CONNOR MCDAVID

McDavid went 8 for 8 in the accuracy shooting competition, which was won by Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders. “We knew coming to Florida we had to be outside, and we knew it’s a risk. Anaheim's Trevor Zegras, one of the cover athletes for the NHL 23 video game who provided the highlight of last year's skills competition by scoring a spinning goal while blindfolded, tweeted a sleeping emoji. Golfer Brad Fritsch posted: "I guess I can delete the recording of @NHL skills competition? ___Follow AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWhyno___AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2023 The Associated Press.

The NHL took advantage of holding All-Star Weekend in South Florida by holding two Skills Competition events outside in the sun.

Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin will again be big parts of NHL All-Star Weekend.

EDMONTON, Alberta — (AP) — Evan Bouchard scored the tying goal with 5 seconds remaining in the third period and Leon Draisaitl got the winner 22 seconds into overtime as the Edmonton Oilers beat the Florida Panthers 4-3 on Monday night. Early in the extra period, Draisaitl took a pass from Connor McDavid and scored his 13th for the win. The 27-second gap marked the shortest time between a team scoring a regulation goal and an OT goal in NHL history. ... We kind of stole it late.”Tyson Barrie also scored and Zach Hyman had three assists for the Oilers. ... Undrafted forward James Hamblin made his NHL debut for the Oilers after being called up from Bakersfield of the AHL.

People are making fake Twitter accounts pretending to be athletes, celebrities and reporters after the verified "blue check" became available to buy.

Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane will miss three to four months of action after he was cut on his left wrist by a skate during Tuesday’s NHL game in Florida, the team announced Wednesday. #Oilers forward Evander Kane has been placed on LTIR & is expected to miss 3-4 months. pic.twitter.com/FrDZnplPvp — Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 9, 2022While on the ice, Kane appeared to be cut by the skate of Tampa Bay forward Pat Maroon, the news organization reported. He had surgery to repair the damage and remained in a Tampa hospital, according to the Edmonton Journal. I would like to thank the entire training staff of the Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning, along with all the doctors and paramedics who rushed to help treat and repair my injury.

Narrator: Twitter is not to be believed — even more so than usual. James, the four-time NBA champion and four-time league MVP, regularly engages with his more than 52 million followers. Chapman supposedly told the world — in English and Spanish — that he re-signed with the Yankees for three years. Two-time NHL MVP McDavid supposedly announced that the Oilers, for whom he’s the captain, were done with him. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Several prominent names from the world of sports supposedly have tweeted out what would count as big news — except none of those posts are real.

TAMPA, Fla. — (AP) — Edmonton forward Evander Kane was cut on the left wrist by a skate blade Tuesday night and taken to the hospital with a frightening injury during the Oilers' 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Oilers said Kane was in stable condition and scheduled to undergo a procedure Tuesday night. Draisaitl has a five-game goal streak, and a point in nine consecutive games (seven goals, 18 points). “Draisaitl, he’s just a horse. McDavid and Draisaitl had power-play goals during the opening 4:07 of the second to put the Oilers up 3-1.

Edmonton forward Evander Kane was cut on the left wrist by a skate blade and taken to the hospital with a frightening injury during the Oilers’ 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Alex Ovechkin scored his 787th career goal to break Gordie Howe’s record for scoring with one team, but the Arizona Coyotes scored three times in the third period to rally for a 3-2 win against the Washington Capitals.

EDMONTON, Alberta — (AP) — Connor McDavid had three goals and an assist and the Edmonton Oilers overcame an early 3-0 deficit to beat the Vancouver Canucks 5-3 on Wednesday night. Leon Draisaitl added a goal and two assists and Darnell Nurse also scored for the Oilers in the opener for both teams. He's the first player in Canucks history to score a power-play goal in his debut. The Oilers pulled within a goal with another power-play goal with 5:59 left in the second on a three-way passing play from Zach Hyman to Draisaitl and then to McDavid. McDavid completed the hat trick with 25 seconds left when Evander Kane dropped it back to him for an empty-net power-play goal.

DENVER — (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche are making Nathan MacKinnon the highest-paid player in the NHL’s salary cap era. His new $12.6 million salary cap hit that goes into effect at the start of the 2023-24 season surpasses Connor McDavid’s $12.5 million as the highest in the league. It's been a short offseason for MacKinnon and the Avalanche after they captured their first Stanley Cup title since 2001. “But ultimately the salary cap system’s a weird system where the more money you make, the less money someone else can make,” McDavid added. There’s always going to be give and take.”___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

The Colorado Avalanche are making Nathan MacKinnon the highest-paid player in the NHL’s salary cap era.

