News

Isles top Panthers in tight 2-1 win in Game 1

Semyon Varlamov stopped 27 shots and the New York Islanders opened their best-of-five playoff series with a 2-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday in the NHL's return following a 4 1/2-month break.

Jets lose Game 1 and two major pieces against Flames

The Winnipeg Jets lost two important players to injury in Saturday's Game 1 against the Calgary Flames and head coach Paul Maurice said both Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine will see specialists on Sunday.

Price and underdog Canadiens upset Pens in game 1 O.T. stunner

Jeff Petry scored at 13:57 of overtime, Carey Price made 39 saves, and the underdog Montreal Canadiens stunned the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on Saturday to open their best-of-five qualifying round series as the NHL raised the curtain on the restart to its pandemic-halted season.

Matt Dumba makes speech condemning racism, kneels for U.S national anthem

Minnesota Wild defenceman Matt Dumba became the first NHL player to kneel for a national anthem during the league's restart on Saturday.

Maybe they'll play better when they go on the road. Oh, wait......

Rookie winger Dominik Kubalik scored two goals and added three assists, leading the Chicago Blackhawks to a 6-4 win over the host Edmonton Oilers in the opener of their best-of-five qualifying round series on Saturday.

And they're back!! Aho leads Hurricanes to win over Rangers in NHL's return

Sebastian Aho scored a goal and set up another in the Carolina Hurricanes' 3-2 win over the New York Rangers on Saturday in the NHL's opening playoff game following a 4 1/2-month pause.

In the latest sports reaction, the Blackhawks ban headdresses from the United Centre

After announcing earlier this month that they would be keeping their current name but pledging more support to the Native American community, the Chicago Blackhawks detailed more of those plans Wednesday.

Jets make it 11 straight over the Canucks with a win in NHL exhibition play

The Winnipeg Jets, backed by the razor-sharp goaltending of Connor Hellebuyck, overcame a sloppy first period to beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 in exhibition play Wednesday.

Flyers knock off Penguins in OT in NHL's first exhibition action

Pittsburgh's Conor Sheary scored the first-ever NHL goal in the month of July, but his Penguins lost 3-2 in overtime to the Philadelphia Flyers in exhibition play on Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena.

Kerfoot scores twice, Maple Leafs down Canadiens in exhibition play

Morgan Rielly had a goal and two assists, Alexander Kerfoot scored twice, and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 in their exhibition matchup Tuesday as the NHL's restart to its pandemic-hit 2019-20 season got into full swing.

The HockeyCircles Family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Jack McIlhargey. Jack was one of our Founding Members, and a great friend to all who knew him. Our sincere condolences to Kayrne and family. You will be missed by all Jack....

Calgary Flames 'have a lot to prove' in critical playoff run

After being "embarrassed" by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of last year's playoffs, some doubt whether or not this group can win a Stanley Cup. There's a lot on the line in 2020 for the Flames, and another early exit could lead to big change.

Hughes, Makar and Kubalik named finalists for Calder

Defencemen Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar, of the Vancouver Canucks and Colorado Avalanche, respectively, and left winger Dominik Kubalik of the Chicago Blackhawks have been named the three finalists for the 2019‑20 Calder Memorial Trophy, the league announced Wednesday.

NHL unveils exhibition schedule, start times for Stanley Cup Qualifiers

The NHL has announced the schedule for 12 exhibition games and the starting times for match-ups in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers.

Cheaters never prosper......Lol

In their quest to make the best of this unprecedented summer training camp, the Toronto Maple Leafs inadvertently went offside.

Lightning's Stamkos to be limited in camp due to new lower-body injury

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos will be a limited participant in training camp but is expected to play in the playoffs after suffering a lower-body injury during Phase 2 skates.

Canucks' are up against it.......

The NHL's stagnant cap of $81.5 million could remain flat for a while and exacerbates what was already going to be a serious budgeting problem for the Vancouver Canucks.

The schedule as we know it so far......

Much of the NHL’s adjusted critical dates calendar is still considered tentative, but the potential look the league released Friday night as part of its return-to-play package certainly painted a chaotic picture about how it intends to finish the 2019-20 season and transition to 2020-21 in an expedited fashion.

Canucks say Sven Baertschi is opting out of NHL's return

Vancouver Canucks forward Sven Baertschi has opted out of returning to play, the team confirmed in a statement.

Flames' Travis Hamonic opts out of NHL's return, citing family reasons

Calgary Flames defenceman Travis Hamonic has opted out of the NHL's return-to-play program.

NHL is back in business with ratification of CBA, return-to-play plan

Call it all systems go on the league’s summer restart following Friday’s ratification of protocols governing the return-to-play plan and an extension to the collective bargaining agreement running through September 2026.

What life in NHL's 'secure zone' could look like when season restarts

The NHL's protocols — still subject to ratification by NHL players and owners — offer the clearest picture yet of what a 24-team playoff tournament might look like in lockdown, assuming that can be pulled off. Chris Johnston breaks down all the details.

Canucks' Tanev chomping at the bit to get back at

As the NHL's return inches closer, Canucks defenceman Chris Tanev is eager for his first taste of the playoffs in five seasons.

NHL, NHLPA tentatively agree to CBA extension, return-to-play plan

The NHL and the NHLPA have agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding on an extension to the collection bargaining agreement and a separate agreement on returning to play, both sides announced Monday.

