# NHL 103 (2019/2020 season) pre-season thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 15, 2019, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538 "2019-06-15T04:10:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/101 "2019-08-27T23:55:55Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > King of Annoying Goal Celebrations Evgeny Kuznetsov, who had an ass season last year anyway, tested positive for coke and banned for four years by IIHF. The NHL will doubtfully follow suit. Cocaine is not considered performance enhancing by the NHL. Kuznetsov apparently will meet with the commissioner. No suspension is expected. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/102 "2019-08-28T03:16:17Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > No suspension is expected. [Wanna bet?](https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2019/08/23/evgeny-kuznetsov-receives-four-year-suspension-by-iihf-after-testing-positive-for-cocaine/) :dubious: (Although as much as I hate the Caps, what’s wrong with goal celebrations? That’s one thing I like about hockey. In the NFL, you get fined if you so much as do a fist pump) ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/103 "2019-08-28T03:38:31Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > Cocaine is not considered performance enhancing by the NHL. Kuznetsov apparently will meet with the commissioner. No suspension is expected. And I’m glad it’s not considered performance-enhancing, despite its many other negative characteristics. Cool that the league will have him undergo substance-abuse education and a counselling program, and has agreed to undergo regular testing - a bit more progressive than suspensions / bans that the other pro leagues stupidly resort to. Especially testing for pot - like, WTF? > [@tim-n-va](#): > > No suspension is expected. > [@Guinastasia](#): > > Wanna bet? :dubious: TNV was referring to the NHL. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/104 "2019-08-28T06:34:50Z")
My bad, although I didn’t think there was one coming up. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/105 "2019-08-28T13:59:40Z")
In my previous post I meant to say, instead, ‘suspensions / fines for pot - WTF?’ (an aside…to their credit, the NFL, through collective bargaining, has considered - well, last Dec. anyway, so they better darned well follow up on it - lifting the pot ban, especially since it’s a proven pain reliever, as some of the players have been maintaining, and could probably use.) ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/106 "2019-08-29T07:40:31Z")
Cam Ward retires. > **[Cam Ward retires after signing one-day contract with Hurricanes |...](https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2019/08/28/cam-ward-retires-after-signing-one-day-contract-with-hurricanes/)** > > Ward won the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy in his rookie season. “Cam Ward is retiring as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes after signing a one-day contract with the team that gave him his NHL start.” ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/107 "2019-08-29T13:44:47Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Cam Ward retires. > > [Cam Ward retires after signing one-day contract with Hurricanes - NBC Sports](https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2019/08/28/cam-ward-retires-after-signing-one-day-contract-with-hurricanes/) > “Cam Ward is retiring as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes after signing a one-day contract with the team that gave him his NHL start.” Wow, a player in this day and age having played for the same team for 14 seasons. Definitely becoming an increasingly [rare bird](https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/goes-brown-nhlers-join-one-franchise-club/). ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2019, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/108 "2019-08-30T23:36:29Z")
Gigantic news today: [NHL informs union it won’t terminate labor deal](https://apnews.com/b905c8cf9a444475af18b8fe0bf6a2e0). The NHLPA now has until 15 September to decide if _they_ want to terminate the current deal early. > [@](#): > > “Based on the current state of the game and the business of the game, the NHL believes it is essential to continue building upon the momentum we have created with our players,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement issued by the league. “It is our hope that a continued sustained period of labor peace will enable us to further grow the game and benefit all constituent groups.” > > The players, however, have concerns, notably regarding the escrow issue, Olympic participation and the split of hockey-related revenue. The NHL and NHLPA are in agreement on wanting more international competition and are in talks about holding another World Cup of Hockey as early as February 2021. > > The NHLPA executive board is scheduled to meet in Chicago on Wednesday. The league and union have been meeting through the summer and those discussions are scheduled to continue. Personally, I think the NHLPA will opt to keep the current deal, but I understand the escrow issue is frustrating. It’s really hard to disagree that the sport is undergoing a huge momentum push at the moment tho, and it’d be great to see that continue. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/109 "2019-08-31T06:05:18Z")
Oh please no, I do NOT want to see another lockout. That would be what, the fourth? I still cannot believe Bettman was allowed into the HOF. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/110 "2019-08-31T13:28:25Z")
There will not be a lockout. There theoretically could be a strike. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/111 "2019-09-05T02:34:55Z")
Well, there is SOME good news: [Report: Pierre McGuire removed from NBC’s No. 1 NHL team in favor of Brian Boucher](https://awfulannouncing.com/nhl/pierre-mcguire-nhl-on-nbc-brian-boucher.html) Now, they just have to ditch Milbury and Roenick. (Especially Milbury) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/112 "2019-09-05T03:23:45Z")
Good news, everyone! ETA: Actually, I don’t hate Mr. McGuire. But I don’t particularly like him either. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/113 "2019-09-05T13:28:40Z")
I predict that this season the Ottawa Senators will play 82 regular season games. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/114 "2019-09-05T16:51:49Z")
Hopefully Nik has taught one or two young defenders the finer points of a proper “Kronwalling.” ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/115 "2019-09-05T17:07:26Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I predict that this season the Ottawa Senators will play 82 regular season games. This could be a bold prediction depending on your definition of “play”. I will concede that they will be officially listed as participants in 82 regular season games, but I think it’s a stretch to say that the team as currently constituted has enough talent to play NHL hockey. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/116 "2019-09-05T17:10:33Z")
Here I am defining “play” as “to participate in a contest or game,” which I think is a safe bet, though, knowing Eugene Melnyk, there is a nonzero possibility they could screw that up. In the sense of “play” meaning to engage in a competitive sport at a reasonably competitive level, I agree that the hopes are dim. In the sense of “play” meaning to engage in something that is fun, I can’t speak to whether the Senators will find it fun. I am very certain their fans won’t. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/117 "2019-09-05T19:13:48Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Good news, everyone! > > ETA: Actually, I don’t hate Mr. McGuire. But I don’t particularly like him either. I get the feeling the players don’t like him all that much. Plus he once had a Penguins fan kicked out of a game simply because the guy was carrying a sign with a picture of him that said “Regis” on it. The guy was a very well-known and beloved fan, who was a cancer survivor. (Unfortunately, it returned and he didn’t make it) So suffice to say, he’s not a very popular figure around these parts. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2019, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/118 "2019-09-06T00:22:38Z")
I like Pierre a lot better than Boucher. (And I like them both better than Milbury.) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2019, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/119 "2019-09-09T10:59:42Z")
6 days until pre-season games! 25 days until the season starts! ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538/120 "2019-09-11T03:39:56Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > Hopefully Nik has taught one or two young defenders the finer points of a proper “Kronwalling.” Ah yes - taking out a page from the venerable books of Rob Blake and Scott Stevens.🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-103-2019-2020-season-pre-season-thread/835538.md?page=7)