Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer. Jack Eichel said he was like a kid on Christmas morning during his first skate with the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. “It’s a bit of an emotional moment for me. Another step in the process,” he said after practice. “I know it’s only an optional morning skate. But after everything that I’ve been through, things are getting back to normal.” Eichel’s last

In the same week that COVID concerns are keeping the NHL out of the Olympics, another premiere international tournament could feel ramifications due to the virus. A pre-World Juniors exhibition match between Czechia and Switzerland was canceled on Thursday due to COVID-19 protocols. No announcement has been made yet as to whether or not that cancellation will impact Czechia’s opening round matchup against Canada. Assuming the tournament goes off otherwise

Sporting News is teaming up with FCHockey all season long to bring you the most in-depth NHL draft coverage you’ll find anywhere. With big boards, mock drafts, scouting reports, and more, we’ll keep you updated on all of the latest intel powered by FCHockey’s draft analysts and insiders. The World Junior Championship is one of the most exciting events on the hockey calendar. As is the NHL Draft.  So when you get draft-eligible prospects

Kristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN. The NHL made another round of postponements on Saturday amid a growing number of COVID-19 cases around the league. Nashville and Boston will both be shut down through Christmas. The Predators have eight players and several coaches placed in COVID-19 protocols and were due to play Carolina on Sunday and Winnipeg on Tuesday. The Bruins — also with eight players in

Emily Kaplan is ESPN’s national NHL reporter. The NHL is implementing enhanced protocols through at least Jan. 7, sources told ESPN Wednesday. The decision comes after the NHL, NHLPA and their doctors held conference calls on Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon, following a rash of COVID-19 cases across the league. Under the enhanced protocols — which NHL players experienced all of last season — players will be tested daily instead

The ESPN+ exclusive schedule continues on Tuesday night with a double shot of potential Stanley Cup Final matchups, as the four teams involved are all in the NHL’s top eight by points percentage. Coverage starts at 7:55 p.m. ET for the Carolina Hurricanes at the Minnesota Wild, while things get rolling at 8:55 p.m. ET for the New York Rangers’ visit to the Colorado Avalanche. To help get you ready

Blackhawks center Jujhar Khaira was stretchered off the ice and transported to a hospital after a massive open-ice hit from Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba during the teams’ match on Tuesday. Khaira’s injury occurred when he attempted to get control of the puck during the second period of the Blackhawks’ 6-2 loss to the Rangers. Trouba rammed his right shoulder into Khaira’s chin and immediately knocked him out. He flew backward

Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer. The Montreal Canadiens’ encore to their Stanley Cup Final appearance last season has been an abject disaster, as they have a 6-15-2 record. With general manager Marc Bergevin in the last year of his contract having not signed an extension, it felt like a regime change was coming. Did it ever arrive on Sunday. Owner Geoff Molson announced that Bergevin, assistant general manager

Things escalated quickly during a scuffle between Senators forward Brady Tkachuk and Kings forward Brendan Lemieux on Saturday night.  Late in the third period of the Kings’ 4-2 victory, Tkachuk and Lemieux got together after the whistle and earned double minors for roughing. As Tkachuk got up to skate toward the penalty box, he showed officials a bloodied hand and claimed that Lemieux bit him. After a review, Lemieux was

Kristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN. As we approach American Thanksgiving weekend — and a triple-header of matchups on ABC, ESPN+ and Hulu — we’ve also traversed another week of the 2021-22 NHL schedule. And for the second straight week, we’ve got a new No. 1 team atop the ESPN NHL Power Rankings. Moreover, now that teams are at or near the 20-game mark, it’s time to