We’re just a few short weeks away from the start of NHL pre-season with the first game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs set to kick off on Saturday September 25th and we’re all crazy hyped up for hockey to be back on our screens. It feels like way too long since we’ve had any high tier league hockey to absorb.
Philadelphia Flyers Travis Sanheim #6 and Goalie Brian Elliott #37 protect the net from Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils
The Leafs were knocked out of the stanley cup playoffs by the Habs last season, even in pre-season, pride is on the line. Source: NHL.com
So let’s start by taking a quick look at the scheduled games during the first week of pre season, running 25th september to 2nd October. Worth a look to say who is playing who and what we’re looking at in terms of NHL lines, might as well start making a buck or two from hockey again, right? All times are Eastern Standard Time.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 25
Montreal at Toronto, 2 p.m.
Minnesota at St. Louis, 8 p.m.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 26
Nashville at Florida (split-squad doubleheader), 2 and 6 p.m.
Boston at Washington, 5 p.m.
NY Islanders at NY Rangers, 7 p.m.
Ottawa at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.
San Jose (split squad) at Anaheim, 8 p.m.
Edmonton at Calgary, 9 p.m.
Vancouver vs. Seattle, at Spokane, Wash. (Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena), 9 p.m.
San Jose (split squad) at Vegas, 10 p.m.
MONDAY, SEPT. 27
Toronto at Montreal, 7 p.m.
Columbus at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Dallas at St. Louis, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles at Arizona, 10 p.m.
Calgary vs. Vancouver, at Abbotsford, B.C. (Abbotsford Centre), 10 p.m.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 28
Boston at NY Rangers, 7 p.m.
NY Islanders at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Buffalo at Columbus, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Carolina, 7 p.m.
Seattle at Edmonton, 9 p.m.
Colorado at Vegas, 10 p.m.
Los Angeles at San Jose, 10 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 29
New Jersey at Washington, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Columbus, 7 p.m.
Toronto at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.
Florida at Dallas, 8 p.m.
Edmonton at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.
Detroit at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
Seattle at Calgary, 9 p.m.
Arizona at Anaheim, 10 p.m.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 30
Nashville at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at Boston, 7:30 p.m.
Buffalo at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Minnesota at Colorado, 9 p.m.
Vegas vs. Los Angeles, at Salt Lake City, Utah (Vivint Arena), 10 p.m.
San Jose at Anaheim, 10 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCT. 1
Pittsburgh at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
NY Rangers at New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Dallas at Florida, 7 p.m.
Carolina at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.
Montreal at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.
St. Louis at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
Vancouver at Calgary, 9 p.m.
Los Angeles at Vegas, 10 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCT. 2
Anaheim at Arizona, 6 p.m.
Ottawa at Montreal, 7 p.m.
Washington at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Winnipeg at Edmonton, 7 p.m.
NY Rangers at Boston, 7 p.m.
Columbus at Detroit, 7 p.m.
New Jersey vs. NY Islanders, at Bridgeport, Conn. (Webster Bank Arena), 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Nashville, 8 p.m.
Chicago vs. St. Louis, at Independence, Mo. (Cable Dahmer Arena), 8 p.m.Calgary vs. Seattle, at Kent, Wash. (Accesso ShowWare Center), 10 p.m.
So as you can see, with everyone wanting to get back up to full game fitness before the season starts, the teams have a pretty packed schedule over this first week, pre-season runs until October 9th with plenty more to come. As a Leafs fan I’m excited to see the boys back in action. We had a pretty bitter end to the season, which has become a standard at this point, but I’m hopeful that the guys can get it together for this season.
Linesmen separate Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils players after the whistle
Former Leafs starting goaltender became a UFA before signing for the Hurricanes. Source: Cariaccane
The leafs in particular have been able to keep hold of what I would consider to be the core of their squad, letting some talent go, like Zach Hyman, was made an unrestricted free agent and then was picked up by the Edmonton Oilers, Frederik Andersen, also a UFA, now plays for the Carolina Hurricanes. Joe Thornton also became a UFA, wasn’t necessarily a huge name for the Leafs but he was an experienced head and that counts for a lot. Now playing for the Florida Panthers. Personally I was sad to see Zach Hyman go, as for Andersen, he was a big part of the Leafs squad when I first started following hockey a few years ago, but his rapid decline hasn’t gone unnoticed and with Jack Campbell playing so well AND being an incredible guy in and around the locker room, I think it’s safe to say he’s got that starting spot nailed on. Andersen isn’t going to want to be a bench player.
Some of the other players that have gone over the off season were more bit part players or players that almost made it but didn’t and of course some big moves have happened at other teams too, we can revisit the draft another time as we’re coming to a close here shortly. But one thing is for sure, I’m keen for hockey to return, I’m hopeful the Leafs can finally get it together and I’m excited for the twitter banter. Bring it on. #LeafsForever I’m ready to receive the burns guys.
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