Times are a changing
NHL pundit talks changes, trends and surprises in 2018-19 season
A quarter of the way into the NHL’s 2018-19 season, here’s a look at some notable trends, surprises and disappointments thus far.
Young stars shining
A generational shift can be seen among this season’s leading NHL scorers.
Well-known veterans such as Pittsburgh Penguins centre Evgeni Malkin and Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin can still be found among the top scorers. However, their ranks are being increasingly filled by a growing number of 23-andyounger stars.
For the past three years, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid was the face of the league’s young guns. He’s now joined by Colorado Avalanche forwards Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon, Tampa Bay Lightning centre Brayden Point, Winnipeg Jets winger Patrik Laine and Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner.
Sabres, Red Wings rising
For the past several years, the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings have rebuilt their rosters with younger talent. Their efforts appear to be finally paying off.
Led by captain Jack Eichel, the Sabres entered this week having won nine straight games. They’re challenging the mighty Tampa Bay Lightning for first in the Atlantic Division.
The Red Wings, meanwhile, are still outside the playoff picture. But, thanks to youngsters like centre Dylan Larkin and rookie defenceman Dennis Cholowksi, they’ve overcome one of the worst starts in franchise history to move within striking distance of a wild-card berth.
Canadiens might be on track
After missing the playoffs last season, the Montreal Canadiens made a couple of notable off-season changes.
In June, they traded forward Alex Galchenyuk to the Arizona Coyotes for Max Domi. Prior to the pre-season, winger Max Pacioretty was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights for Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki and a draft pick.
While Galchenyuk and Pacioretty struggle with their new clubs, Domi leads the Canadiens with 26 points and Tatar is third with 19. Thanks in part to their efforts, the Habs are exceeding expectations and remain in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Blackhawks, Kings, Penguins declining
Throughout this decade, the Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins dominated the NHL. That trio has won seven of the nine Stanley Cups awarded since 2010.
This season, however, they no longer look like Cup contenders. A combination of aging talent, salary-cap constraints and increasing parity among the 31 NHL franchises has notably weakened them.
As this week began, the Blackhawks sat three points out of playoff contention in the Western Conference. The Penguins are four points back in the Eastern Conference while the Kings are mired at the bottom of the overall standings.
Coaching isn’t a safe gig
After passing through the 2017-18 regular-season schedule without a single coaching change, there’s already been four in November.
The Kings, Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues and Edmonton Oilers opted to replace their bench bosses in hopes of reversing their sagging fortunes.
Coaches who could be on the hot seat heading into December include Dave Hakstol of the Philadelphia Flyers and Guy Boucher of the Ottawa Senators.