NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Player Updates
Blues forward Robert Thomas will take a temporary leave of absence due to a personal matter. The St. Louis player, who ranks second on the team with 33 points, will be away from the team indefinitely.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been placed on injured reserve and will miss at least four weeks. The Pittsburgh star's absence is a significant blow to the team's lineup.
Contract News
The Kraken secured two forwards with two-year contract extensions for Ben Meyers and Ryan Winterton. The Seattle team continues to build depth through its young core.
Olympic Impact
Team USA's gold medal victory over Canada drew an impressive 26 million viewers on NBC and Peacock. The Olympic triumph has generated substantial interest in hockey across the United States.
Goalie Connor Hellebuyck will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom following his performance in leading Team USA to gold. The honor recognizes his standout play in the tournament.
Player Return Updates
Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov has set a target for his season debut after knee surgery. The Florida star, who underwent ligament repair in September, indicated he will return "soon" to the lineup.