NHL Fans' Dos and Don'ts for the Preseason

The first proper NHL offseason in years is wrapping up. The 2022-23 season is around the corner.

There is a lot of excitement about the upcoming hockey season. As a reporter, he learned how to approach the preseason and get excited about right things.

The excitement of a new player signing comes with the responsibility of getting to know him. The new signing will be something you're dealing with throughout the season.

The preseason is a good time to enjoy a new player you signed. The team will try to hype him up with content about him. He will get some playing time on the ice. They will roll him out on several lines to get a feel for multiple scenarios. If the player starts slumping, you should remember all the line combinations. It will be the go-to option in a month or two if he starts to slump.

Don't overanalyze the ice time for star players during the preseason. Don't expect your favorite players to get much ice during preseason games. If they don't get enough ice, don’t freak out if they”re mailing it in.

The NHL season is a grind. The coaches know what they have in the returning stars.

There are two main reasons why you want to avoid unnecessary injuries and wear and tear.

The name of the preseason game for the core group is conditioning.

The team spent the offseason addressing major needs and now it's time to let the two-way contracts and PTOs fight for the remaining spots. Preseason is more fun when you're invested in a storyline and everyone loves an underdog. If your favorite character gets sent down to the AHL, he'll be back when the injury bug appears.

Don't rush the star prospect. It's a good sign when the roster starts dwindling down and the 18-20-year-old first-round prize is still with the main club.

There are exceptions to the rule every year, especially in this era of skill and speed. There is nothing wrong with patience and development. The risk of rushing a player to NHL is significantly worse than the harm of an extra development season.

Do pay attention to special teams. Read up on various power-play strategies and pay close attention on personnel on each unit. Become an expert at left- and right-handedness. It's easier to focus on this now than halfway through the season.

There is no correct way to be a hockey fan. If the preseason makes you happy, it matters.