Are you excited hockey fans? The 107th NHL season gets started in one week. The regular season is scheduled to begin on October 4, 2024, when the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils play the first of two games in Prague, Czech Republic, as a part of the 2024 NHL Global Series. The Arizona Coyotes are no more having relocated to Utah (technically the Coyotes are marked as “inactive”) and the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers set to defend their title.
With the Salary Cap jumping to $88M USD, there are some teams who are looking to make their mark this season. Others who are still trying to find themselves. There will be some interesting storylines throughout the season as each team starts with a fresh slate as they begin their seasons.
Top NHL Storylines for 2024-25
Going into the 2024-25 NHL season, each team is facing the unknown as they anticipate the start of the season. Here is a look at some of the key storylines to keep an eye on this season.
Anaheim Ducks – with sharp new uniforms and a retro logo, the Ducks are looking to turn the page as an also-ran last season. Lots of youth on this team, but the biggest question in Anaheim is just how many of those sharp Ducks jerseys will they sell this season? Love the orange addition. On-ice what kind of team with the Ducks be lead by new captain Radko Gudas?
Boston Bruins – the biggest storyline for the Bruins is how will the Jeremy Swayman contract negotiations end up? Swayman has been a no-show at training camp and word out of Bruins management is that they expect resolve by December. Wait what? December? The Bruins might want to figure out their goaltending situation before. Bruins brass feel like Swayman may be trying to reset the goalie market in terms of pay and compensation. When asked about Swayman negotiations, Bruins President Cam Neely was quoted as saying there are “64 million reasons why I’d be playing”. This could get ugly folks.
Buffalo Sabres – there is only one storyline in Buffalo this season and that is, will the Sabres end their 13-year playoff drought? (The league’s longest drought in history). Can new (old) coach Lindy Ruff get the Sabres back to the NHL Playoffs? They have a chance this season, but it won’t be easy.
Calgary Flames – the biggest question on the Flames is just who are the Calgary Flames? Is this team sill in teardown mode? Are they knee deep in rebuild? Or will this be the year where they start to turn the corner?
Carolina Hurricanes – lots of roster turnover this off-season in Carolina. The biggest storyline is how all of the new players will fit in with the team and can the Canes generate some strong team chemistry as a result of all of the turnover? New faces in Carolina include Tyson Jost, Eric Robinson, Shayne Gotisbehere, and Jack Roslovic.
Chicago Blackhawks – the biggest storyline with the Blackhawks this season? How will season two go for Connor Bedard? The Hawks picked up Patrick Maroon to add some toughness and possi le protection for number 98.
Colorado Avalanche – the biggest question is just how good will the AVs be this season? Lots of firepower on the Avalanche. Casey Mittelstadt signed a three-year contract with the team in the offseason and the AVs could be one of the teams to beat in the West. Do they have the goaltending to take them all the way?
Columbus Blue Jackets – only one story in Columbus season and that is how does the team react post Johnny Gaudreau after Johnny hockey and his brother Matthew were tragically killed while riding bikes in New Jersey in late August. The brothers will never be forgotten and the team will be playing for them with heavy hearts all season. May they rest in peace. https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/remembering-johnny-and-matthew-gaudreau
Dallas Stars – similar to the Colorado Avalanche, just how good will the Dallas Stars be this season? The Stars were the top team in the West last season only to bow out to the Edmonton Oilers in the third round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This is a good hockey club. In addition the signings that brought in Matt Dumba, Ilya Lyubushkin, Brendan Smith, Casey DeSmith and Colin Blackwell, Dallas also did a lot of good work in second tier free agency. Among the new ads are Arttu Hyry, Kole Lind, Kyle Capobianco, Cameron Hughes and Justin Hryckowian. This team just might be the team to beat in the West.
Detroit Red Wings – Can the Wings make the playoffs this season? They were close last year. With some key personnel changes the Red Wings should be competitive this season.
Edmonton Oilers – the Oilers are a team that many are picking to win the Stanley Cup this season. After a thrilling seven game finals vs. the Florida Panthers, which many believed the Oilers deserved a better fate, the Oilers are in win-now mode. However there are two big storylines in Edmonton, is the goaltending strong enough (a question that we seem to have been asking for years) and will the Oilers bolster their back end to have a strong top four defensive unit? If the Oilers can take care of the defense then the goaltending may be less of an issue.
Florida Panthers – the largest question in Florida is will the Cats suffer from a Stanley Cup hangover? The Panthers did lose a number of players from the Stanley Cup roster last season. Will they team come out flat to start the season after a short off-season or will they pick up where they left off?
Los Angeles Kings – there is only one question in Los Angeles this season. How can the Kings avoid the Oilers in the first round of the playoffs. The Oilers and Kings have played three hard fought series in recent years with the Oilers coming out on top on all three occasions. A pre-season ankle injury to Drew Doughty means that the Lings will be without their heart and soul captain to start the season.
Minnesota Wild – the biggest storyline in Minnesota this season is how will Marc-Andre Fleury’s last season in the NHL go? Will he propel the Wild into the post season or will he fade into the sunset? A close second will be if the Wild can sign Kirill Kaprizov to a long-term deal and keep him in Minnesota for the long-haul.
