Kot-Cane-iemi, Covid Protocols & Returning Home
The Montreal Canadiens opted to not match an offer sheet, while Covid protocols were announced for the upcoming season and Sens players are starting to make their way to the nations capital.
We’re almost there folks.
It’ll only be a few more weeks before the Senators kick off their development and full training camp, with preseason matches scheduled and roster decisions to make. Here’s the round-up from this past weekend around the world of hockey:
- I’m sure this is the first you’re hearing about Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s offer sheet situation but I’m thrilled to break the news to you that the Montreal Canadiens opted for the first and third round picks, rather than spending $6.1M on Kotkaniemi this season.
- On a similar note, the Habs went and spent some of the Kotkaniemi bounty on Christian Dvorak, as they certainly needed to add to their centre situation with the departure of the young Finn.
- The NHL outlined their new COVID-19 protocol for the upcoming season which had a few interesting tidbits to it - primarily for unvaccinated players. In an effort to encourage the remaining unvaccinated players to do the right thing, the NHL has included a mechanism for teams to suspend unvaccinated players who are “unable to participate in club activities.”
- The NHL is set to return to the Olympics in Beijing in 2022 after the IIHF, organizing committee, NHL and NHLPA were able to come to an agreement on how this will work. For many, this is welcomed news as the men’s hockey at the previous games was hardly a must watch event without the NHL’s participation.
- As always, Ian Mendes put together a great piece on Thomas Chabot, Brady Tkachuk and everything we should be thinking about as we head into this new season.
- Finally, it would appear the fellas are starting to head back to Ottawa./