Preseason Begins

One game tonight, 15 games tomorrow

St. Louis visits Dallas to get the Hockey Holidays started tonight at 7 pm EST, and although these are “meaningless” games in relation to the regular season standings, it gives coaching staffs and players an opportunity to solidify their rosters.

Each team basically knows what their roster is going to look like, but there are open slots that can be earned by journeymen, rookies, and minor leaguers if they shine during camp and contribute strongly during preseason.

Preseason whets the appetite of fans who are excitedly awaiting October’s regular season start, it also gives us a sneak peek into newly traded players and the (c) Jonathan Toews comeback, and how they might pan out.

Right before the season began in 1977, the Sabres traded away a popular player which at the time it caused me, a 16-year-old fan to suffer a gut punch I did not see coming. Brian “Spinner” Spencer was not the most skilled or talented player, but it hurt none the less.

It makes me think of the loyal Maple Leafs fans who had to watch a highly skilled and talented player who was much beloved in Toronto, Mitch Marner getting shipped off to sin city, I can relate to the pain they feel.

Now I do not claim to know how the locker room in Toronto has come to this where one of their best players felt like he had to leave or was excommunicated, either way it is the legion of fans who will feel betrayed and no matter how well (c) Nicolas Roy plays for the Maple Leafs, it will still hurt.

Thus is the life of a hockey fan who has no real control over his favorite team and players and has to come to grips with trades they do not agree with, but as a hockey fan I still cheered for “Spinner” that season even though he wore a different sweater, as there will be many Canadians cheering for (rw) Marner in his new sweater.

So, let us drop the puck and begin the long haul to the 2025/26 Stanley Cup playoffs!