NHL ref's career over, 'make-up' calls in hockey spotlight
Tim Peel's career as an NHL referee is over after his voice was picked up by a TV microphone saying he wanted to call a penalty against the Nashville Predators. The league on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, announced that Peel no longer will be working NHL games now or in the future. Peel will “no longer will be working NHL games now or in the future," the league said. “Watch what happens at the end of games,” said Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour, a former center who played more than 1,600 NHL games. That level of experience made him a “senior-level official” in the terms of the league's collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Officials Association.
NHL teams making moves, not waiting for top free agents
The NHL is embarking on a free agent period like never before in hockey history. A handful of the top free agents are still available, but NHL teams aren't waiting for those big fish to sign to make other moves. Koivu signed for $1.5 million for next season, and they need to re-up top center Pierre-Luc Dubois and other restricted free agents. Teams have to move money, and in order to move money, they might have to move some really good players.”Some good free agents found new homes Saturday. The Buffalo Sabres signed center Cody Eakin to a $4.5 million, two-year contract, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal.
Lundqvist to Caps, goalie carousel spins in NHL free agency
Lundqvist signed with the Capitals when free agency opened Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. Lundqvist signed with the Washington Capitals on Friday, a $1.5 million, one-year contract for the 38-year-old goaltender who was bought out by the New York Rangers after 15 seasons. After years of tormenting Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals in the playoffs, Lundqvist will try to help them win it again at the tail end of his illustrious time in the NHL. After losing series to them in 2009 and 2011, Lundqvist eliminated the Capitals three times: 2012, 2013 and 2015. While Washington won it all with Holtby in 2018, Lundqvist endured a Rangers rebuild that saw him rotated around in a three-goalie carousel with Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev.