NHL to once again send players back to Olympics in 2026, but will arena be ready?
Italian officials want to hold the hockey games at brand new 16,000-seat arena in Milan (which is co-hosting along with Cortina dโAmpezzo), but in whatโs become a theme of other construction efforts for the 2026 Games, the Italians are doing things at the last minute and better hope no delays occur.
NHL Commissioner meets with Kyle Beach, offers league's help
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has talked to Kyle Beach about what the league can do to better protect its players after Beach said he was sexually assaulted by an assistant coach in 2010 and his allegations were largely ignored by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Amid scandal, Quenneville resigns as Florida Panthers coach
Joel Quenneville resigned as coach of the Florida Panthers on Thursday, two days after the second-winningest coach in NHL history was among those implicated for not swiftly responding to allegations by a Chicago Blackhawks player of being sexually assaulted by another coach during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Quenneville's meeting with Bettman may decide Florida fate
The Panthers are rolling this season but coach Joel Quenneville being named in a report detailing how the Chicago Blackhawks mishandled sexual assault allegations that an assistant on his staff sexually assaulted a player during the teamโs Stanley Cup run in 2010 could derail Florida's hopes.
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.
Blues hockey great Bob Plager killed in car accident
FILE - In this Thursday, Feb 2, 2017 file photo, Former St. Louis Blues player Bob Plager waves to fans while speaking during a ceremony to retire his number before an NHL hockey game between the Blues and the Toronto Maple Leafs in St. Louis. Former St. Louis Blues defenseman Bob Plager was killed Wednesday, March 24, 2021 in a car crash in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)ST. LOUIS โ Former St. Louis Blues defenseman Bob Plager was killed Wednesday in a car crash in St. Louis. โIt is unimaginable to imagine the St. Louis Blues without Bobby Plager,โ the team said in a statement. โHe was an original 1967 member of the St. Louis Blues, but also an original in every sense of the word.
US-Canada border decision looms in playoffs for NHL
AP Photo/Chris Seward)A year after the pandemic temporarily shut down the NHL, a handful of roadblocks remain to handing out the Stanley Cup again this season โ including the U.S.-Canada border. The border remains closed to nonessential travel, an issue the NHL addressed before the 2021 season began in January by realigning its divisions. But the league has a decision looming on what to do when a Canadian team faces a U.S. opponent in the third round of the playoffs. Talks are ongoing with Canadian government officials, though nothing needs to be settled yet since cross-border play won't happen until mid-June. โWeโve got a little bit of time to deal with this,โ Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said during a video interview Thursday.
ESPN, NHL announce comprehensive 7-year agreement
Players stand on the ice during the playing of the national anthem before an NHL hockey game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Detroit. The NHL and ESPN are together again after announcing a seven-year agreement that also includes extensive streaming rights. โThis is a win, win, win. ESPN will produce 75 national games per season that will stream exclusively on both ESPN+ and Hulu. Disney owns two-thirds of Hulu and has been offering packages that include Hulu, ESPN+ and Disney+.
AP sources: NHL reaches 7-year agreement with ESPN
FILE - National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to members of the media , Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Sunrise, Fla. The National Hockey League will be returning to ESPN beginning next season. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, file)The National Hockey League will return to ESPN beginning next season. ESPN started airing NHL games when it went on the air in 1979 by making deals with individual teams. It had the national NHL rights from 1985-88 and 1992-2004.
Avs beat Golden Knights 3-2 in delayed Lake Tahoe game
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) races for the puck against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period of of Outdoor Lake Tahoe NHL hockey game at Stateline, Nev., Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli))STATELINE, Nev. โ Nathan MacKinnon scored a dazzling goal more than nine hours after assisting on another to highlight a most unusual and lengthy outdoor game at Lake Tahoe that the Colorado Avalanche won 3-2 over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. Although itโs fair to say that none of those had the picturesque setting of this rink located on the 18th fairway of a golf course on the shores of Lake Tahoe and surrounded by trees with snow-covered mountains towering in the background. Fleury made 36 saves for Vegas and fell to 0-3 in three career outdoor game starts. AdPART 1The Avs controlled the play under the sun, getting an early goal from Girard and outshooting Vegas 17-8 in the first 20 minutes.
