Cammi Granato will be the newest member of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee, the institution announced Tuesday.
The American legend is joining an 18-member group that includes only one other woman, Cassie Campbell-Pascall.
Columbus Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson is retiring from the committee on Dec. 31. He's served as its chair for seven years and has been part of the group for more than two decades. Mike Gartner will take over as chair, having served on the committee since 2009. Granato and Gartner will assume their new roles on Jan. 1.
Granato was one of the first two women inducted into the Hall along with Angela James in 2010. Granato captained Team USA to gold at the 1998 Olympics and was the all-time leading scorer in women's international hockey at the time of her retirement. She's currently a pro scout for the Seattle Kraken and became the first woman to hold that title in NHL history when the expansion franchise hired her in 2019.
Fenway Sports Group previously explored the possibility of joining forces with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
At least one year ago, the entity that operates MLB's Boston Red Sox and the Premier League's Liverpool inquired about a merger with MLSE before ultimately going after the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.
"About 12-18 months ago, before Fenway Sports Group went down this road with the Penguins, an emissary was dispatched to ask Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment ... if they would be interested in a merger with Fenway," Friedman said on Saturday's "32 Thoughts" TV segment.
"It didn't go very far, as I've been told (MLSE) made it clear they weren't ready for that yet," Friedman said.
The potential move would have come with obstacles. Rogers Communications, which owns MLB's Toronto Blue Jays, holds a 37.5% stake in MLSE, the company that oversees the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, NBA's Toronto Raptors, MLS' Toronto FC, and Scotiabank Arena.
Earlier this week, it was reported Fenway Sports Group was in advanced talks to purchase the Penguins. The Fenway group is helmed by billionaire John Henry, while hockey legend Mario Lemieux and investor Ron Burkle have operated the Penguins since 1999.
Fenway Sports Group previously explored the possibility of joining forces with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
At least one year ago, the entity that operates MLB's Boston Red Sox and the Premier League's Liverpool inquired about a merger with MLSE before ultimately going after the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.
"About 12-18 months ago, before Fenway Sports Group went down this road with the Penguins, an emissary was dispatched to ask Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment ... if they would be interested in a merger with Fenway," Friedman said on Saturday's "32 Thoughts" TV segment.
"It didn't go very far, as I've been told (MLSE) made it clear they weren't ready for that yet," Friedman said.
The potential move would have come with obstacles. Rogers Communications, which owns MLB's Toronto Blue Jays, holds a 37.5% stake in MLSE, the company that oversees the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, NBA's Toronto Raptors, MLS' Toronto FC, and Scotiabank Arena.
Earlier this week, it was reported Fenway Sports Group was in advanced talks to purchase the Penguins. The Fenway group is helmed by billionaire John Henry, while hockey legend Mario Lemieux and investor Ron Burkle have operated the Penguins since 1999.
Bednar's new pact runs through 2023-24. His current deal expires at the end of this season.
The 49-year-old is in his sixth campaign as Avalanche head coach. He entered Friday's game against the Seattle Kraken with a 191-154-40 record and is two wins from tying Bob Hartley for the franchise record.
Bednar is currently the fifth-longest-tenured bench boss in the NHL. He's guided Colorado since 2016-17, helping the club make the playoffs in each of the four seasons that followed.
However, the Avalanche have exited the postseason in the second round three years in a row, including last season in which they won the Presidents' Trophy.
Kevin Hayes said he'll never forget scoring his first goal of the season Tuesday and dedicating it to his brother Jimmy, who died this past summer.
"I'm happy it happened sooner rather than later, honestly," the Philadelphia Flyers forward said after a 2-1 win over the Calgary Flames. "It was a big goal. The trainers got the puck for me. I'm going to give it to Jimmy's son, Beau, and it'll be one I remember forever."
Hayes pointed skyward as a tribute to his brother after tying the game early in the second period.
Kevin Hayes scores his first of the year to tie the game and points to the sky for his brother Jimmy. What a moment. 🧡🖤 pic.twitter.com/X7j0CIjun6
Flyers forward Cam Atkinson, who later netted the overtime winner, said the whole team understood the significance of Hayes' goal.
"I think you could see it on my face," Atkinson said. "I think everything happens for a reason. I was the first guy to hug him, (I) got the puck for Kev. It's a big goal, not only for our team, obviously, but for (him). Like he said, I think we'll all remember this for a long, long time, and it was special."
Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau, who played with Kevin at Boston College for three seasons, also conveyed how thrilled he was to see his former NCAA teammate score such a meaningful marker.
"Personally, really, really happy for him," Gaudreau said, according to The Associated Press' Aaron Bracy. "He's gone through a lot these past few months. It's hard because he's on the other team and I don't want them to score, but I was happy for him. He deserved it."
Hayes was playing his second contest of the campaign and his first at home in 2021-22 after undergoing two abdominal surgeries in the offseason. His brother Jimmy, a former NHL forward, died at the age of 31 in August.
The officials handed Mayfield a major penalty and game misconduct after he caught Barkov leg-on-leg early in the second period.
Barkov went to the dressing room immediately after being helped off the ice. The Panthers later announced he won't return to the contest due to a lower-body injury.
The 26-year-old center entered Tuesday's contest leading the Panthers in goals and points. He collected an assist on their first goal of the game.
The Hockey Hall of Fame finally welcomed its class of 2020 on Monday night, as six new members received the highest honor in the sport. This induction ceremony was previously postponed due to the pandemic, and there won't be a 2021 class. Here's a look at the resumes of each inductee and various highlights from the festivities in Toronto.
Players
Marian Hossa
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Position: Right wing Career statistics: 525 goals and 609 assists in 1,309 games Achievements: Three-time Stanley Cup winner (2010, 2013, 2015), first player in NHL history to play in three straight Cup Finals with three different teams (2008, 2009, 2010). Teams: Ottawa Senators, Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks
Hossa acknowledged his closest supporters and how much more instructive his defeats were than his victories.
"The losses taught me more than the wins," he said. "(I'd like to thank) the players and the coaches who taught me so much about success, (and) my family who provided so much support to get me here."
Jarome Iginla
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Position: Right wing Career statistics: 625 goals and 675 assists in 1,554 games Achievements: One of only 20 players in NHL history to reach the 600-goal plateau. Winner of the "Rocket" Richard Trophy (2002, 2004), the Art Ross Trophy (2002), and the Lester B. Pearson Award (2002). Two-time Olympic gold medalist (2002, 2010). Teams: Calgary Flames, Penguins, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings
Iginla expressed gratitude to trailblazing former players of color "for breaking racial barriers in hockey."
"Being a young Black hockey player, it was important for me to see other Black players in the NHL," Iginla said, adding, "I know it's thanks to guys like Grant (Fuhr) and Willie (O'Ree) who made me know that my dream of playing in the NHL was attainable."
Kevin Lowe
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Position: Defenseman Career statistics: 84 goals and 347 assists in 1,254 games Achievements: Six-time Stanley Cup winner (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1994), only player in Edmonton Oilers history to play 1,000 regular-season contests with the team. Teams: Oilers, New York Rangers
Lowe dropped the best zinger of the night. After mentioning that a slew of former Oilers joined the Rangers and ended the latter squad's 54-year championship drought in 1994, he skewered the team based in the same city as the Hall of Fame.
"Maybe the Leafs should get us," Lowe said with a grin before adding, "I just couldn't resist."
Kim St-Pierre
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Position: Goaltender Achievements: First female netminder inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Three-time Olympic gold medalist (2002, 2006, 2010), five-time World Championship gold medalist (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2007) two-time Clarkson Cup winner (2009, 2011).
St-Pierre emphasized how honored she was to be joining the other seven women who are already enshrined.
"I feel really proud to be a part of this group that demonstrates that we as women continuously shatter the glass ceiling to be part of this history and impact the future," she said.
Doug Wilson
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Position: Defenseman Career statistics: 237 goals and 590 assists in 1,024 games Achievements: Norris Trophy winner (1982), led all Blackhawks in scoring for 10 consecutive seasons (1980-81 to 1990-91), holds the fourth-highest single-season goal total by a blue-liner in NHL history (39). Teams: Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks
Wilson was inducted by Hall of Fame honored member and legendary former Ottawa 67s bench boss Brian Kilrea, who coached Wilson before the rearguard starred in the NHL. Wilson heaped praise on Kilrea for his versatile tutelage while standing with him on stage.
"He was more than a coach. He was a teacher of life," Wilson said.
Builder
Ken Holland
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Achievements: Four-time Stanley Cup winner as an executive - three as a general manager (1998, 2002, 2008) - and one of five GMs in NHL history to guide his teams to more than 1,000 regular-season wins. Teams: Red Wings, Oilers
Holland offered a partially self-deprecating but clearly accurate observation about his success as an executive.
"Hockey has been very good to me after I stopped trying to play it," he said.
Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson finds himself back in COVID-19 protocol less than 24 hours after tying a career-high with four points in a victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Senators placed the 23-year-old on the list before their game against the Calgary Flames on Sunday. Andrew Agozzino is making his season debut in Batherson's place.
Batherson tested positive Saturday but was cleared to play in that evening's contest following further testing. He leads the Senators with seven goals and nine assists over 14 games this season.
Senators defenseman Nikita Zaitsev was activated off the list Saturday morning but Ottawa put him back in the protocol before the game. He was the club's ninth player to be given that designation.
Being in COVID-19 protocol isn't necessarily indicative of a positive test.
The severely shorthanded Senators snapped a six-game losing skid Saturday with their victory over the Penguins.
Florida scored two goals in a 36-second span during the second period to erase Tampa Bay's 2-0 lead before the Lightning prevailed in the 3-on-3 session.
Zaitsev was initially activated two days after landing in the protocol. He was Ottawa's ninth player on the list at the time.
Senators forward Drake Batherson tested positive Saturday but was cleared to play in the evening's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins after having more tests, according to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.
