Today is a hard one from a hockey standpoint as the Stanley Cup playoffs were scheduled to begin tonight. Would the Florida Panthers have made it in? We’ll never know…
For the first time since halting play close to a month ago, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman raised the possibility yesterday of not completing the postponed regular season in order to have enough time to nhnd out the Lord Stanley’s Cup. Yes, the league is still hoping to get the playoffs in, though they likely won’t begin until late June and could stretch into August and potentially even September, and possibly be played at neutral sites. How that would affect the usual offseason doings (draft, free agency, etc.) and the 2020-21 regular season is still a mystery.
Personally, I think there should be a month break after any potential playoff scenario ends and the 2020-21 regular season should be shortened to something like the 72-game range for the health of the players, but that’s just me.
On the COVID-19 front. a third unnamed player from the Colorado Avalanche has tested positive for virus. This brings the count to eight players, three from the Avs and five from the Ottawa Senators that have been infected with the coronavirus. Best wishes to that player for a speedy recovery.
Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad joined Sportsnet Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman for a live version of #ASK31
Edmonton Oilers forward Colby Cave has been placed in a medically-induced coma after suffering a brain bleed overnight. He is currently in a Toronto hospital at this time. Best wishes to Colby! (The Copper & Blue)
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed undrafted forward Alexander Barabanov to a one-year, entry-level contract. The 25-year-old has been a regular with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL for the last five seasons. (Pension Plan Puppets)
Goaltender David Tendeck has inked a three-tear, entry-level contract with the Arizona Coyotes. The Desert Dogs took Tendeck in the sixth round (158th overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old played for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. (Five For Howling)
The Winnipeg Jets have signed defenseman Dylan Samberg to a three-year, entry-level contract. Winnipeg took Samberg in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2017 draft. He spent three season at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. (Arctic Ice Hockey)