Any hockey fan worth his or her salt knows the significance of the number 99. But for those who don’t, it was the number proudly worn by the Great One, Wayne Gretzky.
As the National Hockey League is one season shy of its centennial celebration, this 99 promises to be a Great One for anyone who loves the game.
Ready, Set, Go
Here are five storylines to keep an eye on this season.
1. After a historic MVP season, Patrick Kane will be looking to defend his scoring title and lead the Blackhawks back to the Stanley Cup. The 27-year-old superstar is not ready to rest on his laurels as he spent the offseason in Chicago looking to get even better. That’s a scary thought for opposing goaltenders.
2. The NHL continues to set the pace when it comes to embracing technology by live streaming weekly out-of-market games for free on Twitter.
3. After a disappointing start, the Pittsburgh Penguins tabbed Mike Sullivan to turn the season around. Six months later, the Marshfield, Mass., native became only the sixth American coach to lead his team to the Stanley Cup. Fans in the Steel City can’t wait to see what he does over the course of a full season.
4. For the first time in 22 years, no Canadian team punched their ticket to the postseason. With a bevy of offseason trades (P.K. Subban for Shea Webber) and top draft picks (Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk), teams north of the border are looking to ensure that last year’s resounding slump won’t become a trend.
5. Even though the puck won’t drop in Las Vegas until 2017, the NHL’s newest franchise will be paying close attention to what happens on the ice this season as it prepares for the upcoming expansion draft.