From Jan. 13 through May 8, there are NHL games scheduled every night as part of its truncated 56-game 2020-21 season. Every. Single. Night.
On some nights, there's just one game. If you're itching to watch an NHL game on Jan. 25, for example, your option is the Ottawa Senators at the Vancouver Canucks.
But on Jan. 26? Well, the buffet is open: There 14 games from which to choose, provided you have the ways and means to watch hockey beyond the limited scope of local rights-holder schedules. If that's the case, then you still have to figure out which games are worth your time. Again, there are only 56 of those for each team this season. There's literally no time to waste time on uncompelling hockey.
As a public service, here are the 2020-21 NHL Watchability Rankings, in which we separate the titans from the tedium, the must-sees from the skips, the Avalanche from the Devils.
Each team is rated from 1-to-10 in the following categories:
Star power: The number of outright stars or compelling players on the team.
Secondary plot lines: Outside of "trying to win," what are the other storylines that could make following this team memorable?
Controversy quotient: From trade requests to trash talkers to possible suspensions, what kind of chaos could this team create?
Fun factor: The on-ice entertainment value for a team.
Aesthetics: These teams shouldn't just be fun to watch, they should be pleasing on the eyes, too, including their Reverse Retro jerseys.
The score is tallied into an overall watchability rating.
So which teams are worth your time this season?
Toronto Maple Leafs
Star power: 10
Secondary plot lines: 10
Controversy quotient: 9
Fun factor: 10
Aesthetics: 8
Overall watchability rating: 47
There isn't another team in the NHL that elicits the kind of emotions that the Toronto Maple Leafs do from fans, including their own. They have must-see players: Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares. They have the greatest stakes of any team in the league, trying to win a Stanley Cup for the first time since 1967 with a roster bumping up against the salary-cap ceiling, facing the constant pressure of the market in which they play. And every single Canadian team in their division wants the chance to thump them.
Vegas Golden Knights
Star power: 8
Secondary plot lines: 10
Controversy quotient: 10
Fun factor: 9
Aesthetics: 8
Overall watchability rating: 45
The NHL's highest-rated soap opera. The one with the franchise goalie (Marc-Andre Fleury), whose job was taken by someone acquired at the trade deadline (Robin Lehner), and whose agent released a Photoshopped image of said franchise goalie stabbed in the back with a sword bearing the name of the team's head coach (Pete DeBoer), who used to coach their archrival before replacing their beloved inaugural coach. And that's just one thread! We haven't even touched on the All-Star defenseman (Alex Pietrangelo) whose massive free-agent contract necessitated the trade of two franchise stalwarts (Paul Stastny and Nate Schmidt), in a move approved by a "win at all costs" owner with the patience of a child on a lengthy road trip. Vegas, baby!
Boston Bruins
Star power: 8
Secondary plot lines: 9
Controversy quotient: 10
Fun factor: 7
Aesthetics: 10
Overall watchability rating: 44
With David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and Tuukka Rask, the Bruins don't lack for star power. But we can't ignore the 6-foot-9 elephant that's no longer in the room: Zdeno Chara, who took his talents to Washington instead of being a spare part defenseman for the Bruins this season. His departure, and that of fellow defenseman Torey Krug, adds more uncertainty to a team that was already facing questions about whether its championship window was closing -- and whose melancholy response to its playoff ousting last summer did nothing to defuse that notion. That drama, combined with the unique charms of Marchand and one of the best uniforms in sports, makes them eminently watchable.
Colorado Avalanche
Star power: 9
Secondary plot lines: 9
Controversy quotient: 8
Fun factor: 10
Aesthetics: 9
Overall watchability rating: 44
The Avalanche should have their own national network. That's how much fun they're going to be to watch this season. Nathan MacKinnon might be the best hockey player in the world. Cale Makar is the most exciting defensive youngster since Erik Karlsson. They have players who can score, players who can rough it up and players who can talk -- in Nazem Kadri, they have all three! Their entire season can be boiled down into one concise thesis statement: Is it their time? All that, and the best Reverse Retro jersey of the lot.
Washington Capitals
Star power: 10
Secondary plot lines: 9
Controversy quotient: 9
Fun factor: 9
Aesthetics: 7
Overall watchability rating: 44
As I noted earlier this week, Alex Ovechkin once scored 48 goals in a 56-game stretch. Since this truncated season has cut into his "chasing Wayne Gretzky time," he's got some catching up to do. The Capitals are a truly interesting team, with a new coach in Peter Laviolette and a new Washington monument in Zdeno Chara attempting to snap a recent Stanley Cup winner out of a two-season malaise. While he's been a good boy lately, the potential for Tom Wilson to return to being Tom Wilson keeps the controversy quotient inflated.
New York Rangers
Star power: 8
Secondary plot lines: 9
Controversy quotient: 8
Fun factor: 9
Aesthetics: 8
Overall watchability rating: 42
Artemi Panarin is as must-see as a player gets in the NHL, and it won't be long until we can add first overall pick Alexis Lafreniere to that list. What's amazing is that the NHL's most notable rookie isn't even the most fascinating one on the Rangers: Igor Shesterkin is tasked with trying to replace Henrik Lundqvist in goal, and doesn't Broadway love "understudy forces out the star" drama? If Chris Kreider bowling into a goalie doesn't create controversy, a Tony DeAngelo tweet surely will this season.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Star power: 9
Secondary plot lines: 10
Controversy quotient: 5
Fun factor: 10
Aesthetics: 8
Overall watchability rating: 42
It's not often that a Stanley Cup champion begins the season with palpable adversity, but having Nikita Kucherov on the shelf for the entire regular season is just that. Luckily they're still, you know, the Tampa Bay Lightning. The most must-see team in the Central Division boasts a galaxy of stars worth tuning in to see: Andrei Vasilevskiy, perhaps the league's best goaltender; Victor Hedman, looking to collect another Norris Trophy; Brayden Point, after his playoff breakthrough; and some guy named Steven Stamkos, back from injury and adversity and looking to fill that Kucherov-sized hole on offense.
Vancouver Canucks
Star power: 9
Secondary plot lines: 8
Controversy quotient: 8
Fun factor: 10
Aesthetics: 7
Overall watchability rating: 42
The Canucks were a revelation to many last season, making the postseason cut and then cutting loose in the playoffs with their collection of offensive talents. Elias Pettersson is on the short list of the most must-watch hockey players on the planet. Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser, J.T. Miller and especially Quinn Hughes are right there with them. They're a team of big personalities -- welcome to Vancouver, Nate Schmidt -- and aggressive play. They're also a team that's trying to figure out how to play defense, which is half the fun.
Calgary Flames
Star power: 6
Secondary plot lines: 8
Controversy quotient: 10
Fun factor: 9
Aesthetics: 8
Overall watchability rating: 41
Watchability can be separated into long-term and short-term intrigue. Long term, it'll be fascinating to see if Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan recapture the magic or play their last seasons in Calgary; and to see if Jacob Markstrom gives them a goaltending fix they haven't had since Miikka Kiprusoff retired. Short term, tune into any Flames game and see what Matthew Tkachuk has cooked up for his new Canadian division rival friends. [Insert sinister laugh here]
Edmonton Oilers
Star power: 10
Secondary plot lines: 7
Controversy quotient: 8
Fun factor: 8
Aesthetics: 7
Overall watchability rating: 40
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl at 5-on-5. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid on the power play. Connor McDavid, but also Leon Draisaitl. Leon Draisaitl, and when he's not on the ice, Connor McDavid. What more do you need than two of the NHL's best players, trying once again to drag their team to the promised land? OK, maybe Zack Kassian to needlessly rag doll someone on occasion. That too.
Montreal Canadiens
Star power: 7
Secondary plot lines: 8
Controversy quotient: 9
Fun factor: 8
Aesthetics: 8
Overall watchability rating: 40
The Canadiens are a curious group. It starts with Carey Price and Shea Weber as the pillars of the team. Then you have the veteran holdovers like Tomas Tatar, Jonathan Drouin and Brendan Gallagher -- hence the high-controversy quotient. Then you have the new veterans like Tyler Toffoli and Josh Anderson. Then you have the kids: Jesperi Kotkaniemi and especially Nick Suzuki. Montreal might not be as good as it is on paper, but it's going to be fun to watch.
Philadelphia Flyers
Star power: 7
Secondary plot lines: 9
Controversy quotient: 7
Fun factor: 10
Aesthetics: 7
Overall watchability rating: 40
"Philadelphia Flyers" and "triumph of the human spirit" aren't exactly synonymous, but this is a team that has the inspirational comebacks of Oskar Lindblom and Nolan Patrick on its roster this season. The Flyers have some recognizable names, a potent offense, an exciting young goaltender and a penchant for chaos when playing rivals, whom they'll see with regularity. They're also (still) chasing their first Stanley Cup since 1975. For the record, the 10 is a mandatory fun factor score for any team that claims Gritty as its own.
San Jose Sharks
Star power: 8
Secondary plot lines: 8
Controversy quotient: 8
Fun factor: 7
Aesthetics: 8
Overall watchability rating: 39
I wish I could use the skip ahead feature in the NHL season remote and find out what happens with the Sharks. It's entirely possible that they stink again, that the window to contend is shut and the goaltending is even more porous that it previously was. But it's also possible that they follow the lead of captain Logan Couture, who gave a "why not us?" answer about making the playoffs. If they're healthy -- and that certainly includes Erik Karlsson -- and if last season's poor performances turn into this season's stellar ones ... why not them?
Pittsburgh Penguins
Star power: 10
Secondary plot lines: 8
Controversy quotient: 6
Fun factor: 7
Aesthetics: 7
Overall watchability rating: 38
After failing to get out of the first round in the 2019 playoffs, Sidney Crosby failed to get out of the qualification round in 2020. A surly, uber-focused Sid is the best Sid. Factor in Evgeni Malkin and a top-10 offensive team, and the Penguins continue their decade-long run as one of the NHL's most watchable franchises -- especially with the added drama of their dynastic championship contender status potentially ending, and turning over their goaltending to Tristan Jarry after trading Matt Murray.
St. Louis Blues
Star power: 7
Secondary plot lines: 9
Controversy quotient: 7
Fun factor: 8
Aesthetics: 7
Overall watchability rating: 38
The Blues would have a higher rating here if we knew more about if and when Vladimir Tarasenko is coming back. Because we've watched Vladimir Tarasenko. We've enjoyed Vladimir Tarasenko. And Mike Hoffman, you sir are no Vladimir Tarasenko. The Blues are one of the most interesting teams from a secondary plot line aspect, as they exit the Alex Pietrangelo era, enter the Torey Krug era, try to win a second Stanley Cup in three seasons and hope that Jordan Binnington reverts to form in his walk season.
Buffalo Sabres
Star power: 7
Secondary plot lines: 6
Controversy quotient: 6
Fun factor: 6
Aesthetics: 10
Overall watchability rating: 35
It's the Jack and Taylor show! Mr. Eichel and Mr. Hall will make this Sabres season one to watch, whether or not they develop the chemistry that hockey fans (and Taylor Hall's bank account) hope they can. Otherwise, it's S.O.S. (Same Old Sabres): a streaky conundrum with some intriguing assets (Eric Staal, Rasmus Dahlin), that could be a playoff team if you squint hard enough -- or a last-place team if things go sideways. The controversy quotient is directly related to Jack Eichel's overall happiness in Buffalo and the potential for more ownership meddling. But hey, at least they'll look great, including their Reverse Retro sweaters.
Carolina Hurricanes
Star power: 7
Secondary plot lines: 4
Controversy quotient: 6
Fun factor: 10
Aesthetics: 8
Overall watchability rating: 35
The star power rating for the Hurricanes is a tricky one, because it relies heavily on the continuing ascendance of Andrei Svechnikov as an offensive dynamo. Whether or not that happens, the potential for more lacrosse goals and the goofy celebratory spirit of Carolina hockey -- "Storm Surge" or no "Storm Surge" -- make this one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the Central Division. Coach Rod Brind'amour's candor nearly carries the controversy quotient alone.
Dallas Stars
Star power: 7
Secondary plot lines: 8
Controversy quotient: 5
Fun factor: 8
Aesthetics: 7
Overall watchability rating: 35
The Stars' unexpected roll to the Stanley Cup Final renewed our appreciation for Jamie Benn, made a sensation out of Anton Khudobin and taught us all how to pronounce "Joel Kiviranta." They're a much more appealing team because of it, and the Stanley Cup bridesmaid narrative can be a compelling one. We have to give demerit to the Stars' all-white Reverse Retro threads, whose boldness could not overcome being wholly inferior to the 1999 original, but they earned that merit back with the audacity of their new Monster Energy drink-inspired black jerseys.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Star power: 6
Secondary plot lines: 8
Controversy quotient: 9
Fun factor: 5
Aesthetics: 6
Overall watchability rating: 34
Congrats to center Pierre Luc-Dubois, whose trade request for a "bigger stage" has injected a drama into this season, even if the Blue Jackets have learned to keep such matters out of their dressing room. The Blue Jackets are a feisty bunch, made feistier with the arrival of Max Domi. And coach John Tortorella continues to prove he can make a lot of headlines in the 90 seconds before he storms away from a postgame news conference on Zoom.
Los Angeles Kings
Star power: 7
Secondary plot lines: 5
Controversy quotient: 7
Fun factor: 6
Aesthetics: 8
Overall watchability rating: 33
GM Rob Blake has been hoping to hit that sweet spot between having the next wave of young talent (Alex Turcotte, Quinton Byfield and the deepest farm system in the NHL) hit their stride while his veteran pillars (Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty) still have something left in them. This might not be the season for that, but the Kings should at least be more interesting than last season -- and Doughty's always good for a big hit and bigger taunts. Plus, they have those wicked cool Gretzky-era Reverse Retro jerseys.
Nashville Predators
Star power: 7
Secondary plot lines: 7
Controversy quotient: 5
Fun factor: 6
Aesthetics: 7
Overall watchability rating: 32
When we last saw the Predators, they were being upset by the Coyotes in the qualification round of bubble hockey. This is an odd team. There are compelling players -- Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Matt Duchene -- on a roster that's starting to feel like it's reached its "win or break up" crossroads. They could be a sneaky contender. Failing that, it'll be fascinating to watch Pekka Rinne try to bounce back from his worst season, and hold off a challenge for the crease from Juuse Saros.
Chicago Blackhawks
Star power: 8
Secondary plot lines: 6
Controversy quotient: 4
Fun factor: 6
Aesthetics: 7
Overall watchability rating: 31
The secondary plot lines for the Blackhawks got an unexpected injection of drama when Jonathan Toews announced he was out with a still-mysterious ailment. That's on top of the ongoing mystery of where this team is headed with his core dynasty players like Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith. As evidenced by last postseason, this still can be a fun group when properly motivated, and the sooner Toews and Kirby Dach get back, the more watchable they'll get. The controversy quotient could grow if "the people vs. Jeremy Colliton" or the team's managerial Game of Thrones gets juicier.
Florida Panthers
Star power: 6
Secondary plot lines: 7
Controversy quotient: 4
Fun factor: 6
Aesthetics: 7
Overall watchability rating: 30
Will it be compelling to watch Sergei Bobrovsky, who will make $12 million this season, try to mend his reputation as an elite goalie? Perhaps, but the most interesting thing about these Panthers is that it's Year 2 of Joel Quenneville and Year 1 of new GM Bill Zito, both trying to change the way this team competes. To that end: BAH GAWD, that's Patric Hornqvist's music!
Ottawa Senators
Star power: 5
Secondary plot lines: 5
Controversy quotient: 5
Fun factor: 6
Aesthetics: 7
Overall watchability rating: 28
The Senators are your proverbial "not all that good but tough to play against" cellar dweller, and that's fine. The future is not now. But they will have some players to watch in Brady Tkachuk, who actually averages more penalty minutes than his brother Matthew; Evgenii Dadonov, the former Panthers scoring dynamo who surprised many by signing in Ottawa; and rookie Tim Stuetzle, the No. 3 overall pick who honed his skills as a pro in Germany.
Winnipeg Jets
Star power: 5
Secondary plot lines: 6
Controversy quotient: 4
Fun factor: 6
Aesthetics: 7
Overall watchability rating: 28
The biggest intrigue about the Jets this season is when, how and why Patrik Laine might be traded. Maybe not the greatest hook for watchability, but hey, if you're into goalies, they also have a Vezina Trophy winner in Connor Hellebuyck. (And we're on the record as digging their Reverse Retro jerseys.)
