# 2026-27 NHL Thread: The Alex Ovechkin Farewell Tour **URL:** \ **Category:** Sports\ **Created:** [June 29, 2026, 5:18pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786 "2026-06-29T17:18:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/ted_hoffman/32/83127_2.png) [@Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Ted_Hoffman)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2026, 5:18pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/1 "2026-06-29T17:18:15Z")
Your preliminary need-to-know for the season: - The salary cap goes up yet again, this time to $104 million. For the few teams that know how not to spend there, the floor is $76.9 million. Yes, that means more money for GMs to make bad spending choices - and rest assured, they will. - The season expands from 82 games to 84 games, because … rea$on$. - There’s a Heritage Classic this year, on October 25 at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg between Montreal and the host Jets. - The international games are in Helsinki, Finland on November 12 and 14 between Carolina and Seattle, and then December 18 and 20 in Dusseldorf, Germany between Chicago and Ottawa. - The Winter Classic is December 31 in Salt Lake City, where Utah will play Colorado at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah’s appearance means every NHL team will have played in at least one outdoor game. - There’s a Stadium Series game on February 20 at _Jerrah World_ between Dallas and Vegas. - The All-Star Game is February 6, with the Islanders hosting. It’s a 5-team, round-robin format featuring the U.S., Canada, Finland, Sweden and “Rest of the World” in 3-on-3, 5-minute games and the top-2 teams play a 10-minute “championship” game. Which, I guess is better than the divisional-based games where guys got to play 10 minutes and half were done, but I and most other fans probably still won’t care about this format. - The regular season starts TBD, likely late September. - The regular season ends TBD, likely early April. ---
**Author:** ![Funemployed](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/funemployed/32/417_2.png) [@Funemployed](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Funemployed)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2026, 6:25pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/2 "2026-06-29T18:25:43Z")
Have Blackhawks been eliminated yet? ---
**Author:** ![JFG](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/jfg/32/8801_2.png) [@JFG](https://community.goactuary.com/u/JFG)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/3 "2026-06-29T19:15:54Z")
:lolup: ---
**Author:** ![Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/ted_hoffman/32/83127_2.png) [@Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Ted_Hoffman)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2026, 3:57pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/4 "2026-07-01T15:57:16Z")
The Blackhawks did sign their long-sought #1 defensemen, Bowen Byram. [6 years, $75 million](https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/blackhawks-signing-newly-acquired-d-byram-to-six-year-75m-extension/). For a guy who’s never been the #1 defenseman anywhere else in his career. Oh, they still have to sign Connor Bedard to a new contract since his entry-level deal expires after 2026-27. Good luck, Blackhawks! ---
**Author:** ![Funemployed](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/funemployed/32/417_2.png) [@Funemployed](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Funemployed)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/5 "2026-07-01T16:00:13Z")
Guess it’s time to start rebuilding! ---
**Author:** ![Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/ted_hoffman/32/83127_2.png) [@Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Ted_Hoffman)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 4:03pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/6 "2026-07-04T16:03:11Z")
The next time the owners complain about having to spend money and demand the players take more concessions on contracts, the NHLPA should remind them “we didn’t make you lob a [5-year, $90 million offer sheet](https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/ducks-carlsson-signs-five-year-90m-offer-sheet-with-flyers/) with practically all signing bonus to a 3rd overall pick who just came off his entry-level contract, has never been a point-per-game player, and has never scored 30 goals.” Absolute insanity. ---
**Author:** ![Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/ted_hoffman/32/83127_2.png) [@Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Ted_Hoffman)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2026, 6:38pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/7 "2026-07-13T18:38:36Z")
I don’t care if it’s now standard practice to allow this, I hope all the family gets a giant **X** across the engraving like Peter Pocklington’s dad. [Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon’s decision to put seven family members on Stanley Cup mocked online](https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/hurricanes-owners-decision-to-put-seven-family-members-on-stanley-cup-mocked-online/) ---
