Countdown to Puck Drop Series

Introducing The Hockey Writers’ Countdown to Puck Drop series. From now until the puck drops on the 2019-20 NHL’s regular season on Oct. 2 when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Ottawa Senators, we’ll be producing content that’s connected to the number of days remaining on that particular day. Some posts may be associated with a player’s number, while others will be connected to a year or length of time. We’re really excited about this series as we take you through the remainder of summer in anticipation of the return of NHL hockey.

Day 4

Toronto Maple Leafs – Auston Matthews’ 4-Goal Debut

Day 6

Toronto Maple Leafs – Pro Sports’ First Jersey Retirement

Day 7

Tampa Bay Lightning – Mathieu Joseph Needs Big Season in 2019-20

Day 27

St. Louis Blues – Blues Need to Keep Alex Pietrangelo

Tampa Bay Lightning – Lightning Will Need McDonagh in the Playoffs

Day 34

Ottawa Senators – End of the Original Ottawa Senators

Toronto Maple Leafs – Auston Matthews’ Top 10 Moments

Day 38

Winnipeg Jets – Jets’ Extra Large 2011-12 Roster

Day 40

Detroit Red Wings – Henrik Zetterberg’s Red Wings Legacy

Day 43

Vancouver Canucks – Quinn Hughes: Key to Canucks’ Future

Day 49

Chicago Blackhawks – Blackhawks Break Stanley Cup Drought

Day 51

Vegas Golden Knights – Golden Knights Historic First Season

Day 52

Detroit Red Wings – 1951-52 Red Wings the Best Ever?

St. Louis Blues – The Blues’ Wait is Over

Day 59

Detroit Red Wings – Tyler Bertuzzi’s Role in 2019-20

Day 60

Tampa Bay Lightning – Stamkos’ 60 Goals in 2011-12

Day 61

Anaheim Ducks – Ducks Hope Terry Gets Perry Mojo

Day 67

Toronto Maple Leafs – Remembering Maple Leafs’ Glory

Vegas Golden Knights – Bill Foley’s Journey from Black Knight to Golden Knight

Day 68

New York Rangers – Jaromir Jagr’s Time as a Ranger

Pittsburgh Penguins – Jagr’s Illustrious Penguins Career

Day 71

Buffalo Sabres – Evan Rodrigues Essential in 2019-20

Pittsburgh Penguins – 2019-20 Season Hinges on Evgeni Malkin

Vegas Golden Knights – William Karlsson’s Path to Stardom

Day 72

New York Islanders – The Islanders Are Born

Winnipeg Jets – Jets’ Inaugural WHA Season

Day 74

Washington Capitals – 1974-75, the Capitals’ First (and Worst) Season

Day 76

Nashville Predators – P.K. Subban’s Predators Tenure

Day 77

Anaheim Ducks – Mighty Oates Joins the Mighty Ducks

Buffalo Sabres – Turgeon for LaFontaine & Gratton for Briere

Tampa Bay LightningVictor Hedman’s Norris Trophy Season

Day 79

Ottawa Senators – Alexei Yashin’s Rookie Totals

Winnipeg Jets – 1978-79 Avco Cup-Winning Season

Day 80

Edmonton OilersWayne Gretzky’s Record-Breaking Season

Day 81

Chicago Blackhawks –Hossa’s Journey From Curse to Cup

Tampa Bay LightningErik Cernak’s Importance to the Lightning

Vegas Golden KnightsMarchessault’s Golden Knights Path

Day 82

New York Rangers –Martin Straka’s Rangers Tenure