Top 5 Reasons the NHL Will Flourish in 2011-12

The 2011-2012 NHL season is nearing, and this one promises to be one of the biggest and best ever. The NHL season is less than two months away, and teams are preparing to begin training camp soon.

The NHL has been gaining momentum since the NHL lockout season of 2004-2005. In fact, Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals last year brought the best television ratings for the NHL in nearly four decades. The NHL is on a roll and will soon be on fire. 

This will be the season that puts the NHL over the top. The NHL is destined to attract new fans to the game this year. People previously unfamiliar with hockey will have a new-found appreciation for the grace and the grit of the game. 

Expect many up-and-coming teams to make a name for themselves while the well established squads fight to remain on top. A youth movement is in order throughout the league, and there will be many young stars emerging in the NHL this season. This year will feature nail-biting excitement and a playoff race that will come down to the waning days of the season.

Here are the top five reasons the NHL will flourish in 2011-2012.   

No. 5: Steve Stamkos

Steve Stamkos is just 21 years old, and he's already dominating the NHL. The 2011-12 NHL season will be Stamkos' fourth in the NHL.

In three years in the league, Stamkos already has 119 goals. In 2009-10, Stamkos won the Rocket Richard Trophy for the most goals with 51. He followed that effort up last year with 45.

Steve Stamkos is one the game's premier snipers. This year, Stamkos will win the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP. He'll be a spectacle all by himself. Expect 51-plus goals and well over 100 points for the young superstar.

No. 4: Winnepeg Jets

Yes!

The NHL has returned to Winnepeg for the 2011-2012 season and will be there to stay.

Formerly the Atlanta Thrashers, the new Winnepeg Jets are a pleasant surprise to the city and a necessity for Canada and the NHL. The NHL now has seven teams in Canada with rumors of more moves north of the border to come.

This is great for the NHL and its fanbase. Trust me, people are passionate about hockey in Winnepeg. Atlanta, not so much.

Welcome back, Winnepeg. 

No. 3: Talk of NHL Realignment in 2012-2013

With the Jets moving back to Winnepeg, the NHL is in serious talks of realigning the divisions. 

Realignment creates excitement because this could be the last season between current division rivals. There will be one last go-around to settle old scores. Situations throughout the season would grow intense if teams knew they wouldn't be facing each other as much and wanted to leave a lasting impression on their foes.

If Gary Bettman does things correctly, he would announce realignment around the All-Star break. This would build a massive buzz around the NHL heading into the 2012-13 season.

Realignment would be great for the NHL in the future.  

No. 2: The Playoffs

The NHL playoffs are arguably the best in sports. The intensity and passion is unrivaled.

While pitcher Brian Wilson may grow a beard to intimidate the opposition in the MLB playoffs, everyone grows a beard (or at least tries) in the NHL. It is one of the great traditions of the game.

The NHL playoffs are two months of blood, sweat and tears. The magnitude of every game grows as each team delves deeper into the playoffs. To fulfill the ultimate dream of hoisting the Stanley Cup leaves players and fans aghast.

The 2011-2012 NHL playoffs will be like many of those before: enthralling.  

No. 1: The NBA Lockout

The 2011-12 NBA season appears to be destined for lockout.

What this means is that the NHL can take center stage this winter. With no competition from the NBA, people will turn to the NHL for their sports fix. The NHL will flourish this season in the absence of the NBA.

This is unfortunate for the NBA, but perfect timing for the NHL. The NHL will look to convert people into hockey fans. With all the excitement from the playoff races, upcoming realignment and overall tough competition that the season brings, people will begin to flock to the NHL. 

Get ready; the NHL is about to earn the respect it deserves.