2023β24 NHL season | |
---|---|
League | National Hockey League |
Sport | Ice hockey |
Duration | October 10, 2023 β June 2024 |
Number of games | 82 |
Number of teams | 32 |
TV partner(s) |
Sportsnet,
CBC,
TVA Sports (Canada) ESPN/ ABC/ ESPN2, TNT/TBS (United States) |
Streaming partner(s) |
Sportsnet+ (Canada) ESPN+/ Hulu, Max (United States) |
Draft | |
Top draft pick | Connor Bedard |
Picked by | Chicago Blackhawks |
Regular season | |
Presidents' Trophy | New York Rangers |
Top scorer | Nikita Kucherov ( Lightning) |
Playoffs | |
Stanley Cup |
The 2023β24 NHL season is the 107th season of operation (106th season of play) of the National Hockey League (NHL). The regular season began on October 10, 2023 and ended on April 18, 2024. The 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs began on April 20. The Stanley Cup Finals are then scheduled for June, with a possible seventh game to take place no later than June 24. [1]
This was the final season for the Arizona Coyotes before their suspension of operations, following the sale of the team to Utah businessman Ryan Smith, who moved the team's hockey assets to Salt Lake City, where they will begin play as an expansion team in the 2024β25 season. The Coyotes have until 2029 to construct a new arena, upon which they will be reactivated as an expansion team with all previous team history, records, and uniforms being maintained; otherwise, the franchise will cease operations. [2] The Coyotes became the first team to suspend operations since the Brooklyn Americans in 1942.
The 2023 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 28β29, 2023, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. [3] Connor Bedard was selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. [4]
The NHL held games in Australia for the first time in league history. The Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings played on September 23 and 24 at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, best known as the main venue for the Australian Open. Since the arena was not designed for ice hockey, the league built a temporary rink akin to other NHL outdoor games, though the arena's retractable roof was closed for the games. [5]
Offβseason | |||
---|---|---|---|
Team | 2022β23 coach | 2023β24 coach | Notes |
Anaheim Ducks | Dallas Eakins | Greg Cronin | On April 14, 2023, one day after the conclusion of the Ducks' season, the team announced that Eakins' contract would not be renewed. In four seasons with Anaheim, Eakins totaled a 100β147β44 record, with no playoff appearances. [6] Cronin, most recently the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, was named head coach on June 5, 2023. [7] |
Calgary Flames | Darryl Sutter | Ryan Huska | Sutter was fired on May 1, 2023, two and a half weeks after the conclusion of the Flames' season. In just under three seasons during his second stint as the Flames' head coach, Sutter posted a 103β63β28 record, winning the Jack Adams Award in 2021β22 and reaching the playoffs as Pacific Division champions the same year; the team ultimately lost in the second round. [8] Huska, an assistant coach for Calgary since 2018, was promoted to head coach on June 12, 2023. [9] |
Columbus Blue Jackets | Brad Larsen |
Mike Babcock (resigned) Pascal Vincent |
Larsen was fired on April 15, 2023, one day after the conclusion of the Blue Jackets' season. In two seasons with Columbus, Larsen posted a 62β86β16 record, with no playoff appearances. [10] Babcock, most recently head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015 to 2019, was named head coach on July 1, 2023. [11] However, after allegations of improper behavior via the Spittin' Chiclets podcast led to an NHLPA investigation into Babcock, he announced his resignation as head coach on September 17, before the start of the preseason. [12] [13] Associate coach Pascal Vincent was subsequently promoted to head coach, signing a two-year contract. [12] |
Nashville Predators | John Hynes | Andrew Brunette | Hynes was fired on May 30, 2023, a month and a half after the conclusion of the Predators' season. In three and a half seasons with Nashville, Hynes registered a 134β96β18 record, reaching the playoffs three times, but failing to advance past the first round. [14] Brunette, most recently an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils, and previously interim head coach of the Florida Panthers during the 2021β22 season, was named head coach the following day. [15] |
New York Rangers | Gerard Gallant | Peter Laviolette | Gallant and the Rangers mutually agreed to part ways on May 6, 2023, five days after the Rangers' elimination from the 2023 playoffs. In two seasons with New York, Gallant led the team to a 99β46β19 record with two playoff appearances, reaching the Eastern Conference finals in 2022. [16] Laviolette, most recently head coach of the Washington Capitals from 2020 to 2023, and who had left Washington two months prior, was named head coach on June 13, 2023. [17] |
Washington Capitals | Peter Laviolette | Spencer Carbery | On April 14, 2023, one day after the conclusion of the Capitals' season, in which they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, and with his contract expiring, the team and Laviolette mutually agreed to part ways. Laviolette posted a 115β78β27 record in three seasons with Washington, reaching the playoffs twice but failing to advance past the first round. [18] Carbery, most recently an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and formerly head coach of Washington's minor league affiliates, the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays and AHL's Hershey Bears, was named head coach on May 30, 2023. [19] |
Inβseason | |||
Team | Outgoing coach | Incoming coach | Notes |
Edmonton Oilers | Jay Woodcroft | Kris Knoblauch | Woodcroft was fired on November 12, 2023, after the Oilers started the season 3β9β1. In parts of three seasons with the Oilers, Woodcroft totaled a 79β41β13 record and made the playoffs twice, including reaching the Western Conference finals in 2022. Knoblauch, formerly the head coach of the New York Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, was named head coach the same day. [20] |
Los Angeles Kings | Todd McLellan | Jim Hiller* | McLellan was fired on February 2, 2024, with the Kings holding a record of 23β15β10; despite a 20β7β4 start to the season, the team went 3β8β6 in the 17 games preceding his dismissal. In four and a half seasons with Los Angeles, McLellan posted a 164β130β44 record, reaching the playoffs twice but failing to advance past the first round. Hiller, an assistant coach, was promoted to interim head coach. [21] [22] |
Minnesota Wild | Dean Evason | John Hynes | Evason was fired on November 27, 2023, after the Wild started the season 5β10β4. In parts of five seasons with Minnesota, Evason posted a 147β77β27 record, reaching the playoffs four times but failing to advance past the first round. [23] Hynes, most recently head coach of the Nashville Predators from 2020 to 2023, was named head coach the same day. [24] |
New Jersey Devils | Lindy Ruff | Travis Green* | Ruff was fired on March 4, 2024, after the Devils started 30β27β4. In just over three-and-a-half seasons with New Jersey, Ruff totaled a 128β125β28 record, with one playoff appearance. Green, the associate coach, and previously head coach of the Vancouver Canucks from 2017 to 2021, was promoted to interim head coach the same day. [25] |
New York Islanders | Lane Lambert | Patrick Roy | Lambert was fired on January 20, 2024, after the Islanders started the season 19β15β11. In a season and a half with New York, Lambert recorded a 61β46β20 record, making the playoffs in his only full year. Roy, most recently head coach of the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) from 2018 to 2023, and previously head coach of the Colorado Avalanche from 2013 to 2016, was named head coach the same day. [26] |
Ottawa Senators | D. J. Smith | Jacques Martin* | Smith was fired on December 18, 2023, after the Senators started the season 11β15β0. In just over four seasons with Ottawa, Smith compiled a 131β154β32 record, with no playoff appearances. Martin, a senior advisor to the coaching staff who previously served as the team's head coach from 1996 to 2004, and most recently served as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens from 2009 to 2011, was promoted to interim head coach. [27] |
St. Louis Blues | Craig Berube | Drew Bannister* | Berube was fired on December 12, 2023, after the Blues started the season 13β14β1. In parts of six seasons with St. Louis, Berube compiled a 206β132β44 record with four playoff appearances, leading the franchise to its first Stanley Cup championship in 2019. Bannister, previously the head coach of the Blues' AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, was promoted to interim head coach. [28] |
