One of the NHL's most contentious rules will be slightly different moving forward.
While the league announced its critical dates and health and safety protocols for the upcoming season, it also revealed there will be a change to the offside rule.
Beginning in 2020-21, a player's skate will not need to be in contact with the blue line in order to be onside.
"A player is onside when either of his skates are in contact with the blue line, or on his own side of the line, at the instant the puck completely crosses the leading edge of the blue line," the NHLPA said.
It continues, "If a player's skate has yet to break the 'plane' prior to the puck crossing the leading edge, he is deemed to be onside for the purpose of the offside rule."
UPDATE TO @NHL RULE 83.1 (OFF-SIDE): Beginning in the 2020-21 regular season, a player's skate will not have to be in contact with the blue line in order to be on-side.
The offside rule has faced scrutiny over the past several years, especially with the recent introduction of coaching challenges and advanced video reviews.
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.
The pressure Team Canada faced entering the 2009 world juniors was immeasurable. Not only did the country win four consecutive gold medals leading up to the event, but the games took place on home ice in Ottawa, the nation's capital, this time around.
As if the pressure entering the tourney wasn't enough, the 2009 world juniors showed how hungry Canadians were to see their team win another gold. The tournament holds the record for total attendance, with 453,282 spectators attending games.
The roster
Player
Position
Age
Jamie Benn
F
18
Zach Boychuk*
F
19
Patrice Cormier
F
18
Stefan Della Rovere
F
18
Chris DiDomenico
F
19
Jordan Eberle
F
18
Tyler Ennis
F
19
Angelo Esposito
F
19
Cody Hodgson
F
18
Evander Kane
F
17
Brett Sonne
F
19
John Tavares*
F
18
Keith Aulie
D
19
Ryan Ellis
D
17
Cody Goloubef
D
19
Thomas Hickey*
D
19
Tyler Myers
D
18
Alex Pietrangelo
D
18
P.K. Subban*
D
19
Colten Teubert
D
18
Chet Pickard
G
19
Dustin Tokarski
G
19
*Denotes returning player All ages are as of the start of the tournament
The tournament
Canada won all four of its preliminary-round games with ease, scoring 35 goals while allowing just six against. The contests included a 15-0 drudging against Kazakhstan and an emphatic 7-4 victory over the U.S. Pickard and Tokarski split the games at two apiece.
Canada advanced directly to the semifinals after finishing first in the preliminary round and took on Russia. Thanks to Eberle's late-game heroics, Canada managed to win in a shootout.
The Canadians faced a tough Swedish squad that included future stars Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman, and Jacob Markstrom in the final. Sweden put up a good fight, outshooting Canada 40-31, but Tokarski shut the door and helped guide his team to a lopsided 5-1 victory and the country's fifth consecutive gold medal.
The stars
Hodgson led the team and tournament with 16 points in six games, including two goals and an assist in the gold-medal matchup.
Tavares was named tournament MVP after leading his squad with eight goals. Tavares, Hodgson, and Subban were picked for the world junior All-Star team.
The key moment
Every contest Canada played during the tournament was nearly a blowout except for its semifinal matchup against Russia. The two sides traded goals all game long, but it seemed as though Canada was on its way out after Russia scored to go up 4-3 with just over two minutes left in the third period.
With time winding down and hope fading, Eberle scored one of the country's most dramatic goals of all time. Team Canada was putting on a ton of pressure with Tokarski pulled, and Eberle miraculously swatted the puck into the net with five seconds left. The game eventually went to a shootout, where Eberle and Tavares scored, while Tokarski shut the door on both Russian shooters to send Canada to the gold-medal game.
The fallout
The team featured a number of future NHL stars, including Benn, Pietrangelo, Ellis, Kane, Subban, Tavares, and Eberle. Some of them showed flashes of brilliance at the world juniors, but others flew under the radar, like Pietrangelo, who managed just three points in six games.
Hodgson never fully found his footing in the NHL despite shining in the tournament. He went on to play in 328 career NHL games, racking up 142 points. He hasn't suited up in the league since the 2015-16 season.
