NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Medal of Freedom Honors
Connor Hellebuyck will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom after helping the U.S. men's hockey team win Olympic gold. The honor was announced by President Trump during Tuesday night's events.
Team Updates
The Kraken secured contract extensions with forwards Ben Meyers and Ryan Winterton for two more seasons. Meanwhile, Aleksander Barkov has set a target date for his season debut after recovering from knee surgery that kept him sidelined since September.
White House Visit
The Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men's hockey team visited President Trump at the White House on Tuesday afternoon. The team later received a two-minute bipartisan standing ovation during the State of the Union address.
Injury Report
Mikko Rantanen will miss extended time for the Dallas Stars after suffering a lower-body injury during Olympic play. The Finnish forward's absence creates a significant gap in the Stars' offensive lineup.
Trade Moves
The Penguins traded defenseman Brett Kulak to the Avalanche, receiving Samuel Girard and a 2028 draft pick in return. Kulak had been with Pittsburgh since December after previous stops with other teams.
Controversy Response
The Hughes brothers addressed the backlash over President Trump's comments about the women's hockey team. Their statements came amid ongoing discussions about gender equity in hockey and Olympic sports.