**Author:** ![Cooke](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/cooke/32/15467_2.png) [@Cooke](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Cooke)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 7:58pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/8 "2026-07-29T19:58:04Z")
Big pay day for Celebrini. > **[Sharks sign Macklin Celebrini to historic five-year, $94-million extension](https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sharks-sign-macklin-celebrini-to-five-year-extension/)** ---
**Author:** ![Funemployed](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/funemployed/32/417_2.png) [@Funemployed](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Funemployed)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 8:14pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/9 "2026-07-29T20:14:26Z")
Why do they call it historic when it deals with the future? ---
**Author:** ![Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/ted_hoffman/32/83127_2.png) [@Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Ted_Hoffman)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/10 "2026-07-30T16:32:56Z")
After the Celebrini and Carlsson contracts, I hear people saying “the economics of the NHL are broken.” Probably the same people who think limiting contract lengths to 5 years is a good idea, who also applauded limiting contracts to 7 (8 if it’s your team) years. If Celebrini could sign for 9-10 years, I doubt he’s taking $18.8M per for that. Yes, I know - he could have signed for more; $18.8M was already a discount. But for the security of an extra 4-5 years, maybe he’s more like $15-16M per. The point here is that shortening max contract lengths incentivizes players to get every dollar possible now since there’s a reduced safety of guaranteed dollars down the road. In turn, it reduces cap flexibility for teams and makes the salary cap more firm. But, the NHL “fixed” the “problem” of fans’ feelings being hurt because someone signed for 12-13 years knowing the league would permissibly let the team park the guy on LTIR for some bullshit thing for the last few years if necessary to open up cap space / let the team ship the guy off to some cellar-dwelling team that didn’t care about having cap space eaten up on a no-show … and really, that’s the most important thing. All the other problems that arise as a result will be fixed with similar non-solutions. ---
**Author:** ![Cooke](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/cooke/32/15467_2.png) [@Cooke](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Cooke)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2026, 5:30pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/11 "2026-08-16T17:30:24Z")
Ultimate beer league > **[The last days of Da Beauty League: A Minnesota institution, remembered by the...](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7495033/2026/08/12/minnesota-hockey-da-beauty-league-history/?unlocked_article_code=1.51A.fcK_.3nuwKRpue1uy&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta)** > > From its chaotic early days to featuring more than 100 NHL players, those involved tell the untold stories of a unique summer league. ---
**Author:** ![Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/ted_hoffman/32/83127_2.png) [@Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Ted_Hoffman)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/12 "2026-08-17T15:26:52Z")
Really, who could have predicted that a guy who at 33 had sports hernia surgery, then at 34 had double hip surgery, might be at risk for further surgeries and put the last 5 years of his 6-year contract in doubt. Well, at least we fixed the real problem with contract lengths in hockey: those 22, 23, 24-year olds getting 9, 10, 11, 12-year contracts. The guys who are 36, 37 getting signed to 6, 7-year deals where it’s incredibly likely they’ll end up parked on LTIR Island? That’s fine. > **[Panthers’ Marchand confirms he underwent recent surgery, reportedly could...](https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/panthers-marchand-confirms-he-underwent-recent-surgery-reportedly-could-miss-start-of-season/)** ---
**Author:** ![Funemployed](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/funemployed/32/417_2.png) [@Funemployed](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Funemployed)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2026, 4:26pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/13 "2026-08-17T16:26:59Z")
Upper body surgery or lower body surgery? ---
**Author:** ![Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/ted_hoffman/32/83127_2.png) [@Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Ted_Hoffman)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2026, 7:51pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/14 "2026-08-17T19:51:24Z")
Might be both. Might be non-body surgery. Who knows how the reporting goes now for this kind of stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/ted_hoffman/32/83127_2.png) [@Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Ted_Hoffman)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 3:27pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/15 "2026-09-01T15:27:01Z")
