NHL Scores, News & Highlights

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.

A six-year contract has been secured for Connor McMichael by the Blues.

Can you identify all players chosen during the expansion draft of the Vegas Golden Knights? The decision of three-time Stanley Cup champion Steve Yzerman to resign as GM signifies a necessary change in leadership for the Red Wings. Merchandise sales increased by 22 percent, and the unique visitor count on NHL.com rose by 17 percent during the playoffs after a 29 percent rise in the regular season. The 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs attracted the largest audience in the sport’s history, following a regular season that achieved unprecedented commercial success, primarily driven by the NHL’s approach of captivating fans through significant events and strong digital engagement. NBC and the cable network Versus secured a 10-year broadcasting agreement worth US$200 million annually for both American broadcast and cable rights due to these enhancements; this agreement is expected to further boost television coverage on NBC’s channels. The inaugural exhibition game featuring an NHL team against a European club (excluding teams from the former Soviet Union) occurred in December 1977, when the New York Rangers played against Poldi Kladno from the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League.

Expansion era

Currently, San Jose has $52.5 million available for business next summer, allowing them to easily accommodate Celebrini. By offering a 5-year contract with an AAV of $18 million to the 21-year-old Swedish center (he will become the NHL’s highest-paid player), surpassing Kirill Kaprizov’s recently signed $17 million AAV with the Wild. Grushnikov (unable to advance through Calgary’s ranks), will now return to the team where his career started, aiming to secure a better professional footing in the KHL.

On January 12, a memorandum of understanding regarding the new deal was signed by the league and the Players’ Association, enabling teams to commence their training camps the following day, and a condensed 48-game season began on January 19. Maurice “Rocket” Richard made history in sports betting in Australia 1945 by becoming the first player to net 50 goals in a season consisting of 50 games. The inaugural NHL All-Star Game took place in 1934 — intended to support Ace Bailey, whose career ended due to a brutal hit from Eddie Shore. Taffy Abel (a Native American), became the first non-white player in the NHL in 1926, breaking the league’s color barrier while playing for the New York Rangers.

Should greater recognition be given to GM Kyle Dubas for the resurgence of the Pittsburgh Penguins?

Ranked 12th overall among 2027 prospects by 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.

According to Travis Yost, it is exceedingly rare for a defenceman of Norris Trophy quality to become available at the height of their playing career. However, the legendary Senators player—whose No. 11 is retired and displayed in the rafters of the Canadian Tire Centre—considers joining the Toronto Maple Leafs a crucial progression in his coaching journey. Jim Tatti and Dave Feschuk are joined by Helene St. James (a Red Wings writer from the Detroit Free Press), to debate whether a change in General Manager might persuade Dylan Larkin to rethink his trade request. TSN Hockey analyst Martin Biron expresses his views on the recent trade and its potential implications for captain Dylan Larkin, who has a pending trade request.

The Detroit Red Wings are mired in the NHL’s longest playoff drought — have their captain demanding a trade and are now searching for a new head of hockey operations deep into the off-season. 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. 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.

The future of the Stars has been subtly shaped by Jason Robertson’s influence.

• 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 54 points over the course of an 82-game season.
• Quebecor Media was responsible for holding the national French-language rights to the NHL (with all related broadcasts transmitted on its specialty channel), TVA Sports.
• TSN Hockey analyst Martin Biron presents his initial power rankings for the Pacific and discusses whether the Oilers have sufficient strength in goal to be viewed as contenders.
• The team accumulating the highest points during the regular season receives 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.

The same could be said for the Predators — who signed Steven Stamkos, Brady Skjei and Jonathan Marchessault to huge contracts in free agency, only for Nashville to fall apart and miss the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. The moves did not go as planned — as Tkachuk took the Panthers to three straight Stanley Cup Finals, while Huberdeau signed arguably the worst contract in the NHL. The Flames underwent monumental roster changes in the summer of 2022, watching Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau head elsewhere while bringing in Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar. As much as it might pain some Canadiens fans — Hughes has built up the credibility to be trusted in this situation based on his track record. It’s entirely possible that prices drop later in the summer or midway through the season, when teams are out of contention and may opt to move on from certain players. Hughes has talked about pursuing big trades in the past, but has walked away when the prices exceeded his comfort level.