Exactly 100 days after the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Florida Panthers to win the Stanley Cup for the first time, training camps open around the NHL on Thursday.
The Golden Knights bring back nearly the same roster in their bid to repeat while the after injuries piled up during their run to the final. Colorado, now more than a year removed from and missing captain Gabriel Landeskog , goes into camp as favorite to win it all again.
The biggest questions are in places like Columbus, Anaheim, Carolina and Calgary: How the Blue Jackets will handle a , what will happen with unsigned Ducks star Trevor Zegras, and whether the Hurricanes and Flames are among the teams with a trade or two left to make in the coming weeks and months.
The hot topics on and off the ice before the Oct. 10:
IS VEGAS READY TO REPEAT?
Fresh off to the Cup, Jack Eichel asked buddies who previously played long into June how they recovered for the following season.
鈥淭he message they relayed is, 鈥榊ou鈥檒l be surprised by how good you feel come training camp, with having trained a little less and maybe spent a little less time in the gym,鈥欌 Eichel said. 鈥淢aybe more so now than past summers, it鈥檚 about trying to get your body healthy and feeling good going into camp.鈥
The Golden Knights should be feeling good about their continuity after and forward Ivan Barbashev and from the group that played the bulk of the playoffs.
According to , the Avalanche are the betting favorites at just under 9-1, followed by the Hurricanes at just under 10-1. The Golden Knights are sixth at 13-1.
HOW BANGED UP IS FLORIDA?
broke his sternum during the final, before missing Game 5. It took longer to rehab than expected, but the finalist for the Hart Trophy as league MVP and appears good to go.
鈥淟ook at glass half full: I didn鈥檛 miss 30 games or 20 games during the regular season. I had the summer to get it back and hopefully have a great start.鈥
. Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour had shoulder surgery and each defenseman could be out until mid-December.
WHAT NOW FOR COLUMBUS?
Nothing like a forced resignation of a polarizing, Stanley Cup-winning coach to for the Blue Jackets. Mike Babcock stepped down Sunday after as part of a bonding effort led to and Pascal Vincent being named his replacement.
It all happened over the past week or so, and ownership said there would be no changes to the front office led by president of hockey operations John Davidson and longtime general manager Jarmo Kekalainen at this time because 鈥渁dditional disruptions would be detrimental to our players and coaches as they prepare for the opening of training camp.鈥
Vincent, who spent the past couple of seasons as an assistant under has a two-year contract and perhaps more respect from players.
鈥淭he advantage that I have is I know those people,鈥 Vincent said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been with them for two years, and I know they care. They really care about the team.鈥
WHO'S NOT IN CAMP?
Zegras, Ducks teammate Jamie Drysdale and Ottawa's Shane Pinto are among the restricted free agents without a contract for the upcoming season. Any of them could sign any time.
Devils center Jack Hughes, asked last week about Zegras, advocated for the best for his close friend and former U.S. teammate.
鈥淚 think he鈥檚 a great player 鈥 the best player on their team,鈥 Hughes said. 鈥淗e's good for the league. He needs to be back, and hopefully he gets a deal done soon.鈥
On the injury front outside the Panthers, Washington Max Pacioretty is among those not expected to be ready for the start of the season as he his right Achilles tendon. Former Carolina teammate might be limited six months since in his right knee.
ON THE MOVE?
After a decidedly quiet summer of trades three-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson, there could still be some shuffling before opening night.
Calgary has a decision to make with potential 2024 free agent Elias Lindholm, who's considered among the best two-way centers in the league. Same goes with the Hurricanes, given their logjam on the blue line and Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei each with one year left on his contract.
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