Curtain up for the best league in the world

After two seasons affected by Corona, the NHL wants to return to normality from Tuesday. The divisions and mode are the same as in pre-pandemic times, fans will create a great atmosphere in the halls again. With the Seattle Kraken as the 32nd club, the North American ice hockey league has even grown. Tampa Bay Lightning is going for its first three-peat in 40 years, Alexander Ovechkin has his sights set on an all-time record.

Ovechkin extended his contract with the Washington Capitals for five years at the end of July. The signing brings the Russian superstar $47,5 million and, above all, the chance to target one of the most important of the 61 records of Canadian legend Wayne Gretzky, who was long considered unbeatable. “The Great One”, as Gretzky is known, has scored 894 goals in his career in the regular season, Ovechkin is sixth with 730 goals behind Gordie Howe (801), Jaromir Jagr (766), Brett Hull (741) and Marcel Dionne (731).

“That’s why I wanted to extend it by five years. To have a chance of catching up with the Great One. It will be difficult, but you never know,” said Ovechkin on the occasion of his contract signing. With an average of 33 goals, the 36-year-old star striker would break the record. A mark that the Russian has only failed to reach once in a full season. “And if I were to be second, it would be a great number too,” said the goalscorer, who of course also has his second Stanley Cup on his wish list after the one in 2018 with the Capitals. “That’s our goal and that’s what we’re trying to achieve this season,” Ovechkin said.

Alex Ovechkin has extended his contract for another 5 years and a salary of $47,5 million. © APA/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / SCOTT TAETSCH

The Tampa Bay Lightning also want to win the cup again. The team from Florida is aiming for a hat trick of titles, something no team has achieved since the introduction of the salary cap. The New York Islanders achieved their last three-peat in 1982, and the following year they achieved their fourth NHL triumph in a row. “The city is so excited about ice hockey – it’s crazy.” Philipp Grubauer, goalkeeper of the Seattle Kraken There is a great longing for the Stanley Cup, especially in Canada. Since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993, no team from the motherland of ice hockey has won the coveted trophy; the Canadiens only failed in the final in July. They will make a new attempt, just like the Toronto Meaple Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers around superstar Connor McDavid.

Seattle, on the other hand, is completely new to the NHL. The Kraken, as the team is called, are the youngest entrants and want to emulate the Vegas Golden Knights, who were able to shake up the league in recent years as newcomers. “The city is so hot for ice hockey – it’s crazy,” says German goaltender Philipp Grubauer, who is “proud” to be making NHL history with the league’s 32nd team. Business as usual? For the league, however, it is initially a matter of “business as usual”. The league format returns to the original four divisions and 82 games per club, the atmosphere should return to the halls. Full halls should also help the clubs out of the difficult economic situation, and the $650 million with which the Seattle Kraken bought their way into the league doesn't hurt either. A break is also planned in February to allow the NHL professionals to take part in the Olympic Games in Beijing.

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Curtain up for the best league in the world

Next night (1.30:XNUMX a.m., CEST) Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning and the Pittsburg Penguins open the new season in the NHL. It is also the starting signal for Alex Ovechkin's record hunt, for Seattle's big premiere and the league's endeavor to return to normality.

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