Previously this week, the NHL announced that cross-border games will be postponed through the holiday break.

According to the NHL release, the players will return to their teams on Dec. 26, which will be used for practice, travel and COVID-19 testing. Anyone that cannot produce a negative COVID-19 test will not be allowed back in team facilities.

According to Bally Sports Midwest’s Andy Strickland, the February break, originally intended for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, will now be used for make-up games that were previously postponed.

Sources confirm the February break in the #NHL schedule, originally for the Olympics, will now be used to play make up games for all games taken off the board.

— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) December 21, 2021

Of course, with the news affecting every team in the league, The Rink’s two primary teams are directly impacted. The announcement means Thursday’s game for the Chicago Blackhawks against the Dallas Stars is postponed, while the Seattle Kraken had their Thursday night contest against the Calgary Flames postponed as well.

The postponements come on the heels of both teams having previously had their Tuesday night contests postponed as well, as the Blackhawks were scheduled to face the Florida Panthers, while the Kraken were to host the Arizona Coyotes.

Clearly, this is a fluid situation and can change at a moment’s notice. Stay tuned for more information.

EDIT: The NHL and NHLPA formally announced that they will withdraw from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, late Tuesday.

BREAKING: The NHL will withdraw from the Winter Olympics after the regular-season schedule was disrupted by coronavirus outbreaks, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told the @AP. https://t.co/FyBMF5swfc

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 21, 2021

The post BREAKING: NHL, NHLPA agree to pause activities until Sunday appeared first on The Rink.

According to a statement from the team:

In compliance with the mandate from Washington state, Climate Pledge Arena and the Seattle Kraken have announced that all guests, ages 12 and over, attending Kraken games, concerts and events at Climate Pledge Arena will be required to provide proof of vaccination upon entry. In the near-term, all guests will also be required to wear a mask while attending events until further guidance from Washington state.

Both the team and the Climate Pledge Arena will reportedly introduce a “seamless and convenient” process to electronically show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Full-time and part-time employees and contractors will be required to be vaccinated as well to ensure the safety of fans in attendance of Kraken games and other events held at the Climate Pledge Arena.

Not only will Kraken games at the Climate Pledge Arena require proof of vaccination, but so will the three preseason games held in Spokane (Sept. 26), Everett (Oct. 1) and Kent (Oct. 2) as well as the fans attending the team’s training camp held at the Kraken Community Iceplex.

Signings

The Kraken also announced the signing of their expansion draft selection from the Detroit Red Wings, Dennis Cholowski, to a one-year deal worth $900,000.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound, 23-year-old lefthanded defenseman boasts over 100 NHL games of experience since being drafted in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft (20th overall). He played in 16 games with the Red Wings last season, accruing three points (one goal, two assists).

It is likely Cholowski will be a seventh defenseman or a frequent call-up from the Kraken’s AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers.

The post Kraken announce fan COVID-19 vaccine requirements, sign defenseman Cholowski appeared first on The Rink.

The full dates for the current NHL season are as follows:

As Frank notes, some of these dates have already moved. Camps scheduled to open on July 13; travel to Hubs scheduled for July 26; Qualifying round scheduled to begin Aug. 1, for example. https://t.co/vc2Zu3DWAS

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 8, 2020

Critical dates for the 2020-21 season are as follows:

Tentative dates listed in #NHL and #NHLPA Memorandum of Understanding:

Later of Oct. 9 or 7 days after Cup Final ends is opening of #FreeAgentFrenzy

Nov. 17: Opening of training camps for 2020-21

Dec. 1: Opening of 2020-21 regular season

All subject to change.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 8, 2020

Also, tentative date for 2020 #NHLDraft is Oct. 6. It must follow the end of the Stanley Cup Final and precede the free agent signing period.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 8, 2020

TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported on his Insider Trading segment, today, the NHL’s daily schedule for games will be at 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 8:00 PM local time at both of the Phase Four Secure Zones. This would mean that there would be six games in roughly a 15 hour window. Needless to say, this tight time frame will have to be very fluid, and it also begs to question what kind of toll the number of games in such a condensed period of time will have on the players, especially the older ones.

Teams like the Blackhawks could potentially play up to 32 games to complete this season, participate in the NHL entry draft days later, free agency, and start training camp approximately three weeks after the Stanley Cup is hoisted with full 82 game 20-21 regular season and Stanley Cup playoff to follow. This means that a team from the qualifying round could play up to 132 games from August 1 of this year to July 1, 2021.

If you recall, the players that competed in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey indicated that the extra games prior to the season took a physical toll on them when the playoffs eventually commenced. This Return to Play plan would be even worse because all the games would be played within a condensed schedule and could last much longer.

The NHL will first need to ensure the remainder of this season goes smooth and with minimal COVID-19 fallout, though.  Give us your thoughts below.

