As the clock struck 1 PM, an NHL roster freeze, prohibiting signings and trades for the Expansion Draft, was officially lifted.
The news came in both fast and furious.
After weeks of negotiations, the NHL is moving forward with the release of the 2021-22 regular-season schedule despite no resolution on if players will participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics.
The news was announced by ESPN PR.
After being suspended five times since 2017, Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson has earned the title of the most hated man in the National Hockey League according to OnlineCasino.ca.
Like that wormhole Woah ah whoaaaah part in the song Tarzan Boy, Wilson is living rent-free in opposing fans’ brains.
Luke Prokop, the Nashville Predators’ third-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, made a historic announcement on Monday.
The 6-4 defenseman from Edmonton came out as gay, becoming the first player under NHL contract to ever do so.
NHL teams’ protection lists for the Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft were due at 5 PM. But two hours before that deadline was another and it turned out to be a big driver of activity leaguewide.
At 3 PM on Saturday, an Expansion Draft trade/waiver freeze was officially put into effect, giving Seattle the floor to make roster moves and start crafting its team. The freeze will be lifted the day after the Expansion Draft — Thursday at 1 PM — which will then give other NHL clubs another day to maneuver before the NHL Draft starts Friday night.
By Ian Oland 1 week ago
The Washington Capitals announced their 2021-22 preseason schedule on Thursday and there’s one notable change from year’s past.
The slate of preseason games will be starting a few weeks later than usual, which will push the start of the NHL regular season into mid-October.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are Stanley Cup champions again and now we face down the long, hot, empty expanse of summer.
Except not so much. There’s a whole lot of stuff coming up real soon. Here’s a quick rundown for you.
By Peter Hassett 2 weeks ago
Hockey Hall of Fame play-by-play man Doc Emrick retired from the booth in October after 47 years.
But during Game Four of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, Emrick returned to narrate a powerful feature summarizing NBC’s coverage of the NHL since 2005.
It was good.
By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago
A day after the NHL announced the Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft and the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft will be aired on ESPN in July, the Worldwide Leader announced its commentators, analysts, and reporters for the NHL’s 2021-22 season. In March, ESPN reached a seven-year television, streaming, and media rights deal with the NHL.
According to a release from ESPN PR, ESPN’s play-by-play commentary will be led by Sean McDonough. Steve Levy, who will lead the studio team, will also do play-by-play during the season while John Buccigross (the guy behind Bucci’s overtime challenge and promoting college hawkey), Bob Wischusen, and Leah Hextall will also contribute their talents. While many sentimental hockey fans hoped Gary Thorne would return along with his longtime running mate Bill Clement — it appears at this point neither will be — there are several contributors from ESPN’s yore that will be coming back.
By Ian Oland 4 weeks ago
In the newest CBA, the NHL gave into the NHLPA’s demands and agreed to return to the Olympics in 2022 and 2026. However, the coronavirus pandemic is complicating matters for the Beijing Games.
Monday, before Game One of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final between the Montreal Canadiens and defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commish Bill Daly met with the press digitally via Zoom and gave an update on negotiations.
They were not optimistic.
By Ian Oland 4 weeks ago
