THE CUP OF JOE WITH BO

Cup of Joe with Bo!

Written by Bowman Webster

Welcome to The Cup of Joe with Bo! on SPORTS TREE LTD. This weekly NHL column provides a quick update on what's going on around the NHL. Zero fluff. Just some hot takes from a guy who relies on the old eye test but, isn't afraid to admit that numbers don't lie. Bo played Jr hockey before taking his game to the collegiate level and Captaining the Hobart College Statesmen for his final two seasons. He’s had the privilege to represent Canada in his time on the ice… Now he’s ready to put on his Coaching Cap and provide the SPORTS TREE Platform with the biggest stories, and best bets from around on the Show.

Let's look at whose feeling good about themselves after the first two weeks... and who isn't.

FEELING GOOD

Florida Panthers

These guys are straight-up stacked this year. They showed they could hang with the Tampa Bay Lightning last year in the playoffs. Then the Cats brought in some studs this off-season. Reinhart is one of the most intelligent players in the league and fits in their top 6 real nice. Anthony Duclair seems like he has finally found a home. Aleksander Barkov, of course, re-upped on a team-friendly deal with zero controversies. MacKenzie Weegar is criminally underrated on defence. Aaron Ekblad is starting to peak now that he's in his mid-20s, just like most D who come into the league right away. Anton Lundell, who they drafted 19th overall in 2020, made the team out of camp and could be huge if he sticks as their third line C. They have assembled one of the best squads on paper, and they have Big Q behind the bench. And they did all this while paying their back up tendy 10 schmill. We are high on the Panthers, folks.

Carolina Hurricanes

When Tom Dundon bought the Canes in 2018 and became the sole owner and CEO, people were worried that he would be too involved. He came out the gates hot with some questionable quotes, and all the hockey experts said he would be terrible for the squad. Well… they were wrong. This guy has finally established a TEAM FIRST mentality in Raleigh, and holy moly, are they ever a team to be reckoned with. He doesn't care who you are; if you want too much $$$, you are gone. See ya later Dougie Hamilton. One of his first moves was hiring the best coach in the league, Rod Brind'Amour, and clearly, he is getting the most out of this group. He was always the hardest working guy on every team he played for. Now he projects that on his team. His 33-year-old captain, Jordan Staal, set the tone and showed up as the fittest guy at camp this year. These guys have one of the best D-corps in the league. A forward group with no superstars but can burn you in many ways. And they brought in Freddy Anderson, who just had five years with the toughest job in hockey, being a goalie for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Carolina is primed for a run.

Edmonton Oilers

Hard not to feel good about yourself when you have the best player in the league on your squad. He's literally torching the show, and on most nights, it legit looks like he's playing men's league. This off-season, Holland had almost zero cap space to rearrange the chairs but somehow managed to bring in Hyman, Foegele and Kieth. Hyman was the engine on the Leafs for the last four years, and for anyone who thought he was overrated, just look at their start without him. Foegele is a guy who can find the net without needing tons of minutes to do so. Puljujarvi is finally playing closer to what they thought they had when they took him 4th overall. They will have a shot if their goaltending holds up and keep the puck out of their net. Every truly great player wins a Cup... Connor will get him, and this could be the year.

FEELING NOT SO GOOD

Chicago Blackhawks

I admit I thought they had a decent off-season, but they are winless in five, so they have landed in the not-so-good zone. Fleury hasn't found his game yet. Jones looks sloppy out there. Analytics guys roasted the Hawks this summer to give up assets to get Jones and then sign him to an eight-year ticket. So far, they look right. The Hawks better hope he can turn it around, or else that could look ugly in a hurry. Kane still looks good out there but hasn't had much puck luck yet this year. Kirby Dach hasn't broken out yet, this being his first full season up with the club after being taken 2nd overall. Toews looks old. Debrincat and Kubalik, who were two bright spots last year, need to find that again this year. We are five games in, and I'm not ready to count them out, but winless in five is notttttt what the boys were looking for.

Montreal Canadiens

Tabarnac!!! After a trip to the final dance last year, most reasonable people expected a bit of regression this year. However, Montreal fans are not reasonable, and so the heat is cranked up to 10. Their forwards that managed to really come together for a nice run last year haven't done anything this year. This team can't score right now. There's no other way to put it. One goal total between Caufield, Suzuki, Gallagher, Anderson and Toffoli doesn't cut it. They rely on depth and being able to score with four lines rolling. So far they haven't found the right mix. Perhaps losing Price, Weber, and Danault is too much to overcome. Regardless these guys play in a real tough division and an even tougher conference. If they have any hopes of making the playoffs, they better turn it around now.

Las Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas is 1-4 out of the gate. And this is after getting hugely upset by the habs in the playoffs last year, where they should have been able to take on the Bolts for the Cup. Some thought that would light a fire under them for this year. So far, they look like a team that's maybe played a little too much hockey over the last couple of postseasons. I'll give them a slight pass because they are so banged up right now. Pacioretty, Stone, Tuch, Martinez, Patrick have all missed games. But isn't that what contenders do? Win games regardless of who is in the line-up. These guys have battled minimal adversity since their inaugural season a few years back, and it looks like this year might be a little different. The only thing they have going for them right now is they play in a weak division and have plenty of time to turn this around.