Growing up playing hockey, Matt Hendricks remembered the kind of language he would hear. It wasn't always appropriate. "Words were probably thrown around a little bit too loosely," the Washington Capitals forward said.
General managers have voted to approve hybrid icing — racing to the faceoff dots instead of the puck — as one way to prevent injuries, but it's hard to find a consensus on the best way to handle the situation.
According to the NHLPA, 73 percent of players are wearing a visor this season, up from 69 percent last season. The Hockey News reported just 28 percent of players wore a visor in 2001-02.
The NHL moved a step closer to realignment Thursday as the players' association approved a proposed plan that is set to go into effect next season.
It's uncertain whether the radical, four-conference format that owners tried to implement for this season will remain the plan. The NHL Players' Association withheld consent on that because of concerns about travel and uneven odds to make the playoffs.
Brooks Laich was the only Washington Capitals player in town who didn't take part in the first practice of training camp Sunday as he deals with an apparent groin injury.
The NHL lockout is over. After 119 days, it finally came to an end Saturday night as the league and NHL Players' Association signed the memorandum of understanding.
Now that a tentative deal is done, one big question remains: When is the puck finally going to drop on the long-delayed hockey season?
The day fans and players have been waiting months for finally arrived. The NHL lockout is over.
