Most intriguing storylines going into the shortened NHL season

[dmvincent]

For me, seeing the Staal brothers together is number one. I think they're going to be dynamic, people question whether or not they have the chemistry together. After playing pond hockey as kids, how could they not?

Second to that, I have several more.

1. Can Sidney Crosby stay healthy?
2. Where does Roberto Luongo land?
3. Can Alex Ovechkin regain his old form?
4. Will Bobby Ryan finally break out?
5. Which Canadian teams will make the playoffs?
6. Can John Tavares continue to blossom?
7. Can Justin Schultz live up to the hype?
8. Is Brian Elliott going to be anywhere near as good as he was last year?
9. Are the Oilers playoff contenders?
10. How will Marc-Andre Fleury respond to the acquisition of Tomas Vokoun?
11. Who will start in net for Tampa Bay?
12. What kind of season will we see from Mike Green?

Share yours here!

[Ross The Boss Palmer]

How much ass Malkin will kick. I commented in the ramblings that I wouldn't be surprised if he gets 80 points or more.

[kevinsrangers]

besides a bunch from your list:

will voracek step up to stardom beside giroux?
is mike smith for real?
does toronto make playoff with a hot start in a short season?
how does nash work in new york?

[dmvincent]

Originally Posted by Ross The Boss Palmer

How much ass Malkin will kick. I commented in the ramblings that I wouldn't be surprised if he gets 80 points or more.

A lot, he's on another level right now.

I just wish I had him in one league lol.

[DerekReese]

Hey Mac, I thought I would help you with your story lines!

1. Can Sidney Crosby stay healthy? - Yes he will
2. Where does Roberto Luongo land? - Toronto
3. Can Alex Ovechkin regain his old form? - Yes he will
4. Will Bobby Ryan finally break out? - 30 Goals in 48 Game
5. Which Canadian teams will make the playoffs? - Vancouver Ottawa and Calgary
6. Can John Tavares hit the 90 point mark? - 55pts in 48 Games
7. Can Justin Schultz live up to the hype? - He will struggle
8. Is Brian Elliott going to be anywhere near as good as he was last year? - No he will be average
9. Are the Oilers playoff contenders? - Not this year
10. How will Marc-Andre Fleury respond to the acquisition of Tomas Vokoun? - He will come out hot
11. Who will start in net for Tampa Bay? - Lindback
12. What kind of season will we see from Mike Green? - He will stay healthy and score lots

[dmvincent]

Originally Posted by DerekReese

Hey Mac, I thought I would help you with your story lines!

1. Can Sidney Crosby stay healthy? - Yes he will
2. Where does Roberto Luongo land? - Toronto
3. Can Alex Ovechkin regain his old form? - Yes he will
4. Will Bobby Ryan finally break out? - 30 Goals in 48 Game
5. Which Canadian teams will make the playoffs? - Vancouver Ottawa and Calgary
6. Can John Tavares hit the 90 point mark? - 55pts in 48 Games
7. Can Justin Schultz live up to the hype? - He will struggle
8. Is Brian Elliott going to be anywhere near as good as he was last year? - No he will be average
9. Are the Oilers playoff contenders? - Not this year
10. How will Marc-Andre Fleury respond to the acquisition of Tomas Vokoun? - He will come out hot
11. Who will start in net for Tampa Bay? - Lindback
12. What kind of season will we see from Mike Green? - He will stay healthy and score lots

Good stuff!

I haven't had much sleep lately, have to fix the Tavares one lol.

[LawMan]

Originally Posted by Ross The Boss Palmer

How much ass Malkin will kick. I commented in the ramblings that I wouldn't be surprised if he gets 80 points or more.

Lots of good questions in the OP but this is my number 1. I'll be interested to compare the points per game of Malkin and the other top guys in Russia between the KHL and NHL too see what the average difference is between the 2 leagues.

[Axeman33]

Originally Posted by dmvincent

For me, seeing the Staal brothers together is number one. I think they're going to be dynamic, people question whether or not they have the chemistry together. After playing pond hockey as kids, how could they not?

Second to that, I have several more.

1. Can Sidney Crosby stay healthy? - I think he will.
2. Where does Roberto Luongo land? - Toronto
3. Can Alex Ovechkin regain his old form? - unlikely
4. Will Bobby Ryan finally break out? - Not until Teemu retires
5. Which Canadian teams will make the playoffs? - Ottawa, Vancouver, Edm
6. Can John Tavares continue to blossom? - indeed!
7. Can Justin Schultz live up to the hype? - Calder trophy winner
8. Is Brian Elliott going to be anywhere near as good as he was last year? - No
9. Are the Oilers playoff contenders? - They are. Their key pieces have been playing competitive hockey in the lockout.
10. How will Marc-Andre Fleury respond to the acquisition of Tomas Vokoun? - No fear, he will be fine!
11. Who will start in net for Tampa Bay? - Lindback
12. What kind of season will we see from Mike Green? - He will return to some form of his previous self, but he has lost a step.

Share yours here!

I think it's going to be interesting to see how the fans react to the return of hockey in certain markets. Will they come back in droves or will they stay away for a bit, or worse not come back at all. Its safe to say in Canada they will return pretty quickly but in certain markets it wouldnt surprise me one bit to see a lot more empty seats then the teams are used to seeing.


This is my train of thought.

[ericdaoust]

I'm waiting to see fan reaction on opening night in the buildings. It won't mean anything other than potentially giving ESPN more material to mock the NHL but it would still be a sight to see.

[Pengwin7]

Originally Posted by dmvincent

For me, seeing the Staal brothers together is number one. I think they're going to be dynamic, people question whether or not they have the chemistry together. After playing pond hockey as kids, how could they not?

Second to that, I have several more.

1. Can Sidney Crosby stay healthy?
2. Where does Roberto Luongo land?
3. Can Alex Ovechkin regain his old form?
4. Will Bobby Ryan finally break out?
5. Which Canadian teams will make the playoffs?
6. Can John Tavares continue to blossom?
7. Can Justin Schultz live up to the hype?
8. Is Brian Elliott going to be anywhere near as good as he was last year?
9. Are the Oilers playoff contenders?
10. How will Marc-Andre Fleury respond to the acquisition of Tomas Vokoun?
11. Who will start in net for Tampa Bay?
12. What kind of season will we see from Mike Green?

Share yours here!

a. Staal brothers will be on different lines. Team will miss playoffs due to weak defense.
1. Crosby will stay healthy. His hockey sense will keep him out of trouble.
2. Luongo will land in Washington in a blockbuster that moves John Carlson to Vancouver.
3. Ovechkin will not return to form, but will get 40-45pts in 48games.
4. Bobby Ryan will not break out. And next year he'll be on an Anaheim teams that does not include any of Getz, Perry, or Selanne.
5. VAN, EDM. That is all from Canada.
6. Uh, yes... John Tavares will continue to blossom.
7. Schultz will live up to the hype. Edmonton will be the story of 2013.
8. No, Brian Elliott won't be anywhere near as good as last year.
9. Yup, they'll finish top 6 in the West.
10. Fleury will play 32 of 48 games and win 24. PIT finishes #1 seed in East.
11. Lindback will be the man in TB... despite some doubters.
12. Green will play all 48 games and score 28pts.