And just like that, the playoffs are only 173 days away. OK, the NHL's regular season hasn't reached the point where postseason berths are being clinched and...
1 Word About Every NHL Team's Reverse Retro Jersey
Oct 20, 2022
Nothing brings hockey fans together like the release of a
team’s new jersey. Everyone gets to play the part of amateur fashion critic and
rave about how great it is or crack jokes about how incredibly poor the result is.
A good time is had by all, and that’s all you can ask for these days.
The Reverse Retro jerseys from Adidas were introduced in
2020 and for all the ones that blew us away with how well done and reverent
they were, there were a few that missed the mark. Adidas returns this year with
a new batch of Reverse Retro sweaters, and we could write tomes for days about
the best and worst ones and never get bored with it.
But there are 32 teams in the NHL now and that would be a
lot of writing, so we’re going to try for a challenge and use one word to
describe each of the new jerseys. One thing that’s for sure is you’ll have a
lot more (colorful) words to use for them.
Eastern Conference
Pittsburgh Penguins: Robotic
If you missed out on seeing the Penguins from 1992-2002, boy, you missed a lot: Mario Lemieux, Jaromír Jágr and the RoboPen. The Pens switching from the skating penguin to the triangular emperor penguin made it OK to change an iconic logo into another look beloved by a generation.
The Retro Reverse is a black version of the home jersey from back then, and it's a simple color flip that rocks.
Washington Capitals: Screaming
We're in a full-on revival of the 1990s in general, but the Capitals bringing back the screaming eagle that adorned their jerseys from 1995-2007 and putting it in black as opposed to the blue/teal type color they rocked on their way to the Stanley Cup Final in 1998 looks like the final form it was meant to have.
The Caps did have a black third jersey then, but it featured a copper-like Capitol Building. Kids love buildings, right?
Columbus Blue Jackets: Why
This Retro Reverse jersey takes a spin on a third jersey they introduced in 2003 that eventually became their home look (in a tweaked style under Reebok). I get it: There's not a lot you can do when you're the Blue Jackets (although they did go red in 2021's Reverse Retro jersey), but picking a jersey from when the team retired Stinger from its jersey is rude and dull.
Embrace chaos: Go neon green next time.
Carolina Hurricanes: Warning
If you were keeping close tabs on Reverse Retro "leaks," then this one may have been a surprise.
They went with the Whalers logo before but kept it in-house this time, and it's fine. It's very red, and incorporating the old warning flag on a hockey stick shoulder logo is sweet, especially since it has the correct hurricane warning flags this time (two flags means hurricane, one means tropical storm). And now you've learned something.
Philadelphia Flyers: Simplicity
It's not hard to make a really good-looking Flyers jersey. Taking a classic look like they had in the mid-1970s and bringing it back in 2010 for the Winter Classic, then having kept a modern version of ever since and turning the colors inside out is perfect.
It's just enough of an alteration to look different and yet retain the Flyers integrity. Inte-gritty? Sure, why not.
New Jersey Devils: Lookout
The Devils' history in New Jersey isn't teeming over with various looks to work with. Thankfully, the Devils used to be in Kansas City, so scouting out inspiration was easy. Don't hate me—you'd make the same pun.
Using the Scouts' colors and home-jersey design from the '70s as inspiration with the classic Devils logo is jarring initially but very cool.
New York Rangers: Familiar
I can't fault the Rangers for running it back once again with the Lady Liberty "NYR" logo. It's incredible and should proliferate as much as possible. This iteration better resembles their '90s look but with the actual Rangers blue as opposed to navy blue and red.
It's nice and looks beautiful, but it's an all-too-familiar look. They'll also sell a zillion of them because that look is great.
New York Islanders: Angling
Last time around with Reverse Retro, the Islanders did not heed the assignment and essentially had a slightly different colored home jersey. BORING. This time around, they completed the bonus work.
The Fisherman is back, albeit with far less teal and a deep navy blue and no waves as the hem. Sure, you can nitpick the differences, but listen, the crusty old salt is back and snarling and ready to trap once again. Good luck getting one of your own.
Boston Bruins: Pooh
Bless the '90s, friends. When the Bruins unleashed the golden "Pooh Bear" third jersey, it was ripped endlessly for how tame the bruin looked on the front, the bold wordmark on the shoulders and the jagged edge stripes.
But what once was old and hated can be new and beloved, and when you throw "Pooh" on a white jersey, it sticks. Love or hate the silly old bear, it looks really cool.
Buffalo Sabres: Goat
Sabres fans have clamored for many things over the past decade-plus, but bringing back the "goat head" jersey was something everyone wanted, especially when the Reverse Retros were first released.
Wishes do come true. Fans are getting double the goat head with a red-and-black throwback and this snazzy blue-and-gold iteration. All goat head, all the time.
Detroit Red Wings: Candy
The Red Wings brought back the peppermint candy-like sweaters from the late 1920s (when they were called the Detroit Cougars) once before in the NHL's 75th anniversary season in 1991-92.
This time around, the stripes are back and so is "DETROIT" in all-caps but now it's red and black. Taking something really old and making one change to make it instantly modern is so easy, and it works great.
Florida Panthers: Fashion
For so long, the Panthers have had a perfect secondary shoulder logo with a palm tree and hockey stick crisscrossed in front of the sun. None of those three things have anything to do with an actual panther, but good logos deserve love. At last, this one gets its love with a sky-blue jersey.
That color comes from a short-lived third jersey from 2009-12 as well as the "FLA" shoulder logo from that. Those things plus the '90s stripes from their Stanley Cup Final look in 1996 makes basically for an all-in-one franchise-jersey history.
Montréal Canadiens: Exposition
The only question that came to mind seeing this baby blue beauty was how Andre Dawson, Rusty Staub or Gary Carter would look in it. It's the same design as the Habs' home sweater—but with colors that pay homage to the long-departed Montréal Expos baseball team.
Messing with a classic look like Montréal's has been a cardinal sin on most occasions, but...when you're bringing back memories of a once-beloved team, it gets full marks and makes us want to see Tim Raines tear up Olympic Stadium again.
Ottawa Senators: Amalgamation
The Senators haven't had too many different looks through their history, but this Reverse Retro made me do a triple take.
Yes, it's the old/current crest logo on the front. Yes, it's the jersey pattern, numbers and font they put in place from 1997-2007. Yes, that's the almost-too-real-looking 3-D Roman senator that was on the front of those jerseys on the shoulder of this one.
"Franken-jerseys" are usually too scary to confront, never mind wear, but embracing black and red like this makes it look really slick. However, it's tough for them to top what they did with their first Reverse Retro.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Torrential
Seeing so many of the then-reviled third jerseys of the late '90s make a comeback thanks to Reverse Retro styles gives me the warm fuzzies as a jersey collector of sorts.
The Lightning bringing back the "Stormy" third jersey that made so many people wonder what the heck was going on with it is great. Like Anaheim bringing back Wild Wing with their Reverse Retro in 2021, embracing the questionable jerseys of your history is the best way to rally the fans.