The 2009 world juniors marked Canada's fifth-straight gold medal, but it would also be the beginning of a long drought for the country as its next gold wouldn't come until 2015.
Due to the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHL and NHLPA are willing to be as flexible as possible in the coming weeks while working with local and national government and health authorities.
The NHL and NHLPA determined that the ongoing United States-Canada border closure requires the division realignment. The plan is for teams to play games in home arenas, but the NHL will be prepared to host contests in one or more "neutral site" venues tied to each division if that becomes necessary.
"While we are well aware of the challenges ahead, as was the case last spring and summer, we are continuing to prioritize the health and safety of our participants and the communities in which we live and play," commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "... I thank the NHLPA, particularly executive director Don Fehr, for working cooperatively with us to get our league back on the ice."
The regular season will conclude May 8. It will feature exclusively intradivisional play, meaning a team will square off with the clubs in its division eight times. In the North Division, squads will face each other nine or 10 times.
The 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs will feature 16 teams in a traditional best-of-seven, four-round format wrapping up in mid-July. The top four teams in each division will qualify for the postseason, with intradivisional play continuing for the first two rounds.
Formal training camps are set to begin on Jan. 3, and there will be no preseason games. The seven teams that didn't participate in last season's Return to Play can begin training camp on Dec. 31.
The league has also reportedly established dates for its key events, such as the 2021 draft, the opening of free agency, and the trade deadline.
Now that the NHL and NHLPA have tentatively agreed on a framework for the upcoming 2020-21 season's 56-game schedule, some key dates have begun to emerge.
The impending campaign would begin on Jan. 13 and would conclude on May 8 under the proposed format, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie, with free agency beginning on July 28, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports. The 2021 trade deadline would be April 12, while the 2021 NHL Draft would take place on July 23 and 24, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.
Players would have the option to opt out of the approaching season. The opt-out deadline is Dec. 24 for players on teams that didn't make the 2019-20 playoffs and Dec. 27 for players on playoff squads, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Each team will need to carry at least three goaltenders at all times this season between their active roster and taxi squad, reports Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
Additionally, clubs must sign Group II restricted free agents by Feb. 11 for them to be eligible to play during the season and players on one-year deals can sign extensions as of March 12, Friedman adds.
The NHL has a call scheduled with the Board of Governors for 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun. A separate call is also planned with the league's general managers for 2 p.m. ET, LeBrun adds.
NHL fans will soon be able to circle a date on the calendar for the upcoming Seattle Kraken expansion draft.
Under the tentative agreement for the upcoming 2020-21 season, teams will need to submit their protected lists on July 17 with the expansion draft set to take place on July 21, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.
The event would take place just days before the 2021 NHL Draft is reportedly set to begin on July 23.
Seattle will follow the same rules the Vegas Golden Knights did for their expansion draft in 2017. The organization will be allowed to pick one player from each team excluding the Golden Knights.
Each team will have the option to protect either seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie or eight skaters and one goalie. The rest of the players on the roster will be exposed, except first- and second-year players and all unsigned draft choices.
After Henrik Lundqvist shared the sad news Thursday that he will miss the 2020-21 season due to a heart condition, the Washington Capitals suddenly find themselves without a viable second goaltender with the campaign possibly weeks away.
It's unclear how exactly the Capitals would have divvied up goaltending duties, but the 38-year-old was set to be a part of a tandem with youngster Ilya Samsonov. Now the team must decide how to replace a Hall of Fame-worthy netminder.
Let's take a look at the options.
Sign a free agent
When the Capitals initially signed Lundqvist, general manager Brian MacLellan had high expectations. He wasn't just bringing in Lundqvist because of his experience or to mentor Samsonov; he was banking on him to win some games and compete for starts. While most marquee free-agent goaltenders have already signed with new teams - including ex-Capital Braden Holtby - there are still several veteran options for Washington to consider as it looks to replace Lundqvist.
Ryan Miller
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Miller is the league's oldest active goaltender after turning 40 this past summer. He's certainly not the goalie he once was, but he's proven over the past three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks that he can be an adequate backup.
