North Division favorite debated by NHL.com
Canucks, Canadiens, Oilers among writers choices in group of seven teams based in Canada NHL.com @NHLdotcom
The NHL realigned its divisions for the 2020-21 season, which will start Jan. 13, 2021, and have each team playing a condensed 56-game intradivisional schedule.
The new-look North Division is an all-Canada affair with several quality teams.
The Montreal Canadiens were among the most aggressive teams in the offseason, adding power forward Josh Anderson, defenseman Joel Edmundson and backup goalie Jake Allen after opening eyes by upsetting the Pittsburgh Penguins in the best-of-5 Stanley Cup Qualifiers. The Calgary Flames have been building their core for several years and reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs three of the past four seasons. The Edmonton Oilers feature perhaps the two most exciting forwards in the NHL, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
36-year-old forward had back injury, won Stanley Cup with Blues in 2019 NHL.com @NHLdotcom
Alexander Steen retired from the NHL on Thursday after 15 seasons, the past 12 with the St. Louis Blues.
The 36-year-old forward sustained a back injury last season and has multiple levels of degenerative herniated disks in his lumbar spine. This has been an emotional process, Steen told the Blues website. But as I look back on my years in hockey, I would like to thank our organization, our city, our fans and my teammates as I am so proud of all the teams I was part of.