NHL Season Inauguration Overview
The inaugural day of the NHL’s new season was thoroughly dissected in the latest episode of The Hockey News Big Show, where hosts Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos, and Ryan Kennedy delved into notable matchups and emerging storylines.
Matchup Highlights
The episode began with reactions from the exciting matchups, including:
- Chicago Blackhawks competing against the Florida Panthers
- New York Rangers facing off against the Pittsburgh Penguins
- Colorado Avalanche challenging the Los Angeles Kings
Roster Surprises and Player Impact
The conversation shifted to roster surprises, highlighting unexpected names that made the opening day lineups and assessing which newcomers might significantly influence their teams’ performances this season.
Particular emphasis was placed on Easton Cowan, a prospect for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who was recently called up – the group pondered his potential impact in the league.
In roster-related news, the Maple Leafs notably acquired Sammy Blais and Cayden Primeau off waivers, and the trio weighed the implications of these moves.
Injury Updates and Contract Discussions
A serious topic emerged around Alex Pietrangelo, who was placed on long-term injured reserve for the season, prompting discussions about team strategies moving forward.
Meanwhile, the implications of Kyle Connor’s recent eight-year extension with the Winnipeg Jets were another focal point of discussion, as was the ongoing pressure that Connor McDavid’s contract may exert on other star players to potentially take pay cuts in pursuit of championships.
Additional Commentary
Further commentary included Mattias Ekholm’s new three-year extension with the Edmonton Oilers and thoughts on the Stanley Cup predictions for the season ahead.
In a more lighthearted vein, the inquiry of Sidney Crosby’s status as the greatest captain in NHL history was debated, along with the Boston Bruins’ decision to start the season without a captain.
Closing Thoughts
Finally, the episode wrapped up with responses to the new third jerseys debuted by the Los Angeles Kings and early evaluations of NCAA standout Gavin McKenna. To hear all these insights, listeners can catch the full episode through their preferred streaming platforms.
