PHILADELPHIA — The Flyers’ schedule came out last week, and maybe I’m an exception in this regard, but I did not scan it immediately for games against the Penguins and Rangers and Capitals. My eyes fell on two dates: Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 3. A pair of unmissable matchups against the Flyers’ newest and most hated rivals: the...Read more

CHICAGO — When it comes to promoting nostalgia, no one does it quite like the Chicago Blackhawks.

So it’s not surprising the Hawks would bring back franchise legend Patrick Kane at 37 to re-create memories of the three-time Stanley Cup champions of the 2010s, pairing him with the next franchise savior — Connor Bedard — through the 2027-...Read more

CHICAGO — It’s showtime once again at the United Center.

Right wing Patrick Kane, 37, signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, returning to the team with which the future Hall of Famer spent his first 16 seasons and won three Stanley Cups. The deal includes a full no-movement clause.

“Day in and ...Read more

FORT WORTH, Texas — More than 20 years separate one of the most celebrated players in the history of the Dallas Stars and current All-Star forward Jason Robertson who now is on a path unintentionally followed by Derian Hatcher, a man whose legacy with the team is championships, and one unfortunate exit.

It is a coincidence that Stars GM Jim ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — It might have raised some eyebrows when the Tampa Bay Lightning signed journeyman forward Jeffrey Viel to a five-year deal on the opening day of free agency earlier this month.

But the Lightning believe they’ve brought the 29-year-old to Tampa Bay right as he’s starting to show his ability as an NHL regular.

The way ...Read more

It should have been surprising.

Lionel Messi, at age 39, beating two defenders down the wing and firing a perfect cross into the box for Lautaro Martinez’s winner. Argentina escaping from a late World Cup deficit again.

But given everything Messi has done over the past two decades — and past two World Cups — it felt inevitable.

And it ...Read more

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche will open the season at home for the first time since 2022 against the Los Angeles Kings on Sept. 30.

With the NHL expanding the season to 84 games, adding two divisional games for each team, regular-season hockey will start earlier than usual. The league begins action on Oct. 29 with an opening-night ...Read more

DETROIT — Steve Yzerman is out as Red Wings general manager.

The team announced Wednesday morning that Yzerman is stepping down as GM and a search has begun for a new head of hockey operations. Internal candidates, and others from outside the organization, will be considered.

The Wings said Yzerman will transition from his role as executive ...Read more

RALEIGH, N.C. — After 20 years, it’s time to raise another Stanley Cup banner.

The Carolina Hurricanes will do that Sept. 29, hosting the Florida Panthers in a 5 p.m. game at Lenovo Center in the home opener of the 2026-27 season, the NHL announced Wednesday. The Canes’ full season schedule — this year expanded to 84 games — will be ...Read more

Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jordan Staal is on there.

So are Jackson Blake, Logan Stankoven, Fredik Andersen, Brandon Bussi and the other players who had key roles in the Carolina Panthers’ Stanley Cup championship this year.

Their coach, Rod Brind’Amour, also is on there, as is general manager Eric Tulsky.

A total of 53 names have been ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Think of the Flyers as an explorer who landed on a deserted island. On this island, deep within miles of thick jungle, is treasure. The explorer knows the treasure is there somewhere, and he aims to find it.

Leo Carlsson would have been a new machete: sharp, strong, capable of cutting through all those vines and branches and ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The Flyers’ pre-Fourth of July fireworks have officially become a dud.

On July 3, the team set off a bombshell when it tendered an offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson. It came with a five-year contract worth an average annual value of $18 million. According to a league source, the deal was front-loaded with a ...Read more

CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks will be without star center Connor Bedard for at least the first month of the regular season after he underwent surgery on his left shoulder Wednesday morning.

Bedard will miss about four months while recovering, team physician Dr. Michael Terry announced, setting up the fourth-year center for a November ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — Two years ago, the Tampa Bay Lightning had an obvious 5-on-5 issue that needed fixing.

The year after that, they had a noticeable shortage of spunk that needed addressing.

So, tell me, what was the Lightning’s biggest problem going into this offseason?

The power play? A lack of speed? A dearth of faceoff wins?

Personally, I...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The Summer of Bombshells continues.

The Philadelphia Flyers announced they have reached the end of their rebuild on Friday, when they tendered an offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson for five years and $90 million. The average annual value would be an NHL-record $18 million, at least for a while. Carlsson is a ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — It is the dawn of a new era in the NHL, and the Flyers are officially among the trailblazers.

A few short hours after watching the next generation wrap up development camp with a spirited and competitive three-on-three tournament, the Flyers announced they are a major player for today’s stars with the signing of Leo Carlsson ...Read more