The clock’s close to zero. Puck drop looms. The best sport on earth is about to retake the ice—and you’ve got some catching up to do.
Before the red light flashes for the first time, these are the tales you want to read. Sportsnet magazine writers found the best stories from around the league—from Tampa Bay to Vancouver, Toronto to California—and crammed as much unique NHL feature writing as we possibly could into our 100-page All-Hockey issue.
You’ll find all the stories below in the October 6 issue, available in our tablet edition, and on Next Issue and newsstands now. You can also find a preview of our exclusive Phil Kessel profile right here. Enjoy!
NICE GUY. TRIES HARD. LOVES THE GAME: That’s how Phil Kessel describes himself. But that’s not even close to the whole story. Kristina Rutherford sits down for an extensive one-on-one with the most mysterious megastar in Canada’s most intense media market.
THE PERFECT THUNDERSTORM: Victor Hedman’s rise to stardom matches the Lightning’s emergence as a trendy Cup pick. It’s not a coincidence.
LION CUBS IN WINTER: Finishing two games shy of the 2014 Cup final, the Montreal Canadiens could have stayed the course, safe from criticism. Instead, GM Marc Bergevin went all in on the future.
THE BRAIN DRAIN: Detroit Red Wings alumni now run several teams, but has it cost the club some of what made it special?
COULDA BEEN DYNASTIC: Is it too late for Pittsburgh to capitalize on the potential they flashed in winning the 2009 Stanley Cup?
KINDRED SPIRITS OF THE WEST: Both chasing their third Cup since 2010, the Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks couldn’t be more different—or more similar. Ryan Dixon takes an in-depth look at NHL’s two best teams.
WELCOME TO THE PRESENT, EDMONTON: Moving on from a GM whose days were the only thing numbered, the Oilers are finally ready to embrace the stats revolution
PORTAGE AND MAIN’S MAN: The honeymoon may be ending for the Jets, but even if a Cup run isn’t in the cards this season, Jacob Trouba gives fans plenty of reasons to cheer
A SHOT AT REDEMPTION: Anxious to prove he’s still every bit the all-world puckstopper he’s been for a decade, Ryan Miller came to Vancouver to put last season out of his mind and the Canucks into the playoffs.
PLUS: An exclusive interview with Patrick Kane, columns from Stephen Brunt, Scott Feschuk and Michael Grange and the most ridiculously detailed predictions for the 2014-15 season you’ll find anywhere.
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