10 Reasons to Care About the NHL This Season
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SPORTS
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We know what you're thinking: "Why start now?" But seriously, 2008–2009 might have enough going for it to convert those who don't end every sentence with "eh?"
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 10. New Looks for Fall
The lockout is over, and players have adjusted to their new streamlined RBK jerseys. And you know what that means—time to break out everyone's favorite cash-in ploy, the third jersey! After a one-season ban, teams are again allowed a uniform other than home and road. The first to debut were the Carolina Hurricanes, who have gone with an all-black number inspired by their boring and depressing 2007–2008 season.
 9. Six Back
For the first time in a long time, almost all of the NHL's "Original Six" teams expect strong seasons, perhaps spelling the end of the Stanley Cup's run in—no offense—hockey wastelands like Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Anaheim. Montreal is once again in the hunt, the Bruins finally appear done rebuilding, Chicago is riding a playoff-potential youth movement, the Rangers have shed some dead weight in the hopes of improving on their second-round playoff ouster, and Detroit is the defending champ. The only ones playing spoiler are the Toronto Maple Leafs, who will remain terrible.
 8. Gretzky's Dogs
The man who has literally done it all on the ice, Wayne Gretzky, seemed doomed to fritter away his legacy coaching in the no-man's land of Phoenix, Arizona. But lo and behold, the Coyotes might finally be…good? Young guns like Peter Mueller and first round draft choice Kyle Turris provide the future, while the off-season grab of former Florida Panthers captain Olli Jokinen provides some depth. Maybe the Great One isn't earmarked for a shallow desert grave just yet. Plus, anytime Gretzky gets press, it's good for the league. (Unless said press involves the words "Janet" and "gambling.")
 7. Habs 100
The Montreal Canadiens (who played their first home opener on a frozen sheet of primordial soup) are 100 years young this season, and have a league-best 24 Stanley Cups to show for it, not to mention so many retired numbers that this year's rookies may have to wear triple digits. (Goaltending legend Patrick Roy's No. 33 is set to join the rafters this year.) In honor of the "Habs," the NHL is also holding the 2009 All-Star Game in Montreal. Hopefully, such an occasion means they can ditch the silly "slam dunk breakaway" contest that tarnished last year's event.
 6. Kids Are Alright
The NHL's future is already solid, thanks to dynamic young superstars like Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, and Evgeni Malkin, who had the decency to be awesome right out of the draft gate. That trend appears poised to continue this season with No. 1 overall pick Steve Stamkos set to jump right into a talent-heavy Tampa Bay roster, and blueliners Drew Doughty and Thomas Hickey hoping to lift lowly Los Angeles out of the league basement. Did we also mention that Chicago just named 20-year-old Jonathan Toews their captain?
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