47 Days until the new NHL Season starts.
Not that I am counting,
There has been some crazy stuff going down in the 2015 off season and I thought some early hockey discussion wouldn't go a miss.
Offseason headlines and key talking points ICYMI:
Adidas
2017 will see a change to Adidas from the current Reebok branding in the NHL jerseys.
Bit of a strange move in my opinion as Adidas owns Reebok who are well known in hockey but apparantly are moving towards a lifestyle and fitness brand with Adidas taking their place. Seems odd when Adidas also owns CCM who are a much more established brand in hockey, surely it would make more sense to go with that.
Lots of talk about adverts on jerseys too but it seems to be a lot of internet talk right now. I can't see many fans appreciating that one.
McDavid
The kid knows his stuff, watching any of his highlight goals from the otters shows why was the 1st pick. All reports from the Oilers camp show promise with their current roster all reacting positively to him. May be just PR but we will have to see what he does over the course of this season. I personally can't see him living up to the hype in his rookie year.
Kessel
Did NOT see that one coming. Kessel moving to the Penguins is going to be pretty big. He is a superstar without question and put up impressive numbers last season whilst playing for a relatively poor Leafs front line. Pairing this guy up with one of the best playmakers in the game (Crosby) is sure to see a very formidable line one and special teams line from the Penguins.
They might even beat the Flyers this season too...
Voracek
An 8 year lock up contract for him on his breakout season is a good idea on paper but it was going to go two ways really. They had to pay him that much but also couldn't go above Girou's contract either.
Considering the cap hit his contract has had, Hextall has been smashing out some top level team management now getting some other promising players like Couturier on long and cheap contracts to compensate. Flyers have some depth now. If we don't make the playoffs at least this season then I just don't know.
Daniel Briere Retires
The guy was obviously pretty well regarded. played pretty much everywhere worth noting and showed himself as a valuable asset in every post season campaign he was a part of.
Winter Classic
Bruins vs Habs
Bruins lacking Defence
Well, lets be honest. I know they have been 'rebuilding' but what exactly is that team doing at the moment. Does anybody else know?
Patty Kane
So the dude has been accused of rape. Police investigation under way, no charges currently against him. Got booted off the front of the NHL16 game cover and removed from most of the Bauer marketing stuff too. Innocent until proven guilty I guess, but I am not sure why a multi millionaire, stanley cup winning professional athlete would need to do that.
It could massively hurt the Blackhawks title defence whatever the outcome.
Vegas & Quebec Franchise Rumours.
Both areas have submitted and proceeded to phase 2 of this process. Although I think the west perhaps needs another franchise, I can't help but think that vegas is not really a hockey market and would struggle for attendance. Quebec on the other hand would do much better in my view.
Not that I am counting,
There has been some crazy stuff going down in the 2015 off season and I thought some early hockey discussion wouldn't go a miss.
Offseason headlines and key talking points ICYMI:
Adidas
2017 will see a change to Adidas from the current Reebok branding in the NHL jerseys.
Bit of a strange move in my opinion as Adidas owns Reebok who are well known in hockey but apparantly are moving towards a lifestyle and fitness brand with Adidas taking their place. Seems odd when Adidas also owns CCM who are a much more established brand in hockey, surely it would make more sense to go with that.
Lots of talk about adverts on jerseys too but it seems to be a lot of internet talk right now. I can't see many fans appreciating that one.
McDavid
The kid knows his stuff, watching any of his highlight goals from the otters shows why was the 1st pick. All reports from the Oilers camp show promise with their current roster all reacting positively to him. May be just PR but we will have to see what he does over the course of this season. I personally can't see him living up to the hype in his rookie year.
Kessel
Did NOT see that one coming. Kessel moving to the Penguins is going to be pretty big. He is a superstar without question and put up impressive numbers last season whilst playing for a relatively poor Leafs front line. Pairing this guy up with one of the best playmakers in the game (Crosby) is sure to see a very formidable line one and special teams line from the Penguins.
They might even beat the Flyers this season too...
Voracek
An 8 year lock up contract for him on his breakout season is a good idea on paper but it was going to go two ways really. They had to pay him that much but also couldn't go above Girou's contract either.
Considering the cap hit his contract has had, Hextall has been smashing out some top level team management now getting some other promising players like Couturier on long and cheap contracts to compensate. Flyers have some depth now. If we don't make the playoffs at least this season then I just don't know.
Daniel Briere Retires
The guy was obviously pretty well regarded. played pretty much everywhere worth noting and showed himself as a valuable asset in every post season campaign he was a part of.
Winter Classic
Bruins vs Habs
Bruins lacking Defence
Well, lets be honest. I know they have been 'rebuilding' but what exactly is that team doing at the moment. Does anybody else know?
Patty Kane
So the dude has been accused of rape. Police investigation under way, no charges currently against him. Got booted off the front of the NHL16 game cover and removed from most of the Bauer marketing stuff too. Innocent until proven guilty I guess, but I am not sure why a multi millionaire, stanley cup winning professional athlete would need to do that.
It could massively hurt the Blackhawks title defence whatever the outcome.
Vegas & Quebec Franchise Rumours.
Both areas have submitted and proceeded to phase 2 of this process. Although I think the west perhaps needs another franchise, I can't help but think that vegas is not really a hockey market and would struggle for attendance. Quebec on the other hand would do much better in my view.
)
