The 2021 NHL season is just around the corner, can I get a hallelujah?  It seems like forever since Tampa Bay raised the Stanley Cup in Edmonton.  Personally, my favorite team has been off the ice for nine months.  Before the season commences on January 13th I thought we should take a look back on the best moments from last season.  

#10.  The Global Series 

Believe it or not some teams began their season in the Czech Republic and Stockholm, Sweden.  Since most of us have been quarantining for the past 10 months it’s insane to think it was only last season NHL teams were jetting off to Europe to play in the Global Series.  The Blackhawks, Flyers, Sabres and Lightning all participated.  

#9.  A Southern Winter Classic 

It did not make a lot of sense for a Winter Classic to be held in Texas.  When you think NHL Winter Classic you think Michigan Stadium or Gillette Stadium.    However, the NHL really committed to the Texas/Nashville theme, which I really appreciated.  I thought the NHL did a great job and it definitely stands out from the Winter Classics before it.  

#8. Babcock Leaves Toronto 

It is not a big deal when a coach gets fired.  It happens every season, and as fans we expect it.   In November of 2019 the Toronto Maple Leafs relieved Mike Babcock of his coaching duties.  The reason this makes my list is because of what happened next.  Babcock was accused of mistreating his players and creating a toxic work environment.  It came to light that during Mitch Marner’s rookie season Babcock asked him to rank his teammates in the order of their work ethic and then shared Marner’s list with the entire team.  He has not coached an NHL team since his firing.  

#7. Rinne Scores Goal Against Chicago Blackhawks

It does not matter what team he is on, it’s always exciting when a goalie scores a goal.  The last time a goalie scored was October 19. 2013 and it was Mike Smith of the Coyotes.  On January 9, 2020 Nashville’s Pekka Rinne scored scored his first NHL goal against the Chicago Blackhawks.  Fingers crossed we get to see a goalie this upcoming season.   He is the 12th goalie to accomplish this feat.    

#6. NHL All-Star Game with Fans

Life before COVID-19 seems like a distant memory.  In January of 2020 fans flocked to Enterprise Center in St. Louis for the NHL All- Star game.  Musical performances included OAR and Green Day.  David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins was the year’s MVP.  I don’t know when we will see another All-Star game but thankfully this was one thing we weren’t robbed of in 2020.  

#5. Oskar Lindblom

Fortunately this story has a happy ending.  Lindblom was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, which is a type of bone cancer.   Sadly, this finding ended his season and he began treatment.  Seven months later in July of 2020, he concluded his cancer treatments. The video of him ringing the bell in the hospital will melt you heart as hospital staff cheers him on.  Lindblom made his return to the ice in September during a game six against division rival, New York Islanders.  

#4.  Milestones We Celebrated

A quick rundown of the milestones reached during the 2019-2020 season:

  1. Patrick Marleau & Zdeno Chara both played in 1,500 NHL games.
  1. David Ayres played between the pipes for the Carolina Hurricanes for 29 minutes as an emergency back-up goalie.  He was credited with a win against the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Ayres made his NHL debut at 42 years old.  
  1. Joe Thornton became the 14th player to score 1,500 NHL points.  
  1. Columbus Blue Jacket’s goaltender, Elvis Merzlikins, earned five shutouts in an eight-game span.  Oh, did I mention he is a rookie.  
  1. August 11, 2020 gave NHL fans two impressive milestones in the same game.  The first is the other Columbus Blue Jacket goaltender Joonas Korpisalo made 85 saves against the Tampa Bay Lightning.  The other is Columbus defenseman, Seth Jones clocked 65:06 of ice time.  Unfortunately for both of these players, Tampa came out on top.    

#3. Ovechkin Adding To The Resume  

Alexander Ovechkin is continuing to break records and quiet the haters.  He scored on New Jersey’s goaltender, MacKenzie Blackwood notching his 700th NHL goal.  He is the eight player to accomplish this feat.  The last time it was completed was Jaromir Jagr in March of 2014.  

#2.  Release The Kraken 

On July 23, 2020 the official announcement was made from the newest NHL franchise.  While some of you may think of Clash of Titans when you hear “Release the Kraken”, all I hear is the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song.  Like most, I am very excited to see Seattle take the ice in the not so distant future.    

#1.  The NHL Successfully Pulled Off Bubble Life   

In early March the NHL announced the season would be paused indefinitely due to the pandemic.  A week later the Ottawa Senators stated a player tested positive for COVID-19.  The Colorado Avalanche was the next franchise to say multiple players tested positive for the virus.  

Towards the end of May, Gary Bettman explained the “Return to Play Plan” that took place in two hub cities.   While bubble life may have been emotionally and mentally straining for the people inside, it also proved highly effective.  There was not one positive COVID-19 case inside the bubble in Edmonton or Toronto.  This was the year that fans should be cheering for  Gary Bettman instead of booing him.    

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