NHL training camps have just gotten underway. That means new teammates, new strategies, and new expectations — for better or worse. Some teams have to integrate new coaches, while others are dealing with expectations and the pressure that comes with winning or disappointing. Here are the top five storylines heading into the 2010-11 NHL season:
5. Who will be in San Jose's crease?
When the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs ended, most hockey observers recognized that the San Jose Sharks would only be able to keep one of Patrick Marleau and Evgeni Nabokov. Doug Wilson made his choice public shortly before re-signing Marleau, and Evgeni Nabokov went to the KHL. Antero Niittymaki was brought in as a stop-gap solution, but then the Sharks surprised everyone by signing former Chicago nemesis Antti Niemi. Now the Sharks have two semi-proven goalies, but no real promises as to the future. Despite the Stanley Cup win, Niemi's playoff run was filled with ups and downs, while Niittymaki hasn't been a proven starter his whole career. Between the two of them, something's gotta give, and the Sharks are hoping it'll fall in the win column.
4. What can Stevie Y achieve in Tampa Bay?
It sure didn't take long for new Tampa Bay Lightning GM to put his stamp on the team. From revamping the Lightning blueline to new coach Guy Boucher to getting former all-star Simon Gagne, there hasn't been this type of good mojo around the Bolts for years. However, good feelings can go so far, especially if the losses start to pile up. Tampa Bay has the forward talent to score and enough blue-line horses to play steady, though probably not spectacular, defense. It can all easily fall apart for the Bolts, and while no one is denying that Yzerman has done a world of positive, results matter — and the jury's still out.
3. Can surprise teams keep up the momentum?
No one expected the Colorado Avalanche or Phoenix Coyotes to make the playoffs, let alone put up a pretty good fight along the way, especially during transition years. The Avs and the Coyotes are in two different situations: Colorado's young core is maturing, while Phoenix is mixing in blue-chip prospects with veterans playing Dave Tippett's strict defensive system. There are plenty of reasons for either team to regress, from Colorado's young players hitting growing pains to Phoenix's thin margin of victory ebbing away for a variety of reasons. The goal, then, is for Colorado to ensure upward progress and for Phoenix to successfully integrate young players into the veteran lineup.
2. Will Washington get over the hump?
The honeymoon is over in Washington. A few years ago, Caps fans caught on to the fervor of Alex Ovechkin and Rock the Red. Now these Stanley Cup contenders have to deal with expectations, especially after blowing a 3-1 series lead against the Montreal Canadiens. At this point, the talent is all there, and it really comes down to the system. The Montreal series showed a lack of proper adjustments by Washington coach Bruce Boudreau, and the Caps' fire-wagon style may not always work in a long series, especially against a hot goaltender. On the other hand, great teams usually need to suffer through an embarrassment or two before reaching their peak. This may not be a make-or-break year for the Capitals young core, but it just might be for Boudreau.
1. Will change be good or bad for Chicago?
Some level of change is good for every Stanley Cup winner. Dumping key scoring depth and your goaltending situation? Well, that might be a little different. The Chicago Blackhawks fell victim to the salary cap, and gone are key players that made a difference, such as scorer Kris Versteeg, tough forward Dustin Byfgulien, penalty killer Brent Sopel, and Stanley Cup goalie Antti Niemi, among others. The Hawks have youth chomping at the bit, but the roster is top heavy now, and the Hawks will have to adjust their game to match their new depth chart. However, this could also be the change that spurs them to success. One year from now, we'll know if this was a blessing in disguise or a necessary evil.
Leave a Comment