The 2021 NHL regular season has kicked off to an intriguing start with many storylines to follow and records to take note of. Two major offseason storylines were the expansion draft of the new Seattle Kraken team as well as the robust Jack Eichel trade rumors. The most notable stories I’ve taken away so far are included in this NHL update.
After finishing the 2020 season as Stanley Cup runners-ups to the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Montreal Canadiens have started the 2021 season with the worst start in franchise history. Star goaltender Carey Price took a leave of absence for his mental health, which greatly affected their chances of winning games, and veteran defenseman Shea Weber retired before the season due to injury. Nonetheless, their 5-16-2 start, as of Nov. 29, is head-scratching and the team recently fired their general manager, Marc Bergevin.
The Seattle Kraken have also had a difficult time getting into the win column, unlike the Vegas Golden Knights in their inaugural expansion season in 2017. The Kraken stand well below .500 and will need to turn things around quickly to salvage any hopes for the playoffs.
On a more positive note, the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes have each had historic success early in the 2021 season. Both teams stand three and four respectively in current NHL standings and they will look to carry their momentum deeper into the lengthy season.
The Buffalo Sabers sported a 5-1-1 record after seven games and showed signs of continuity under newly extended head coach Don Granato, but have since only won three games in approximately a month. The Sabers have an extremely young team and have a truly elite prospect pool with Owen Power, Jack Quinn, Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka, and more. The Sabers acquired Krebs through a blockbuster trade with the Golden Knights for Jack Eichel and Buffalo also received a 2022 first round pick and Alex Tuch from Vegas.
Four players, including one duo, have really stuck out to me throughout the early stages of this season. Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is making a strong case to be regarded as the best goal scorer in NHL history, as he is currently second in goals at 36 years old. Lucas Raymond of the Detroit Red Wings is running away with rookie of the year with 21 points in 22 games (seven more than any other rookie). Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are forming arguably the most dynamic duo in NHL history, as they both continue to produce top three in points together.
Factoring in the length of an NHL season, there have been a few more additional surprising success stories including the Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets. There will be many more upcoming to excite hockey fans.