JUSTIFIED OVERREACTION NORTH OF THE BORDER?

CALGARY, AB — Four games into the regular-season, and frustration and panic have set in in Toronto and Vancouver. Prematurely or not, for two NHL clubs with big expectations in 2022-23, the first week of the campaign has led their heated fanbases into the hair-pulling stage.

In Toronto, where I covered the Leafs first three home games of the season, an embarrassing overall effort Monday night against the Arizona Coyotes, in which the ‘Yotes won 3-2 in regulation, saw the boobirds voice their concerns by the end of the second period that would have been justified after the first 20 minutes.

What appeared to be hesitation most of the game, especially on the powerplay, resulted in Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe taking a jab at his star players.

“The difference between us and Arizona is that we have elite players,” Keefe said after the game. “And our elite players didn’t play like elite players.”

Granted, that was true the system seems to be a cause for the lack of snipe and has been an issue for years. The team’s powerplay is a constant game of passing the puck around the perimeter in hopes of creating the perfect scoring chance. To use a line dished out by Glen Powell’s character Hangman to Rooster in “Top Gun: Maverick,” Toronto’s man-advantage seems too snug on its perch waiting for just the right moment that never comes.

You can blame the players all you want and yell “SHOOT!!” at the top of your lungs, but if the coaching staff’s design doesn’t account for it, there’s only so much that can be done.

With Matt Murray now on LTIR – who saw that coming? – the Leafs have used the extra space to call up forwards Nick Robertson and Wayne Simmonds and defencemen Victor Mete and Filip Král, who came up earlier today after Jake Muzzin was placed on IR. Cap gymnastics will be the name of the game until GM Kyle Dubas can free up legitimate space. When Murray’s ready to return, most of these players will be sent back down.

Robertson could inject some extra life in the lineup. He had a good showing in camp, but the cap thing likely prevented him from staying up right out of the gate and should slot in on Thursday against Dallas. Simmonds, when in his prime is exactly the type of player the Leafs need, but his best days are behind him, though he’s a useful asset for their fourth line.

As Dubas continues to explore the market for an upgrade on defence, finding more bite up front wouldn’t be the worst thing. Again, the cap. But no, the sky isn’t falling. The Leafs are 2-2-0 and they’ll likely get it together soon enough, but Monday’s “throwaway game” was anything but and should come as a wakeup call that you can’t coast in The National.

In Vancouver, Bruce there it isn’t. The ocean’s boiling, the mountains are crumbling, and the roads are melting. At least that’s what it seems like on social media and the local airwaves.

Yes, a 0-3-1 start to the season isn’t ideal. In fact, the Canucks became the first team in NHL history to lose three, and then four, straight games after holding multi-goal leads in each game. A players-only meeting after Monday’s loss didn’t do much Tuesday. Defensively, it’s clear there are holes. But you have to work with what you’ve got.

The Canucks have solid depth up front. I’m not so sure scratching Conor Garland was the way to go Tuesday night, but head coach Bruce Boudreau told reporters after the 4-3 overtime loss to Columbus that several players could’ve sat in the stands, he just chose Garland.

While the blueline needs an upgrade, that isn’t a quick fix. Teams aren’t doing their competitors any favours and a talent-for-talent swap might be the only solution. But GM Patrik Allvin wasn’t able to find a fit in the off-season and you can be sure it’s harder to make a move now that the season’s underway (that cap thing, again).

Maybe it’s a result of how wild a market Vancouver can be, especially when things aren’t going swimmingly, but there’s already chatter over Boudreau’s future.

Boudreau’s contract expires after this season. There are whispers management is already doing its due diligence. If the Canucks can’t right the ship quickly, do they drop the axe on Boudreau and bring in an outside bench boss or hand things over to assistant coach Mike Yeo? Would Barry Trotz be an option, and would his style fit the make of the roster?

Too many unanswered questions too early in the season for the Canucks. They have one more game on the road – Thursday in Minnesota – before their home opener on Saturday against Buffalo and a couple of Ws would temper the pitchforks.

GLOBAL GAME

The NHL Global Series games between Nashville and San Jose in Czechia were a nice success and a great experience. It was my first time visiting Prague and I won’t be upset if I have to make my way back one day (soon?).

With Colorado and Columbus playing a couple of games in Tampere, Finland, in early-November – we’re unfortunately sitting that trip out – the NHL is already looking ahead to games overseas in 2023 and 2024, something NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly alluded to when addressing the media at O2 Arena on Oct. 7.

A return to Sweden is expected either next year or in 2024, with games in Norway, Germany and Slovakia all possible, too. The NHL held their European media tour in Paris, and if they decide to host games in France, I certainly won’t object. Could Milan be an option in the near future, ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics? Yes, there’s an expectation the NHL will participate in those games. What about a return to London?

The NHL has options. Including, it appears, in Oceania.

There is word the NHL is considering expanding its Global Series to Australia, with the Boston Bruins believed to be one of the teams that could head over if things materialize. It is unclear which year these games could take place, but talks have been underway for some time and if things align, we may be packing our bags for the trek overseas in the not-too-distant future.

Daly indicated that the League would like to do more games overseas. If they head to Australia, the expectation is games will also occur in Europe that same season – this year, they spread the games one month apart.

On the International side of things, the NHL & NHLPA continue to work towards a 2024 World Cup of Hockey, but Commissioner Gary Bettman told the media on Tuesday it is possible that gets pushed if they cannot finalize matters in time.

There is a belief the NHL won’t get in the way of players participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, and with Vancouver pushing its bid for the 2030 games, we could see NHLers in back-to-back Olympics moving forward with the World Cup in between.

CHYCHRUN WATCH, CONTINUES

Jakob Chychrun rejoins the Coyotes this week in Montreal for practice and will soon get into game action. That’s a good sign for teams trying to acquire him – they clearly want to see how he handles the puck in game situations after battling a wrist injury.

Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong acknowledged trade talks are still ongoing when he chatted with TFP’s Anthony Di Marco over the weekend, but a trade is not imminent.

The usual suspects remain – Los Angeles, Toronto, Ottawa, St. Louis, Columbus, and others – but as it currently stands, the Chychrun trade watch will carry out throughout the season.

“He’s got a contract with the Coyotes. We expect him to come in and be one of our best players every single night he plays,” Armstrong told TFP. “Let the chips fall where they may. Good things will happen when he’s playing his best for the Coyotes.”