What NHL Fans Want to See This Season

Sep 22, 2011
Richard Mak

Crosby watching the rookies at training camp. - Wooble

In anticipation to the start of a new NHL season, every hockey fan should keep their eyes on these top five storylines.

1. The Return of Sidney Crosby

Crosby has made significant progress in his recovery from the concussion he suffered after taking what may have been an inadvertent elbow to the head from Washington's David Steckel during last season’s Winter Classic on January 1, 2011.

However, Crosby and his doctors insist he won’t play again until he’s 100 percent concussion free. “Ninety per cent is good. But at the same time, if there's symptoms or things that aren't right, 90 per cent isn't really good enough.” Crosby said during his September 7th news conference.

Those symptoms include migraines, fatigue, fogginess and sensitivity to light and sound, preventing him from engaging in full contact during practices. With no timetable set for his imminent return, both Crosby and fans can only hope it will be sooner rather than later.

2. Putting ‘The Great’ Back in Ovechkin’s Scoring

Notching 32 goals in a season is a productive year for most players but not when you’re Alexander Ovechkin.

Last season, the NHL’s most exciting player had his worst scoring output since entering the league 6 seasons ago. His 32 goals fell well short of the 50 goals he scored during the 2009–10 campaign and is a far cry from his career high of 65 goals in 2007-08.

Even more alarming, most of Ovie’s goals weren’t the highlight reel variety we’ve become accustomed to seeing on sports shows and YouTube. Instead of using his slick one-on-one moves on helpless defenders and goalies, Ovechkin seemed more content unleashing shots from the top of the faceoff circle.

To be fair, Ovechkin made great strides in becoming a better defensive player and involving his teammates more offensively under the guidance of coach Bruce Boudreau. He may be a better overall player now but we don’t call him ‘Alexander The Great’ for his ability to backcheck.

3. An End to the Phoenix Coyotes Saga

Will this be the final season of the Coyotes? Things are not looking good for Phoenix as the city of Glendale and the NHL desperately search for a new owner for the financially strapped team.

None of the 5 previous owners have managed to make the Coyotes profitable since the team moved from Winnipeg in 1996. The NHL was forced to buy the franchise after its last owner, Jerry Moyes, filed for bankruptcy in 2009. Since then, the league has attempted to sell the team to two potential bidders without success.

The good news is the Coyotes aren’t moving anywhere this season, thanks to the city of Glendale anteing up $25 million to cover the team’s financial losses. However, this year might be the Coyotes’ last howl in the dessert if the league is unable to find a suitable owner before the start of next season.

4. Watch the Jets Fly High Once Again in Winnipeg

On May 31, Jets fans celebrated on the streets of Winnipeg when NHL commissioner Gary Bettman formally announced the sale of the Atlanta Thrashers to True North Sports and Entertainment, the company responsible for bringing the NHL back to Winnipeg and making the dream a reality for thousands of long-suffering fans.

The Jets will make their triumphant return October 9, when they host the Montreal Canadians at MTS Centre in what is sure to be an emotional and exciting day for Winnipeg and the NHL.

5. Keep the Hits Coming, Without the Concussions

Everyone enjoys a good bodycheck but no one wants to see a player lying on the ice unconscious or looking like a drunken sailor after taking a big hit to the head. The NHL has taken some steps in an attempt to curb concussions after a series of ugly headshots felled some of its top stars last season, including Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby, Boston’s Marc Savard and Chicago’s Brent Seabrook.

These steps involve making all hits to the head illegal, instead of just lateral and blind-side hits, and broadening the definition of what a boarding penalty is by including ‘dangerous’ hits. In addition, the league is also studying to see if any equipment changes are necessary, specifically to helmets, shoulder and elbow pads.

Realistically, both fans and players understand concussions will always be a part of hockey due to the game’s speed and physical nature. What we don’t want to see are injuries caused by cheap shots.