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NHL Top 10 Storylines of 2015

By Ryan Ritchie|

NHL Top 10 Storylines of 2015: A Year in Review

Looking back at 2015, it was a year of headlines, both good and bad.  Determining our NHL top 10 storylines of 2015 wasn’t an easy feat, but if 2016 is anything like this year, we’re in for another exciting calendar year of hockey.  So which stories made the most buzz in 2015?  Lets take a look back:

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Honorable Storyline Mentions:

Buffalo Sabres acquire Evander Kane, Ryan O’Reilly, Robin Lehner, and draft Jack Eichel

Boston Bruins strange offseason – trade Milan Lucic and Dougie Hamilton – three consecutive draft picks in first round of 2015 draft

Columbus Blue Jackets struggle early on and fire coach Todd Richards – Losing trend continues under new bench boss John Tortorella

Dallas Stars add Antti Niemi, Patrick Sharp, and Johnny Oduya

Dylan Larkin Emerges in Red Wings Training Camp

Devan Dubnyk: A top NHL netminder in 2015

NHL Top 10 Storylines of 2015

10. Mike Babcock leaves Detroit to coach Toronto Maple Leafs

Dec 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock yells instruction to his players during a timeout as assistant coach

Jim Hiller

and assistant coach

D.J. Smith

look on against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Air Canada Centre. The Lightning beat the Maple Leafs 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

He signed an 8-year contract at $50 million dollars, making him the richest coach in NHL history. Babcock left a comfortable situation in Detroit, going 458-223-105 over his 10 years with the Red Wings. A five-time division winner, and Stanley Cup champion in 2007-08, Mike Babcock brought with him a wealth of experience and knowledge.

We’re starting to near the halfway mark of the 2015-16 NHL season, and already the Babcock effect is showing. The Maple Leafs boast below average talent in comparison to many other teams, but structure and a system keeps them competitive against the best of competitors.

It’s a bit of a long-road before he can make them Stanley Cup contenders, but if there’s any bench boss that can bring a winner back to Toronto, it’s Mike Babcock.

9. Carey Price Showered With Awards in 2015

Nov 25, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) watches play in the corner during second period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Lionel Conacher Award for Canadian Press Male Athlete of the Year
Lou Marsh Award for Canada’s Top Athlete
Hart Memorial Trophy
William M. Jennings Trophy
Vezina Trophy
Ted Lindsay Award

Carey Price emerged as the top goaltender in the world after an incredible 2014-15 campaign. The Canadiens fell short in the postseason, but Carey took home some impressive hardware. Awards keep coming with recent announcements of him winning the Lou Marsh Award, and Lionel Conacher Award.

He’s run into injury trouble of late, but it could work in favor of both Price and Montreal. 65 to 70 regular season games can wear on a netminder come April. With the additional rest, and a strengthened all-around team, a rested Carey Price can help carry Montreal make a deep playoff-run.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins Acquire Phil Kessel

Dec 1, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Phil Kessel (81) looks to pass against the San Jose Sharks in the 2nd period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports. The Penguins won 5-1.

Pittsburgh Trades Nick Spaling, Kasperi Kapanen, Scott Harrington, conditional first round pick, third round pick in 2016 to Toronto for Phil Kessel, Tim Erixon, and Tyler Biggs

The biggest trade of the offseason was met with much excitement from Penguins faithful. The idea of Phil Kessel playing alongside either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin seemed like a recipe for success. The moral of the story is that GM Jim Rutherford made his first rounder conditional, and we’re starting to learn why. Phil Kessel is an elite scorer, but brutally one-dimensional. We’re yet to hit the halfway mark, but so far the Phil Kessel experiment hasn’t worked out as hoped.

7. The Future of Steven Stamkos

Dec 26, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) shoots the puck to score a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Following the 2014-15 season, Steven Stamkos had a full no-movement clause kick in, tying GM Steve Yzerman‘s hands if he had any hopes of moving the young superstar (if an extension couldn’t be agreed upon).

There’s been rumors about coach Jon Cooper and Steven Stamkos not seeing eye-to-eye (if it’s true). It made a long-term extension for the coach only add to free-agent speculation. The rumor may be false, but ice-time and position has long been a concern for Stamkos.

Most recent rumors had the twitter-verse screen shooting Stamkos liking a TSN tweet linking him to Toronto. The story blew up in the Toronto media, forcing both Nick Kypreos and Bob McKenzie to proclaim their belief that Steven Stamkos will become a free-agent on July 1st.

6. Andrew Hammond Places Senators on His Back to Carry Them into Playoffs

Nov 7, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Ottawa Senators goalie Andrew Hammond (30) watches the play against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

The Ottawa Senators were headed for the Draft Lottery in 2014-15 before the “Hamburglar” came along. Down the stretch, Ottawa went 23-4-4 in the last 31 games of the regular season. Over that span, Hammond went 20-1-2 with a 1.79 goals-against-average and .941 save percentage. The Sens were the first team in NHL history to make the playoffs after trailing with a 14-point deficit. After drawing Montreal in round one, it was an unfortunate early exit, losing 4-2 in the opening series.

