⭐️ McDavid Wins all-star skills competition
NHL Players to play in Olympics, NHLPA director comments on Coyotes, and more
Slapshot News
February 03, 2024
In today’s edition:
Oiler’s McDavid wins skills competition
Gary Bettmann comments on sexual assault case
NHL Players to participate in Olympics
NHLPA’s director Marty Walsh voices concern about Coyotes situation
And more!
⭐️ Oiler’s McDavid wins skills competition
Connor McDavid won the NHL All-Star Skills competition Friday night, taking home the $1 million prize while showing yet again why he is among the best of the best.
McDavid won four of the eight events: Fastest skater, stickhandling, accuracy shooting, and the obstacle course.
Cale Makar finished second overall and the won the hardest shot event with a bomb of 102.5 miles per hour.
🚔 Bettman comments on sexual assault case
Credit: NHL
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman addressed the 2018 hockey Canada sexual assault case at a media availability on Friday. He stated that no suspensions will be handed out as a result and are on paid leave from their respective teams. And that he would be “surprised” if any of the players facing charges in London return to the ice before the legal process plays out.
"As a personal matter, if I were them, I'd be focusing on defending themselves assuming the charges come down. I would be surprised if they're playing while this is pending."
🥇 NHL Players to Participate in Olympic Games
NHL players will be allowed to participate in the 2026 and 2030 winter olympic games, the league announced jointly with the NHLPA and IIHF Friday. The three organizations have outlined and agreed to the major principles related to the Players’ participation, with details to be finalized over the coming months. NHL players had previously participated in five straight Winter Olympics from 1998 to 2014. However, concerns about costs, injuries, and media content prevented the three from agreeing in time for 2018 Pyeongchang. For example, no previous Olympic highlights, such as Sidney Crosby's 2010 gold-medal-winning goal in overtime can be found on any of the NHL’s websites or social media.
The 2026 Games will take place in Italy and the IOC will announce the 2030 host country in July.
McLellan fired as Kings CoachTodd McLellan was fired as coach of the Los Angeles Kings on Friday and Jim Hiller was named interim head coach. | Kucherov booed at skills eventNikita Kucherov was mercilessly booed for an obvious subpar effort in NHL Skills Competition |
🌵 NHLPA’s Walsh Voices Concern Regarding Coyotes
Credit: Arizona Sports
Marty Walsh is the executive director of the National Hockey League Player’s Association (NHLPA). He stated Friday he was ‘extremely disappointed’ with how the future developments in Arizona have come along and the communication from its executive team. This comes the same day NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made clear he did not have any concerns about the future in Arizona.
…I’m extremely disappointed in the ownership of Arizona, the president of Arizona. They have not reached out to the PA to talk about what the situation in Arizona is…