Winnipeg Jets |
Rick Bowness (temporary, October 23 β November 24) |
Scott Arniel* | On October 23, 2023, Bowness announced that he was taking a temporary leave of absence after his wife suffered a seizure and was admitted to the hospital. Arniel, the associate coach, took over as interim head coach, [29] and totaled a 9β2β2 record before Bowness returned from his leave on November 24. [30] |
(*) Indicates interim
Offβseason | |||
---|---|---|---|
Team | 2022β23 general manager | 2023β24 general manager | Notes |
Calgary Flames | Brad Treliving |
Don Maloney* Craig Conroy |
On April 17, 2023, five days after the conclusion of the Flames' season, and with his contract expiring, the team and Treliving mutually agreed to part ways. Treliving had served as general manager since 2014, overseeing five playoff appearances and two Pacific Division titles. Maloney, formerly general manager of the New York Islanders and Arizona Coyotes, and most recently a pro scout, was subsequently promoted to president of hockey operations, and assumed the role of interim general manager. [31] Conroy, formerly the assistant general manager, was promoted to general manager on May 23. [32] |
Nashville Predators | David Poile | Barry Trotz | Poile announced on February 26, 2023 that he would retire as GM on June 30, but remain as a consultant. The sole general manager in Predators history until his retirement, Poile had served in the role since 1997, overseeing fifteen playoff appearances, two Central Division titles, one President's Trophy, and one Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Poile also won the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award in 2017. Trotz, who served as the team's first coach from 1997 to 2014, and most recently was head coach of the New York Islanders from 2018 to 2022, was announced as Poile's successor on the same day, formally assuming the general manager role on July 1. [33] |
Philadelphia Flyers |
Chuck Fletcher Daniel Briere* |
Daniel Briere | Fletcher was fired on March 10, 2023, with the Flyers holding a record of 24β30β11. Fletcher had served as general manager since 2018, with the team making the playoffs once during his tenure. Assistant general manager Briere was named interim general manager, [34] before being made the official general manager on May 11. [35] |
Pittsburgh Penguins | Ron Hextall | Kyle Dubas | Hextall was fired on April 14, 2023, one day after the conclusion of the Penguins' season, after the team missed the playoffs for the first time in 16 seasons. Hextall had served as general manager of the Penguins since 2021, overseeing two playoff appearances and one division championship. [36] Dubas, most recently general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, was hired as president of hockey operations on June 1, [37] assuming the role of interim general manager; [38] he was later named permanent general manager on August 3, 2023. [39] |
Toronto Maple Leafs | Kyle Dubas | Brad Treliving | On May 19, 2023, one week after the Maple Leafs' elimination from the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, and with his contract expiring, the team announced that Dubas would not return. Dubas had served as general manager of the Maple Leafs since 2018, with the team reaching the playoffs all five years of his tenure, and winning one North Division title. [40] Treliving, most recently general manager of the Calgary Flames, was named general manager on May 31. [41] |
Inβseason | |||
Team | Outgoing general manager | Incoming general manager | Notes |
Columbus Blue Jackets | Jarmo Kekalainen | John Davidson* | Kekalainen was fired on February 15, 2024, after the Blue Jackets began the season 16β26β10. Kekalainen had served as general manager of the Blue Jackets since 2013, overseeing five playoff appearances, including the franchise's first playoff series win in 2019. Davidson, the president of hockey operations, was named interim general manager. [42] |
Ottawa Senators | Pierre Dorion | Steve Staios | Dorion was fired on November 1, 2023, after the Senators forfeited a first-round draft pick due to their role in issues surrounding the trade of Evgenii Dadonov to the Vegas Golden Knights, and Dadonov's subsequent voided trade to the Anaheim Ducks. Dorion had served as general manager of the Senators since 2016, overseeing one playoff appearance. Staios, the president of hockey operations, was subsequently named interim general manager, [43] before being named official general manager on December 31. [44] |
(*) Indicates interim
The regular season began on October 10, 2023, and ended on April 18, 2024.
The league held four regular season games on four consecutive days at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. The Detroit Red Wings and the Ottawa Senators faced each other on November 16. The Red Wings then played the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 17. The Minnesota Wild took on the Senators on November 18. Finally, the Wild played the Maple Leafs on November 19. [46]
The following outdoor games took place:
The 2024 All-Star Game took place on February 3, 2024, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs. [51]
Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | p – New York Rangers | 82 | 55 | 23 | 4 | 43 | 282 | 229 | +53 | 114 |
2 | x – Carolina Hurricanes | 82 | 52 | 23 | 7 | 44 | 279 | 216 | +63 | 111 |
3 | x – New York Islanders | 82 | 39 | 27 | 16 | 29 | 246 | 263 | −17 | 94 |
Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | y – Florida Panthers | 82 | 52 | 24 | 6 | 42 | 268 | 200 | +68 | 110 |
2 | x – Boston Bruins | 82 | 47 | 20 | 15 | 36 | 267 | 224 | +43 | 109 |
3 | x – Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 46 | 26 | 10 | 33 | 303 | 263 | +40 | 102 |
Pos | Div | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | AT | x – Tampa Bay Lightning | 82 | 45 | 29 | 8 | 37 | 291 | 268 | +23 | 98 |
2 | ME | x – Washington Capitals | 82 | 40 | 31 | 11 | 32 | 220 | 257 | −37 | 91 |
3 | AT | e – Detroit Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 32 | 9 | 27 | 278 | 274 | +4 | 91 |
4 | ME | e – Pittsburgh Penguins | 82 | 38 | 32 | 12 | 32 | 255 | 251 | +4 | 88 |
5 | ME | e – Philadelphia Flyers | 82 | 38 | 33 | 11 | 30 | 235 | 261 | −26 | 87 |
6 | AT | e – Buffalo Sabres | 82 | 39 | 37 | 6 | 33 | 246 | 244 | +2 | 84 |
7 | ME | e – New Jersey Devils | 82 | 38 | 39 | 5 | 33 | 264 | 283 | −19 | 81 |
8 | AT | e – Ottawa Senators | 82 | 37 | 41 | 4 | 25 | 255 | 281 | −26 | 78 |
9 | AT | e – Montreal Canadiens | 82 | 30 | 36 | 16 | 20 | 236 | 289 | −53 | 76 |
10 | ME | e – Columbus Blue Jackets | 82 | 27 | 43 | 12 | 21 | 237 | 300 | −63 | 66 |
Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | z – Dallas Stars | 82 | 52 | 21 | 9 | 40 | 298 | 234 | +64 | 113 |
2 | x – Winnipeg Jets | 82 | 52 | 24 | 6 | 46 | 259 | 199 | +60 | 110 |
3 | x – Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 50 | 25 | 7 | 42 | 304 | 254 | +50 | 107 |
Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | y – Vancouver Canucks | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 44 | 279 | 223 | +56 | 109 |
2 | x – Edmonton Oilers | 82 | 49 | 27 | 6 | 39 | 294 | 237 | +57 | 104 |
3 | x – Los Angeles Kings | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 37 | 256 | 215 | +41 | 99 |
Pos | Div | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | CE | x – Nashville Predators | 82 | 47 | 30 | 5 | 38 | 269 | 248 | +21 | 99 |
2 | PA | x – Vegas Golden Knights | 82 | 45 | 29 | 8 | 34 | 267 | 245 | +22 | 98 |
3 | CE | e – St. Louis Blues | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 31 | 239 | 250 | −11 | 92 |
4 | CE | e – Minnesota Wild | 82 | 39 | 34 | 9 | 32 | 251 | 263 | −12 | 87 |
5 | PA | e – Calgary Flames | 82 | 38 | 39 | 5 | 32 | 253 | 271 | −18 | 81 |
6 | PA | e – Seattle Kraken | 82 | 34 | 35 | 13 | 28 | 217 | 236 | −19 | 81 |
7 | CE | e – Arizona Coyotes | 82 | 36 | 41 | 5 | 28 | 256 | 274 | −18 | 77 |
8 | PA | e – Anaheim Ducks | 82 | 27 | 50 | 5 | 21 | 204 | 295 | −91 | 59 |
9 | CE | e – Chicago Blackhawks | 82 | 23 | 53 | 6 | 17 | 179 | 290 | −111 | 52 |
10 | PA | e – San Jose Sharks | 82 | 19 | 54 | 9 | 14 | 181 | 331 | −150 | 47 |
In each round, teams compete in a best-of-seven series following a 2β2β1β1β1 format (scores in the bracket indicate the number of games won in each best-of-seven series). The team with home ice advantage plays at home for games one and two (and games five and seven, if necessary), and the other team is at home for games three and four (and game six, if necessary). The top three teams in each division make the playoffs, along with two wild cards in each conference, for a total of eight teams from each conference.
