NHL 2026–27 Season Preview: Teams, Players & Predictions

TFTO opening

Sue 0:00

Every new NHL season starts with questions. Who's going to be the player we can't stop talking about? Who's going to surprise the hell out of us? Are we going to see a record we never thought would be broken? And maybe the question Canadian hockey fans have been asking for a way too damn long. Could this finally be the year the Stanley Cup comes back to Canada? I absolutely have no idea. But that's what makes the beginning of a new NHL season so much fun.

Sue's Hockey Viewing

Sue 0:38

Welcome to True Fan True Opinions. I'm so glad you're joining me here today. Now, if there's one sport I probably get the most excited about when a new season starts, it's hockey. Now, I do love my Blue Jays. Baseball was a sport I loved playing when I was younger. But as a sports fan, hockey has always been my favorite sport to watch. Hands down. And yeah, I do have a couple, maybe a few favorite teams. And probably way too many favorite players as well. But that's because I honestly enjoy following the entire league. There are players I love watching on teams I don't cheer for, young guys I'm curious about, veterans I'm rooting for, teams I think are getting better, and probably a few teams that are going to prove me completely wrong. Because every year something happens that none of us saw coming. So I've been looking around the league at the storylines, rookies, players, coaches, and the teams that I want to talk about heading into this season. Not everybody I'm supposed to talk about, the ones I actually have something to say about. So basically, the same way I'll talk hockey with my buddies, co-workers, or friends. So let's talk sports like fans do.

NHL's Biggest Storylines

Sue 1:58

And there are already a few storylines heading into this season that have really caught my attention. Some because they're important, some because they're interesting, and at least one because, well, there's already plenty of drama. And I guess you know where I'm going with this one. Up to the Great White North, where apparently it's a great place to live and play. Unless your name is Connor Hallebuck. Give me a fucking break. So now I'm gonna give you a quick little update because everybody knows this situation by now. And honestly, like me, you're probably getting a little tired of hearing about it. So, Hallibuck wasn't happy in Winnipeg. He privately asked for trade months ago. He went public with that request at the end of August, so we all know about it. And now he's suspended after failing to report to training camp. And you know what? Good. Fucking suspend him. I don't care. And if you think about it, I guess signing Stuart Skinner wasn't such a bad idea after all. Okay, anyhow, Halliback has said moving on is the best path forward for him and his family. And I can understand that. There are personal reasons involved here. His family went through some absolutely disgusting treatment on social media after the Olympics and the controversy that followed. And I want to be very clear about this part. His family should never have been dragged into any of this. You want to criticize the hockey player? Fine. But leave his family and his wife the hell alone. There's no excuse for that. Now let's talk about Connor Hellebach, the hockey player, because that's where my sympathy starts running out. He's 33 years old and reportedly wants to spend the remaining prime years of his career with the win now contender. Yeah, okay, sure. So does everybody else. And Connor, you were already on one. Winnipeg won the president's trophy two seasons ago. You guys didn't get it done. And then last year, the entire team took a step backwards and missed the playoffs. So when I hear all this about wanting to go somewhere else to win, I'm sorry. My reaction as a fan is suck it up. You signed a contract, you committed to Winnipeg, and now you're not even showing up to training camp while this organization is trying to find a trade that actually makes sense for them. Yeah, I'm gonna say it. I think you're being a big baby. And before anybody comes after me, that's my opinion. You don't have to agree with it, but this is true fan, true opinions, and that's honestly how I feel about it. And personally, I think he wants out of Canada. Period. That's my read on this whole situation. And I don't blame Kevin Chaladayoff one bit for refusing to just move him somewhere because that's what Halibach wants. The GM's responsibility is to the Winnipeg Jets, his players, his organization, his fans. If somebody wants Connor Hellebuck, then give Winnipeg a return that actually makes their hockey team better. Because there's no I in team, Connor. And all I can say is thank goodness my team already has a great young goalie. At least I don't have to worry about him ending up there. Okay, enough of him. There was one other contract situation I was watching in Columbus with Adam Fantilly, but that one actually got resolved just before I recorded this. He got six years, 82.5 million. Fantilly isn't one of the biggest names in the NHL. Well, not yet, but he is only 21 years old and he's coming off a career-high 59-point season. And Clownless just made it pretty damn clear how important they think he is to their future. Now let's get to a league change that as a fan I absolutely love. The NHL regular season is going from 82 games to 84 games. So you're giving me two more real hockey games and fewer preseason games? Hell yeah, I'm on board with that. So the preseason maximum drops from six games to four, and the regular season change also fixes something that never made much sense to me. Every team will now play each of its seven division opponents exactly four times. Twice at home and twice on the road. And I love that because as a fan, some of the best games are against the teams you can't stand. Give me more divisional games. Give me more rivalries. Give me games where the points mean a little more because you're battling the teams around you in the standings. And yes, let's be real, there's a business side to this too. Another home game means more tickets, more concessions, more revenue. But there's one part of this I don't love. Two more games also means more wear and tear on the players, more fatigue, more opportunities for injuries. And could we eventually see coaches deciding to rest some of their top players during an 84 game season? Yeah, most likely. I can definitely see that. And as a fan who paid to watch those stars play, that's not exactly great. But when I put everything together, two more meaningful regular games, fewer meaningless preseason games, and more divisional matchups? Yeah, give me more hockey, please. Another storyline I wanted to talk about, and maybe not for the reasons you think, or maybe you feel exactly the same way I do, I don't know. NHL players have officially hit the 20 million a year mark. And I'm looking at you, Cal Makar. So Makar signed an eight-year extension worth 163.2 million. That's 20.4 million a year and the highest average annual salary in NHL history. Now, if you're waiting for me to break down exactly what this means for the salary cap, the owners, escrow, future contracts, and every financial detail around the NHL, I'm not doing that. That's not what I care about. But I do have a few thoughts about it as a fan. And some of them completely contradict each other. And I don't care. My first reaction to this signing was finally. Because compared with some of the money we see in the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball, hockey players haven't been paid at that same level. And in my opinion, remember, my opinion, hockey is harder, more physical, demanding smart. These guys play a long schedule, they travel constantly, they have to stay in ridiculous shape. They miss family events. And every single night there's a risk of getting hurt. So good for them. Get paid, get that money. But then the other side of my brain kicks in and thinks, $20 million? What the hell? That's an absolutely ridiculous amount of money for somebody's work salary. Most fans are never gonna see even a small portion of that kind of money in their entire lives. But here's something I've always said. I'm the fan watching the games on TV. I'm buying tickets, I'm buying the hats and t-shirts. In some way, I'm helping pay those salaries. So you know what? Make as much money as you possibly can. Get every dollar you're worth. Just don't take so much that my team can't afford to build a competitive roster around you. Because then we're gonna have a problem. Actually, this could be another topic for another episode. Okay, that's for another day. Last story Babs is back. And I understand why there's so much controversy surrounding Mike Babcock returned to coach in the NHL. And I want to make something really clear. I don't care how much money professionals athletes make, nobody deserves to be mistreated or disrespected ever. There are people around hockey who strongly disagree with this hire, and I understand why. But I also believe something else, and maybe I'm a little naive. I believe people can change. People can reflect, they can grow, they can recognize things they've done wrong and generally try to become better people. And I also believe people deserve another opportunity, sometimes even another opportunity after they've already had a second chance to prove they actually change. Now, let's say Mike Babcock has changed the way he handles players off the ice. Then, strictly from a hockey standpoint, I actually think his coaching style could be exactly what Edmonton needs. He's demanding, he's strict, he's hard on his best players. And this is a team that has gotten so close, but hasn't gotten across that finish line. Babcock has. He's won the Stanley Cup with Detroit, he's won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada, and Edmonton's leaders knew exactly who they were getting. Connor McDavid and Leon Dreisidel publicly backed this hiring. So could this whole thing blow up in Edmonton? Absolutely. Do I think it will? No, I don't. Will it be a distraction? Hell yeah, it already has been. And here's what I think is eventually going to happen. If we're months into the season, the Oilers are winning hockey games and we're not hearing stories about players being mistreated, the conversation is going to change. People are going to start asking whether Mike Babcock might actually be the coach who can finally get Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers to the ultimate goal, winning the Stanley Cup.

