The deeper we get into the preseason, the more we’ll see star players being integrated into their team’s lineups.
On Saturday, three big names will make their 2016-17 debuts with their respective teams.
After a stint at the World Cup with Team USA, Patrick Kane will be in Chicago’s lineup for their game against the St. Louis Blues.
Kane and the Americans had a disappointing tournament, as he failed to score a goal and the team failed to win a round-robin game.
Erik Karlsson, who was at the World Cup with Team Sweden, will also play his first exhibition of the season, as the Senators take on the Canadiens this afternoon.
Sens head coach Guy Boucher wasn’t planning on playing his captain this early, but Karlsson changed his mind.
“I was thinking of maybe giving him a break and then taking him on the trip (to Winnipeg and Saskatoon) next week,” Boucher told the Ottawa Citizen. “He had two hard practices. I was impressed by his leadership. He wanted to be playing in front of our fans.”
Finally, P.K. Subban will make his Preds debut against the Lightning.
Subban was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens for Shea Weber this off-season, but he was held out of games because of general soreness.
It sounds like Subban will play on a pairing with Mattias Ekholm.
“It’s great having a partner like that,” Subban said, per the Tennessean. “I’ve had some great partners in the past, but he’s definitely right up there with the best that I’ve played with. I’m not sure exactly what the partners are going to be come the regular season. Those things can switch, but I’m happy to be playing with him.”