In the first round, the lower seeded wild card in each conference played against the division winner with the best record while the other wild card played against the other division winner, and both wild cards were de facto #4 seeds. The other series matched the second and third place teams from the divisions. In the first two rounds, home ice advantage was awarded to the team with the better seed. In the conference finals and Stanley Cup Finals, home ice advantage was awarded to the team with the better regular season record.
First round | Second round | Conference finals | Stanley Cup Finals | ||||||||||||||||
A1 | Florida | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
WC | Tampa Bay | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
A2 | Boston | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
A3 | Toronto | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
Eastern Conference | |||||||||||||||||||
M1 | NY Rangers | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
WC | Washington | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
M2 | Carolina | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
M3 | NY Islanders | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
C1 | Dallas | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
WC | Vegas | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
C2 | Winnipeg | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
C3 | Colorado | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
Western Conference | |||||||||||||||||||
P1 | Vancouver | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
WC | Nashville | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
P2 | Edmonton | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
P3 | Los Angeles | 1 |
The following players led the league in regular season points at the completion of games played on April 18, 2024. [55]
Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/β | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nikita Kucherov | Tampa Bay Lightning | 81 | 44 | 100 | 144 | +8 | 22 |
Nathan MacKinnon | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 51 | 89 | 140 | +35 | 42 |
Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers | 76 | 32 | 100 | 132 | +35 | 30 |
Artemi Panarin | New York Rangers | 82 | 49 | 71 | 120 | +18 | 24 |
David Pastrnak | Boston Bruins | 82 | 47 | 63 | 110 | +21 | 47 |
Auston Matthews | Toronto Maple Leafs | 81 | 69 | 38 | 107 | +31 | 20 |
Leon Draisaitl | Edmonton Oilers | 81 | 41 | 65 | 106 | +26 | 76 |
Mikko Rantanen | Colorado Avalanche | 80 | 42 | 62 | 104 | +19 | 50 |
J. T. Miller | Vancouver Canucks | 81 | 37 | 66 | 103 | +32 | 58 |
William Nylander | Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 40 | 58 | 98 | +1 | 24 |
The following goaltenders led the league in regular season goals against average at the completion of games played on April 18, 2024, while playing at least 1,920 minutes. [56]
Player | Team | GP | TOI | W | L | OTL | GA | SO | SV% | GAA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pyotr Kochetkov | Carolina Hurricanes | 42 | 2,371:29 | 23 | 13 | 4 | 92 | 4 | .911 | 2.33 |
Sergei Bobrovsky | Florida Panthers | 58 | 3,414:14 | 36 | 17 | 4 | 135 | 6 | .915 | 2.37 |
Connor Hellebuyck | Winnipeg Jets | 60 | 3,567:20 | 37 | 19 | 4 | 142 | 5 | .921 | 2.39 |
Thatcher Demko | Vancouver Canucks | 51 | 3,015:53 | 35 | 14 | 2 | 123 | 5 | .918 | 2.45 |
Joey Daccord | Seattle Kraken | 50 | 2,832:47 | 19 | 18 | 11 | 116 | 3 | .916 | 2.46 |
Cam Talbot | Los Angeles Kings | 53 | 3,056:59 | 26 | 20 | 6 | 126 | 3 | .915 | 2.47 |
Jeremy Swayman | Boston Bruins | 44 | 2,565:51 | 25 | 10 | 8 | 108 | 3 | .916 | 2.53 |
Linus Ullmark | Boston Bruins | 40 | 2,400:08 | 22 | 10 | 7 | 103 | 2 | .915 | 2.57 |
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen | Buffalo Sabres | 54 | 3,081:14 | 27 | 22 | 4 | 132 | 5 | .910 | 2.57 |
Igor Shesterkin | New York Rangers | 55 | 3,277:06 | 36 | 17 | 2 | 141 | 4 | .913 | 2.58 |
Voting concluded immediately after the end of the regular season. Statistics-based awards such as the Art Ross Trophy, Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, William M. Jennings Trophy and the Presidents' Trophy are announced at the end of the regular season. The Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy are presented at the end of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Lester Patrick Trophy is announced following the conclusion of the playoffs. The Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award is presented during the NHL Entry Draft.
Award | Recipient(s) | Runner(s)-up/Finalists |
---|---|---|
Stanley Cup | ||
Presidents' Trophy (Best regular-season record) |
New York Rangers | Dallas Stars |
Prince of Wales Trophy (Eastern Conference playoff champion) |
||
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl (Western Conference playoff champion) |
||
Art Ross Trophy (Player with most points) |
Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) | Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) |
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (Perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication) |
||
Calder Memorial Trophy (Best first-year player) |
||
Conn Smythe Trophy (Most valuable player, playoffs) |
||
Frank J. Selke Trophy (Best defensive forward) |
||
Hart Memorial Trophy (Most valuable player, regular season) |
||
Jack Adams Award (Best coach) |
||
James Norris Memorial Trophy (Best defenceman) |
||
King Clancy Memorial Trophy (Leadership and humanitarian contribution) |
||
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (Sportsmanship and excellence) |
||
Ted Lindsay Award (Outstanding player) |
||
Mark Messier Leadership Award (Leadership and community activities) |
N/A | |
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (Top goal-scorer) |
Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) | Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers) |
Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award (Top general manager) |
||
Vezina Trophy (Best goaltender) |
||
William M. Jennings Trophy (Goaltender(s) of team with fewest goals against) |
Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) |
Sergei Bobrovsky and
Anthony Stolarz (Florida Panthers) |
Lester Patrick Trophy (Service to ice hockey in U.S.) |
N/A |
The following is a list of notable players who played their first NHL game during the 2023β24 season, listed with their first team.