Putting the Stormy jersey in white and keeping the lightning bolts down the sleeve is way too good.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Nostalgia-ish
You have to feel for the Maple Leafs when it comes to doing something unique and different with their jerseys. There aren't too many ways to go about it without going out of bounds with a look. They've done just about any kind of iteration of a Leafs jersey possible, and their gray Retro Reverse jerseys in 2021 fell flat.
This is a clean look and just a touch different than jerseys from the past. It's nice...it just doesn't grab you by the face and demand your attention.
Western Conference
Calgary Flames: Pedestal
When the Flames brought "Blasty" the horse back for Reverse Retro in 2021, it set a really high bar to get over this time around. Bringing back a look from 1995-2000 is a noble effort. The "pedestal" striping along the bottom is quite an acquired taste and it seems there's no middle ground on opinions.
If you loved it the first time around, chances are you love this version in black. The original red-and-white iterations of it always seemed a bit "off"...but in black? It looks pretty rad to me.
Chicago Blackhawks: Marquee
The Blackhawks have steered away from using the team logo—considered by many to be a harmful and offensive caricature of Indigenous people—as the crest when it comes to Reverse Retro style, but they put it on the shoulder of this jersey that looks kind of like a marquee. The striping is unique to anything they've ever worn, but reminiscent of their jerseys from the mid-'30s through the '50s and their 2009 Winter Classic jersey.
What Hawks fans will probably not like is how it looks eerily similar to Detroit's Reverse Retro this year. Chicago has been in so many special events that coming up with something unique is almost necessary. This jersey scratches that itch, but that's about it.
Colorado Avalanche: Rocky
Hey, it's another reference to a team that became the New Jersey Devils. That's awkward for the Avalanche. Denver has an NHL history, but it doesn't belong to the Avs. That said, the Colorado Rockies of the NHL had superb colors and the "C" of the Colorado state flag. It screams the 1970s and that's OK.
Using those colors and the "C" with the style of the original Avalanche jersey just works. Once they're done using these jerseys, they should turn it into the new state flag. It looks bold and clean, and it very carefully doesn't use the old Rockies logo.
Dallas Stars: Reunion
When the Minnesota North Stars moved to Dallas, they changed their jerseys and that original white jersey with the sleeve lines, and the state of Texas logo with a star and capital "D" took its place.
In a true Reverse Retro move, they took that jersey and flipped the colors. A black jersey with green sleeves and white lines makes it a nearly perfect replication with flipped colors from the days they skated at Reunion Arena and showed that the NHL was there to stay in Dallas.
Minnesota Wild: Polaris
In 2021's Reverse Retro campaign, the Wild were able to create a white Wild jersey with all the accouterments of the North Stars. The colors and jersey design were all from back in the day when they skated in Bloomington at the Met Center. It was a huge hit, and Wild fans could not get enough. Why mess with a good thing?
This time around it's a green jersey done in the style of the North Stars jerseys from 1978-88. It's gorgeous, it's wonderful, and it once again makes me wish the Wild were named the North Stars because what's better than our own nostalgia?
Nashville Predators: Condiment
The Predators' "Grey Poupon" third jersey from 2001-07 with the cartoonish saber-tooth tiger was routinely panned for mostly the color but also how the color with the logo just didn't really connect. Thankfully, the Preds decided to ask the question: What if we just took that jersey and changed the shade of yellow?
And the answer to that is: Yes, please do that. And they have. Nashville embracing the bright yellow has been a wonderful development over the past few years and taking this infamous third jersey and making it brighter is perfect. Their 2021 Reverse Retro jersey is nearly impossible to beat, but this is close to perfect as well.
St. Louis Blues: Shiny
Speaking of teams embracing yellow, hello St. Louis! This throwback-esque jersey looks like it lifted a long-ago style with the striping everywhere and the blue note logo and the word marks leave no secret as to which team this belongs to. The logo was the Blues' prototype when the team was founded but was changed when they officially started play in 1967.
Throwing that on a bright yellow jersey makes it pop loudly, and the stripes make it seem like something older than the late '60s. It might not resonate a ton outside of St. Louis, but it looks good and has a historical background.
Vegas Golden Knights: Stardust
The Golden Knights have shown they don't fear doing things differently. Gold jerseys with shiny gold helmets aside, coming up with a Reverse Retro for a team that's been around six years is mostly an excuse to get really creative.
The diagonal wordmark along with the number font immediately made me think of classic Las Vegas casinos and for good reason. The "Vegas" font on the front is that of the Excalibur Hotel and the numbers are from the Stardust. Finding a way to bring the bright, brash signs that would lure you in to blow your cash when cruising the Strip to a jersey is fantastic. Would it be more fun if it wasn't a black jersey? Maybe, but then the glow-in-the-dark letters and numbers on the Reverse Retro might not have the same effect. Touché, Adidas.
Anaheim Ducks: Classic
The original Mighty Ducks of Anaheim jerseys were perfect. The teal, plum and white colors popped, and oh yeah, there were the Disney movies. The goalie duck mask with crisscrossed sticks logo is as good as it gets, and bringing that back as much as humanly possible is the 100 percent correct move.
They've done it with their third jerseys, and now they're bringing it back for Reverse Retro, only with the current orange, black and copper colors. My suggestion: Go back to this style immediately and never look back.
Arizona Coyotes: Dusty
When the Coyotes broke out the "Peyote" coyote third jersey from 1998-2003, the main question people had was: What...is even happening? Fair question, but taking inspiration from their Kachina logo and turning it into a panorama for a jersey was inspired. The 2021 Reverse Retros in purple were fantastic.
Going back to the well is usually a reason to be critical—but not with this design. The sunset orange with red and brown makes for a super change from the original purple from 2021. This actually looks like the desert, which makes it an instant upgrade. A perfect 10.
Edmonton Oilers: Respawn
The Oilers are guilty of messing with a good thing far too often when it comes to their jerseys. Their 1980s white-and-blue jerseys are perfect, but I get it—sometimes teams need to do something different to make money.
When they had Todd McFarlane—huge Oilers fan, comic book artist and creator of "Spawn," design a third jersey to take them into the new millennium, what he concocted was so different than anything they had before. It also seemed like something from 100 years in the future.
Taking that exact look and adding a color other than dark blue or gray to highlight the oil drop and on the stripes makes this a huge upgrade on a unique original.
Los Angeles Kings: Regality
How is it that every time the Kings break out something from the past, it's almost always perfect.
Kings jerseys from 1980-88 were Forum Blue and gold like the Lakers, but they never were in white. The Lakers fixed that for themselves years ago, and now the Kings have their own version of it, and my goodness, it's glorious.
The crown is opulent, the Forum Blue sleeves against the white jersey just pop. Every time we see the crowns come out, it makes us wonder why they ever changed, and this makes that pang even stronger.