Bright sun, poor ice delay outdoor NHL game at Lake Tahoe
Members of the Colorado Avalanche, in white, and the Vegas Golden Knights, red play during the first period of the Outdoor Lake Tahoe NHL hockey game in Stateline, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli))STATELINE, Nev. โ The setting was spectacular but the ice conditions were far from it, leading to a more than eight-hour delay between the first and second period of the outdoor game between the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche at Lake Tahoe. The NHL decided to halt the game Saturday afternoon because bright sun and temperatures hovering around freezing led to poor ice conditions that had players and officials repeatedly falling because of holes on the ice. AdBut the delay didn't alter Bettman's commitment to outdoor games, even in unconventional settings outside of a stadium venue like Lake Tahoe. Both teams were unable to practice on the specially built outdoor rink before Saturday's Vegas-Colorado game because of the ice conditions.
'Insatiable' Crosby hungry as ever as 1,000th game arrives
On the eve of his franchise-record 1000th regular season game, the superstar looks just as dangerous as ever, with no end in sight. Crosby will cross another milestone Saturday night when he becomes the first Penguin to play in 1,000 regular-season games. AdโHeโs not ready to relinquish the best player in the game attribute or that heโs carried here for a decade-plus,โ Sullivan said. The idea of Crosby playing with regularity again โ let alone getting to 1,000 games โ seemed improbable at best. AdStill, despite the constant setbacks, Crosby remained committed to both the short game and the long one.
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 revises virus protocols; Colorado is 5th team shut down
New York Rangers coach David Quinn of the New York Rangers stands behind the bench during the team's NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in New York. (Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via AP)The NHL revised its virus protocols in a bid to keep the shortened season on track, but not before a fifth team was idled by COVID-19 problems. Hours after the league announced changes visible in arenas and important behind the scenes, Colorado joined the growing list of U.S.-based teams shut down for virus concerns. Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog joined teammate Tyson Jost on the league's COVID-19 unavailable list Thursday. Bettman said fewer than half the players in protocol have been because of a confirmed positive test and many of those were asymptomatic.
Hockey Hall of Famer George Armstrong dies at 90
The Maple Leafs confirmed the death Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, on Twitter. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)TORONTO, ONT โ George Armstrong, who captained the Toronto Maple Leafs to four Stanley Cups in the 1960s, has died. His death was announced Sunday by the Maple Leafs, who said he died of heart complications, citing his family. โGeorge is part of the very fabric of the Toronto Maple Leaf organization and will be deeply missed,โ Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan said in a statement. โFor 70 years, he represented his beloved Maple Leafs and the entire NHL with class and distinction as a player, coach, executive and ambassador.
Canes' season paused, while Caps play on without 4 regulars
For Peter Laviolette, his Washington Capitals will keep playing for the next week without four prominent players who broke the rules. There's no indication the Capitals are being shut down, though they will have to play the next four games without captain Alex Ovechkin, No. The NHL defers to local authorities, and the minimum four games for the Capitals players relates to the District of Columbia's quarantine regulations. The Hurricanes have so far had three games postponed because of their outbreak and won't play for at least a week. I think thatโs really what weโre going to find out.โ___AP Sports Writers Aaron Beard and Stephen Hawkins contributed.
Carolina-Nashville 1st NHL postponement since season started
The NHL did not specify which team prompted the postponement, though four Hurricanes players were added to the COVID-19 list Tuesday. The NHL already postponed the start of the Dallas Stars' season after six players and two staff members tested positive for the virus. Hurricanes players Warren Foegele, Jordan Martinook, Jaccob Slavin and Teuvo Teravainen joined captain Jordan Staal on the unavailable list because of COVID-19 protocols. The teams arenโt scheduled to play again in Nashville until the end of the season with back-to-back games on May 7-8. Now the Predators, who gave players Tuesday off after the postponement, are scheduled to visit Dallas on Friday night for the Stars' season opener.
NHL teams begin to unveil advertisements on helmets
In this image provided by the Washington Capitals, Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson wears a helmet bearing a Capital One logo during NHL hockey practice, Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, in Arlington, Va. (Zach Guerette/Washington Capitals via AP)There will be advertisements on NHL players' helmets this season as teams try to recoup revenue lost to the pandemic. The New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators became the first teams to unveil helmet ads Tuesday. โOf course, the teams are in a big hole,โ Nashville chief revenue officer Chris Junghans said after the team announced its deal with Bridgestone. โSo, they're looking for valuable, real valuable, tangible assets that will help us, guys like me, make partners whole. Each of the first three teams got a deal done with the company that sponsors the naming rights for its arena.