Rookies Sue Is Watching

Sue 11:47

Let's switch gears here a bit and let's talk about some of the young new faces in the league, the rookies. And there are a few rookies coming into this season that a lot of people are excited to watch. And some of the names are pretty obvious, but I'm going to be talking about the ones that I'm intrigued by. I'm going to start with Ivar Stenberg with the San Jose Sharks. He was a second overall pick in the 2026 draft. And Stenberg is a really dynamic and a really smart playmaker. I think this is a kid who could be ready to step into the NHL right away. He's coming off an incredible season in the SHL, 33 points in 43 games. And now he's joining this young Sharks team that already has some pretty exciting pieces. And the possibility eventually seeing Steinberg playing alongside Cellebrini? Yeah, I definitely want to see that. San Jose fans have been through a rebuild, but when you start looking at the young talent they're putting together, there's finally a different kind of excitement around this team. And not just for this season either. The future is looking pretty damn bright in San Jose. Then there's Cold Hudson, second round pick in 2024. And this one is where I'm looking beyond just his rookie season. Could he be in the Calder conversation this year? Absolutely. But I'm even more interested in what this kid could eventually become. Hudson plays that aggressive puck Russian style from the blue line. And I think being around veteran defensemans like Matt Roy and Vincent Desanais could really help his development. And I'm obviously again way ahead of myself here, but give this kid a few years. It would not surprise me at all if someday we're talking about Cole Hudson in the Norse trophy conversation. I think he can really flourish in Washington. Now, this is a kid I really, really like, and I'm pretty damn happy he ended up in Chicago. Anton Frondel. He had a hell of a year at the World Juniors with Sweden last year. Five goals in seven games, eight points, a gold medal, named the tournament's best forward, and selected to the all-star team. That's pretty good. And then he got his first taste of the NHL with Chicago and put up nine points in 12 games. He might not be as flashy as someone like Steinberg or McKenna, but that's part of what I like about him. He's a powerful two-way center. He's got a heavy shot, and I think that kind of player is going to fit really well with what Chicago is building. And yes, I know I'm probably going to talk about the Blackhawks plenty later in this episode. What can I say? I like what they're building. They're my team. And then there's Porter Martin. In my mind, this kid could absolutely be one of the Calder front runners this season. He's 6'3, over 200 pounds, and he's got a little bit of a mean streak, which, let's be honest, fits pretty damn well in Philadelphia. And he's got the scoring touch to go with it. And we already got a little preview last season. 10 points in nine regular games. Then he goes into the playoffs and becomes the first teenager in NHL history to score the game-winning goal in each of his first two playoff games. Now that is what I call a pretty damn good audition. So if those nine regular season games and that playoff run where it's just a glimpse of what Porta Martone can do over an 84-game season, yeah, I think everybody should have this kid on their radar. I know I do.

