NHL’s 2015 preseason schedule released, Quebec City & Las Vegas into the next stage of expansion process and much more in your morning coffee headlines.
NHL.COM: The 2015 preseason schedule was released yesterday, with games beginning on September 20.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: You know it’s been a long, quiet summer when I get excited about the release of the preseason schedule.
NBC SPORTS: Quebec City and Las Vegas have moved into the third and final phase of the NHL expansion process.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This stage of NHL expansion will be the first in today’s era of social media, which means only one thing: Fantasy Dispersal Draft! Woo-hoo!
SI.COM: The Patrick Kane rape case investigation could take months to complete.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL has been silent on this investigation, but they will have to eventually address this, especially if the investigation continues as the season approaches. And by addressing it, I mean whether or not Kane will be allowed to play.
TWINCITIES.COM: Former NHL player and Minnesota Wild assistant coach Darryl Sydor was charged with DWI.
YAHOO SPORTS: Former NHL enforcer Dale Purinton was arrested for burglary.
PALM BEACH POST: Detroit Red Wings great Sergei Fedorov claims he was swindled out of $40 million by a investor who’s now on trial for fraud.
NEWSDAY: The New York Islanders have filed suit against their former lease partner at Nassau Coliseum.
My assumption is on Kane is that he will be allowed to play at least until formal chargers are pressed. If formal charges are pressed he will likely be in he Voynov situation, suspended with pay until the trial is complete.
As for expansion with how quickly the league is plowing through it I begin to wonder if perhaps we could be looking at those teams being part of the 16/17 season instead of the originally projected 17/18 season.