Top NHL stars not set to shine
INJURIES, CONTRACTS: Crosby, Price and Eichel among big names to miss openers
The NHL season isn’t exactly starting with a bang — more like an extended groan. Sidney Crosby is out with a concussion, Carey Price is sick with the flu and Jack Eichel was lucky he didn’t break his ankle after collapsing during practice Wednesday.
Yes, even before the first game was played, some of the biggest and brightest stars are already sidelined with injuries — or waiting to come to terms on a new contract.
Here’s a look at who’s out and why it hurts:
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh
What’s wrong: Days before the start of the season, Crosby reportedly got tangled up with another player in practice and suffered a concussion. With his history — he missed the better part of two seasons because of a concussion in 2011 — that’s obviously scary news. But it sounds like it’s not as bad as it could have been. Crosby, who has been ruled out of playing in the Penguins season opener Thursday, skated with the team Tuesday and Wednesday and, according to head coach Mike Sullivan, is “certainly making progress, and that’s exciting for us.”
Why this hurts: Just take a look at his last four months. Crosby won the Stanley Cup in June when he was named playoff MVP, then captained Team Canada to a World Cup championship in September. He is the best player on the planet. So losing him, even for a game or two, hurts a lot.
Jack Eichel, Buffalo
What’s wrong: It was one of those ‘don’t-look’ scenes that you can’t help but watch. One second, Eichel was taking part in a practice drill and the next second, his left leg had buckled underneath him and the Sabres forward was rolling around the ice, screaming in pain. Head coach Dan Bylsma told reporters Eichel suffered a high-ankle sprain, but no one is sure about how much time he will miss.
Why this hurts: If the Sabres are going to take that long-awaited step toward making a playoff push, they will need Eichel to lead the way. The 19-year-old, who finished second in rookie scoring last season with 24 goals and 56 points, is Buffalo’s No. 1 centre and was playing on a line with Sam Reinhart and Evander Kane. Without him, Reinhart might have to move to centre.
Carey Price, Montreal
What’s wrong: Price didn’t travel with the team to Buffalo for Thursday’s season opener against the Sabres. It’s not an injury — just the flu. Well, we hope. But after appearing in just 12 games last season, any cough or sniffle coming out of Price seems like a harbinger of bad news, especially with how the Montreal Canadiens crumbled without their starting goalie and MVP. Hopefully, this isn’t a sign of things to come.
Why this hurts: As we saw last season, the Canadiens will go as far as Price takes them. But his absence might not be as detrimental as it was in the past. For one, Montreal is much deeper and possibly better defensively with the additions of Shea Weber, Alexander Radulov and Andrew Shaw. And with Al Montoya in net, the team finally has a backup goalie who can actually play.
Patrice Bergeron, Boston
What’s wrong: Shortly after returning from the World Cup, Bergeron went down with a lower-body injury. Not a whole lot is known about the particulars of the injury, only that the Bruins centre will miss the season opener and is listed as day-today. Based on his recent injury history — he missed five games over the last three seasons — don’t expect Bergeron to be gone for an extended amount of time.
Why this hurts: Along with Team Canada linemates Crosby and Brad Marchand, there might not have been a better player at the World Cup than Bergeron. He scored a career-high 32 goals and 68 points last season and, without Loui Eriksson, was going to be leaned on for even more offence. The fact that defencemen Kevan Miller and Adam McQuaid are also injured further depletes a Bruins team that was already getting older and slower.
Jacob Trouba, Winnipeg
What’s wrong: Trouba isn’t injured, but might as well be. The restricted free agent, who requested a trade last spring, is reportedly not interested in signing a new contract because he doesn’t see a future on the right side of the Jets defence, where he is playing behind Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers. Either he will continue to sit out or Winnipeg will move him. Either way, the Jets are without a top-three defenceman.
Why this hurts: Last year, Trouba ranked third on the team in ice time. The Jets don’t have the same depth as the Tampa Bay Lightning, who went through a similar standoff with Jonathan Drouin. Winnipeg needs Trouba — or at least needs to trade him and get someone comparable in the lineup. If not, the Jets are in danger of missing the playoffs again.
Hampus Lindholm/Rickard Rakell, Anaheim
What’s wrong: From Buffalo’s Rasmus Ristolainen to Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau, this was the summer of waiting until the last possible second to sign restricted free agents. One team that is still waiting is Anaheim, which has not yet come to terms with Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell. The Ducks are reportedly using Ristolainen’s six-year, US$32.4-million contract as a comparable for Lindholm, while reports suggest the 22-yearold is looking at something similar to the eight-year, $60-million deal signed by Florida’s Aaron Ekblad. The divide between the team and Rakell might not be as large, but with only $4.17-million remaining under the cap, getting both done could be difficult.
Why this hurts: Lindholm was arguably the Ducks’ top defencemen, ranking second in ice time and second in points. Rakell also had a breakout season, scoring 20 goals and 43 points, and is due for some more growth. As long as both players remain in Sweden, it’s hard to imagine Anaheim finding much success.