Player | Team | Notability |
---|---|---|
Connor Bedard [72] | Chicago Blackhawks | First overall pick in the 2023 Draft |
The following is a list of players of note who played their last NHL game in 2023β24, listed with their team:
Player | Team | Notability |
---|---|---|
Jeff Carter [73] | Pittsburgh Penguins | Over 1,300 games played, two-time NHL All-Star |
This is the tenth season of the league's 12-year Canadian national broadcast rights deal with Sportsnet. This includes Sportsnet's sub-licensing agreements to air Saturday Hockey Night in Canada games on CBC Television and French-language broadcasts on TVA Sports. [135] Sportsnet's national schedule also includes Monday Night Hockey, Wednesday Night Hockey, this season's four outdoor games, the Hockey Day in Canada games on January 20, and All-Star Weekend. [136] Games will be streamed on Sportsnet+, with national games available on the Standard level, out-of-market games on the Premium tier, and via authenticated streaming on participating teams. [137] Games on CBC will also be simulcast on CBC Gem, which replaces CBCSports.ca. [138]
Longtime commentator John Garrett retired from Vancouver Canucks broadcasts prior to the season. [139] He will continue to provide analysis on select national broadcasts throughout the season. Sportsnet later announced that Dave Tomlinson, formerly a radio analyst for the Seattle Kraken, would take over as the primary TV analyst for Canucks regional broadcasts, with ESPN lead analyst Ray Ferraro working as a substitute for select games. [140]
On December 18, analyst Cassie Campbell-Pascall left Sportsnet to become special advisor in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). [141] She continues to work on select ESPN broadcasts in the U.S. on a smaller role. [142]
This is the third season of the league's seven-year U.S. national broadcast rights deals with the ESPN family of networks and TNT Sports. [143]
Regular season games are aired exclusively on ESPN on selected Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends; and ABC on selected Saturdays between mid-January and mid-April. ESPN+ and Hulu exclusively streams games primarily on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends throughout the season. [a] During All-Star Weekend, ESPN had the All-Star skills competition while ABC will air the All-Star Game. Both Stadium Series games were broadcast by ABC. A Presidents' Day doubleheader on February 19 was also scheduled on ESPN this season. Under the "NHL Power Play on ESPN+" branding, the streaming service will also stream ABC games, selected ESPN games, as well out-of-market games. [145] For the second consecutive season, ESPN collaborated with Disney Channel on a youth-oriented alternate broadcast, using the NHL's player and puck tracking system to render a live animated version of the March 9, 2024, Pittsburgh PenguinsβBoston Bruins game, portrayed by characters from the animated series Big City Greens. [146]
WBD's regular season coverage is primary on TNT, with games on Wednesday nights throughout the season, the Thanksgiving Showdown on November 24, Winter Classic, and selected Sunday games between late February and April. Not all of TNT's regular season games are exclusive broadcasts, and are thus subject to blackout in local markets. [147] WBD invoked its over-the-top streaming rights for Max, adding live sports telecasts from WBD channels; these broadcasts will be available at no additional charge until a later date, after which viewers must subscribe to the Bleacher Report Sports add-on. [148] This season's Heritage Classic instead aired on TBS due to TNT's soccer coverage of U.S. women's national soccer team. [149] TruTV also began airing simulcasted/alternative broadcasts of selected TNT games, [150] TruTV will also televise a youth-oriented alternate broadcast, using the NHL's player and puck tracking system to render a live animated version of the April 14, 2024, Colorado AvalancheβVegas Golden Knights game, portrayed by WBD characters featured in the MultiVersus video game. [151]
NHL Network continues to also nationally televise selected regular season games, including Saturday and Sunday afternoon games as part of the NHL Network Showcase series.
The Washington Capitals' broadcaster NBC Sports Washington rebranded as Monumental Sports Network prior to the start of the season. In September 2022, Monumental Sports & Entertainment bought out NBCUniversal's ownership stake in the channel. [152] [153]
The 12 NHL teams who had deals with the Bally Sports regional sports networks may be affected by its operator Diamond Sports Group's March 14, 2023 decision to file for bankruptcy. Diamond had initially sought to continue broadcasting regional games while it plans to separate from majority parent Sinclair Broadcast Group as part of the reorganization. [154]
The Los Angeles Kings renewed their contract with Bally Sports West despite Diamond's bankruptcy. The Kings also reached an agreement with KCAL-TV for the rights to six games and select half-hour specials. [155] [156]
On October 4, 2023, Diamond announced that it intended to reject its Bally Sports Arizona contract with the Arizona Coyotes. [157] The next day, the Coyotes announced a new television agreement with the E. W. Scripps Company's sports division Scripps Sports, under which it will carry games on a subchannel of its Phoenix broadcast station and ABC affiliate KNXV-TV, and syndicate them to sister stations in the team's broadcast territory, including KGUN-TV in Tucson, Arizona, and KUPX-TV and KSTU-DT2 in Salt Lake City. The Coyotes will air non-game programs on KNXV and sister The CW affiliate KASW. [158] [159] With Bally Sports Arizona already previously losing airing rights to the Phoenix Suns to Gray Television and the Arizona Diamondbacks to the MLB itself earlier in the year, they decided to wind down services for the rest of the month before concluding on October 21, 2023.
On December 20, 2023, Diamond Sports and the NHL reached an agreement that will result in the contracts for teams airing on Diamond expiring after the 2023β24 NHL season. [160] However, on January 17, 2024, Diamond Sports announced a restructuring agreement after receiving a $115 million investment from Amazon. The restructuring agreement would supersede the prior agreement with the NHL, so rights for the NHL would no longer expire following the 2023β24 season. [161] [162]
In February 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery announced it was winding down its AT&T SportsNet regional sports network business, affecting the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Vegas Golden Knights' broadcasters, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh and AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain, respectively. The Seattle Kraken's deal with Root Sports Northwest was not affected because Warner Bros. Discovery only held minority control of that network. [163] [164]
On May 4, 2023, the Golden Knights signed a multi-year agreement with Scripps Sports to start airing games on Scripps' Las Vegas broadcast station KMCC, and syndicate the telecasts to other stations across the team's broadcast territory; both KMCC and Salt Lake City's KUPX-TV were converted from Ion Television stations to independents to accommodate the team's broadcasts, along with Scripps's Montana Television Network, whose second digital subchannels previously carried The CW. [165]
On August 30, 2023, the Penguins announced that they would acquire AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, which rebranded on October 2 as SportsNet Pittsburgh. The channel is operated by NESNβthe regional broadcaster of the Boston Bruinsβwhich is majority-owned by the Penguins' parent company Fenway Sports Group. [166] [167]
ESPN/ABC studio analyst Chris Chelios, who served in the role for two seasons, left the network as part of its June 2023 cost-cutting measures. [168] [169] Chelios later made appearances on TNT during the season. In October, studio analyst Barry Melrose resigned after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. [170] [171]
TNT ice-level analyst Keith Jones left the network to become president of hockey operations with the Philadelphia Flyers. Prior to joining the Flyers' front office, Jones also worked as the team's TV color analyst for 23 seasons, while also working as a studio and game analyst with NBC and later TNT. [35] To replace Jones, TNT hired Brian Boucher away from ESPN/ABC, serving the same role as he previously had with the latter network. Boucher also replaced Jones as a primary analyst on the Flyers' television broadcasts. [172] [173]
The Chicago Blackhawks hired Darren Pang to be their lead TV color commentator. Pang, who spent 14 years in the same role with the St. Louis Blues and is also a color commentator on TNT, replaces both Colby Cohen, whose contract with the team was not renewed [174] [175] and Patrick Sharp, who left to also join the Flyers front office, along with Keith Jones. The Blues replaced Pang with Jamie Rivers, who had been the backup color commentator whenever Pang worked for TNT prior to the announcement. [176]
The Los Angeles Kings started using TV/radio simulcasts, keeping radio announcers Nick Nickson and Daryl Evans, and TV analyst Jim Fox. However, they did not renew the TV play-by-play announcer Alex Faust's contract. [155]
The Pittsburgh Penguins' play-by-play announcers swapped roles, with Josh Getzoff moving from radio to TV, and Steve Mears moving from TV to radio. [177] [178] However, the team let go Bob Errey, their TV color commentator. [179] To replace him, a rotation of Colby Armstrong, Mike Rupp, and Phil Bourque, who also provides color commentary on radio, is used. [180]
The Seattle Kraken hired Al Kinisky as their radio analyst, replacing Dave Tomlinson, who moved to the Vancouver Canucks television booth. [181]
Columbus Blue Jackets TV play-by-play announcer Jeff Rimer announced his pending retirement at the end of the season. Rimer, the TV voice of the Blue Jackets starting in the 2005β06 season, also had stints with the Washington Capitals and the Florida Panthers. [182]
Boston Bruins TV play-by-play announcer Jack Edwards announced his pending retirement at the end of the season. Edwards joined the Bruins broadcast team prior to the 2005β06 season after several stints as an anchor and reporter on various networks, most notably with ESPN's SportsCenter. [183]
'It's obviously good to get that first one,' said New York's Peter Laviolette, who became the first coach in NHL history to lead six different teams to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Andersen is 294-127-52 in 494 NHL games, passing Braden Holtby for the most wins by a goalie in his first 500 games in NHL history.
Sharangovich has 59 points (31 goals, 28 assists) this season, the highest-scoring single-season total by a Belarussian forward in NHL history. Mikhail Grabovski previously held the record with 58 points (29 goals, 29 assists), set with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2010-11.
Belarusian forward Yegor Sharangovich surpassed Mikhail Grabovski's record for points (58) scored in one NHL regular season... 59 points is a record for points scored by Belarusian players in one NHL season.
