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Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
Mistakes were made. What’s the worst trade in Devils history? [The Athletic ($)]
Still on the list:
#NJDevils prospects Dawson Mercer and Graeme Clarke are still at Hockey Canada's World Junior camp after seven cuts today.
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) December 10, 2020
34 players remain, with the roster needing to be reduced to 25 by Sunday. https://t.co/cZ7KcszNEi
Hockey Links
NHL and a COVID-19 vaccine:
Source confirms that the NHL is planning the private purchase of a COVID vaccine for all constituents involved in the potential upcoming season.
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) December 10, 2020
For clarification...
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) December 11, 2020
The NHL is interested in securing vaccine when and if it’s available for private purchase.
Is it at this point? — no.
The league also is adamant they would not jump the line to do so.
Work is still underway:
NHL and NHLPA continue to hammer away at details. Until there’s a vote, everything is subject to change. Two sides remain focused on Dec 31 camp start for non-playoff teams. Jan 3rd camp start for the rest of the league. Jan 13th start to 2020-2021 regular season.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 10, 2020
Divisions:
Not finalized yet, and still subject to change, but the 2020-21 four-division re-alignment currently looks like this according to sources:
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 9, 2020
Bos-Buf-NJ-NYI-NYR-Pha-Pgh-Was
Car-CBJ-Det-Chi-Fla-Min-Nas-TB
Ana-Ari-Col-Dal-LA-SJ-STL-VGK
All-Canadian teams
We warned everyone that the realignment plan the NHL shared with governors on the call Wednesday was subject to change, and that's exactly what appears to be happening. Sources confirm the NHL is looking to make a few tweaks to those divisions again. 1/2
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 11, 2020
As colleague @RussoHockey reported, Minnesota could swap again. Also hear Dallas is a possibility. Could be a few other tweaks. Clearly some governors on Wednesday's call who weren't pleased with the temporary divisions as presented. So stay tuned.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 11, 2020
Interesting: The league is reportedly exploring the idea of putting ads on player helmets. Elliotte Friedman: “Across the league, there’s an understanding of the need for more creativity in revenue development. Ads on jerseys will come eventually, but there is a desire to be careful with it. The other reason the league may ‘test drive’ with helmets is to get an idea of where the market stands during COVID. You don’t want to rush into a below-market deal.” [Sportsnet]
From Forbes’ hockey valuations for 2020: “The league’s five most valuable teams — the New York Rangers ($1.65 billion), the Toronto Maple Leafs ($1.5 billion), the Montreal Canadiens ($1.34 billion), the Chicago Blackhawks ($1.085 billion) and the Boston Bruins ($1 billon) — accounted for almost a quarter of the league’s revenue. Without them, the league would have lost $50 million.” [Forbes]
A bit of an update on the Seattle Kraken here, including on strong interest in tickets and the idea that the franchise’s arena renovation will end up costing around $1 billion. [The Athletic ($)]
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.