Ladies, and Gentlemen, we made it! Welcome to the much anticipated start of the 2021 NHL Season. With only 56 games, every game is crucial. Starting from day 1, buckle your seat belts. In this blog, I'll be talking about some late Free Agency signings, predictions, and touch base on an amazing World Juniors tournament. As always, I am beyond excited for the biscuits to drop. However, after my Eagles dumpster fire of a season, that excitement level has reached new limits. To quote the legendary Michael Buffer, "letssssss get readyyyyy to rumbleeeeee!"

First things first, if any of you tuned in to the World Juniors tournament, you were not disappointed. These kids laid it all on the line and it's great hockey to watch. The vision of Team USA charging their net and throwing their gear in the air at the final buzzer will be embedded in my brain for a long time. I must admit, I did predict Canada to take the Gold Medal with a 4-2 victory over us, but Spencer Knight's shut out performance proved me wrong.

Jumping out to a quick start and dominating the first 35 minutes of the game, we are able to hold off the Canadians comeback effort. Congrats to Team USA on improving their record against the Canadians in the Finals to 4-1. Let alone in their own territory at Rogers Place in Edmonton. Throughout these Tournaments, fans are able to get a glimpse of their teams future. Like many others, I will agree that some big names stood out more than most. Anaheim Ducks, Trevor Zegras (USA), led the way totaling 18 points on 7 goals and 11 assists. The mitts on this kid, my goodness! Along with Zegras, Ottawa's Tim Stuetzle (Germany), and Buffalo's Dylan Cozens (Canada), they all caught the Worlds eye. Surging with talent, these kids have plenty of potential for immediate impact.

There was one player who did somewhat let down my expectations. The second overall pick in the last NHL Draft, Quinton Byfield (LA Kings), only put up 7 points in just as many games. We all know he's going to tear it up soon in the bigs, but I got greedy and wanted to see it now. Not to worry Kings fans, for the second WJC in a row, you led the NHL in prospects selected. With 9 players total, joining Byfield, you will also expect some noise out of former 5th round pick in the 2019 Draft, Alex Turcotte, who netted a geno in the Gold Medal game. Can't wait to see how these players listed above and more develop in the time to come for the future of the National Hockey League.

Now let's talk about some late offseason moves that occured after my previous blog.

I am still in disbelief as I am typing this but, yes folks, Zdeno Chara left the Bruins to join the Washington Capitals on a 1 year deal. Following a 13 year stay in Boston, the 6 foot 9, 43 year old D man is going to burn peoples eyes in blue and red. It shall be interesting to see how he adjusts to a new team and seeing what's left in the tank. I think TJ Oshie and Tom Wilson said it best when they tweeted about being thankful he won't beat them up this year.

Mathew Barzal finally resigns with the Islanders on a 3 year 21 million dollar deal. We all knew it was going to happen, but they sure did make us wait awhile for the paperwork to be signed.Barzal is special, I personally would've locked him down on a longer term deal, but maybe that's why I'm not a NHL GM.

The St Louis Blues added some depth in the left wing department by bringing in Mike Hoffman from Ottawa on a 1 year deal. Meanwhile, the Coyotes do the same at center.

Derek Brassard leaves the Islanders and lands himself in Arizona. These are two middle of the pack players that bring a nice veteran presence to each team.

Other than that, the big names and moves happened much earlier in the offseason. Most of the new guys in town are already settled in following weeks of training camp.

Here's another look at the new Division format.

It will take some time getting used to seeing Tampa in the Central and an all Canadian Division, but I could care less, bring it on!

In addition to Andrew's previous blog on predictions, it doesn't happen often, but we have all the same picks.

Toronto, Vegas, Tampa, and my Flyers. I guess we will have to wait until May to determine whether we're both morons or should be hired by NHL Network full time.

The battle of the West between Colorado and Vegas is going to be unreal. However, no matter the result I have either team making the Cup Finals.

With Tampa taking a huge loss by having Kuch out for the year, promotes my Flyers into a Finals showing as well. I know, homer pick right?

For more in depth thoughts on this subject, check out Andrew's blog at https://www.popline.co/blogs/2021/1/6/too-early-divisional-winners-predictions

While I'm feeling ballsy and making predictions, here's my top 3 Fantasy Hockey sleeper picks.

1. Evgenii Dadonov - RW - Ottawa Senators

Coming in behind the shadows of Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau in Florida, "Daddy" will find more playing time and opportunity to grow his game in Ottawa. I took Dadonov in the 8th round of our 12 man What The Puck League and hope it pays off. I expect him to thrive on the top line with Brady Tkachuk.

2. Oliver Bjorkstrand - RW - Columbus Blue Jackets

Bjorkstand was killing it early last season before an ankle injury but I fully expect him to get right back to that same kind of start. We will see if he and Max Domi land on a line together but when and if so, it will be a nice dual threat. Oliver was drafted in the 12th round in our draft.

3. Nate Schmidt - D - Vancouver Canucks

Playing alongside Quinn Hughes will result in Schmidt to hit the 30 point mark for the 4th year in a row. He's a new guy in a new city aiming to prove his worth. Nate was selected in the 16th round in our draft.

Oh, last but not least, this beauty of a picture above. The NHL announced two outdoor games right on Lake Tahoe.

Saturday 2/20

Avalanche vs. Golden Knights

Sunday 2/21

Bruins vs. Flyers

If heaven doesn’t look exactly like this, I don’t wanna go.

Stay tuned as Andrew and I will have more to come as the season progresses.

We hope for as much of a non covid interrupted season as possible and I wish the best of luck to everyone's team unless you're a Penguins fan. Cheers to 56 games of barn burners, good tilts, sick genos, and the bleeding of ears via Pierre McGuire's commentary.

- Shawn Price - What The Puck Podcast -