2023β24 NHL season | |
---|---|
League | National Hockey League |
Sport | Ice hockey |
Duration | October 10, 2023 β June 2024 |
Number of games | 82 |
Number of teams | 32 |
TV partner(s) |
Sportsnet,
CBC,
TVA Sports (Canada) ESPN/ ABC/ ESPN2, TNT/TBS (United States) |
Streaming partner(s) |
Sportsnet+ (Canada) ESPN+/ Hulu, Max (United States) |
Draft | |
Top draft pick | Connor Bedard |
Picked by | Chicago Blackhawks |
Regular season | |
Presidents' Trophy | New York Rangers |
Top scorer | Nikita Kucherov ( Lightning) |
Playoffs | |
Stanley Cup |
The 2023β24 NHL season is the 107th season of operation (106th season of play) of the National Hockey League (NHL). The regular season began on October 10, 2023 and ended on April 18, 2024. The 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs began on April 20. The Stanley Cup Finals are then scheduled for June, with a possible seventh game to take place no later than June 24. [1]
This was the final season for the Arizona Coyotes before their suspension of operations, following the sale of the team to Utah businessman Ryan Smith, who moved the team's hockey assets to Salt Lake City, where they will begin play as an expansion team in the 2024β25 season. The Coyotes have until 2029 to construct a new arena, upon which they will be reactivated as an expansion team with all previous team history, records, and uniforms being maintained; otherwise, the franchise will cease operations. [2] The Coyotes became the first team to suspend operations since the Brooklyn Americans in 1942.
The 2023 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 28β29, 2023, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. [3] Connor Bedard was selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. [4]
The NHL held games in Australia for the first time in league history. The Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings played on September 23 and 24 at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, best known as the main venue for the Australian Open. Since the arena was not designed for ice hockey, the league built a temporary rink akin to other NHL outdoor games, though the arena's retractable roof was closed for the games. [5]
Offβseason | |||
---|---|---|---|
Team | 2022β23 coach | 2023β24 coach | Notes |
Anaheim Ducks | Dallas Eakins | Greg Cronin | On April 14, 2023, one day after the conclusion of the Ducks' season, the team announced that Eakins' contract would not be renewed. In four seasons with Anaheim, Eakins totaled a 100β147β44 record, with no playoff appearances. [6] Cronin, most recently the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, was named head coach on June 5, 2023. [7] |
Calgary Flames | Darryl Sutter | Ryan Huska | Sutter was fired on May 1, 2023, two and a half weeks after the conclusion of the Flames' season. In just under three seasons during his second stint as the Flames' head coach, Sutter posted a 103β63β28 record, winning the Jack Adams Award in 2021β22 and reaching the playoffs as Pacific Division champions the same year; the team ultimately lost in the second round. [8] Huska, an assistant coach for Calgary since 2018, was promoted to head coach on June 12, 2023. [9] |
Columbus Blue Jackets | Brad Larsen |
Mike Babcock (resigned) Pascal Vincent |
Larsen was fired on April 15, 2023, one day after the conclusion of the Blue Jackets' season. In two seasons with Columbus, Larsen posted a 62β86β16 record, with no playoff appearances. [10] Babcock, most recently head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015 to 2019, was named head coach on July 1, 2023. [11] However, after allegations of improper behavior via the Spittin' Chiclets podcast led to an NHLPA investigation into Babcock, he announced his resignation as head coach on September 17, before the start of the preseason. [12] [13] Associate coach Pascal Vincent was subsequently promoted to head coach, signing a two-year contract. [12] |
Nashville Predators | John Hynes | Andrew Brunette | Hynes was fired on May 30, 2023, a month and a half after the conclusion of the Predators' season. In three and a half seasons with Nashville, Hynes registered a 134β96β18 record, reaching the playoffs three times, but failing to advance past the first round. [14] Brunette, most recently an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils, and previously interim head coach of the Florida Panthers during the 2021β22 season, was named head coach the following day. [15] |
New York Rangers | Gerard Gallant | Peter Laviolette | Gallant and the Rangers mutually agreed to part ways on May 6, 2023, five days after the Rangers' elimination from the 2023 playoffs. In two seasons with New York, Gallant led the team to a 99β46β19 record with two playoff appearances, reaching the Eastern Conference finals in 2022. [16] Laviolette, most recently head coach of the Washington Capitals from 2020 to 2023, and who had left Washington two months prior, was named head coach on June 13, 2023. [17] |
Washington Capitals | Peter Laviolette | Spencer Carbery | On April 14, 2023, one day after the conclusion of the Capitals' season, in which they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, and with his contract expiring, the team and Laviolette mutually agreed to part ways. Laviolette posted a 115β78β27 record in three seasons with Washington, reaching the playoffs twice but failing to advance past the first round. [18] Carbery, most recently an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and formerly head coach of Washington's minor league affiliates, the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays and AHL's Hershey Bears, was named head coach on May 30, 2023. [19] |
Inβseason | |||
Team | Outgoing coach | Incoming coach | Notes |
Edmonton Oilers | Jay Woodcroft | Kris Knoblauch | Woodcroft was fired on November 12, 2023, after the Oilers started the season 3β9β1. In parts of three seasons with the Oilers, Woodcroft totaled a 79β41β13 record and made the playoffs twice, including reaching the Western Conference finals in 2022. Knoblauch, formerly the head coach of the New York Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, was named head coach the same day. [20] |
Los Angeles Kings | Todd McLellan | Jim Hiller* | McLellan was fired on February 2, 2024, with the Kings holding a record of 23β15β10; despite a 20β7β4 start to the season, the team went 3β8β6 in the 17 games preceding his dismissal. In four and a half seasons with Los Angeles, McLellan posted a 164β130β44 record, reaching the playoffs twice but failing to advance past the first round. Hiller, an assistant coach, was promoted to interim head coach. [21] [22] |
Minnesota Wild | Dean Evason | John Hynes | Evason was fired on November 27, 2023, after the Wild started the season 5β10β4. In parts of five seasons with Minnesota, Evason posted a 147β77β27 record, reaching the playoffs four times but failing to advance past the first round. [23] Hynes, most recently head coach of the Nashville Predators from 2020 to 2023, was named head coach the same day. [24] |
New Jersey Devils | Lindy Ruff | Travis Green* | Ruff was fired on March 4, 2024, after the Devils started 30β27β4. In just over three-and-a-half seasons with New Jersey, Ruff totaled a 128β125β28 record, with one playoff appearance. Green, the associate coach, and previously head coach of the Vancouver Canucks from 2017 to 2021, was promoted to interim head coach the same day. [25] |
New York Islanders | Lane Lambert | Patrick Roy | Lambert was fired on January 20, 2024, after the Islanders started the season 19β15β11. In a season and a half with New York, Lambert recorded a 61β46β20 record, making the playoffs in his only full year. Roy, most recently head coach of the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) from 2018 to 2023, and previously head coach of the Colorado Avalanche from 2013 to 2016, was named head coach the same day. [26] |
Ottawa Senators | D. J. Smith | Jacques Martin* | Smith was fired on December 18, 2023, after the Senators started the season 11β15β0. In just over four seasons with Ottawa, Smith compiled a 131β154β32 record, with no playoff appearances. Martin, a senior advisor to the coaching staff who previously served as the team's head coach from 1996 to 2004, and most recently served as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens from 2009 to 2011, was promoted to interim head coach. [27] |
St. Louis Blues | Craig Berube | Drew Bannister* | Berube was fired on December 12, 2023, after the Blues started the season 13β14β1. In parts of six seasons with St. Louis, Berube compiled a 206β132β44 record with four playoff appearances, leading the franchise to its first Stanley Cup championship in 2019. Bannister, previously the head coach of the Blues' AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, was promoted to interim head coach. [28] |
