Russia edges out USA to conclude Day 1 of world juniors

Russia defeated the United States 5-3 to conclude the opening day of this year's preliminary round at the world juniors.

The Russians got off to a hot start, dominating the Americans early on before Vasili Ponomaryov netted the first goal. Soon after, U.S. captain Cam York flicked a shot through traffic from the point that trickled past netminder Yaroslav Askarov to tie things up before the intermission.

However, things got out of hand for the Americans in the second frame. Zakhar Bardakov netted a goal on a breakaway just under four minutes into the period. Then, Ponomaryov picked up defenseman Jake Sanderson's errant pass into the slot and sniped his second goal of the game to take a 3-1 lead.

Minutes later, U.S. goaltender Spencer Knight allowed his fourth goal on 12 shots after misplaying the puck. As a result, Dustin Wolf replaced Knight.

The U.S showed some fight in the third, dominating possession and peppering the Russians with shots. John Farinacci cut the deficit to 4-2 midway through the final frame before Trevor Zegras brought the Americans within a goal with just over two minutes remaining. However, it proved to be too little too late, as Russia scored an empty-netter and held on for the win.

Wolf stopped all 11 shots he faced after relieving Knight in the second period. York was named the player of the game for the American side while Ponomaryov earned the honor for Russia.

The U.S. will next take on Austria at 9:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The Russians will face the Czech Republic at 9:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.

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5 storylines to watch entering the 2021 world juniors

The 2021 World Junior Championship is finally upon us. The tournament is taking place under unique circumstances but will surely be can't-miss TV once the puck is dropped.

Team Canada captured gold at the 2020 world juniors, defeating Russia 4-3 in a thrilling final. Which nation will climb to the top of the podium in 2021?

Here are five key storylines to watch for heading into this year's annual holiday event.

Navigating the pandemic

Jeff Vinnick / Getty Images Sport / Getty

We can't ignore the obvious. This year's pandemic-altered tournament is going to be different in various ways, and everyone involved must do their best to ensure the event can be completed with integrity.

With the added layer of COVID-19 protocols, things can change in an instant, as Germany quickly learned one week ago. Eight players on the German roster tested positive upon arriving in the Edmonton bubble, so the team had to quarantine until Thursday and forgo their tuneup games. With the tournament being played over a short period of time, a positive test would spell the end of the event for a player and potentially for the entire team.

However, the Edmonton bubble worked seamlessly during the NHL playoffs, as no positive tests were returned. As was the case then, players at the world juniors will receive daily testing and be subject to several other protective measures in an attempt to prevent exposure.

Another effect of the pandemic will be the lack of fans in attendance. The world juniors - especially in Canada - usually draw electric crowds to create some of the most intense environments in all of sports.

NHL's delay brings increased talent pool

Chris Tanouye / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Two favorable quirks resulting from the pandemic are the expanded rosters and the volume of star talent that would otherwise be playing in the NHL during the tournament.

Unfortunately for Team Canada, captain Kirby Dach is reportedly out for the tournament after suffering an injury during exhibition play. Dylan Cozens and No. 2 pick Quinton Byfield, however, are two other premier talents who are available for Canada due to the NHL delay. For Team USA, Cole Caufield, Trevor Zegras, and several other former lottery picks would've had a strong chance to crack their respective NHL clubs.

Perhaps the biggest win for world junior fans will be the chance to watch 2020 No. 3 selection Tim Stuetzle suit up for Germany. The Senators' blue-chip prospect recorded five points in five games at least year's event and likely wouldn't have returned had the NHL season begun in the fall.

Sweden's remarkable unbeaten streak in jeopardy

Peter Kovalev / TASS / Getty

Dec. 31, 2006 - that's the last time Sweden dropped a game during the preliminary round, losing in overtime to Team USA. Tre Kronor have won a remarkable 51 consecutive round-robin contests, but that world junior record could be at risk this year after the team suffered a few key last-minute setbacks.

Four Swedish players - including a trio of NHL prospects in William Wallinder, Karl Henriksson, and Albin Grewe - along with head coach Tomas Monten were deemed ineligible to participate last week after returning positive COVID-19 tests. Sweden also faces a tough schedule with matchups against the Czech Republic, Austria, Russia, and the United States.

The nation's round-robin dominance hasn't quite translated to the medal rounds. Sweden has just one gold medal (2012) since the streak began and has lost in the championship game five times.

