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NHL season preview: Storylines & predictions for 2016-17

With the puck set to drop tonight on the 2016-17 NHL season, here's a look at five big storylines to watch and predictions for how the standings will shake out.

Super sophomore McDavid in the spotlight as new campaign opens

Tim Wharnsby · CBC Sports ·
All eyes are on Connor McDavid to see how Edmonton's new captain follows up on his brilliant, thought shortened, rookie season. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

There have been only four different Stanley Cup champions in the past eight seasons, with the Chicago Blackhawks leading the way with three titles, two apiece for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings, and one for the Boston Bruins.

Can a fifth team break into the winner's circle in 2016-17? The teams that could be knocking on the championship door include Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks and Washington Capitals, but it's going to be difficult to knock off the Blackhawks or Penguins.

Here's a primer for the upcoming NHL season, which opens its doors tonight with four games, including Toronto vs. Ottawa and Calgary vs. Edmonton.

5 storylines to watch

Sidney Crosby's health

This wasn't a cause for concern until Monday morning when the Penguins announced Crosby had been diagnosed with a concussion. It's his first head injury since the captain missed 40 games and 68 games, respectively, with two separate concussions in January 2011 and December 2011.

Crosby reported on Tuesday he is day to day and confident he'll return to action soon, but his concussion history has the hockey world concerned. He was coming off a brilliant World Cup of Hockey performance and the Penguins need his talent and leadership if they have designs on becoming the first team to successfully defend its Stanley Cup championship since the Red Wings turned the trick in 1996-97 and 1997-98.

Connor McDavid's progress

The Oilers have a new building and a new captain in 19-year-old McDavid. He's mature and there is a little doubt he can handle the additional pressure of being the Oilers' captain after averaging more than a point per game in a brilliant rookie season that was shortened to 45 games by a broken collarbone.

But eyes will be on McDavid and how much he and the Oilers progress this season. Edmonton has the longest current streak of futility, having not made the playoffs since 2006. Do they have enough in goal and on defence to push McDavid into the Stanley Cup playoffs in his second season?

Olympic negotiations

Whether or not the NHL will continue its participation in the Winter Olympics will be a story that will bounce back and forth in the next several months. So far, negotiations have consisted of only repeated statements from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly that NHL players will not be travelling to South Korea for the 2018 Games unless the International Olympic Committee agrees to cover the travel and insurance costs.

Under new president Thomas Bach, the IOC wants to get away from pay-for-play agreements, but men's hockey is the marquee event for the Winter Games and it would be quite a downer if NHL players halt their participation after appearing in the past five Winter Games. The players want to be there and negotiations will heat up as the NHL season progresses with a decision likely to come before the playoffs begin.

Rookie power

The NHL has another strong freshman class with Auston Matthews (Toronto), Patrik Laine (Winnipeg), Jesse Puljujarvi (Edmonton), Anton Rodin (Vancouver) and Matt Murray (Pittsburgh). While most expect either teenagers Matthews or Laine to win the Calder Trophy, keep an eye on the progress of the 25-year-old Rodin with the Canucks, and whether 22-year-old Murray can build off his Stanley Cup run with the Penguins and bounce back from a hand injury that will keep him out of action in the early going this fall.

Subban vs. Weber

Who will make more of an impact at his new address this season, Shea Weber with the Montreal Canadiens or P.K. Subban with the Nashville Predators? The two were traded for each other last June in a deal that is still being debated by hockey fanatics. The Canadiens shipped out the talented 27-year-old Subban for the safer 31-year-old Weber, who is one of the game's top leaders.

Both are with teams on the rise. Montreal has a healthy Carey Price back in net, depth up front with the addition of Alex Radulov and Andrew Shaw, and an emerging star in Alex Galchenyuk. Subban fits nicely in a talented young lineup that includes Ryan Johansen, Filip Forsberg, Craig Smith and Roman Josi.

Predictions

Top 6 Cup contenders

  • Chicago
  • Pittsburgh
  • Washington
  • Tampa Bay
  • Dallas
  • Anaheim

Teams on the rise

  • Calgary
  • Edmonton
  • Ottawa

Teams on the decline

  • St. Louis
  • Florida
  • Detroit

Playoff teams — East

  • Pittsburgh
  • Tampa Bay
  • Washington
  • Boston
  • Montreal
  • N.Y. Islanders
  • N.Y. Rangers
  • Philadelphia

Playoff teams — West

  • Chicago
  • Dallas
  • Anaheim
  • Nashville
  • San Jose
  • Los Angeles
  • Minnesota
  • Calgary

Canadian team point totals

  • Montreal: 93
  • Calgary: 91
  • Edmonton: 90
  • Ottawa: 89
  • Winnipeg: 88
  • Vancouver: 86
  • Toronto: 83

Top 5 hockey pool players

  • Jamie Benn, Dallas
  • Tyler Seguin, Dallas
  • Connor McDavid, Edmonton
  • Patrick Kane, Chicago
  • Alex Ovechkin, Washington
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