This is your daily thread to talk about the latest hockey news.
BLACKHAWKS
Blackhawks Bits: Hardman, Kurashev recalled; Kalynuk, Mitchell assigned (SCH)
Without Jujhar Khaira, Blackhawks need depth forwards to start chipping in (Sun-Times)
RECAPS: Rangers 6, Blackhawks 2 (SCH) (Sun-Times) (Tribune)
Jujhar Khaira leaves game on stretcher after high hit from Jacob Trouba (SCH)
Blackhawks have learned to trust each other: “The feeling is a lot different” (Sun-Times)
Jonathan Toews is taking “small steps” towards his old self (Tribune)
How do you coach a Hall of Famer? Blackhawks’ Jimmy Waite finds an eager pupil in Marc-Andre Fleury (The Athletic)
Number Munchers: Comparing the Blackhawks statistics under King, Colliton (SCH)
Blackhawks are built to excel in shootouts — and they know it (Sun-Times)
Erik Gustafsson learning to prioritize defense as Blackhawks shift philosophies (Sun-Times)
RECAPS: Blackhawks 3, Islanders 2 (SCH) (Lighthouse Hockey) (Sun-Times) (Tribune) (The Athletic)
Dylan Strome’s future with the Blackhawks is still in doubt, but at least now he has a say in it (The Athletic)
Patrick Kane enjoying plentiful ice time while waiting for scoring burst (Sun-Times)
How the counterattacking Blackhawks are turning established 3-on-3 strategy on its ear (The Athletic)
RECAPS: Rangers 3, Blackhawks 2 (SCH) (Sun-Times) (Tribune)
RECAPS: Blackhawks 4, Capitals 3 (SCH) (Japers Rink) (Sun-Times) (Tribune) (The Athletic)
CENTRAL DIVISION
RECAP: Avalanche 7, Rangers 3 (Mile High Hockey)
RECAP: Golden Knights 5, Stars 4 (Defending Big D)
Blues to use fourth-string goalie on Thursday (NHL)
Jets’ Pionk suspended 2 games for kneeing (NHL)
Often-overlooked Wild make a statement to the hockey world: They’re for real (The Athletic)
Neal and Kostin’s assignments to IR a test of the Blues’ depth (St. Louis Game Time)
Wild to retire Mikko Koivu’s jersey (Hockey Wilderness)
Wild players looking forward to behind-the-scenes Winter Classic coverage (Hockey Wilderness)
NHL
RECAP: Devils 3, Flyers 0 (NHL)
RECAP: Canucks 2, Bruins 1 (NHL)
Coyotes face arena eviction over unpaid tax bills (ESPN)
Spezza appeals six-game suspension (NHL)
Guentzel week-to-week for Penguins (NHL)
Spezza suspended six games for kneeing (Pension Plan Puppets)
Flyers fire Alain Vigneault, name Mike Yeo interim coach (Broad Street Hockey)
Dog takes dump at center ice, creates metaphor for Flyers season (Broad Street Hockey)
Rask fills in at goalie for Bruins practice (NHL)
Lehner won’t play at 2022 Beijing Olympics (NHL)
Source: Lowly Canucks hire Boudreau, fire Green (ESPN) (The Athletic)
Getzlaf placed on injured reserve by Ducks (NHL)
Recovering Kucherov takes ice with Lightning (NHL)
HOCKEY WORLD
China in for Olympic hockey despite concerns (ESPN)
What will the moment be like for McDavid to be on the same team as Crosby? (TSN)
Canada closing its border to unvaccinated professional, amateur athletes on Jan. 15 (TSN)
Weariness over COVID-19 growing, but players still want to participate in Olympics (Sportsnet)