Around hockey: AHL releases schedules for American teams
The AHL released its schedule for a shortened season starting Feb. 5 for all the American teams participating. The four Canadian teams — Marlies, Senators, Rocket and Moose — will have their schedules released later when the various governments sign off on the health protocols that will likely mirror their NHL counterparts. The Leafs say they are optimistic the Marlies season will go ahead as planned.
The lengths of the season varies for each team, with the San Diego Gulls playing 44 games, while Bridgeport and Hartford play only 24 each. The reasons are a mixed bag, primarily of COVID-related safety precautions and costs.
“We left it open for all of our teams what length of schedule worked best for them,” said AHL spokesman Jason Chaimovitch. The league has realigned into five divisions, with standings based on points percentage. A playoff format is yet to be determined.
Connecting the dots: The aren't any ceremonial puck drops this year, so the Boston Bruins are doing a virtual puck drop for every game, with fans sending in their videos … Edmonton defenceman Darnell Nurse has taken up meditation. “I'm not very good at it yet,” he said. “This day and age, everything is going a million miles an hour. To be able to sit down and put life in perspective, and slow down, I find it really useful.” … The NWHL's bubble season starts Saturday in Lake Placid, N.Y., with most games streamed on Twitch. Each of the 120 players, across all six teams, will wear an “End Racism” patch. The league is partnering with the Headway Foundation on programs in support of concussion awareness.
Worth repeating: “I would take fans in the building and no Canadian division over the Canadian division and no fans. But could you imagine that: Full buildings and a Canadian division? Now I'm daydreaming. Everything has changed. There's an underlying awareness of the hardship everyone is going though. You're mindful of that when you speak. But in our small, little hockey world, this is an unbelievably cool event. I'm really glad I'm in Canada when it happened ... The idea is wholly selfish. We have our own little tiny league here. It would be just fantastic.” — Jets coach Paul Maurice, on an all-Canadian division.