How NHL 20 became a hockey ‘lifeline’ during the coronavirus pandemic, and what comes next
For a goalie who had just faced 102 shots on goal, Cory Schneider of the New Jersey Devils was looking curiously rested in his postgame interview. In fact, he hadn’t even broken a sweat during the game. “There are games where you just have to give a lot of credit to your teammates. Tonight probably […]
Continue readingNHLPA board approves league’s plan for 24-team playoffs upon coronavirus return
The National Hockey League Players’ Association executive board voted to approve a 24-team, conference-based playoff format for a potential restart of the 2019-20 NHL season this summer. “The Executive Board of the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) has authorized further negotiations with the NHL on a 24-team return to play format to determine the […]
Continue readingNHL teams should take a lesson from one KHL team’s recent hire
There’s this perception about the hockey media: that we’re all bitterly jealous of the players we cover, because we secretly want their careers. Nothing could be further from the truth: Most of us are bitterly jealous of the executives who sign those players, because secretly we want their careers. We create trades. We grade drafts. […]
Continue readingRick Tocchet on possible NHL playoff formats, Taylor Hall, Mario vs. Jordan and more
Arizona Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet made news during the NHL’s season pause for a painful reason. “This is when you get cocky rollerblading,” Tocchet tweeted last month, along with a couple of images of nasty scrapes on his body. Since then, he has rediscovered biking. “I’ve explored Arizona a little bit more than I would […]
Continue readingNHL players squad up for Fortnite charity event
If MacKinnon doesn’t get them first, that is. “There’s a level of bragging rights and excitement in Fortnite, especially if you eliminate certain guys from other teams,” said J.T. Compher, MacKinnon’s teammate on the Avalanche and when they squad up in Fortnite. This time, the bragging rights are on the line for a good cause. […]
Continue readingNHL vs. TikTok: Players find an ‘addicting’ outlet during the coronavirus pause
Brendan Gallagher is not a cop. He just plays one on TikTok. The Montreal Canadiens winger has lip-synced a scene from “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” in which actor Andy Samberg’s character, detective Jake Peralta, sings The Backstreet Boys’ “I Want it That Way.” He has cos-played as both Dwight Schrute and Jim Halpert-as-Dwight Schrute from “The Office.” […]
Continue readingThe NHL’s coronavirus pause: The keys to play resuming, latest on the 2020 draft, testing and more
As players, executives and fans continue to adjust to the new normal, we will provide updates every Monday, 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 here: […]
Continue readingWhy virtual reality is still a pipe dream for the NHL
“I’m not buying, in any way, that we won’t be able to eat in restaurants before a game at Capital One Arena and all be together,” he said recently, during a web chat with The Economic Club of Washington. “It’s just a matter of what time frame that has to happen in.” Until it happens, […]
Continue readingGrudge report: The one thing every NHL fan base won’t give up
Whether it’s a perceived cheap shot, a situation where they were allegedly wronged by the on-ice officials, a major mistake by their own team management — or in one case, an NHL arbitrator — these are deep wounds whose scars remain several years (or even decades) later. Let’s delve into the leading grudge for every […]
Continue readingCanadiens’ Max Domi worried about safety, not contract, amid pandemic
Domi, 25, is a restricted free agent after this season after his two-year, $6.3 million contract with the Canadiens expires. He said in a conference call on Thursday that there haven’t been substantive conversations about a new deal with Montreal. The team could go to arbitration with Domi, who had 44 points in 71 games […]
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