7:15 AM ET On Wednesday, we released our NHL Rank for the 2020-21 season — a predictive list of the top 100 players for this coming season. A panel of 11 ESPN NHL experts (it wasn’t just the two of us!) graded players based on how good they will be in comparison to their peers

7:15 AM ET We’re just days away from embarking on a very different kind of NHL season, and it was fascinating to see how this year’s NHL Rank — our predictive ranking of the top 100 players for 2020-21 — played out. But it also got me thinking: How different will this list look in

12:42 PM ET Associated Press Mathew Barzal joined the New York Islanders on the ice Saturday for his first practice of training camp after agreeing to a three-year, $21 million contract. “I love the game, and I was anxious,” Barzal said. “I wanted to get out with the boys.” The 23-year-old star forward missed the

6:55 PM ET Associated Press Pittsburgh Penguins Hall of Fame radio play-by-play announcer Mike Lange is taking an early intermission before starting his 46th season in the booth. The team announced Friday that the 72-year-old Lange will sit out the beginning of the 2021 season as a precaution due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I’ve decided

1:15 PM ET The Dallas Stars had six players and two staff members test positive for COVID-19, and the NHL expects the team will not open its 2020-21 season any earlier than Jan. 19. Those who tested positive are self-isolating and following CDC and NHL protocols. The positive tests have forced the Stars to close

1:06 PM ET New Jersey Devils goaltender Corey Crawford is taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team due to personal reasons, the team announced Friday. Crawford has not practiced since training camp opened for the team last week. His absences were first described as “maintenance days” by coach Lindy Ruff before the team

7:00 AM ET The NHL drops the puck on the 2021 season on Jan. 13, and things are going to look different. It’s not just the abridged 56-game season length and temporary divisional realignment. The league also instituted several new rules. There’s one big on-ice change, which could simplify one of hockey’s most controversial rules

5:49 PM ET Associated Press NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils have re-signed defenseman Sami Vatanen less than a year after trading him to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Devils announced Thursday that the free agent was given a one-year, $2 million contract. “He’s highly competitive,” coach Lindy Ruff said after practice. “He’s another veteran

10:28 AM ET From Jan. 13 through May 8, there are NHL games scheduled every night as part of its truncated 56-game 2020-21 season. Every. Single. Night. On some nights, there’s just one game. If you’re itching to watch an NHL game on Jan. 25, for example, your option is the Ottawa Senators at the

7:00 AM ET Against all odds, the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship was completed. Based on the way the tournament went, the odds of the United States winning the whole thing may have been even longer. However, for the fourth time in 11 years, the Americans skated off the ice with the gold medal following