Gary Bettman: Last News

wearing “specialty sweaters” representing any cause or special initiatives, such as Pride Night, on the ice.At the time, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman declared that controversy stemming from some players’ refusal to wear Pride-themed gear had become a “distraction.”Under the updated guidance, the NHL clarified that the restrictions apply to on-ice activity, saying that players “should be encouraged to express themselves off the ice.”The only off-ice restriction is that no player can be compelled to participate in events supporting “specialty causes,” such as a Pride night, because some players might fear retribution or embarrassment if they decline to participate.A source familiar with the updated guidance told ESPN that players and teams are permitted to “celebrate and support” specialty causes.Teams are also allowed to host the groups at games, such as an LGBTQ organization, while players are free to wear “whatever they want” as long as it falls within the guidelines of each team’s dress code.The guidance also says that a factor to consider when trying to ensure that individual players are not being coerced into supporting a particular cause can include “whether a Player (or Players) is required to be in close proximity to any groups or individuals visibly or otherwise clearly associated with such Special Initiatives.”In addition to Pride nights, the ban on expressions of support for specialty causes applies to other events, including Black History Night, Hockey Fights Cancer Night, and Military Appreciation Night.As noted by the LGBTQ sports website Outsports, the updated guidance — particularly its wording about players’ proximity to other people supporting a cause — might technically mean that players could refuse

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Barry Melrose is retiring.

ESPN and the Associated Press.Among the players refusing to don Pride memorabilia were then-Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov, San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer, and Florida Panther players Eric and Marc Staal, who cited their religious beliefs. Three Russian players — Ilya Lyubushkin of the Buffalo Sabres, Denis Gurianov of the Montreal Canadiens, and Andrei Kuzmenko of the Vancouver Canucks — cited a Russian anti-gay “propaganda” law that prosecutes individuals for having engaged in activities or made statements perceived to “promote” LGBTQ rights or treating homosexuality as a normal occurrence.Additionally, the Chicago Blackhawks team did not wear their Pride-themed warmup sweaters in March because of security concerns over that same Russian law. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers also reversed course on wearing Pride-themed warmup gear.Bettman noted that teams will continue to host specialty nights such as Pride Night, Black History Night, Military Appreciation Night, and Hockey Fights Cancer Nights.

Could Ryan Reynolds be making a play to own an NHL team?

According to a report by Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch, Ryan Reynolds is teaming-up with Toronto-based real estate development corporation Remington Group to purchase the Ottawa Senators.

Hockey star Clark Gillies has sadly passed away.

The National Hockey League is plotting its return.

By Brian Steinberg