Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper on NHL playoffs, hub life and a $46,000 audition
While his Tampa Bay Lightning players were filming viral videos on jet skis back in Florida, coach Jon Cooper has been situated in one of the least Florida-like locations in the U.S. during the NHL’s paused season. “Idaho,” Cooper told ESPN this week, indicating that it’s been a summer getaway for his family over the […]
Continue readingReport: NHL players won’t be expected to wear face shields when play resumes
Equipment changes have not been a focus of return-to-play negotiations between the league and players’ union, according to a person with knowledge of those talks. The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no agreement has been reached, said the emphasis has been on testing and other off-ice safety precautions. […]
Continue readingNHL viewers club: An Oilers-Blackhawks postseason preview?
The Blackhawks entered this game clinging on to the playoff bubble. They were in the second of a five-game Western Canadian swing, and desperately in need of points. The Oilers were in decent shape with a dynamite offense, but would have to play this game without Connor McDavid. Why? Don’t worry, you’ll hear plenty about […]
Continue readingPregnant pause: NHL players, partners stressed over due date conflicts
“We definitely thought we nailed the timing. You obviously want to be around for the birth of your kid. You want to be able to hang out for at least a couple of weeks or a month when they’re brand new like that,” said Benn, a defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks. “We thought we planned […]
Continue readingBuffalo Sabres change course, fire Jason Botterill as general manager
The move comes less than a month after ownership publicly supported Botterill. “He’s our GM. Our plan is to continue with him,” team president and co-owner Kim Pegula told the Associated Press in May. “I realize maybe it’s not popular with the fans, but we have to do the things that we feel are right. […]
Continue readingThe NHL’s coronavirus pause: Camp timeline, hub city buzz and more
As players, executives and fans continue to adjust to the new normal, we will provide updates every week, answering all the burning questions about the various angles of the NHL’s relation to the pandemic. Although on-ice action remains on the shelf, there have been some intriguing developments since last week’s update. Get caught up on […]
Continue readingVegas Golden Knights sign Ryan Reaves to $3.5M, 2-year extension
He’ll count $1.75 million against the salary cap in each of the next two seasons. Reaves announced the new deal in a video on the Golden Knights’ Twitter page. “There’s two things I haven’t accomplished: No. 1 haven’t won a Stanley Cup, No. 2 haven’t won a scoring title,” Reaves said. “Now, I can win […]
Continue readingThe Alternative NHL Awards for 2019-20: Best team, goal, save, quote, meme and feud
For the most part, the truncation of the season affects only the dynamics of two major awards: the Jack Adams for coach of the year, which the broadcasters vote on, and the Hart Trophy for league most valuable player, for which the PHWA members vote. These winners are influenced by their team’s place in the […]
Continue readingNHL plans to open training camps for season restart July 10
The NHL and the NHL Players’ Association have announced that formal training camps for the 24 teams resuming play will begin on Friday, July 10, if conditions related to the coronavirus pandemic allow it. The league and its players are currently in Phase 2 of their “return to play” protocol, as NHL team training centers […]
Continue readingLikely No. 1 pick Alexis Lafreniere wins top CHL award for second straight year
Lafreniere, 18, led the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 112 points in 52 games before this season was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. His 2.15 points per game average was the highest in the CHL since Connor McDavid had 2.50 in 2014-15. Lafreniere also won the award following the 2018-19 season when he […]
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