Sid the Second? It doesn’t have the same ring to it as the other popular nickname but hockey fans need to get accustomed to the power shift in the NHL this season.  Sidney Crosby has been atop the NHL for a while now as the league’s best player, but good things don’t last and the competition’s growing fast. Crosby finished first last season and captured his second Art Ross Trophy while accumulating 104 points. A quick glance at the scoring race will show Crosby was almost a full 20 points ahead of the runner up in Ryan Getzlaf, who recorded 87 points.

The numbers don’t show the whole story though. Two of Sidney’s probable Team Canada teammates suffered some unfortunate injuries either before or during the Olympics and forced them into missing significant time. Sid’s BFF Alexander Ovechkin, was “blessed” with a less than stellar supporting cast in Washington. Then there’s the heir apparent to the throne in Colorado, who put together one of the best rookie seasons we’ve seen in the modern era.

Steven Stamkos

He was set to overtake Sid last year as many had him picked as the Hart Trophy winner already before the season even began. Unfortunately a freak injury where he broke his tibia sliding into the goalpost permitted him to play in only 37 games in which he scored 40 points. A new season approaches with Martin St. Louis now in Ranger blue. The loss of the 39-year-old will hurt Stamkos to some degree, but the new Lightning captain is his own player now. Tampa Bay has a great group of players around him that he can lead once again to the post-season.

John Tavares

Crosby’s supposed line mate for the 2014 Olympics also suffered an injury in a torn MCL and meniscus, playing in said tournament. The Mississauga, ON native was on pace for career bests in all categories (24-42-66) but was cut short to 59 games. Johnny T is guaranteed to pick up where he left off last year with some nice pieces on his wing (Okposo, Grabner) that can finish.  Combine that with the weak defensive system employed on the Isle, they were 28th in GA in 2013, John Tavares and company will be relied on to keep New York in the hunt.

Alexander Ovechkin

Last year, Ovechkin had one of his weirdest seasons yet. In a year he captured the Rocket Richard with 51 goals scored, he also managed to rank 884th in Plus Minus. He was 884 out of 886 players in the NHL last season; chalk it up to Ovie being Ovie? The most electrifying player in the league needs a good voice to follow and has had two unqualified coaches back to back. With long time Nashville coach Barry Trotz now in Ovie’s ear in Washington, he is sure to bring Alexander Ovechkin some much needed accountability on both sides of the ice. Expect Trotz to point this team in the right direction with The Gr8 One leading every step of the way.

Nathan MacKinnon

Albeit a dark horse, next big thing Nathan MacKinnon had himself one of the most impressive seasons from a rookie we’ve seen. Unsure if he’d even make it on coming out of training camp, MacKinnon solidified himself on the forward heavy Avalanche squad scoring 7 points in his first 6 games. Finishing 34th in league scoring Nate won the Calder Trophy in a landslide at the ripe young age of 18. As previously stated, Colorado has a wealth of options upfront along with veteran costless agent signee Jarome Iginla slated to play on a line with MacKinnon.  The 37-year-old 10 time all-star is sure to help groom the next phenom out of Halifax, NS into elite status of the NHL. With a solid core around Nate and a great system infused by the coaching staff, the Avalanche will once again be one of the highest scoring teams in the NHL.

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Now that’s not to say Crosby has lost a step or he’s going to be severely affected by the eerie coaching change this offseason in Pittsburgh. He’s still going to produce at a phenomenal rate with under par line mates and lead his Pens to the promise land. It’s just these up and coming studs are hitting their strides (or soon will be) now at a point where Sid’s team has hit a cross roads, and need to perform or crack under the pressure. Barring any injury setbacks, we’re all in for what could be one of the most open Art Ross Trophy races in a while.