3 nations look to continue domination

Peter Kovalev / TASS / Getty

For the last several decades, the big five at the world juniors has included Canada, Team USA, Russia, Sweden, and Finland, but only three have experienced sustained success in recent years. Either the Canadians, Americans, or Finns have won the last eight tournaments and 15 of the last 17, largely thanks to Canada's five straight golds in the second half of the 2000s.

Russia and Sweden have each enjoyed a ton of success during the preliminary stage, but neither has been able to get it done when the lights shine brightest. The nations have combined for six silver medals and five bronzes since the last time either won gold (Sweden, 2012). Russia, which has finished on the podium on all but two occasions since 2005, has just one championship (2011) over that span.

Goaltenders poised to put on clinics

VESA MOILANEN / AFP / Getty

The world juniors typically present a strong crop of young netminders, but this year's group is elite.

Yaroslav Askarov became Russia's highest-drafted netminder ever when the Nashville Predators selected him 11th overall in October, and he's good enough to single-handedly lift the country to the top of the podium. The 18-year-old phenom owns a .962 save percentage and has allowed just six goals through seven games with the KHL's SKA Saint Petersburg. He'll be aiming to bounce back after his shaky world juniors debut in 2020.

Team USA's tandem of Spencer Knight and Dustin Wolf may be the best one-two punch the program has ever had. Knight is one of just three netminders (with Askarov) to be selected with a top-15 pick in the last 10 years. The Florida Panthers prospect owned a .931 save percentage through 33 games in his freshman season at Boston College, while Wolf was named CHL goaltender of the year for his phenomenal 2019-20 campaign with the WHL's Everett Silvertips.

Finland's Joel Blomqvist has also shown boatloads of promise during his young career overseas. The Pittsburgh Penguins' 2020 second-rounder is incredibly athletic and impressed during a pair of starts this season in Finland's top league.

Swedish youngster Jesper Wallstedt is unlikely to start but is currently the top-ranked goaltending prospect for the 2021 NHL Draft and could be Sweden's next big netminder on the international stage. The starting role will likely be Hugo Alnefelt's to lose, however. The Tampa Bay Lightning prospect was one of the top puck-stoppers at last year's world juniors, posting a .924 save percentage and 2.12 goals-against average over six starts.

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World junior roster breakdown: Team USA

Team USA is well-equipped to get back on the podium at the world juniors after a disappointing sixth-place finish in 2020. With eight players returning to seek redemption, the club is loaded with budding talent and one of the most experienced groups the Americans have ever iced.

The roster features nine first-round selections - including seven lottery picks -and players from 14 different states. The lineup is balanced and highlighted by elite talent up front, on the blue line, and between the pipes.

The Americans medaled six times last decade, with the latest of their two golds coming on Canadian ice in 2017. Team USA will look to repeat that success in Edmonton to capture its fourth title at the world juniors.

Forwards

Juan Ocampo / National Hockey League / Getty
Player Position Age NHL rights
Matthew Beniers C 18 2021 eligible
Brett Berard LW 18 No. 134 in 2020 (NYR)
Matthew Boldy LW 19 No. 12 in 2019 (MIN)
Bobby Brink* RW 19 No. 34 in 2019 (PHI)
Brendan Brisson C 19 No. 29 in 2020 (VGK)
Cole Caufield* RW 19 No. 15 in 2019 (MTL)
Sam Colangelo RW/C 18 No. 36 in 2020 (ANA)
John Farinacci C 19 No. 76 in 2019 (ARI)
Arthur Kaliyev* LW 19 No. 33 in 2019 (LA)
Patrick Moynihan C 19 No. 158 in 2019 (NJ)
Landon Slaggert C 18 No. 79 in 2020 (CHI)
Alex Turcotte* C 19 No. 5 in 2019 (LA)
Trevor Zegras* C 19 No. 9 in 2019 (ANA)

*Denotes returning player
All ages are as of the start of the tournament

Top talents

Turcotte and Caufield are two of five returning forwards and will play key roles. The pair will look to bring their chemistry back to the international stage after spending the 2019-20 campaign as freshmen with Wisconsin. Caufield put his elite scoring ability on display during his first NCAA season, registering a point per game with 19 goals in 36 outings, while Turcotte impressed with 26 points in 29 contests.

