PYETTE: NHL players with London ties to watch as season opens

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The NHL’s really early scoring leader?

That would be New Jersey’s Paul Cotter, who scored twice and had three points in the Devils’ two wins over Buffalo in the season-launching set in Czechia. The 25-year-old, of course, played most of the 2018-19 season with the London Knights after leaving Western Michigan University.

Then, he joined the Vegas Golden Knights and was part of the Stanley Cup-winning team in 2023. Despite not dressing in the playoffs that spring, his name is engraved on the Cup because he took part in 55 regular-season games.

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The league rule is a player must appear in at least 41 games with the team, or one game in the final.

This is Cotter’s first season with the Devils. He is off to a great start.

Here’s a handful of other players with local ties we’re excited to watch as the action heats up Tuesday:

Nick Suzuki, C, Montreal Canadiens

The 25-year-old captain has led the Habs in scoring each of the last three seasons, but he would trade all that personal glory for a playoff berth. The last time the Londoner appeared in the post-season, the club went to the Stanley Cup final in 2021. Suzuki had seven goals and 16 points during that run and it would be great to see him earn another shot. Once again, he will be matched up against the other team’s best centres every night.

You know the crazy history. The Knights legend won the Stanley Cup with Anaheim in his first full NHL season (2006-07). Now, he’s stuck in a wild time warp of consistently getting to the Cup final but coming up short. The 39-year-old has been part of four runners-up in the past five years (Stars, Canadiens, Lightning, Oilers) and is back with Edmonton to start the season. Perry is currently tied for 13th all-time in NHL playoff games (215) and can start passing hall of famers like Bryan Trottier and Glenn Anderson if the Oilers make it past the first round.

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Matthew Tkachuk, LW, Florida Panthers

Can he become the first London Knight to repeat as Cup champion since Patrick Maroon’s run of three straight from 2019-21? No one is betting against the rough-and-tumble star any more. The 26-year-old missed posting 100 points for the first time in three years (88 points in 80 games) but going deep in the playoffs is all that matters anymore. Maybe he will even get to face his brother Brady in the post-season if the Senators make it.

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Jett Luchanko, C, Flyers

If coach John Tortorella is impressed with you, then you have done something right. The 18-year-old Londoner has shown off his speed and 200-foot game awareness in Philly camp and the preseason. He will get a chance to play higher up the lineup than just fourth-line minutes out of the gate and that opens the door for some early production. If the Jr. Knights grad is consistent, he will force the club’s hand to keep him around. If not, it’s back to a Guelph Storm roster that could really use him. No matter what, it’s a great start for the 13th overall pick in the 2024 draft.

Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs

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The former London Knights great will get 100 points in an NHL season for the first time. He had been hovering around it the past three years and just fell short, largely due to injury. If he stays healthy, watch out. He is plenty motivated after a summer of being a major scapegoat for the Buds’ latest playoff failures. That’s where the 27-year-old will be judged, of course. He knows better than anybody he has to get it done when it counts the most. A big performance will heal most of that disconnect with the rabid faithful.

Anthony Stolarz, Maple Leafs

The huge 30-year-old won an OHL title and played in two Memorial Cups with great numbers for the Knights a decade ago. He has become a tremendous NHL backup and won the Cup with the Panthers last spring. The 6-foot-6 stopper’s stats (2.03 goals against average and .925 save percentage) in 27 games last year make him a valuable addition to any contender. Now in Toronto, he may be asked to play a little bit more to shield Joseph Woll, who has endured his share of injury trouble. Stolarz is in a great spot to do something special with a team in it to finally win it.

rpyette@postmedia.com

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