Storylines to follow for the 2024-25 NHL season

The 2024-25 NHL season is here, and there are plenty of stories to follow. Here are some of the most prominent.

Gaudreaus remembered (1 of 20)

When the NHL Global Series Czechia was played this month, each member of the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils, on the ice, wore a helmet decal paying tribute to brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau , who were killed by a car while biking in New Jersey on Aug. 29. Every NHL team will sport the decal through Oct. 24.

Devils' needed strong start (2 of 20)

During the 2022-23 season, New Jersey recorded a club-record 112 points and won a playoff series. Then, last season, they faltered, posting just 81 points while coach Lindy Ruff was fired during the campaign. So, it's imperative the Devils get off to a good start this season, with plenty of eyes on whether they can truly bounce back into a playoff contender for 2025. So far, so good, as New Jersey outscored Buffalo 7-2 while winning both games of the Global Series. Does that mean good things will be in store for the Devils this season? Obviously, time will tell.

Ruff back in Buffalo (3 of 20)

Speaking off Lindy Ruff. The Devils' 2-0-0 start comes at the expense of their aforementioned former coach, who began his second stint coaching the Sabres. Ruff holds Buffalo franchise records for regular-season wins (571) and playoff victories (57) from his 15-year run spanning 1997-98-2012-13. And, while he sees plenty of confidence and excitement with this crop of Sabres, the challenge remains daunting. Buffalo has recorded just one season of 90 or more points since last making the playoffs in 2010-11 -- which came under Ruff.

Panthers' quest to repeat (4 of 20)

The Florida Panthers look to become the second team in six seasons to repeat as Stanley Cup champs. However, that's obviously not an easy task, and the Panthers lost some key performers from that group in defensemen Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson and veteran forward Vladimir Tarasenko. That said, when it comes to a solid, quality core, there might not be a better one than Florida's Sam Reinhart, Matthew Tkachuk , Aleksander Barkov , Carter Verhaeghe , Gustav Forsling and Sergei Bobrovsky.

Oilers unfinished business (5 of 20)

Don't forget, those previously mentioned Panthers blew a 3-0 series lead, and needed that 2-1 home victory in Game 7 to finish off the pesky Edmonton Oilers and get the job done after falling short against Vegas in the 2023 Cup Final. That's the situation Edmonton finds itself in this season. Sure, the Western Conference is loaded with Stanley Cup contenders (Dallas, Vegas, Colorado, Vancouver). But, these Oilers, led by Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins , Zach Hyman and Stuart Skinner, have the experience of going the distance in the pressure-packed environment of the Stanley Cup playoffs. And adding veterans Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson to the mix, the Oilers might finally have the overall makeup and intangibles to bring the Cup back to Edmonton for the first time since 1990.

Predators get greedy (6 of 20)

We didn't mention the Nashville Predators among the likely Western Conference Stanley Cup contenders this season. After all, Nashville has been to the playoffs five times over the last six seasons, but hasn't won a series during that span. But, the Preds got serious this offseason, signing veteran Jonathan Marchessault and, most notably, former Tampa Bay superstar Steven Stamkos. Adding those established, multi-Cup winners to the likes of Filip Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly, Roman Josi and Juuse Saros, have created plenty of excitement in Music City.

New era for Stamkos (7 of 20)

It can be argued that Stamkos' four-year, $32 million deal with Nashville made the most waves this offseason. Stamkos totaled 1,137 points and won two Cups in 16 seasons with Tampa Bay. And, while the fact he left the Lightning was not shocking , Stamkos turns 35 in February. That said, Stamkos has managed to stay healthy each of the last three seasons, and if that trend continues, this could be a special season for the Preds.

Lightning move on (8 of 20)

So, how will the Lightning trudge forward without arguably the greatest player in the history of the franchise in Steven Stamkos? For starters, Tampa Bay brought in one of the game's best players via trade in Jake Guentzel, who has scored at least 30 goals in three consecutive seasons. Not to mention, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, Brayden Point, Nicholas Paul and Brandon Hagel still remain from a team that last won a playoff series in 2022. For the moment, however, Lightning players, staff and franchise employees are just trying to stay safe from approaching Hurricane Milton -- which comes on the heels of Hurricane Helene

Swayman gets paid (9 of 20)

Apparently the budding contentious relationship between goaltender Jeremy Swayman and the Boston Bruins wasn't enough to keep the two parties from agreeing on a long-term deal. On Sunday, just hours before the start of the Bruins' season, Swayman agreed to an eight-year, $66 million dea l. With former Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark gone, Swayman, who has a 2.34 goals-against average and .919 save percentage in 132 games, is the main man in goal for the Bruins.

New home, renewed excitement (10 of 20)

The Utah Hockey Club still doesn't have a nickname, but the excitement hasn't diminished since the former Arizona Coyotes franchise announced its relocation plans . How long the buzz lasts, however, depends on the product that's put on the ice. Utah has a bona fide star in Clayton Keller, who is coming off back-to-back 30-goal seasons and leads a young group with potential. That said, the Coyotes made the playoffs once in the last 12 seasons, and still face a massive challenge amid the feel-good vibe of this new beginning.

