While the hockey world mourns Connor McDavid’s injury, allow me to throw some random thoughts at you to help you feel better.
ANAHEIM DUCKS
The Ducks finally scored some goals and earned a win but it was against the Nashville Predators’ backup goalie Carter Hutton. Will they have the same luck if they get Roberto Luongo in their next game against the Florida Panthers?
ARIZONA COYOTES
While Max Domi has been hogging most of the attention around the Coyotes, Mike Smith is recognizing Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s talents.
BOSTON BRUINS
They just had a hat trick scored on them. I forget the guy’s name though. Must have got lucky. He’s probably no Loui Eriksson.
BUFFALO SABRES
I’m suddenly more confident in the $10 I bet on Jack Eichel to win the Calder this season. I’d be more confident if Eichel was spelled “Panarin.”
CALGARY FLAMES
Jarome Iginla scored a goal against the Calgary Flames. That even felt weird to type.
CAROLINA HURRICANES
Kris Versteeg has returned to Kris Verbeauty form with a team-leading 10 points in 12 games so far.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Marko Dano got called up. Good for him.
COLORADO AVALANCHE
Here’s one: How bad do the Colorado Avalanche have to be before Patrick Roy is on the hot seat? Here’s another one: Who’s the poor soul who has to fire him?
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
My “John Tortorella is ready to explode” meter went from orange to yellow after their win over the Sharks. That’s no fun.
DALLAS STARS
Tyler Seguin is tied for the NHL scoring lead and has sole possession of first in Tumblr posts that begin and end with “I can’t even.”
DETROIT RED WINGS
“Boy, he’s good,” said Mike Babcock while watching Henrik Zetterberg highlights longingly on his phone.
EDMONTON OILERS
I can’t even make fun of them. McDavid is hurt. That sucks on a level I can’t even describe. Hopefully he heals in time to greet the Oilers’ next first overall pick?
FLORIDA PANTHERS
Forget the hair for a sec. Can we just appreciate the fact that both players in this picture made their NHL debut in the ’90s?
LOS ANGELES KINGS
There are many important staples of an athlete’s diet. An elbow is not one of them.
MINNESOTA WILD
Devan Dubnyk is 7-2-1 in 10 games. That’s fantastic. He also has a .898 save percentage, which is 50th in the NHL. That’s bad.
MONTREAL CANADIENS
Did you know the Habs have players who aren’t Carey Price?
NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Despite their loss to Anaheim, the Predators have 14 goal-scorers while the Ducks have 14 goals… period.
NEW JERSEY DEVILS
I tweeted this yesterday. Devils fans en masse were like “Yep, we know.”
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Anyone else still get super confused when looking for Isles highlights and a team with black jerseys shows up?
NEW YORK RANGERS
Mats Zuccarello is 67 inches tall. Suddenly his hat trick against the Leafs makes more sense.
OTTAWA SENATORS
Going forward, Mark will be considered a repeat offender by the Department of Player Safety. It’s written in stone.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
With the Leafs and Ducks both coming off wins, the Flyers are in danger of becoming this week’s “Wow, they’re pretty bad,” team.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Sidney Crosby has only earned points in two games so far this season but I haven’t seen anybody criticize Marc-Andre Fleury, who has only scored points in one. Makes you think.
SAN JOSE SHARKS
The only thing better than these retro jerseys would be seeing Arturs Irbe back between the pipes.
ST. LOUIS BLUES
The Blues just lost to the Kings. Somebody needs to tell them it isn’t the playoffs yet.
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
The Steven Stamkos contract angle is overplayed in Tampa. Let’s talk about how the 2015 Stanley Cup finalists are only .500 instead.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
When Phil Kessel returned to Toronto with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the crowd at the ACC booed him. When Kessel was with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the crowd at the ACC booed him and threw jerseys at him, so things are improving. Hey, at least Optimus Reim is back!
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
The Canucks really made Jake Virtanen and Jared McCann squirm before telling them they made the team.
The rookies didn’t let them down.
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Why is Alex Ovechkin’s voice so high?
WINNIPEG JETS
The only team that is more bummed than the Montreal Canadiens that Dustin Byfuglien wasn’t suspended for his hit on Brendan Gallagher: The Leafs, the Jets’ next opponents.