The NHL’s Return to Play bracket. (courtesy of sportsnet.ca)

The post REPORT: Critical dates for completion of ’20 and start of ’21 NHL seasons announced appeared first on The Rink.

Late Sunday afternoon, the army of insiders released the proposed information regarding the plans for the NHL’s proposed playoff plans.  They also indicated that, in conjunction with the return-to-play memo of understanding, both parties are determined to agree to an extended collective bargaining agreement, which would avoid a labor-related work stoppage for the first time in Gary Bettman’s tenure.

NHL and NHLPA have finalized tentative agreement on RTP Phase 3/4 protocols but are continuing to work on finalizing the details of the CBA MOU.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 5, 2020

NBCSC’s Charlie Roumeliotis outlined several of the top points in the memo of understanding, which includes how the league will handle players who opt out of the return-to-play playoff tournament:

• Any player that opts out of Phases 3 and 4 will not be penalized in any way, but they must notify their NHL teams in writing three days after the ratification vote is complete.
• There will be a limit of 30 skaters and an unlimited number of goalies in Phase 3, and only players eligible to play in the 2019-20 season resumption are permitted to skate. A maximum of 52 personnel members — a minimum of three coaches and a maximum of 31 players — will be allowed to travel for Phase 4.
• Each of the 24 NHL teams in Phases 3 and 4 must submit its list of participating players by Thursday. Formal training camps are expected to open on Monday, July 13.
• Players must undergo a pre-participate medical exam, and if both the doctor administering the exam and the team’s infectious disease expert determine that a player is at “substantial risk of developing a serious illness,” the player will be deemed unfit to play. The player will, however, be allowed to seek a second opinion.
• If a player who tests positive for COVID-19 or develops symptoms in either Phase 3 or 4, the team is not permitted to share that information with the media or public, absent prior approval from the NHL, in consultation with the NHLPA.
• If an individual leaves the bubble environment in the two respective hub cities without permission, the individual may be subject to consequences up to and including removal. In addition, violations could result in significant financial penalties for the club and/or loss of draft choices, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
• Players’ families will be allowed to join the players for the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final, which will be hosted by Edmonton.

This announcement comes on the heels of more players in Major League Baseball testing positive, including two Chicago White Sox players who tested positive during the initial intake process.

As far as the CBA negotiations are concerned, a huge point of contention is the salary escrow that the players will be subjected to. Friedman also noted that noticeable changes in the new agreement are regarding Olympic participation, strengthening no-movement clauses, 35-plus contract relaxation, and the elimination of conditional draft picks for players re-signing or not re-signing with the target teams.

More news should be released in the coming days.

NHLPA, NHL Reach Tentative Agreement on Return to Play Plan, CBA Extension; Set Dates for Resumption of Play https://t.co/QKnu4L2jWV pic.twitter.com/6ClJWYhQwH

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 6, 2020

The post REPORT: NHL and NHLPA reach tentative agreement on phase 3-4 protocols appeared first on The Rink.

There is no hockey. There are no sports. The news is no fun. We are stuck inside. We need good news and good stories during this Coronavirus pandemic.

The Chicago Blackhawks provided a bit of that good news on Thursday morning, when it was announced that Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews was donating $100,000 to the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund through his foundation.

Some positive news to start your day: Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews donated $100,000 (through his foundation) to the Chicago Community Covid-19 Response Fund.

That money will go to local nonprofits serving the most vulnerable residents in Chicago.

— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) March 26, 2020

Toews is a noted community activist and leader, advocating for healthy lifestyles and practices through his foundation and partnerships. He also made a national appearance on the Today Show, wishing a young Blackhawks fan a happy birthday after missing out on seeing the team play on his birthday.

There are so many health care professionals we love, and we have some #WithYouTODAY messages to share, including one from Sharon. She sent us a shoutout for her sister, who’s a nurse in Illinois. pic.twitter.com/aUeCaojoPK

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) March 26, 2020

Or as Hoda Kotb said, “Jonathan Tayvits.” (It is a hard name, after all.)

Toews’ donation comes on the heels of the Blackhawks’ home arena, the United Center, announcing on Wednesday that the facilities will be used as a logistics hub during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Our arena and outside campus will be transformed into a logistics hub where we will be assisting front line food distribution, first responder staging and the collection of critically needed medical supplies.

For updated info, please visit: https://t.co/zqaVAtWV17 pic.twitter.com/i88Yx34St5

— United Center (@UnitedCenter) March 25, 2020

The NHL season is still in limbo, and the Blackhawks may or may not return to the ice to complete the 2019–20 campaign, but at least in these trying times, players and organizations are coming through for their communities.

Stay home, stay smart, stay well.

The post Jonathan Toews donates to Chicago COVID-19 Response Fund appeared first on The Rink.