Players in NHL Sue Is Watching

Sue 15:28

Now for the other players I'm watching. And it's so easy for me to sit here and say, here are the top players I'm watching this season. And then name guys like McDavid, McKinnon, Matthews, or the Hughes brothers. And honestly, that list can go on and on and on. Of course I'm gonna watch those guys. They're superstars. But I'm more intrigued by some of the other players this season. Guys who maybe aren't the names everybody automatically talks about, but who I think could make a huge difference for their teams. And maybe there are one or two that I just feel for a little bit. Guys I've always liked, who've been through some shit, and I'm really hoping I get to watch them have a good comeback. So these aren't necessarily the best players I'm watching. They're just my players to watch. And let's start with Gabrielle Perot with the New York Rangers. I expect Perot to spend a lot more time in the NHL this season. And I was so impressed by what I saw from him towards the end of last year. There's something about his game that reminds me a little bit of Jake Gunzo when he was with Pittsburgh. And now Perot gets Mike Sullivan as his coach. The same coach who had Gunzo for all those years with the Penguins. I think Sullivan's faster style can really help maximize what Perot can do. And if he gets the opportunity to play with guys like Zimbani Jad and Lafrania, I'm really curious to see what he does with it. Now here's a player I've always really liked. And honestly, more than anything, it's his comeback that interests me. Do I expect a 34-year-old Tyler Sagan coming off major ACL surgery to suddenly go back to being a 30 plus goal, 50 plus point player? Probably not. But I really believe Dallas missed him last season. And not just his scoring. They missed some of that veteran presence, his grit, and all those little things he still brings to a hockey team. And now he's back at camp skating with Robertson and Heinz? Who knows? Maybe playing with those two can rejuvenate Segain a little bit. Almost like we saw with Pavalski in Dallas. I'm not expecting him to turn back the clock. But after everything he's been through, I really like to see Tyler Sagan have a healthy season and remind people that he can still make a difference. From a veteran I'm rooting for to a younger player who I think has a huge opportunity in front of him, Quentin Byfield. With Kopitar retiring, the number one center job is sitting there for Byfield to take. And if his linemates are Panarin and Kemp, that's pretty good. This feels like the season where the Kings are basically saying, okay, Quentin, it's your turn. And I think Peter La Violette is going to give him every opportunity to take that role and run with it. It honestly wouldn't surprise me if Byfield gets over 70 points this season. Like I really think he's ready for that kind of a jump. Then there's William Eklund. And first off, it's Ottawa, right? So there's no drama here. Actually, I really like this move for Ottawa. Eklund has great speed. He's a creative playmaker, and I think his style fits really nicely with the kind of hockey Ottawa wants to play. But what interestes me even more is the change of environment. He spent his first few NHL seasons as part of the rebuilding San Jose team. Now he gets to walk into Ottawa at 23 years old with an opportunity to be part of a team that expects to compete. That could be a breath of fresh air for him. And honestly, I think Eklund could be a breath of fresh air for Ottawa too.

Coaches Sue's Talking About

Sue 19:14

I've talked about some of the players I'm watching this season, but there's also three coaches I'm really curious about. Two very experienced coaches walking into new situations, and one guy getting his first shot as an NHL head coach. Let's start with Peter Dabor. The Islanders made the pretty surprising decision to fire Patrick Roy with only four games left last season and bring De Boer in. So can he make this team better? Yeah, I think he will. And honestly, I think this is a really good fit. You've got players like Matthew Bayercell, Bo Hovart, and Matthew Schaeffer. And I think the Bohr's system can help this team play faster and get more out of that talent. Quick transition, get the puck moving, get through the neutral zone with speed. That's something I think the Islanders have lacked the last few years. And as a fan, that's the kind of hockey I like to watch. Then there's De Boer's history when he takes over a new team. And it's pretty damn hard to ignore. First season in New Jersey, Stanley Cup final. First season in San Jose, Stanley Cup final. Then he takes over Vegas and gets them to the Western Conference Final in his first season. Dallas, Western Conference final in year one again. So I'm not saying Peter DeBore has magically taking the Islanders to the Stanley Cup final this year. Not saying that at all. But do I think this team's going to be better with him behind the bench? Absolutely. Then we got almost a complete opposite situation in Vegas. Ryan Craig. This is his first NHL head coaching job. But he's definitely not some outsider walking into that organization. Craig has been with Vegas from the beginning. Six years as an NHL assistant, and then three years coaching their AHL team in Henderson. So he knows this organization, he knows the expectations, and maybe most importantly, he knows how Vegas operates. Because let's face it, patience doesn't exactly seem to be their thing. John Tortorella took over late last season, got them all the way to the Stanley Cup final, and now Ryan Craig gets the job. No pressure, right? This is still a veteran team built to win now. And they are a good team. So what I'm really interested in is watching how a first time NHL head coach handles that kind of room, that kind of pressure, that kind of locker room. Can he get the veterans to buy into him? Can he start working some of the younger players into this lineup without disrupting what already works? If he can bridge those two things, I still think Vegas is going to be one of the elite teams in the NHL. Ryan Craig is walking into one hell of a first NHL coaching job. And then there's Peter La Violette in LA. Now, here's a guy with a hell of a resume. Seventh all-time in NHL coaching wins, Stanley Cup champion. He's taken three different franchises to the Stanley Cup final, and LA becomes NHL head coaching stop number seven. I really like this hire, but I do have one question. Can this veteran coach finally get the Los Angeles Kings over the playoff hump? I think he can. Because for the last few years, I found LA's style pretty rigid, heavy, and I'm just gonna say it, boring. La Violette brings a more aggressive, attack-oriented approach. And I also really like that he brought Phil Housley onto his staff. Those two have worked together before, and Housley has a history of working with defensemen and getting offense from the blue line. I think that's a really good addition. And maybe this is exactly what LA needed: a different voice, a different approach. Because after watching this team go out in the first round year after year, I think Peter La Violette can finally get them past it.

Most Improved Teams

Sue 23:23

Okay, enough about people. Let's talk about teams. And there are a bunch of teams that I think could improve this year. Like Washington. Washington should be better. And there are a few others I could probably put on this list too. But these are the three teams that really stand out to me. And two of them I'm really high on. We got Chicago and San Jose, and the third one is Toronto. And honestly, after last season, they almost have to be better. And I'm gonna start here with a prediction. The Chicago Blackhawks are making the playoffs. Probably a wild card spot, and that's okay. That's how much I think this team has improved. And where the hell do I start? Well, obviously, Patrick Kane. Showtime is back home. And just having Kane back in Chicago is going to give that fan base a huge jolt of excitement. But I think it's more than nostalgia. They signed him for two years. And I think Kane is the perfect veteran to help Connor Badard and this young team take that next step. And speaking of Badard, who's also the new captain, we already know Chicago is going to start the season without him while he recovers from shoulder surgery. And I'm still picking them to make the playoffs. Why? Because they surrounded this young group with some really good veteran players. Like Tyler Bertussi. Love him. Just a solid hockey player. There's Ryan Donato, Ian Cole, Jordan Greenway, and then there's Bowen Byron. I thought losing Connor Murphy last season hurt this team, but adding Byron, I think they fill that hole and then some. And before anybody thinks I'm jumping on the Byron bandwagon because he just went out and scored a hat trick, including the overtime winner. No, I've already had this guy ridden into this episode. So apparently I do know what I'm talking about once in a while. Byron is only 25 and he's already a Stanley Cup champion, and he's coming off a 42-point season. And I think he can beat that this year. He's another big reason I think Chicago is going to be much better. Then look at that young talent. Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, Alex Vlasik, Kasarov, Lardis, Fondell, who I've already talked about earlier. I'm not gonna go through the Fondell all over again, but you already know how much I like this kid. This team is deeper. The blue line is better. And they've got a young goalie in Spencer Knight who I really think has a bright future. This is gonna be such a fun team to watch. So yeah, I'm calling it now. Chicago makes the playoffs. Okay, from one young team I'm really excited about to another. The San Jose Sharks. The amount of young talent on this team is getting a little terrifying. Obviously, it starts with Macklin Cellebrini. This kid just put up 115 points at 20 years old. And dare I say it already? Art Ross Trophy? Why the hell not? Then you've got Will Smith, who I think could have a breakout year, Michael Misa, who's still developing, and now you've added Evar Stenberg, who I already talked about in my rookies chapter. But what I really like is that San Jose isn't surrounding all of these kids with more kids. They've got some really useful veterans too. You got Alexander Wenberg, Tyler Teffoli, and they added Mason Marchman. To me, this might be the deepest and most balanced forward group San Jose has had in a long time. But the biggest reason I think they're better? The blue line. That was a major weakness last season. So what did they do? They went out and added Jacob Truba and Darnell Nurse. Two experienced defensemen who can play hard, defend, move the puck, and maybe just as importantly with such a young team, bring some leadership back there. Do I think San Jose is suddenly a Stanley Cup contender? No. But do I think they're ready to end that playoff drought? Yeah, I do. Chicago and San Jose, I'm putting both of them in the playoffs. And now the Toronto Maple Leafs. And I'm just gonna say it, they have to, have to make the playoffs. That's the expectation. And it's certainly mine. Because after what happened last season, this team damn well better be better. And on paper, they are. Where do I even start? The number one overall pick in the draft? Or one of the best goalies of the last decade? Oh yeah. They also basically dismantled the foundation of this organization and rebuilt it. New management, new coach, a pile of new players. Guess I don't need to say much more. But obviously I will. And let's start with Gavin McKenna. We all know about this kit. Generational prospect, number one pick, and already one of the favorites that people are talking about for the Calder Trophy. I'm not quite ready to give him that trophy. I've got another rookie in Montreal who I think might have something to say about that. And you're gonna hear about him later. But McKenna is still very, very good. And I'm adding that kind of playmaking talent to an offense that still has Austin Matthews and William Neelander? Yes, Toronto is going to score. And speaking of Matthews, I expect a much better year from him too. If he can stay healthy, I think we're gonna see that Austin Matthews we're used to seeing again. But maybe the biggest question Toronto answered this summer was in goal. Did they finally fix the goaltending nightmare? I think they did. Sergei Babowski, two Vesna trophies, three straight trips to the Stanley Cup final with Florida, and back-to-back Stanley Cups. And that is what I love about this signing. It's not just that Toronto got a really good goalie, they got somebody who has been there, somebody who has won. And with Anthony Storlars there to take some of the workload, I really like that tandem. Then look at some of the other players they brought in. Darren Radish and Emile Andre on defense. Nick Paul, Colton Sisong, Teddy Blueger, Dakota Joshua. Those aren't the flashy names that are going to sell a million jerseys, but they're the kind of experienced, responsible players that I think can give Toronto a harder, more playoff ready identity. And I especially like the Nick Paul edition. He's gonna fit so well on this team. Now, the new coach, Jim Hiller. You guys will hear more about him when I get into the Canadian teams later. Because I'm still not completely sold on this coaching hire. If I were Toronto, I probably would have gone in a different direction. But that doesn't change how I feel about the roster. This is a much different Toronto Maple Leafs team. It's deeper, it's more balanced, the goaltending is better. And they added one of the best young prospects in hockey. And after the disaster that was last season, yeah, I expect the Toronto Maple Leafs to be back in the playoffs. So those were the teams I think are going to be much better this season.

