The NHL ice hockey season starts on Friday, October 4. We presented expert Ismo Lehkonen with ten statements about this season.
– Does not return. Five-man defense and goaltending are not enough, NHL expert Ismo Lehkonen answers.
The Edmonton Oilers have the title of the best player in the world Connor McDavid and the highest paid player in the NHL Leon Draisaitlwho have been expected to lift the team to the championship for some time. According to Lehkonen, there will be a bone in the hand this year as well.
2. Buffalo advances to the playoffs for the first time in 14 years
– Oh my god. Why do people tease me about this? I’ve been in their carriages for two years, should I get a third one?
– This is still a bit of a mystery team. Now I have to say that they still won’t go to the playoffs. It is still an undisciplined team at any point. Sometimes from defensive play, sometimes from coldness and sometimes from laziness. That’s the head coach With Lindy Ruff hard tick.
3. There will be no new lockout
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman promised to start collective bargaining negotiations with the players’ association at the beginning of January and promised a new contract by the time of the Stanley Cup finals as a continuation of the old deal lasting until autumn 2026.
So we will avoid the collective bargaining battles seen in 1994–1995, 2004–2005 and 2012–2013.
– This is what will happen. Somehow that field there has a really uniform feeling. The positive speaker is on in the circle of the species.
4. Jesse Puljujärvi establishes a playing position in Pittsburgh
Jesse Puljujärvi artificial joints were installed in both hips and he started his ascent back to the NHL from almost zero last season.
After a long break, Puljujärvi returned to the NHL arena in the spring season. Now he’s trying to establish himself in the Pittsburgh Penguins.
– Sixty-fifty. I would say no. Although a year ago it seemed that the line-up in Pittsburgh would be thin, now there are several chains of players available for the three-four chain. The competition is really tough. The head coach Mike Sullivan waiting for clockwork performance-reliable workman’s hockey. That’s why the challenge is tough.
5. Brad Lambert breaks into the playing lineup in Winnipeg
Finland’s top promise Brad Lambert20, debuted in the NHL last season, but most of the season was spent in the AHL at a rate of almost a point per game.
– No. The boy is on the right path, but we still have to wait a year. It has a really tough attacking team, where seasoned adult quality players are competing for the same playing spots. Especially getting into the first two chains would be a really hard sensation.
6. Tampa, the dynasty of yesteryear, does not make the playoffs
– Yes, you can. The tip is still sharp and no matter how hard it is, the head coach Jon Cooper though talking to the Tampa playoffs.
7. Auston Matthews breaks the 70 goal mark
– No offense. Last year there was only one short, but now the coach of the old association came in Craig Berube. There is now such a mood that if we lead by a couple of goals, the hatches will be slammed shut. You don’t start playing with your winnings or chasing your own statistics.
8. At least two Finns reach 100 power points
– Yes. Mikko Rantanen, Alexander Barkov, Sebastian Aho and Roope Hintz everyone can do it. It is a strong belief that two goes over a hundred, now let’s actually start with three.
9. Florida doesn’t win a second straight championship
– I agree. They survived with really small bumps and now the lineup is not that deep, so a few bumps along the way will weaken the team more.
10. Aleksander Barkov of the Florida Panthers wins the third best defensive forward award of his career
– Oh, oh, bad. I should say yes, but I still say no. There are really tough contenders this year who are very motivated because of the Florida championship.
– Auston Matthews belongs to this series and there are plenty of candidates anyway, and there is always the possibility that something surprising will come into the picture. And you also have to always remember that a Finnish name is not as sexy to voters as a Canadian or American name.
The NHL season begins on Friday when the New Jersey Devils face the Buffalo Sabers in Prague.