The Colorado Avalanche are making Nathan MacKinnon the highest-paid player in the NHL’s salary cap era. MacKinnon, who just turned 27 earlier this month, signed an eight-year contract worth $100.8 million, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. McDavid’s $100 million, eight-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers signed in 2017 was the previous record for the highest annual cap hit since the system went into place in 2005.

HENDERSON, Nev. — (AP) — The NHL and players remain committed to hosting a World Cup of Hockey in February 2024 even as they work through some unexpected logistical challenges. Even if that doesn't happen, a World Cup is still possible. We'll get there.”Because the NHL has not participated in the past two Olympics, the best players in the world haven't faced off since the World Cup in 2016. "I think the NHL, and hockey in general, has missed out on a huge chunk of international play and best-on-best play. American center Jack Eichel responded, “Don't hold your breath” when told of World Cup plans, but he agrees with Team North America teammate McDavid about the benefits of making another international competition happen.

HENDERSON, Nev. — (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon expects to sign contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche soon, and it could make him the highest-paid player in the NHL. “We’re pretty close,” MacKinnon said Thursday at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour outside Las Vegas. McDavid, Edmonton's captain whose $12.5 million cap hit is the highest in the league, said he hasn't thought much about others passing him. “It’s not going to be a single digit (salary cap hit) or anything, but it’ll be good, I think, for both sides. At $6.3 million against the cap, MacKinnon has for quite some time been one of the most underpaid players in hockey.

Nathan MacKinnon expects to sign contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche soon.

With that in mind, let's explore who you should take with your first-round pick, depending on where you end up in the draft. If you have the sixth overall pick, but my recommendation for the third is still available, take my choice for the third overall selection. 12 — Recommendation: Roman JosiWho the best defenseman to pick after Makar is a matter of some debate, but I lean towards Josi. He's surpassed the 50-point mark on six occasions and won the Norris Trophy in 2019-20 with 65 points in 69 games. He likely won't match Makar in terms of goals, but Josi is a serious contender to lead all blueliners in points in 2022-23.

Duncan Keith is retiring after 17 seasons in the NHL, three Stanley Cups and two Norris Trophy awards as the league’s top defenseman.

Cale Makar has won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after leading the Colorado Avalanche to their first Stanley Cup title since 2001 and third in franchise history.

Toronto’s Auston Matthews won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player, beating out Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers to win the award for the first time.

Andre Burakovsky scored 1:23 into overtime and the Colorado Avalanche opened the Stanley Cup Final with a 4-3 victory over the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night.

The Colorado Avalanche didn't need to be fully healthy to sweep the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference final.

Avalanche Oilers Hockey Colorado Avalanche left wing J.T. Compher came out of the penalty box to give Colorado the lead with 7:18 left and the Avalanche beat the Edmonton Oilers' 4-2 on Saturday night to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals. Valeri Nichushkin scored twice for Colorado, Mikko Rantanen had an empty-netter with 30 seconds left, and Pavel Francouz made 27 saves. Game 4 is Monday night in Edmonton, with Colorado a game away from advancing to the Stanley Cup final. Only four NHL teams have ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a seven-game series.

Nazem Kadri had three assists in a 2:04 span in the second period, backup Pavel Francouz stopped 24 shots for his second career playoff shutout and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-0 on Thursday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

J.

APTOPIX Oilers Flames Hockey Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, right, celebrates his goal against the Calgary Flames with defenseman Cody Ceci in overtime in Game 5 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Calgary, Alberta. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP) (Jeff McIntosh)CALGARY, Alberta — (AP) — Connor McDavid scored at 5:03 of overtime and the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Calgary Flames 5-4 on Thursday to win the second-round playoff series in five games and advance to the Western Conference finals. Zach Hyman had a goal and two assists and Darnell Nurse, Jesse Puljujarvi and Evan Bouchard also scored for the Oilers. Draisaitl added four assists — his fifth straight contest registering three-plus points to build on the NHL playoff record he set in Game 4. Blake Coleman added two assists and Jacob Markstrom made 30 saves as the Flames dropped to 0-10 when trailing a playoff series 3-1.

Flames Oilers Hockey Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, second from left, celebrates his goal against the Calgary Flames with teammates during the first period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs second-round series Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Edmonton, Alberta. Evander Kane scored his NHL-leading 11th and 12th goals of the postseason, and Zach Hyman added a goal for Edmonton. He has 25 points in 11 playoff games for the Oilers, who earned a third straight victory over their provincial rival. With the Oilers wobbling, Nugent-Hopkins poked in his fourth goal of the playoffs from in front of Markstrom. The goal was the third-fastest in Oilers’ playoff history, just short of McDavid (19 seconds in 2020) and Fernando Pisani (16 seconds in 2006).

