NHL: 2024-2025 Season

[JohnBM01]

The view at the top is lovely. Even though they are far south, the Florida Panthers are atop the NHL mountain for the first time in franchise history. From a 3-0 lead to an almost reverse sweep by Edmonton Oilers, the Stanley Cup returns to the state of Florida; but instead of the Tampa Bay Lightning having it, it's in Sunrise, FL, USA with the Florida Panthers. Who will win Lord Stanley's Cup this season?

The NHL Draft wrapped up recently. Everything from now to the final Stanley Cup game to even the NHL Awards are fair game for discussion here. The puck has been dropped. So let's talk NHL Hockey!

 

[Joey D]

I'm pretty excited for the Utah hockey team. While I'll always be a Red Wings fan, Utah is still my second home so I'll support them. Hopefully, I can get to a few of their games when I travel back to Salt Lake.

 

[JohnBM01]

Salt Lake City used to be just the Utah Jazz as far as pro sports are concerned. Now they're trying to woo in some other pro sports teams. For ages people thought/hoped the Arizona Coyotes would relocate to Houston. Now with their new home in Salt Lake City, I do wish them well, even whatever their official name moving forward will be (besides "Utah Hockey Team").

 

[kjb]

I am kinda sorta excited for the Rangers next season but I hope to see them get a little but tougher. The last 2 times they have made it to the conference finals they have been beaten by more physical teams. While Shersterkin is phenomenal the defense in front of him has been very shaky. So i expect a great regular season but that doesn't matter TBH. They need to be able to get 16 wins and 10 in the postseason

 

[Interemptor]

Jesus that's so messed up. From what I read on Twitter he and his brother died while riding a bike and getting hit by a car.

The Hockey world lost a great player

 

[JohnBM01]

(Tree'd)

Columbus Blue Jackets' LW Johnny Gaudreau was killed recently in a car-bicycle accident involving him and his brother. Johnny Gardreau was 31 years old, and his brother Matthew was 29 after both being hit by a drunk driver. Johnny Gardreau was a very good player in the NHL. My condolences go out to the Gardreau family and all who known and loved the Gardreaus.

It's a great shame no matter how you look at this.

 

[JohnBM01]

The Columbus Blue Jackets will wear patches and stickers all season to honor the late Johnny Gaudreau along with his also late brother Matthew Gaudreau. More info from ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/41315879/blue-jackets-announce-plans-honor-late-johnny-gaudreau .

Elsewhere, TJ Oshie of the Washington Capitals will be on the long-term injured reserve list with chronic back problems. He was limited to 53 games last season. I hope he gets to recover and possibly play a lot more games in the future.

 

[Interemptor]

The Columbus Blue Jackets will wear patches and stickers all season to honor the late Johnny Gaudreau along with his also late brother Matthew Gaudreau. More info from ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/41315879/blue-jackets-announce-plans-honor-late-johnny-gaudreau .

Elsewhere, TJ Oshie of the Washington Capitals will be on the long-term injured reserve list with chronic back problems. He was limited to 53 games last season. I hope he gets to recover and possibly play a lot more games in the future.

Also read, that the Jackets will keep his stall with his jersey intact for the season. I'm not sure about that. On one hand i really like the idea on the other hand I can imagine that the mood in the lockerroom will be tough. Getting constantly reminded about Johnnys death will not be easy for some. Sean Monahan comes to mind. He and Johnny were really good friends and he was so happy to go to Columbus to play with him.

Also Johnnys widow is pregnant with their third child. 🙁

 

[JohnBM01]

Apparently, the NHL Preseason is up and running. I've seen scores in my X/Twitter feed of NHL teams lately. It's time for you NHL fans to get excited about the upcoming season. So get psyched!

On a more serious note, I do think this will be a difficult season for the Columbus Blue Jackets with the passing of Johnny Gaudreau and the void left behind him. What I will be interested in is how the Blue Jackets can adjust without Johnny Gaudreau. It will be incredibly tough. The ultimate storybook scenario would be if the Blue Jackets make it to the playoffs and win the Stanley Cup in the 2024-2025 season in loving memory of Johnny Gaudreau.

Again- your defending Champions this season, Omnis' Florida Panthers. Yes- the other Florida NHL holds the crown now, not the Tampa Bay Lightning. Who'll try to take away Lord Stanley's Cup this season, or will Florida possibly go back-to-back titles? Still a ways away until the regular season starts.

 

[Interemptor]

The ultimate storybook scenario would be if the Blue Jackets make it to the playoffs and win the Stanley Cup in the 2024-2025 season in loving memory of Johnny Gaudreau.

That would be really great for the Jackets but it would be a huge surprise if they even make the playoffs. Their roster is just not good enough imo. Their best player is arguably Fantilli but with the loss of Johnny and even Laine I just don't see it. I also doubt that Sean Monohan will have a big impact with everything that happened.
I mean we saw some (on paper) not so great teams make it and go all the way (Kings in 2012, Blues in 2019) but their rosters were so much better. One team that made it to the final recently with a not so good roster was the 2021 Habs but that was with the weird format due to the Corona virus. But also they had Price in net and he was fantastic that year. You never know though and I would be cheering for them if they make it.

 

[kjb]

I can't say that I'm excited for the upcoming season for the Rangers. I think they will have a good regular season and may have the best record again but in the playoffs they are too small and too soft. This has been an ongoing issue for a few years now and it has been with different coaches. They didn't really add any difference makers in the offseason so they going to run back with the same crew that got destroyed by the Panthers. Hopefully the youngsters like LaFreniere, Kaako, Miller, Rempe level up their games to improve the core. They still have Sherestkin so they will be very good. We'll see it they win the Stanley Cup