5 reasons to look forward to the 2017-18 season

The agonizingly long wait is almost over.

Colors start to change, the days get shorter, and the boys of winter get back to doing what they do best.

And, while the 2016-17 campaign was surely one to remember, the 2017-18 season is primed to be even better. Here's five reasons to look forward to the upcoming year.

Eichel will solidify himself as a superstar

If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting the lovely city of Buffalo, N.Y., over the past year, you may have missed out on the latest fever that's sweeping the town. Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Eichel is quickly becoming, if he isn't already, the face of the franchise in the Queen City.

And for good reason.

Aside from being a homegrown American boy, Eichel can produce with the best of them, racking up 113 points across 142 regular-season games during his first two seasons in the league.

Factor in his top draft-pick status (yes, he was second overall but remember who went No. 1), seemingly limitless offensive potential, and that last year's numbers were slowed by recovery from a high ankle sprain, and you start to understand why folks in Buffalo have bought into Eichel-mania.

Battle of Alberta could produce a Cup winner

Hockey fans in the "Sunshine Province" have been waiting at least a decade for a Cup contender, and now they have two, as both the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers have legitimate shots at taking home the league's most-coveted piece of hardware.

Both teams qualified for the playoffs last season for the first time since 2006, but, it's their respective offseasons that should have fans most excited.

The Flames shored up their back end with the addition of veteran Mike Smith and bolstered their already stellar D-core with the acquisition of top-four rearguard Travis Hamonic. Meanwhile, the Oilers added depth up front with the additions of Jussi Jokinen and Ryan Strome - although, Edmonton's major offseason victories were the long-term signings of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.

Regardless, Calgary boasts one of the best defensive units in the league while Edmonton employs one of the most potent offensive attacks, setting up what is sure to be a very competitive season in Alberta.

Stamkos will remind everyone how nasty he is

A healthy Steven Stamkos is worth the price of admission, as few players in the league today can light the lamp like he can. Sure, the 27-year-old Tampa Bay Lightning pivot has only played in one full season since the start of the 2013-14 campaign, but that doesn't change the fact that he's a premier goal scorer with a bullet for a shot.

Across 586 career regular-season games, Stammer has racked up solid numbers, registering 321 goals and 261 assists while displaying a true nose for the net and wicked-fast release.

With Stamkos back at 100 percent, expect a lot of excitement - and success - to surround the Lightning this season.

The Maple Leafs are for real

The rest of Canada may not be ready to admit it just yet, but, the Toronto Maple Leafs are indeed a team to look out for in the revamped Eastern Conference.

Aside from the obvious talent of their top three forwards in Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner, the Leafs still ice a deep offensive team that also boasts the likes of Patrick Marleau, Nazem Kadri, and James van Riemsdyk.

Since the rest of the East has improved around them, with Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Buffalo all set to take major steps forward, Toronto will be in tough to replicate last season's 95-point performance.

However, thanks to the players already mentioned, the Maple Leafs should still be in the mix for one of the final two playoffs seeds.

Smashville will be even crazier

Nashville truly was the feel-good story of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, putting the league on notice with its quality hockey team and rabid in-game atmosphere.

Related: 10 best photos from the craziness that was Nashville's 1st Cup Final game

Raucous crowds, massive street parties, and an all-around fun approach to the game has quickly turned the city into a hockey market on the rise. But, keep in mind the team is returning almost the identical lineup that it played with last year, so expect the craziness to be ratcheted up a notch.

If you weren't able to witness the madness that was the Predators' postseason run, don't fret, as Nashville stands to be another club in serious contention to take home Lord Stanley's Mug come June.

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