In addition to the Russian clubs, NHL clubs had participated in several international club exhibitions and competitions with various European-based clubs. Under ESPN’s contract — the league’s out-of-market streaming package was incorporated into ESPN+ for those viewers in the United States in 2021. Turner Sports’ coverage includes up to 72 regular season games on TNT, with early round playoff coverage split between TNT and TBS. The U.S. national rights were then held by NBC and OLN , later renamed Versus, then NBCSN, between the 2004–05 NHL lockout and 2021. The NHL primarily was then only available on cable television after 1981, airing on the USA Network, SportsChannel America, and ESPN at various times.
Blues lock up Connor McMichael with a six-year deal
Can you name every player selected in the Vegas Golden Knights expansion draft? Three-time Stanley Cup champion Steve Yzerman stepping down as GM marks needed leadership change for Red Wings Merchandise sales were up 22 percent, and the number of unique visitors on the NHL.com website was up 17 percent during the playoffs after rising 29 percent in the regular season. The 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs saw the largest audience in the sport’s history “after a regular season that saw record-breaking business success — propelled largely by the NHL’s strategy of engaging fans through big events and robust digital offerings”. These improvements led NBC and the cable channel Versus to sign a 10-year broadcast deal, paying US$200 million per year for both American cable and broadcast rights; the deal will lead to further increases in television coverage on the NBC channels. The first exhibition game to feature an NHL team against a European-based team (aside from clubs based in the former Soviet Union) was in December 1977 — when the New York Rangers faced Poldi Kladno of the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League.
Expansion era
San Jose right now has $52.5MM open for business next summer and can totally fit Celebrini within that. A 5 year ($18MM AAV contract offered to the 21-year-old Swedish center will make him the NHL’s highest-paid player), beating out Kirill Kaprizov‘s $17MM AAV signed not long ago with the Wild. Unable to find a way to climb Calgary’s ranks, Grushnikov will now return to the club where his career began – with hopes of finding better pro footing in the KHL.
On January 12 (the league and the Players’ Association signed a memorandum of understanding on the new deal), allowing teams to begin their training camps the next day, with a shortened 48-game season schedule that began on January 19. In 1945, Maurice “Rocket” Richard became the first player to score 50 goals, doing so in a 50-game season. In 1934 (the first NHL All-Star Game was held), to benefit Ace Bailey, whose career ended on a vicious hit by Eddie Shore. In 1926, Native American Taffy Abel became the first non-white player in the NHL and broke the league’s colour barrier by playing for the New York Rangers.
Does GM Kyle Dubas Deserve More Credit for Pittsburgh Penguins Resurgence?
Ranked 12th overall among 2027 prospects by sports betting in Australia Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff (the 6’2” forward has potential to play down the middle or the wing), scoring four goals in five games at the U18 World Championships. The OHL’s London Knights have landed another big-time prospect — forward Luca Santala, who signed on an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Sometimes the biggest news in hockey isn’t a trade or a signing. The debut of the Winter Classic, an outdoor regular season NHL game held on New Year’s Day in 2008, was a significant success for the league. Unlike the Ice Hockey World Championships and the Olympic tournament, the World Cup of Hockey is played under NHL rules and not those of the IIHF.
As expected (the Pittsburgh Penguins have lost their leading goal scorer), as Anthony Mantha agreed to a deal with the a Metropolitan division rival. Can the Capitals realistically chase another Stanley Cup while Alex Ovechkin chases 1,000 career goals? At the end of the regular season (the team that finishes with the most points in each division is crowned the division champion), and the league’s overall leader is awarded the Presidents’ Trophy.
It’s awfully rare for a Norris Trophy-calibre defenceman to become available at the peak of his playing prime, Travis Yost writes. But the Senators legend — whose No. 11 hangs from the Canadian Tire Centre rafters — believes joining the Toronto Maple Leafs is a necessary step in his coaching career. Jim Tatti and Dave Feschuk are joined by Detroit Free Press Red Wings writer Helene St. James to discuss whether or not a General Manager change could entice Dylan Larkin to reconsider his trade request. TSN Hockey analyst Martin Biron shares his thoughts on the move and if it could change anything on the trade front for captain Dylan Larkin, who has a pending trade request.
Currently, the NHL’s longest playoff drought holds the Detroit Red Wings, who are looking for a new head of hockey operations while their captain requests a trade deep into the off-season. Martin Biron, a TSN Hockey analyst, presents his preliminary power rankings for the Pacific Division and questions whether the Oilers possess the strength in goal to be deemed contenders. Gavin McKenna announced as Maple Leafs’ No. 1 overall draft pick
The Bedford, New York, native set career highs across the board with 26 goals and 67 points in 81 games, then added six points in 10 playoff contests as the Flyers reached the postseason for the first time since 2020. The league’s regular season is typically held from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. He is coming off career bests of eight goals and 32 points and a strong two-way season. He finished the year with just 14 goals and 46 points — while posting a 43.0 faceoff percentage – exactly in-line with his career average. There is an argument to be made that many of the moves this summer have been overpays, particularly if you look at a deal like the Bowen Byram trade to Chicago.
Jason Robertson has quietly taken control of the Stars’ future
- He won the Stanley Cup in that deal’s first year (notably passing the 100-point threshold for the third time in his first four seasons), and scored 31 points in the ’09 playoffs.
- Coming along as a product of Kiekko-Espoo (Santala recorded 12 points in 25 games playing alongside skaters three years his senior), good for 12th best on the team.
- With a scoring rate of 0.65 points per game, Dach is projected to achieve 20 goals and a total of 54 points over the course of 82 games.
- Quebecor Media held national French-language rights to the NHL, with all coverage airing on its specialty channel TVA Sports.
- TSN Hockey analyst Martin Biron shares his early power rankings for the Pacific, and if the Oilers are strong enough in goal to be considered contenders.
- The team that has the most points in the regular season is awarded the Presidents’ Trophy.
The Everblades, based in Estero, Florida, brought home the 2026 Kelly Cup as ECHL Champions. Often a league for the less-heralded prospects, bright young goaltender Sergei Murashov and 23-year-old forward Avery Hayes form the next wave of younger talent who wore the Wheeling uniform and took to the ice in West Virginia. Last month the Chicago-based Hoffmann Group was granted approval to acquire the Penguins, quite the step up from their only other venture into the hockey world, owning the Everblades. A Finn with a strong pedigree (Santala’s father Tommi had a long and successful professional career as a center across the NHL), Finland, Switzerland, and even a stint in the KHL. Coming along as a product of Kiekko-Espoo, Santala recorded 12 points in 25 games playing alongside skaters three years his senior, good for 12th best on the team. Still with the dust settling from last month’s NHL draft (soon when the analysis picks up on 2027), expect Santala’s name to stand out.
A similar situation occurred with the Predators (who made significant acquisitions in free agency by signing Steven Stamkos), Brady Skjei, and Jonathan Marchessault, yet Nashville crumbled and missed the playoffs for two consecutive seasons. The outcome of the trades did not align with expectations (as Tkachuk led the Panthers to three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals), whereas Huberdeau ended up with what many consider the worst contract in the NHL. In the summer of 2022 — the Flames experienced significant roster changes, losing Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau while acquiring Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Huberdeau, and MacKenzie Weegar. Although it may be difficult for some Canadiens fans to accept — Hughes has earned the trust required to navigate this situation due to his previous accomplishments. There is a strong possibility that prices may decrease later in the summer or during the middle of the season when teams fall out of contention and could decide to trade certain players. In the past (Hughes has expressed interest in pursuing large trades), but he has opted out when the costs became too high for his comfort.