3 reasons to get excited for the NHL preseason
With the NHL preseason coming up, there are lots to be excited about! What are the top three things we’re looking forward to seeing this preseason?
The preseason begins in less than two weeks, and there is a lot to be excited about this year. From seeing the Seattle Kraken’s debut to looking at all the new trades in action, this is going to be a fun NHL preseason.
Today, we’re going to talk about the top three things that you should be excited about when it comes to the NHL preseason!
3. Looking at new trades in action
It’s no secret that this offseason was particularly crazy. More moves were made on the first day of Free Agency this year than last year, which made for a particularly crazy day! All of this means that when the preseason starts, we’ll have brand new teams across the divisions to watch, which is always fun! We’ll be able to see how those new people work with their new team, and we’ll be able to see them getting to know their new team.
Looking at the moves that were made, I’m most excited to see Darcy Kuemper in the role of starting goalie for the Colorado Avalanche after losing Phillip Grubauer to the Seattle Kraken. It will be interesting to see how Kuemper does on a team that relied so heavily on Grubauer. Will Kuemper be able to step up? More importantly, will he be able to fill the space that Grubauer left behind?
I’m also interested in looking at Nolan Patrick on the Golden Knights. While I’m sure he’ll be able to find his place on the Knights, I’m more worried about the void he’ll leave behind on the Flyers. Will the Flyers be able to cope without Patrick? He was definitely an important player on the team and he’ll leave behind a hole that maybe won’t be able to be filled quite as easily as the Flyers think.
2. New Prospects
Of course, the new prospects are always fun to watch in the preseason! New faces that maybe we’ve seen before or maybe we haven’t — all ready to play their hearts out for a place on the team. While we won’t be seeing Owen Powers this year as he’s decided to go back to school for a year, there are still prospects we’re excited to see on the ice during the preseason.
Luke Hughes was drafted #4 for the New Jersey Devils and is expected to play for the University of Michigan this year. However, it will still be exciting to see him play in the preseason, hopefully along with his brother Jack. He’s certainly made an impression at UMich and it will be interesting to see how he does on the big NHL stage before going back to college hockey.
Mason McTavish was drafted #3 for the Anaheim Ducks and has already signed an Entry-Level Contract. He’ll be playing in the OHL this year until he’s called up. McTavish has plenty of experience on the world stage as he filled in as captain for the U-18 World Championship and led Canada to gold. He also led the draft class in scoring, goals, and points per game. He’ll definitely be one to watch during the preseason and we’re excited to see what he does.
1. Seattle Kraken
Of course, the most exciting thing about this NHL preseason is going to be the introduction to the Seattle Kraken. After a long wait, we’ll finally be able to see the team play together for the first time. It will be a lot of different people coming together to form a team, and some of them will be former rivals, so it will be interesting to see how the dynamic works out. Also, who else can’t wait to see those awesome jerseys in action?
I’m most excited to see Brandon Tanev on the Kraken. He was a huge player on the Penguins, where he scored 16 points in 32 games. I think many Penguins fans were surprised when he wasn’t protected in the expansion draft, but that’s over now, and it’s time to see what he brings to the Kraken. I think he’ll bring his experience to the team as well as his infectious personality! He seems excited to be on the team and that will definitely help him succeed.
I’m also excited to see Jamie Oleksiak on the team. With his experience with nine years in Dallas and two in Pittsburgh, I think he’ll be a presence in the locker room that the team needs. He’ll also bring out a strong defense that will help the team filled with younger defensemen.
Must Read. Worst Trade in Each Team's History. light
What are you looking forward to in the preseason? Let us know in the comments!