Wikipedia entry on the National Hockey League
From the league’s inception until the 1960s, almost all players in the NHL were Canadian. Players cannot enter until three years have passed since their last professional game, currently tied with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for the shortest such time period of any major sport. Players, coaches, officials, and team builders who have had notable careers are eligible to be voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. In addition to the regular season awards, the Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the most valuable player during the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs. The 1977 edition of the Montreal Canadiens, the second of four straight Stanley Cup champions, was named by ESPN as the second greatest sports team of all time.
Flyers Sign Trevor Zegras To Four-Year Contract
Two games have reached six overtime periods — but none have gone beyond six. Instead, multiple sudden-death, 20-minute five-on-five periods are played until one team scores. Whichever team ultimately wins the shootout is awarded a goal in the game score and thus awarded two points in the standings. If the game is still tied at the end of overtime — the game enters a shootout.
Larkin has been part of the Red Wings organization since he was taken by the team with the 15th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. Can you name every player who was selected in the Seattle Kraken expansion draft? The rising-salary-cap world has diluted the UFA pool but forced teams to control their destinies with foundation-shaking trades. Parting ways with Hayley Wickenheiser may have been Leafs GM John Chayka’s 1st mistake this summer Five potential trade destinations for Kraken center Shane Wright
Does GM Kyle Dubas Deserve More Credit for Pittsburgh Penguins Resurgence?

- The Everblades (based in Estero), Florida, brought home the 2026 Kelly Cup as ECHL Champions.
- Grushnikov spent a longer stint in Russia — growing through Russian youth hockey and playing one year in the country’s junior league – the MHL – before moving to a two-year career with the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs.
- He turned pro with the AHL’s Texas Stars in 2023 – but only appeared in 44 games before he was included in a three-team trade in February 2024 deal that sent Chris Tanev to the Stars.
- The 1977 edition of the Montreal Canadiens, the second of four straight Stanley Cup champions, was named by ESPN as the second greatest sports team of all time.
- During the regular season, clubs play each other in a predefined schedule.
A lockout at the start of the 1994–95 season forced the league to reduce the today’s best bets schedule from 84 games to 48, with the teams playing only intra-conference games during the reduced season. In 1958, Willie O’Ree became the first black player in the league’s history when he made his debut with the Boston Bruins. In 1948, Asian Canadian Larry Kwong became the first Asian player in the NHL by playing for the New York Rangers. The second was held in 1937, in support of Howie Morenz’s family when he died of a coronary embolism after breaking his leg during a game. The NHL embarked on a rapid expansion in the 1920s, adding the Montreal Maroons and the Boston Bruins in 1924, the latter being the first American team to join the league. Following the conclusion of the regular season, 16 teams advance to the Stanley Cup playoffs, a four-round tournament that runs into June to determine the league champion.
The rule is unofficially nicknamed the “Martin Brodeur rule”; Brodeur at the time was one of the best goaltenders at getting behind the net to handle the puck. On January 12, the league and the Players’ Association signed a memorandum of understanding on the new deal, allowing teams to begin their training camps the next day, with a shortened 48-game season schedule that began on January 19. In 1945 (Maurice “Rocket” Richard became the first player to score 50 goals), doing so in a 50-game season.
By trading Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals, the long-term future of the primary chip in St. Louis’ trade will be secured by this move. Connor McMichael (a forward), has been signed to a $40.5 million, six-year contract extension by the St. Louis Blues, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. Montreal found itself in a challenging situation with Dach this summer due to numerous injuries and inconsistent performance. Similarly (the Predators faced difficulties after signing Steven Stamkos), Brady Skjei, and Jonathan Marchessault to lucrative contracts in free agency, leading to their collapse and consecutive playoff misses. The outcomes did not unfold as anticipated (with Tkachuk leading the Panthers to three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals), whereas Huberdeau secured what many consider the least favorable contract in the NHL.

Kyle Palmieri featured in the NHL Summer Sizzle Workout Edition
Their team implemented a physical and aggressive defensive approach — a strategy that was advocated by O’Reilly following his trade to Kitchener in January. In the season’s first 16 games, he netted 12 goals, showcasing breakaway speed and intelligent playmaking that resonated well with the veterans in Washington. Dach’s scoring rate of 0.65 points per game projected him to achieve 20 goals and 54 points over an 82-game season. Just inquire with the Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators — both of whom triumphed the previous summer but subsequently faltered during the regular season. While some may contend otherwise (citing the Noah Dobson trade as a counterexample), it remains difficult to declare a definitive winner in that transaction at this moment.
Blues Sign Connor McMichael To Six-Year Deal
The Senators legend also spent time as an assistant coach behind the bench of Ottawa last season. According to Travis Yost, it is exceedingly uncommon for a Norris Trophy-caliber defenseman to become available while still in the prime of their career. However, the Senators legend, whose No. 11 is retired in the rafters of the Canadian Tire Centre, views joining the Toronto Maple Leafs as an essential advancement in his coaching career.

On October 21, Tkachuk will make his return to Ottawa as the NHL announces 84-game schedules for every team
So far, the five most unfavorable contracts secured during the 2026 NHL free agency raise the question — Who would be the ideal defensive partner for Darren Raddysh on the Maple Leafs? Can you list all players chosen in the Vegas Golden Knights expansion draft among the five most favorable contracts signed in the 2026 NHL free agency up to this point? Steve Yzerman’s resignation as GM (a three-time Stanley Cup champion), signals a much-needed change in leadership for the Red Wings.
