The NHL The season starts for real this week, not a moment early.
I just wish it started about three weeks ago.
As I’ve mentioned about 10,000 times, the regular ice hockey season should run around September 20 and the Stanley Cup should be awarded by May 31.
But unless I’m ever appointed as an NHL commissioner or CEO of the NHL Players Association, well, the NHL calendar revolution won’t happen.
Enough moaning. There is a lot of intrigue as the 2022-23 season kicks off – Year 28 for me to cover the NHL. Geez, time is running out.
Let’s have fun with her. Here are 10 pressing pre-season questions, along with my attempts to answer them:
Will we get a repeat of the Stanley Cup Final?
yes. Remember how entertaining those back-to-back Red Wings Cup Finals were in 2008 and 2009? Some of the best hockey I have covered. That’s how I felt this past June while covering Lightning-Avalanche, the ultimate elite tournament match that produced an impressive level of hockey, especially given the illnesses and injuries both runners have been battling. Well, I expect it to be repeated. I think Hurricanes are out there as a contender, but I’m calling them now: They’ll be Lightning-Avalanche again in 2023.
Which player would be a big disappointment?
Johnny Goudreu. And maybe that’s unfair, but given the drama surrounding his decision to be a free agent, the pressure I think he’s going to put on himself to justify his decision and the adjustment he’ll need to make to his new surroundings in Columbus, I don’t think we’re seeing 115 points from him this season.
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