"The fact is, if I'm a player and I'm looking at a [salary] cap that's going to be basically flat for the term of what is now a six-year collective bargaining agreement and players for the next five or six years are going to be repaying what was overpaid, they have to ask themselves: Does this make sense?" Bettman said. "Just like there's a lot of issues we have to deal with where we say, does this make sense? Having said that ... what we're focused on is trying to get through the 2020-21 season so we can be back in position for 2021-22 for normalcy. Based off everything we're hearing from the medical experts ... we're hopeful and optimistic that we can return to normalcy by the time we get to '21-22."

"It wasn't quite 'pick one of these three that we're showing you today,' but it was closer to that in our typical process with the NHL," said Near. "I would be stretching the truth if I said we had everyone in unanimously from day one. It doesn't really work that way."Nashville Predators Team NHL Face Coverings

Forward prospect Janne Kuokkanen, acquired in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 24, and defenseman prospect Ty Smith, the No. 18 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, should challenge for key roles.Florida Panthers Team NHL Face Coverings

Pau Gasol is working toward what he hopes will be an NBA comeback and a spot on Spain's Olympic team in Tokyo, the six-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion told ESPN on Wednesday.

One big difference between the "reverse retro" jerseys and the third-jersey program: These jerseys are going to be worn a limited number of times during the 2020-21 season only, and are "while supplies last" as far as retail sales. The Adidas reverse retro jerseys will be available Dec. 1 for $180-$225 in the U.S. and $200-$250 in Canada on Adidas and NHL online retail sites, and then at additional retailers starting Dec. 6.

”We’re all doing everything we can not to bring it into our locker room,” Bowness said. ”Give our players credit, as well, because this is a big sacrifice for everyone and they’re looking after themselves.”NHL Face Coverings

When the Quebec premier held his daily COVID-19 news conference at Place des Arts, he put on a bleu-blanc-rouge mask with the Canadiens logo on it that had been made by Longueuil company Image Folie.

Legault said the mask had been sent to him by Canadiens captain Shea Weber.

When NHL commissioner Gary Bettman decided to “pause” the NHL season on March 12 because of the coronavirus, the Canadiens had a 31-31-9 record with 11 games remaining and appeared certain to miss the playoffs for the third straight season and the fourth time in five years. Their final regular-season game was slated for April 4 in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.Seattle Kraken Team NHL Face Coverings