Four teams will take part in regular-season games in Europe next season, reports Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
Among the matchups, the Florida Panthers and Winnipeg Jets will square off for two games in Finland in November. Tampere native Patrik Laine is sure to be a draw, as is Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov, who hails from the same hometown.
The Oilers will also head overseas during the preseason for an exhibition game held in Germany, the home country of forward Leon Draisaitl, while the Devils will do the same in Switzerland, where Nico Hischier will play in front of a home crowd.
Goaltender interference is a hot topic at the NHL's All-Star festivities in Tampa.
The NHL's Board of Governors discussed the issue in a Saturday morning meeting, with the conversation centered around officials overthinking the call and getting too technical with the rule, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.
Further meetings are on the docket:
The 4 All Star coaches and NHL GM's in Tampa are meeting with league brass this afternoon to further discuss goaltender interference.
The 63rd edition of the NHL All-Star Game kicks off Sunday in Tampa Bay, where the game's best will decide which is hockey's most dominant division.
It marks the third straight year the NHL has opted for the divisional format. The Metropolitan took last season's title in Los Angeles, and the Pacific Division won it all two years ago in Nashville.
So which side will earn this year's crown? Each team is loaded with talent. Alex Ovechkin (Metropolitan), Steven Stamkos (Atlantic), P.K. Subban (Central), and Connor McDavid (Pacific) captain their respective squads.
To be named All-Star Game MVP may not be the pinnacle of personal hockey achievement, but some of the NHL's greatest have their names on that list, and it remains a nice moment for individuals as all NHL eyes are on the event.
Here, then, is the best - for various reasons - All-Star MVP candidate from the league's four divisions.
Atlantic - Steven Stamkos
This time last year, Stamkos was sidelined with a major leg injury, just months after re-signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning and cementing himself as the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Stamkos cited loyalty and "unfinished business" as reasons for remaining with the club in lieu of hitting the open market, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. Now back at full strength, Stamkos is in the midst of making good on that promise; he's on pace to match his career-high 97 points set in 2011-12 while helping the Lightning rebound from missing the playoffs in 2017 to challenging for the Presidents' Trophy and, more importantly, the Stanley Cup in 2018.
With Tampa Bay in the spotlight as the All-Star host city, it would be fitting for the Lightning captain to shine as the brightest star on his own turf.
Metropolitan - Brian Boyle
During training camp, New Jersey Devils center Boyle was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a treatable form of bone marrow cancer.
Boyle missed the campaign's first 10 games, but made his season debut Nov. 1. In 38 games since, he's scored 11 goals, and could very well match the 21 he scored over 82 games with the New York Rangers in 2011-12.
A last-minute addition to the Metropolitan Division roster as a result of an injury to teammate Taylor Hall, Boyle's presence in Tampa will be even more special considering he was a member of the Lightning roster that advanced to the Cup Final in 2015.
He's sure to be warmly welcomed by the home crowd, and would be the unlikeliest of MVP's due to maybe not being as skilled and experienced at three-on-three play as his peers.
But that's exactly what would help make it an All-Star Game to remember.
Central - P.K. Subban
It's time for Subban to be acknowledged as one of the premiere faces of the NHL.
Fresh off an appearance on "The Daily Show" where he talked about the $10-million commitment he made to the Montreal Children’s Hospital and his Blueline Buddies program that pairs Nashville police officers with underprivileged kids at Predators games, Subban has already taken Tampa by storm after hosting a free concert Friday.
As a leading candidate to win his second Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman, he wants to be known as a top defensive player, but he also knows how to put on a show offensively.
Voted as captain of the Central Division squad, a large section of hockey fans appreciate all that he brings to the game, both on and off the ice. A defenseman hasn't been named All-Star MVP since Ray Bourque in 1996, and Subban is as able as anyone to buck that trend.
The accolade would hopefully push the NHL to ensure Subban is at the forefront of campaigns to grow the game.
Pacific - Marc-Andre Fleury
The emergence of the Vegas Golden Knights is easily one of the best hockey stories in years, and a key to that has been the play of goaltender Fleury.
