NHL
Davidson pleased with Rangers’ first practice in return
The New York Rangers were playing some stellar hockey coming out of the All-Star break to move into playoff contention. After four months away during the NHL’s stoppage due to the coronavirus pandemic, team president John Davidson liked what he saw in their first practice back. “I feel strong about the way we played at …
No Corey Crawford as Blackhawks begin practicing again
Corey Crawford was absent Monday when the Chicago Blackhawks practiced for the first time since the NHL season was suspended, casting doubt on the goaltender’s availability for their qualifying series against Edmonton. The 35-year-old Crawford was “unfit to play or to participate,” coach Jeremy Colliton said — sticking closely to the league’s strict language for …
Penguins voluntarily sideline 9 players as NHL camps open
The Pittsburgh Penguins opened training camp Monday after voluntarily sidelining nine players who may have had secondary exposure to a person testing positive for COVID-19. The Penguins did not reveal which players were held out as a precautionary measur. The NHL has barred teams from revealing injury or illness information as a way to protect …
Pucks and masks prevalent as 24 NHL teams open training camp
St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington is so accustomed to wearing a mask, he didn’t mind doing so for the past four months during the coronavirus pandemic. “Sometimes, I forgot I’m wearing it while driving,” Binnington said Monday, when the Blues were among the NHL’s 24 teams to open training camp for the upcoming playoffs. …
Wild drop interim tag to make Dean Evason full-time coach
The Minnesota Wild made Dean Evason their full-time head coach on Monday, signing him to a two-year contract extension at the commencement of training camp for the restarted NHL season. Evason’s deal will expire after the 2021-22 season. He was promoted to interim coach on Feb. 14 when Bruce Boudreau was fired, and the Wild …
Illness and injury uncertainty abound as NHL camps open
Andrew Copp got a chance to skate in Michigan but isn’t sure how many of his Winnipeg teammates have been on the ice. Voluntary player workouts have been going on for more than a month, but full NHL teams will be together Monday for the first time since March. Mixed with the excitement of hockey …
Stars’ Polak, Canucks’ Baertschi won’t report to NHL camps
Dallas defenseman Roman Polak and Vancouver forward Sven Baertschi on Saturday joined the list of players who won’t be reporting to training camp for the resumption of the NHL season. Baertschi told the Canucks he’d be opting out of participating in the expanded 24-team playoffs, following Calgary defenseman Travis Hamonic informing the Flames he won’t …
Lightning’s Stamkos injured again at start of training camp
Captain Steven Stamkos will be limited at the start of Tampa Bay Lightning training camp because of a new lower-body injury. General manager Julien BriseBois said Saturday that Stamkos fully recovered from core muscle surgery in early March but was injured again during voluntary workouts. Stamkos is expected to be ready for the start of …
NHL, players approve plan to resume season, extend CBA
Hockey became the latest sport to finalize a return during a global pandemic after NHL owners and players approved an agreement Friday to resume the season. Games begin Aug. 1 in Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta, with coronavirus cases in the U.S. pushing the league into Canada for the summer and fall until the Stanley Cup …
NHL, players approve deal to resume season Aug. 1, extend CBA
NEW YORK (AP) — NHL, players approve deal to resume season Aug. 1, extend CBA. Source: Fox Sports