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A proposal to host games at a select few “hub cities,” possibly one per division, has continued to gain traction with the league. On Friday, NHL senior executive vice president and director of hockey operations Colin Campbell reiterated what NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stated on Wednesday night; that previous plans to host games at neutral-site arenas in places like North Dakota and New Hampshire couldn’t have worked. “We need to have an NHL arena,” he said on Sportsnet’s “Hockey Central” on Friday....

The league’s initial buyout period began on June 15, meaning teams can shed unwanted contracts and players in order to free up cap space before the official start of free agency on June 30. Last offseason, eight players had their contract bought out, and in 2017, 14 players were shown the door by their respective teams. MORE: NHL rumors 2019: Perry, Callahan and other potential buyout candidates Sporting News is keeping track of all the players getting bought out during free agency below....

You couldn’t keep them down forever. This day was eventually coming. The Penguins have taken over first place in the Metropolitan Division. With a 5-2 win over the Blue Jackets Sunday (thanks in part to an underwhelming performance from Sergei Bobrovsky), the Penguins leapt over the Capitals into the top spot with 74 points. Remember a few months ago when everyone was wondering what’s wrong with the Penguins, and, forget a three-peat, could they even make the playoffs?...

All odds are current as of Saturday evening. Check our live odds page for updated numbers from Las Vegas. MORE: Rangers put Pens out of their misery | Oilers hire former Bruins GM Canadiens at Senators (Montreal leads series 3-2)Best Montreal line: +112 (CG Technology)Best Ottawa line: -120 (Westgate, Wynn)Total: 5 (under -120) Analysis: Montreal dominated the possession battle on Friday night, but the game ended in a 5-1 Ottawa thrashing....

X-clinched playoff, Y-clinched division Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Y- Boston Bruins (110 pts, 6 games remaining) X-Tampa Bay Lighting (93 pts, 6 games remaining) X-Montreal Canadiens (93pts, 5 games remaining) Metropolitan Division X-Pittsburgh Penguins (101 pts, 6 games remaining) New York Rangers (90 pts, 5 games remaining) Philadelphia Flyers (87 pts, 6 games remaining) Wild Card Detroit Red Wings (86 pts, 6 games remaining) Columbus Blue Jackets (83 points, 7 games remaining) In the hunt...

J.T. Miller’s goal in the third period helped give the Rangers a 3-2 victory against the Wild and clinch the Metropolitan Division title for New York. The Blueshirts also set a franchise record with their 26th road victory. MORE: Game highlights | Byfuglien suspended for four games Miller’s game-winner came two days after he was cross-checked in the back of the neck by the Jets’ Dustin Byfuglien. “That felt good....

Then Boston demonstrated why it’s built for a deep Stanley Cup run. Riley Nash filled in admirably for Bergeron on the Bruins’ top line, Tuukka Rask made 30 saves and Brad Marchand scored the go-ahead goal in the second period en route to a 3-1 victory at Air Canada Center that opens a near-insurmountable series lead by the same ledger. NHL teams with three-games-to-one lead are 268-28 (.905) all time....

However, Stars defenseman John Klingberg, with 2:38 left in the extra frame, took a feed from Alexander Radulov and scored a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle to seal a 2-1 win against the Predators on Monday. The Stars are headed to the second round round to face the St. Louis Blues, a rematch from the 2016 postseason. However, Dallas’ trade deadline acquisition of Mats Zuccarello may now actually cost the Stars their 2019 first-round pick....

As the tournament heads into the bronze- and gold-medal games on Saturday, the number of teams still alive has dwindled from 10 to four. In the process, we have seen sensational individual performances by the NHL’s future. The four teams playing for a medal — Canada, Finland, Czechia and Sweden — are full of those future contributors. Certain players have stepped up to become big reasons why their are still playing....

This year’s NHL unrestricted free agent market could be the deepest in years. Among the notables potentially available include Islanders center John Tavares, Sharks wing Evander Kane, Maple Leafs wing James van Reimsdyk and Capitals defenseman John Carlson. Much of the media focus is on Tavares, Kane and van Riemsdyk, leaving Carlson largely overlooked. The 28-year-old Capitals blueliner is enjoying a career year in his contract season. As of March 29, he reached single-season highs in goals (15), assists (49) and points (64), leading all defensemen in the latter category....

Orlov, a defenseman for the Washington Capitals, was suspended two games for boarding Flyers forward Schenn on Sunday. "While it is true that Schenn takes a look over his shoulder and is aware that Orlov is behind him, this does not give Orlov the green light to finish his check from behind and with such significant force," NHL department of player safety director Patrick Burke said in a video explaining the decision....

The NHL’s youth movement is in full swing. More than ever, the league’s youngest players double as its most vibrant, marketable stars — and there are plenty. Such an embarrassment of riches is on full display in Sporting News’ NHL 25 under 25 series, a comprehensive ranking of the best NHL players under the age of 25 heading into the 2018-19 season. Between Aug. 20-24, we’ll reveal our picks in increments of five, counting down from No....

Recently Niantic, developer for both Pokemon GO and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, released a statement to update players on its anti-cheating efforts. According to the blog, the company has issued punishments to over five million cheaters across three titles since the start of 2020, including the game Ingress. Out of those various punishments, only 20 percent involved permanently banning cheaters from the games. RELATED: What Could The Ingress Subscription Announcement Tell Us About Pokemon GO’s Future?...

With Michael Vick injured and out of action, the team turned to rookie third-stringer Matt Barkley. Things got worse when Barkley threw three interceptions. MORE: Cowboys 17, Eagles 3 | Full NFL scoreboard | Fantasy updates Foles was evaluated for a head injury. How long Foles will be out is a question coaches must face ahead of next week's game against the New York Giants. Foles was making his second consecutive start in place of Vick, who was inactive with a hamstring injury....

The Super Bowl MVP opened up about his life and his NFL career during an interview on The Ellen Degeneres Show. “I was going to stop playing the game two years ago,” said Foles. “There were different things going on in my life, my wife and I, and in my career as well to where I had lost the joy of the game.” MORE: Matthew McConaughey congratulates Nick Foles with full-page newspaper ad...

The in-form Aussie laboured throughout the round of 32 match as his heavy schedule over the past month seemingly caught up with him. Kyrgios also required a physio to attend his knee towards the end of the match with the US Open now less than a fortnight away. Former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski was worried about what he saw from Kyrgios against Fritz with the crowd left disappointed by the Aussie’s lack of fight....

After acquiring Jamie Collins from the Patriots on Monday, the winless Browns hope to get some draft picks in return for either Joe Haden or Tramon Williams, according to NFL.com, before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET. MORE: All-time worst NFL trades Cleveland likely would get a decent value for Haden, who is signed through 2019. The 27-year-old has 18 career interceptions and is in his seventh NFL season....

And Charlton is ready to move on, as well. He took to social media Monday to plea Dallas to “free” him. The initial tweet was eventually deleted and Charlton later wrote: “Trust me the last thing I want to do is to have to go to social media to get what I want so I can play football again.” The NFL Network reported Sunday that Dallas has had “recent trade talks” about Charlton....

The Indianapolis Colts were embarrassed in Week 12 by their AFC South division rival Tennessee Titans. The Colts defense failed to stop running back Derrick Henry. This week the rush defense of the Colts can breathe a little bit, since they are facing the worst rushing team in the NFL in the Houston Texans. The Houston Texans are looking to push their winning streak to three games against the Colts....