The first week of the NHL season wrapped up, and there was a lot that went on. Four players had hat tricks, goalies looked like brick walls, and teams that nobody expected to start red hot came out of the first week with great records. Some rookies have taken the league by storm in the likes of Logan Cooley, Connor Bedard, and Brock Faber. The season is already looking like it will be a good one, so here are some way too early overreactions for the NHL season.
The Auston Matthews Takeover
Before the start of the season, only four players had six or more goals within the first two games of the season. Auston Matthews has added his name to that list by netting a hat trick in each of his first two games. He looks nearly unstoppable and is trying to make his case to be the league’s best player this season. With how good he’s been the first few games, I think he could finally solidify himself as being the unanimous second best player in the league. With his defensive capabilities and the best shot in the game, he is already a top five player. With another 50 or 60 goals and 100+ point season, it should solidify Matthews as the second best player in the NHL without question.
Binnington Calming the Nerves
It’s been no secret that since winning the cup with the Blues in 2019, Jordan Binnington has had some struggles. After splitting time with Ville Husso in the 2022 season and having a save percentage below .900 last season, Jordan Binnington does not appear nervous. In his first two games, he’s stopped 63 of 65 shots. He’s also the reason the Blues are 1-0-1 instead of being 0-2. Binnington put up a stunning performance in Dallas that resulted in a shootout loss, and then came back to St. Louis to help the Blues get their first win of the season. Binnington’s job was on the hot seat entering the season, and he responded with strong play to shut down the doubters. I can see Binner playing like this all season and propelling the Blues into a playoff spot.
Cooley for the Calder
The Calder race is always fun to watch over the course of a year, especially when there is a generational talent like Connor Bedard. This crop of rookies is also studded by Adam Fantilli, Brock Faber, and Logan Cooley. After week 1, Cooley and Bedard are tied for the most points with three each. The main difference between the two is that Cooley has only played two games compared to the four Bedard has played. In only two games, Cooley has been spectacular and is getting top line power play minutes. Cooley also has a better supporting cast, getting to play alongside Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, and Barrett Hayton. I think those two things could really open the gate for Cooley to take off this year and put up a better rookie slate than his main competition, Connor Bedard.
Comeback of the Canucks
To start the season, the Vancouver Canucks went 2-0 against one of the Stanley Cup favorites, the Edmonton Oilers. In the season opener, they put up an 8-1 win headlined by a Brock Boesser’s four goal night. They followed that game with a 4-3 win over the Oilers once again with backup goalie, Casey DeSmith in net. If the Canucks can keep getting contributions out of guys like Boesser and Nils Hoglander, along with the top guys like Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and Quinn Hughes, this team could sneak their way into a top three spot in the Pacific. I can see this team finally putting it all together and being the team they thought they were going to be for the past few years. If the netminder Thatcher Demko can stay healthy, this team is poised for a playoff spot and will be a team nobody wants to see when the playoffs start.