COLUMN: DOES PRE-SEASON MATTER?

By: Braedyn Wozniak, RP Show Intern

NHL pre-season is in full swing and eager hockey fans are scrambling to the arenas and to their televisions to watch. 

Every couple home games the stars come out to find their rhythm, but the pre-season is largely for young players fighting for playing time. 

So, should fans pay much mind to pre-season results? The answer is, well, not really. 

As Bernie Nicholls put it on Monday’s Rod Pedersen Show, “it’s tough to put any stock in a training camp game for your older players.” 

The question was raised when Pedersen said the players’ effort was lackadaisical, which spurred a discussion with the NHL great. 

“It’s really hard for the older players,” said Nicholls. “You’re just kind of there trying to get your bearings back, your feet wet so-to-speak and just try to get in the groove.” 

Of course, teams with off-season acquisitions might have their fans hoping to see some chemistry, but that seems to be established in practice rather than the exhibition games. 

Pedersen was unimpressed when he attended the Florida Panthers pre-season game against the Carolina Hurricanes, two teams that had many moving pieces this off-season. 

“Not everybody was trying,” said Pedersen, “I’m trying to follow the NHL pre-season because I love the game, but the guys don’t seem to be trying that hard to me.” 

“They’re not,” replied Nicholls. “It’s more evaluation for the younger kids, they’re obviously giving it all they’ve got, they feel they have enough to make the team and they’re going to do the best they can.” 

So, if you’re going to tune into pre-season NHL action, treat it more as a rookie showcase. In most instances anyways. 

It’s difficult to evaluate anyone when the game is being played full-speed by some, and half speed by others. The Seattle Kraken are currently undefeated this preseason, having four wins under their belt. 

A record to which Pedersen scoffed. 

“What do they get for that,” he said. “Tell me, I’ll wait.” 

The answer is nothing. A very outstanding pre-season, but it’s highly unlikely the second-year franchise will make the playoffs, let alone be a contender. 

The pre-season is nothing but a measuring stick for young players. For Kraken fans, Matthew Beniers has looked very good. 

For Montreal Canadiens fans, the initial glimpse of first overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky, in the words of Habs General Manager Kent Hughes, has been “underwhelming.” 

Don’t worry Habs fans, it’s likely this whole season will be largely underwhelming as well.