CONNOR HELLEBUYCK

The NHL is not sending players to the Beijing Olympics after all.

Sabres Jets Hockey Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice, Jansen Harkins (12), Kristian Vesalainen (93) and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) watch from the bench against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP) (FRED GREENSLADE)WINNIPEG, Manitoba — (AP) — Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice has resigned in a surprise move in his ninth year with the team. Dave Lowry was elevated to interim coach. The Jets are 13-10-5 heading into Friday night's game against the visiting Washington Capitals. ___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Maple Leafs Hockey Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander wears a protective mask as he speaks to the media at the NHL hockey team's training camp in Toronto, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. That would leave 10-15 players out of 700 on 32 teams lacking the vaccine, including Detroit's Tyler Bertuzzi. “It was a life decision.”The NHL and NHL Players’ Association haven’t mandated vaccines for players with training camps starting this week, but there’s little doubt tough restrictions — including not being able to cross the border from the U.S. into Canada without a two-week quarantine — provided an incentive for many on the fence. “The league’s trying to operate as safe as possible and trying to encourage the safest possible environment,” Maple Leafs captain John Tavares said. Regular testing for the coronavirus will continue for vaccinated players.

The NHL regular season is two weeks away.

The NHL and international officials are now in wait-and-see mode after reaching an agreement to send players to the Beijing Olympics this winter.

Jets Canadiens Hockey Montreal Canadiens' Tyler Toffoli, Cole Caufield (22) and Corey Perry (94) celebrate after the first goal as Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) and Tucker Poolman (3) look on during first-period NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Montreal, Monday, June 7, 2021. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP) (Ryan Remiorz)MONTREAL — (AP) — Tyler Toffoli scored at 1:39 of overtime, lifting the Montreal Canadiens to a 3-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday night and a four-game sweep of their second-round playoff series. Toffoli took a cross-crease pass from Cole Caufield and beat Connor Hellebuyck with a one-timer for the winner and his fourth goal of the postseason. The Canadiens improved to 34-0 all-time when leading a series 3-0, and added to their NHL record with the franchise’s 23rd sweep. The veteran’s absence paved the way for rookie Alexander Romanov to make his NHL playoff debut on Montreal’s third line.

Jets Canadiens Hockey Montreal Canadiens' Joel Armia scores a short-handed goal past Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck as Canadiens' Paul Byron looks on during the second period of an NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey game in Montreal, Sunday, June 6, 2021. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) (Paul Chiasson)MONTREAL — (AP) — Joel Armia had two goals and an assist, Carey Price made 26 saves, and the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-1 on Sunday night to take a 3-0 lead in their second-round playoff series. The Canadiens lead a playoff series 3-0 for the first time since 2015, when they beat Ottawa in the opening round. The Jets got Paul Stastny back after he missed the first two games with an undisclosed injury. TOUGH DEFICITOnly four teams have come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series in NHL history.

The NHL is in the most difficult position among the four major North American professional sports leagues on vaccinations because seven of its teams are based in Canada.

Draisaitl has won the Hart Trophy as MVP after leading the NHL in scoring. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)EDMONTON, AB – The Stanley Cup Final is in Edmonton, and Oilers star Leon Draisaitl made history Monday night. Draisaitl became the first German player to win the Hart Trophy as MVP after leading the league in scoring with 110 points in 71 games. Draisaitl is the second Oilers player to win the Hart in the past four years following Connor McDavid, who is widely considered the best hockey player in the world. “But there’s nothing that comes ahead of the Stanley Cup.