With the end of another long hockey season nearing, there is no doubt there will be plenty of off-season hockey talk around campfires this summer.
The No. 1 topic is sure to be about Mike Babcock, and can he fix the Maple Leafs? The Manitouwadge-born coach has an impressive resume, including a Stanley Cup with Detroit.
There is no doubt his style will make some difference in Toronto, but the team needs a lot more to get back in serious title contention. A caution to all Leafs fans, there hasn't been a coach yet to score a goal or make a save. So keep this news in perspective.
Locally, how will the Thunderwolves do in this season?
Coach Bill McDonald has been busy with off-season recruiting, including a goaltender who had a strong season at the Tier 2 Junior level in Alberta. Devin Green is the third member of the Lloydminster Bobcats who will suit up for Lakehead in the fall.
The big problem last year for Thunderwolves wasn't scoring, but stopping other teams from doing that. This will be a key season for McDonald's squad, which saw fan-support drop a bit last year.
And, Connor McDavid in Edmonton.
If the level of Oilers off-ice luck in the draft is matched by the level of play on the ice, it may not be too long before Edmonton is back in serious-contention discussions.
But, it won't happen overnight. The line-up of young talent with Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins etc. in the Alberta capital is reminiscent a bit of the Gretzky days in the early '80s.
Interesting too, that was one of the last times of the oil-bust in the province.
Should be an interesting off-season of hockey chat, where ever you enjoy your summer.