NHL, players finalize agreement for 56-game season in 2021
The National Hockey League and players reached a tentative deal Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, to hold a 56-game season in 2021, pending the approval of each side's executive board and Canadian health officials. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)Hockey is set to return Jan. 13 after the NHL and players completed a deal Sunday to hold a 56-game season that would include playoffs lasting into July to award the Stanley Cup. The league's Board of Governors voted to approve the agreement that was backed by the NHL Players' Association executive board Friday night. The NHL completed last season in bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta, with players, coaches and staff isolated from the general public and virus-tested daily. In the three U.S. divisions, teams will play eight times against each other.
AP source: NHL eyes division play only; Sharks to Arizona
FILE - In this March 12, 2020, file photo, goals used by the NHL hockey club Nashville Predators are stored in a hallway in Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)The NHL is preparing for a pandemic-altered regular season limited to divisional play while trying to determine if the leagueโs seven Canadian teams will be allowed to play in their country. The deal has already received support from the NHL Playersโ Association, and features a 56-game regular season beginning Jan. 13. In an email to the AP, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly deferred questions to the Sharks regarding their status. As for the issues affecting the Canadian teams โ Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver โ Daly said they remain unresolved.
Ontario mulls how all-Canadian division in NHL might work
(Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)TORONTO, ONT โ Ontarioโs minister of sport says the provincial government is examining how a Canadian division in the NHL might work. Lisa MacLeod says discussions about the leagueโs return-to-play plan are being studied by Ontario public health authorities, the provinceโs chief medical officer of health and officials from Toronto and Ottawa. Seven of the NHLโs 31 teams are in Canada: Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. The Ontario Hospital Association on Thursday asked the Ontario government for a strict four-week lockdown in regions with high rates of COVID-19 positivity that would include Toronto and Ottawa, the two Ontario cities with NHL teams. Quebec Premier Francois Legault said Wednesday the provinceโs public health measures shouldnโt impact a resumption of activities for the Montreal Canadiens.
Bettman: NHL divisions must realign for 2021 season, Canadian-only division probable
The NHL is expected to start its shortened 2020-21 season on Jan. 13, according to numerous reports out this week. and Winnipeg, which have strict current restrictions due to COVID-19.โ Elliotte Friedman, SportsNetAs previously reported, if the season can start mid-January, the league expects to have a 56-game regular season. Where this puts the Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings likely will end up in a division that looks something like this:ChicagoColumbusDetroitFloridaNashvillePittsburgh/Minnesota? TampaI guess we can call it the โCentral Division,โ although there has been some talk of special division names for this, well, special season. My only concern, ever, is that the Red Wings get permanently shifted back to a Western Conference division.
AP source: NHL players balk at changing CBA, league moves on
NHL players have balked at changing the collective bargaining agreement and the league is preparing to open the season Jan. 13 after starting training camp on New Year's Day, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday. โWe are certainly continuing to work through all the issues we would need to resolve to start a season,โ Deputy NHL Commissioner Bill Daly said. The league and union agreed to a CBA over the summer that included a 10% salary deferral for the 2021 season and a cap on money left in escrow. Players, however, did not want to renegotiate a deal thatโs only a few months old. The league is planning to play between 50 and 60 games in the regular season before beginning the playoffs.
Red Wings roundup: Seiderโs fall, NHL season status, Roy chased 25 years ago, Yzermanโs offseason grade
As Red Wings fans, we miss Mickey and Ken. The Red Wings have players and prospects participating in several different leagues, working to stay in shape for when the NHL returns (more on that below). The NHL season start status ๐ฐ๏ธAnd that brings us to the important question of: When will the NHL even return to play? He ended up beating the Red Wings in the conference final that year (yes, the 62-win Red Wings) en route to his third Stanley Cup. The Red Wings eventually got back at Roy, as we know -- several times, in fact.
AP Source: NHL now focusing on mid-January season start date
Time is running short for the NHL to start its season on Jan. 1. Without going into detail, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The AP โvarious similar concepts are being discussedโ when asked about the 52- or 56-game schedule and mid-January start. Under a mid-January start date, players would have to begin reporting after Christmas, followed by a shortened training camp and preseason. The league initially considered having the season start in late November or early December, before pushing it back to Jan. 1. ___For more AP NHL coverage: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Reports: NHL, NHLPA discuss 56-game regular season with mid-January start date
The NHL and NHLPA are looking at the possibility of starting a 56-game regular season in mid-January 2021, according to TSNโs Frank Seravalli. Development: Sources say #NHL shared draft schedules with #NHLPA on Thursday, one including a 56-game regular season for 2021. Drafts were based on Jan. 1 start date, but sides discussed pushing that back (Jan. 15 or 16?). A Jan. 15 start is now being discussed, source says, really no choice given that Jan 1 doesnโt seem realistic at this point. If this new pandemic-shortened season really is going to start in mid-January, the NHL and NHLPA need to finalize something very soon.