San Jose Sharks: Homage
The Sharks weren't the Bay Area's first NHL team; that honor belongs to the California Seals and that's who the Sharks are paying tribute to with these style-perfect throwbacks. This jersey is made up just like their home sweaters in the team's final years in Oakland just with "Sharks" across the front as opposed to "Seals."
Better to be the hunter than the hunted, right? The Sharks might not be playing well on the ice, but they're going to look really good with their new home and away uniforms and now this throwback beauty.
Seattle Kraken: Newfangled
It's the Kraken's first go-round in the Reverse Retro game, and well, listen, it's OK. There's a lot more sea green with this setup and a lot of stripes to make it feel old-timey.
Somehow the Kraken logo appears to have gotten even bigger on the front of this jersey, which in itself is an impressive feat of stitching technology. Going straight to a full-blown recreation of the Seattle Metropolitans (Seattle's original NHL team from 1915-24 and Stanley Cup winners in 1917) sweaters but with Kraken branding feels like something that's going to be done at some point, and I cannot wait for that.
Vancouver Canucks: Hipster
The Johnny Canuck logo is an all-time fun emblem. He's got a flannel shirt on with a toque, and he's got a sick beard. He'll help cut down trees and recommend you a great beer all at the same time. The original blue, white and green colors are great, although I thought we were done with putting numbers on the front of the jersey.
Regardless, it's got a historical throwback feel to it with the number font and just a good look. Is it awkward that the Canucks' AHL team in Abbotsford, British Columbia, uses Johnny Canuck as their full-time logo and jersey crest? Does it matter when it looks cool?
Winnipeg Jets: Frostbite
The original Jets jerseys from 1990 until they moved to Phoenix in 1996 were some of the cleanest, best-looking sweaters of all time. The stripes were simple, and the white, blue and red colors all popped on either the home white or road blue jerseys. The logo is sublime.
This version for the modern Jets is a good representation of the deep freeze the jersey has been in since the mid-'90s. Taking that original perfect jersey and giving it the current Jets colors shows one thing: That little splash of red on the original means everything to making it look beautiful. Does the new one still look great? Of course it does—it's just a bit icier than you'd want. Next up: A Thrashers throwback. Don't deny your history!
Making Sense of the Hockey Canada Situation and How It Needs to Change
Oct 20, 2022
Referee Martin Pronovost wears a Hockey Canada patch crossed with black ribbon during an ice hockey game at Arena La Plaine in Montreal on June 10, 2022, to generate discussion and raise awareness as the hockey federation faces a sexual assault scandal. - True Canadian pride, ice hockey and especially its national federation are living dark hours in recent weeks, tarnished by a case of gang rape that resurfaces a culture of silence too long ignored. In May, Canadians were shocked to learn that eight players on the 2018 Junior National Team had been charged with gang sexual assault of a young woman. It was even more of a surprise when they learned that the organization supposedly overseeing them had allegedly tried to cover up the case by entering into a confidential multi-million dollar settlement with the victim. (Photo by Mathiew LEISER / AFP) (Photo by MATHIEW LEISER/AFP via Getty Images)
Hockey Canada's mishandling of a 2018 sexual assault allegation has prompted an overhaul of the organization's leadership and sparked discussions about how to change the culture of hockey.
Many are left wondering how Hockey Canada can restructure in a way that best prevents this from happening again, or if that's even possible within the current culture. To consider the options, we need to make sure we understand the nuances of the situation. And to do so, we've called upon The Athletic's investigative reporter Katie Strang, who has been an authoritative voice throughout the investigation, and To Hockey, With Love co-creator Gabriela Ugarte, who lends a unique perspective with her research in hockey culture.
Their expertise will guide us as we walk through the timeline of events leading to Hockey Canada's leadership mass exodus and assess what the future could look like.
Hockey Canada reached a settlement in May with a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by eight players, including members of Canada's 2018 world junior team. Hockey Canada announced in July that it was reopening the investigation, acknowledging in a statement that it has "not done enough to address the actions of some members of the 2018 National Junior Team, or to end the culture of toxic behavior within our game."
"I think it boggles the mind that Hockey Canada is continuing to dig in its heels," PM Justin Trudeau told reporters when asked about the organization's handling of sexual assault allegations. His comments come as Hockey Québec said it would cut ties with Hockey Canada.#cdnpolipic.twitter.com/N4qrBawFJJ
"One of the things I think get underappreciated is the way that civil litigation works in the U.S. and in Canada," Strang told Bleacher Report. "It is one of the ways alleged victims can seek recourse when they have suffered harm. People don't always understand that if you are the victim of sexual assault, you will very likely as a result of that trauma incur a great deal of expenses. Whether that's in medical bills, therapy, loss of ability to work, loss of quality of life.
"So, a lot of people have this false misconception that when someone accepts a settlement, that they were motivated by money. That's essentially a myth. It's just one of the ways our North American legal system is able to provide a level of recourse."
The reopened investigation has uncovered even more disturbing details involving multiple secret reserve funds and an intentional lack of transparency regarding settlements.
The calls for change—coming from the public, Canadian political figures and sponsors (many of which have dropped their sponsorship)—intensified in early October in light of information that Hockey Canada put player registration fees toward a second fund "for matters including but not limited to sexual abuse," according to documents obtained by The Globe and Mail. Strang reported the existence of a third fund, this one for "uninsured claims," on Oct. 17.
Former interim board of directors chair Andrea Skinner appeared before the Canadian Heritage Committee the day after The Globe and Mail's initial report, saying she "fundamentally disagrees" with the report and the way it had been categorized in the media.
Skinner made several statements in defense of Hockey Canada leadership to the committee, calling reports "substantial misinformation and unduly cynical attacks" but offering little elaboration.
"Regrettably, toxic behavior exists throughout society. No segment of society is immune," she said. "Suggesting that toxic behavior is somehow a specific hockey problem or to scapegoat hockey as a centerpiece for toxic culture is, in my opinion, counterproductive to finding solutions."
Strang disagrees with Skinner's statements: "I think just chalking it up to a greater societal problem is, in my opinion, lazy, reductive and an attempt to deflect responsibility, accountability and blame rather than show a sense of accountability and introspection about why there are certain cultural issues within the sport of hockey. ... The first step to educate about and eradicate sexual violence is to have a real, hard look at why it's taking place."
"How can someone’s argument be, 'Well, your sport abused people, so why can't it happen in ours,' Ugarte added. "The real question is, why this is so common in organized sports?"
In the days following the new findings—and Skinner's statements in the third round of Hockey Canada hearings—sponsors such as Tim Hortons, Scotiabank, Telus, Canadian Tire, Imperial Oil, Skip the Dishes, Sobeys, BDO, Recipe, Nike and Bauer pulled support in varying capacities.
Amid growing financial pressure, Skinner resigned Oct. 8, and Hockey Canada CEO and President Scott Smith and the board of directors stepped down Oct. 11.
“I certainly think the hemorrhaging of corporate dollars played a huge role in the mass exodus that we got last week," Strang said. "I think money talks, and I think the fact that so many sponsors were not just cutting ties with the organization financially, but they were taking a symbolic stance. They're saying, 'This is untenable for us to be associated with you anymore, because the reputational damage we might incur from that association is no longer worth our while.' And I think Hockey Canada finally realized the impact the past few months have truly had."
