How does the next regular season get structured and started? We’ve had hints that the Stanley Cup wouldn’t be presented until maybe October, which leaves a new season, what, sometime in December? How does the draft and free agency work with a postponed playoff tournament? In fact, how is the whole offseason structured and how […]
Continue readingThe NHL is set to return from its monthslong pause because of the coronavirus pandemic. The postseason will be played out with a 24-team format, with 12 teams from the Eastern Conference skating in Toronto and their Western Conference counterparts heading to Edmonton, Alberta. Some have said this format could be the greatest NHL playoffs […]
Continue readingWe don’t want you to have to pore over the entire agree-upon legal document. Instead, we’re here to highlight some of the crucial takeaways from the deal. Emily Kaplan: This is perhaps the most exciting aspect of the new CBA for hockey fans. The NHL did not take an Olympic break for Pyeongchang in 2018, […]
Continue readingIt has been 116 days since the NHL hit the pause button on the 2019-20 season because of the coronavirus pandemic. As the cancellations and postponements around the world of sports continue, there also have been continuous nuggets of new information regarding the potential resumption of the NHL season, the draft, the playoffs and how […]
Continue readingExpected to give the Coyotes a scoring jolt, Kessel instead labored, in large part due to a string of injuries. The NHL’s pandemic-caused pause has given the 32-year-old right wing a chance to heal, putting him in position to have a much bigger impact when the Coyotes return to the ice. “I feel good right […]
Continue readingIt wasn’t just that the lowly Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators lost out on the No. 1 pick. Everyone must cope with the fact that “Team E” — a squad that plays in the NHL’s 24-team postseason — gets the chance to draft No. 1 prospect Alexis Lafreniere. The eight losers in the qualifying […]
Continue readingAfter the COVID-19 pandemic paused the hockey season and postponed that possibility, Lafreniere was supposed to find out Friday night where he’d be going when the league held its draft lottery. Instead, he’ll have to wait a little bit longer. Chaos reigned at the NHL draft lottery, with the No. 1 pick still up for […]
Continue readingIf only there were a formula that could determine Hall worthiness … Well, three years ago, we created one. It’s a simple four-quadrant test that one can apply to prospective Hall of Fame candidates to see whether they have the stuff of legends, and here it is: 1. Individual production: This encompasses a player’s statistical […]
Continue readingFor 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 readingWhile there was some brief confusion about where statistics from the qualification round would end up, they’re now playoff stats and the regular-season numbers are set in stone. Hence, we got the news that the stat-based regular-season awards for 2019-20 have been decided, with Leon Draisaitl taking home the Art Ross Trophy for most points, […]
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