Some Super Quick NHL Musings
Celebrating Hockey Day In America with a handful of hockey thoughts and reflections...
Happy Hockey Day In America, everybody!
Hockey and the NHL deserves to be in the spotlight today of all days, so I thought I would jump on and share some rapid thoughts with you.
We’re approaching the stretch run and the NHL Trade Deadline, so there really is a lot to talk about.
Here’s a few talking points from the last couple of days that I’m most interested in right now…
🏒 The Detroit Red Wings are one hell of a story. They are currently in a Wild Card spot and they look a good bet to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season. And, if they do end that drought, then I think they are going to be a really dangerous team to face. Patrick Kane-Dylan Larkin-Alex DeBrincat are hockey’s version of a Big Three, and that’s a team with a lot of talent and a lot of depth. Kane has been arguably the best pickup of the year, recording 26 points (11 G, 16 A) in 26 games, and his vast postseason experience will be a huge plus. I watched their game against the Blues on Saturday, and I’m finding myself stopping everything and watching the Red Wings every single time they play. Just a really fun team to watch. The fact that they rank sixth in Goals For Per Game (3.51) does not surprise me.
🏒 Patrick Kane Vs. Connor Bedard - the battle of two No. 1 overall picks - is the highlight of Hockey In America Day. I’ve been really, really impressed with Bedard. He’s had to overcome a lot of adversity in his rookie year, and he showed immense maturity throughout that whole unfortunate Corey Perry situation (I don’t want to give it credence here, but feel free to Google it). Now back from a fractured jaw, Bedard has hardly missed a beat and he leads all NHL rookies with 39 points (17 G, 22 A) in 44 games. I think he’s a lock to win the Calder Trophy, and he’s come exactly as advertised. Every time he has the puck on his stick, you feel as though he’s going to do something special. And, 9/10, he does.
🏒 I feel like we don’t talk about Nikita Kucherov enough. After tallying four points against the Devils on Sunday, the right wing has now tallied 100 points (102, 38 G, 64 A) for the fourth time in his career. He’s the first to 100 points in the NHL this season. Kucherov has just been so consistent and he deserves more attention for the elite offensive weapon he is. He’s still only 30-years-old, too.
🏒 I’m forever in awe of Sidney Crosby. The sure-fire future Hall of Famer is 36-years-old, yet he seems to keep on getting better with age. He now has 56 points (31 G, 25 A) on the year after a four-point outing against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, including a filthy assist that only Sid The Kid is capable of producing. Crosby recorded 84 points (31 G, 53 A) in 2021-22, and 93 points (33 G, 60 A) in 2022-23. He’s going to finish with another impressive points total this season, and he just refuses to slow down.
🏒 The Vancouver Canucks snapped a four-game losing streak in the most electric way possible by overturning a two-goal deficit against old rivals the Boston Bruins and winning 3-2 in Overtime on Saturday. Brock Boeser won it in OT with his 33rd goal of what has been a remarkable season. That’s what you call a real character win for the Canucks, and they seem for real. That’s another fun team to watch on a nightly basis.
🏒 The New Jersey Devils are far too talented not to make the playoffs, and I want to see GM Tom Fitzgerald be really aggressive at the Trade Deadline. They could do with a depth forward, but they really need an elite goalie and I would love to see New Jersey go all out and trade for Jacob Markstrom from the Flames. Talks between the two teams have already taken place, according to The Athletic. If that doesn’t work out, then Marc-Andre Fleury would be a solid option. It would be really cool to see Fleury go to Jersey and try and win one more Stanley Cup to cap off what has just been a remarkable Hall of Fame career.
🏒 The New York Rangers are looking to set a new franchise record for consecutive wins on Sunday (11) by beating the Blue Jackets. They have been on an absolute heater since the All-Star break, and a couple of smart depth additions at the Trade Deadline should ensure that this team makes a deep run in the playoffs. Igor Shesterkin has been untouchable since the break - 5-0, .945 SV%, 2.01 GAA - and Matt Rempe has added a real spark. Man, what a story Rempe is. The 6-7, 241lb mutant has been exactly what the Rangers have needed. Rempe isn’t afraid to just absolutely destroy anyone in his path, and he drops the gloves like his life depends on it. You need depth players to play a big role in order to win in the NHL, especially come playoff time, and Rempe could emerge as a real key figure for this team. Put it this way; if we were ever invaded by zombies, then I would be a lot more relaxed knowing Rempe is out there willing to fight his way through them and save humanity.
🏒 Rempe’s fight against grizzled Flyers veteran Nicolas Deslauriers was probably the best fight we’ve seen in the best part of a decade, if not longer. Just two born fighters absolutely slugging it out with a feast of haymakers. Rempe may be a rookie, but he has a huge set of balls on him. That was old-time hockey, and I absolutely loved it.
🏒 Let’s finish with this: my top 5 favorite USA-born NHL players:
Patrick Kane
Brian Leetch
Chris Chelios
Pat LaFontaine
Mike Modano