NHL 2024-25 Recap Week 1 Early Milestones, Utah Hockey a hit, a farewell to Gaudreau

This was the first time I didn't do a season recap or preview. That wasn't my intention, but it's how it worked out. That was the end result of all my personal issues and changes. I'm also itching to do this differently. I plan on moving to a video podcast in the future. This will probably be the last year writing this column.

There are four NHL teams without a regulation loss: the Rangers, Jets, Flames, and Wild. This is definitely not what I would have predicted. The Stars, who have to win it all soon, are 5-1. There are also two winless teams: the Sharks, of course , and the Predators. With all the offseason moves, Nashville can't be happy. The Avalanche just got off the winless schneid with an overtime win over the Ducks, also not on my bingo card. The Oilers started winless again, going 0-3 before winning two in a row. Their power-play has also been oddly struggling, definitely not on my bingo card.

Things I like

1. We're already hitting milestones. In a 6-5 win over the Buffalo Sabres, Sidney Crosby had three points to reach 1600 points, the fifth fastest and tenth overall to reach it. In the same game, Evegni Malkin scored four points to notch his 500th goal, the 48th player to do so. Alex Ovechkin also hit 700 assists while still trying to catch Wayne Gretzky in career goals. He'll need 40 to do it this season so that's unlikely.

2. The Anaheim Ducks returned to their original iconic logo, one of the best hockey logos ever. I love that the Penguins brought back their best logo a few years ago, too.

3. The Utah Hockey Club is off to a hot start. Tickets are selling well, but since most seats have an obstructed view, 11,000 fans is considered a sellout. I can't blame fans for not wanting seats where they can't see, but it's odd. But anything is better than the 5,000 fans the Coyotes brought in. Several of their high draft picks, Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, and Barrett Hayton, are starting to produce. This could be a breakout season for Utah.

Things I don't

1. I haven't written it elsewhere, so I'd like to mention the tragic death of Johnny Gaudreau caused by a drunk driver with road rage. The driver who hit him is at fault, but if the driver in front had not moved to give the Gaudreau's more space, they'd still be alive. I never liked cars moving over that much. They do that when I'm walking. I know you're supposed to do it, but sometimes it's best to take everything into consideration. I'm not blaming that driver, but it's probably something they'll always remember. The drunk driver just seems like a jackass with no remorse.

Gaudreau was one of the most exciting players to watch. He had an infectious enthusiasm for the game and made smaller players believe they could play in the NHL. I'll always remember him scoring the series-winning goal against the Dallas Stars in overtime. I believe he would have made the Hall of Fame until he went to the Blue Jackets, and his numbers took a nose dive. He may have turned it around and may get in anyway. But I always thought going to Columbus was strange. Regardless, he will be missed in the rink and his personal life.

Fights of the Week

Special thanks to hockeyfights.com for making this section a little easier to do.

Joel Farabee vs Corey Perry

Not the best fight but it's Corey Perry, who managed to return to the same team again for only the second time in six seasons.

Goat of the Week

Nazem Kadri - Calgary Flames

I can't tell why Kadri lost control of the puck along the boards and veered left, enabling Brandon Montour to steal it and set up Jordan Eberle for the overtime goal. Kadri's subsequent defense also left a lot to be desired.

https://www.nhl.com/video/cgy-sea-eberle-scores-goal-against-dan-vladar-6363510590112

Goal of the Week

Filip Gustavsson - Minnesota Wild

Goalie goals are so rare—only fifteen goalies have one—that you have to give them love when they do happen.

Stat Line of the Week

10/19/24 Ottawa 5 vs. Tampa Bay 4

You never know what you'll get with a new Ottawa Senators season other than a new starting goalie, which they have yet again. But the Senators got a big win against the Tampa Bay Lightning when Drake Batherson scored two goals with an assist. Batherson had an unassisted goal off a turnover and a power-play goal, and Noah Gregor added a short-handed goal. They also had a regular-strength goal to score every type. It'll be interesting to see how the Senators' season progresses.

Numbers, Numbers

  1 – Shutout for Jack Allen, now on the Devils, already, as many as he had his previous two seasons combined

5 – Seasons in a row with a different Ottawa Senators starting goalie

24 – Goals scored by the Rangers and Jets in five games

0 – Power-play goals by the Buffalo Sabres in 21 chances

6.7 – Power-play percentage of the Edmonton Oilers

55 – Penalty kill percentage of the Edmonton Oilers, dead last

Rankings

The rankings are based on how the teams are currently playing.

Top 5

1. Florida
2. Dallas
3. NY Rangers
4. New Jersey
5. Calgary

Bottom 5

30. San Jose
31. Nashville
32. Colorado
33. Philadelphia
34. Columbus