NHL to address racism

Teams will promote a shared message of racial equality in different ways.

Boston Bruins players plan to lock arms during the U.S. and Canadian anthems to promote racial equality, while members of the Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers lined up together Tuesday before the first exhibition game of the NHL’s restarted season.

The league said it would feature Black Lives Matter and other social justice issues during opening ceremonies this weekend in Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta.

NHL executive Steve Mayer expects other demonstrations to happen organically.

The Bruins became the first team to announce its intentions to highlight racial injustice as part of what players said is “a sign of solidarity with the Black community.”

“Over the past several months we have been trying to educate ourselves and learn more about racial injustice in our country and around the world,” Bruins players said in a statement.

“This action is solely intended to be a positive sign of support for the Black community and a way for us to use our platform to help end racism.”

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones hinted Monday at a possible arrangement with the Bruins, their opponent in an exhibition game Thursday.

The NHL has signs saying #WeSkateFor Equality inside the arenas where games are being held.

Mayer, the league’s chief content officer and senior executive vice president of events and entertainment, said tributes to COVID-19 front-line workers and the Black Lives Matter movement will be part of a “powerful opening evening” Saturday.

Ducks

Speedy left winger Sonny Milano has agreed to a two-year, $3.4 million contract extension with Anaheim. The Ducks announced the deal Tuesday night. Anaheim acquired Milano from Columbus in February in a trade for Devin Shore. Milano contributed two goals and three assists in nine games with the Ducks before the coronavirus pandemic ended their season.

He spent parts of five seasons with the Blue Jackets, recording 20 goals and 22 assists in 116 games and would have been eligible for restricted free agency this summer had the Ducks not signed him.

Columbus chose the Long Island native with the 16th overall pick in the 2014 draft.