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It was a day of practice for the Colorado Avalanche following their Monday evening overtime loss to the Calgary Flames. While the game result was disappointing there were a few positives from the gathering yesterday. First, there was a Cale Makar sighting for the first time since he left the ice in Boston. He did not partake in the regular practice and head coach Jared Bednar declared him “doubtful” for tonight’s contest but Makar skated hard on his own for about 45 minutes doing puck handling and skating drills. In other good news Nazem Kadri participated in the full practice as did Philipp Grubauer and both are expected to suit up for tonight’s tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Cale Makar skating before practice with Nolan Pratt in non-contact jersey. pic.twitter.com/HItsy12fvs
— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) December 10, 2019
Shockwaves radiated through the hockey world yesterday when Dallas Stars head coach Jim Montgomery was fired for “an act of unprofessionalism” just one day after NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made his statement and plans to address culture and conduct in the NHL moving forward.
NEWS: Jim Montgomery has been dismissed as the team’s Head Coach.
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) December 10, 2019
Effective immediately, Rick Bowness will assume the role of Interim Head Coach for the team. #GoStars https://t.co/mC6C6Q7KHA
It’s teddy bear toss season and to get in on the action head up to Loveland this weekend on Saturday, December 14th to help the Colorado Eagles with their annual event. To get you in the spirit here’s a behind the scenes breakdown of what goes into pulling off a teddy bear toss.
Ever wondered about all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the grand chaos that is the teddy bear toss?@SachdevaSonny pulls back the plush on the massive web of co-ordination that goes into planning and carrying it all out ⤵️https://t.co/LqUYDCXkyU
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 9, 2019
It is also World Junior Championship season and the NHL Network announced their plans to show 20 of the games live including every single USA and Canada game. This is a big commitment to allow Americans to follow the tournament on television.
2020 World Junior Championship schedule https://t.co/DBQZiphluc via @NHLdotcom
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) December 10, 2019
Unfortunately the news wasn’t all positives regards to international hockey as Bettman announced that plans to hold a World Cup in early 2021 have fallen through.
Bettman says there will not be a World Cup of Hockey in February 2021. Perhaps an international-style event in place of a regular all star game, which still needs to be negotiated with the NHLPA. But as far a full blown World Cup, it won’t be next year.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 10, 2019