Matvei Michkov is in the NHL ahead of schedule after the Philadelphia Flyers got him out of Russia and to North America a little over a year after taking him with the seventh pick in the draft.

Russian prospect and 2023 NHL first-round draft pick Matvei Michkov could be the rookie star who helps lead the Philadelphia Flyers into the playoffs.

The Philadelphia Flyers and coach John Tortorella welcomed the father of the late John and Matthew Gaudreau as an invited guest to training camp.

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded forward Patrik Laine to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Jordan Harris and a second-round draft pick in 2026.

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed All-Star forward Travis Konecny to an eight-year extension worth $70 million.

The NHL draft is later this week and there are a handful of Russian prospects who could be picked.

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A handful of teams hitting the skids late in the season has changed the complexion of the playoff races around the NHL.

Goaltender Ivan Fedotov has finally joined the Philadelphia Flyers.

While the eight playoff teams in the NHL's Western Conference are all but settled, the race is on in the East, with three teams vying for two spots.

Adam Fox scored 36 seconds into overtime and the New York Rangers became the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot this season, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 6-5 following a wild third period.

Philadelphia coach John Tortorella was suspended for two games and fined $50,000 by the NHL on Sunday for unprofessional conduct directed at the officials by refusing to leave the bench area after a game misconduct.

Philadelphia coach John Tortorella reluctantly left the bench Saturday night after receiving a game misconduct and bench minor early in the Flyers’ 7-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Stanley Cup contenders aren't waiting until the NHL trade deadline day to shore up depth for what they hope is a long playoff run.

Devils captain Nico Hischier had two goals and an assist, including the second-fastest goal to start an outdoor game, and New Jersey never looked back in beating the Philadelphia Flyers 6-3 before 70,328 fans at MetLife Stadium.

Things seemed to be very relaxed as the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils took turns testing the ice on the recently installed rink at MetLife Stadium in preparation for two big games in the NHL’s Stadium Series this weekend.

Hockey is coming back to the New Jersey Meadowlands this weekend with MetLife Stadium serving as the venue for the NHL’s Stadium Series.

NHL players Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers, Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils and Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames have been charged with sexual assault in connection with an investigation into an alleged sexual assault by several members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team.

Alex Lyon made 30 saves for his third career shutout, Andrew Copp scored his 100th goal and the Detroit Red Wings silenced the slumping Philadelphia Flyers 3-0.

Philadelphia Flyers coach John Tortorella lashed out at a beat reporter during his postgame news conference Wednesday night, questioning a report surrounding the trade of top prospect Cutter Gauthier on Monday.

Samuel Ersson stopped 33 shots for his third career shutout and Cam York scored to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 1-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin was placed in injured reserve after losing consciousness after being hit in the back of his head on Saturday night vs. Ottawa.

The San Jose Sharks have snapped an 11-game losing streak that matched the longest to start a season in NHL history.

Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart left Wednesday night’s game against the Buffalo Sabres midway through the first period with what the club called a “mid-body injury.”.

The Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins and Vegas Golden Knights have all won their first six games of the NHL season.

The Columbus Blue Jackets say Zach Werenski is expected to miss one to two weeks with a right leg injury.

The International Ice Hockey Federation has ruled in favor of the Philadelphia Flyers by agreeing that Russian goaltender Ivan Fedotov had a valid NHL contract for the upcoming season.

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed veteran defenseman Marc Staal to a $1.1 million contract for next season.

The Philadelphia Flyers are in rebuilding mode.

The St. Louis Blues have acquired center Kevin Hayes from the Philadelphia Flyers for a sixth-round pick in the 2024 draft.

The Philadelphia Flyers hope long-time television analyst Keith Jones can turn the franchise into a winner now that he's team president of hockey operations.

David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins has scored 60 goals in a season for the first time in his 9-year NHL career.

The Boston Bruins have broken the NHL record for wins in a season after beating the Philadelphia Flyers 5-3 behind David Pastrnak’s hat trick that got him to 60 goals for the first time in his career.

Philadelphia Flyers interim general manager Danny Briere believes the team needs a rebuilding process to become contenders for a Stanley Cup.

The Philadelphia Flyers have fired general manager Chuck Fletcher and promoted franchise great Danny Briere to the interim job.

Nicolas Deslauriers, Noah Cates and Scott Laughton scored goals for the Philadelphia Flyers and Carter Hart stopped 24 shots in a 3-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.

Jaden Schwartz scored twice, Jordan Eberle had a goal and an assist and the Seattle Kraken sapped some of Philadelphia's excitement about the Super Bowl with a 4-3 victory over the Flyers.

