NHL’s Expansion Ambitions Clash with a Loyal, Conservative Fanbase
The NHL’s drive to broaden its audience meets entrenched fan expectations and a playoff system that rewards mediocrity.
Aug 14, 2026
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Gary Bettman
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Gary Bettman across Hockey, Soccer.
Johnny Gaudreau’s Legacy: From Olympic Gold to Blue Jackets Triumph
On his 33rd birthday, Johnny Gaudreau’s career is reflected through pivotal moments with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Olympic triumphs, and community initiatives that have left a lasting imprint on hockey.
Aug 14, 2026
NHL Fan Survey Shows Overwhelming Optimism Amid Safety and Fairness Concerns
A massive poll of NHL fans reveals strong enthusiasm for the league’s direction, while highlighting worries about gambling, fairness and the Department of Player Safety.
Aug 6, 2026
Why NHL Expansion to 33 Teams Threatens the Sport’s Competitive Soul
The NHL’s expansion drive, fueled by billion‑dollar fees and a parity‑obsessed system, threatens the sport’s competitive integrity and dilutes talent.
Aug 2, 2026
NHL Eyes $3.5 Billion Expansion Franchise in Texas
The league is considering a $3.5 billion expansion franchise that could land in Houston or Austin, with a $2 billion fee to be distributed to current clubs.
Aug 1, 2026
FIFA’s World Cup Stake Sale Sparks Global Backlash
FIFA President Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell a 20 percent stake in the World Cup to private investors has ignited opposition across the sport's governing bodies, with UEFA warning that the soul of football cannot be traded.
Jul 29, 2026
NHL Eyes Southern Expansion
The National Hockey League is exploring new franchises in Austin and Houston, with the Friedkin family poised to invest $3.5 billion, pending a six‑month evaluation of arena needs and market potential.
Jul 28, 2026
Amazon and Rogers Ink 12‑Year Deal to Broadcast NHL Games on Prime Video
Amazon and Rogers have sealed a 12‑year agreement that will see NHL games streamed on Prime Video, including 26 regular‑season matchups on Wednesday nights and a share of playoff series, starting in fall 2026.
Jul 28, 2026
Prime Video Secures 12‑Year NHL Broadcast Deal in Canada
Prime Video and Rogers Communications have agreed to a 12‑year arrangement that will bring NHL regular‑season games to Wednesday evenings and three playoff series each year to Canadian viewers, with all content available in English and French and no additional fees for subscribers.
Jul 28, 2026
Prime Video Secures 12‑Year Exclusive Broadcast Deal for Wednesday Night NHL Games in Canada
Prime Video and Rogers Communications have announced a 12‑year agreement to exclusively broadcast Wednesday night NHL games in Canada, starting in the 2026‑27 season, offering at least 26 regular‑season games and select playoff series at no extra cost to Prime members.
Jul 28, 2026
Colorado Avalanche to Face Utah Mammoth in Historic NHL Winter Classic
The NHL has scheduled a landmark outdoor game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Utah Mammoth on New Year's Eve, marking the Avalanche's debut in a Winter Classic and the Mammoth's first ever outdoor contest.
Jul 27, 2026
Jets Lock Up Perfetti as Leafs Nurture McKenna Amid Wellness Push
The Winnipeg Jets secure Cole Perfetti with a $30 million, five‑year contract while the Toronto Maple Leafs ease Gavin McKenna into the NHL, and the NHL Alumni Association expands health support for former players.
Jul 26, 2026
Claude Lemieux’s Death Highlights Hidden Struggles of NHL Legends
The hockey community mourns the loss of four‑time Stanley Cup champion Claude Lemieux, whose career was defined by clutch performances and whose personal battles ended in tragedy, prompting renewed dialogue about player well‑being and legacy.
Jul 26, 2026
Herzl’s Legacy Lives On the Ice: Hockey Tournaments Honoring a Visionary
A look at the Herzl Cup and related hockey tournaments that commemorate Theodor Herzl, the Zionist pioneer, and the efforts to keep his dream of peace alive through sport and cultural projects
Jul 26, 2026
Claude Lemieux: From Four‑Time Cup Champion to Tragic End
Four Stanley Cup titles, a celebrated playoff legacy, and a final chapter marked by personal turmoil and suicide.
Jul 26, 2026
JP Hurlbert Eyes Summer Showcase and NCAA Future
Drafted by Detroit in 2026, JP Hurlbert is using his summer in Michigan to sharpen his game before the World Junior Summer Showcase and his upcoming NCAA season with the Wolverines.
Jul 25, 2026
NHL Eyes 33rd Franchise, Wild’s Goalkeeper at Center of Expansion Debate
The league’s expansion plans bring both opportunity and risk, as the Wild weigh the value of their backup netminder against the allure of a high‑profile free agent.
Jul 23, 2026
NHL Players to Receive Record $170 Million Escrow Rebate for 2025‑26 Season
A historic $170 million rebate will be distributed to NHL players after the league’s 50‑50 revenue split finally aligns with salary obligations, reflecting a dramatic rise in league earnings and a new Canadian media agreement.
Jul 13, 2026
The Athletic’s 2026 NHL Fan Survey Sets the Stage for Game‑Wide Feedback
The Athletic is inviting hockey enthusiasts to shape the future of the sport through a comprehensive survey that covers performance, viewing habits and broader fan concerns.
Jul 13, 2026
The NHL’s Record Growth and Pop Culture Crossover
The National Hockey League is experiencing unprecedented success, driven by rising revenue, expansion teams, record viewership and a surprising foray into pop culture.
Jul 13, 2026
NHL Eyes Overhaul of Playoff Seeding, Scoring and Goalie‑Interference Rules
The league is weighing several experimental rule changes that could reshape how teams compete for playoff spots and earn points, while also re‑thinking the way goalie‑interference challenges are handled.
Jul 12, 2026
Utah Mammoth’s Rapid Rise Redefines Hockey in a Non‑Traditional Market
The Utah Mammoth have sold out 85 consecutive home games, leveraging affordable tickets, community programs and innovative fan experiences to transform hockey in Utah and deliver the state’s first playoff appearance.
Jul 11, 2026
Colorado Avalanche: A Decade of Peaks, Players, and Tragedy (2010‑2015)
An exploration of the Colorado Avalanche’s most memorable highs and lows between 2010 and 2015, featuring legendary players, a division championship, and a tragic loss that resonated across the hockey world.
Jul 10, 2026
Phoenix Eyes NHL Return as Former Coyotes Star Joins Advisory Push
Maricopa County Supervisor Tom Galvin is spearheading a campaign to bring an NHL team back to Phoenix, enlisting former Coyote captain Shane Doan and his wife Andrea Doan to lead an advisory effort, while the league eyes stable ownership and a new arena.
Jul 10, 2026