With every day that passes leading up to the new 2024/25 NHL season, the ante gets upped, and the news reels spin ever quicker. Preseason is due to begin on 21st September with the Pittsburgh Penguins vs Buffalo Sabres, and St Louis Blues vs Dallas Stars kicking off a packed preseason program as the teams in each conference look to fine tune their preparations to give themselves the best possible shot at Stanley Cup glory.
Preseason is also a good opportunity for coaches to take a closer look at their rosters, and as always, there are teams packed with talent, but out of all the players taking to the ice, there will be some older, more experienced legs taking on fresh, young talent trying to establish themselves in the game. As we build up to the first faceoff of the regular season, here are a few players at each end of the age spectrum to watch out for.
James van Riemsdyk, Free Agent
We begin with JVR, as he is better known, a veteran left winger formerly of Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and a full United States international. However, NHL fans are still hoping JVR will take to the ice once the new season rolls around as the 35-year-old is currently a free agent, after being released by Boston Bruins at the end of the 2023/24 season. After hitting 1000 career games (311 goals) with the Bruins, JVR will be hoping to put pen to paper with another NHL side in his quest for Stanley Cup glory. There have been rumors circulating over a move to the New York Rangers, who won the Metropolitan Division last season, and might offer JVR a good shot at emulating his brother, Trevor, in lifting the Stanley Cup. The Rangers are currently ranked as 4th favorites on the latest NHL betting lines to lift the cup.
Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks
From a free agent to one of the hottest prospects in the NHL right now. 19-year-old Connor Bedard was awarded the Calder Trophy after a breakthrough rookie season where he registered 22 goals and 39 assists over 68 appearances, averaging 19.47 on the ice each game. Although the Blackhawks produced an extremely underwhelming season, finishing bottom of the Central Division and ending the season on a six-game losing streak, the team from the windy city can attack the season with renewed confidence with Bedard amongst their ranks. While it would be unwise to pile so much pressure onto such young shoulders, Chicago has the most exciting talent in the NHL.
Matt Duchene, Dallas Stars
Matt Duchene has a wealth of NHL experience under his belt but like van Riemsdyk, one thing is missing, a Stanley Cup. After debuting on 1st October 2009, the 33-year-old has gone on to make a staggering 1056 appearances over his 17-season career to date. Those appearances have come in the jerseys of Colorado Avalanche, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators, and his current employers, Dallas Stars. With 341 goals scored from the blade of his hockey stick and the Dallas Stars going into the new season as one of the hot favorites to win the Stanley Cup, this season might be the one for Duchene to finally lift the ultimate prize at the age of 34.
Photo: JennG, www.flickr.com
