It’s finally here! After a long break, the NHL returns on Friday [7 October] for the 2022-23 season. Hockey fans, we made it.
Last time around, the Colorado Avalanche cruised to the Stanley Cup. Jared Bednar’s team were in a league of their own and approach the new year with plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
However, the season ahead isn’t a foregone conclusion: the league is as unpredictable as ever.
With that in mind, here are five storylines to keep an eye on once the puck drops for NHL 2022-23.
Will the Colorado Avalanche retain the Stanley Cup?
Let’s start with the champions.
The Avalanche return as favourites to win it all but face a lot of competition from behind.
Colorado lost netminder Darcy Kuemper and centreman Nazem Kadri in free agency, both of whom were key contributors during their Stanley Cup run. They could take a step back this year.
NHL 2022-23: Nazem Kadri, formerly of the Colorado Avalanche (Image: All-Pro Reels)
Despite waving goodbye to Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk in the offseason, the Calgary Flames could mount a title challenge. They added Kadri, elite playmaker Jonathan Huberdeau, and top-pair defenceman MacKenzie Weegar to an already solid team.
Let’s not discount the Toronto Maple Leafs, either. Kyle Dubas has constructed an impressive roster at the Scotiabank Arena, notwithstanding their record of playoff despair. Auston Matthews is an elite centre, flanked by an elite winger in Mitch Marner. And their quality is just the tip of the iceberg. While Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov are risky picks in net, there is a lot to like about this squad:
Toronto Maple Leafs season preview
with @seangentille and @hayyyshayyyThis is the year.https://t.co/iRBabu6I1d pic.twitter.com/FMMpWsve4r
— dom 📈 (@domluszczyszyn) October 5, 2022
Fans of the Carolina Hurricanes also have reasons to be cheerful. Don Waddell added Brent Burns, Paul Stastny, and Max Pacioretty to his roster in the offseason, improving a squad that controlled games last term.
Also of note: the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers, and Tamp Bay Lightning.
Who will fall out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference?
If you thought the Eastern Conference was stacked last season, think again.
It’s been a while since they contended, but the Ottawa Senators are back. They acquired Alex DeBrincat in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks and recruited Claude Giroux in free agency. After the summer of Pierre (Dorion), the Canadian Tire Centre club could challenge for a playoff berth.
NHL 2022-23: Claude Giroux, former captain of the Philadelphia Flyers (Image: All-Pro Reels)
In Detroit, the Red Wings also made key additions in Ville Husso, Ben Chiarot, and David Perron.
Let’s not forget the Columbus Blue Jackets, who stunned the hockey world by signing Gaudreau in free agency.
As a result, there is now a tiny margin for error for playoff teams in the Eastern Conference.
Aside from Connor McDavid, who will fight for the Hart Trophy?
There are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and dominance from Connor McDavid. But he doesn’t always win the Hart Trophy, awarded to the league’s most valuable player. Here are five players who could challenge the Canadian for the title this time around:
- Matthews won the trophy last year, becoming the first Maple Leaf since Ted Kennedy (1955) to be named league MVP. If his scoring form continues, he will contend again.
- Colorado Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar is elite in every sense of the word. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy (for playoff MVP) last season and shows no signs of slowing down.
- Igor Shesterkin won the Vezina Trophy (for best goaltender) in 2021-22 and could transcend his position if he leads the New York Rangers to new heights this time around.
- Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights is a long pshot, but he will benefit from playing on a competitive team for the first time in his career.
- Nathan MacKinnon just overtook McDavid to become hockey’s highest-paid player. He’s the heartbeat of Colorado and is a sure bet to insert himself into the MVP debate.
Are you ready for the Connor Bedard sweepstakes?
Connor Bedard is a wonderkid. He notched 100 points (51 goals, 49 assists) in 62 appearances for the Regina Pats last season and is slated as the unanimous first-overall pick. With hockey’s best prospect since McDavid available for selection, the tank race is on.
According to Tankathon, the Chicago Blackhawks have the best chance of securing the No. 1 pick. They dealt DeBrincat to the Senators and are reportedly keen to unload Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews before the trade deadline. They’ll be bad this term.
However, the Arizona Coyotes mustn’t be overlooked – especially if they part company with star defender Jakob Chychrun early in the season:
Arizona Coyotes season preview
with @seangentille and @hayyyshayyyThe worst collection of talent my model has ever seen – and a clear frontrunner for last place.https://t.co/3GvhdA37Q8 pic.twitter.com/2J0CEnl5RF
— dom 📈 (@domluszczyszyn) September 19, 2022
The Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, and Buffalo Sabres will also figure in the tank race.
Liam Kirk is back from injury: could he debut for the Arizona Coyotes?
Team GB’s Liam Kirk saw his first season in North America cut short by a knee injury. He was limited to eight appearances in the American Hockey League, where he registered three points (two goals, one assist) for the Tucson Roadrunners.
But he’s healthy again and has plenty to prove after missing an important year of development.
NHL 2022-23: Liam Kirk, Arizona Coyotes (Image: NHL)
Kirk didn’t appear for the Coyotes in preseason and will start the campaign in Tucson but could climb the depth chart if he makes an impact for the Roadrunners. It will take hard work, a sustained spell of productivity, and vacancies to appear in Arizona for him to earn his NHL debut. It isn’t impossible.
It’s time for the 2022-23 NHL season
It’s almost time for the Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks to open the season with a back-to-back in Prague, Czechia on 7-8 October. For the first time since before the pandemic, the NHL is returning to Europe with the Global Series.
After that, the action starts in North America on 11 October, with the Tampa Bay Lightning taking on the New York Rangers at Maddison Square Garden.
Excited? We are.
NHL 2022-23: what are you looking forward to the most ahead of the new season? Join the discussion by tweeting @BritIceHockey.
