Craig's Corner: September Quick Hits

It’s September! During a usual year we would be winding down our summer fun and getting ready for hockey to begin in October. This is usually a time of getting back to normal, but instead this year we are continuing with the chaos of a COVID-19 playoff bubble. You know what, I don’t mind it at all. As a society we are settling into a new normal, and the NHL playoffs are a part of that new normal. Plus, if your team is out of the playoffs, we have the draft to look forward to in a very short time as well. Things are happening very quickly around the league. Let’s see if I can hit on some of the most intriguing stories. (Looks at editor) Gulp, that’s all the words I have left? Okay here we go… Nathan MacKinnon – He is lighting the playoffs on fire. If he and Cale Makar weren’t dressing, the Avalanche would be long done. MacKinnon has 25 points in 14 games. Read that again. He is absolutely on fire. Black Lives Matter Movement – I thought the NHL missed its chance when it didn’t react alongside the NBA, MLB, and WNBA. But it did reacted, although a little late, and have done a good job using its platform to bring awareness to matters that are bigger than hockey. Well done, NHL. Jake Allen to the Habs – My first reaction was that Price was on the move. Obviously that’s not the case, but the Habs now have almost $15 million tied up in goalies. Let’s hope they can make it worth it. Tampa Bay Juggernaut – Can anyone stop these guys? They are dominating every game and they just eliminated the Presidents' Trophy winners. I can’t see any other team beating them. Laine on the TSN Trade Bait Board – I don’t exactly know what this means. He’s on the board, but all of the Hockey Insiders say there is little to no chance of him getting traded. I think it would be silly to trade away a 22-year-old star who continues to improve every year. The hardest thing to do in the NHL is score goals, and when you have someone like Laine you have to keep him. Let the hockey continue!