Early-season surprises debated by NHL.com writers

There have been countless storylines developed since the season started with the first of two games between the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators in Prague, Czech Republic on Oct 7.

But, what in the first 24 days of the season has been the most surprising development across the NHL?
Well, we asked our writers to pick the one thing they have found to be most interesting as the calendar turns toward November.
Here are their answers:

Could the Bruins win the Stanley Cup?

When considering the Boston Bruins during the offseason, there was a lot to like. Patrice Bergeron was returning, a decision that pushed the Bruins away from the possibility of a rebuild into win-now mode. So was David Krejci after one season playing in the Czech Republic. There was a new coach, Jim Montgomery, and the hope from management that Boston would increase its production, especially from the blue line. But there were also concerns, topped by the fact that three key contributors -- defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk and forward Brad Marchand -- would miss the first 1-2 months of the season and Bruins would have to muddle through until they came back. Well, that's not how it's gone. The Bruins are 8-1-0, the best start in their history, and have Grzelcyk and Marchand back more than a month early; Marchand scored two goals in his return Thursday. Though the defense part of their defending could use some work, the Bruins lead the NHL in scoring (4.22 goals per game) and have gotten stellar goaltending from Linus Ullmark (6-0-0, 1.70 goals-against average, .945 save percentage, one shutout). They're atop the Atlantic Division and looking like a serious contender with room for improvement. -- Amalie Benjamin, staff writer
Video: NJD@BOS: Bergeron one-times puck in off post in 3rd

Red Wings even better than expected early

It's no surprise the Detroit Red Wings have improved after their offseason moves. Still, considering a new coach, a new system and several new players after six seasons out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it's a surprise how much better they've been so far at 4-3-2 and their status as the final NHL team to lose a game in regulation. Newcomers have made an impact, especially goalie Ville Husso (3-1-1, 2.40 GAA, .926 save percentage, one shutout), defenseman Olli Maatta (two goals, four assists), and forwards Dominik Kubalik (four goals, seven assists) and David Perron (five goals, one assist). The caveat is the Red Wings had a favorable early schedule. It will get tougher from here. -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

Flyers have Hart again

When you look at the surprisingly good start the Philadelphia Flyers are having under new coach John Tortorella, look no further than goal. Carter Hart is playing like the No. 1 goalie Philadelphia needs to have any chance of making the playoffs. He's among the NHL leaders in wins (five), GAA (2.31) and save percentage (.938). He was in goal for each of Philadelphia's five wins, including a 3-2 victory against the reigning Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Oct. 18. He's playing with a calm confidence that was missing during an injury-shortened season when he went 13-24-7 with a 3.16 GAA, .905 save percentage and one shutout in 45 games (44 starts) for Philadelphia, which finished last in the Metropolitan Division (25-46-11). -- William Douglas, staff writer

Bratt's gamble paying off

Jesper Bratt bet on himself after a breakout season (NHL career highs 26 goals, 47 assists and 73 points in 76 games) by signing a one-year, $5.45 million contract with the New Jersey Devils as a restricted free agent Aug. 3. If New Jersey wanted Bratt to prove last season wasn't an aberration after he hadn't topped 35 points in his previous four NHL seasons, the 24-year-old forward is on his way to doing that by raising his play to another level. Bratt is among the NHL leaders with 14 points (four goals, 11 assists) in his first nine games, and has at least one point in each game for the second longest season-opening point streak in Devils history (behind Tim Higgins' 10-game run in 1984-85). If Bratt can continue his hot start, he will be a line for a big payday in his next contract and could propel New Jersey to a big season in the process. -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

Rookie goalies making presence felt

There's plenty of exceptional rookies to watch this sason, but I could probably count on one hand the number of pundits who had a couple of first-year goalies on their radar to begin the season. Logan Thompson of the Vegas Golden Knights and Stuart Skinner of the Edmonton Oilers have each have provided their teams with stability at a position that came with question marks. Thompson is 4-2-0 with a 1.69 GAA, .943 save percentage and two shutouts in six games (all starts). The 25-year-old earned a bigger role when it was announced in August that Robin Lehner would miss the season after hip surgery. Skinner, 23, is 2-1-0 with a 1.55 GAA and .955 save percentage in four games (two starts) as the backup to Jack Campbell. -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer

Blackhawks off to hot start

With the Chicago Blackhawks rebuilding, they weren't expected win a lot of games this season. But they're are playing hard, have an improved penalty kill that's already scored four short-handed goals and finding ways to win. They're spreading the offense around, too. Forward Patrick Kane scored his first goal of the season in a 4-2 win against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday and has nine points (two goals, seven assists). Forwards Jonathan Toews (five goals, two assists) and Sam Lafferty (three goals, four assists) each has seven points, and forward Jason Dickinson has six points (three goals, three assists each). Chicago will miss forward Tyler Johnson, who had six points (two goals, four assists), before he was placed on injured reserve with right ankle injury Tuesday. But so far, the Blackhawks are buying into coach Luke Richardson's system. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer
Video: FLA@CHI: Kane picks corner for 1st of season

Pinto putting himself on the map in Ottawa

How can we ignore one of the best stories of the season so far? Ottawa Senators rookie forward Shane Pinto scored a goal in five straight games before he was finally held without one in a 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. The 21-year-old leads all rookies with six goals. He will get increased time too with the injury to center Josh Norris, who could be out for the season. Ottawa made Pinto the No. 32 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. He scored one goal in 17 NHL games the past two seasons, but he is a goal scorer. He scored 31 in 61 games across two seasons playing at the University of North Dakota (NCAA). He scored four in five games for the United States at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship. He knows how to get open in scoring areas, like the high slot. Pinto is doing it now at the NHL level. Will it last? Well, his history says it will, so he is a new fascinating player to watch. -- Dan Rosen, senior writer
Video: DAL@OTT: Pinto notches a goal in fifth straight game

Buffalo blue line brings optimism

Having one No. 1 draft pick on the defense is grounds for hope. But two? Indeed, there are legitimate reasons for fans of the Buffalo Sabres to be optimistic, starting on the blue line with Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Dahlin, a 22-year-old selected No. 1 in 2018, started the season with a six-game point streak (five goals, four assists) and helped the Sabres sweep their western Canadian swing against the Oilers, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks. Power, the No. 1 pick in 2021, has three assists in nine games and need only look at Dahlin's ascension for guidance. Much credit for the Sabres' 6-3-0 start and, more importantly, the development of their young core, must go to coach Don Granato, one of the best teachers in the sport and worthy of the two-year contract he received earlier this month. -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer