Let's play two more: NHL features an 84-game season for the first time in decades

TRENDINGPackers fall, LaFleur on hot seatLatest NFL updatesMLB playoff scenariosPresidents Cup leaderboardPCA's 40-40 seasonStory byStory byLet's play two more: NHL features an 84-game season for the first time in decadesSTEPHEN WHYNOFri, September 25, 2026 at 4:28 PM UTC·5 min readAbout Our AdsRecommended StoriesWhat to know about the NHL season, with awards, playoffs and Stanley Cup picksThe goaltender who backstopped the U.S. to gold at the Olympics is suspended as he awaits a trade he requested, while a teammate from Milan is in limbo after asking for his own a change of scenery. The absence of Connor Hellebuyck in Winnipeg and the uncertainty surrounding Detroit's Dylan Larkin are among the biggest storylines going into the NHL season, which begins Tuesday when the Carolina Hurricanes raise their Stanley Cup banner before playing the Florida Panthers in a clash of the preseason favorites to win the championship.Associated PressCapitals news: Ovechkin takes big step en route to being ready for opening nightThe Washington Capitals have high hopes heading into the 2026-27 season. They added Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou to the roster, while Alex Ovechkin decided to return for his 22nd NHL season . As the captain prepares for the upcoming campaign, he has been dealing with a lower-body injury. Now, head coach Spencer Carbery is giving an update on the […] The post Capitals news: Ovechkin takes big step en route to being ready for opening night appeared first on ClutchPoints.ClutchPointsCapitals Expect Alex Ovechkin To Be Ready For Season Opener, Captain Won't Appear In Preseason As He Recovers From InjuryARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals got more positive news on the Alex Ovechkin front on Friday, as the captain is expected to be ready for the season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes next week.The Hockey News - Washington CapitalsAdvertisementAdvertisementThe NHL Drama That Has Set Up A Must-Watch Season: Babcock, Tkachuk, Larkin, Hellebuyck And MoreIt was a whirlwind summer around the NHL with trade requests, controversial hirings, and young stars getting paid. Michael Traikos breaks down some of the most intriguing storylines that will follow throughout the 2026-27 season.The Hockey NewsPens Points: Columbus CallingGame three of the Pittsburgh Penguins preseason slate is scheduled for later this evening as they head west to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. This will be the first of two road preseason games, with the second coming on Saturday in the preseason finale. Most importantly, the countdown to the regular season is now […]SB NationReport: NHL Salary Cap Expected To Skyrocket In 2028-29 SeasonThe NHL's salary cap has been on a continuous rise with revenues reaching unprecedented heights, and a new report suggests there's no sign of things slowing down.The Hockey NewsNHL salary cap expected to increase by record amountNHL salary cap could skyrocket to unprecedented levels.The Big LeadNHL Leadership Shift Addresses Canadian Competitive ImbalanceThe league's leadership shift highlights a growing focus on Canada.Front Office SportsPWHL Rumblings: 32-Game Season, Staff Deadline and Team Canada AppointmentsThe PWHL could split into two conferences and play a 32-game season starting in December. Meanwhile, an October 1 deadline for team staff to be in their markets is raising questions, as are Team Canada’s newly announced appointments ahead of November’s World Championship.The Hockey NewsLeonsis sees NHL board role as transitional, supports expansionLeonsis said he and Flames owner Murray Edwards will be tasked with cultivating the board’s next generation of leadership. “I don’t think we’ll be doing this for 20 years,” Leonsis said.Sports Business JournalPenguins depth being put to the test before regular season even beginsThe Pittsburgh Penguins are already going to be without three forwards when the 2026-27 NHL regular season begins.SB NationPenguins cut 12 more playersThe Pens made some more cuts on Thursday, sending down 12 players and formalizing the movement of goalie Taylor Gauthier to AHL Wilkes-Barre after he cleared waivers. WBS has a preseason game on Friday and they needed some more players to help fill out the team, no real surprises in the mix. All the big […]SB NationAuston Matthews Just Gave Maple Leafs Something ExcitingToronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews gave the team and the fanbase something to be really excited about on Wednesday night. The post Auston Matthews Just Gave Maple Leafs Something Exciting appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYThe Unexpected Way Babcock Is Helping McDavid’s Contract DramaTThe Edmonton Oilers’ decision to hire Mike Babcock as head coach may have been about more than just finding someone who knows how to push the right buttons. These days, that’s the dominant narrative in Edmonton — Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and others in the leadership group have been vocal in praising the polarizing bench […] The post The Unexpected Way Babcock Is Helping McDavid’s Contract Drama appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYUndermanned Oilers Outworked A Loaded Canucks Lineup To Stay Perfect In PreseasonEdmonton’s prospects stifled a star-studded Vancouver roster, leveraging high-octane pace and Tristan Jarry’s poise to maintain a flawless exhibition record through sheer defensive grit and relentless pressure.The Hockey News - Edmonton OilersThe Loss Of Adam Sýkora Plus Rangers Preseason NewsExhibition games are like three-dollar bills. Cup champion coach Rod Brind'Amour says they should be abolished and The Maven agrees.The Hockey News - New York RangersPenguins Cut 9 Players From NHL RosterThe Pittsburgh Penguins are a week away from beginning their 2026-27 NHL season. Their first regular season game is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 30 — and it’s a fun in-state showdown for the Penguins, who will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers that night. With that in mind, the Penguins are starting to […] The post Penguins Cut 9 Players From NHL Roster appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYAtlantic Division Preview: Can Tampa’s Core Make One Last Run?Last season, the story in the Atlantic centered on which of the strongest teams would win the division. With five teams in this division making the playoffs, the Atlantic playoff push was one of the most exciting in the league. The Atlantic Division was the most competitive all season long. This year will be no […] The post Atlantic Division Preview: Can Tampa’s Core Make One Last Run? appeared first on The Lead.The LeadPens Points: Blue Jackets top Penguins in penultimate preseason gameHere are your Pens Points for this Friday morning… The Pittsburgh Penguins played the Columbus Blue Jackets in preseason game three of four on Thursday night. Pittsburgh iced what ultimately represented a B-squad and took home a 4-0 loss to the Blue Jackets. The final preseason game is set for Saturday. [Recap] Penguins forward Andrei […]SB NationDylan Larkin Expands Trade List, but Only One Team Makes SenseDetroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin has reportedly expanded his trade list, but only one team might actually care. The post Dylan Larkin Expands Trade List, but Only One Team Makes Sense appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVY