7:16 PM ET The NHL is targeting a Jan. 1 start date for next season, commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday. In an interview with NHL Network, Bettman reiterated that the league hopes to play a full 82-game season and have fans in arenas. Bettman said planning discussions with the NHL Players’ Association will begin shortly
NHL
5:59 PM ET The New York Rangers selected left wing Alexis Lafreniere of the QMJHL’s Rimouski Oceanic with the first pick in the 2020 NHL draft on Tuesday. The Rangers had never previously selected with the first overall pick in the entry draft era, which began in 1979. Lafreniere, who will turn 19 on Sunday,
7:13 PM ET Associated Press Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is spending the NHL’s two-day draft in self-isolation after recently being exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Yzerman is experiencing no symptoms, and he has had multiple negative test results, the team said Tuesday, a little more than an hour before
5:02 PM ET Associated Press The Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens got a jump on the trading action before the start of the NHL draft Tuesday with an intriguing swap of forwards. The Blue Jackets acquired center Max Domi and a third-round pick from the Canadiens for winger Josh Anderson, who hasn’t played since
12:47 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — NHL teams continue to clear salary cap space with free agency starting later this week. The Detroit Red Wings placed forward Justin Abdelkader on unconditional waivers Tuesday for the purpose of buying out his contract. The Montreal Canadiens did the same with defenseman Karl Alzner, who had
10:39 PM ET Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid has tested positive for COVID-19, the team announced on Monday night. McDavid’s positive test came during medical testing earlier on Monday. “Since that time, he has been in voluntary self-quarantine at his home. He will continue to be monitored and will follow all associated health protocols,” the
2:38 PM ET Associated Press The Minnesota Wild traded goalie Devan Dubnyk and forward Ryan Donato to the San Jose Sharks in two deals Monday, continuing their makeover under general manager Bill Guerin. For Donato, the Wild received a third-round pick in the 2021 draft. The Sharks parted with their fifth-round pick in the 2022
7:32 PM ET Associated Press BUFFALO, N.Y. — Rather than focusing on his first NHL draft as a general manager, Kevyn Adams was busy reassuring the Buffalo Sabres fan base he has no intention of trading captain Jack Eichel. “I’m hoping I’m clarifying it for you, but that to me is an easy question, because
3:24 PM ET Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen has decided to retire from the NHL. Niskanen, 33, had one year left on his contract at $5.75 million against the salary cap, which will come off the Flyers’ books as a result of his retirement. “Thank you to the Flyers organization for the opportunity to play
1:57 PM ET Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said nothing has changed with the status of star goalie Tuukka Rask, despite rampant trade speculation surrounding the Vezina Trophy-nominated goaltender. “As a matter of fact, our staff has communicated with Tuukka. As I said before, he remains a big part of our roster planning going