Week 1: Bouchard explodes and the Mac has returned
Puck drop happened. Last year's champ opened the season like the parade never ended. Somebody's defenseman decided he was a first line and somebody else's goalie decided he was a sniper. Welcome to Week 1 of We The Hockey People, where the NHL lasted six days and already owes us a written apology.
Player of the Week — Evan Bouchard, 33.96
The honor this week goes to Evan Bouchard, who put up 33.96 fantasy points and led the entire league from the blue line. Opening night he became the first defenseman in NHL history to drop a five-point season opener. Then he came back and kept doing it, like the Canucks had left the door unlocked and a sticky note that said “please score.”
He did this for James Reynolds and The Cat, The Rat and Sloth, which is a lot of animal names for one man to carry. McDavid finished second at 32.81, which is the hockey equivalent of showing up to a potluck with a whole salmon and still losing to the guy who brought dip.
$5 to the high score — Return of the Mac, 172.51
The weekly win, and the $5 that comes with it, goes to Jaimie Stojanovski and Return of the Mac. 172.51 points. First in the room. Not close. Second place was Eagle Fang at 143.99, which is a perfectly respectable week unless you are standing next to a MacKinnon stack that just ate the schedule.
The funniest part: Jaimie did this against Bouchard's team. James had the Player of the Week in the building and still walked out down 172.51 to 133.44. That is like bringing the DJ to the party and still losing the dance contest. Jaimie, Venmo is @Paul-Stojanovski if you want to do a victory lap. James, the Front Office recommends a snack and a nap.
Around the League
Igor Shesterkin scored a goal. A real one. Into an empty net at Madison Square Garden on October 1st, first goalie goal in Rangers history, 18th goalie ever to do it in the NHL. Goalies are supposed to stop pucks, not file them under “career highlight.” Shesty watched it sail the length of the ice, the Garden lost its mind, and every skater in the league collectively updated their job description. Watch the clip and read the NHL write-up. If your goalie does that in this league, we are giving him Player of the Week and a parade. Until then, Bouchard can keep the belt. Shesty can keep the clip.
— The Front Office