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K Y L E C O N N O R 34 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM 2017-18 NHL Preview k Phil Housley arrived in Buffalo as an 18-year- old recent high school graduate from South St. Paul, Minn., and launched a Hall of Fame career. Now he will look to propel the Sabres back to prominence as he gets his first opportunity to serve as a head coach in the NHL. Housley becomes the eighth American head coach in the league after spending the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the Nashville Predators. He inherits a team that finished last in the Atlantic Division last season with a 33-37-12 record, and hasn't made the playoffs since 2011. That's the bad news. The good news is that the Sabres roster features a number of talented young stars, including Jack Eichel, who is on the verge of signing an eight-year contract extension. Housley is excited to return to where his 21-year playing career began as he looks to continue the Sabres rebuilding process. "I really believe in development," said Housley, who led the U.S. National Junior Team to the gold medal at the 2013 World Junior Championship. "Especially with a young team. [We'll have] highly skilled practices. But I think the brand of hockey is just being an attacking mindset, playing with speed, playing with pace, playing fast. … It's going to be fast." P H I L H O U S L E Y BACK IN THE HOUSE Player Old Team New Team KEVIN SHATTENKIRK Washington >>> N.Y. Rangers After seven seasons in St. Louis, the New Rochelle, N.Y., native was traded to the Capitals for the playoff push. In the offseason, he reportedly left a better offer on the table to live out his childhood dream to join the Broadway blueline crew. NICK BONINO Pittsburgh >>> Nashville After helping the Penguins win consecutive titles, it was time for the Hartford, Conn., native will to try and help the Predators take the final step in their quest for a Stanley Cup. RYAN MILLER Vancouver >>> Anaheim As he approaches his 15th NHL season, the East Lansing, Mich., native feels that he still has plenty left in the tank as he moves down the coast to team up with Ducks rising goaltending star John Gibson. MATT CULLEN Pittsburgh >>> Minnesota The Virginia, Minn., native was on the fence for his 20th season until the Wild came calling. After helping the Penguins win back-to-back Cups, Cullen returns to the State of Hockey for what could be his swansong season. NATE SCHMIDT Washington >>> Las Vegas The St. Cloud, Minn., native trades in the D.C. Beltway for the bright lights of Sin City. With 200 NHL games under his belt, Schmidt will bring a calming influence to the Golden Knights blueline. RON HAINSEY Pittsburgh >>> Toronto After 13 NHL seasons, the Bolton, Conn., native finally has his Stanley Cup ring. Rather than rest on his laurels, the 36-year-old defenseman looks to bring veteran leadership to Toronto and its team of young stars. B R O C K B O E S E R Bust a It's an annual rite of passage for players to leave one team for new opportunities. Here are a few familiar names that will appear on the backs of new NHL jerseys this season. MOVE MOVE K E V I N S H AT T E N K I R K R YA N M I L L E R M AT T C U L L E N