The Hockey News Podcast: 2019-20 Central Division Preview
The Hockey News previews all seven Central teams with standings predictions and burning questions.
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NewsDid the players hand Gary Bettman a victory even before the battle began?
When the NHL Players’ Association declined to reopen the collective bargaining agreement, they didn’t just guarantee uninterrupted NHL hockey until 2022. They essentially set the stage for a CBA extension that could go until 2025 or 2026 and may have secured labor peace forever.
NewsPhiladelphia locks down Travis Konecny with new long-term deal
The heart-and-soul Flyers winger gets under contract just as the pre-season kicks off, but maximum effort is never a question with him. With a lot of prospects on the way, Konecny can bridge the gap in Philadelphia.
VideoSeason Preview: What are the Florida Panthers truly capable of?
New bench boss, new star goalie and a crop of good, young stars. Are the Florida Panthers finally a true contender in the Eastern Conference?
VideoSeason Preview: Is status quo good enough for the Boston Bruins?
The Boston Bruins got to home ice for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final but came up short. Can the same team make it back to the final in 2019-20 with a relatively untouched roster?
NewsFive-year forecast: your 2023-24 San Jose Sharks
There will be a lot of roster upheaval in the coming years, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. The next generation is coming and the Sharks will still have some great veterans in the room to keep the wins coming in California.
VideoLast-Minute Deals: Breaking down the NHL’s latest big free agent signings
This past weekend, Mitch Marner, Charlie McAvoy and Jared Spurgeon signed big new deals after weeks of inactivity around the league. Senior writer Matt Larkin breaks the deals down.
Young Bucks: Breaking down the remaining RFAs this summer
Mitch Marner and Charlie McAvoy are off the market, but some top RFAs still remain unsigned. We took a look at the remaining options and what they could go for as training camp hits full swing.
From the Magazine
All-Access +Superstar In Waiting: Matthews on the cusp of greatness as he enters his prime
The advanced metrics scream ‘superstar’ but in reality Matthews is still ‘potential’ yet to be realized. Injuries have dogged him and the annoying ice-time debate just won’t go away. As he enters his hockey prime, he remains on the edge of greatness. And until he reaches it, hope is all his Leafs will achieve.
All-Access +Still Skating: Fresh faces, new competition has NWHL veterans excited about new season
Despite losing many of their top stars to the #ForTheGame holdout, the NWHL and its players remain optimistic that this season will be as good as any they’ve had during the league’s half-decade run.
All-Access +The Bro Show: Hughes brothers ready to take center stage in the NHL
The Hughes brothers have always been close, whether fooling around on the ODR or playing for the NTDP. Hockey has held them together, but now it’s pulling them apart for the first time. Quinn and Jack will be on opposite sides of the continent while Luke remains at home. Until then, the older brothers savor the summer training in Toronto, deliberating whether to eat nachos and doing spot-on imitations of a Canadian accent.
All-Access +The rise and fall of the CWHL
The league is dead. That much we know. But it all happened so fast that questions remain as to the official cause of death. The word was that the league was hemorrhaging money – even after winning the lottery by expanding to China – but at least one financial statement raises doubts. Cue the postmortem
All-Access +Norris Trophy finally within reach for Flames’ underrated Mark Giordano
From junior through to the NHL, Mark Giordano has always slipped under the radar. Now 35, and having the best season of his career, he’s finally get his long-overdue recognition. And the Flames have a spot waiting just outside the dressing room for their first Norris Trophy winner.
All-Access +The 2019 Lightning have a lot in common with Tampa Bay’s 2004 champions
Star center? Check. Deadly wingmen? Check. Solid ‘D’? Check. Elite Russian goalie? Check. But there’s one key difference: this year’s edition is expected to win. Do the Bolts have the spark within to bring the city its first Cup in 15 years?
All-Access +How the Philadelphia Flyers created a headline-making mascot and overnight sensation
It took less than 24 hours for Gritty to transform from abomination to obsession. But before that fateful day, there were months of planning – and four different kinds of eyebrows.
All-Access +The Russian Penguins: The bizarre and unforgettable partnership between the Penguins and CSKA Moscow
It was about the pucks and bucks, first and foremost, but lest we forget the acrobats, blood-soaked mascots and accidental on-ice sex acts. There’ll never be another partnership like the one between the Pittsburgh Penguins and CSKA Moscow, which changed Russian hockey forever.
All-Access +You Never Forget Your First: Oral History of USA’s 2004 World Junior Gold
The hockey world remembers Marc-Andre Fleury’s infamous own-goal, which handed the U.S. the title. For 55 minutes before that, though, it was a rollercoaster match. The key performers share their memories, triumphant and gut-wrenching, 15 years later.
All-Access +The Last Word: Harts are wild in 2019-20
These bold – yes, bold, not wacky – predictions look at two Hart Trophy candidates in McDavid and MacKinnon, plus another Hart who is poised to win the Vezina Trophy.
All-Access +The Straight Edge: Flattening the playing field
Parity has never been greater in the NHL. Not just among teams, but also in the distribution of the game’s best players.
All-Access +The First Word: A preview wrapped in a purview
Season Preview doesn't quite fit the bill, as the latest issue dives deeper into what you need to know ahead of the 2019-20 season than ever before.
Prospects
VideoTraverse City: Assessing the St. Louis Blues’ prospect system
The St. Louis Blues had a quiet tournament in Traverse City last week, but a few under-the-radar prospects took center stage. How does the farm system look after the showcase event?
VideoTraverse City: Assessing the New York Rangers’ prospect system
Rangers fans, the Kaapo Kakko revolution is upon us. And the best part? He's joined by a host of other top prospects. How did New York's elite young guns play in Traverse City?
VideoTraverse City Recap: Assessing the Columbus Blue Jackets prospect system
The Columbus Blue Jackets fell short of making the final game at the Traverse City Prospect Tournament, but it's clear that the team has depth moving forward. How did their top players fare in Michigan?
Podcast
PodcastThe Hockey News Podcast: 2019-20 Central Division Preview
The Hockey News previews all seven Central teams with standings predictions and burning questions.
PodcastThe Hockey News Podcast: 2019-20 Atlantic Division Preview
The Hockey News previews all eight Atlantic teams with standings predictions and burning questions.
PodcastThe Hockey News Podcast: Traverse City Prospect Tournament recap
Ryan Kennedy and Steven Ellis break down the action for all eight teams from the Traverse City Prospect Tournament, which saw Detroit take home the championship in front of an enthusiastic Michigan crowd on Tuesday.
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