The NHL season starts for real this week, and not a moment too soon.
I just wish it would have gotten going about three weeks ago.
As I’ve mentioned about 10,000 times, the NHL’s regular season should get going around Sept. 20 and the Stanley Cup should be awarded by May 31.
But unless I’m ever named NHL commissioner or executive director of the NHL Players’ Association, well, that particular NHL calendar revolution won’t happen.
Enough whining. There’s plenty of intrigue as the 2022-23 season begins — Year 28 for me covering the NHL. Geez, time flies.
Let’s have some fun with it. Here are 10 burning questions ahead of the season, along with my attempts to answer them:
Will we get a Stanley Cup Final repeat matchup?
Yes. Remember how entertaining those back-to-back Penguins-Red Wings Cup finals were in 2008 and 2009? Some of the best hockey I’ve covered. Which is how I felt last June covering Lightning-Avalanche, an absolute elite, elite championship matchup that produced a superb level of hockey, especially considering the ailments and injuries both rosters were fighting. Well, I’m predicting a repeat. I do believe the Hurricanes are right there as a contender, but I’m calling it now: It’s going to be Lightning-Avalanche again in 2023.
Which player will be a big disappointment?
Johnny Gaudreau. And maybe that’s unfair, but given the drama that surrounded his free-agent decision, the pressure I think he’s going to put on himself to justify his decision and the adjustment he’s going to need to make to his new Columbus surroundings, I don’t think we’re seeing 115 points this season from him.
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