Andrew Hammond’s emergence gave GM Bryan Murray some flexibility on the trade market. Ottawa packaged Robin Lehner and David Legwand to Buffalo for a first rounder (Colin White). It’s been a rough start health-wise for Hammond thus far in 2015-16. He’s battling a very good Craig Anderson for time in the crease as well. How long before this situation becomes too crowded with Matt O’Connor in waiting?

5. Patrick Kane – The Good and the Bad

Dec 22, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) watches from the bench during the third period against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars shut out the Blackhawks 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier in 2015, Patrick Kane dealt with legal trouble. A long investigation into an alleged rape yielded zero results. After a strange sequence of events, the victim’s lawyer quit on her client, and shortly after the case was dropped. We’re taught that people are innocent until proven guilty, although many still assume Patrick Kane guilty. The innocent prevailed, and Kane didn’t let it become a distraction when the 2015-16 regular season opened.

Lining up next to new linemates Artemi Panarin and Artem Anisimov, the trio emerged as one of the NHL’s top lines in 2015-16 (so far). Patrick Kane went on a historic 26-game point streak that ended December 15th. It was just the third time in 2015-16 that Kane went pointless, leaving him with 46 points in 32 games at that point. He’s now got 53 points in 38 games, on pace to score over 100 points.

4. New Rules (Coach’s Challenge & 3-on-3 overtime)

Nov 17, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Minnesota Wild head coach Mike Yeo (L) listens to referee Francois St. Laurent (38) during a replay challenge against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Prior to the new season, the NHL implemented new rule changes. First, the coach’s challenge gives teams the ability to challenge a goal by replay. A team can do so if they believe a play is either offside, or interference prevented the goalie from making a save. It’s proved effective as we near the halfway mark of the season. Some are rightfully sour about the rule slowing down the game, but in the end, getting the call right is top priority. Several goals have already been called back due to offside. Although the grey area surrounding goalie interference is ruffling some feathers. It’s a new rule, so the NHL will need to find a way to make goaltender interference more black-and-white.

3-on-3 overtime was met with some resistance from experts, fans, and players early into its implementation. The experiment trials occurred in NHL preseason offering overwhelming results to help avoid games getting to shootouts. It’s an exciting new concept that has coaches flustered. The overflow of odd-man rushes coupled with added space to skate is a successful recipe for more goals. The NHL loves it so much, they’ve adopted the format for this year’s All-Star Game in Nashville. 3-on-3 overtime is exciting for fans, and the NHL is hoping to bank on that with its introduction of a new-look All-Star format, in hopes of reviving interest in the event.

3. Edmonton Wins Draft Lottery, Selects Phenom Connor McDavid

Oct 31, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) skates against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Rexall Place. Calgary Flames won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

After walking into April’s Draft Lottery with an 11.5 percent chance (3rd highest), the Edmonton Oilers walked away with the top pick in June’s draft. Deemed as potentially one of the most talented draft classes in NHL history, Buffalo Sabres fans were robbed of the next big thing. Phenom Connor McDavid was selected by Edmonton. Buffalo got an incredible consolation prize in Jack Eichel.

The Calder Trophy candidacy was expected to be a two-man race between McDavid and Eichel, but how quickly things have changed. A long-term injury negates enough games being played for McDavid to garner consideration. Eichel is one of Buffalo’s best players early in 2015-16, but we’re still waiting for the offensive production. Currently, Max Domi, Artemi Panarin, and Dylan Larkin top the class of rookies.

2. NHL Expansion (Quebec City and Las Vegas in Expansion Process)

Sep 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr appear on stage together during a press conference and media event for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL was talking expansion in 2015 (although no guarantees). The league opened the expansion process with an initial $500 million dollar down-payment (this compared to $80 million dollars paid in 2000). When the dust cleared, only Las Vegas and Quebec City still stood.

They’ve since been going through the expansion process, with latest news coming back in August that both cities entered the third (and potential final) stage. It’s unclear if the NHL plans on offering both cities expansion franchises, but Gary Bettman did announce that nothing will change until at least 2017-18.

Next: Calgary Flames 2016-17 Salary Cap Situation

1. Chicago Blackhawks Win Stanley Cup

Jun 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center

Jonathan Toews

(19) kisses the Stanley Cup up during the 2015 Stanley Cup championship rally at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

After finishing 3rd in the Central Division in 2014-15, Chicago drew a tough first round opponent in Nashville. The Blackhawks beat the Predators 4-2, then went on to sweep the Minnesota Wild in round two. Chicago met Western Conference favorite Anaheim in the Conference finals, and eventually prevailed in a hard-fought seven game series. They met up with a young hungry Tampa Bay Lightning team in the Stanley Cup Finals, but were too much for an inexperienced group of Lightning players. They won their second Stanley Cup in three years.

Chicago was met with a familiar scenario this past offseason encountering salary cap issues. These are the same issues that once forced them to trade both Dustin Byfuglien and Andrew Ladd. This time, Brandon Saad went to Columbus for Artem Anisimov and Marko Dano. They also traded Patrick Sharp and Stephen Johns to Dallas for Ryan Garbutt and Trevor Daley (recently traded for Rob Scuderi).  Chicago will look to repeat as back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions in 2016, although the Dallas Stars might have something to say about that.

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