I was not able to find a thread discussing the 2021 NHL season, so I thought I would create one.

Might as well be today, since there have been many games and one of the biggest trades in recent memory just occurred. To start, the trade discussion...

The Columbus Blue Jackets trade Pierre-Luc Dubois and a 3rd rounder, for Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic! Right off the bat, I don't like this trade for either team. Patrik Laine has made his complaints about not playing on the top line very, very clear. Biggest possible reason for this complaint was probably not being able to play with a really good centre. So with him being traded to Columbus, but PLD going the other way, who will his centre be? Max Domi? Someone else? I have no idea.

I fully believe that Patrik Laine can make plays himself. I honestly don't think he needs an elite centre to play with. He's got all the tools to become a 40-50 goal scorer on his own. He's got size, speed, great hands and a lethal shot. I just don't see all those gifts being utilized fully in Columbus. The Jackets favour a more concerted team effort and I don't see a lot of Laine's flashy moves really working in that style of gameplay. Not only that, I can only imagine what Tortorella's opinions of Laine be, if he had as many issues with talented players (maybe not star-calibre) like Anthony Duclair and Sonny Milano.

I have a feeling that Roslovic will flourish, though. He finally gets to be counted upon and I think he has a lot more to offer than what he has shown thus far with the Jets, in very limited play time.

Going the other way is Pierre-Luc Dubois. There is absolutely no denying that PLD is a really good player, but I thought his whole reasoning for wanting to be traded was to play on a bigger stage? I fully believe that Winnipeg will have a hungrier hockey market than Columbus. This is no poor reflection on Columbus as a market, but I think other sports will always win out in favour of the Jackets. With Winnipeg, there really is hockey that's the major one. Winnipeg fans love their CFL, but the Jets are much bigger. Is that enough for PLD, though? Will he get to do everything that he wants to in Winnipeg?

I just don't like this trade. I don't see the upside for either PLD or Laine, with their new teams.

Moving on...what is everyone's feelings about this season, so far?

I am loving it. I love hockey and I cannot get enough of it. With the concentrated schedule, I am getting a game to watch every night. My Oilers have offered up some stinkers so far, but there's more than enough entertaining games to whet a fan's appetite.