Bettman: NHL players have to decide to pay now or later
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman warned players Wednesday they are likely going to have to pay one way or another to make up for the leagueโs projected lost revenue whenever the 2020-21 season gets underway. Speaking on a Sports Business Journal panel, Bettman stressed the NHL is not attempting to reopen the collective bargaining agreement some five months after it was extended. And that means players will have to bear the brunt of any shortfall to owners. โIf we have to pay out lots of cash, two-thirds of which is going to come back to us, that may cause some stress,โ Bettman said. The National Hockey League Playersโ Association did not respond to a message seeking comment.
NHL jersey launch creates buzz with season 6-plus weeks away
The NHL on Monday displayed a new jersey for each of its 31 teams, looking to create some buzz at a time when there are no games. The league and players are still targeting a Jan. 1 start for the 2021 season, though there's plenty of uncertainty about when and where fans might be able to attend. These โreverse retroโ jerseys were several years in the making but are being launched at a time that's usually hockey season and while revenue is being lost without ticket sales. โItโs creating buzz and noise in the marketplace where normally we would be having games going on,โ said Brian Jennings, NHL chief brand officer and senior executive vice president. It has created a level of interest in the NHL when the return of games is at least six weeks away.
Red Wings roundup: New roster, key signings, draft recap, more
It might not feel like it, but a lot has happened in Red Wings world recently. The Red Wings are not looking for anything long-term in net. The Red Wings acquired Staal and a second-round draft pick from the New York Rangers for future considerations. I think Bertuzzi has been a consistently good player on a very consistently bad Red Wings team. I am always skeptical of every draft pick until we see him in the lineup, in a Red Wings sweater and playing well.
NHL could go with temporary realignment for next season
The NHL could go with a temporary realignment of its teams for next season during the COVID-19 pandemic. The league also is contemplating a reduced schedule and temporary hubs. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said realignment could help with ongoing travel restrictions for Canada and mandated quarantines for visiting certain states in the United States. But details are still being worked out in talks between the league and NHL Playersโ Association. The NHL finished last season in bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta, but Bettman has ruled out using bubbles for an entire schedule.
NHL targeting Jan. 1 to begin next season
Commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday night the NHL is targeting a Jan. 1 start for next season. That declaration came after recent talks between the league and NHL Playersโ Association. NHL teams are expected to get camps of at least two weeks, just as they did before the expanded playoffs over the summer. Free agency opens Friday, with the NHL looking to speed through the offseason while planning to play in 2021. โItโs kind of been refreshing to get back and have somewhat of a tentative date for when weโre going to be coming back,โ Washington Capitals defenseman Brenden Dillon said.
NHL set for virtual draft; Lafreniere in line as top pick
โThe Rangers are a really big organization, a really good team,โ said Lafreniere, who turns 19 on Sunday. โWeโve gone through multiple scenarios, weโve had multiple mock drafts,โ Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said. โItโs certainly been a challenge,โ Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said. โEverybodyโs had to adjust.โFlames general manager Brad Treliving said it will be a change conducting the draft remotely. โWeโve talked with other GMs from other sports that have had to go through this,โ San Jose general manager Doug Wilson said.
Bettman: Next NHL season could start in December or January
EDMONTON, AB โ Gary Bettman will take his first sigh of relief in months when he presents the Stanley Cup. Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly had more questions of their own than answers next season, though it's always been questionable if it will start on Dec. 1 as tentatively planned. โIf thereโs an option to consider, believe me, weโre considering it,โ Bettman said during his annual pre- Stanley Cup Final news conference. โOur goal is to get back to as great a sense of normalcy as possible under whatever circumstances are presented,โ Bettman said. Before the Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning opened the final, Bettman acknowledged he's not taking a victory lap yet.
Bubble hockey champions: Tampa Bay Lightning win Stanley Cup
The triumph of winning the NHL championship in a bubble was certainly no less sweet for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He played 964 regular-season and 137 playoff games to get to this point, losing in the final twice before. Tampa Bay had Point and No. Coach Jon Cooper thought the attitude needed to change from wanting to beat every opponent 9-0 because thatโs not realistic in playoff hockey. ... Alexander Volkov made his NHL playoff debut for Tampa Bay, which also saw Patrick Maroon become just the eighth player to win the Cup in back-to-back seasons with different teams (St. Louis).
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.