National Hockey League (NHL)

The San Jose Sharks made it to the playoffs a dozen times in nearly two decades. Only once, though, did they ever reach the Western Conference Final.

Dec 13, 2009 - Heather Engel

The salary cap has made it tougher for NHL teams to keep its players. GMs are doing their best to get around that, trending towards contracts lasting at least a decade.

Dec 4, 2009 - Heather Engel

Penalty shots are exciting and can change a game. But beyond the play itself, there are rules that the players and goaltenders involved must follow.

Nov 21, 2009 - Heather Engel

More often than not, expansion sports teams struggle in their inaugural seasons. That was an understatement for the 1974-75 Washington Capitals.

Oct 19, 2009 - Heather Engel

The 2009-10 regular season is underway but a number of players are still looking for work, thanks in good part to a minimal increase in the salary cap.

Oct 6, 2009 - Heather Engel

The late 1990s saw four teams join the National Hockey League, two of which brought hockey back to previous NHL cities.

Oct 1, 2009 - Heather Engel

Hockey in cities where winter includes sun and sand rather than snow and ice? That was the focus of the NHL when it added new teams in the first half of the 1990s.

Oct 1, 2009 - Heather Engel

It wasn't always easy for Patrice Brisebois over the course of his career. Despite the ups and downs, the rearguard made a name for himself on the Canadiens' blue line.

Sep 26, 2009 - Heather Engel

For most hockey players, once they retire, that's it, it's official with no turning back. Others, though, have a harder time letting go.

Sep 16, 2009 - Heather Engel

Though the NHLPA was aimed at ensuring that players are treated fairly by the NHL and its teams, the association has struggled to find stable leadership.

Aug 31, 2009 - Heather Engel

Jim Balsillie is determined to become an NHL owner. The league is standing firmly against that ever happening. Learn more about the history between the two sides.

Aug 12, 2009 - Heather Engel

Jeremy Roenick spent two decades as an NHL player, a span that included many memorable moments on and off the ice.

Aug 6, 2009 - Heather Engel

Every year, players and teams sit before an arbiter to come to an agreement on a contract. Find out what goes on behind the closed doors.

Aug 4, 2009 - Heather Engel

Sometimes teams and players struggle to find a middle ground for a new contract. As a result, one or the other turns to arbitration to come to an agreement.

Aug 3, 2009 - Heather Engel

It's been a downward spiral for the New York Islanders since their dynasty years in the early 1980s. Now, Garth Snow is trying to steer the ship in the right direction.

Jul 24, 2009 - Heather Engel

Lately, it's been rare that the top three selections in an NHL Draft make their pro debuts that same year. The 2009 picks are set to revive a trend that once was a habit.

Jul 22, 2009 - Heather Engel

For the second year in a row, a fabled MLB ballpark serves as the backdrop for the Winter Classic, as the Bruins welcome the Flyers in an outdoor matchup at Fenway Park.

Jul 15, 2009 - Heather Engel

Already authors of several headlines this offseason, the Chicago Blackhawks were at it again with the announcement that Dale Tallon was being replaced by Stan Bowman.

Jul 15, 2009 - Heather Engel

The NHL free agent newswire is at a slowdown these days, but some general managers and players are still putting pen to paper. Others aren't having as much luck.

Jul 14, 2009 - Heather Engel

For the past few seasons, it's been "will he or won't he" on Teemu Selanne's retirement. A year in advance, he's already offered up his answer.

Jul 5, 2009 - Heather Engel

With contracts being signed all over the place on the first day of free agency, here's a list of those who will be returning to the same teams in the 2009-10 season.

Jul 2, 2009 - Heather Engel

With contracts being signed all over the place on the first day of free agency, here's a list of those who will be playing for new teams in the 2009-10 season.

Jul 2, 2009 - Heather Engel

After a quiet draft weekend, Bob Gainey made plenty of noise less than 24 hours before the free agent market opened, acquiring Scott Gomez in exchange for Chris Higgins.

Jul 1, 2009 - Heather Engel

The second day of the draft included more NHL family selections, the Canadiens add another center, and a goaltender finally getting his due.

Jun 27, 2009 - Heather Engel

Louis Leblanc lives out a dream as he gets drafted by the team he grew up cheering for, in front of the home crowd.

Jun 27, 2009 - Heather Engel