WA-NYR-TradeRumours There's plenty of action, tension and confusion going on outside New York. My ace researcher Solon Mihas and The Maven offer these thoughts. 1. Vancouver's slick Swede Elias Pettersson can't wait for teammate J.T. Miller to be traded. The too-candid J.T. pushes the quiet and gifted Petterson too often. The result is endless rift stories in the press and the need to unload Miller – possibly to the Rangers! 2. Canada's ousting from the World Juniors is viewed as a national disgrace in the Dominion north of the border. Uncle Sam's secret: USA Hockey's remarkably efficient development program. 3. Whether you care for Alex Ovechkin's politics you just have to be awed by Big 8's scoring machine. He's now 24 red lights from tying Wayne Gretzky's record. Meanwhile his Caps thrive. 4. Gary Bettman and his NHL aides deserve another bow of congratulations. The Outdoor Classic in Chicago is the latest fresh-air extravaganza to sell out. 5. The Maven is not going to say that this IS the Cup year for Edmonton. But I will say that i like their chances this term more than ever. 6. Biggest Disappointment: The failure of Barry Trotz's expensive additions to turn the Preds into a threat. 7. Biggest Consistent Success: The Vegas franchise continues to impress on every single level: competence, profitability, and the possibility of winning another Stanley Cup. 8. Biggest Surprise: It appeared that as soon as Joel Quenneville was reinstated last July 1 that by now Q would be coaching an NHL. Still not. 9. Biggest Non-Surprise: Last October, Uncle Sam's starry Junior ace James Hagens was rated front runner to go No. 1 in the 2025 NHL Draft. Guess what? He still is. 10. At least six teams could be considered genuine contenders for the Stanley Cup. One of them has to be Florida. The other should be Toronto; but we all know that the Leafs never get the prize. (Call it tradition!)
