Author: Harrison Clements (@TheHarriC)
There are a few seasons in Canada that seem to last far too long. The biting cold winters of the new year that extend into April, and the quick back up of traffic that follows with summer / construction season. Third, but not least among them is hardly a season at all, but over the past decades has dragged on all the same; the NHL pre-season.
Those previous weeks of training camp and meaningless games has mercifully been cut short this year as two games have been slashed from the docket. Behold the new (again) 84-game regular season. It's not as if the lead up to regular season play is unimportant. From a team perspective it's vital to get reps in with new line combinations and those jockeying for spots. It's hard to get a good loaf of bread if the wheat is never separated from the chaff.
But it can certainly be boring as hell to watch.
Luckily with this NHL pre-season there is lots of soapy drama to sink your teeth into if you feel so inclined. Connor Hellebuyck has officially no-showed and been suspended by the Jets and Quinn Hughes has still not re-upped with the Wild. The Ducks finally quelled the Cutter Gauthier quandary, signing the promising young forward to a six-year deal carrying an annual cap hit of $13.5 million. They did so at the expense of terminating Chris Kreider's contract, sending him surprisingly to don le bleu, blanc et rouge of the Canadiens.
Meanwhile in Columbus, the Blue Jackets seem to have tamped down on the Zach Werenski leaving drama, and last year's Norris Trophy winner has certainly continued to sing the tune of his staying as he's made the media circuit. But Adam Fantilli hasn't yet inked a deal with the Ohio based team and the Marchenko rumours are still running rampant. Marchenko's agent cryptically tweeting GIFs of bear cubs certainly isn't helping the cause of keeping things quiet in cannon land.
That being said, the pre-season will roll on, with the first bouts taking place on September 19th with 2 split squad games between the Leafs and Habs as well as Stars vs Blues and Jets vs Oilers. The regular season will finally kick off on the 29th 10 days later.
Finally.