Zegras, who led Team USA in scoring with nine points (all assists) in 2020, hasn't played a ton of hockey as of late after forgoing his sophomore year at Boston University to sign with the Anaheim Ducks last spring. The crafty pivot has elite vision and is arguably the team's best playmaker. Zegras put his talents on full display with an incredible helper against the Czech Republic in 2020:

Boldy, who failed to make the squad last year after a slow start to his freshman season with Boston College, could also make a serious impact. The 6-foot-2 winger posted 24 points in his final 20 games in 2019-20 and carried that momentum into his sophomore campaign, amassing three goals and eight points in four outings.

X-factors

Kaliyev has established himself as a bona fide goal-scorer throughout his career in junior, and his game-breaking ability could make a significant impact for the Americans at any moment. The 6-foot-2 sniper was on pace to hit the 50-goal mark for the second straight campaign with the OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs and has lit the lamp 126 times in 192 games during three seasons with the club.

He led Team USA with four goals through fives games at last year's world juniors and will be relied upon to carry much of the scoring load with Nick Robertson out of the picture. He flanked the wing alongside Zegras last year - who picked up a helper on all of Kaliyev's tallies - and the dynamic duo will likely make up two-thirds of the Americans' top line this holiday season.

Brink, an undersized but talented winger, could also prove to be a difference-maker. His advanced vision and playmaking ability make those around him better, and he'll likely be surrounded by elite talent while playing in the team's top six.

Another under-the-radar player is Beniers, who's the youngest on the team and is pegged to be a lottery pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. He'll likely slot in further down the lineup, but he played both special teams as a freshman with Boston University and could be called upon in either of those situations. He's also the only yet-to-be-drafted player on the team, so the chance to boost his draft stock should serve as extra motivation.

Biggest strength/weakness

Team USA is loaded with firepower up front. The roster has a solid combination of playmakers and finishers, and it shouldn't have any problems finding the back of the net. It's an experienced group that will rely on a handful of elite second-year forwards to lead the way.

The only weakness with this unit is its size. Kaliyev, Boldy, and Colangelo are the team's biggest forwards at 6-foot-2, while six of the 13 are under 6-foot. The larger ice could allow the undersized Americans to benefit against inferior opponents, but their lack of bulk could be an issue when they match up with the likes of Russia or Canada later on in the tournament.

Defense

Dave Reginek / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Player Position Age Team
Brock Faber RD 18 No. 45 in 2020 (LA)
Drew Helleson RD 19 No. 47 in 2019 (COL)
Ryan Johnson LD 18 No. 31 in 2019 (BUF)
Tyler Kleven LD 18 No. 44 in 2020 (OTT)
Jackson Lacombe LD 19 No. 39 in 2019 (ANA
Jake Sanderson LD 18 No. 5 in 2020 (OTT)
Hunter Skinner RD 19 No. 112 in 2019 (NYR)
Henry Thrun LD 19 No. 101 in 2019 (ANA)
Cam York* LD 19 No. 14 in 2019 (PHI)

*Denotes returning player
All ages are as of the start of the tournament

Top talents

York is the lone returning defenseman and may also be the club's most important. The Michigan product has five points in eight games during his sophomore year and is an elite skater who can be relied upon in all three zones. York's ability to read the play and join the rush when appropriate - as he does in the clip below - should only be enhanced by the larger ice.

Sanderson was the highest-selected defenseman at the 2020 draft, and the fifth overall pick has the potential to make a serious impact for Team USA. The 6-foot-2 blue-liner is still developing his offensive game, but his decision-making is advanced and his defensive side is as sound as it comes for a player his age. Look for Sanderson to eat some big minutes as the tournament goes on, especially when the Americans match up against one of the other top nations.

X-factors

Kleven was a late addition to the roster after a trio of players - including 6-foot-6 defenseman Alex Vlasic - were deemed unavailable to participate. Vlasic would have been one of the most physically imposing players in the tournament, and at 6-foot-4, Kleven will play a key role in replacing that lost grit and size on the back end. The North Dakota freshman likely won't make an impact offensively, but his shutdown ability could prove vital during the deeper stages of the tournament.

Johnson is another intriguing player whose name doesn't necessarily jump off the paper. The California native is a strong puck-carrier who's capable of moving the play efficiently, and he'll allow the Americans' loaded forward group to go to work. Johnson's tallied four assists through six games with Minnesota this season and will look to carry his strong play to Edmonton.

Biggest strength/weakness

The defense certainly isn't flashy, but it shouldn't be overlooked. Team USA's blue line has a ton of strength and size; six of the club's nine rearguards are 6-foot-2 or taller. They all patrol the ice relatively well, too, and opposing teams may have a difficult time establishing extended periods of possession in the offensive zone.

As steady as the blue line is, it's rather inexperienced at the international level. Eight of the nine are playing in their first world juniors and some of their opponents will offer the stiffest competition they've ever faced. Team USA's defense isn't all that dynamic, either. Outside of York and Sanderson, there aren't a ton of players who can be effective in multiple roles or situations.

Goaltenders

Richard T Gagnon / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Player Age Team
Spencer Knight* 19 No. 13 in 2019 (FLA)
Logan Stein 19 Undrafted
Dustin Wolf* 19 No. 214 in 2019 (CGY)

*Denotes returning player
All ages are as of the start of the tournament

As potent as the Americans' top offensive talent is, the club's biggest strength may be between the pipes. Both Knight and Wolf played on the club in 2019 and the undrafted Stein has an extra something to prove.

Knight, who's just one of three goaltenders to be selected with a top-15 pick over the last decade, is making a rare third appearance at the world juniors and is elite enough to steal the tournament on his own. The 6-foot-3 puck-stopper followed up his All-Star rookie season at Boston College with a sensational start to his sophomore campaign. Knight owns a .955 save percentage and has recorded a pair of shutouts through four games.

Wolf will likely serve as the backup, but he could be the starter on most teams. The California native was named CHL goaltender of the year in 2019-20 after authoring a 34-10-2 record with a .935 save percentage and 1.88 goals-against average for the Western Hockey League's Everett Silvertips.

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World junior roster breakdown: Team Canada

Canada enters the 2021 world juniors in Edmonton as the defending champion and favorite to claim gold again. It brings back six members from last year's championship outfit and features a remarkable 20 first-round picks.

The Canadians have medalled 11 of 12 times when hosting the event, including six golds. The only time they failed to secure a spot on the podium was in 2019.

Below, we break down each position for a Canadian team looking to claim the country's 19th gold medal at the event.

Forwards

Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Player Age NHL draft
Connor Zary 19 No. 24 in 2020 (CGY)
Dylan Holloway 19 No. 14 in 2020 (EDM)
Cole Perfetti 18 No. 10 in 2020 (WPG)
Jakob Pelletier 19 No. 26 in 2019 (CGY)
Alex Newhook 19 No. 16 in 2019 (COL)
Ryan Suzuki 19 No. 28 in 2019 (CAR)
Connor McMichael* 19 No. 25 in 2019 (WSH)
Peyton Krebs 19 No. 17 in 2019 (VGK)
Quinton Byfield* 18 No. 2 in 2020 (LA)
Dawson Mercer* 19 No. 18 in 2020 (NJ)
Dylan Cozens* 19 No. 7 in 2019 (BUF)
Philip Tomasino 19 No. 24 in 2019 (NSH)
Jack Quinn 19 No. 8 in 2020 (BUF)

*Denotes returning player
All ages are as of the start of the tournament

Top talents

Canada's forward corps consists solely of first-round picks, all of whom are high-end NHL prospects. But a couple stand above the rest.

After earning a limited role as a 17-year-old last tournament, all eyes will be on an older, stronger Byfield. This year's No. 2 overall pick is set to be heavily featured in Canada's attack and has a great chance to show the world what he can do while gaining some confidence and momentum before diving into his debut NHL campaign.

X-factors

Zary is a talented scoring forward whom many felt slid too far to the Calgary Flames in the draft. The Kamloops Blazers product put up 86 points in 57 WHL games last season and projects to play on a line with Byfield. Zary is primed to establish a bigger name for himself on a grand stage.

Another player who brings an important skill set to Canada's potential success is Quinn. He's a pure goal-scorer - he netted a whopping 52 tallies in 62 games in the OHL in 2019-20 - who can make a significant impact with his shot at even strength and on the power play. Canada has an embarrassment of riches up front but every team needs a finisher. Quinn could very well be that guy.

Biggest strength/weakness

The unmatchable depth of Canada's forward group is its greatest strength. Andre Tourigny's attack can roll four speedy, skilled lines capable of filling the net and dominating puck possession. It's nearly impossible to identify any weaknesses within this group.

