As the NHL continues to work through the logistics of its current season, the draft - currently set to begin July 23 - could be the next thing to be significantly affected.
There are ongoing conversations at the NHL level surrounding the idea of pushing back the 2021 draft until the following year, TSN's Darren Dreger reported on Thursday's edition of "Insider Trading."
"There's lots of talk across the National Hockey League about the draft being pushed from 2021 - this summer - to 2022 - the summer - and the NHL hosting back-to-back drafts," Dreger said.
General managers are very much in favor of the idea of delaying the draft, Dreger added. Many 2021-eligible players currently aren't playing hockey due to their respective leagues being on pause as a result of the pandemic.
The NHL has never hosted two drafts in the same year.
The league indicated prior to the start of the campaign that July 15 would be the last possible day to award the Stanley Cup. With numerous games already postponed due to COVID-19 outbreaks, it's unclear if the end of the season will need to be pushed back.
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Back-to-back 2-1 nights to begin the week have us in good standing heading into a busy Thursday.
Here's what I'm looking to bet on:
Predators (-105) @ Panthers (-115)
It's been a terrific start to the season for the Panthers (5-0-1), who have yet to lose in regulation. However, there's a lot less reason for optimism when you peel back the curtain.
Florida's schedule to date has been very kind, with two games each against the Blackhawks, Red Wings, and Blue Jackets. While the Panthers have done well to take advantage, they've only won once by more than a goal. They were just outplayed at five-on-five across two games against Detroit. Plus, the underlying numbers suggest this is a very average hockey team.
Regression is coming, and there's no better time for it than Thursday as Florida steps up a weight class. It might not appear as such on the surface, with the Predators sitting at 4-5-0, but they're overdue for an uptick in results. Nashville controlled nearly 56% of the expected goal share at five-on-five against the Lightning, whose talent won out in the end, and has managed a 55% share over its last seven games, five of which have come against the Lightning, Hurricanes, and Stars.
The Predators are much better than their record indicates, and we get them at a bargain Thursday. Just make sure Juuse Saros is starting, as Pekka Rinne has endured a miserable start to the season.
Pick: Predators (-105)
Stars (-130) @ Blue Jackets (+110)
The Blue Jackets battled back after a miserable start Tuesday against the Stars to make things respectable, and I'd expect the same response from them here. It's what Columbus has done all season.
John Tortorella has been excellent at making adjustments, with the Blue Jackets performing much better in the second contest of a two-game set than the first.
Opponent
xGF% (Game 1)
xGF% (Game 2)
Predators
46.53%
64.05%
Red Wings
36.95%
53.83%
Lightning
33.33%
56.48%
Panthers
29.92%
48.55%
Blackhawks
37.41%
56.31%
Stars
42.06%
TBD
Because of the lopsided nature of Tuesday's 6-3 Stars win, and Dallas' 5-1-1 start to the year, we're getting excellent value here on a resilient Columbus squad on home ice.
Pick: Blue Jackets (+110)
Capitals (-110) @ Rangers (-110)
The Capitals have rolled with the punches this season, coping with key absences without any stumbles. They're second in points per game in the East Division. However, there's plenty of evidence to suggest their hot start isn't sustainable.
Washington sits 29th in the NHL in expected goal share (45.23%) at five-on-five. Only the Sharks and Kings have been worse. In fact, the Capitals have struggled across the board at five-on-five. They're 30th in Corsi For percentage and 28th in high-danger chances created per 60 minutes. Washington has benefitted from a 12.32% shooting percentage at five-on-five, well above the league average (just above 8%). It all shouts regression.
The Rangers, meanwhile, are due for positive regression, as they have a 6.67% shooting percentage. Plus, we benefit from New York's unlucky start by getting this team at even money. With the end of the Tony DeAngelo distraction, the Rangers can get back to what's really important: winning hockey games.
Alex Moretto is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, loves a juicy puck line, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.
Buffalo Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger tested positive for COVID-19, the team announced Thursday.
Sabres games through at least Feb. 8 have been postponed after forward Taylor Hall and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen were added to the COVID-19 protocol list.
The Sabres played the New Jersey Devils, who currently have 17 players on the COVID-19 list, on Saturday and Sunday.
Buffalo is reportedly furious with the league and New Jersey for allowing those weekend games to proceed despite the Devils showing signs of an outbreak.
Krueger was hired as head coach in 2019 and has guided the team to a 4-4-2 record so far this season.
The NHL is making four changes to its in-arena protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
TV viewers will notice the removal of the glass directly behind all team benches. The league is hoping this will increase airflow in an area where players and coaches are close together for an extended period of time.
Additionally, the league indicated it's considering requesting the use of portable air cleaners behind team benches "in order to improve the indoor air quality and mitigate the airborne viral transmission."
Players and coaches can also no longer show up to the arena more than one hour and 45 minutes before puck drop unless they're receiving treatment for injuries. The league advised that all meetings should be held virtually.
Lastly, teams are being asked to use additional locker room space so players are at least six feet apart at their stalls. Facilities that don't have the space are being asked to create it. Portable stalls will be provided if necessary.
The Minnesota Wild were the latest team to have their season halted by COVID-19. Their games are postponed through Feb. 9 after five players landed on the COVID-19 list Wednesday.
The New Jersey Devils have been hit the hardest, as 10 of their players were placed on the COVID-19 list Monday.
Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning wanted to re-sign Tyler Toffoli during the offseason, but the timing wasn't on his side.
"It was our intention to try and get him signed, and if we could have had a little more time, we could have tried to work through that,” Benning said, according to The Province's Ben Kuzma. "It got to a point where I know Tyler wanted to come back, and we were trying to figure it out.
"We kind of ran out of time with him getting offers and one he needed to take. We would have had to move money out."
The Canucks acquired Toffoli at last season's trade deadline, and the forward made an immediate impact. He scored six goals and added four assists in 10 regular-season games, and played through an injury to contribute four points in seven playoff contests.
The Canucks finished 10th in the league in scoring last year with 224 goals, which Benning reportedly pointed to as a reason for letting Toffoli walk. The GM said there were other priorities to address, such as defense and goaltending, since the club proved its ability to score, according to Kuzma.
Toffoli is off to a scorching start with the Montreal Canadiens, who signed him to a four-year, $17-million contract. He's played especially great against Vancouver, scoring eight goals in the five games between the two teams this season.
Marcus Foligno is currently the only Minnesota player to land on the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list.
The Wild played in Colorado Tuesday and are scheduled for another meeting with the Avalanche on Thursday before a pair of clashes versus the Arizona Coyotes over the weekend.
It's unclear if any of Minnesota's games will get postponed. The NHL has delayed numerous contests due to COVID-19 this season, with the Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights, and New Jersey Devils among the teams to have dealt with outbreaks.