Montreal Canadiens – just how competitive will the Canadiens be this season? The Habs have decent goaltending, a solid defensive core and some emerging young talent up front. A pre-season knee injury to recently acquired Patrik Laine could prove huge as the Habs may struggle to find enough goals to win games. Laine could be out for the season.
Nashville Predators – how will Steven Stamkos begin post-Lightning career? The Preds landed Stamkos this off season and might have won the off season with their signings. In are Stamkos, Vinnie Hinostroza, Matt Murray, Brady Skjei, and Johnathan Marchessault. Some pretty impressive talent right there. Look for the Preds to be a strong team all season.
New Jersey Devils – the biggest story in New Jersey is how will the team react to new head coach Sheldon Keefe? After five seasons with the Maple Leafs, the 44 year-old Keefe is set to make his coaching debut with the Devils as they face off against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czech Republic on October 4th as part of the NHL’s Global Series. Speaking about his new team, Keefe said that “Expectations only come when they’re earned and we haven’t earned them yet…”. Expectations will none-the-less by high this season for the Devils.
New York Islanders – The biggest storyline going into the season for the Islanders is just how healthy their goaltenders are. Ilya Sorokin underwent back surgery in the offseason and it will be interesting to see how he starts the season.
New York Rangers – The Rangers were a good team last season, but what’s the climate like in the dressing room? Will the Rangers try to deal defenseman and captain Jacob Trouba this season? Trade rumours swirled all summer around Trouba, yet he is still with the team… for now.
Ottawa Senators – is this a make or break it year for the Sens? Are they ready to contend for a playoff spot? There is a lot of youth on this team and the team played well for stretches last season. The biggest story to start the season is just how healthy are the Sens going to be when they drop they puck on the new season. Key players like Brady Tkachuk, Thomas Chabot and Tim Stutzle suffered injuries in the pre-season and may not be able to start the season 100% healthy.
Pittsburgh Penguins – With a new contract in hand, can we put the Sidney Crosby trade rumours to bed? I mean if the Great One can be traded I’m sure Sid “The Kid” can be as well. Will Crosby retire a Penguin? It remains to be seen, but I’m sure Cup Contenders like the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers would jump at the opportunity to try and inquire about the services of Crosby.
Philadelphia Flyers – the biggest storyline for the Flyers to start the season is just how good will Matvei Michkov be for the Flyers. This kid has some high end skill and will be a difference maker in games for Philadelphia.
San Jose Sharks – the Sharks are in rebuild mode so the biggest storyline in San Jose is just how competitive the team will be night in and night out this season. They’ve added some nice pieces and landing Macklin Celebrini will help, but they are still a few years away in contending for a playoff spot.
St. Louis Blues – the biggest question for this Hockey Fanatic is how well will that offer sheet strategy work for the Blues this season. In an unprecedented move the Blues offer-sheeted two young Oilers in Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway adding some youth and speed to their lineup. It will be interesting to see how well these two players perform in their first season with the Blues.
Seattle Kraken – who will the the Seattle Kraken name as their captain for the 2024-25 NHL season? The Kraken are heading into their fourth NHL season and the lone captain they have had, Mark Giordano, lasted less than one season as he was dealt at the 2022 trade deadline to the Maple Leafs. While veterans Jordan Eberle, Adam Larsson, Yanni Gourde and Jaden Schwartz have primarily been their alternate captains, Seattle’s will be looking to name their second-ever captain as the season begins.
Tampa Bay Lightning – the biggest storyline for the Tampa Bay Lightning is what does the post-Stamkos era in Tampa Bay look like? The Bolts expect to be competitive again, but will this be the start of a downward trajectory for the team?
Toronto Maple Leafs – the biggest storyline for the Leafs in 2024-25 will be can their star player step up in the post season and help the team win a playoff round or two. There have been some great regular season performances by the likes of Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner, but is has yet to translate into post season success.
Utah Hockey Club – the biggest storyline for the first year Utah Hockey Club is how successful can they be in the crowded Salt Lake City sports market? With 34,000 season ticket deposits in the first 48 hours after the team was announced, how soon will the novelty wear off if the team cannot win any games?
Vancouver Canucks – Can the Canucks repeat the success of last season? Some good young talent, great goaltending and a full season under Rick Tocchet will be interesting to watch.
Vegas Golden Knights – the biggest storyline for the Golden Knights is will the team finally fall in the standings and struggle to make the post season? The team has been good in their first few years in the league and even won a Stanley Cup in their sixth year. Is this the year that the bubble bursts in Sin City?
Washington Capitals – the biggest storyline for the Capitals this season is whether Alex Ovechkin can stay healthy and beat Wayne Gretzky record for all-time goals scoring in the NHL. The Ovie/Gretzky watch is on.
Winnipeg Jets – the biggest storyline for the Jets is can they take the next step and translate regular success into playoff success. The Jets are in arguably the toughest division in the league and it won’t be easy to repeat past seasons success. This will be an interesting team to watch in 2024-25.
There you have it. A few of the top storylines as the NHL is set to being their 2024-25 season. Should be a fun one.