Defense

Chris Tanouye / Getty Images
Player Age NHL rights
Braden Schneider 19 No. 19 in 2020 (NYR)
Kaedan Korczak 19 No. 41 in 2019 (VGK)
Bowen Byram* 19 No. 4 in 2019 (COL)
Thomas Harley 19 No. 18 in 2019 (DAL)
Jamie Drysdale* 18 No. 6 in 2020 (ANA)
Jordan Spence 19 No. 95 in 2019 (LA)
Kaiden Guhle 18 No. 16 in 2020 (MTL)
Justin Barron 19 No. 25 in 2020 (COL)

Top talents

Canada has a pair of dynamic, mobile, high-profile blue-liners in Byram and Drysdale. The duo has been paired together in practice, and both players should be able to establish their dominance by pushing the pace offensively with strong first passes. Each is capable of quarterbacking the power play, too, and likely to shine even brighter with another year of experience under their belts.

X-factors

Harley is much less talked about compared to Byram and Drysdale, but he's a player of a similar ilk who can make a considerable difference in any given game. He missed out on the team last year but didn't let the setback slow down his development, posting 57 points in 59 games with OHL Mississauga before being called up to the Dallas Stars for the NHL's return to play. He appeared in only one game, but that's valuable experience for a player set to compete against peers his own age.

Biggest strength/weakness

Much like the forward group, the blue line is a star-studded unit. The players assigned with big minutes should be up to the task and feature a combination of size, mobility, and game-breaking talents.

If there is one negative about Canada's back end, it's that the group features five right shots and three left shots. That could create some imbalance if Canada runs into injury trouble, but it hardly seems like a real disadvantage for a club poised to challenge for gold.

Goalies

Marissa Baecker / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Player Age NHL rights
Dylan Garand 18 No. 103 in 2020 (NYR)
Devon Levi 18 No. 212 in 2020 (FLA)
Taylor Gauthier 19 2021 eligible

If Canada's roster has a weakness, it's between the pipes. None of the three goaltenders are highly touted prospects, but one of them will need to rise to the occasion in a pressure-packed environment. Gauthier, who posted a .917 save percentage in 50 games with WHL Prince George last season, appears to have earned the starting job to open the tournament.

On the bright side, it's unlikely any of them will have to steal games. Canada's skaters are so strong that its goalies will just need to come up with timely saves for the club to find success.

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Blue Jackets sign Del Zotto to PTO

The Columbus Blue Jackets inked veteran defenseman Michael Del Zotto to a professional tryout contract, the club announced Friday.

Del Zotto, who was an unrestricted free agent, produced 15 points in 49 games with the Anaheim Ducks last season.

The 30-year-old split the 2018-19 campaign between the Vancouver Canucks, the Ducks, and the St. Louis Blues. Anaheim traded him to St. Louis at that trade deadline before re-signing him in July 2019.

Del Zotto has also suited up for the Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, and New York Rangers during his 11-year career.

The Ontario-born rearguard has collected 236 points in 657 games.

The Rangers selected him 20th overall in 2008.

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Canadian Gold: Remembering the 2020 World Junior Championship

In the lead-up to the 2021 World Junior Championship, we're taking a look back at each of the 18 Canadian teams to capture the gold medal, culminating Dec. 25 with the start of the latest edition of the tournament.

After failing to medal on home soil in 2019 for the first time ever, Canada traveled to the Czech Republic in search of redemption at the 2020 world juniors. The group faced a difficult schedule and a roller coaster road to the gold but clinched its 18th championship at the event with a finale that became an instant classic.

The roster

Player Position Age
Akil Thomas F 19
Joe Veleno* F 19
Liam Foudy F 19
Barrett Hayton* F 19
Aidan Dudas F 19
Ty Dellandrea F 19
Raphael Lavoie F 19
Nolan Foote F 19
Connor McMichael F 18
Dylan Cozens F 18
Alexis Lafreniere* F 18
Dawson Mercer F 18
Quinton Byfield F 17
Ty Smith* D 19
Jared McIsaac* D 19
Calen Addison D 19
Kevin Bahl D 19
Jacob Bernard-Docker D 19
Bowen Byram D 18
Jamie Drysdale D 17
Nico Daws G 19
Joel Hofer G 19

*Denotes returning player
All ages are as of the start of the tournament

The tournament

Peter Kovalev / TASS / Getty

Due to Canada's struggles the year before, the 2020 outfit ended up in a difficult group that included rivals USA and Russia, which made up the first two games of the schedule.

