PIERRE LEBRUN

Detroit Red Wings assistant general manager Pat Verbeek is set to be named the new general manager of the Anaheim Ducks, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic. He replaced Ryan Martin, who joined the New York Rangers as assistant GM, and was a candidate for the Ducks general manager job as well. Verbeek returned to the Red Wings shortly after Steve Yzerman become the club’s general manager in April 2019. A former player and pro scout with the Red Wings, Verbeek left in 2010 to join Yzerman with the Tampa Bay Lightning, earned an assistant GM position. Bob Murray resigned as Anaheim’s executive vice president and general manager in November following an investigation into his professional conduct.

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jonathan Bernier plays during an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)DETROIT – The Philadelphia Flyers are interested in improving their goaltending by adding Detroit Red Wings netminder Jonathan Bernier ahead of the trade deadline (April 12). He boasts a .918 save percentage through 17 games played with the dismal Red Wings. He’s been a trade target longer that just this season -- I was offering him up last season, too. AdThe thing that LeBrun failed to report: Bernier has been hurt and hasn’t played since March 18.

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)The NHL announced Sunday the league will begin its 2020-21 season on Jan. 13. Teams will play 56 games in this pandemic-shortened season. The expansion draft (Seattle’s first season in the league is 2021-22) will be held July 21. Realigned divisions, playoff seeding alteredThe divisions are realigning due to the cross-border travel ban between Canada and the United States. Follow NHL return to play updates here:

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)Reports on the NHL’s return to play in January are rolling out this weekend. Insider Pierre LeBrun reports the season will start Jan. 13 (as expected) with a trade deadline scheduled for April 12. The NHL’s regular season -- expected to be cut short to just 56 games -- will end May 8. Teams will play within their divisions with the top four in each division making the playoffs. Read more: NHL eyes division play only; Sharks to ArizonaFollow NHL return to play updates here:

There is another report on what the realigned NHL divisions will look like when the new season starts in 2021. As previously reported, if the season can start mid-January, the league expects to have a 56-game regular season. They ended up playing a 48-game season, just as they did in 1994-95 due to another lockout. Bettman: NHL divisions must realign for 2021 season, Canadian-only division probableIf you like my stuff, sign up for my newsletter. You can still sign up for the newsletter and send me your critical feedback as much as your heart desires: