Month: August 2023

Arizona Coyotes {27^th overall} Western Conference, Central Division

University of Minnesota standout and Arizona’s third pick in the NHL’s 2022 Entry Draft Logan Cooley could be a positive offensive addition this season on a Coyotes team that had Mr. Keller scoring 37 goals and two others collecting over 20 goals last season.

Arizona finished the 2022-2023 NHL Season with an impressive home 21-15-5 record playing at the Arizona State University’s multipurpose Mullet Arena which seats 5,000 and the Coyotes had signed on to play there at least three seasons.

GM Armstrong brought in some defensive help with Sean Durzi and Troy Stecher which will be a strong addition for a competitive and hard-to-play-against Arizona team, goaltending is where the biggest improvements are required.

The Coyotes’ 6’ 5” Russian goaltender Ivan Prosvetov last season in seven games won four but his GAA is too high, 6’ 4” Czech goaltender Karel Vejmelka played most of Arizona’s games and is improving and his GAA is well above three goals as well.

It is exciting for fans to watch their Coyotes win most of the time at Mullet Arena and if Arizona can get their GAA lowered they will become an exciting team for everyone to watch.

Montreal Canadiens {28^th overall} Eastern Conference, Atlantic Division

Mesdames et Messieurs, Ladies and Gentlemen Accueillons nos Canadiens, Welcome our Canadiens.

Three seasons ago they were in the Cup Finals the next season they were out of the playoffs, last year has seen an improvement but not quite enough to threaten for a wild card and so it goes for the most storied team in Hockey.

The Canadiens had three 20-goal scorers and two on the cusp and goaltending was not up to par which I believe prompted GM Hughes to select a defenseman, David Reinbacher with Montreal’s  5^th selection overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

Montreal will benefit with a healthy Mr. Caufield meanwhile veteran goaltender Mr. Allen will have to lower his GAA to his usual, under three goals per game with backup Mr. Montembeault consistently keeping his save percentage in the .900 range in order for Montreal to reach a wild card.

HC St. Louis became head coach of the Canadiens for 37 games during the 2021-22 NHL season and nearly made it to a .500% Win-Loss record, last season he more than doubled the team’s victories, and this season holds the promise of even more wins and possible wild card.

San Jose Sharks {29^th overall} Western Conference, Pacific Division

The Sharks have a longer timeline for getting back to the playoffs than most but their future looks bright as they had seven players participating at the 2023 World Junior Summer Showcase, so there is talent in the cupboard.

A couple of key acquisitions are forward Mr. Duclair and goaltender Mr. Blackwood these two players are going to impact immediately on a team that had three 20-goal scorers and one 30-goal scorer last season but required a better presence in net.

William Smith the 2023 NHL Entry Draft selected No.4 has speed, and skill, and is entering Boston College this season with his ability to create plays once his six-foot frame gets some weight and muscle added he should not be at school for more than two seasons tops.

The next few seasons will see improvement and a better Sharks team that will make the playoffs, just not yet.

Columbus Blue Jackets {tied for 31^st} Eastern Conference, Metropolitan Division

Any team that has Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine will not be near last place for long and the Blue Jackets have four 20-goal scorers from last season, with the progression of Mr. Chinakhov poised for a breakout season and Mr. Blankenburg on defense as well.

Columbus might become an offensive threat under new HC Babcock and the future looks bright with Toronto native Adam Fantilli drafted third overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft along with players that have heart like Sean Kuraly who became an Alternate Captain towards the end of last season.

A couple of notable home games for the Blue Jackets will for the first time play at home on Leap Year on February 29^th against the Carolina Hurricanes, and December 23^rd play Toronto, and all in green versus the Winnipeg Jets on St. Patrick’s Day.

Chicago Blackhawks {tied for 31st overall} Western Conference, Central Division

The three-time Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks team is now officially History as Mr. Kane signed with the Rangers for last season’s Cup playoffs, Team Chairman Mr. Wirtz (Since 2007) passed recently, additionally, veteran players Misters Perry, Hall, Donato, and Foligno have become Blackhawks.

The Chicago Blackhawks picked first overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and selected Connor Bedard a player the Blackhawks can build a future around and with some talent being developed in their system Chicago has something to look forward to.

In net, Mr. Mrazek is solid and has provided the Blackhawks opportunities to win and should continue to do so as Chicago progresses into a better team.

With the players brought in by GM Davidson for HC Richardson to insert into the roster, the Blackhawks are preparing to play competitively for the 2023-24 NHL Season and that will give Chicago fans something to cheer for.