APTOPIX Oilers Flames Hockey Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman celebrates his goal against the Calgary Flames during the third period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs second-round series Friday, May 20, 2022, in Calgary, Alberta. Oilers goalie Mike Smith, pulled early in the last game, made 37 saves for the win and assisted on Draisaitl’s insurance goal. The best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal heads to Edmonton’s Rogers Place for Sunday's Game 3 and Tuesday’s Game 4. Edmonton scored its first power-play goal of the series midway through the second period to send the game into the third deadlocked 3-3. Hyman celebrated an Oilers goal with just over four minutes left in the opening period, but officials waived it off.

Oilers Flames Hockey Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk, right, celebrates his goal against the Edmonton Oilers with forward Johnny Gaudreau during the third period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series Wednesday, May 18, 2022, in Calgary, Alberta. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP) (Jeff McIntosh)CALGARY, Alberta — (AP) — Matthew Tkachuk had his first career playoff hat trick and the Calgary Flames beat the Edmonton Oilers 9-6 Wednesday night in Game 1 of their second-round series. Game 2 is Friday at the Saddledome before the series heads to Edmonton for Sunday’s Game 3 and Tuesday’s Game 4. The Flames scored twice in a 25-second span in the first minute and led 3-0 by 6:05 when Smith was replaced by Koskinen. ... Game 1 was the highest scoring playoff game involving Calgary and Edmonton, surpassing the previous high of 12 goals scored in Game 3 of the 1983 Smythe Division final.

The New York Rangers will play the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the NHL playoffs.

Cody Ceci also scored and Mike Smith made 28 saves for his second shutout of the playoffs for the Oilers, who last won a Game 7 in 1998 and celebrated their first playoff series win since 2017. There was no scoring in a tense opening period, with the Oilers putting 10 shots on Quick, while the Kings sent seven on Smith. Quick came into the game with a 4-0 career record in Game 7s. The Oilers will now advance to play either Calgary or Dallas, who are going to a Game 7 of their own on Sunday. Notes: Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse returned after serving a one-game suspension in Game 6 for head-butting Phillip Danault in Game 5.

Oilers Kings Hockey Los Angeles Kings defenseman Troy Stecher celebrates in front of the Edmonton Oilers' bench after scoring during the first period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, May 8, 2022, in Los Angeles. Los Angeles earned its first playoff victory on home ice since the club raised the Stanley Cup for the second time in 2014. Edmonton's frustrations and Los Angeles' exuberance led to several stoppages and near-brawls in the final minutes. Game 5 is Tuesday night in Edmonton, with Game 6 back in Los Angeles on Thursday. Los Angeles responded to those setbacks with its best defensive performance of the series in Game 4.

The Los Angeles Kings rebounded from back-to-back blowout losses to even their first-round playoff series with a 4-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4.

Anze Kopitar had a goal and an assist while Phillip Danault also scored for Los Angeles, who had a 45-37 advantage in shots on goal. Game 4 is Sunday night in Los Angeles. Kane had a pair of rebound goals in the second period and finished the hat trick with a wrist shot with 20 seconds remaining. Edmonton won 6-0 Wednesday night and built a five-goal lead midway through the second period of this one as it took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Los Angeles averted a shutout 16 seconds after Kane's second goal when Kopitar went top shelf on a backhand in front of the net.

Evander Kane picked up his first hat trick in a Stanley Cup playoff game, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman each had two goals, and the Edmonton Oilers dominated the Los Angeles Kings for the second straight game, posting a 8-2 victory in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.

The first-round matchups are set for the NHL playoffs that begin Monday.

Brandon Montour scored 2:26 into overtime and the NHL-leading Florida Panthers extended their winning streak to a franchise-record 13 games by beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Saturday night.

Aleksander Barkov scored his 38th goal of the season and the Florida Panthers tied a franchise record with their 12th straight win, beating the Detroit Red Wings 5-2.

NHL All Star Game Hockey Metropolitan Division's Jack Hughes, of the New Jersey Devils, right, skates in front of Pacific Division's Connor McDavid, of the Edmonton Oilers, during the second period of a semifinal NHL All-Star hockey game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) (Rick Scuteri)New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes has been placed on the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list after participating in the league's All-Star festivities in Las Vegas. The 20-year-old Hughes has 12 goals and 15 assists in 28 games this season. The Devils' next game is Monday night at Ottawa. ___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Philadelphia captain Claude Giroux scored three goals and the Metropolitan Division beat the Central Division 5-3 in the final 3-on-3 match of the NHL All-Star Game.

Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman won the Hardest Shot competition and St. Louis’ Jordan Kyrou was the Fastest Skater during an NHL All-Star skills competition with a distinct Vegas flavor.

Bruins Capitals Hockey Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates with the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) (Nick Wass)NEW YORK — (AP) — Washington star Alexander Ovechkin and high-scoring Edmonton teammates Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl headline the rosters for the NHL All-Star Weekend announced Thursday. Selected for the eighth time, Ovechkin led voting in the Metropolitan Division to earn the captaincy for the Feb. 4-5 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event features a three-game tournament played in a 3-on-3 format, with 11-man teams from each of the league's four divisions. McDavid is set to be the captain, and Peter DeBoer of Vegas the coach.

Washington star Alexander Ovechkin and high-scoring Edmonton teammates Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl headline the rosters for the NHL All-Star Weekend announced Thursday.

McDavid, forward Derek Ryan and defenseman Tyson Barrie were placed in COVID-19 protocols before the Oilers’ game Wednesday night at Toronto. The Stars got them all back before a home game Thursday night against Florida. “We’re seven games behind Anaheim and Vegas. Before those games, the Stars had a five-game losing streak that followed a season-best seven wins in a row. “Little details are what’s going to be really important coming out of this long break,” Stars forward Jason Robertson said.

Oilers Devils Hockey Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun) (Bill Kostroun)Edmonton captain Connor McDavid, forward Derek Ryan and defenseman Tyson Barrie were placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list before the Oilers' game at Toronto. The team was awaiting the results of further testing to determine their status for Wednesday’s matchup with the Maple Leafs. The Oilers also placed forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on injured reserve. The Oilers also announced forward Zack Kassian has cleared COVID-19 protocols and goaltender Ilya Konovalov has been loaned to the team’s taxi squad. Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews told reporters he planned on playing in Wednesday’s game after participating in practice.

Edmonton captain and reigning league MVP Connor McDavid has been placed on on NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list.

A handful of NHL players are voicing frustration over the decision not to allow them to go to the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing.

“There hasn’t been a ton of information come out, and then there’s that three-to-five week (quarantine) thing ... it’s kind of been floating around. Obviously, it’s unsettling if that were to be the case when you go over there.”The NHL skipped the 2018 Olympics in South Korea, but committed to Beijing as part of the extension to the current collective bargaining agreement signed with NHL Players' Association. “I’m still a guy that’s wanting to go play in the Olympics,” McDavid said, according to The Canadian Press. “That was a cold slap (to the face).”The NHL went to every Olympics from 1998 through 2014 before declining to send its players three years ago. Owners have always been lukewarm on the Olympics for a number of reasons, including the disruption to the league calendar.

Some NHL players say they are unsettled by word that a positive COVID-19 test during the Winter Olympics in China could lead to a long quarantine.

NHL forward Jack Eichel arrives in Vegas with a set of questions for the Golden Knights.

McDavid Back Hockey FILE - Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) plays against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia, in this Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, file photo. McDavid is back on the ice this week as he tries to build off a unanimous MVP season. The unanimous NHL MVP returned to the ice in July and worked hard to improve his defensive game with an eye on building off a 105-point season in just 56 games. It's not easy to practice in summer skates that are more like shinny than postseason hockey, but McDavid has taken it upon himself to try. "Heading into my seventh year, you realize that you’ve always got to be building on your game, growing your game and working on a full, 200-foot game.

The Chicago Blackhawks have traded two-time Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith to the Edmonton Oilers for young defenseman Caleb Jones and a third-round draft pick.

McDavid was voted the Hart Trophy winner as the NHL's MVP for the second time in his career, Tuesday, June 29. McDavid became just the second unanimous Hart selection — joining Wayne Gretzky in 1982 — in receiving all 100 first-place votes from members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. McDavid doubled up on honors by also winning his third Ted Lindsay Award as the league’s most outstanding player, which is voted on by NHL players. Fox became the second player to win the Norris in his second season, joining Bobby Orr winning in 1968. The Oilers players have now won the Hart in three of the past five years, with Draisaitl winning it last year.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid ran away in the voting to win his second Hart Trophy as NHL MVP after leading the league in points.

(Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) (JASON FRANSON)NEW YORK — (AP) — Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews and Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon have been named the finalists for the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP. McDavid, considered the likely winner of the award, dominated the 2020-21 scoring race with 105 points in 56 games — 21 more than runner-up and Oilers teammate Leon Draisaitl, who won MVP honors last year. A McDavid win would make the Oilers the first team with different Hart Trophy winners in consecutive seasons since the Boston Bruins in 1968-69 (Phil Esposito) and 1969-70 (Bobby Orr). McDavid, who is Edmonton's captain, won the Hart Trophy in 2017 and finished third in the voting in 2019. Matthews scored a league-leading 41 goals in 52 games to help Toronto earn the top seed in the North Division.