The former Vezina Trophy winner has appeared in 71 games over the last three campaigns, recording a 29-19-12 record with a .916 save percentage and a 2.72 goals-against average. His .931 even-strength save percentage over that span is tops among all goalies who have played at least 3,000 minutes. He's undeniably able to play at a high level when called upon, but the issue seems to be whether he wants to continue playing. The veteran said in May that while he still has a desire to play hockey, the COVID-19 pandemic could force him into retirement.
Craig Anderson
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
After manning the Ottawa Senators' crease for the last decade, Anderson saw his time in Canada's capital come to an end when the team brought in Matt Murray. The 39-year-old's play declined significantly over the past few seasons, but the fact he was playing behind a Senators team in the midst of a full-scale rebuild can't be ignored.
Anderson has played in 142 games since the start of the 2017-18 season, earning a 51-69-12 record with a .901 save percentage and a 3.37 goals-against average. His .913 save percentage at even strength last season wasn't dazzling, but it was better than those of other notable netminders such as Holtby, Jonathan Quick, John Gibson, and Sergei Bobrovsky.
Jimmy Howard
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Despite enduring the worst season of his NHL career in 2019-20, Howard has made it clear on numerous occasions that he doesn't intend to retire just yet. The 36-year-old began his career with the Detroit Red Wings in 2005, but his time with the club came to an end when it added Thomas Greiss in free agency.
Howard's 2019-20 stats are tough to look at. His abysmal 2-23-2 record surely won't help him pitch himself to a new team, nor will his .882 save percentage or 4.20 goals-against average. Still, the veteran goalie wasn't showing many signs of regression before last season, and he could be a strong bounce-back candidate if he's no longer playing behind one of the worst rosters the NHL has seen in some time.
Promote from within
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
The Capitals don't have a ton of goaltending depth now that Samsonov is the team's starter, but it's entirely possible they stick with what they have instead of dipping into free agency again. Pheonix Copley has been with the organization for the past four years, and while the 28-year-old has mostly filled an AHL role, he does have 29 games of NHL experience.
Washington's top goalie prospect is now Vitek Vanecek, a 2014 second-round selection. The 24-year-old has spent the last four seasons in the AHL, previously splitting games with Samsonov before sharing the net with Copley. He appeared to outplay Copley last season, posting a .917 save percentage to Copley's .905. He's never played in an NHL game, but perhaps he could make the jump a bit earlier than expected.
Seek out a trade
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
The Capitals have virtually no cap space ahead of the coming season, so a trade would be difficult to pull off. There are some high-profile goalies on the market, such as Marc-Andre Fleury of the Vegas Golden Knights, but taking on all or even some of his $7-million cap hit after letting Holtby walk wouldn't make much sense.
It would be shocking if Washington traded for a goaltender. There are viable options in free agency and within the organization, and the team would probably have to part ways with a significant roster player to make room. Still, it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility.
Eight players from Germany's world junior squad tested positive for COVID-19 after they arrived at the tournament bubble in Edmonton, the IIHF announced Friday.
Two members of Sweden's staff have also tested positive.
The Germans must now quarantine until Dec. 24 in accordance with Alberta's provincial health regulations, while the Swedes must do the same until Dec. 21.
The IIHF will review the pre-competition schedule with the teams' new quarantine dates in mind and release a new schedule in the coming days.
Exhibition games are set to begin on Dec. 20 before the preliminary round kicks off on Dec. 25. Germany was set to face Austria in an exhibition contest on Dec. 21, while Sweden was scheduled to face Canada on the same day.
Germany is currently slated to face Finland in round-robin action on Christmas Day before a matchup with Canada on Dec. 26.
Over 2,000 tests have been administered to players, staff, and game officials since all 10 teams entered the bubble last week. Players and staff will undergo daily COVID-19 testing as the tournament progresses.
"(Anderson's) a great player. Obviously, last year he had an injury season and couldn't find his way back, but he's a big asset," the Blue Jackets captain Monday on TSN Radio 690. "It was, I'm sure, not an easy decision for (general manager) Jarmo (Kekalainen) to make, and for all of us - we all love Josh, he's a great teammate.
