The NHL has reached the one-quarter mark, and it has already been a doozy of a season. With all that has taken place, be thankful there are still nearly five months before we even get to the playoffs, plus an Olympic tournament. With that in mind, here are three hits and misses so far.

This past Tuesday provided a great look at the league’s future when Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks, the first pick of the 2023 draft, recorded a hat trick against the Calgary Flames. The 2024 first pick, Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks, did the same against the Utah Mammoth.

Both rising stars are battling for the scoring title, but that is just the tip of the iceberg for the amazing youngsters around the NHL. Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson, chosen second after Bedard, is having a breakout campaig

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