CANADIAN TEAMS ENTER CAMP WITH QUESTION MARKS
A look at the seven NHL clubs on this side of the border and the biggest issue they face
With training camps opening around the NHL on Thursday, here are seven burning questions facing the seven Canadian teams:
CALGARY
How will the new guys mesh? From head coach Bill Peters to winger James Neal, there’s a lot of new faces in Calgary who will have to come together in a short period of time if the Flames hope to return to the playoffs.
The one to watch closest is defenceman Noah Hanifin. The 21-year-old, traded from Carolina along with Elias Lindholm in exchange for Dougie Hamilton and Micheal Ferland, isn’t going to replace the 17 goals Hamilton scored last season. But his impact could be greater if he finds chemistry with Travis Hamonic, who looked lost in Calgary last season, thus allowing T.J. Brodie to reunite with Mark Giordano.
EDMONTON
Who will play on Connor Mcdavid’s wing ?
The most coveted spot in hockey was a revolving door of frustration last year after the Oilers moved Leon Draisaitl back to centre, leaving Mcdavid in search of consistent linemates.
Ryan Nugent-hopkins eventually found chemistry on the left side, but it’s the right side that is still up for grabs. Ty Rattie finished the season with Mcdavid, where he picked up nine points in 14 games, but look for Kailer Yamamoto as a more likely permanent option.
The first-round pick, who began the 2017-18 season on the top line before returning to junior, has the speed to keep up with Mcdavid and Nugenthopkins. He just has to show he can finish around the goal — something very few Oilers did last season.
MONTREAL
What version of Carey Price will we see?
To say that Price had a difficult season is an understatement.
The Canadiens goalie, who battled injuries and illness for most of last season, had some of the worst numbers in the NHL. Management hopes it was simply a blip. After all, Price’s new contract extension kicks in this season.
No one is expecting a miracle, especially with Shea Weber out until November or December following knee surgery and the team having traded Max Pacioretty. But considering Price is signed for eight years, management is hoping he can return to the Vezina Trophy and Hart Trophy form he displayed a few years back.
If not, it won’t be long before we start seeing “Lose for (Jack) Hughes” posters in the crowd. OTTAWA
How long will Erik Karlsson be around?
It wasn’t by accident that Eugene Melnyk failed to mention Karlsson in that embarrassing state-of-the-team address posted to the team’s website Monday. As far as the Senators owner is concerned, Karlsson might as well be gone already.
Except he isn’t.
While Montreal moved on from Pacioretty, the Senators’ captain is still around while management hunts for the right return in a trade. The longer this goes, the worse it becomes for a team that is launching a rebuild.
In other words, if you thought the Melnyk video was awkward, just wait until Karlsson arrives to training camp on Thursday.
TORONTO
How will the top lines shake out?
It was on July 1 when John Tavares signed an eight-year contract with the Maple Leafs. Soon after, it was with giddiness when head coach Mike Babcock unveiled how he planned to use his new toy.
According to Babcock, Tavares would play alongside Mitch Marner and Zach Hyman, while Auston Matthews would centre a line with William Nylander and Patrick Marleau. Of course, plans could change as Nylander is a holdout seeking a new deal.
The Penguins initially hoped Sidney Crosby would play with Phil Kessel only to realize the two simply didn’t mesh. A more important question might be which five guys will be on the No. 1 power-play unit.
VANCOUVER
How good are the kids?
For the second straight year, someone other than Daniel or Henrik Sedin led the Canucks in scoring last season. That trend will continue as the twins retired, leaving the franchise in the hands of Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser and the rest of the kids.
Of those, the most interesting to watch could be Swedish forwards Elias Pettersson and Jonathan Dahlen, who were dubbed the “new Sedins” at the Canucks’ rookie tournament this week.
Pettersson, who was a fifthoverall pick in 2017, has the best chance of winning a spot out of camp. But if the 20-year-old Dahlen can continue to show chemistry with his countryman, Vancouver’s rebuild might not take as long as we think.
WINNIPEG
Will the lack of a safety net hurt goalie Connor Hellebuyck?
When the season began last year, Steve Mason was Winnipeg ’s starter and Hellebuyck was the backup. That obviously didn’t last. But with Mason gone and Hellebuyck returning as the unquestioned No. 1, it will be interesting to see how he operates without someone pushing him for playing time.
After all, Hellebuyck is only 25 years old and entering his fourth year in the league with a team that is not only expected to make the playoffs but has been tabbed to win the Stanley Cup.
That’s a lot to take in. And if he can’t handle it, the Jets’ Plan B right now is minor-league journeyman Laurent Brossoit.