In Red Wings Land

NHL Central Division Misery Index: How a Farmington Hills native is outscoring Gordie Howe - Freep

This week’s “Depressing Red Wings Stat Of The Week”™: The Wings are 0-4-2 this season when tied entering the third period – which makes sense since they’ve allowed 38 third-period goals in 26 games, six more than any other team (They’re a somehow-not-as-depressing 0-12-1 when trailing entering the third period.) Every other team in the NHL has at least one win when tied after two, and 27 of the 30 have at least two in that situation.

The Freep’s headline writers remain undefeated in garbage clickbait (the reference here is how Alex DeBrincat got to 100 goals faster than guys like Modano, Brett Hull, and yes, even Gordie Howe).

Around the NHL

Awaiting confirmation from the NHL, but sources indicate the NHL Draft will be remain in its originally scheduled July slot. There were numerous obstacles, including NHLPA related concerns that seemingly trumps the push by several NHL GM’s to move the Draft to January or 2022.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 9, 2021

The player-timing that comes into effect here with a move-back is that all those 18-year olds in July are technically 19 as of January 2022 when they’re drafted so the earliest any of them could earn UFA status under current rules would be when they’re age 26 instead of 25.  It squeezes bridge deals too because of how arbitration rights come into play and with how no matter what players earn UFA at age 27.

Sources: NHL, ESPN reach seven-year U.S. broadcast deal - Sportsnet

There was no confirmation from the NHL on an agreement that is expected to see ESPN get the rights to broadcast four Stanley Cup Finals between 2022 and 2028, plus streaming rights for Disney.

Can’t wait for the actual details.