COVID-19 has already made 2021-22 a strange NHL season. But there have been happenings that I loved in this season and events I hated. Here are five of each. What I've loved about this season
1. How Alex Ovechkin is playing. He is 36 and playing some of the best hockey of his career. He seems incredibly happy about his life, family and career. The pictures of Ovi and his son are priceless. I enjoy athletes who appreciate their career before it is over. 2. The play of the Tampa Bay Lightning: I've long admired teams that put together a run of championships. I am fortunate that I was a national writer when the Edmonton Oilers captured five Stanley Cup titles in seven seasons. It's hard enough to win one title. When an organization puts together a culture that allows multiple titles in a short period of time, it's impressive. History says odds are against the Lightning winning three in a row. But I've watched them closely this season and I see a team that has the ingredients again. They seem hungry. Their depth has been whittled away, but there is still enough talent remaining. Look how they handled injuries to Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov. 3. Detroit rookies Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond having instant impact: Their elevated play has rejuvenated the Detroit fan base. Seider can do it all on defense and Raymond is a slick scorer.
4. Bruce Boudreau's early success in Vancouver: He is such a lovable character. What an engaging, entertaining personality. For players, it's like playing for their grandfather. I think he's a quality coach who coaxes top performances out of his players. His Game 7 history is just bad luck. 5. Cale Makar's chances of scoring 30 goals: Ever since Bobby Orr got it all started, hockey fans have been fascinated by a defenseman who can score like a forward. Paul Coffey. Brian Leetch. We loved those guys. With 13 goals and 26 points in 23 games, Makar has a decent shot at 30. As the fire starter for the impressive Avalanche offense, maybe he could make a run at 100 points over the next couple of seasons. What I hate about this season
1. What's going on with the Arizona Coyotes: Not paying your tax bills or rent on time ? That reflects badly on the NHL. I've long hoped this team would succeed. But how can Coyotes sell season tickets when they can't tell fans where they are going to play? 2. COVID. COVID. COVID: The most frustrating aspect of this virus is that no one really knows what we should do to move forward. There appears to be no right answer. 3. Habs bottoming out: This one of the greatest franchises in sports history. It's sad to see the team in 31st place, especially after it reached the Stanley Cup Final last season.
4. NHL players not going to the Olympics: As much as I understand why owners don't want players playing at the Olympics, players love playing for their country. It's also difficult to describe how big the Olympic stage is. It's a shame players won't be participating at the 2022 Games because of the messiness of COVID. 5. Sabres will miss the playoffs for an 11th consecutive season: Buffalo fans deserve better. The team's 2021 draft Owen Power was four the last time the Sabres won a playoff series. At the Buffalo Bills (8-6) are clinging to a playoff spot.