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews and Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon have been named finalists for the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP.

Oilers Jets Hockey Winnipeg Jets' Kyle Connor (81) scores the game-winning goal on Edmonton Oilers' goaltender Mike Smith (41) during third overtime period of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff game, Monday, May 24, 2021, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP) (Fred Greenslade)WINNIPEG, Manitoba — (AP) — Kyle Connor scored 6:52 into the third overtime period, lifting the Winnipeg Jets to a first-round series sweep of the Edmonton Oilers with a 4-3 victory Monday night. Mark Scheifele scored twice and Mason Appleton added a goal for the Jets, who eliminated the Oilers in the playoffs for the first time. So before the next round, the Jets will get some much-needed rest after playing three straight overtime games — including two on back-to-back nights. “It took all pieces of our game,” Jets coach Paul Maurice said.

Oilers star Connor McDavid, who had 105 points in the regular season, is still looking for his first point of the series as the Jets lead 2-0.

The Blues lost defensemen Justin Faulk and Robert Bortuzzo during a 6-3 loss to the Avalanche. The Jets held Oilers' Connor McDavid without a point.

Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid recorded his 100th point of the season - in his 53rd game - with a four-point game against the Vancouver Canucks.

Oilers Canucks Hockey Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid, far right, scores against Vancouver Canucks goalie Braden Holtby (49) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, May 3, 2021, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP) (Darryl Dyck)VANCOUVER, British Columbia — (AP) — Connor McDavid had two goals and two assists as the Edmonton Oilers clinched a playoff spot with a 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night. The Canucks had a single shot on goal through the first 15 minutes of the period. Barrie gave Edmonton a 2-1 lead just 18 seconds into the second period. Kahun closed out the second period with a blast past Holtby, making it 4-2 for Edmonton with 44.1 seconds left on the clock.

Many draft-eligible prospects and NHL teams attempting to pick them face an uncertain future after many leagues were unable to hold full seasons or play at all because of the pandemic.

“I’m feeling quite well but, of course, scarred by the experience.”The first month of the NHL's pandemic-shortened season has been a bumpy one. From Jan. 13 through Saturday, 120 players from 26 of 31 teams have spent at least one day on the COVID-19 list. Minnesota and New Jersey are scheduled to return Tuesday, while the Philadelphia Flyers, who currently have seven players on the NHL COVID-19 list, are on pause until at least Thursday. AdThe NHL had 22 players on the COVID-19 list on Jan. 30, and that number ballooned to a season-high 59 on Friday. Rapid tests return results within a half hour and augment the PCR daily tests which were already taking place.

San Jose's Erik Karlsson (65) handles the puck against Minnesota Wild's Nick Bjugstad (27) in the third period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, in St. Paul, Minn. San Jose won 5-3. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)With an outbreak delaying the Dallas Stars' opener, Rick Bowness got to watch a lot of hockey in the first couple of nights of the NHL season. “It was entertaining hockey, but it was a little sloppy,” Bowness said. “We’re staying in 5-star hotels, get to play hockey, so I can’t complain,” defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic said. Ad___Follow AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWhyno___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The New York Rangers selected Canadian forward Alexis Lafreniere with the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft on Tuesday night. Lafreniere joins a young, developing Rangers team that features one of his favorite players, Hart Trophy finalist Artemi Panarin. 1 pick for the first time since the NHL established the universal draft in 1969. They became the first NHL team to select first following a postseason appearance since the then-Minnesota North Stars in 1983, who acquired the No.

EDMONTON, AB – Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid has tested positive for COVID-19. The NHL made it through its postseason in bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton without one positive test in August and September. Two more positive tests were reported during training camp, which was considered Phase 3. Six members of the Ottawa Senators organization tested positive for COVID-19 after the team made a trip through hard-hit California just before the league suspended its season in March. The NHL stopped releasing the names or teams for positive tests earlier this year.

1 pick in the NHL draft while also coming off an appearance in the expanded 24-team playoffs. The Rangers only made the playoffs because the NHL expanded the format to 24, rather than 16 teams. 1 pick is going to be a very good hockey player, there’s no question, maybe even a great player, hopefully. “To be maybe having the chance to play with him, it would be an honor,” Lafreniere said. General managers are bracing for a hectic weekend with numerous teams having to shed payroll this offseason with the NHL salary cap staying at $81.5 million.