from Helene Elliott of the LA Times,

The shift to speed and away from brawn helps smaller, skilled players to thrive. Among them: Chicago’s Alex DeBrincat stands 5 feet 7 and 165 pounds but scored a big 28 goals and 52 points for the Blackhawks last season. Johnny Gaudreau, listed on the Calgary Flames’ roster as 5-9 and 157 pounds, collected 24 goals and a career-best 84 points last season. Torey Krug of Boston is 5-9, especially short for a defenseman, but he has proven to be a good power-play quarterback. Vegas center Jonathan Marchessault, also listed at 5-9, scored 27 goals and a career-high 75 points last season. And so on, in happy continuation.

The average number of goals per game last season was 5.94, the highest since teams combined to average 6.16 goals per game in 2005-06. Cracking down on slashing the hands and a rise in power plays contributed to that. Three players reached or topped 100 points last season, the most since four scored 100 or more in 2009-10.

And now for the not-so-good news.

The second-biggest topic of conversation this season, behind the hurry-up pace, will be the relationship between the NHL and the NHL Players’ Assn. as they approach the date when either side can opt out of their collective bargaining agreement.

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