NHL season preview: Leafs and Oilers dream big as Avs target repeat title

Another NHL season is upon us. Here’s a preview of stories, trends and teams to watch in the coming months – and some predictions to go with them.

In July, hockey writer JFresh (Jack Fraser) released the results of a fanbase survey. Fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers were among those deemed by more than 6,500 respondents to be among the most “annoying”, “delusional” and “unhinged and prone to melting down over next to nothing”. Those opinions may be validated once more this season.

Other than in Colorado, where there will be pressure for a repeat Stanley Cup win, expectations will be highest in Toronto and Edmonton – and with good reason. The Oilers in particular look poised to break through. A Western Conference final loss to the eventual Cup champs is nothing to be ashamed of, but Oilers fans are now expecting better. With ex-Leaf goalie Jack Campbell now between the pipes, the Oilers feel they’ve found the last piece of the puzzle. If not, expect some griping from Edmonton again.

In Toronto, a clock ticks down to 1 July 2023, the day Auston Matthews is eligible to sign a contract extension with the Leafs. Already there’s speculation about where he might go if he doesn’t (LA?), but the better question might be what it’ll cost to keep him. It took Edmonton eight years after drafting Connor McDavid first overall to reach a conference final. Matthews was drafted in the same slot a year later. Will he have to wait longer to have the same success? Will he be willing to? Maybe with enough cash – and a captain’s C?

Speaking of jersey patches, there will be new ones. The NHL introduced ads on helmets during the pandemic season as a way to recover revenue. Now teams can add sponsor marks to the top right chest