Maybe one day Makar will live up to the hype that brought on this contract. Avs fans can only hope. > **[Makar’s landmark deal includes highest AAV in NHL history](https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/makars-landmark-deal-includes-highest-aav-in-nhl-history/)** > > The record for the NHL’s highest cap hit just keeps rising. Colorado Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar now tops the list after signing an eight-year, $163.2 million deal on Friday. The deal, which kicks in to begin the 2027-2028 season, carries a... ---
**Author:** ![Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/ted_hoffman/32/83127_2.png) [@Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Ted_Hoffman)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2026, 1:51pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/16 "2026-09-03T13:51:40Z")
Sometimes, I shake my head at what teams will lob for someone else’s player. This is one of those times. Don’t get me wrong, I think Evangelista is a decent hockey player with some upside yet, and yes we’re talking about Colorado’s 1st in '28 which will probably be 28th or beyond, but this isn’t the Devils team from 3 years ago that put up 112 points in the regular season and then got swatted by Carolina in the 2nd round. Nor will it be that team this year, or the year after. > **[Devils acquire F Evangelista from Predators for conditional first, second...](https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/devils-acquire-f-evangelista-from-predators-for-conditional-first-second-rounder/)** > > The New Jersey Devis have acquired forward Luke Evangelista from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2028 conditional first-round pick and a conditional second-round pick also in 2028, it was announced Tuesday evening. ---
**Author:** ![Cooke](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/cooke/32/15467_2.png) [@Cooke](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Cooke)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/17 "2026-09-24T16:34:41Z")
Sad story. [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7625997/2026/09/24/andrei-kuzmenko-dad-bear-attack-russia/?unlocked\_article\_code=1.DlE.uqcV.Zn0QkH010aEU&source=user\_shared\_article&smid=ta-ios-share](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7625997/2026/09/24/andrei-kuzmenko-dad-bear-attack-russia/?unlocked_article_code=1.DlE.uqcV.Zn0QkH010aEU&source=user_shared_article&smid=ta-ios-share) ---
**Author:** ![Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/ted_hoffman/32/83127_2.png) [@Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Ted_Hoffman)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 5:37pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/18 "2026-09-30T17:37:49Z")
Carolina gets to raise the banner, then started this 84-game season against Florida. About 2 hours later, William Nylander scored the first goal of the NHL season in the Toronto/Montreal game. I really thought ESPN was jinxing things, because through about 120 minutes of game time it had televised there had been exactly one (1) goal - but then Boston remembered “oh yeah, the Rangers suck.” Edmonton: Bouchard with 3-2-5, Oilers still lose. Glad to see they’re picking up where all the prior seasons left off. 3 games tonight. Really glad the NHLPA fixed all their concerns about compressed scheduling and the possible toll on players, by … [checks notes] not doing a fucking thing about it, which allows Toronto to open the season playing on the first 2 nights and the Flyers to play tonight and tomorrow night before some teams have played the first game. ---
**Author:** ![dr\_t\_non-fan](https://community.goactuary.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@dr\_t\_non-fan](https://community.goactuary.com/u/dr_t_non-fan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 7:10pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/19 "2026-09-30T19:10:34Z")
> [@Ted\_Hoffman](#): > > 3 games tonight. Really glad the NHLPA fixed all their concerns about compressed scheduling and the possible toll on players, by … [checks notes] not doing a fucking thing about it, which allows Toronto to open the season playing on the first 2 nights and the Flyers to play tonight and tomorrow night before some teams have played the first game. Play early now, get more days off later. It’s a zero-sum (or some equal sum) game between yesterday and … 4/10/2027. Major stat is length of season in days versus number of games. Didn’t they add two games? ---
**Author:** ![Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/ted_hoffman/32/83127_2.png) [@Ted\_Hoffman](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Ted_Hoffman)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 2:11am UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786/20 "2026-10-01T02:11:06Z")
Flyers fans who sat through all 60 minutes of a 7-0 ass-beating by Pittsburgh should get a free ticket to a future Flyers game, along with free concessions for that game. [Next page](https://community.goactuary.com/t/2026-27-nhl-thread-the-alex-ovechkin-farewell-tour/12786.md?page=2)