Winnipeg Jets |
Rick Bowness (temporary, October 23 β November 24) |
Scott Arniel* | On October 23, 2023, Bowness announced that he was taking a temporary leave of absence after his wife suffered a seizure and was admitted to the hospital. Arniel, the associate coach, took over as interim head coach, [29] and totaled a 9β2β2 record before Bowness returned from his leave on November 24. [30] |
(*) Indicates interim
Offβseason | |||
---|---|---|---|
Team | 2022β23 general manager | 2023β24 general manager | Notes |
Calgary Flames | Brad Treliving |
Don Maloney* Craig Conroy |
On April 17, 2023, five days after the conclusion of the Flames' season, and with his contract expiring, the team and Treliving mutually agreed to part ways. Treliving had served as general manager since 2014, overseeing five playoff appearances and two Pacific Division titles. Maloney, formerly general manager of the New York Islanders and Arizona Coyotes, and most recently a pro scout, was subsequently promoted to president of hockey operations, and assumed the role of interim general manager. [31] Conroy, formerly the assistant general manager, was promoted to general manager on May 23. [32] |
Nashville Predators | David Poile | Barry Trotz | Poile announced on February 26, 2023 that he would retire as GM on June 30, but remain as a consultant. The sole general manager in Predators history until his retirement, Poile had served in the role since 1997, overseeing fifteen playoff appearances, two Central Division titles, one President's Trophy, and one Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Poile also won the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award in 2017. Trotz, who served as the team's first coach from 1997 to 2014, and most recently was head coach of the New York Islanders from 2018 to 2022, was announced as Poile's successor on the same day, formally assuming the general manager role on July 1. [33] |
Philadelphia Flyers |
Chuck Fletcher Daniel Briere* |
Daniel Briere | Fletcher was fired on March 10, 2023, with the Flyers holding a record of 24β30β11. Fletcher had served as general manager since 2018, with the team making the playoffs once during his tenure. Assistant general manager Briere was named interim general manager, [34] before being made the official general manager on May 11. [35] |
Pittsburgh Penguins | Ron Hextall | Kyle Dubas | Hextall was fired on April 14, 2023, one day after the conclusion of the Penguins' season, after the team missed the playoffs for the first time in 16 seasons. Hextall had served as general manager of the Penguins since 2021, overseeing two playoff appearances and one division championship. [36] Dubas, most recently general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, was hired as president of hockey operations on June 1, [37] assuming the role of interim general manager; [38] he was later named permanent general manager on August 3, 2023. [39] |
Toronto Maple Leafs | Kyle Dubas | Brad Treliving | On May 19, 2023, one week after the Maple Leafs' elimination from the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, and with his contract expiring, the team announced that Dubas would not return. Dubas had served as general manager of the Maple Leafs since 2018, with the team reaching the playoffs all five years of his tenure, and winning one North Division title. [40] Treliving, most recently general manager of the Calgary Flames, was named general manager on May 31. [41] |
Inβseason | |||
Team | Outgoing general manager | Incoming general manager | Notes |
Columbus Blue Jackets | Jarmo Kekalainen | John Davidson* | Kekalainen was fired on February 15, 2024, after the Blue Jackets began the season 16β26β10. Kekalainen had served as general manager of the Blue Jackets since 2013, overseeing five playoff appearances, including the franchise's first playoff series win in 2019. Davidson, the president of hockey operations, was named interim general manager. [42] |
Ottawa Senators | Pierre Dorion | Steve Staios | Dorion was fired on November 1, 2023, after the Senators forfeited a first-round draft pick due to their role in issues surrounding the trade of Evgenii Dadonov to the Vegas Golden Knights, and Dadonov's subsequent voided trade to the Anaheim Ducks. Dorion had served as general manager of the Senators since 2016, overseeing one playoff appearance. Staios, the president of hockey operations, was subsequently named interim general manager, [43] before being named official general manager on December 31. [44] |
(*) Indicates interim
The regular season began on October 10, 2023, and ended on April 18, 2024.
The league held four regular season games on four consecutive days at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. The Detroit Red Wings and the Ottawa Senators faced each other on November 16. The Red Wings then played the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 17. The Minnesota Wild took on the Senators on November 18. Finally, the Wild played the Maple Leafs on November 19. [46]
The following outdoor games took place:
The 2024 All-Star Game took place on February 3, 2024, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs. [51]
Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | p – New York Rangers | 82 | 55 | 23 | 4 | 43 | 282 | 229 | +53 | 114 |
2 | x – Carolina Hurricanes | 82 | 52 | 23 | 7 | 44 | 279 | 216 | +63 | 111 |
3 | x – New York Islanders | 82 | 39 | 27 | 16 | 29 | 246 | 263 | −17 | 94 |
Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | y – Florida Panthers | 82 | 52 | 24 | 6 | 42 | 268 | 200 | +68 | 110 |
2 | x – Boston Bruins | 82 | 47 | 20 | 15 | 36 | 267 | 224 | +43 | 109 |
3 | x – Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 46 | 26 | 10 | 33 | 303 | 263 | +40 | 102 |
Pos | Div | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | AT | x – Tampa Bay Lightning | 82 | 45 | 29 | 8 | 37 | 291 | 268 | +23 | 98 |
2 | ME | x – Washington Capitals | 82 | 40 | 31 | 11 | 32 | 220 | 257 | −37 | 91 |
3 | AT | e – Detroit Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 32 | 9 | 27 | 278 | 274 | +4 | 91 |
4 | ME | e – Pittsburgh Penguins | 82 | 38 | 32 | 12 | 32 | 255 | 251 | +4 | 88 |
5 | ME | e – Philadelphia Flyers | 82 | 38 | 33 | 11 | 30 | 235 | 261 | −26 | 87 |
6 | AT | e – Buffalo Sabres | 82 | 39 | 37 | 6 | 33 | 246 | 244 | +2 | 84 |
7 | ME | e – New Jersey Devils | 82 | 38 | 39 | 5 | 33 | 264 | 283 | −19 | 81 |
8 | AT | e – Ottawa Senators | 82 | 37 | 41 | 4 | 25 | 255 | 281 | −26 | 78 |
9 | AT | e – Montreal Canadiens | 82 | 30 | 36 | 16 | 20 | 236 | 289 | −53 | 76 |
10 | ME | e – Columbus Blue Jackets | 82 | 27 | 43 | 12 | 21 | 237 | 300 | −63 | 66 |
Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | z – Dallas Stars | 82 | 52 | 21 | 9 | 40 | 298 | 234 | +64 | 113 |
2 | x – Winnipeg Jets | 82 | 52 | 24 | 6 | 46 | 259 | 199 | +60 | 110 |
3 | x – Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 50 | 25 | 7 | 42 | 304 | 254 | +50 | 107 |
Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | y – Vancouver Canucks | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 44 | 279 | 223 | +56 | 109 |
2 | x – Edmonton Oilers | 82 | 49 | 27 | 6 | 39 | 294 | 237 | +57 | 104 |
3 | x – Los Angeles Kings | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 37 | 256 | 215 | +41 | 99 |
Pos | Div | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | CE | x – Nashville Predators | 82 | 47 | 30 | 5 | 38 | 269 | 248 | +21 | 99 |
2 | PA | x – Vegas Golden Knights | 82 | 45 | 29 | 8 | 34 | 267 | 245 | +22 | 98 |
3 | CE | e – St. Louis Blues | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 31 | 239 | 250 | −11 | 92 |
4 | CE | e – Minnesota Wild | 82 | 39 | 34 | 9 | 32 | 251 | 263 | −12 | 87 |
5 | PA | e – Calgary Flames | 82 | 38 | 39 | 5 | 32 | 253 | 271 | −18 | 81 |
6 | PA | e – Seattle Kraken | 82 | 34 | 35 | 13 | 28 | 217 | 236 | −19 | 81 |
7 | CE | e – Arizona Coyotes | 82 | 36 | 41 | 5 | 28 | 256 | 274 | −18 | 77 |
8 | PA | e – Anaheim Ducks | 82 | 27 | 50 | 5 | 21 | 204 | 295 | −91 | 59 |
9 | CE | e – Chicago Blackhawks | 82 | 23 | 53 | 6 | 17 | 179 | 290 | −111 | 52 |
10 | PA | e – San Jose Sharks | 82 | 19 | 54 | 9 | 14 | 181 | 331 | −150 | 47 |
In each round, teams compete in a best-of-seven series following a 2β2β1β1β1 format (scores in the bracket indicate the number of games won in each best-of-seven series). The team with home ice advantage plays at home for games one and two (and games five and seven, if necessary), and the other team is at home for games three and four (and game six, if necessary). The top three teams in each division make the playoffs, along with two wild cards in each conference, for a total of eight teams from each conference.