Leafs turn to Berube (11 of 20)

Craig Berube guided the St. Louis Blues to the franchise's first Stanley Cup title in 2019, but now he might face even bigger task while behind the bench in Toronto . Among the most storied franchises in all of sports, the Maple Leafs have not won the Cup since 1967 and just one playoff series since 2004. With Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, Morgan Rielly and addition of Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the talent is still there for Toronto to avoid another underachieving season.

Campbell gets the call (12 of 20)

Former Stanley Cup-winning coach at Pittsburgh, Dan Bylsma is back leading an NHL squad for the first time since 2017, as the main man in Seattle. However, the bigger story might be who is next to Bylsma behind the Kraken bench. Jessica Campbell was hired over the summer as an assistant coach to Bylsma, whom she worked with while also an assistant with the Coachella Valley Firebirds -- the AHL affiliate of the Kraken. Thus, making her the first female behind-the-bench coach in NHL history.

Confident Bedard enters Year 2 (13 of 20)

A jaw injury kept 2023 overall No. 1 pick Connor Bedard out 14 games last season. However, Bedard still registered 22 goals and 39 assists in 68 games to win the Calder Trophy for the Chicago Blackhawks. It was safe to say that Bedard lived up to the hype as a rookie, and is expected to build on that success for a Chicago club that's amid a rebuild. More sure of his game and himself, Bedard, reportedly, is even determined to step up his aggressiveness in 2024-25.

Celebrini celebration (14 of 20)

Following Connor Bedard's strong rookie performance, plenty of eyes will be on San Jose's Macklin Celebrini, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2024 draft. While the Sharks aren't expected to be a serious playoff contender in 2024-25, Celebrini, who had 32 goals and 32 assists in 38 games for Boston University last season, is still expected to be the heart and soul of the rebuilding club. That said, Celebrini's preseason lower-body injury will be something worth watching in the early portion of the season.

Michkov has arrived (15 of 20)

While Macklin Celebrini will draw a majority of the rookie attention, keep an eye on Matvei Michkov. The highly touted Russian forward was taken seventh overall by Philadelphia in the 2023 draft despite being under contract with SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League. However, that contract was terminated, and Michkov has reported to Philadelphia where he'll look to thrive under defensive-minded head coach John Tortorella . Through his first four NHL preseason games, Michkov totaled seven points. This should be fun.

Laine Habs' debut must wait (16 of 20)

The Montreal Canadiens ranked near the bottom of the NHL averaging 2.83 goals last season. Hoping to improve their production, the Canadiens acquired six-time 20-goal scorer Patrik Laine from Columbus in August. Though Laine has been unable to match his early-career success when he scored at least 30 goals in each of his first three seasons, the veteran's presence could help a young Montreal squad. However, Laine is slated to miss two-to-three months with a sprained left knee suffered by taking a hit from Toronto's Cedric Paré during a recent preseason contest.

4 Nations in, All-Stars out (17 of 20)

In an attempt to promote at least some portion of the NHL's international flavor leading up to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, when league players will return to competition, the 4 Nations Face-Off will take place Feb. 10-21, in Montreal and Boston . The competition pits NHL stars from the United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden in a round-robin format. Quinn Hughes, Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel will be part of the American squad. While Connor McDavid (Canada), Sebastian Aho (Finland) and Elias Pettersson (Sweden) will also be involved. At the expense of the 4 Nations event, t he annual NHL All-Star Game and weekend activities will not be held in 2025.

Wings-Jackets to make history (18 of 20)

While the annual Winter Classic returns to Wrigley Field, where the Chicago Blackhawks will host the St. Louis Blues, the biggest outdoor attraction on the 2024-25 NHL slate might be the homage to one of college football's greatest rivalries. On March 1, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Detroit Red Wings in the first outdoor hockey game played at legendary Ohio Stadium , on the campus of Ohio State University. Of course, it makes sense the Jackets will face off against the Red Wings, keeping in tune with the annual Ohio State-Michigan football matchup.

Kane still going strong (19 of 20)

Staying with the Red Wings, Patrick Kane, who turns 36 in November, is back in Detroit on a one-year deal. After recovering from hip surgery, Kane signed with Detroit, the team that was his rival for years in Chicago, in late November of last season. Then, totaled 20 goals and 27 assists in 50 games for the Red Wings. It will be interesting to see what one of the game's greats can do if he's able to complete a full season.

Ovechkin nears Gretzky's goal mark (20 of 20)

It's quite possible Alex Ovechkin's 20th NHL season will be one for history. Sitting on 853 career goals, the 3 9-year-old Ovechkin is 42 shy of passing Wayne Gretzky as the league's all-time leader. For years, it was a record many felt would never be broken, but Ovechkin continues to play at a high level, and has notched at least 42 goals 13 times. However, his 31 goals in 79 games last season were the fewest Ovi scored during a full campaign since posting 33 in 2016-17. This will be fun to watch.