NHL preparing to adjust Stanley Cup playoffs if needed
The NHL is preparing to adjust playoff contingency plans if virus restrictions in Canada prevent travel between provinces or back and forth to the U.S. Commissioner Gary Bettman says itโs going to depend on government regulations in terms of where teams will be able to travel.
Hats off: Donskoi scores 3 in 1st, Avs beat Coyotes 9-3
Colorado Avalanche right wing Joonas Donskoi reacts after scoring a goal against the Arizona Coyotes in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, march 31, 2021, in Denver. Donskoi scored three times during Coloradoโs five-goal first period, and the Avalanche beat the Arizona Coyotes 9-3 on Wednesday night in front of a smattering of boisterous fans. โEverybody was fired up and I think we showed it.โDonskoi secured his second career hat trick over a 3:27 span. AdAndre Burakovsky and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare also scored in a wild first period that included Arizona goals by Michael Bunting and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Gabriel Landeskog finished with two goals, Mikko Rantanen added another and Burakovsky scored his second with 3:11 remaining on an assist by Donskoi.
NHL takes big stride on data and analytics with AWS deal
(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)The NHL is taking another step forward in data, analytics, and puck and player tracking. The league has reached an agreement with Amazon Web Services to put all its video and data on the cloud. AdNHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy unveiled the deal on NBC Sports Network late Wednesday. Later this season, fans looking up stats on the NHL's website will get corresponding video clips and vice versa. โIt kind of melts your mind with the number of opportunities that are sitting in front of us.โ___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
NHL pulls microchipped 'tracking' pucks 6 days into season
(AP Photo/John Locher)The NHL is temporarily ditching microchipped pucks six days into the season after concerns were raised about their performance. The first 44 games this season were played with the โtrackingโ pucks that players and coaches could tell were a little off. The NHL expects new tracking pucks to be available soon and put back into play after undergoing testing. It's unclear exactly when puck tracking will return or when stats like players' skating speed will be available to the public. But sitting here right now, I couldnโt I couldnโt give you exact timelines.โ___Follow AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWhyno___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Taylor Hall saw only positives in signing with Sabres
FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2020, file photo, Arizona Coyotes left wing Taylor Hall (91) is shown during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, in Glendale, Ariz. Forward Taylor Hall surprised many in turning down numerous contending NHL teams which courted him, and instead sign with the Buffalo Sabres in free agency. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)BUFFALO, N.Y. โ Taylor Hall refused to buy into the negativity surrounding the Buffalo Sabres, and instead focused on the positives. And though Taylor acknowledged receiving longer-term offers from numerous teams, he settled on a one-year test-run contract with Buffalo. โObviously, Iโm betting on myself, but Iโm betting that the Sabres can improve and have a good hockey season.
NHL teams making moves, not waiting for top free agents
The NHL is embarking on a free agent period like never before in hockey history. A handful of the top free agents are still available, but NHL teams aren't waiting for those big fish to sign to make other moves. Koivu signed for $1.5 million for next season, and they need to re-up top center Pierre-Luc Dubois and other restricted free agents. Teams have to move money, and in order to move money, they might have to move some really good players.โSome good free agents found new homes Saturday. The Buffalo Sabres signed center Cody Eakin to a $4.5 million, two-year contract, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal.
NHL strips Coyotes of 2 picks for violating combine policy
NEW YORK The NHL on Wednesday stripped the Arizona Coyotes of their 2020 second-round pick and 2021 first-round pick for violating the scouting combine policy by conducting physical tests of draft-eligible players. Losing these picks further handcuffs whoever takes over as Arizona's general manager. The Coyotes already didn't have a first-round pick this year after trading it to New Jersey for winger Taylor Hall, a pending free agent. We were advised today of the NHLs ruling regarding the allegations of physical fitness testing of draft prospects and respect the leagues ruling, the Coyotes said in a statement. The league said the club acknowledged at the outset of that hearing that it had violated policy by conducting its own physical testing on players.
Illness and injury uncertainty abound as NHL camps open
Voluntary player workouts have been going on for more than a month, but full NHL teams will be together Monday for the first time since March. (Its about) trying to make sure that when you come back your hips and groins are all right, Copp said. Its a two-week sprint from home cities to Toronto for Eastern teams and Edmonton, Alberta, for their Western counterparts. The NHL is prohibiting teams from revealing injury or illness information as a way to project player privacy with the novel coronavirus. But I think everyone is just kind of amped and ready to go.___For more AP NHL coverage: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Here is the 2019 NHL Entry Draft order
The 2019 NHL Entry Draft order is set after Tuesday night's Draft Lottery drawing. The draft will be Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22 in Vancouver. New Jersey DevilsNew York RangersChicago BlackhawksColorado Avalanche (from the Ottawa Senators)Los Angeles KingsBuffalo SabresEdmonton OilersAnaheim DucksVancouver CanucksPhiladelphia FlyersMinnesota WildFlorida PanthersArizona CoyotesMontreal CanadiensPicks 16-31 will be determined after the results of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.