NHL & OLYMPICS NEWS & NOTES

What The Puck?!

Written by Chase Howard

1st Branch

The NHL has announced new Covid prevention rules to mitigate the risks of teams and their personnel inside the arena. New rules include protocols such as the removal of the partition behind the bench, physical distancing in locker rooms, and a limitation on time at the arena (sorry, rink rats). The NHL is even investigating putting air purifiers on or around benches, so props to the league for remaining proactive regarding Covid safety and prevention.

Edmonton Oilers makes the save during the third period NHL game in Edmonton last January 28, 202 1; Source: Global News | Photo From The Canadian Press/Jason Franson

2nd Branch

This week, St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong was appointed man in charge of the 2022 Canadian Olympic hockey team (we're going to have Olympics, right?). He seems to be at the head of a highly competent staff headlined by Ken Holland - Oilers Gm, Seattle Kraken (still awesome) - GM Ron Francis, and Florida Panthers adviser Roberto Luongo, who will be an assistant GM. Armstrong was quick to say the team will prioritize speed and skill, focusing on serving a mix of experience and youth.

I'm very curious to see who will be coaching this squad. A few names that come to mind are Barry Trotz, Jon Cooper, and Craig Berube, while previous bench boss Mike Babcock will not be involved in the selection process.

I'm excited to see this team and those of other great hockey nations take shape. Keep an eye out for future articles regarding Olympic Hockey!

3rd Branch

Once again, this week contained exciting news on the trade front. First, let's check in on our old friends Patrick Laine and Jack Roslovic, who scored their first goals for Columbus this week. Meanwhile, Pierre-Luc Dubois is lost in translation and still in lockdown in Tokyo, Winnipeg. This whole process has seemed a bit odd; Roslovic didn't have to wait at all, already playing multiple games for the Blue Jackets. Laine got a visa and quarantine done faster than Doc Brown in an 88 MPH Delorean could, yet Dubois is stuck in quarantine all week. I know it's a strange season, but this brings up important questions, most notably will this affect cross border trading this season? It seems likely as it's doubtful the differences in government regulations can be affected by the league. Furthermore, with an April 12th trade-deadline and what projects to be a mid-May conclusion to the regular season (pending postponements), any player traded across the border may see a significant portion of action with their new time nullified due to COVID protocols. As of now, a player in PLD's situation might be in line to miss upwards of HALF of his new team's games.

Sam Bennett has asked for a trade straight outta Calgary and reportedly didn't at the very same time. His agent made the request public, and the team was reportedly unaware and unbothered by this information. Now Bennett is a healthy scratch and skating with the taxi squad, so a trade seems like the next logical step, with teams such as the Leafs, Oilers, or Rangers as possible suitors. Speaking of the Rangers, that could really work as Tony Deangelo has reportedly played his last game for the franchise after another altercation, this time with teammate Alexander Georgiev. The Rangers need offensive depth, and the Flames could use a young offensive defenseman for their power play.

Quick Hits

• Mitch Marner put three more points on the board Thursday night in the Leafs 7-3 victory (shout out Jason Spezza for scoring a hat-trick). Marner now has 17 points, five more than the next Leaf, and good for third in the league. Is he the straw that stirs the drink in Toronto?

• Conner McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, oh my, do these guys even know what era they're in? McDavid is leading the league in assists and points, while Draisaitl is second in those categories and pocketed six assists in a single game this week.

• Congrats to defenseman Shea Weber on his silver stick (1000 career games). I wanted to take a moment to appreciate a guy who hockey fans should know. Whether for big plays, booming shots, or buckling opposing players, let's all put our hands together for a perennial Norris contender.

• The Great 8 Alexander Ovechkin moved up to 7th all-time on the NHL scoring list with 709 ginos, passing Mike Gartner. He needs eight more to surpass Phil Esposito and 22 to pass Marcel Dionner. Can he crack the top five this season?