NHL Global Series games, Ovechkin's record hunt, Utah Hockey Club debut among top 2024-25 storylines

Oilers seek redemption: Last season's loss in the Cup final left Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers hungry to take the next step and win their first championship since 1990. Edmonton will have to deal with forward Dylan Holloway and defenseman Philip Broberg after they decided not to comply with the two-year offer sheets each signed with the St. Louis Blues. Edmonton will also begin the season without forward Evander Kane, who is expected to miss five to six months after undergoing abdominal surgery on September 20.

Welcome Utah: The Utah Hockey Club is joining the NHL after acquiring the hockey assets of the Arizona Coyotes, which became inactive after last season. Utah inherited an up-and-coming team with young stars like Logan Cooley (20) and Dylan Guenther (21) as well as established star Clayton Keller, then added Mikhail Sergachev, John Marino and Ian Cole to bolster its defense in the offseason with intent to compete for a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Ovechkin within striking distance of Gretzky: Washington Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin enters the season with 853 goals, 42 away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's league record of 894. The 39-year-old has scored at least 42 goals in a season 13 times in his NHL career, including most recently in 2022-23. Despite only scoring 31 goals last season, Ovechkin scored 23 goals in his last 36 games.

Swayman and Bruins standoff: The Bruins appear to be starting the season without No. 1 goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who remains an unsigned restricted free agent; Coach Jim Montgomery said Monday that Joonas Korpisalo will start the season opener against the Panthers on Oct. 8. General manager Don Sweeney said he hopes Swayman is signed before the Dec. 1 deadline so he will be eligible to play this season. But being without Swayman for so long could hurt Boston's chances of qualifying for the playoffs.

Celebrini celebration: Macklin Celebrini, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, represents hope for the future for the San Jose Sharks after they finished last in the NHL standings last season. Celebrini won the Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA men's player last season as a freshman at Boston University. It will be fun to see what the 18-year-old center can do in his first NHL season.

Playing for Johnny Hockey: The Columbus Blue Jackets will look to honor the memory of forward Johnny Gaudreau with their play this season. Gaudreau and his brother Matthew died on August 29 when they were struck by a car while riding bicycles near their home in Salem County, New Jersey.

“Stammer” time in Nashville: Steven Stamkos brings his offensive skills and leadership to the Nashville Predators after 16 seasons and two Stanley Cup Championships (2020, 2021) with the Lightning. After scoring 81 points (40 goals, 41 assists) in 79 games last season, the 34-year-old forward could help make the Predators a Cup contender. Stamkos' return to Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay on October 28 promises to be an emotional evening.

Last ride for the Maple Leafs' Core Four?: Auston Matthews and William Nylander are under long-term contracts with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Mitch Marner and John Tavares can become unrestricted free agents after this season. So this could be the last chance for this foursome to lead Toronto to postseason success. With just one playoff series win since 2004 (against the Lightning in 2023), Toronto hired Craig Berube to replace Sheldon Keefe as coach to further propel the group forward.

Bedard's Encore: Connor Bedard looks set for a big second season with the Chicago Blackhawks after winning the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year last season. Despite being limited to 68 games due to a broken jaw, Bedard led the league's rookies in goals (22) and points (62) and ranked first in assists (39).

Crosby-Ovechkin rivalry turns 20: Where have the decades gone? Ovechkin and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby are each entering their 20th NHL seasons, and their teams will likely compete for a playoff spot again. Crosby is also chasing milestones. With 1,596 points (592 goals, 1,004 assists), the 37-year-old is already in tenth place in NHL history. He needs eight goals to reach 600, four points to reach 1,600 and 46 points to pass Joe Sakic for ninth place (1,641 points).