As we sit here on September 24, 2026, the NHL is busy dusting off the cobwebs with a heavy slate of eleven preseason exhibitions. From Boston to Vegas, teams are auditioning players who will likely be in the AHL by October. Meanwhile, I’m still reflecting on yesterday, September 23, when Toronto managed to sweep Ottawa with a 4-2 win and a 6-1 drubbing. Sure, it feels good to see the puck go in, but we all know the drill: preseason glory is the cruelest tease for those of us who haven't seen a Cup since '67.
While others get excited about exhibition rosters, I’m preoccupied with the perennial question: will this be the year we finally break the curse, or just another chapter of 'wait until next year'? The draft came and went, free agency shifted the landscape, and yet the weight of expectation remains as heavy as ever in Toronto. These preseason games don’t count in the standings, which is probably for the best—we wouldn't want to peak too early. Enjoy the exhibition hockey if you must, but until the real games begin, I’ll be here, clutching my lucky sweater and hoping for a miracle.