Teams Sue is Flat-out Buying

Sue 30:42

Now let's talk about the three teams that I'm just flat out buying. And for three very different reasons. Montreal Canadiens. And full disclosure here, I grew up surrounded by friends and family who love the Montreal Canadiens. So naturally, I didn't. And I still don't. But I'll give them credit. They were a hell of a lot of fun to watch during that playoff run last season. This team has an elite young core. Nick Suzuki is the heartbeat of this team. Coffee is a true sniper. Dobson gives them another really good defenseman. And then look at the young guys. Slavosky, Hudson, already a Calder trophy winner. And then there's Ivan Dimodov. These guys are the real deal. And there's a reason I didn't talk about Dimodov in the rookies chapter. Because to me, he's bigger than just a rookie I'm interested in watching. He's one of the reasons I'm buying Montreal. I think Dimodov is gonna be a dominant rookie and eventually a force for this team. And I'm gonna go a little further here. Everybody's going to talk about Gavin McKenna and the Calder race. I think he's the one that's gonna win it. God, I hate how much I like this Montreal team. Now let's go from a young, exciting team to a tough, punishing veteran team I think is about to bounce right back. The Florida Panthers. And let's be real here. This has been one of the best teams in hockey for the last few years. They went to three, three straight Stanley Cup finals, won back-to-back cups, and then last season's injuries just absolutely beat the hell out of them. And they missed the playoffs. But Barkov is back. They went out and added Brady Kachuk to a team that already had a Matthew Kachak. Because apparently one Kachuk wasn't annoying enough. They're not completely healthy. Brad Marchand will miss the start of the season. And I do have some questions about what happens in goal without Babrowski. But when I look at the rest of this roster, yeah, I'm buying Florida Panthers. I think they're gonna be one of the toughest teams in the league to play against. And I suspect there are gonna be a lot of teams and a lot of fans who absolutely hate them. I know I will. Now let's talk about a team I actually do like, the Utah Mammoth. And in my mind, Utah isn't just that new team that's happy to be here anymore. I think they're becoming a legitimate Western Conference heavyweight. What I really like about Utah is how balanced this roster is. They've got leadership with Captain Clayton Keller, who I don't think gets nearly enough attention around the league, and Lawson Krause. Then they went out and added more veteran leadership with Vincent Trochek and Anders Lee. You guys know how much I love strong, smart defensemen. And look at that blue line. Sergachev and Mackenzie Wieger. Yeah, I like that. Then you got the young talent. Dylan Gunther is coming off a 40-goal season. Logan Cooley is only 22, and I still don't think we've seen the best of him yet. And if you listen to my CHL season preview episode, you already know how high I am on Tig Againla. He might not be part of this team quite yet, but he's coming. The biggest question for me might be in goal. If young Sebastian Cosa can seize that starting job and show he can handle the pressure of being an NHL number one, look out. Because like I said, I really like how this Utah team is built, and I'm buying them. So those are the three teams I'm buying.