In the first round, the lower seeded wild card in each conference played against the division winner with the best record while the other wild card played against the other division winner, and both wild cards were de facto #4 seeds. The other series matched the second and third place teams from the divisions. In the first two rounds, home ice advantage was awarded to the team with the better seed. In the conference finals and Stanley Cup Finals, home ice advantage was awarded to the team with the better regular season record.
First round | Second round | Conference finals | Stanley Cup Finals | ||||||||||||||||
A1 | Florida | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
WC | Tampa Bay | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
A2 | Boston | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
A3 | Toronto | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
Eastern Conference | |||||||||||||||||||
M1 | NY Rangers | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
WC | Washington | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
M2 | Carolina | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
M3 | NY Islanders | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
C1 | Dallas | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
WC | Vegas | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
C2 | Winnipeg | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
C3 | Colorado | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
Western Conference | |||||||||||||||||||
P1 | Vancouver | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
WC | Nashville | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
P2 | Edmonton | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
P3 | Los Angeles | 1 |
The following players led the league in regular season points at the completion of games played on April 18, 2024. [55]
Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/β | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nikita Kucherov | Tampa Bay Lightning | 81 | 44 | 100 | 144 | +8 | 22 |
Nathan MacKinnon | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 51 | 89 | 140 | +35 | 42 |
Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers | 76 | 32 | 100 | 132 | +35 | 30 |
Artemi Panarin | New York Rangers | 82 | 49 | 71 | 120 | +18 | 24 |
David Pastrnak | Boston Bruins | 82 | 47 | 63 | 110 | +21 | 47 |
Auston Matthews | Toronto Maple Leafs | 81 | 69 | 38 | 107 | +31 | 20 |
Leon Draisaitl | Edmonton Oilers | 81 | 41 | 65 | 106 | +26 | 76 |
Mikko Rantanen | Colorado Avalanche | 80 | 42 | 62 | 104 | +19 | 50 |
J. T. Miller | Vancouver Canucks | 81 | 37 | 66 | 103 | +32 | 58 |
William Nylander | Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 40 | 58 | 98 | +1 | 24 |
The following goaltenders led the league in regular season goals against average at the completion of games played on April 18, 2024, while playing at least 1,920 minutes. [56]
Player | Team | GP | TOI | W | L | OTL | GA | SO | SV% | GAA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pyotr Kochetkov | Carolina Hurricanes | 42 | 2,371:29 | 23 | 13 | 4 | 92 | 4 | .911 | 2.33 |
Sergei Bobrovsky | Florida Panthers | 58 | 3,414:14 | 36 | 17 | 4 | 135 | 6 | .915 | 2.37 |
Connor Hellebuyck | Winnipeg Jets | 60 | 3,567:20 | 37 | 19 | 4 | 142 | 5 | .921 | 2.39 |
Thatcher Demko | Vancouver Canucks | 51 | 3,015:53 | 35 | 14 | 2 | 123 | 5 | .918 | 2.45 |
Joey Daccord | Seattle Kraken | 50 | 2,832:47 | 19 | 18 | 11 | 116 | 3 | .916 | 2.46 |
Cam Talbot | Los Angeles Kings | 53 | 3,056:59 | 26 | 20 | 6 | 126 | 3 | .915 | 2.47 |
Jeremy Swayman | Boston Bruins | 44 | 2,565:51 | 25 | 10 | 8 | 108 | 3 | .916 | 2.53 |
Linus Ullmark | Boston Bruins | 40 | 2,400:08 | 22 | 10 | 7 | 103 | 2 | .915 | 2.57 |
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen | Buffalo Sabres | 54 | 3,081:14 | 27 | 22 | 4 | 132 | 5 | .910 | 2.57 |
Igor Shesterkin | New York Rangers | 55 | 3,277:06 | 36 | 17 | 2 | 141 | 4 | .913 | 2.58 |
Voting concluded immediately after the end of the regular season. Statistics-based awards such as the Art Ross Trophy, Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, William M. Jennings Trophy and the Presidents' Trophy are announced at the end of the regular season. The Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy are presented at the end of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Lester Patrick Trophy is announced following the conclusion of the playoffs. The Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award is presented during the NHL Entry Draft.
Award | Recipient(s) | Runner(s)-up/Finalists |
---|---|---|
Stanley Cup | ||
Presidents' Trophy (Best regular-season record) |
New York Rangers | Dallas Stars |
Prince of Wales Trophy (Eastern Conference playoff champion) |
||
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl (Western Conference playoff champion) |
||
Art Ross Trophy (Player with most points) |
Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) | Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) |
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (Perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication) |
||
Calder Memorial Trophy (Best first-year player) |
||
Conn Smythe Trophy (Most valuable player, playoffs) |
||
Frank J. Selke Trophy (Best defensive forward) |
||
Hart Memorial Trophy (Most valuable player, regular season) |
||
Jack Adams Award (Best coach) |
||
James Norris Memorial Trophy (Best defenceman) |
||
King Clancy Memorial Trophy (Leadership and humanitarian contribution) |
||
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (Sportsmanship and excellence) |
||
Ted Lindsay Award (Outstanding player) |
||
Mark Messier Leadership Award (Leadership and community activities) |
N/A | |
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (Top goal-scorer) |
Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) | Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers) |
Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award (Top general manager) |
||
Vezina Trophy (Best goaltender) |
||
William M. Jennings Trophy (Goaltender(s) of team with fewest goals against) |
Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) |
Sergei Bobrovsky and
Anthony Stolarz (Florida Panthers) |
Lester Patrick Trophy (Service to ice hockey in U.S.) |
N/A |
The following is a list of notable players who played their first NHL game during the 2023β24 season, listed with their first team.
