the Spirit missed the playoffs just once – Saginaw finished the 2021-22 season as the OHL’s second-worst team. The OHL’s priority selection draft lottery was kind to them, however. It was the first true year of the lottery, for which all four non-playoff teams are eligible. Previously, the OHL conducted a draw for all picks in the 2021 draft because the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the 2020-21 season entirely. Before that, there was no draft lottery in the circuit. The first proper year of the lottery saw Saginaw get the No. 1 overall pick. That just happened to be the same year Michael Misa earned exceptional status,…
WHAT’S INSIDE
TEAM PREVIEW The skinny on each club, written by Jared Clinton, Brian Costello and Ryan Kennedy. FANTASY ZONE Each team’s 10 best potential fantasy performers, ranked by Jason Chen. Players who might still be injured at the start of the playoffs are indicated with a +. Stats as of March 14. X-FACTOR Intangibles are difficult to quantify, but they can play a big part in teams getting hot and going on a playoff roll. DEPTH CHART Linemates and ‘D’ pairings can change on a coach’s whim, but here’s a starting look at team rosters. 1ST CUP PASS Which grizzled veteran or sentimental favorite deserves the captain’s initial handoff of Lord Stanley’s glorious mug?…
MACK IN BLACK? IT’S POSSIBLE
IT HAS BEEN A roller-coaster season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, to say the least. The off-season began with promise in the form of a new GM and a new superstar on the blueline. When Kyle Dubas traded for Erik Karlsson, the intention was clear that, despite missing the playoffs the season prior, this Penguins team was going for it again. The argument was that any team with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang on its roster was not going to rebuild, and adding Karlsson only increased the chances of Pittsburgh hoisting another Stanley Cup in the Sid & Geno era. Things did not go according to plan. The Penguins struggled for most of the season and ended up as sellers at the trade deadline, sending playoff demon Jake Guentzel to Carolina. Pittsburgh…
CAROLINA HURRICANES
POWER RANKING | 1ST LAST SEASON SEEMED like a missed opportunity for the Hurricanes after Florida swept them in the conference final. But there was always going to be a reasonable excuse since they were without game-breaking winger Andrei Svechnikov for the entire playoffs. Healthy again, Svechnikov is part of a potent Canes side that excels on special teams, boasts one of the NHL’s best bluelines and dominates possession. Under the guidance of coach Rod Brind’Amour, the Hurricanes have demonstrated great structure and game-planning, which is evident in their status as the Corsi champs of the NHL. While top-line center Sebastian Aho may be the only top-50 producer on the squad, the team’s strength lies in its depth, with offense spread across the forward corps. It’s worth noting that had Svechnikov been…
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