Seemingly exiled to the desert after a long, successful, and emotional run with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Fleury's debut season with the expansion franchise got off to a bumpy start as a result of a concussion suffered in his fourth start.
But the 33-year-old was back between the pipes in mid-December and is playing some of the best hockey of his career as Vegas challenges for first overall in the NHL. In 18 games, Fleury has a 12-4-2 record and his .942 save percentage is good for second among all goalies.
Fleury is well respected around the hockey world, and his effusive smile easily draws fans in. A rare goalie MVP nod would add to Vegas' crazy introduction to the NHL, and would be sure to expose the rest of the hockey world to that smile.
To be named All-Star Game MVP may not be the pinnacle of personal hockey achievement, but some of the NHL's greatest have their names on that list, and it remains a nice moment for individuals as all NHL eyes are on the event.
Here, then, is the best - for various reasons - All-Star MVP candidate from the league's four divisions.
Atlantic - Steven Stamkos
This time last year, Stamkos was sidelined with a major leg injury, just months after re-signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning and cementing himself as the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Stamkos cited loyalty and "unfinished business" as reasons for remaining with the club in lieu of hitting the open market, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. Now back at full strength, Stamkos is in the midst of making good on that promise; he's on pace to match his career-high 97 points set in 2011-12 while helping the Lightning rebound from missing the playoffs in 2017 to challenging for the Presidents' Trophy and, more importantly, the Stanley Cup in 2018.
With Tampa Bay in the spotlight as the All-Star host city, it would be fitting for the Lightning captain to shine as the brightest star on his own turf.
Metropolitan - Brian Boyle
During training camp, New Jersey Devils center Boyle was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a treatable form of bone marrow cancer.
Boyle missed the campaign's first 10 games, but made his season debut Nov. 1. In 38 games since, he's scored 11 goals, and could very well match the 21 he scored over 82 games with the New York Rangers in 2011-12.
A last-minute addition to the Metropolitan Division roster as a result of an injury to teammate Taylor Hall, Boyle's presence in Tampa will be even more special considering he was a member of the Lightning roster that advanced to the Cup Final in 2015.
He's sure to be warmly welcomed by the home crowd, and would be the unlikeliest of MVP's due to maybe not being as skilled and experienced at three-on-three play as his peers.
But that's exactly what would help make it an All-Star Game to remember.
Central - P.K. Subban
It's time for Subban to be acknowledged as one of the premiere faces of the NHL.
Fresh off an appearance on "The Daily Show" where he talked about the $10-million commitment he made to the Montreal Children’s Hospital and his Blueline Buddies program that pairs Nashville police officers with underprivileged kids at Predators games, Subban has already taken Tampa by storm after hosting a free concert Friday.
As a leading candidate to win his second Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman, he wants to be known as a top defensive player, but he also knows how to put on a show offensively.
Voted as captain of the Central Division squad, a large section of hockey fans appreciate all that he brings to the game, both on and off the ice. A defenseman hasn't been named All-Star MVP since Ray Bourque in 1996, and Subban is as able as anyone to buck that trend.
The accolade would hopefully push the NHL to ensure Subban is at the forefront of campaigns to grow the game.
Pacific - Marc-Andre Fleury
The emergence of the Vegas Golden Knights is easily one of the best hockey stories in years, and a key to that has been the play of goaltender Fleury.
Seemingly exiled to the desert after a long, successful, and emotional run with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Fleury's debut season with the expansion franchise got off to a bumpy start as a result of a concussion suffered in his fourth start.
But the 33-year-old was back between the pipes in mid-December and is playing some of the best hockey of his career as Vegas challenges for first overall in the NHL. In 18 games, Fleury has a 12-4-2 record and his .942 save percentage is good for second among all goalies.
Fleury is well respected around the hockey world, and his effusive smile easily draws fans in. A rare goalie MVP nod would add to Vegas' crazy introduction to the NHL, and would be sure to expose the rest of the hockey world to that smile.
Sunday's NHL All-Star Game will provide a dream come true for hockey fans.
Metropolitan Division head coach Barry Trotz said he plans on deploying Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby together during the three-on-three mini-tournament.
Barry Trotz plans to play Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby together in the All-Star Game “just for my own satisfaction” #caps#pens#nhl
2018 NHL All-Star Skills Competition Where:Amalie Arena, Tampa Bay, Fla. When: Saturday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m. ET TV: NBCSN (U.S.); CBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Canada)
There's more than bragging rights on the line at this year's All-Star Skills Competition.
This time, the winners of each event will take home a cool $25,000. It's the first of many steps taken to move the focus of the competition from the best team back to the best players.
Players will be handpicked for each event by the NHL's Department of Player Safety, and it won't be based on what division they play for.
Fans will be treated to a couple of new events and some tweaks to past competitions.
With that said, here's a rundown of what you can expect Saturday night:
Save Streak
This new one is for the goalies.
Five goalies and all 36 skaters will take part in a shootout competition in which goalies will look to make the most consecutive saves.
Each one will face the nine skaters from one division. Players will shoot in order of their numbers from lowest to highest, with team captains shooting last. If the captain fails to score, they'll go again in the same order until a goal is scored.
If two or more goalies are tied for the longest streak, the goalie who made the most overall saves will be crowned the winner.
Passing Challenge
Who can feather the most accurate saucer pass? That'll be the focus for the newly minted passing challenge.
Eight players will take part in a three-part challenge that will include passes to targets, passes to players as part of four give-and-goes, and passes over a barricade into mini nets. Each player must complete the first part of the challenge before moving on.
The fastest total time wins.
Accuracy Shooting
This year's accuracy contest will be noticeably different from previous editions.
Eight players will take their usual spot (25 feet out from the net), but unlike previous years, they'll have five LED targets that light up randomly for three seconds, instead of the stationary foam targets. The players have to hit the lit-up target in that time before it moves. They keep going until all five targets are hit.
The player who hits all five in the fastest time, wins.
Fastest Skater
It's exactly as it sounds.
Eight skaters will race to clock the fastest lap around the rink. Players can decide what direction they want to go in, and have the chance to start a maximum of three feet behind the starting line (center line), with their time starting once they cross the line.
Puck Control Relay
The puck control relay is the puckhandling version of the passing challenge.
Eight players will go through three stations: 1) Stickhandling through a series of pucks in a straight line, 2) Stickhandling through a series of pylons in a zig-zag, and 3) Shooting or guiding the puck through a lit-up rung at the gate.
The player to complete the course the fastest wins.
Hardest Shot
Six players will have two rounds of two shots each from 30 feet out to muster up their hardest shot.
Following the first round, players will shoot again in order of slowest to fastest shot, with the hardest shot taking all the glory.
With no Shea Weber or Zdeno Chara in attendance this year, the field should be wide open.
The Columbus Blue Jackets bench boss issued his latest coach's challenge in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes, only to come up on the wrong side of the ruling.
Although it was ultimately ruled a good call, meaning Tortorella forfeited his team's time out, the challenge was still worth the roll of the dice.
"I'm taking a chance. I think there's an opportunity," Tortorella told George Richards of The Columbus Dispatch. "You never know what you're going to get there."
Midway through the final frame, Coyotes winger Brendan Perlini knocked a loose puck past netminder Sergei Bobrovsky. But with fellow forward Richard Panik knocked into Bobrovsky, the Blue Jackets threw caution to the wind in hopes of getting a goaltender interference call upon review. Despite the challenge, however, the original call on the ice stood and it was ruled a good goal.
"The only consistency (on call reversals) is the inconsistency," Tortorella added. "As a coach, you have to understand that. I'm not trying to circumvent the rule, but knowing how inconsistent the calls have been, I'm taking a chance."
Tortorella isn't the only coach seemingly lost by how goaltender interference is decided. Maple Leafs bench boss Mike Babcock echoed similar comments Monday after Toronto had a goal reversed against the Colorado Avalanche.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets weren't the only team on the losing end of a goaltender inference ruling Thursday, as a controversial call also came in overtime between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers.
The 2017-18 campaign marks the second season in which the NHL has allowed coaches to challenge goals for goaltender interference.