The NHL is conducting its own investigation of the alleged sexual assault that took place in 2018, but there has been no word of a resolution, only that the investigation is "closer to the end," according to deputy commissioner Bill Daly.
Hockey Canada will create an interim management committee until a new board appoints a new CEO. The board has also asked members to select an interim slate of directors until a new board is elected. The virtual election is scheduled for Dec. 17.
The role of the interim management group will be managing day-to-day operations and continuing to implement Hockey Canada's action plan.
"I'm very curious to see who is on this interim management committee," Strang said. "I feel like Hockey Canada has not been really transparent about that—I have asked them. And that makes me really wonder how much they are truly committed to infusing the organization with people who are committed to driving change, versus how much is it them trying to salvage some level of institutional continuity."
Getting rid of the old Hockey Canada leadership group was a necessary step in changing the culture, but there's still work to be done between appointing an interim group and electing a new board. What should we be looking out for as new faces emerge in the organization?
"I think the fact that this board has for a long time traditionally been comprised of older, white men is problematic," Strang said. "Not just because you're getting a real homogenous sense of perspective, but because that does not accurately reflect the demographics of the hockey-playing community in Canada." She added, "You need someone on the board that is trained and has experience in dealing with sexual violence."
Ugarte added that it goes deeper than diversity for the sake of diversity.
"We need to see people of different gender identities, race, sexuality, ability, socioeconomic backgrounds and with an array of work experiences," she said. "The board would benefit from having scholars who've studied the sport, community organizers and people who have experience working with victims of violence. Having a diverse board and staff is not just the 'politically correct' move or whatever they want to call it. It protects an organization from creating these types of insular cultures."
None of this is easy to talk about, and much of it is difficult to understand. It will take hard work at every level to change hockey culture.
"These men did not flip a switch and suddenly think it was OK to assault someone at that Hockey Canada event," Ugarte said. "That was the result of the culture they were raised in, and the bulk of that development happens in junior hockey. We need to pay more attention to organizations like the CHL that are responsible for a lot of these men during critical periods of their emotional and social development."
Loving hockey means demanding the best from it. Skinner is correct that toxic behavior happens throughout society, and sexual assault and abuse must be addressed everywhere. But I specifically love hockey, and it's clear change is necessary.
Aaaannnnnd...we're back. The NHL's 2022-23 regular season is officially underway for all 32 teams after the Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks got a head...
B/R NHL Style Rankings: Flyers Duo Coming in Hot Week 1, but Do They Top the List?
Oct 19, 2022
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 13: Matt Duchene #95 of the Nashville Predators poses with fans on the Gold Walk prior to an NHL game against the Dallas Stars at Bridgestone Arena on October 13, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
A new NHL season is finally upon us, and that means clean slates for all both on the ice and in the pre-game arrival photos.
We've got a bit of housekeeping to address before we jump into the first edition of the 2022-23 NHL style rankings. First off, I'm so excited that we've now become the Bleacher Report NHL Style Rankings (TM), and I can't thank everyone who is following me here to read this enough! I love the community we've cultivated, and I promise we're only going to have more fun this season.
To anyone new here, welcome! We encourage respectful disagreement in the comments, so feel free to sound off. But to enter the club, you need to answer one question: Socks or no socks?
Now that that's out of the way, we've got some breaking news: The Toronto Maple Leafs have started posting outfits. This is not a drill, and I don't know how long it will last, but we're four games deep and Sheldon Keefe is already ripping into his star players, so let us just enjoy the outfit posts while they last.
Without further ado, let's get into the best outfits from opening week. You'll see some familiar faces for sure, but some new names have definitely entered the chat this week.
And speaking of clean slates, you can take one last glance at last season's stats before we throw them in the trash. Congratulations to David Pastrnak for winning the inaugural style rankings, now let the 2022-23 games begin.
Bellemare has long been a staple in the style rankings, so it feels right to kick off season two with another strong showing from the Bolt. He's always got that classic Euro flair with a personal touch, and that's by design. He once told me he opts out of the team trips to the big retailers and looks for his own suit shops that feel more like dive bars.
This look is giving anything but dive bar, but absolutely has that personal flair where you can tell the suit was made for him with the shade of green that complements him so well.
And to be clear: I don't give outfit repeaters extra points for wearing the same exact outfit. But I have so much respect for reworking a suit to become almost a totally different outfit, and, of course, Bellemare pulled that off here:
A few clubs did a fun opening night concept this year where players arrived on a "red carpet" that was actually the team color. I loved this because it gave guys some extra motivation to match a theme, and I don't know if anyone did it better than Winnipeg's Brenden Dillon.
Dillon's simple, yet aesthetically pleasing, fit is a blueprint (pun reluctantly intended) for any beginner looking to take their style to the next level. Stick to the same shade of the same color for the tie, pants, belt (or hide the belt) and potentially shoes. Add a patterned jacket that has only that same color in the pattern.
All three Hurricanes—Svechnikov, Martin Nečas, Sebastian Aho—in this photo make a compelling case for a spot in the rankings. But outfit repeaters are automatically disqualified (I don't make the rules—oh wait, yes I do) and Nečas has worn this before.
I ultimately went with Svechnikov over Aho because it's hard to pull off non-maroon red without feeling too Christmas-y, and Svechnikov nailed it for the Caniacs at their home opener. The detailing is a super interesting take on the Houndstooth trend that's been back for a while now.
Kraken players have been enthusiastic about the nautical theme since the team's inaugural night, and I love that for them. That was as evident as ever at this season's home opener, including rankings regular Yanni Gourde staying on theme, Adam Larsson in pinstripes, and promising rookie Matty Beniers going all out.
I'm sorry, Matty, but despite your awesome suit jacket and your vision, the black belt and the brown shoes took you out of contention. I could also harp on the tie, but I've been mean enough. I think you'll get it together by the end of the season.
Anyways, Tanev wasn't necessarily as on theme as most of his teammates, but I'm a sucker for well-fitted tweed. Tanev's place in this week's rankings is a reminder to get your suits tailored, folks. The muted salmon tie works with the color scheme, and I also appreciate the homage to the theme with the blue pocket square.
My diehard style rankings family knows the power a genuine smile has to impact your outfit. This is what it's all about, right? We're looking good and feeling good. Ullmark clearly nailed that here, and his accompanying fit is amazing.
The secret to mixing patterns is obviously color-matching, and the more obscure the color the better it all comes together. I absolutely love everything going on here, between the smile, the colors, the three-piece suit, and the tailoring. This is the exact amount of ankle we want to see!
Half of you are going to hate this, half of you are going to love this, and that's the beauty of it all. As always, you're free to state your case in the comments, but consider me team three-piece seafoam suit. Love letting the color do the talking, no tie, no belt, just full Miami Vice.
