Barkov Injury, Bedard Shape NHL Season

As the NHL preseason winds down, league previews group teams into tiers and warn that offseason churn, rebuilds and coaching changes make forecasts uncertain. Calgary used home tune-ups to evaluate a 27-player group — coach Ryan Huska called it the “hardest time of year” — as youngsters Matvei Gridin, Rory Kerins and Zayne Parekh, plus Morgan Frost and Matt Coronato skating with Jonathan Huberdeau, push for roster spots. Connor Bedard remains the consensus top breakout candidate, projected for more than 20 minutes a night with increased shot volume and a meaningful scoring jump if he stays healthy. Several veterans are chasing milestones — Alex Ovechkin near 900 goals; Steven Stamkos near 600; John Tavares and Patrick Kane near 500; and Jamie Benn, Leon Draisaitl and David Pastrnak nearing 400. Florida has been hit by a major knee injury to Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk is expected to be absent, opening larger roles for players such as Anton Lundell, while potential Calgary moves (including Rasmus Andersson) could hasten Zayne Parekh’s promotion on the blueline.