The Biggest Takeaways from Week 8 of the 2014-15 NHL Season

During the past week, the National Hockey League has had its eyes fixed on the review mirror much more than it has on the road ahead.

Whether it was the passing of an iconic legend, the retirement of a franchise favourite or the resurrection of a couple of goaltenders who'd been enjoying life in retirement, the news of the past seven days was filtered through a decidedly historical lens.

On the ice, teams and individuals settled into the groove while others struggled to find the rhythm.

Here's a look at what we can take away from Week 8 of the 2014-15 NHL season.

Jean Beliveau Was a Giant Among Men

One of the greatest figures in hockey history, Montreal Canadiens alumnus Jean Beliveau passed away on December 2 at the age of 83, per David Kalan of NHL.com.

Beliveau's name is engraved on the Stanley Cup more than any other person. He won the trophy 10 times during his playing career with the Canadiens between 1953 and 1971, then another seven times as an executive with the Canadiens organization. 

Beliveau's legacy includes a litany of on-ice accomplishments, but the tributes pouring in to honor him have focused more on his tremendous character as a man, as Adam Proteau summarizes in The Hockey News.

The Canadiens are hosting a public viewing of Beliveau's body and will honour him with a special ceremony before their game against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. He'll be laid to rest on Wednesday.

Embodying the connection that her husband had with the public, Beliveau's widow, Elise, greeted every mourner who came to the Bell Centre to pay tribute on Sunday, according to Arpon Basu of NHL.com.

Jean Beliveau was a great hockey player, but he was also a great man. To say that he'll be missed is an understatement.

Tyler Seguin's on His Way to Superstardom

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As hockey fans pay tribute to one of the legends of the game, a new face is making his case as a star to be reckoned with in years to come.

After a blockbuster trade from the Boston Bruins to the Dallas Stars in July 2013, Tyler Seguin proved his doubters wrong when he exploded for 37 goals and 84 points, finishing fourth in the 2013-14 NHL scoring race and helping the Stars reach the playoffs for the first time in six years.

Though his team is off to a rough start this season, Seguin's seven goals and four assists in Dallas' last seven games have earned him top spot among the 2014-15 scoring leaders. All told, he has 21 goals and 14 assists for 35 points in 27 games, one point ahead of Sidney Crosby through Sunday's games.

Seguin couldn't have timed his ascendance any better. On December 1, the 22-year-old launched his new website at TylerSeguin.com. It's a fan-friendly Internet destination that offers a closer look at a player who's making a case to be the NHL's next offensive superstar.

The Chicago Blackhawks Are Back in Contention

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After pushing the 2014 Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings to overtime of Game 7 during last spring's Western Conference Final, the Chicago Blackhawks started the new season looking uncharacteristically tentative and inconsistent.

The swagger is back now that the 'Hawks have won six straight games to climb to the top of the Central Division, despite facing some tough opposition.

Even more impressively, the team's last three wins have come after No. 1 goaltender Corey Crawford suffered a foot injury at a concert earlier in the week, per Tracey Myers of CSN Chicago. Antti Raanta held down the fort for wins against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday and Montreal Canadiens on Friday, while call-up Scott Darling held the hot Nashville Predators to a single goal for a 3-1 win on Saturday.

Former playoff also-rans like the Predators, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and even the Winnipeg Jets are making a case to be included in the Western Conference's postseason mix in 2014-15. Over the past two weeks, the Blackhawks have made it clear that they're not one of the teams that will be left behind.

The Edmonton Oilers Can't Quit Themselves

JASON FRANSON/Associated Press

As the Edmonton Oilers' winless streak stretched to 11 games last week, the cries for change were getting louder and louder.

There was no consensus about whether the team needed to change its players, its coach, its management or some combination thereof. But with Edmonton already at risk of missing the playoffs for the ninth straight season and once again being in contention for the first overall pick at the draft, something needs to happen to change the team's fortunes—sooner rather than later.

Enter Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish.

Two days after a 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets stretched the losing streak to 11 games, MacTavish held a press conference in which he expressed his frustration but insisted that he was not prepared to make drastic changes, per Taylor Van Diest of NHL.com.

The Oilers eked out a 2-1 win over the San Jose Sharks on Sunday to end their streak of futility. Will MacTavish stick to his plan and stay the course, or will we see big moves out of Edmonton in the coming weeks and months?

Daniel Alfredsson Mends Fences with the Ottawa Senators

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During the summer of 2013, favourite son Daniel Alfredsson sent shock waves through Ottawa when he decided to leave the team where he had spent his entire NHL career in favor of a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings.

Alfie's single season in Motown was moderately successful. He was the Wings' leading scorer in the regular season with 18 goals and 49 points, but Detroit was able to manage only a single playoff win before falling to the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

After back problems prevented Alfredsson from continuing with the Red Wings this season, his old franchise in Ottawa welcomed him back on December 4, allowing him to retire with the team where he had spent 17 years and served as captain.

It was a fitting tribute to the most important player in Senators history to date and should pave the way for Alfredsson's continued involvement with the organization in years to come.

Everything OId Is New in Goal

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It's that time of year again.

Veteran goalies are being resurrected with free-agent contracts to help teams weather their injury issues in net.

After 21 seasons in a New Jersey Devils uniform, 42-year-old Martin Brodeur is now 1-1 as a member of the St. Louis Blues. After losing his first start, Brodeur stepped in on Saturday after Jake Allen allowed three goals in the first period and salvaged a 6-4 win for his team against the New York Islanders.

Over in Anaheim, another Western Conference front-runner is also looking for help in net while dealing with injuries to John Gibson and Jason LaBarbera.

The Ducks originally drafted the enigmatic Ilya Bryzgalov back in 2000. The team brought him back into the fold last week on a tryout contract, per Curtis Zupke of NHL.com.

"I hope it's going to be within 10 days," the 34-year-old goaltender said on December 4 when asked how long it would take him to get ready to play.

Old-school fans can cross their fingers for a Bryz vs. Brodeur matchup when the Blues visit the Ducks at Honda Center on January 2 to kick off 2015.