Pre-season hockey is back!
Many hockey fans and media alike cannot stand pre-season hockey.
Both groups of people want the games to mean something, the statistics to matter, the standings to be in full flow and everything else that is related to the regular season.
With that said, and I may be in the minority here, I think NHL pre-season does hold some value. Here are my reasons why:
1) Hockey is Back: The start of the NHL pre-season means that fall is in the air and the game is back on ice. It means that three or more months of waiting is over and we can go back to caring about what really matters: hockey!
2) Prospects Get to Play: When watching an NHL pre-season games, you’ll often be able to see what your team’s prospects look like even though they may not make the big club after training camp. It’s an opportunity to get to know their style of play and see what they need to work on in order to get to the next level.
3) Preview Line Combinations: For the coaches, it’s a chance to scout some potential line combinations. For the players, it’s an opportunity to get to know the styles of their potential linemates.
In the long run, you may not think that these things matter but believe me, they do. Just ask NHL general managers, coaches and players.
Sure, they’d all rather it be October but pre-season is a great time to look at different playing styles, new players, line combinations and ultimately, get back into the swing of playing hockey on a full-time basis for the next six to eight months.
So, hockey fans, take the time to enjoy the pre-season and think about what is to come for your team in 2010-11!