It's no coincidence in my mind that Laughton rolled up to the rink wearing this and scored a shorthanded goal, another fun twist in what has been an unexpectedly good start for the Flyers this season.
Laughton actually had two solid looks for opening week, as he was also caught rocking the red houndstooth combination much like Svechnikov's. According to my data, Laughton didn't make the style rankings even once last season. Looks like we're going to have to pay attention to this guy on and off the ice this year.
We have to shout out to friend-of-the-style-rankings Jesse Granger for his boots-on-the-ground reporting, because the full picture of this suit bumped Karlsson up to the top five. I was with some of you lamenting his tie choice with the suit until I saw the shoes. The navy shoes make it work in my very humble opinion, and if I know Karlsson's style by now I bet he had a decal or pattern on the top of the shoes reminiscent of the tie.
Here at the Bleacher Report NHL Style Rankings (TM), we like to give risk-takers the benefit of the doubt. I understand that Karlsson was clearly going for a full 70s pattern vision and I'm obsessed with the color combination. If it were me, I probably would have nixed the blue altogether and played up the yellow a bit more in the tie, but the blue-yellow thing is a color theory staple, and it looks great on him. He gets a pass for the tie just this once.
I'll always love this Gucci tiger tie, and I don't care who knows it. van Riemsdyk is marinating in luxury here between the tie and the velvet green suit, and he appears to be giving the perfect amount of hecks about it. I've knocked points off of van Riemsdyk's looks in the past for just slightly too much ankle, so I want to give him props for the tailoring, here. Also, love the black-on-black with the undershirt.
2. Matt Duchene
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 13: Matt Duchene #95 of the Nashville Predators poses with fans on the Gold Walk prior to an NHL game against the Dallas Stars at Bridgestone Arena on October 13, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
Duchene's home opening suit perfectly walks that elusive line between committing to a bit and being corny. He knew beforehand he'd be walking the carpet and taking pictures with fans, so you give him a little more leeway there. Then you think about Nashville and how truly corny a Nashville theme could end up. Duchene plays guitar and often talks about his love of music, so that makes the notes on the suit extra adorable. I love that he let the suit details steal the show, and the matching understated-yet-fun hat and boots were great complements, as was some of the fringe on the suit.
Patrik Laine will never let the haters win, and that's one of the best traits anyone in fashion could have.
The bubblegum-core blue and pink theme here is something that'll make a lot of boring hockey people mad no matter what the rest of our good-faith opinions are, and that's a statement in itself. The way the swirly tie matches the holographic backpack. The fact that there's a holographic backpack at all. The pink sunglasses! And of course, the designer bucket hat.
I am very careful to toss around the term "drip" in a league where the word in its purest form is almost non-existent, so know I mean it when I classify this Laine opening night outfit as an actual crumb of drip in this dripless world.
NHL Investigation Finds No Evidence Against Ian Cole in Sexual Abuse Probe
Oct 15, 2022
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole (28) before an NHL preseason hockey game against the Florida Panthers Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The NHL announced Saturday following an investigation that it has found no evidence to substantiate the anonymous sexual abuse and grooming allegations against Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole.
The NHL said in a press release:
"The investigation included two separate interviews with Mr. Cole as well as interviews with NHL club personnel and other individuals with potentially relevant information. Further, the investigation included a detailed review of on-line and social media, public data, and court records and law enforcement checks. In addition, despite attempts by the League to make contact with the anonymous source of the social media post, those efforts were unsuccessful.
"On the basis of the foregoing, the National Hockey League now considers this matter closed."
The NHL Players' Association also released a statement following the league's investigation:
The Lightning announced Oct. 9 that they had suspended Cole, pending the results of an investigation, following the allegations against him. The veteran defenseman has since been reinstated, per The Athletic's Joe Smith.
Cole also released a statement on Oct. 9 denying the allegations, adding that he was looking "forward to clearing my name and demonstrating to the NHL and the Tampa Bay Lightning that these allegations are unfounded."
On Oct. 7, an anonymous woman accused Cole of grooming and sexually abusing her over a four-year stretch that began while she was a minor in high school.
The woman accused Cole of pressuring her into having sex with him, adding that he knew she was still a minor at the time. In addition, she alleged Cole was having sexual relations with other high school-aged teenagers.
In addition, the woman alleged that Cole would "frequently pressure me to do things without consent" and that he manipulated and humiliated her and would frequently make misogynistic, derogatory comments toward her.
"Ian felt emboldened to emotionally and sexually abuse me and other women because the NHL fosters a culture of misogyny," the woman said in her statement. "The NHL needs to hold themselves and their players accountable for creating an enabling environment of misogynistic and predatory behavior."
Cole, who signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Lightning in July, missed the team's first two games of the season against the New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets. It's unclear if he will suit up for the team's matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
The St. Louis Blues selected the 33-year-old in the first round of the 2007 NHL draft. He made his NHL debut in 2010 and has also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild over his 12-year career.
Since the 2020-21 season, NHL teams
have operated under a salary cap that's risen at a glacial pace.
Flattened by a reduction in hockey-related revenue brought...
Why Patrick Kane Should be Ready to Leave Blackhawks amid NHL Trade Rumors
Oct 14, 2022
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 27: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks on during warm-ups prior to a preseason game against the St. Louis Blues at United Center on September 27, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Chicago Blackhawks are off to an 0-2 start to the NHL season after losing to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night. It's possibly a sign of things to come, as they are likely to struggle throughout the 2022-23 campaign.
There's also one big question surrounding Chicago: Will Patrick Kane be on the team by the time the season is over?
Trade rumors have been swirling about the right winger, who has spent his entire 16-year NHL career with the Blackhawks. And he's experienced plenty of success with the franchise, winning three Stanley Cups.
However, it could be time for Kane and the rebuilding Blackhawks to part ways. It might be best for both sides if he wasn't in Chicago by season's end, and there's a decent chance that will be the case.
According to Pierre LeBrun of TSN, Kane could be moved by the Blackhawks before the trade deadline on March 3, even though he "wasn't ready to have that conversation" with the team during the summer. He has a full no-movement clause in his contract, so he's in control of the situation.
"My sense of it is that his agent, Pat Brisson, and Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson have talked and said, 'Let's circle back to each other around December and January and see where things stand,'" LeBrun told TSN's Insider Trading.
What could change between now and then for Chicago? As LeBrun noted, with the Blackhawks likely to struggle, the losing "will probably grow tiring" for Kane, and he may then "be ready to talk trade."
Kane is still only 33, so he has some productive years still ahead of him. But it isn't clear how long it will take the Blackhawks to get back to being a contender. They have missed the playoffs four of the past seasons (including each of the past two years), and they've made it clear they're rebuilding with recent moves.
After the season, Kane will be an unrestricted free agent. It's quite possible he'll sign elsewhere. So, it would be wise for him to leave Chicago now, giving him an opportunity to win a Stanley Cup with a contending team at the end of this season.
There should be plenty of teams interested in adding an offensive player as talented as Kane. LeBrun indicated that the New York Rangers and New York Islanders are "decent possibilities" as potential suitors.