Player | Team | Notability |
---|---|---|
Connor Bedard [72] | Chicago Blackhawks | First overall pick in the 2023 Draft |
The following is a list of players of note who played their last NHL game in 2023β24, listed with their team:
Player | Team | Notability |
---|---|---|
Jeff Carter [73] | Pittsburgh Penguins | Over 1,300 games played, two-time NHL All-Star |
This is the tenth season of the league's 12-year Canadian national broadcast rights deal with Sportsnet. This includes Sportsnet's sub-licensing agreements to air Saturday Hockey Night in Canada games on CBC Television and French-language broadcasts on TVA Sports. [135] Sportsnet's national schedule also includes Monday Night Hockey, Wednesday Night Hockey, this season's four outdoor games, the Hockey Day in Canada games on January 20, and All-Star Weekend. [136] Games will be streamed on Sportsnet+, with national games available on the Standard level, out-of-market games on the Premium tier, and via authenticated streaming on participating teams. [137] Games on CBC will also be simulcast on CBC Gem, which replaces CBCSports.ca. [138]
Longtime commentator John Garrett retired from Vancouver Canucks broadcasts prior to the season. [139] He will continue to provide analysis on select national broadcasts throughout the season. Sportsnet later announced that Dave Tomlinson, formerly a radio analyst for the Seattle Kraken, would take over as the primary TV analyst for Canucks regional broadcasts, with ESPN lead analyst Ray Ferraro working as a substitute for select games. [140]
On December 18, analyst Cassie Campbell-Pascall left Sportsnet to become special advisor in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). [141] She continues to work on select ESPN broadcasts in the U.S. on a smaller role. [142]
This is the third season of the league's seven-year U.S. national broadcast rights deals with the ESPN family of networks and TNT Sports. [143]
Regular season games are aired exclusively on ESPN on selected Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends; and ABC on selected Saturdays between mid-January and mid-April. ESPN+ and Hulu exclusively streams games primarily on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends throughout the season. [a] During All-Star Weekend, ESPN had the All-Star skills competition while ABC will air the All-Star Game. Both Stadium Series games were broadcast by ABC. A Presidents' Day doubleheader on February 19 was also scheduled on ESPN this season. Under the "NHL Power Play on ESPN+" branding, the streaming service will also stream ABC games, selected ESPN games, as well out-of-market games. [145] For the second consecutive season, ESPN collaborated with Disney Channel on a youth-oriented alternate broadcast, using the NHL's player and puck tracking system to render a live animated version of the March 9, 2024, Pittsburgh PenguinsβBoston Bruins game, portrayed by characters from the animated series Big City Greens. [146]
WBD's regular season coverage is primary on TNT, with games on Wednesday nights throughout the season, the Thanksgiving Showdown on November 24, Winter Classic, and selected Sunday games between late February and April. Not all of TNT's regular season games are exclusive broadcasts, and are thus subject to blackout in local markets. [147] WBD invoked its over-the-top streaming rights for Max, adding live sports telecasts from WBD channels; these broadcasts will be available at no additional charge until a later date, after which viewers must subscribe to the Bleacher Report Sports add-on. [148] This season's Heritage Classic instead aired on TBS due to TNT's soccer coverage of U.S. women's national soccer team. [149] TruTV also began airing simulcasted/alternative broadcasts of selected TNT games, [150] TruTV will also televise a youth-oriented alternate broadcast, using the NHL's player and puck tracking system to render a live animated version of the April 14, 2024, Colorado AvalancheβVegas Golden Knights game, portrayed by WBD characters featured in the MultiVersus video game. [151]
NHL Network continues to also nationally televise selected regular season games, including Saturday and Sunday afternoon games as part of the NHL Network Showcase series.
The Washington Capitals' broadcaster NBC Sports Washington rebranded as Monumental Sports Network prior to the start of the season. In September 2022, Monumental Sports & Entertainment bought out NBCUniversal's ownership stake in the channel. [152] [153]
The 12 NHL teams who had deals with the Bally Sports regional sports networks may be affected by its operator Diamond Sports Group's March 14, 2023 decision to file for bankruptcy. Diamond had initially sought to continue broadcasting regional games while it plans to separate from majority parent Sinclair Broadcast Group as part of the reorganization. [154]
The Los Angeles Kings renewed their contract with Bally Sports West despite Diamond's bankruptcy. The Kings also reached an agreement with KCAL-TV for the rights to six games and select half-hour specials. [155] [156]
On October 4, 2023, Diamond announced that it intended to reject its Bally Sports Arizona contract with the Arizona Coyotes. [157] The next day, the Coyotes announced a new television agreement with the E. W. Scripps Company's sports division Scripps Sports, under which it will carry games on a subchannel of its Phoenix broadcast station and ABC affiliate KNXV-TV, and syndicate them to sister stations in the team's broadcast territory, including KGUN-TV in Tucson, Arizona, and KUPX-TV and KSTU-DT2 in Salt Lake City. The Coyotes will air non-game programs on KNXV and sister The CW affiliate KASW. [158] [159] With Bally Sports Arizona already previously losing airing rights to the Phoenix Suns to Gray Television and the Arizona Diamondbacks to the MLB itself earlier in the year, they decided to wind down services for the rest of the month before concluding on October 21, 2023.
On December 20, 2023, Diamond Sports and the NHL reached an agreement that will result in the contracts for teams airing on Diamond expiring after the 2023β24 NHL season. [160] However, on January 17, 2024, Diamond Sports announced a restructuring agreement after receiving a $115 million investment from Amazon. The restructuring agreement would supersede the prior agreement with the NHL, so rights for the NHL would no longer expire following the 2023β24 season. [161] [162]
In February 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery announced it was winding down its AT&T SportsNet regional sports network business, affecting the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Vegas Golden Knights' broadcasters, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh and AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain, respectively. The Seattle Kraken's deal with Root Sports Northwest was not affected because Warner Bros. Discovery only held minority control of that network. [163] [164]
On May 4, 2023, the Golden Knights signed a multi-year agreement with Scripps Sports to start airing games on Scripps' Las Vegas broadcast station KMCC, and syndicate the telecasts to other stations across the team's broadcast territory; both KMCC and Salt Lake City's KUPX-TV were converted from Ion Television stations to independents to accommodate the team's broadcasts, along with Scripps's Montana Television Network, whose second digital subchannels previously carried The CW. [165]
On August 30, 2023, the Penguins announced that they would acquire AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, which rebranded on October 2 as SportsNet Pittsburgh. The channel is operated by NESNβthe regional broadcaster of the Boston Bruinsβwhich is majority-owned by the Penguins' parent company Fenway Sports Group. [166] [167]
ESPN/ABC studio analyst Chris Chelios, who served in the role for two seasons, left the network as part of its June 2023 cost-cutting measures. [168] [169] Chelios later made appearances on TNT during the season. In October, studio analyst Barry Melrose resigned after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. [170] [171]
TNT ice-level analyst Keith Jones left the network to become president of hockey operations with the Philadelphia Flyers. Prior to joining the Flyers' front office, Jones also worked as the team's TV color analyst for 23 seasons, while also working as a studio and game analyst with NBC and later TNT. [35] To replace Jones, TNT hired Brian Boucher away from ESPN/ABC, serving the same role as he previously had with the latter network. Boucher also replaced Jones as a primary analyst on the Flyers' television broadcasts. [172] [173]
The Chicago Blackhawks hired Darren Pang to be their lead TV color commentator. Pang, who spent 14 years in the same role with the St. Louis Blues and is also a color commentator on TNT, replaces both Colby Cohen, whose contract with the team was not renewed [174] [175] and Patrick Sharp, who left to also join the Flyers front office, along with Keith Jones. The Blues replaced Pang with Jamie Rivers, who had been the backup color commentator whenever Pang worked for TNT prior to the announcement. [176]
The Los Angeles Kings started using TV/radio simulcasts, keeping radio announcers Nick Nickson and Daryl Evans, and TV analyst Jim Fox. However, they did not renew the TV play-by-play announcer Alex Faust's contract. [155]
The Pittsburgh Penguins' play-by-play announcers swapped roles, with Josh Getzoff moving from radio to TV, and Steve Mears moving from TV to radio. [177] [178] However, the team let go Bob Errey, their TV color commentator. [179] To replace him, a rotation of Colby Armstrong, Mike Rupp, and Phil Bourque, who also provides color commentary on radio, is used. [180]
The Seattle Kraken hired Al Kinisky as their radio analyst, replacing Dave Tomlinson, who moved to the Vancouver Canucks television booth. [181]
Columbus Blue Jackets TV play-by-play announcer Jeff Rimer announced his pending retirement at the end of the season. Rimer, the TV voice of the Blue Jackets starting in the 2005β06 season, also had stints with the Washington Capitals and the Florida Panthers. [182]
Boston Bruins TV play-by-play announcer Jack Edwards announced his pending retirement at the end of the season. Edwards joined the Bruins broadcast team prior to the 2005β06 season after several stints as an anchor and reporter on various networks, most notably with ESPN's SportsCenter. [183]
'It's obviously good to get that first one,' said New York's Peter Laviolette, who became the first coach in NHL history to lead six different teams to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Andersen is 294-127-52 in 494 NHL games, passing Braden Holtby for the most wins by a goalie in his first 500 games in NHL history.
Sharangovich has 59 points (31 goals, 28 assists) this season, the highest-scoring single-season total by a Belarussian forward in NHL history. Mikhail Grabovski previously held the record with 58 points (29 goals, 29 assists), set with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2010-11.
Belarusian forward Yegor Sharangovich surpassed Mikhail Grabovski's record for points (58) scored in one NHL regular season... 59 points is a record for points scored by Belarusian players in one NHL season.