HOCKEY'S BACK! And these are the players I'm excited about

Here we are, one day away from the start of the Bruins pre-season. One day into the very first pre-season games for other teams. The ice is new, the records and slates are clean, there's a fall snap in the air: it's basically the very best time of the year!!

....for about another week and a half, when all of a sudden the realities of losses, injuries, bad reporting and worse commentary, internet fights, terrible contracts, and unfathomable trades sink in. The hockey season is a roller coaster, to be sure, but right now it's a lot like a clean sheet of ice before a team takes warmups. So before we get bogged down in the petty complaints, the not-so petty complaints, the bitching about live-tweeting pre-season games (oh wait), the losing streaks and questionable hits, we at SCOC wanted to take a hot second to revel in how goddamn excited we are for the season that is yet to come!* This will be a series of posts that will take us right up through opening night. We'll talk players. We'll take favorite moves. We'll take favorite Bruins memes. It's gonna be great.

(*No worry, haters, your time will come. The season is only a week and half way, after all!)

First up:

Players we cannot f*cking wait to see back on the ice

That's right, it's time to give a shoutout to those players we are super pumped to see back in game action. Bruins players, of course, but also players on other teams who are exciting to watch/have the potential to do crazy shit this year. This isn't objective, or based on anything other thank personal preference. Here, I'll start, then you guys go!

1. Nathan motherf*cking MacKinnon

Calder winner. Rookie extraordinaire. Halifax standout. Kid's got speed, he's got creativity, and I almost lost my mind when I saw him score his first NHL in person against the Caps. I can't wait to see what he's got in store in his sophomore season.

2. Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Silky. It's the only word. He's a guy I appreciated on TV, then saw play in person and was blown away. He makes watching 'Yotes games a fun time.

3. Oviiiiii.

Fuck the haters, seriously. Dude's amazing.

...and speaking of which:

4. Sidney Crosby

There are too many, so have this goal he scored in his first game, post-concussion/neck issues. Gorg.

5. Perfect Patrice. Because naturally.

Get back on my tv, Patrice Bergeron.

6. The kids.

Rookies (to the NHL) of all flavors--Jonathan Drouin. Ryan Spooner. David Pastrnak. So many more.

7. Sean Couturier

I love this dude. He's got the potential to be in the Bergeron mode (not as good, obvi). Hoping this is his year.

8. Brendan Gallagher. Please stop throwing tomatoes.

Look, I know he's a Hab. Do I still own a Gallagher player shirt? I do. Kid's got moxie. He's a pest with talent, and I have a soft spot in my heart for those types. (cough-marchand-cough).

9. Steven Stamkos

I want to see a fully healthy, career year from him. I want to be blown away. He makes it looks so easy. Also, he's hilarious.

10. Chris Kelly

I know, I know. Do I think he's overpaid? I do. Is the NTC stupid? You bet. Are there better youngins who should maybe take his place? Probably. Do I love him anyway, and am I super excited to see him playing again after his injury-riddled last two season? DAMN RIGHT. *clings to Kelly player shirt*

CKSHPS. Never forget.

Alright, that's just a small sampling of the players around the league I am super excited to see back in action. Now you go!!! Who's getting you pumped for 2014-15?