Minnesota Wild
Star power: 5
Secondary plot lines: 5
Controversy quotient: 3
Fun factor: 6
Aesthetics: 8
Overall watchability rating: 27
Two words, folks: Kirill Kaprizov. The 23-year-old finally makes the leap from the KHL to the Twin Cities, and would be worth watching a few Wild games on his own. But they you also get to watch the burgeoning offensive stardom of Kevin Fiala as a bonus. Look, it's the Wild. Still Zach Parise. Still Ryan Suter. Still the team that's always sort of there, even when it's supposed to be bad. You watch them because they're playing your team. But if Kaprizov is as good as advertised, you might not mind it as much.
Arizona Coyotes
Star power: 4
Secondary plot lines: 6
Controversy quotient: 3
Fun factor: 4
Aesthetics: 9
Overall watchability rating: 26
It breaks our hearts not to reward a team that contains our dear Phil Kessel, or what's left of him. But after dabbling in the superstar rental game with Taylor Hall, the Coyotes are back to being a mostly anonymous group of competitive players, skating in front of one of the league's top goaltenders in Darcy Kuemper. Two points of intrigue this season: Whether Oliver Ekman-Larsson decides to expand the scope of teams to whom he's willing to be traded; and, of course, whenever they break out the psychedelic Reverse Retro "peyote" jerseys.
New York Islanders
Star power: 6
Secondary plot lines: 5
Controversy quotient: 7
Fun factor: 1
Aesthetics: 7
Overall watchability rating: 26
Look, Islanders fans, we've heard it all before. Coach Barry Trotz's chosen style of play is fun for you, because it's a winning style, and forget the haters and blah blah blah. But this team played anti-hockey in the playoffs. They're the NyQuil of NHL teams, stylistically. If you're searching for reasons to watch the Islanders, they are: Mathew Barzal's wizardry, the intrigue of rookie goalie Ilya Sorokin and the occasional fireworks from their wrecking ball of a checking line. They earn a slight iconoclastic bonus on aesthetics, because the team's Reverse Retro jersey is ... basically just their regular jersey.
New Jersey Devils
Star power: 5
Secondary plot lines: 3
Controversy quotient: 2
Fun factor: 6
Aesthetics: 7
Overall watchability rating: 23
It's hard to conceive that a team with P.K. Subban on it would rank so low in star power and controversy, but such has been the P.K.-in-N.J. era. The Devils have some exciting young players, but the fun factor is entirely dependent on Jack Hughes turning his offseason training and rookie season lumps into a strong Year 2. Alas, there's not much drama or controversy inherent in a rebuilding team, hence the low ranking.
Anaheim Ducks
Star power: 4
Secondary plot lines: 4
Controversy quotient: 3
Fun factor: 3
Aesthetics: 7
Overall watchability rating: 21
The star-power factor is a tough one for the Ducks, because you could argue it clicks up a number or two if Trevor Zegras (a) plays a lot and (b) plays a lot like he did in World Juniors, where the 19-year-old forward has one of the most dominating offensive runs in the tournament's history with 18 points in seven games. Otherwise, this is a mishmash of familiar names (Ryan Getzlaf, in his walk year), younger players they're hoping can blossom, and netminder John Gibson, trying to reclaim his spot among the NHL's top goalies. The most memorable thing about Anaheim this season will be when it rocks the Wild Wing jerseys, for better or worse.
Detroit Red Wings
Star power: 2
Secondary plot lines: 4
Controversy quotient: 2
Fun factor: 4
Aesthetics: 8
Overall watchability rating: 20
The Red Wings' rebuild will continue as morale improves. Due respect to Dylan Larkin, but this remains a franchise in search of a focal point player. Are we interested in seeing how Filip Zadina develops and how Bobby Ryan continues on his journey? Sure. Are we interested in seeing the Red Wings on most nights of a truncated season? No. Great jerseys, though.
Winners and losers of the week
Winner: USA Hockey
I've watched my share of USA vs. Canada men's hockey battles on the international stage. For years, the American game plan seemed like it was less about beating Canada than preventing Canada from winning. That psychological approach shaped the roster and the style with which the Americans played. The most egregious example of this was the Sochi Olympics, when Team USA rolled through opponents before trying to beat Canada 1-0. It failed, spectacularly.
The Americans took the fight to the Canadians in their World Junior Championship victory this week. It was jarring, and the antithesis of that previous approach. It was the confidence that Team USA could go toe-to-toe, shot-for-shot with what was considered to be the most talented team in the tournament. Because after decades of geographic expansion and a deepening talent pool, the Americans had the roster to do so. It made me salivate thinking about the 2022 Winter Games, and that next best shot at taking down Canada for Olympic gold, and doing so with Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel aiding Team USA's unprecedented depth at center, which has been Canada's calling card for 30 years. Bring it, poutine heads.
