The Hockey News 2015 Yearbook

THE HOCKEY NEWS PREDICTIONS meeting has been known for its cage-match, pound-the-table, pull-no-punches, (insert next cliche here) atmosphere. It can, and does, get ugly. On the flip side, our editors and writers occasionally agree on things, too. For example, at this year’s gathering, there was no argument around the table that the Atlantic Division is clearly the NHL’s worst. After Tampa Bay, Detroit and Carey Price, er, Montreal, there’s a considerable chasm until you reach a cluster of clubs that are treading water, in decline or just starting their upward trajectories. That wasn’t the only situation on which we had a common gut feel. Here are six more: • Calgary would have been our requisite “fall-back” team if not for transactions and developments that will buoy them. Despite their poor puck possession numbers,…

THERE’S AN OLD SAYING about good things coming in threes. The Three Bears, the Three Stooges, the Three Tenors – compilations of threes tend to be more satisfying and more effective. The NHL is confident that by going to 3-on-3 play in overtime for 2015-16, it will eliminate the growing dissatisfaction caused by so many games being determined via the shootout. “Over the last number of years, more and more people have been interested in trying to get more games decided before the shootout,” said Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland, a member of the NHL’s competition committee and a long-time advocate of 3-on-3 OT. A hybrid of what the NHL will deploy was utilized last season in the AHL, and the experiment worked. Only 67 of 268 extra-session games, just 25…

After years of haggling and disputed goals and non-goals, the NHL will try to get it right more often by instituting a coach’s challenge. But like any challenge, there are limits. First, in order for a coach to use his challenge, he must still have a timeout available to him. Second, only goals that were scored on possible offsides or those involving interference on the goaltender will be open to challenge. A coach can contest a good goal on the ice if he believes there was goaltender interference or one that was waived off by the on-ice officials due to goaltender interference that was incorrectly called. Will it add a few minutes to games? Almost certainly. But the tradeoff here is that more calls will be right. And by limiting the number…

WITH EVEN A MARGINAL performance this season, Colorado’s Jarome Iginla will join an exclusive club by reaching 600 career goals. Nearly all of the other 18 players on that list are Hall of Famers – and Jaromir Jagr will be once he retires. But ‘Iggy’ isn’t the only fan favorite on the cusp of a big number. Players such as Jaromir Jagr and Roberto Luongo are also knocking on the door in certain categories. Milestone men to watch are listed below, with their the tally in the target category entering the season in parentheses. POINTS Patrick Marleau (988) – 1,000 Vinny Lecavalier (931) – 1,000 Henrik Sedin (915) – 1,000 GOALS Jarome Iginla (589) – 600 Marian Hossa (486) – 500 Alex Ovechkin (475) – 500 Patrick Marleau (456) – 500 Rick Nash (378) – 400 Marian Gaborik (374) – 400 Pavel…

CONNOR MCDAVID, EDMONTON, C He’s the best No. 1 overall pick the Oilers have ever had – and that’s a competitive list. McDavid’s incredible marriage of drive and natural talents make him one of the most exciting players to join the NHL in years and the comparisons to Sidney Crosby don’t seem crazy when you watch him in person. Can he elevate the Oilers with his ability to make insane plays at high speeds? He’ll get the chance early on. JACK EICHEL, BUFFALO, C Fans in Buffalo are nuts for Eichel, who did more in one year of college than most do in a four-year career. The first freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award since Paul Kariya, Eichel guided Boston University to the national title game and rang up plenty of points…

EVEN AT THIS EMBRYONIC stage of his hockey career, Connor Mc-David has become accustomed to having a fairly significant impact on things. Just ask the bookkeeper for the Erie Otters. But even Mc-David must have been surprised at the seismic effect he’s already had on the Edmonton Oilers. The moment Edmonton won the draft lottery and the right to pick McDavid first overall in the draft, everything changed. The Oilers, eager to make the most of the unique opportunity, and with the newfound clout of president Bob Nicholson, made sweeping changes to the organization. By bringing in GM Peter Chiarelli, who in turn brought in respected coach Todd McLellan, the team made a bold statement. Chiarelli won a Stanley Cup with the Bruins four years ago and brings an instant respect factor…