Christian’s Daily Links: The NHL Season is Taking Shape

The momentum has shifted from an NHL season on the brink to one that seems all but sure to go full steam ahead.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed to Pierre LeBrun on Tuesday that the NHL and the NHL Players Association have moved past the financial issues that were hampering negotiations to start the 2020-21 season. As was noted on Tuesday, there are still several hurdles to clear before an announcement is made. The NHL Board of Governors is scheduled to meet today at 4 p.m. (The Athletic) 

Larry Brooks also reported about the positive movement between the league and Players Association but added an interesting tidbit about the American Hockey League. The AHL is aiming to start their season on Feb. 1, but there now seems to be some serious concern about the viability of the league without fans in the stands. (New York Post) 

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman essentially confirmed what we had all seen coming for some time now: The NHL will likely have an all-Canadian division next season. (NHL.com)

A rather serious story developed out of Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Jarrod Skalde is alleging in a lawsuit filed against the Pittsburgh Penguins and former Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins coach Clark Donatelli that Donatelli assaulted  Skalde’s wife, Erin, during a road trip in Providence, R.I. Skalde is also alleging that former Pittsburgh Assistant GM Bill Guerin told him to keep quiet about the allegations and then later fired Skalde. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Alex Tuch went through a Jeykll and Hyde-like season in 2019-20. His regular season was marred with injures, but his playoff performance was one that stood out during the Vegas Golden Knights time in the postseason. With a potential right on the horizon, which Alex Tuch will show up for the Knights? (Vegas Hockey Now)

There appears to be a very real chance that the San Jose Sharks will be looking for a temporary home to start next season due to COVID-19 restrictions in San Jose. One alternative that could be on the table is for San Jose to play at Oakland Arena (formerly Oracle Arena). (San Jose Hockey Now)