"I think he's going to fit in really well there and do great things. I'm really happy that he seems to be in a place where he's excited about, and we'll miss him."
Foligno added: "It was hard to see him go, but that's the business."
The Blue Jackets and Canadiens swapped the young forwards in October. Both players were restricted free agents at the time, and both have since signed fresh deals with their new clubs. Domi inked a two-year, $10.6-million pact with Columbus, while Anderson agreed to a seven-year, $38.5-million contract with Montreal.
Domi and Anderson both enjoyed their strongest NHL season in 2018-2019: Domi set career highs in goals (28), assists (44), and points (72), while Anderson also recorded personal bests with 27 goals, 20 assists, and 47 points.
But both forwards struggled in 2019-20. Domi, 25, often found himself in a reduced role with the Canadiens and finished with 17 goals and 27 assists in 71 games; Anderson, 26, battled a shoulder injury and managed just one goal and three assists in 26 contests.
Despite Domi's lackluster performance with Montreal last season, Foligno likes what he's previously seen from the 2013 first-round pick and is expecting him to return to form with the Blue Jackets.
"I think we gained a really good player coming back in Max Domi," Foligno said. "I know things maybe didn't work out the last year for him there, but I remember his first year there (in Montreal) and how dominant he was. For him to find that footing again and get all the opportunities that he's going to get here, it could be a really, really good thing for our team."
"(Anderson's) a great player. Obviously, last year he had an injury season and couldn't find his way back, but he's a big asset," the Blue Jackets captain Monday on TSN Radio 690. "It was, I'm sure, not an easy decision for (general manager) Jarmo (Kekalainen) to make, and for all of us - we all love Josh, he's a great teammate.
"I think he's going to fit in really well there and do great things. I'm really happy that he seems to be in a place where he's excited about, and we'll miss him."
Foligno added: "It was hard to see him go, but that's the business."
The Blue Jackets and Canadiens swapped the young forwards in October. Both players were restricted free agents at the time, and both have since signed fresh deals with their new clubs. Domi inked a two-year, $10.6-million pact with Columbus, while Anderson agreed to a seven-year, $38.5-million contract with Montreal.
Domi and Anderson both enjoyed their strongest NHL season in 2018-2019: Domi set career highs in goals (28), assists (44), and points (72), while Anderson also recorded personal bests with 27 goals, 20 assists, and 47 points.
But both forwards struggled in 2019-20. Domi, 25, often found himself in a reduced role with the Canadiens and finished with 17 goals and 27 assists in 71 games; Anderson, 26, battled a shoulder injury and managed just one goal and three assists in 26 contests.
Despite Domi's lackluster performance with Montreal last season, Foligno likes what he's previously seen from the 2013 first-round pick and is expecting him to return to form with the Blue Jackets.
"I think we gained a really good player coming back in Max Domi," Foligno said. "I know things maybe didn't work out the last year for him there, but I remember his first year there (in Montreal) and how dominant he was. For him to find that footing again and get all the opportunities that he's going to get here, it could be a really, really good thing for our team."
Pierre Lacroix, longtime president and general manager of the Quebec Nordiques and Colorado Avalanche, died Sunday at the age of 72, the team announced.
"Pierre was the architect of the Avalanche's two Stanley Cup championships, which included the city of Denver's first major sports championship in 1996," the Avalanche said in a statement. "Pierre was instrumental in not only the team's on-ice success but also building the Avalanche brand into what it is today. His legacy reaches far beyond the NHL level and his impact can be felt throughout all of youth hockey in the Rocky Mountain region."
Lacroix was named general manager and president of the Nordiques in 1994 and followed the team to Colorado the following season. He played an instrumental part in building two Stanley Cup-winning Avalanche teams.
He made numerous big trades during his career, including acquiring a disgruntled Patrick Roy from the Montreal Canadiens during the 1995-96 season, Ray Bourque during the 1999-2000 campaign, and Rob Blake during the 2000-01 season. The Avalanche won two Cups during his tenure - 1996 and 2001 - due in large part to his acquisitions.
Lacroix stepped down as general manager in 2006 but remained president until 2013 when he took on an advisory role.