Hubba, Hubba.......Toronto and Edmonton look to be the centre of the NHL for this season

As the NHL and NHLPA continue to hammer out details for the league's Return to Play plan, it's expected that Toronto and Edmonton will be announced as hub cities.

The Olympics are apparently also on the table as part of the ongoing NHL/NHLPA CBA negotiations

As negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA hit critical mass, word is spreading that Olympic participation is part of the agreement.

Happy Canada Day from HockeyCircles!! Here's hoping that we get our Game back soon!

As the NHL and NHLPA continue to hammer out details for the league's Return to Play plan, it's expected that Toronto and Edmonton will be announced as hub cities.

Escrow it goes in ongoing CBA talks.....

As the NHL and NHLPA work towards an agreement on returning to play, the two sides are also trying to strike a deal on a CBA extension. Elliotte Friedman reports that those discussions have included a cap on escrow and a salary deferral for the players.

Detroit holds an 18.5% chance of landing the 1st overall pick in NHL's "unusual" draft lottery

In a world dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic — one where life for countless people and businesses has been turned upside down — the NHL will hold the most unusual draft lottery in its history the same night the first round was originally supposed to go ahead in Montreal.

Iginla, Hossa, Holland headline 2020 Hockey Hall of Fame class

The Hockey Hall of Fame announced its 2020 class of inductees on Wednesday.

More people in BC died from overdoses in May alone than have died from it all year, but virus keeps hockey out of Vancouver.

The NHL could not agree on contingency plans should a player test positive for COVID-19 during a proposed playoff tournament in Vancouver which means the city will not host the league's restart.

NHL drops another contender from hub city short list

The NHL has informed the Pittsburgh Penguins that the city of Pittsburgh is no longer being considered for one of the two hub cities in the league's return to play plan.

Devils forward Nico Hischier staying sharp as a knife

With the New Jersey Devils missing out on the NHL's 24-team return from the pause caused by the novel coronavirus, centre Nico Hischier is putting his extended off-season to good use.

Feds approve NHL cohort quarantine plan for potential Canadian hub cities

The cohort quarantine, which keeps players separate from the general public, would allow the NHL to bypass the traditional 14-day quarantine for anyone entering Canada.

Bernie Saunders, NHL’s fifth Black player, opens up on racial discrimination

Bernie Saunders left hockey behind just two years after his NHL debut. Now he's speaking out against discrimination for current and future generations of Black players.

Canadian teams expect easing of quarantine policy as they vie for NHL Hubs

The three Canadian teams vying to become hub cities are expecting news on Friday that the Canadian government’s quarantine restrictions have been loosened.

NHL, NHLPA announce training camps to open July 10

The NHL and its players’ association announced on Thursday that Phase 3 of the league’s return-to-play plan will open on July 10.

Inside Vancouver's NHL hub city bubble: no Roxy, no family, no autograph sessions | CBC News

According to the proposal to make Vancouver an NHL hub city, teams will have to stay in the quarantine bubble beyond 14 days if they are still actively playing games.

Could the long NHL layoff lead to higher scoring playoff hockey?

By the time the Stanley Cup Playoffs start it'll likely have been more than four months between NHL games. So, will teams return closer to October form, when more goals are scored, than playoff form?

Sharks' Karlsson encourages others to come forward and support Kane's comments

San Jose Sharks defenceman Erik Karlsson is showing his support for teammate Evander Kane, who spoke out last week about the need for allies in the hockey community in light of the issues of systemic racism and police brutality that have come to the forefront amid the protests over the death of George Floyd.

Ryan Reaves shares his personal views and talks about the George Floyd protests

Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves joined Good Show on Wednesday to share his perspective on the George Floyd protests and diversity in hockey.

Bettman announces plans for return to play, 2020 draft lottery outline

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has outlined the league's plan to return with a 24-team playoff format and how the 2020 draft lottery will work.

New Jersey governor Phil Murphy approves activities for pro teams

New Jersey governor Phil Murphy tweeted Tuesday that as long as the NFL's New York Giants and Jets and the NHL's New Jersey Devils follow health and medical protocols, they could open training camps or even hold competition.

NHL to make announcement on Return to Play Plan at 1:30 PST

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will make an announcement today at 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT regarding the Return to Play Plan for the 2019-20 NHL season. Catch the announcement on a special presentation of Tim & Sid, which will air on Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet 590 The Fan and sportsnet.ca beginning at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT.

NHL releases document detailing Phase 2 protocols for return to play

The NHL released a document on Monday detailing Phase Two of its return-to-play plan as the league and its players continue to figure out if, how, and when the NHL can safely return this summer amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

New York State allowing professional sports teams to resume training

Professional sports teams in the state of New York will be allowed to resume training as of today, governor Andrew Cuomo said in a press conference Sunday.

Why even include the word "Normal" anymore??

What resonates most about the NHL’s return-to-sport protocol is how much effort will be required just to get six players working out inside the rink together, never mind what’s still to come.

Health officials say Metro Vancouver could host fan-less NHL games if season resumes

"There are ways you can do it safely and I think it is an interesting idea."

Three potential destinations for Dustin Byfuglien, if he decides to return - Sportsnet.ca

It's a mystery whether or not Dustin Byfuglien ever wants to return to the NHL, but if he does decide to come back, you can bet most of the league will be interested. Here are three teams we think could make an especially good fit.