Those teams are in a better position to win now. And by adding Kane to an already talented roster, either could become a legitimate Cup contender and go on a deep run come May and June.
First, though, he will have to be ready to move on from the only NHL franchise he's known. Considering he's played 1,109 games for the team and been entrenched in the city of Chicago, it's easy to see why that may be difficult.
However, it's the right move for Kane at this point in his career. And the Blackhawks would benefit from getting draft picks and/or prospects in return, so they should be ready to part ways, too.
NHL on TNT 'There’s Some Hockey in You' Sweepstakes
Oct 11, 2022
VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 09: A TNT puck sits on the boards during the NHL game between the New York Islanders and the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena February 9, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)"n
OFFICIAL RULES
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
IF PARTICIPATING VIA TEXT MESSAGE, STANDARD MESSAGE AND DATA RATES MAY APPLY TO EACH TEXT SENT OR RECEIVED, DEPENDING ON YOUR WIRELESS CARRIER’S RATE PLAN.
2. Administrator: Probability LLC, 2 Woodstock Meadows Ln., P.O. Box 1484, Woodstock, NY 12498 ("Administrator").
3. Eligibility: The NHL on TNT "There’s Some Hockey in You" Sweepstakes ("Sweepstakes") is open only to legal residents of one (1) of the forty-eight (48) contiguous United States or District of Columbia, who are at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of entry. Any individuals (including but not limited to employees, consultants, independent contractors, and interns) who have, within the past six (6) months, performed services for Sponsor, Administrator, Telescope, Inc., Turner Sports, Inc., NHL Entities*, any organizations responsible for sponsoring, fulfilling, administering, advertising or promoting the Sweepstakes or supplying the prizes, and/or each of their respective parent, subsidiary, affiliated, and successor companies (collectively, "Sweepstakes Entities"), and immediate family and household members of such individuals, are not eligible to participate or win any prize. "Immediate family members" shall mean parents, stepparents, children, stepchildren, siblings, stepsiblings, or spouses, regardless of where they live. "Household members" shall mean people who share the same residence at least three (3) months a year, whether related or not. Potential winners may be required to provide proof of legal residency upon request prior to prize award. Void in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and where prohibited or restricted by law.
*"NHL Entities" are defined as "National Hockey League ("NHL"), NHL Enterprises, L.P., NHL Enterprises Canada, L.P., NHL Enterprises B.V., NHL Interactive CyberEnterprises LLC and the member clubs of the NHL." The NHL Entities have NOT sponsored or offered this Sweepstakes in any way nor will they have any liability or responsibility in conjunction with the conduct of the Sweepstakes or award of any prizes.
4. Sweepstakes Schedule: Sweepstakes begins on or about 12:00:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time ("ET") on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 and ends 7:00:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 ("Sweepstakes Period"). Administrator’s computer is the official clock for the Sweepstakes.
5. Entry: During the Sweepstakes Period, visit the Sweepstakes website at https://bit.ly/NHLsweeps ("Website") and complete the entry form with all required information, including your name, address, e-mail address, phone number, and preferred shirt size (if selected as a winner, actual shirt size is not guaranteed, see Section 9d).
CLICK THE CHECK BOXES SIGNIFYING THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THESE OFFICIAL RULES, SPONSOR’S TERMS OF USE AND PRIVACY POLICY (AVAILABLE AT HTTPS://BLEACHERREPORT.COM/PAGES/TERMS AND HTTPS://WWW.WARNERMEDIAPRIVACY.COM/POLICYCENTER/B2C/EN-ROW/, RESPECTIVELY). IF YOU DO NOT CHECK THE BOXES INDICATING YOUR AGREEMENT TO THE ABOVE, YOUR ENTRY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AND YOU CANNOT WIN A PRIZE IN THE SWEEPSTAKES.
You may be asked to consent to receive promotional and reminder e-mails from Sponsor and/or third parties; if you choose to do so, you may opt out of receiving these e-mails at any time. Consenting to receive promotional and/or reminder e-mails is optional, does not have to be agreed to in order to be eligible to participate in the Sweepstakes and does not improve your chances of winning. Regardless of whether (or not) you agree to receive such promotional and reminder e-mails, you are advised to review the privacy policy of entity requesting your consent, so that you understand how your information is collected and used by Sponsor.
Click the "Submit" or similar button to submit your completed entry form. Receipt of entry may be acknowledged, but any such acknowledgment is not otherwise binding upon Sponsor or Administrator. Proof of submission of entry form does not constitute proof of receipt of same or proof of entry.
If you'd like, you may access the Website via text message. To do so, send a text message with any one of the following key words to the short code 97979: Spicy; Loud; Much; Intense; Extra. You will receive a reply text message with a link to the Website along with certain other content which is unrelated to the Sweepstakes. (For clarity, (a) sending text message alone will NOT result in entry; and (b) the specific key word used will not affect your ability to receive Website link.) Use of a keyword to receive the Website link will not increase your odds of winning a prize or confer any other advantage as to Sweepstakes participation.
By texting any of the indicated key words to 97979, you will be charged for all text messages sent and received from your handset according to the terms in your individual Calling Plan with your wireless service provider. Message & Data Rates May Apply. To stop receiving messages, text STOP to 97979; for assistance, text HELP to 97979. Text messaging service is not available in all areas or from all wireless service providers; not all mobile devices feature text messaging service.
Limit of one (1) entry per person, email address or phone number. Multiple entries in excess of this limitation or mass entry attempts may result in disqualification of all entries by such person or e-mail address. Entries must be manually key stroked by the entrant; use of automated entry devices or programs, or entries by third party sweepstakes service providers, are prohibited.
If accessing the mobile version of Website (whether or not by using Website link provided via text message), wireless carrier charges may apply and are entrant’s sole responsibility.
In the event of any dispute concerning the identity of any entrant, the entry will be deemed submitted by the natural person who is the authorized holder of the transmitting e-mail account. "Authorized account holder" is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.
6. Random Drawing: Potential winners will be randomly selected on or about October 21, 2022 from among all eligible entries received. Drawing will be conducted by Administrator, an independent organization whose decisions (along with those of Sponsor) are final and binding on all matters related to the Sweepstakes.
7. Winner Notification: Potential winners will be notified by e-mail and/or phone number beginning on or about October 21, 2022. Failure to respond to such notification within five (5) business days after notification or return of e-mail as undeliverable and/or if phone call does not result in direct contact with potential winner after two (2) attempts will result in disqualification. Potential Grand Prize winner will be required to sign and return, within five (5) business days of notification, an Affidavit of Eligibility, Release and Indemnification, a Publicity Release where allowed by law, as well as an IRS W9 Tax Form. If the Affidavit of Eligibility, Release and Indemnification, and Publicity Release and IRS W9 Tax Form are not returned to Sponsor within the specified time period, the potential winner may be disqualified. For First and Second Prize winners, return of prize as undeliverable will also result in disqualification. If a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, the prize will be forfeited without compensation of any kind and an alternate potential winner will be selected from among all remaining eligible entries received for the random drawing.