Philadelphia Flyers coach John Tortorella is defending Ivan Provorov’s decision to cite religious beliefs as his reason to boycott the team’s pregame Pride celebration.

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov cited his Russian Orthodox religion as the reason he did not participate in pregame warmups when the team wore Pride-themed jerseys and used sticks wrapped in rainbow Pride tape.

Alex Ovechkin scored in overtime to give the Washington Capitals a 3-2 comeback victory against the Philadelphia Flyers and snap their four-game losing streak.

Sidney Crosby scored his 500th goal and Pittsburgh teammate Kris Letang capped a late rally to send the Penguins past the Philadelphia Flyers 5-4 in overtime.

Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby is the latest member of the NHL’s 500-goal club.

Thomas Greiss made 32 saves to help the Detroit Red Wings beat the Philadelphia Flyers for the second time in the four days, 4-2.

Pius Suter and Robby Fabbri scored goals to help the Detroit Red Wings beat the Philadelphia Flyers 6-3 on Wednesday night.

Scott Laughton scored 2:22 into overtime, Cam Atkinson had a pair of goals in regulation and assisted on the winner, and the Philadelphia Flyers snapped a franchise-record 13-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Keith Yandle has broken the NHL record by playing in his 965th consecutive game.

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Keith Yandle tied retired center Doug Jarvis for the NHL record of 964 consecutive games played.

The NHL has revealed new dates for 98 games postponed this season for coronavirus-related reasons.

David Pastrnak scored a hat trick, Tuukka Rask made 24 saves in his return from hip surgery and the Boston Bruins beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2.

The Pittsburgh Penguins won their 10th straight game with a 6-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

The scheduled game Thursday night between Anaheim and the Detroit Red Wings has been postponed to Sunday because of COVID-19-related issues affecting the Ducks.

The Washington Capitals-Philadelphia Flyers game scheduled for Tuesday night has been postponed.

Erik Johnson had a goal and an assist, and the Colorado Avalanche beat Philadelphia 7-5 to hand the Flyers their ninth straight loss just hours after they fired coach Alain Vigneault.

Several Canadian goalies reportedly are on Team Canada's long list for the Beijing Olympics.

Alex Ovechkin left Washington's preseason finale against Philadelphia because of a lower-body injury.

The Boston College hockey star and former NHL player Jimmy Hayes has died.

The Philadelphia Flyers have traded Jakub Voracek to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Cam Atkinson in the first major trade on the second day of the NHL draft.

Conor Sheary scored the overtime winner and the short-handed Washington Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 to guarantee they’ll open the playoffs at home.

Alex Ovechkin scored twice to move within one goal of Marcel Dionne for fifth place on the NHL’s career goals list as the Washington Capitals downed the Philadelphia Flyers 6-3.

Anthony Mantha had a two points in his Washington debut, Alex Ovechkin scored the 728th goal of his NHL career and the Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers 6-1.

The NHL trade deadline is less than a week away and teams willing to make a deal have some potentially intriguing options.

Buffalo Sabres celebrate a goal by center Curtis Lazar (27) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)BUFFALO, N.Y. – Linus Ullmark stopped 31 shots and the Buffalo Sabres snapped an 18-game skid — the NHL’s longest in 17 years — with a 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night. It was the first win for Buffalo since a 4-1 victory at New Jersey on Feb. 23, and ended an 0-15-3 streak. The Sabres also snapped a 0-9-2 home skid, one short of matching a franchise record set during the 1990-91 season. After Philadelphia’s Ivan Provorov scored 3:50 into the second period, Buffalo responded by closing the period with goals from Fogarty and Casey Mittelstadt.

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jonathan Bernier plays during an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)DETROIT – The Philadelphia Flyers are interested in improving their goaltending by adding Detroit Red Wings netminder Jonathan Bernier ahead of the trade deadline (April 12). He boasts a .918 save percentage through 17 games played with the dismal Red Wings. He’s been a trade target longer that just this season -- I was offering him up last season, too. AdThe thing that LeBrun failed to report: Bernier has been hurt and hasn’t played since March 18.

New York Rangers' Mika Zibanejad (93) scores against Philadelphia Flyers' Carter Hart (79) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in New York. (Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via AP)NEW YORK – Mika Zibanejad had three goals and three assists in New York’s seven-goal second period, and the Rangers beat the Philadelphia Flyers 9-0 Wednesday night. Hartford Wolf Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch and associate head coach Gord Murphy, and Rangers associate general manager Chris Drury were behind the bench. Ad“You didn’t have much time to think about it,” Knoblauch said when asked about pregame preparation as the acting head coach. “Nothing about this game was any good,” Flyers coach Alain Vigneault said.

Kapanen scored two goals and the Penguins defeated the Flyers 5-2 on Tuesday night. Penguins’ players raised their sticks and saluted the fans in attendance following the win. Following a scoreless first period, Farabee and Kapanen scored 1:07 apart to open the second period. The Flyers will welcome fans back to the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday against Washington. The Penguins scored three goals and outshot the Flyers 13-3 to start the second period.

The Flyers were spurred by a replenished lineup in which four players returned after spending two weeks in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. They included Scott Laughton, who scored a breakaway goal to make it 3-0 late in the second period. Elliott improved to 5-1 this season and upped his career record to 15-2-2 with four shutouts against the Sabres, including a 40-save outing in a 3-0 win on Jan. 19. Elliott chalked up his dominance to opening his career with Ottawa, Buffalo’s traditional Atlantic Division rival. The Sabres dropped to 2-6-1 in their past nine and played their second game without captain Jack Eichel, listed as day to day with a lower body injury.

(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___The Atlantic Coast Conference will expand use of KINEXON SafeTag contact tracing devices by equipping players, coaches and Tier 1 personnel for its upcoming men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. SafeTags measure proximity between users to provide school medical officials with contact tracing data when an individual tests positive for COVID-19. All 15 ACC schools used the devices inside team facilities during the regular season to mitigate the spread of the virus. An ACC release stated that the technology identified several high-risk close contacts of a positive case within the league. Bars, restaurants and music venues will also be able to close two hours later, at 2 a.m., instead of at midnight.

The Bruins' high level of play matched the picturesque setting with the lake and snow-covered mountains in the background. Joel Farabee, Sean Couturier and James van Riemsdyk scored for the short-handed Flyers, who have six players on the COVID-19 list. AdThere were plenty of goals as well, starting with Pastrnak’s 34 seconds into the game. The Flyers responded with two goals and took the lead when Couturier came out of the penalty box and took advantage of McAvoy’s broken stick. There were even more on Sunday, including some waving Flyers flags and others with Bruins paraphernalia.

Workers put the finishing touches on the temporary ice rink, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, built at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort, that will host two NHL games, this weekend at Stateline, Nev. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)STATELINE, Nev. – Some players snapped pictures of Lake Tahoe and the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains as they came out for their first look at the picturesque outdoor rink that will host a pair of NHL games this weekend. This is a drop the mic type outdoor rink. The guys really, really enjoyed it today. The only thing we’re missing is fans.”AdWith the COVID-19 pandemic limiting attendance at games, the NHL took the opportunity to hold a pair of outdoor games at a unique setting unlike the 30 previous outdoor games at stadiums.

Boston College forward Andrew Kenny (23), who joined the team as a walk-on, congratulates teammates during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wake Forest, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___The Boston College men’s basketball game at Georgia Tech scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed. The Atlantic Coast Conference said the postponement was due to the continued quarantines and contact tracing within the Boston College program. Boston College is 3-13 overall and 1-9 in the ACC. The Flyers are scheduled to face Boston on Sunday outdoors at Lake Tahoe as part of a league event.

Top prospect Makur Maker was limited to 23 points in 48 minutes over just two games during his freshman season. ___The NFL reports it had no positive tests for players and one positive among other personnel during Super Bowl week. It’s the 34th game postponed so far this season, which is roughly a quarter of the way through. ___Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington has tested positive for the coronavirus and has withdrawn from the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Three staff members and one management official have also tested positive at the club.

(AP Photo/Nick Wass)WASHINGTON – Scott Laughton scored his first career hat trick, Sean Couturier had two goals in his first game back following a rib injury and the Philadelphia Flyers pulled away for a 7-4 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday. “It’s a big win after losing those two games the way we did to Boston,” Flyers coach Alain Vigneault said. Laughton completed his hat trick to give the Flyers insurance on another rebound after Anderson’s pad save of Farabee, and Couturier added a late empty netter. MILESTONESFlyers: Van Riemsdyk contributed his 100th assist across two stints with the Flyers on Laughton's second goal. AdUP NEXTThe Capitals and Flyers meet again in Washington on Tuesday night.

Philadelphia Flyers' James van Riemsdyk celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, in Philadelphia. Joel Farabee had a goal and three assists, Michael Raffl, James van Riemsdyk and Patrick also scored to lead the Flyers to a 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. Jankowski, who scored just five goals last season, scored the first one of this season 5:12 into the game. Farabee had assists on van Riemsdyk, Patrick and Hayes’ goals. UP NEXTThe Penguins and Flyers play again Friday in Philly as part of a packed, 56-game schedule necessitated by the pandemic.

FILE - New York Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist reacts after a save during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers in New York, in this Sunday, March 1, 2020, file photo. Star goalie Henrik Lundqvist will sit out the upcoming NHL season because of a heart condition, announcing the news a little more than two months after joining the Washington Capitals. The 38-year-old from Sweden was bought out by the New York Rangers after 15 seasons and signed a $1.5 million, one-year deal with Washington in October. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)Henrik Lundqvist said Monday he’s scheduled for open-heart surgery after tests revealed a heart condition that kept him from continuing to play goal in the NHL. Lundqvist wrote on Twitter that he’s set to have an aortic valve, aortic root and ascending aortic replacement.

The National Hockey League and players reached a tentative deal Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, to hold a 56-game season in 2021, pending the approval of each side's executive board and Canadian health officials. The NHL and players reached a tentative deal Friday to hold a 56-game season that would begin Jan. 13. Players on the NHLPA’s executive board call Friday night supported moving forward with the agreed upon terms, according to a person with knowledge of the meeting. Approval from health officials in the five Canadian provinces that have teams is still needed before the NHL can go ahead with the season. The NHL, like the NBA, finished its previous season in a quarantined bubble — two of them, one each in Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta.

FILE - Then-New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist looks on from the bench during an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in New York, in this Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, file photo. Star goalie Henrik Lundqvist will sit out the upcoming NHL season because of a heart condition, announcing the news a little more than two months after joining the Washington Capitals. The 38-year-old from Sweden was bought out by the New York Rangers after 15 seasons and signed a $1.5 million, one-year deal with Washington in October. “And kind of shocking, to be honest.”Calling it “a pretty tough and emotional day” in a video posted on social media by the Capitals, the popular goaltender announced Thursday that he will sit out the upcoming NHL season because of a heart condition. “I am only concerned and thinking about Henrik Lundqvist as a person and for his family’s wellbeing.

Copyright 2020 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. Philadelphia Flyers (1) vs. New York Islanders (6)Here is the NHL’s 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs Round 2 schedule. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

