SAN JOSE, Calif. — Alain Vigneault laughed as he remembered exactly what Cody McLeod said to him from the ice on New Year’s Eve in Denver just over a year ago. “He stood in front of my bench and said, ‘Hey coach, are you looking for a tough fourth-liner?’ ” Vigneault relayed Thursday morning, the […]
Read MoreSAN JOSE, Calif. — It was a small moment on a big night, but it meant a lot. After the Rangers had beaten the Sharks, 6-5, on Thursday night at SAP Center, after they had saved their four-game road trip from being winless, after they had allowed themselves to go into the All-Star break with […]
Read MoreTAMPA, Fla., — Sidney Crosby is a league man, through and through. The Penguins star and the best player of his generation defended the NHL and the flawed evolution of the goaltender interference penalty that has drawn such ire from players and teams over the past few weeks. That especially included disallowed goals from the […]
Read MoreThere is no ambivalence within management. The Blueshirts, we’re told on good authority, view the Feb. 26 trade deadline as a unique opportunity to refresh the roster and replenish the organization, regardless of where the club stands in relation to a playoff spot. The mandate, approved (if not established) in the owner’s suite by Jim […]
Read MoreTAMPA, Fla., — Gary Bettman had to laugh at a memory from the most recent time the All-Star game was down here, in 1999. When the NHL commissioner was shown the transcript of his media availability from that year, there was one thing that stuck out. “One of the things I mentioned was that we […]
Read MoreTAMPA, Fla. — This was the type of moment most don’t see, the sweat dripping off Henrik Lundqvist’s face, his arms, his hands. Soaked to the bone after extra work at a morning skate in San Jose on Thursday, Lundqvist needed a few moments to chug some water and catch his breath before reflecting on […]
Read MoreBe it resolved that the NHL become the first pro sports league to stop allowing the tail of technology to wag the dog of competition and stop the madness of interminable video reviews. They just as often create more questions than answers. It is not that difficult. Really it isn’t. All that is necessary is […]
Read MoreTwo people with direct knowledge of the move say the Calgary Flames have placed Jaromir Jagr on waivers. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because the team had not announced the transaction. Jagr is on regular waivers, though one person tells the AP that if the 45-year-old clears, he’ll […]
Read MoreTAMPA, Fla. — The Metropolitan Division couldn’t overcome the hometown hero. By way of a hat trick for Lightning star and midseason favorite for Hart Trophy Nikita Kucherov, the Atlantic beat the Metro, 7-4, in the preliminary match of the 3-on-3 All-Star Game Sunday afternoon at Amalie Arena. The Atlantic then went on to lose […]
Read MoreTAMPA, Fla. — The first All-Star selection could not have come at a better time for Josh Bailey. The Islanders’ pending unrestricted free agent made his first appearance at the event Sunday at Amalie Arena, where his Metropolitan Division team lost in the preliminary round to the Atlantic Division, 7-4. But for the 28-year-old forward, […]
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