Teams Sue's Concerned About

Sue 34:37

Now let's go the other way. And I want to be clear about what I mean here. These aren't teams I think are gonna be terrible. I'm talking about teams that a lot of people are still pretty high on, and I'm just not buying it. I think they're gonna take a step back. And right now, there are two teams that really stand out to me: Dallas and Tampa Bay. Let's start with Dallas. Because when you look at the top of this lineup, yeah, it's terrifying. You got Wyatt Johnston, Miko Rantinen, and Jason Robertson. I don't think anybody is questioning what those guys can do. It's what happens after that where I start having some questions. Dallas still has some very good players. Heinz, Duchesne, Ben, and I know somebody is probably thinking, Sue, what the hell are you talking about? Those are good hockey players. I know they are. I'm not saying they're not. But Ben is 37, Duchesne is 35, and then there's Tyler Sega, who I already talked about earlier. You already know I'm rooting for Sega. I would love to see him have a great comeback. And I think Dallas desperately wants that too. But right now, it's still unknown. I also don't completely trust this team defensively at five on five. And when things start breaking down, you're asking Jake Ottinger to clean up a lot of mistakes. He's a hell of a goalie, but he can't bail you out every night. So am I saying Dallas suddenly becomes a bad hockey team? No. They have way too much talent for me to say that. But do I think they're gonna be as good as a lot of people expect? I'm not buying it. And then there's Tampa Bay. I know a lot of people were surprised when they went out in the first round last year, but they shouldn't have been. They played Montreal. And I know what people are gonna say this year. Tampa will bounce back. They're still Tampa, they'll go further this time. Maybe. I'm not sold. And dare I say it, I wouldn't be completely shocked if Tampa Bay missed the playoffs. There, I said it. And I can come back to this in March and wonder what the hell was I thinking? Because how do you bet against Kucherov, Brayden Point, Gunsell? I'm not. Those guys are gonna score. My question is what happens after them? Are they going to get enough scoring throughout the second, third, fourth lines? I'm not convinced. And then I look at the blue line. Victor Hedman, 35. John Carlson, 36. Ryan McDonough, 37. Again, these are good hockey players. I'm not questioning that. I'm questioning the mileage. Over an 84-game season against younger teams that can fly through the neutral zone. Can that veteran blue line keep up night after night? Because if they can't, that goalie tandem are gonna be pretty damn busy. Tampa still has the stars, they still have the pedigree, and maybe they'll make me look completely ridiculous. But heading into this season, I'm not buying