Here is the schedule for the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. This tournament started with 24 teams. Eight teams were eliminated from playoff contention in a qualifying round. EASTERN CONFERENCEPhiladelphia Flyers (1) vs. Montreal Canadiens (8)Wednesday, Aug. 12, 8 p.m.: Canadiens @ Flyers | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVASFriday, Aug. 14, 3 p.m.: Canadiens @ Flyers | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVASSunday, Aug. 16, 8 p.m.: Flyers @ Canadiens | NBC, CBC, SN, TVASTuesday, Aug. 18, 3 p.m.: Flyers @ Canadiens | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS*Wednesday, Aug. 19, TBD: Canadiens @ Flyers | TBD*Friday, Aug. 21, TBD: Flyers @ Canadiens | TBD*Sunday, Aug. 23, TBD: Canadiens @ Flyers | TBDTampa Bay Lightning (2) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (7)Tuesday, Aug. 11, 3 p.m.: Blue Jackets @ Lightning | NBCSN, SN, TVASThursday, Aug. 13, 3 p.m.: Blue Jackets @ Lightning | NBCSN, SN, TVASSaturday, Aug. 15, 7:30 p.m.: Lightning @ Blue Jackets | NBCSN, SN360, TVASMonday, Aug. 17, 3 p.m.: Lightning @ Blue Jackets | NBCSN, SN, TVAS*Wednesday, Aug. 19, TBD: Blue Jackets @ Lightning | TBD*Friday, Aug. 21, TBD: Lightning @ Blue Jackets | TBD*Saturday, Aug. 22, TBD: Blue Jackets @ Lightning | TBDWashington Capitals (3) vs. New York Islanders (6)Wednesday, Aug. 12, 3 p.m. Islanders @ Capitals | NBCSN, SN, TVASFriday, Aug. 14, 8 p.m.: Islanders @ Capitals | NBCSN, FX-CA, TVASSunday, Aug. 16, 12 p.m.: Capitals @ Islanders | USA, SN360, TVASTuesday, Aug. 18, 8 p.m.: Capitals @ Islanders | NBCSN*Thursday, Aug. 20, TBD: Islanders @ Capitals | TBD*Saturday, Aug. 22, TBD: Capitals @ Islanders | TBD*Sunday, Aug. 23, TBD: Islanders @ Capitals | TBDBoston Bruins (4) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (5)Tuesday, Aug. 11, 8 p.m.: Hurricanes @ Bruins | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS -- POSTPONED TO 11 a.m. Aug. 12Thursday, Aug. 13, 8 p.m.: Hurricanes @ Bruins | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVASSaturday, Aug. 15, 12 p.m.: Bruins @ Hurricanes | NBC, SN, TVASMonday, Aug. 17, 8 p.m.: Bruins @ Hurricanes | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS*Wednesday, Aug. 19, TBD: Hurricanes @ Bruins | TBD*Thursday, Aug. 20, TBD: Bruins @ Hurricanes | TBD*Sunday, Aug. 23, TBD: Hurricanes @ Bruins | TBDWESTERN CONFERENCEVegas Golden Knights (1) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (8)Tuesday, Aug. 11, 10:30 p.m.: Blackhawks @ Golden Knights | NBCSN, SN, TVASThursday, Aug. 13, 5:30 p.m.: Blackhawks @ Golden Knights | NBCSN, SN360, TVASSaturday, Aug. 15, 8 p.m.: Golden Knights @ Blackhawks | NBC, CBC, SN, TVASSunday, Aug. 16, 6:30 p.m.: Golden Knights @ Blackhawks | NBCSN, SN1, SN360*Tuesday, Aug. 18, TBD: Blackhawks @ Golden Knights | TBD*Thursday, Aug. 20, TBD: Golden Knights @ Blackhawks | TBD*Saturday, Aug. 22, TBD: Blackhawks @ Golden Knights | TBDColorado Avalanche (2) vs. Arizona Coyotes (7)Wednesday, Aug. 12, 5:30 p.m.: Coyotes @ Avalanche | NBCSN, SN360, TVASFriday, Aug. 14, 2 p.m.: Coyotes @ Avalanche | NHLN, SN360, TVASSaturday, Aug. 15, 3 p.m.: Avalanche @ Coyotes | CNBC, SN360, TVASMonday, Aug. 17, 5:30 p.m.: Avalanche @ Coyotes | NBCSN, FX-CA, TVAS*Wednesday, Aug. 19, TBD: Coyotes @ Avalanche | TBD*Friday, Aug. 21, TBD: Avalanche @ Coyotes | TBD*Sunday, Aug. 23, TBD: Coyotes @ Avalanche | TBDDallas Stars (3) vs. Calgary Flames (6)Tuesday, Aug. 11, 5:30 p.m.: Flames @ Stars | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVASThursday, Aug. 13, 10:30 p.m.: Flames @ Stars | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVASFriday, Aug. 14, 10:30 p.m.: Stars @ Flames | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVASSunday, Aug. 16, 2 p.m.: Stars @ Flames | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS*Tuesday, Aug. 18, TBD: Flames @ Stars | TBD*Thursday, Aug. 20, TBD: Stars @ Flames | TBD*Saturday, Aug. 22, TBD: Stars @ Flames | TBDSt. Louis Blues (4) vs. Vancouver Canucks (5)Wednesday, Aug. 12, 10:30 p.m.: Canucks @ Blues | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVASFriday, Aug. 14, 6:30 p.m.: Canucks @ Blues | NHLN, SN, TVASSunday, Aug. 16, 10:30 p.m.: Blues @ Canucks | CNBC, SN, TVASMonday, Aug. 17, 10:30 p.m.: Blues @ Canucks | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS*Wednesday, Aug. 19, TBD: Canucks @ Blues | TBD*Friday, Aug. 21, TBD: Blues @ Canucks | TBD*Sunday, Aug. 23, TBD: Canucks @ Blues | TBD* if necessaryTBD - To Be Determined

STOCKHOLM NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the NHL plans to return to Europe for games in the next two years. Citing huge demand, Bettman said on Friday that the Boston Bruins and the Nashville Predators will open the regular season next year with a game in Prague. The Colorado Avalanche and the Columbus Blue Jackets will play a couple of games in the Finnish capital of Helsinki. He added that he is "pretty certain" that the NHL will return to Sweden in two years but gave no details about the teams involved and venue. In October, the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 to open their season in Prague.

CNN imageIt's fitting that the orange-hued, googly-eyed mascot once written off as nightmare fuel made a 7-year-old fan's dream come true. As a young and growing double amputee, he's regularly fitted for new prosthetics, the hospital said. He showed Gritty the above-knee prosthetic on his right leg, covered in the Flyers' logo. He debuted as the team mascot in September to some derision for his wide-eyed stare and frightening furry mane. But a lot's changed since then: He was crowned the NHL's fan-favorite mascot last week.