There is a lot to be grateful for in 2021 in hockey

Thanksgiving is celebrated in the United States and no hockey is available tonight. It leaves plenty of time for turkey, sides and lots and lots of desserts.

Since it was Thanksgiving, some of the NHL’s NBC Sports team wanted to tell us what we’re grateful for in 2021.

James OBrien, NHL Author: It came way too late. And that’s probably just a small part of the right of Kyle Beach and John Doe 2. But I am still grateful that strong people feel at least a little responsibility. At times, it feels like injustices are being massaged on people’s faces, so every progress matters. In the future, however, the right will hopefully be realized in higher doses.

Adam Gretz, NHL author:I’m grateful that almost every hockey player and coach and staff member reached the full vaccination level and that we’ve been able to get a mostly normal-looking NHL season so far with a normal schedule and fans. I missed those stuff and it definitely makes the games better.

Sean Leahy, NHL author:I am grateful for the highlights the players like Connor McDavid, Johnny Gaudreau, Aleksi Ovetshkin, Matthew Tkachuk, Mathew Barzal, Andrei Vasilevski, Cale Makar, and many others offer us regularly. Hockey is a really fast game and what these players can do in the evenings is remarkable.

I am also grateful that we have returned to a normal, full season. We started in October, we will probably end in late June / early July, but no longer shortened seasons, weird playoffs and division forms. It is close to the routine we felt before March 2020. Hopefully there will be no similar interruptions in the future.

Finally, I am grateful that the NHL is (hopefully!) Returning to the Olympics. We need the best of the tournament every few years, and if the World Hockey Championships aren’t going according to a regular schedule, competing with top players for Olympic gold will bring out some really good hockey, really early on. morning.

Michael Finewax, NBC Sports Edge Senior Hockey Writer / Editor:

I am grateful that the fans have returned to the stands.

That the Canadian-U.S. border is now open to all four original divisions to return to the NHL after regionalization last season.

Connor McDavid is so good and he has a highlight game every night he plays.

Everyone in charge is now responsible.

Gritty sees every team coming to Philadelphia this season.

Carter Hart will play in the same way as in 2019-20 instead of last season.

I was actually alive the last time the Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup.

Jake Abrahams, Editor-in-Chief, NHL Content: I am grateful for the NHL to return to “normal.” After COVID-19 significantly disrupted two consecutive seasons, the dream of hockey fans has been to get the normal 82-match schedule back in full force (and also the chance to go to the games!). I am also grateful that the NHL’s return to the Olympics is only a few months away.