8. Prizes, Approximate Retail Values ("ARV") and Odds:
(a) GRAND PRIZE (1): Trip for winner and one (1) guest to one (1) game of the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals, specific game to be chosen by Sponsor. ARV: $4,150.00 (actual value will vary depending on point of departure and other factors; winner will not receive the difference between ARV and actual value of prize). Trip consists of: roundtrip coach air transportation from a major commercial airport near winner’s residence to area airport near NHL franchise city hosting chosen game of 2023 Stanley Cup Finals (see Exhibit A for list of NHL franchise cities); two (2) days/one (1) night hotel accommodations (standard room; double occupancy); two (2) tickets to Stanley Cup Finals game.
(b) FIRST PRIZE (3) – Tickets for winner and one (1) guest to a 2022-2023 NHL regular season game of winner’s choice subject to availability/blackout dates and approval of Sponsor in its sole discretion. FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, TRAVEL AND LODGING ARE NOT INCLUDED. ARV: $200 each.
(c) SECOND PRIZE (10) – One (1) Hoodie in Sponsor's sole discretion. ARV: $23.50 each.
TOTAL ARV OF ALL PRIZES: $4,985.00.
Odds of winning a prize depend on the total number of eligible entries received.
9. Additional Prize Restrictions:
(a) GRAND PRIZE:
Based on past seasons, the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals are projected to take place in mid to late June 2023. As the date of the specific game to be attended by winner and guest depends on the vagaries of the playoffs of the 2022-2023 NHL Season, the specific dates of prize travel will not be available until approximately early/mid-June 2023. GRAND PRIZE WINNER MUST BE ABLE TO TRAVEL SO AS TO ATTEND SELECTED STANLEY CUP FINALS GAME; IF WINNER IS NOT AVAILABLE AT SUCH TIME FOR ANY REASON, THE GRAND PRIZE WILL BE FORFEITED WITHOUT COMPENSATION AND AN ALTERNATE WINNER SELECTED (TIME PERMITTING).
The specific city hosting the Stanley Cup Finals game depends on (a) the results of the Stanley Cup Playoffs determining which team represents the Eastern Conference and which team represents the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals and (b) which of the teams/cities competing in the Stanley Cup Finals is selected by Sponsor.
Trip is awarded subject to availability. Air travel and hotel accommodations providers will be determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Policies/regulations of such providers apply. Without limitation, hotel check-in may require presentation of a major credit card; winner and guest may be responsible for government taxes, Passenger Facility Charge or September 11th Security Fee in accepting air travel. Winner and guest must travel together on same itinerary as set by Sponsor, with travel arrangements being made using travel agent of Sponsor’s sole choosing. Winner and guest will not receive frequent flier miles, hotel award points and similar "perks" in conjunction with prize travel.
Guest must sign and return a Liability Release and a Publicity Release (where lawful), prior to issuance of travel documents. If guest is a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, he/she must be accompanied on trip by his/her parent or legal guardian who must be the Grand Prize winner.
If winner chooses to travel without a guest for any reason, he/she will receive Grand Prize in increments suitable for a single person (i.e., him/herself alone), including only one (1) ticket to Stanley Cup Finals game, and no alternate prize or compensation will be provided. In such case, the ARV will be less than stated in Rule 8(a) above.
Winner and guest will be solely responsible for all necessary travel documents. If city hosting Stanley Cup Finals game is located in Canada, such documents include a valid passport.
Winner and guest agree to act in a respectful, appropriate and courteous manner at all times in conjunction with accepting trip to Stanley Cup Finals game.
If winner lives within reasonable driving distance of city hosting Stanley Cup Finals game (as determined by Administrator in its sole discretion), air travel will be replaced with ground transportation (or a stipend for same) and no alternate prize or compensation will be provided. In such case, the ARV will be less than stated in Rule 8(a) above.
(b) FIRST PRIZES:
Available NHL hockey games exclude: NHL Global Series game on November 4 and 5, 2022 in Tampere, Finland; NHL Winter Classic game on January 2, 2023 in Boston, MA; NHL All-Star Game on February 4, 2023 in Miami, FL; and NHL Stadium Series game on February 18, 2023 in Raleigh, NC.
Available games begin with NHL regular season games taking place on December 1, 2022 and conclude at end of NHL regular season on April 13, 2023. Winner must provide at least forty-five (45) days’ advanced notice prior to choice of NHL hockey game. Winner must provide several choices for NHL hockey game, with the understanding that he/she may not receive his/her first choice of NHL hockey game.
(c) GRAND AND FIRST PRIZES:
Type of ticket to NHL hockey game (Stanley Cup Finals game for Grand Prize; approved NHL hockey game for First Prize) and seat location at game are of Sponsor’s sole determination. Tickets are provided to winner and guest pursuant to a revocable, nontransferable license that is personal to winner/guest and may not be sold, resold, auctioned, bartered, assigned, exchanged, placed in commerce, transferred, given away, donated, or otherwise conveyed. Attending the NHL hockey game constitutes agreement of winner/guest (if a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, the parent/legal guardian of such winner/guest) to the terms of such license, including (a) recovery (if any) in the event that the NHL hockey game is not played to completion for any reason; and (b) compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as well as venue policies, including those intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19/Coronavirus (e.g., mask-wearing, provision of proof of vaccination, provision of proof of negative COVID-19/Coronavirus test**). NHL Entities and/or venue hosting applicable NHL hockey game may revoke admission to game if winner or guest is determined to be intoxicated, to pose a safety risk to him/herself or others, to violate any applicable law or venue policy, or engages in any conduct that brings the NHL Entities and/or venue hosting applicable NHL hockey game into disrepute.
**The health regulations of Canada may be more stringent than those of the United States. By way of example only, acceptable proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19/Coronavirus may be required for entry into Canada.
Should the Stanley Cup Finals game be cancelled for any reason beyond the control of Sponsor and NHL Entities (e.g., natural disaster, riot, civil commotion, pandemic/epidemic, act of terrorism), the liability of Sponsor and NHL Entities shall be limited to award of the remaining elements of Grand Prize. Should the applicable NHL hockey game offered as First Prize be cancelled for any reason beyond the control of Sponsor and NHL Entities, Sponsor and NHL Entities shall not have any liability whatsoever.
(d) SECOND PRIZE:
Size, style and color of hoodie are subject to availability. Actual prize may differ from image of same in Sweepstakes advertising, in which case Sponsor, NHL Entities and Administrator shall not have any liability of any kind.
(e) ALL PRIZES:
Limit of one (1) prize per family, household or address.
Prize/prize-related materials will only be delivered to a street address in the (50) United States or the District of Columbia.
Prize must be accepted as awarded: if prize is declined for any reason, no alternate prize or compensation will be awarded.
No prize substitution (in whole or in part) except due to unavailability of prize/prize element (for any reason, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion) and only then for prize of comparable value. Prizes are not redeemable or exchangeable for cash.
