Countdown to the 2023-24 NHL Season: Eight Stanley Cup Contenders

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Good morning. Last week’s poll was fairly decisive with 41.4% of voters predicting the Maple Leafs will win the Atlantic Division this season, with the Bruins collecting 31% of the vote.

We believe the Pacific Division has three legit contenders but let’s see what you have to say in today’s poll, below.

And FYI, we're excited to be back in your inbox every weekday, starting this Monday! 🎉

- Brandon Rubeo & Kevin Allen

Today’s Lineup:

• Eight Stanley Cup Contenders

• Brad Marchand named B’s captain

• Blue Jackets hire Mark Recchi

• Logan Cooley’s unbelievable goal

• And a lot more… 👇

Countdown to the 2023-24 NHL Season: Eight Stanley Cup Contenders

The 2023-24 season starts 13 days from today with six new coaches, Erik Karlsson wearing a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey and a potential young superstar Connor Bedard in Chicago.

It will also launch with the Colorado Avalanche as the favorite to win the Stanley Cup Championship. FanDuel Sportsbook has the Avalanche as a +850 favorite to win the Cup.

The Avs have added a handful of new players, including Ryan Johansen, Tomas Tatar, Miles Wood and Ross Colton.

But here are seven other teams with a shot to hoist the Cup next spring:

Edmonton Oilers (+1100): Sidney Crosby thinks Connor McDavid has a shot at 170 points this season. With the skill this team possesses, this team is a threat to win it.

Carolina Hurricanes (+900): Defense wins, so we’ve been told, and the Hurricanes have the NHL’s best group of defensemen led by Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin.

Vegas Golden Knights (+1300): Don’t sleep on this team making a bid to grab back-to-back Cups. This is a complete team without many weaknesses. Jack Eichel could flirt with 100 points this season.

Toronto Maple Leafs (+1100): GM Brad Treliving was fired by the Calgary Flames and ends up with one of the most talented teams in the league. Like the Oilers, the Maple Leafs have too much skill not to be a Cup factor. Look for Tyler Bertuzzi to light a fire under this team.

New Jersey Devils (+1100): With Jack Hughes leading the charge, the Devils are a trendy pick to win it all. This is a fast, dynamic group. The only question is whether their goaltending is good enough.

Florida Panthers (+2000): This sounds strange to write, but if the Panthers qualify for the playoffs, they could win the Cup. The Panthers’ problem is that key defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour will start the season on the injured list.

New York Rangers (+1700): Igor Shesterkin in net and Adam Fox on the blue line give them the opportunity to be the sleeper in 2023-24.

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POLL 🗳️

CAN’T MISS 🔥

👨‍✈️ The Boston Bruins have named Brad Marchand as the 27th captain in the franchise's history. The Halifax, Nova Scotia forward is entering his 15th NHL season, all with the Bruins, collecting 372 goals (6th all-time in franchise history), 490 assists (9th all-time), for 862 points (7th all-time) in 957 games played (8th all-time). Aside from his league-leading 8 suspensions, Marchand was an obvious pick to succeed recently-retired Patrice Bergeron. Read more →

✅ The Columbus Blue Jackets have appointed Mark Recchi as their new assistant coach. Recchi, a former seven-time NHL All-Star and three-time Stanley Cup winner (Pittsburgh ‘91, Carolina ‘06, and Boston ‘11), brings extensive experience to the team. He has previously served as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New Jersey Devils. Read more →

TRIVIA QUESTION 📚

Who is the longest tenured NHL captain of all time?

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK 🚨

QUICK HITS 📈

• Why the explosive Logan Cooley could win the Calder

• Huberdeau focused on shooting more in second season in Calgary

• Why the Maple Leafs are turning Auston Matthews into a penalty killer

• Bedard fitting in with Blackhawks on, off ice

• Stutzle primed to join NHL’s superstar class

• Flames' Zadorov hopes criticizing Russian invasion 'can change something'

• THN Writers predict who will win the NHL’s top trophies

• Robertson talks need for consistency, Stars expectations in Q&A

• Top brother-sister pairing on hockey’s biggest stages

• Former Ducks forward Kerdiles dies at age 29

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COACHES CORNER 🏒

• Sticks in lanes small area game

• How to win more 1v1 battles

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TRIVIA ANSWER ✅

Steve Yzerman holds the record for longest-serving NHL captain, wearing the “C” for 19 seasons and 1,303 games for the Detroit Red Wings.