NHL

Is the NHL's Winter Classic canceled? Explaining the postponement of the 2021 game
NHL

The news shouldn’t come as a surprise, but it’s still just as disappointing: The 2021 Winter Classic has been officially postponed because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  Originally scheduled for Jan. 1, 2021, the NHL’s annual outdoor game to ring in the New Year has been pushed to 2022. The announcement also noted that the 2021 All-Star Weekend scheduled for Jan. 29-30, 2021, which was to be hosted by the Panthers, also has been

Thornton spoke to Montana on leaving Bay Area
NHL

Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer. While considering a move to the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent, center Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks sought as much advice as possible. He spoke with family and friends. He spoke with Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau, former San Jose teammates who left the team via free agency. But Thornton said the most memorable guidance he received was from

Golden Knights go all-in on Alex Pietrangelo
NHL

The Golden Knights have hit the jackpot. Monday night, they raised the ante for the rest of the NHL by snagging the No. 1 free agent in 2020, Alex Pietrangelo, with a seven-year, $61.6 million contract ($8.8 million AAV). It’s a shrewd move by general manager Kelly McCrimmon considering numerous teams were interested in the defenseman’s services. When asked how close his team came to terms with Pietrangelo on Friday, Maple Leafs

Grades for every big NHL free-agent signing: How does Holtby fit in Vancouver?
NHL

NHL free agency for 2020 is underway! For each key signing, Emily Kaplan, Chris Peters and Greg Wyshynski will be assessing the player’s fit with his new team, weighing whether the terms of the contract make sense, and serving up an overall grade. We’ll be grading the most notable offseason signings below, so come back for updates as deals are completed throughout the fall. Braden Holtby, G, Vancouver Canucks Terms:

Live NHL free-agency tracker: Latest signings, analysis and buzz
NHL

Due to the altered schedule whereby the 2019-20 NHL season was completed quite a bit later than usual — with the Stanley Cup Playoffs lasting until Sept. 29 — free agency began on Oct. 9 this year, as opposed to the traditional July 1 starting point. But while the key dates have shifted, the goal of free agency has not: GMs around the NHL hope to land the game-changing veteran

When is NHL free agency 2020? Date, salary cap, best available players
NHL

Ah, NHL free agency. It’s like Christmas for general managers as teams look to gift themselves new players who could help push them over the line from Stanley Cup pretender to Stanley Cup contender.  Who will wrap up an Alex Pietrangelo, a Torey Krug, or a Taylor Hall this year? Will Tyler Toffoli unwrap a new contract with his current team, the Canucks? And can they gift wrap Jacob Markstrom for their fans too? Speaking of

'Jeopardy!' host Alex Trebek announces Ottawa Senators' selection in 2020 NHL draft
NHL

The 2020 NHL draft was staged virtually this year, with prospects at home and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman leading the broadcast from the NHL Network's studios in Secaucus, New Jersey, as the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.  The high picks this year did not get the chance to hear their names called in a bustling arena or get to cross the stage and shake hands with Bettman,

NHL Draft picks 2020: Live results, complete list of selections for Rounds 1-7
NHL

The calendar has turned to October. Normally this month is marked for the start of a new NHL season to get underway. Instead, in 2020, it signifies the start of the offseason. Oct. 6-7 will set the table for NHL franchises for years to come as they select the next generation of talent. The New York Rangers will kick things off with the No. 1 overall pick, expected to be Rimouski

NHL Draft 2020: Brian Lawton on being drafted first overall, Alexis Lafreniere and selecting Victor Hedman
NHL

When it comes to the NHL’s draft, Brian Lawton has done it all. In 1983, a 17-year-old Lawton was drafted first overall by the Minnesota North Stars, and to this day, he remains the lone player taken with the No. 1 overall pick straight from high school since the universal draft was adopted in 1969 and all juniors of qualifying age were made eligible for selection. He has served as an

NHL Draft 2020 order by team: Complete list of picks for all 31 franchises
NHL

After months of waiting, the 2020 NHL Draft is officially here. Between Tuesday and Wednesday, 216 players will find out where they’ll get a chance to pursue their professional hockey dreams. Following Phase 2 of the NHL Draft Lottery back in August, the Rangers are slotted to select the No. 1 overall pick. While there has been some rumbling they may trade away the top spot, many expect that they’ll