NHL Season Insight + Opening Night Player Picks

If you and your buddies have ever argued about the best month in sports, the easy answer is October — and it’s really not up for debate. At the start of October, we are through Week 5 of the NFL season, the MLB Division Series are in full swing, College Football is heating up, and now both the NHL and NBA seasons are on the horizon.

Key Storylines

The 2025 NHL season might have more drama than we’ve ever seen — from blockbuster trades and major signings to new coaches, breakout prospects, and, of course, hockey’s grand return to the world stage at the Olympics. Whatever you’re looking for, this season has it. 

Connor McDavid

As I’m writing this, McDavid just shocked the hockey world by signing a 2-year, $12.5 million AAV extension with the Oilers. It’s an interesting deal, especially after Kirill Kaprizov’s recent $17 million per year contract. It feels like Edmonton is creating a three-year championship window — one that will depend heavily on next year’s free-agent class, the trade deadline, and young players like Matt Savoie and Isaac Howard taking major steps forward.

Kirill Kaprizov

It’s a picture-perfect scenario for the Wild. Sure, the AAV is steep, but the cap is rising, and with players like Brock Faber, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Matt Boldy all locked in long-term under $8.5 million, keeping one of the league’s most electric players with that core is a huge win for Bill Guerin and the Wild.

Mitch Marner

Some fans may have cooled off on Mitch Marner’s move during the offseason, but his trade to Vegas was about as predictable as the sun rising. The Golden Knights are primed to challenge the Oilers for a third straight Western Conference title — and they might be the best bet to stop them. With Jack Eichel in a contract year and Mark Stone, Tomáš Hertl, and Pavel Dorofeyev rounding out the attack, this offense is terrifying. Add Shea Theodore and Noah Hanifin on the blue line, and you’ve got a powerhouse.

Barkov & the Panthers

The Panthers looked unstoppable this summer — the Cup stayed in South Florida, and they re-signed Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Aaron Ekblad. Everything pointed toward a third straight run at the Cup… until the preseason hit.

Aleksander Barkov tore his ACL and is out for the year. Then came the chaos with Tampa Bay: Brandon Hagel was assaulted by A.J. Greer, sparking an all-out war. Ekblad was jumped, and Jesper Boqvist got drilled from behind. The league seems to be targeting the Panthers — and honestly, I couldn’t be more excited to watch how it all unfolds.

Mike Sullivan Returns to Manhattan

One of the best coaches of our generation, Mike Sullivan, is back — this time behind the bench for the Rangers. Since their 2018 rebuild letter, the Blueshirts have been a roller coaster: Two Eastern Conference Finals appearances and a missed playoff appearance last year.

With J.T. Miller named captain and no Chris Kreider for the first time since 2011, the Rangers are a must-watch team as they try to right the ship.

2026 Olympics

The return of NHL players to the Olympics is the best news hockey fans have had in years. Honestly, I can’t think of a moment fans were this universally excited since Ray Bourque lifted the Cup with the Avs.

Canada and the U.S. are heavy favourites, but don’t sleep on Finland, a constant international contender. The Four Nations tournament gave us some of the best hockey we’ve seen in a decade, and the Olympics should be no different. Expect to see national rivalries play out all season — Tkachuk vs. Hagel, Matthews vs. Marner, McDavid vs. Eichel, and more. This year is massive on the international stage.

Opening Night Player Picks

With the NHL season dropping the puck tonight, let’s keep the momentum going with some player picks.

Last week, for NFL Week 5, we backed Puka Nacua and Cam Skattebo to score. Nacua delivered again, while Skattebo fell just short, leaving us 2-3 on the season and up 2 units.

For opening night, we’re rolling with two former #1 overall picks — Alexis Lafrenière and Connor Bedard — to each record a point. Both are looking to start strong after somewhat underwhelming 2024–25 seasons. Each 1st overall picks in the last half decade, and both are looking to join the likes of dominant #1 picks. Lafreniere is playing once again with one of the league's best in Artemi Panarin, and Bedard is looking to start hot after Macklin Celebrini has taken over most of the young hype.