Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer. San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane has been suspended for 21 games without by the NHL for an “established violation” of the NHL/NHLPA COVID-19 protocol. Sources confirmed earlier this month that Kane was being investigated over allegations that he submitted a fake COVID-19 vaccination card to the NHL and the Sharks. While the NHL and the NHLPA do not have a vaccine mandate
ON FEB. 7, 2018, 33-year-old Randel McCoy sits in his car, alone, in an empty parking lot. He’s processing the life-changing news he has just heard, contemplating a world in which he will slowly lose everything — his strength, his freedom, his life. Through tears, he reaches for his cellphone. He calls his brother. Then he dials the person he knows he can’t do this without, despite having known her
After a long offseason, hockey is back! The NHL regular season kicks off Tuesday night featuring some exciting games from some of the the league’s best — and newest — franchises. The Tampa Bay Lightning will raise their second banner in as many years while the Pittsburgh Penguins try to spoil their special night. Later on, two of the league’s newest teams — the Vegas Golden Knights and the Seattle
Unleash the Kraken! The NHL’s newest team hits the ice for the first time in its history on Tuesday night, as the Kraken head to Sin City to take on the Golden Knights. It’s a battle of the league’s two newest franchises, and Vegas left some big shoes to fill. During its inaugural season in 2017-18, the club won the Pacific Division and went all the way to the Stanley
The New York Rangers and top center Mika Zibanejad have agreed to an eight-year contract worth $68 million. Zibanejad, 28, will count $8.5 million against the salary cap beginning next season and through 2029-30. He was a point-per-game player last season with 24 goals and 26 assists in 50 games. “Since joining the team in 2016, Mika has emerged as one of the premier players in the NHL,” first-year general
It’s getting chillier out, which can only mean one thing: the NHL season is right around the corner. After two wonky seasons, 2021-22 is shaping up to be a full 82-game slate (knock on wood, please) chock-full of the slickest goals, flashiest saves and countless big-time moments. But before things get underway, and as the league hits the reset button, it’s the perfect time to sort through the rosters and
The preparations for the NHL’s 2021-22 season have begun and, unlike last season, fans will get a peek behind the curtain. For the first time in two years, there will be preseason games. Running from Sept. 25 to Oct. 9, teams will hit the ice across North America, including in a number of non-NHL cities. The Seattle Kraken, holding off on their first official home game at Climate Pledge Arena until the
Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer. The NHL anticipates 30 of its 32 arenas will open at 100% capacity for the 2021-22 season, according to a memo circulated to teams this week. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Montreal Canadiens are expected to open at 33% capacity, or around 7,500 fans. The Vancouver Canucks will open at less than capacity, too. While the percentage has yet to be determined, the
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks after undergoing a procedure on his left wrist, the team announced Wednesday. The timeline for his recovery means the 34-year-old will miss the start of training camp. “This is not a new injury for Sid. It is something that he has played through for years,” Penguins general manager Ron Hextall said in a statement. “After
Carolina tendered an offer sheet to restricted free agent Jesperi Kotkaniemi on Saturday as an ongoing storyline between the Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens continued. Two years after Carolina star forward Sebastian Aho received a five-year, $42 million tender as a restricted free agent from the Canadiens, a deal that the Hurricanes matched, Montreal had the tables turned. Kotkaniemi, a sharp shooter who at times was left out of the lineup
