As the 2023-24 NHL season approaches, hockey fans can finally start to get a glimpse of what's to come. With the offseason's most significant transactions now complete, teams have begun to solidify their rosters, and lineups are starting to take shape. In this preview, we'll delve into the key positional battles and player pairings that will dominate the headlines as the new season gets underway. From the top scorers to the most crucial defensive pairings, we'll examine the most intriguing matchups that will drive the NHL's competitive landscape.

With the busiest stages of the offseason now behind us, most NHL rosters have their core in place, and we can begin to project most of the lineups. We’ve already…