The Seven Canadian Teams

Sue 37:46

them. I've talked about a lot of teams already, but I can't do an NHL season preview without checking in on all seven Canadian teams. So I'm gonna keep this pretty simple. Where do I think each one stands heading into this season? So let's start with the West. Vancouver Canucks. I'm going to say it. I have Vancouver finishing last in the league, or damn close to it. I think it's gonna be a long, tough first season for the new head coach, Mahotra. And I actually think Mahotra could become a good NHL coach. I think players are gonna really like playing for him. Yes, they still have Pederson. They brought in Brendan Gallagher for some veteran presence. But where is enough of the offense gonna come from? And then there's Demko. Very good goalie. But at this point, the question isn't whether Demko can play, it's whether he can stay healthy. So yeah, I think Vancouver is in for a very long season. And if Vancouver doesn't finish last, Calgary might give them a run for it. And honestly, I feel bad for this fan base. All I can really say is keep being patient. You're rebuilding. For me, Calgary shouldn't measure success this year strictly by wins. I want to see development from their young players. And there are some pieces here. Dustin Wolfe is a young goalie I really like. And then they've got guys like Pakrin and Nimek on the blue line. There's something to build around. But it's gonna take time. And I also have questions about Huska. Is he the coach I want leading this rebuild? Personally, I don't think so. Now Edmonton Oilers. I do not expect another first round exit. I think this team will be better, not just in the playoffs, but during the regular season too. I've already given you my thoughts on Mike Babcock, so I'm not gonna go through that again. Let's talk about the players. Obviously, this team starts with the best player in the world, Connor McDavid. And oh yeah, they also got this guy named Leon Dreisidel. Not too shabby. But those aren't the only reasons I like Edmonton. I know a lot of fans weren't happy when Darnell Nurse left, but they had already added Connor Murphy at the deadline. And personally, I think Murphy is the better overall defenseman. Then there's the goaltending. This has been Edmonton's weakness for the last few years. They tried to address it, and I like what they did. But I'm not ready to say the problem is completely solved. Frederick Anderson is already dealing with an injury heading into the season, so Tristan Jari and Devon Levy are gonna have to hold down the fort early. We'll see. The expectation with Connor McDavid in his prime is pretty simple. Win the Stanley Cup. And originally my gut was telling me this was finally Edmonton's year. Now, would it surprise me if they won it? No, not at all. But my gut has changed. I think they're gonna be very good. I just think they might fall short again. And then we finish the West with Winnipeg. Oh boy. I feel, well, pretty shitty for this fan base. Because only a couple years ago, this was a team I genuinely thought could be the first Canadian team to finally bring the Stanley Cup back home. And I've always had a soft spot for Winnipeg, going all the way back to the original Jets. So this one kind of sucks for me to watch. I've already talked about Connor Hellebach, and yes, I still think he's being a baby. So let's talk about what I do like. Kyle Connor, Gabrielle Vellardi, and Mark Scheifley, who I really, really like. And I still don't understand how he was left off all those national Canadian teams. But after that, I start having questions. Stuart Skinner was originally brought in to back up Halibuck. And now, depending on where this whole Halibuck mess ends up, he could suddenly become a hell of a lot more important. And if Skinner is playing a lot, that Jets blue line better be a brick wall. Can you tell I'm not a huge Stuart Skinner fan? I do like the defense, Morrissey, Sandberg, and I really like the addition of Ferraro. But overall, I think this could be a tough season in Winnipeg. Not just on the ice, but maybe in that dressing room too. And speaking of dressing room drama, let's head east to Ottawa. Britt Kachak is gone. Now Ottawa has to turn that page. And I actually like quite a bit of what they've done. Jake Sanderson, Tim Stussel, Thomas Shabat. That's already a pretty damn good foundation. Then you've got Dylan Cousins. Love the grit in his game. Jordan Spence. Stanley Cup winner Barothkowski, and of course William Eklund. I already talked about Eklund earlier, so I'm not going to go through all that again. But I really like the fit. Do I think Ottawa can make the playoffs? Maybe. They're one of my bubble teams. Because unfortunately for Ottawa, I think the Atlantic is going to be really tough. They're going to have to steal points from some very good hockey teams. So I'm not guaranteeing playoffs, but I like where Ottawa is going. And then the Montreal Canadians. You know I'm already buying them. And apparently I reached a horrifying stage where I'm predicting really big things for the Montreal Canadians. I gave you my reasons earlier, so I'm not gonna go through the whole roster again. Like Suzuki, Coffee, Hudson, Demodov, who I've already told you I think is the real deal. And Jacob Dobies, who I think can become their franchise goalie. Are they making the playoffs? Hell yeah. Can they go all the way? Yeah, I actually think they can. And I can't believe I'm saying this either. But this isn't just a good Montreal team. It's a young cord that's really only beginning to enter its prime. If you're a Habs fan, you should be ecstatic about where this team is headed. God, that hurts to say. And finally, from one of my top teams in the league to a team I think it's going to be much better, the Toronto Maple Leafs. I've already told you why they're going to be better. Now, here's what I actually expect from them. More points in the regular season? Absolutely. Playoffs, I've got them in. How far? Honestly, probably one round. I see Toronto more as a wild card team. Now, if Sergi Brobrowski can be, well, goalie bob from the past, maybe they get through another round. Because if you listen to any of my hockey episodes, you know this about me. I love offense, I love scoring. And Toronto's gonna score. But when the playoffs start, give me defense and great goaltending every damn time. And that's where I'm still not completely sold on Toronto. Which brings me to Jim Hiller. I told you earlier, I'll come back to this. I don't think he's the coach who's going to take this team on a deep playoff run. Regular season? Sure. With this roster, I think Toronto should make the playoffs. And Hiller already has some familiarity with this organization and some of these players from his previous time as an assistant. But if I was making the decision, I would have gone another direction. Who? I personally was leaning towards Bruce Cassidy. Look at the way his teams have played defensively in the playoffs in Boston and Vegas. That's the identity I think Toronto needs if they finally gonna make a serious run. So yeah, Toronto is better. I think they're back in the playoffs. But I'm not ready to say they're back among the true Stanley Cup contenders. Not yet.

Sue's Predictions

Sue 46:02

You've already heard a few of my individual predictions throughout this episode, so I'm not going to repeat all of them here. Let's get to the big one. Who's going to the Stanley Cup final? Who am I predicting? Out west, I've got the Colorado Avalanche. And out east, and I cannot believe I'm saying this, the Montreal Canadiens. So my 2027 Stanley Cup final is Colorado against Montreal. And this is tough because Colorado is a really damn good team. McKinnon, McCarr, that entire team. There is absolutely nothing about Colorado getting to the Stanley Cup final that would surprise me. But I spent this entire episode telling you how much I like what Montreal is building. I've told you I'm buying them. I've told you how much I like Dem and Dove. I've told you I think this young core is the real deal. So I'm not backing away now just because I got to the Stanley Cup final. My 2027 Stanley Cup champions, and this hurts, are the Montreal Canadians. Yep, that's right. The team I grew up refusing to cheer for because everybody around me loved them is my Stanley Cup pick. So apparently I really do want the cup back in

Fan Question/Debate: Anthems at games?