Canada topped the United States in a 6-4 thriller, but disaster struck in a 6-0 defeat to Russia that saw Lafreniere - the Canadians' top offensive threat and No. 1 2020 draft-eligible prospect in the tournament - suffer an awkward-looking knee injury.

Lafreniere missed round-robin tilts against Germany and the Czech Republic, which Canada won 4-1 and 7-2, respectively, and returned for a 6-1 quarterfinal blowout versus Slovakia. Canada then cruised by Finland 5-0, setting up a rematch with Russia in the gold-medal game.

The Canadians trailed 3-1 midway through the third period but mounted a furious comeback to tie the game with goals from McMichael and Hayton, who's health for the final was in question due to a shoulder injury. Thomas then scored the winner with three minutes remaining to seal the deal.

The stars

Peter Kovalev / TASS / Getty

Everyone expected Lafreniere to be the story of the tournament and he delivered. Despite only playing five games, Lafreniere registered 10 points and was named tournament MVP and best forward.

Hayton was also sensational, finishing the tournament second in points among all players with 12 and earning a spot on the Media All-Star team.

The key moment

Peter Kovalev / TASS / Getty

With Canada clinging to a one-goal lead in the dying minutes, the club caught a truly unbelievable break. The Russians were already on a power play and pressing for the equalizer when the Canadians appeared to take a delay of game penalty that would have resulted in a 5-on-3. However, the puck struck a camera stationed behind the glass at the red line while flying out of play and caromed back onto the ice.

Officials ruled no penalty after a lengthy review. There's no guarantee Russia would have tied the game if the team received the two-man advantage, but the non-call surely helped Canada catch its breath and ultimately solidify the championship.

The fallout

Mike Stobe / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Lafreniere and Byfield went on to be drafted in the top two spots in 2020 while Drysdale was selected sixth overall.

Canada has six returning members from the 2020 squad looking to repeat when the puck drops in Edmonton on Christmas Day.

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Provinces require more COVID-19 measures for Canadian NHL teams to play at home

Canadian health authorities from the five provinces home to NHL teams sent a letter to the league Wednesday outlining additional requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic that are needed for the seven Canadian clubs to remain north of the border this season.

The league needs approval from Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia. Alberta Health chief medical officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw presented the NHL with two options.

The first called for a "regular testing schedule for players, staff, coaches and close contacts, with close household contact testing required if players are living at home between travel episodes," Hinshaw wrote, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.

The league's current protocol calls for only team members to be tested daily during training camp and the first four weeks of the regular season. Family members are only tested upon request and will be at the players' expense.

Additionally, provincial health authorities may ask the NHL to adjust the schedule released Wednesday to limit provincial travel early in the season.

The second option calls for the league to reimplement a bubble model for the Canadian teams for at least the beginning of the season. Authorities said they would support a bubble for four-to-six weeks and then a modified bubble, but a full bubble model would be preferred.

If a bubble is not possible, the league may be forced to put the season on hold.

"Should any iteration of the bubble model not be achievable for the NHL, we would recommend that the start of the season be delayed for a few weeks to allow for disease rates to drop and our health systems to recover," Dr. Hinshaw wrote.

The NHL is expected to respond to Dr. Hinshaw's letter on Thursday. The shortened 56-game season is set to begin Jan. 13.

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Lightning sign Cirelli to 3-year, $14.4M deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning inked forward Anthony Cirelli to a three-year deal with an average annual value of $4.8 million, the team announced Thursday.

Cirelli will remain a restricted free agent when his deal expires after the 2022-23 campaign.

The 6-foot pivot recorded 16 goals and career highs in assists (28) and points (44) through 68 games in 2019-20. Cirelli added three goals and nine points in 25 playoff games during the Lightning's Stanley Cup run.

The 23-year-old has quickly established himself as one of the top two-way forwards in the league and his play took a massive leap last season.

Cirelli finished fourth in Selke Trophy voting after driving play at both ends of the ice at five-on-five, according to HockeyViz's isolated impact. (Red/positive is good in the offensive zone, while blue/negative is good in the defensive zone).

Tampa Bay has been facing a serious cap crunch all offseason and placed Nikita Kucherov's $9.5-million cap hit on long-term injured reserve after word that the star winger will miss the 2020-21 campaign following hip surgery.

The Lightning have no outstanding restricted free agents but are still slightly above the salary cap even with Kucherov's contract temporarily off the books.

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