Incidental expenses not specified herein (e.g., for Grand Prize, meals during trip and travel to/from departure airport, gratuities, insurance; for First Prize, travel to and from applicable NHL hockey game) are winner’s sole responsibility.
Prizes are not transferable without the permission of Sponsor which may be granted or withheld in its sole discretion and without liability.
Taxes on prize are the winner’s sole responsibility. Grand Prize winner will be issued an IRS 1099 Tax Form reflecting the value of Grand Prize, with the award of the Grand Prize being reported to the Internal Revenue Service. Grand Prize winner agrees to fully cooperate with Sponsor as to compliance with this and other governmental tax-reporting requirements in conjunction with prize award.
The foregoing conditions on prize are not all-inclusive and prize award may be subject to additional restrictions.
SPONSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY, REPRESENTATION, OR GUARANTEE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, RELATIVE TO THE USE OF ANY PRIZE INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ITS QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR THE INTENDED PURPOSE.
10. Limitations of Liability: Sponsor, NHL Entities and Administrator are not responsible for failed, partial or garbled computer transmissions, or for technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to human, typographical, printing or electronic malfunction or damage of any network, hardware or software. If for any reason the Sweepstakes (in whole or in part) is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud or technical failures beyond Sponsor’s control that corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes (in whole or in part) and/or disqualify any individual who tampers with (or attempts to tamper with) the entry process/operation of the Sweepstakes (or any part thereof). In such event, Sponsor shall conduct the Sweepstakes and make the prizes available from among all eligible entries received prior to and/or after (as appropriate) the action taken by Sponsor or otherwise in a manner which is fair, appropriate and consistent with the spirit of these Official Rules, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Notice of cancellation/termination/modification/suspension of Sweepstakes will be posted on Website. No responsibility is assumed for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries; or any problems or technical malfunctions of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any electronic entry, e-mail or text message to be received on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or any website, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to entrant's or any other person's computer or mobile phone/device (or data/information stored thereon) related to or resulting from participation in or downloading any materials from this Sweepstakes. The failure of Sponsor or Administrator to enforce any provision of these Official Rules on a given occasion shall not represent the ongoing waiver of such provision. Entrants further agree not to knowingly damage or cause interruption of the Sweepstakes and/or prevent others from participating in the Sweepstakes. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DAMAGE ANY ONLINE SERVICE OR WEBSITE OR OTHERWISE UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES VIOLATES CRIMINAL OR CIVIL LAWS. IF SUCH AN ATTEMPT IS MADE OR AN INDIVIDUAL OTHERWISE ATTEMPTS TO DEFRAUD SPONSOR OR ADMINISTRATOR, SPONSOR AND ADMINISTRATOR MAY DISQUALIFY ANY ENTRANT MAKING SUCH ATTEMPT AND SEEK DAMAGES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW.
11. Additional Conditions of Participation: By participating, you agree to be bound by and abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor and Administrator, which shall be final and binding in all respects. By participating in this Sweepstakes, you (agree to release and hold harmless Sponsor, NHL Entities, Telescope, Inc., Administrator, Turner Sports, Inc., and each of their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliated and successor companies, advertising and promotion agencies and prize suppliers, and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, representatives and employees, as well as each of their respective successors, representatives and assigns as well as Meta Platforms, Inc. and Twitter, Inc. (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all actions, claims, injury, death, loss or damage to person(s) or property arising in any manner, directly or indirectly, from participation in this Sweepstakes and/or acceptance, possession, receipt or use/misuse of any prize. By participating, you also authorize the Sponsor and its designees (including NHL Entities) to use your name, voice, likeness, photograph, prize information, biographical data and city and state of residence in programming, advertising, trade and/or promotional material or on a winners’ list (if applicable) without compensation or notice, to the extent permitted by law. Sponsor and its designees are not obligated to use any of the above mentioned information or materials, but may do so and may edit such information or materials, at Sponsor’s/its designees’ sole discretion, without obligation or compensation. Released Parties are not responsible for any e-mail, text message, or other electronic communications that are undeliverable or do not reach entrant (or prospective entrant, as the case may be) as a result of any form of active or passive filtering of any kind, or insufficient space in a person’s e-mail account or text message inbox to receive messages. Without limiting any other provision in these Official Rules, Released Parties are not responsible or liable to any entrant or winner or any person claiming through such entrant or winner for failure to supply the prize or any part thereof in the event that any of the Sweepstakes activities or Released Parties’ operations or activities are affected, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, by reason of any acts of God, any action, regulation, order or request by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not the action, regulations, order or request proves to be invalid), equipment failure, threatened terrorist acts, terrorist acts, air raid, blackout, act of public enemy, earthquake, war (declared or undeclared), fire, flood, pandemic/epidemic, explosion, unusually severe weather, hurricane, embargo, labor dispute or strike (whether legal or illegal), labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot, or any law, rule, regulation, order or other action adopted or taken by any governmental, federal, state or local government authority, or any other cause, whether or not specifically mentioned above.
12. Disputes: Except where prohibited, entrants agree that: (a) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes, or the awarding of the prize/determination of the Winner, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by arbitration pursuant to the Rules of JAMS, then effective (notwithstanding the foregoing, entrant shall not be precluded from seeking relief in small claims court for disputes/claims within the scope of the jurisdiction of small claims court and any remedies available to entrant under applicable federal, state or local law remain available to entrant and are not waived pursuant to this section); (b) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred (if any), including costs associated with entering this Sweepstakes but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (c) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket costs, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any and all rights to injunctive relief. The arbitrator hearing such dispute/claim/cause of action shall be neutral and the entrant will have a reasonable opportunity to participate in the selection of the arbitrator. Such arbitration will take place at a location near the entrant’s residence and the entrant has the right to an in-person hearing in the arbitration proceeding, if desired. The arbitration will allow for discovery and/or exchange of non-privileged information between entrant and Sponsor. Should an entrant initiate arbitration pursuant to this section, the entrant shall be responsible for JAMS’s fees to do so (approximately, $250), with all other costs of such arbitration being borne solely by Sponsor. If entrant is a California resident and Sponsor prevails in such arbitration, such entrant will not be responsible for Sponsor’s costs and fees in conjunction with the arbitration proceeding; BUT, IN ALL OTHER CASES, ENTRANT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH COSTS/FEES IF REQUIRED BY THE ARBITRATOR’S RULING. For the avoidance of doubt, the requirement to arbitrate disputes pursuant to this section is reciprocal and binding both upon entrants and Sponsor. IN AGREEING TO ARBITRATION, YOU ARE GIVING UP YOUR RIGHT TO TRIAL IN A COURT OF LAW. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of entrant and/or Released Parties in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard for conflicts of law doctrine of New York or any other jurisdiction.
This Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. In participating, entrants are providing their information to Sponsor and not to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
EXHIBIT A – NHL FRANCHISE CITIES WHICH COULD HOST 2023 STANLEY CUP FINALS GAME