Sue 47:23

Canada. I'm going to change gears here just a little bit. I have a question for you all. It's something I've been debating with myself for the last few years, and I really want to hear your thoughts and your opinions. Do we still need national anthems at the NHL Games? Now, before I tell you where I stand or what I've been debating with myself, just a little history. The tradition really started to take off during the 1918 World Series during the World War I. Playing the anthem at sporting events became much more widespread in the years that followed and eventually became routine across major sports around and after World War II. And I totally understand why. It was a moment of patriotism, solidarity, and respect. And I still admire and respect that. Hockey, like a lot of sports, kept that tradition. And there is something special about it when you're actually in the building listening to it. I love the crowd engagement in places like Chicago and or Vancouver. Thousands of people singing together, the energy building before the game, that feeling of home ice pride. I've experienced it live and it gives me chills every time. But here's where I start debating with myself. When I'm sitting at home watching the game on TV, I don't feel the same thing. I don't get that same emotion or that same sense of pride. Unless we're talking about something like the Olympics, where Canada is actually playing another country. That's different. I watch the Blue Jays, I watch the Raptors, and when the broadcast doesn't show the anthem, I don't sit there thinking, wait a minute, I didn't hear old Canada. I'm not ready for this game. I like I'm ready, let's play. And here's another part of it for me. These aren't national teams. NHL rosters are made up of players from all over the world. Canada, US, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and plenty of other countries. You could even ask how much hearing two North American anthems before every game means to a 19-year-old rookie who just arrived from somewhere overseas. I don't think they really care. And without turning this into a political discussion, because this is definitely not a political podcast, we've also seen what can happen when tension outside of sports find their way into the arena. Instead of an anthem being something that brings everybody together, suddenly fans are booing the other country's anthem. We saw some of that during the Four Nations tournament. And then something that's supposed to represent unity becomes another source of division. Do I think the NHL is suddenly going to stop televising anthems? Probably not. This League loves its traditions. But here's where I've landed. I love standing in an NHL arena with thousands of people singing together. I get emotional. I feel the pride. And that part of experiencing a game live is amazing. I don't want to lose that. But when I'm sitting at home on my couch on a Tuesday night, drop the puck. So what do you think? Keep the national anthems exactly the way they are? Keep them as part of the live arena experience, but stop showing them on a regular season broadcast? Or should club sports eventually move away from them altogether and save national anthems for international competition? The Olympics, World Juniors, Four Nations. And when countries are actually playing for their countries. I know where I'm leaning, but I want to know where you stand.

Sue's True Moment

Sue 51:11

For this Su's True moment, I originally wanted to talk about the teams I've watched win the Stanley Cup, some of the players involved, and all those Canadian teams that have tried to bring the cup back home. But while I was writing this episode, I realized something. Hockey is about so much more than the Stanley Cup. Don't get me wrong, that's the ultimate goal. But writing this episode got me thinking about all the players I've been amazed watching over the years. The teams I loved and still love. And yeah, even the coaches, there are a few of them I absolutely love to sit down with and just have a conversation about hockey. I honestly don't know my first memory of watching an NHL game. If I had to guess, it was probably hockey night in Canada with my parents and brothers, watching either the Leafs or the Montreal game. But I do know one thing. I loved hockey from day one. Most of my extended family loved the Montreal Canadians. And I remember my mom liking the Chicago Blackhawks because she told me she thought Tony Esposito was cute. Really? Although knowing her, part of it was probably just to go against her in-laws. Then I got a little bit older. Still a kid, but a little bit older. And a lot of my friends were Leafs fans. So naturally, I decided I'm gonna be a Boston Bruins fan. Yeah, I know. And maybe I was doing exactly what my mom did. I wanted to cheer for somebody different. But then Boston really did become my team. Ray Bork, Cam Neely, Andy Moog. I was devastated when Bork left Boston and went to Colorado. But when he finally lifted that Stanley Cup with the Avalanche, I cried. I was so damn happy for him. And back then, I probably took for granted that Canadian teams would keep winning Stanley Cups. Edmonton won four in the 80s. Montreal won it in 1993. How could I have possibly known we'll still be waiting 33 years later for another Canadian team to win it all? Over the years, my teams have changed a little, but I still have my favorites. Pittsburgh, Chicago, and yes, Toronto. And so much of that comes from the players I've watched. Miriam Lemieux to Cindy Crosby, Jonathan Tays to Connor Bedard, Dougie Gilmore to Austin Matthews. But then there are those other teams I followed for a while because of one player I loved watching. Or because I liked the way the team was built. Sometimes even because of the coach. Scottie Bowman in Detroit, Paul Maurice in Winnipeg, and my favorite, the late Pat Quinn in Toronto. And if I started talking about every player I love watching, every player whose skill absolutely made me, the underdog teams that beat all the odds, the coaches who somehow got more out of a team than anybody thought possible, all the great storylines, the drama, the blockbuster trades, the devastating injuries, the joy, the tears, the yelling at my TV, the double, triple overtime playoff games. And all those, oh my god, did that just happen moments? I'll never end this episode. And maybe that's why after all these years, I still get so damn excited when a new NHL season starts. Because I don't know what's coming. I don't know which player is going to amaze me, which team I'm gonna suddenly find myself cheering for, which team I'm going to hate, what storyline none of us saw coming, or what moment we're still gonna be talking about years from now. And every year I still wonder, is this the year one of my teams wins the Stanley Cup? Is this finally the year the cup comes back to Canada? I guess after all of this, what I'm really trying to say is pretty simple. I love hockey, always have, and I probably always will.

TFTO Outro/Signoff

Sue 55:15

Thanks so much for listening to another episode of True Fan True Opinions. If you enjoyed today's conversation, I really appreciate it if you follow the show, leave a review, and share it with another sports fan. And don't forget, I want to hear your thoughts. Did you agree with my takes? Did I miss something? Let me know in the comments or on social media. Until next time, keep sharing, keep believing, and remember chin up, don't give up. I'm rooting for you.