Loser: Canada
They hadn't trailed once in the entire tournament, got punched in the mouth by Team USA and then staggered around for three periods looking for the throne they had been resting on. I would bathe in post-defeat think pieces were it possible.
Winner: Swagger
BIG TALK from Zegras 🗣 pic.twitter.com/RyI7cveQNY
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 6, 2021
Hockey has become so petrified by bulletin board material that no one ever says anything interesting. No one except Team USA's Trevor Zegras, who spat fire about Team Canada before their gold medal game: "I honestly don't think this goalie has been tested 5-on-5 yet, and I think that's something that we're going to prove today and hopefully we get a couple by him. I honestly don't think they've been tested with a real team yet. And I think we're kind of going on all cylinders right now. And I think we're going to catch them by surprise."
This has been a reading from the prophet Trevor...
Loser: Garbage can gate
USA posing for team picture with what appears to be a trash can with a Canada logo on it. pic.twitter.com/YuGdxTGBBt
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) January 6, 2021
For a brief moment, Team USA was pilloried on social media for allegedly rolling out a trash can with a Canadian logo on it and then posing for their team championship photo next to it. Which, if we're being honest, would have been incredible.
Alas, it was actually a barrel. The U.S. team's motto was "one barrel at a time," borrowed from a parable about crossing the Sahara desert. Whoops.
Winner: NHL revenues
If you're someone that's upset about the NHL selling the naming rights to their four made-up divisions in a 56-game season, please know this: The league and its teams are bleeding millions of dollars while trying to play games during a pandemic. If someone's job gets saved because we have to deal with the MassMutual NHL® East Division for one season, so be it.
Loser: NHL play-by-play announcers
"And with that, our matchup is set: It's the MassMutual NHL® East Division champion Boston Bruins against the Discover NHL® Central Division champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the Waste Management NHL® Championship Semifinal, playing for the right to compete in the New Amsterdam Vodka Stanley Cup Final, powered by Bridgestone."
Winner: New York Rangers
Good stuff from the @NYRangers: In support of NWHL Connecticut Whale and Metropolitan Riveters, NYR arranged to have their roster among the "fan faces" in Lake Placid arena bubble "crowd" when those teams play. pic.twitter.com/wB2wdJxbON
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) January 5, 2021
Kudos to the New York Rangers for supporting the NWHL Connecticut Whale and Metropolitan Riveters in their Lake Placid "bubble," having cutouts of their entire roster in the stands for home games.
Loser: Columbus Blue Jackets
The rumors were true and Pierre-Luc Dubois, the team's franchise center, wants out to reportedly play on a "bigger stage." After a similar situation with Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky, this is the kind of thing that'll give a franchise a complex.
Winner: Connor McDavid
The Edmonton Oilers center won the coveted top spot in our NHL Rank top 100 list for the 2020-21 season. As he did in 2019 as well. As he'll probably do in 2021-22 as well. Such is Connor.
Loser: Erik Karlsson
What a difference an injury-plagued non-playoff year makes. The San Jose Sharks defenseman went from eighth overall in our 2019-20 NHL Rank all the way down to 46th in this year's ranking. Woof.
Puck headlines
The top five worst jersey designs of 2020. That's a bit harsh about the Kings' outdoor game sweaters.
Getting used to hockey in a pandemic, a.k.a. masks on ice.
The referees and linesmen for the 2020-21 season. Referee Dan O'Halloran has hung up the skates, but Tim Peel is back baby!
The Golden Knights talk about a weird NHL season. "It's going to be weird that way, but it's almost going to be like a playoff mini-series," said defenseman Brayden McNabb. "Things could get pretty heated, so it's going to be fun hockey to play and watch."
"They had to call an ambulance. At that point, my mind is spinning." Tuukka Rask on leaving the Boston Bruins in the bubble to return home.
Reimagining jerseys for all NHL teams. The Florida Panthers one might be incredible?
Down Goes Brown with the 22 most intriguing names in the NHL this season. Somehow Urho Vaakanainen didn't make the cut.
In case you missed it from your friends at ESPN