What lies ahead: NHL 2013 burning questions

All questions stem from the big one. Hockey issues become moot if the one gigantic cluster mess of a query isn’t answered first.

The good news — if there is some — is that we’ll soon know if the NHL and NHLPA can sign the same piece of paper in time to play some hockey this winter.

If the answer is no, the other big questions — ones that will be played out so much more enjoyably in a room with boards instead of a boardroom — remain answerless riddles.


When do we get our hockey back?

January 19.

Or October… if not later.

There doesn’t seem like there’s much middle ground, as a big-time sports league with record revenues extends its lockout past the 100-day mark and into the new year.

Several close to the game believe common sense will prevail and the season will not be burned by Gary Bettman’s bunch and Donald Fehr’s push-’em-to-the-brink negotiating strategy.

But the dangerous cocktail the suits are mixing (key ingredients: ego, greed, lack of respect for fans, desire to win) has gotten us tipsy off optimism before. A new proposal, followed by a flurry of excitement. Remember when “sources” believed we’d start the season by American Thanksgiving? Or Dec. 1?

If a 48-gamer is to be salvaged, the league has circled Jan. 19 as puck drop day. Which would mean players reporting to training camp as early as next week.

It can happen; it should happen; it needs to happen. Because if this latest deadline isn’t met and the carrot of a “saved” season no longer dangles, who knows how far the players and owners will take this labour war?


Who will go first in the draft?

Everyone and their NBA father have the battle for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft’s No. 1 spot pegged as a two-horse race: Nathan MacKinnon or Seth Jones. Pick ’em.

The 17-year-old MacKinnon has drawn comparisons to fellow Nova Scotian Sidney Crosby and made Team Canada’s world junior team while rooming with the Edmonton Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, a No. 1 choice himself. A fierce competitor who can get nasty at times, MacKinnon raises his level of play in big games, putting up 28 points in 17 playoffs games with the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads last season. The forward is approaching a two-points-per-game pace for the Mooseheads this season, having scored 52 in 30.

Texas-born Seth Jones is option 1B. The Portland Winterhawks defenceman is gaining confidence with each minute logged, and having a chance to man the (red, white and) blue line for Team USA in the world juniors should prove to be valuable experience for the son of onetime Toronto Raptor Popeye Jones. Seth will be a captain in the NHL one day. Through his first 31 contests in the WHL, Jones is a plus-27 with eight goals and 20 assists to his credit.

Which one of these blue-chip prospects goes first will depend on team need: defence or forward. Or, if you can swing it, trade down to No. 2 and still get a No. 1? Sounds like a good conundrum to face, and it makes for some juicy draft-drama.


Where will Roberto Luongo play?

Can you recall a pending trade that has lingered so long? Thank the 100-days-plus lockout, and give the assists to Deal Hunting and the No-Trade Clause.

We know the Vancouver Canucks’ second-string goaltender is better than most teams’ starter. We know having the guy wearing jersey No. 1 as your No. 2 is a waste of money, resources and talent. We know Luongo loves Florida. We know the Leafs and Blackhawks would love to have a gold medallist and Stanley Cup finalist between the pipes, a guy who boasts a 109-51-19 record his last three seasons and should be good for a handful of shutouts.

What we don’t know for certain is where he’ll end up and — more interesting for ‘Nucks fans — what Vancouver will get in return for their $5.33-million annual cap hit (signed through 2021-22, or one lockout from now).

Once a new collective bargaining agreement is signed, the Luongo rumours will kick back into hyperdrive, especially if we have to watch a handful of games with Lu in a ball cap rooting on the Cory Schneider show.


Will the young, talented Edmonton Oilers make the playoffs?

When it comes to hope, the young, draft-happy Oilers are the envy of the league (setting aside the whole arena mess for a minute). Read the list of names, other 29 GMs, and salivate: Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov, Jordan Eberle, Justin Schultz, Sam Gagner. Not one of these improving athletes is over the age of 23.

Without question, the Oilers could use another top-four defenceman and better goaltending from 26-year-old Devan Dubnyk (2.85 career GAA); the team finished 29th overall in 2011-12, 21 points out of a playoff spot. They gave up 28 more goals than they scored.

If any team has the makings of a future dynasty, it’s Edmonton, which signed both Eberle and Hall to multi-year extensions in the off-season. Plus, if their Twitter interactions are any indication, this crop of guys are genuinely friends. Don’t discount that.

But are they poised to make a 21-point leap in the standings? A shortened season will help big-time, but not as much as the fact that the core group is already in game shape, playing in the AHL, Spengler Cup and world juniors. If Edmonton gets off to a hot start, that eighth spot is realistic.


Is Sidney Crosby still the best player in the game?

The Kid has played the good soldier during the lockout: appearing when asked, staying informed, answering the media’s call, not bolting to Europe, not typing something regrettable on Twitter, even having a little fun by sneaking into a friend’s dek hockey game and playing goal.

Off the ice he’s been a champ, but that’s not his arena.

Since the spring of 2010, Crosby has played a paltry 69 NHL games (including playoffs). Though he’s been training steadily in the States and every week a new variation on the “Crosby mulling European options” headline surfaces, Sid can count the number of real hockey games he’s played in the 2012 calendar year on his hands and toes. He’s restless and ready.

But is he the best hockey player 2013 has to offer?

Tough to bet against a 25-year-old super-captain with a Stanley Cup, a Hart Trophy, an Olympic gold medal, a won’t-quit drive and a new $104.4-million contract that many believe to be below market value.

What about his teammate, Evgeni Malkin, who dominated both highlight reels and box scores last season? Geno now has a Hart of his own, and two scoring-race crowns compared to Crosby’s one. Malkin has stayed active in the KHL, and with 54 points in 34 games, trails only Metallurg Magnitogorsk teammate Sergei Mozyakin (58 in 36) in that league’s points race.

Or 24-year-old Claude Giroux, whose emphatic statement game in the first round of the playoffs eliminated Crosby’s Penguins and led his coach, Peter Laviolette, to call him “the best player in the world.” Expect the NHL 13 coverboy to take over the Flyers’ captaincy when Chris Pronger calls it a career, and expect him to not take being excluded from 2012’s Hart nominations lightly. If you recall, Giroux sat out Philly’s elimination game at the hands of the Devils due to suspension. Ending a season that way lingers sour with a winner.

And let’s not forget Steven Stamkos, he of the 60-goal season and measly 22 years on Earth.

Until proven otherwise (IE: a full, healthy season) Crosby is The Man. But the Bauer-steps behind him are loud.

Sportsnet.ca off-the-wall prediction

The NHL and NHLPA will strike a deal in order to save a 48-game season, Luongo will be traded to the Leafs before 10 regular-season games are played, Jones will be drafted first overall, the Oilers will sneak into the Western Conference playoffs but be promptly eliminated, and Crosby will lose the scoring race but lead the Penguins to a Stanley Cup championship.

For which team will Roberto Luongo play the most games this season?

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