NHL Storylines to watch for the 2023-24 season: Central Division

Last week and this week at EP Rinkside, we’ve taken a look division-by-division at some of the league-wide storylines that’ll be worth watching this season. 

Today, the Central Division. 

Note: Teams are listed in order of divisional standing from last season.  

Colorado Avalanche – Between Cale Makar’s suspension and Valeri Nichushkin’s disappearance, the seven-game loss to the Seattle Kraken left something to be desired for the Avalanche, who should, in theory, be able to ramp up to killbot mode this season, even with Gabriel Landeskog’s career potentially over. 

I’m intrigued by the opportunity for a career boost for Jonathan Drouin, who after some lean and injury-filled years, gets to reconnect with his Halifax Moosheade teammate Nathan MacKinnon. 

Dallas Stars – Matt Duchene moving to Dall