This Week in the NHL: Will Ovechkin become Mr. 900?
With 32 teams, games every night and countless narratives emerging, the NHL season can make one’s head spin, and it’s easy to miss out on the weekly storylines. Not to worry; every Monday from October to April, I’ll map out the major events, games, plotlines and milestones on tap for the next seven days.
So what’s happening the week of Oct. 13-19?
Oct. 15: NHL Board of Governors meeting
In terms of pressing business, the league is arguably in a good place right now. The new collective bargaining agreement has already been cemented for 2026-27 though 2029-30. In terms of which topics could be hot emerging from the upcoming BOG: perhaps expansion, with a mouthwatering $2 billion fee on the table for the existing owners to share, as well as moving the process forward for selecting the 2028 World Cup of Hockey host city.
Oct. 15: First 2026 Olympic roster cut deadline
The 12 nations competing at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games must pare down their player lists to 42 skaters and five goaltenders by this Wednesday. By Dec. 31, teams will finalize their 22-skater, three-goalie squads.
Alex Ovechkin’s 900th goal
What a glorious header to type. It’s still surreal that 900 is even possible, let alone inevitable, for Alexander the GR8. He sits at 897 tallies through last weekend’s action. His Washington Capitals play three times this week, giving him a real shot to reach 900, particularly since he’s a threat for a multi-goal night every time he suits up.
Nikita Kucherov’s 1,000th point
The magic-mitted Tampa Bay Lightning right winger owns three Art Ross Trophies, a Hart Trophy and two Stanley Cup rings, and he’ll soon add 1,000 points to his list of accolades. Entering this week, Kucherov sits just xxx points shy. He’ll become the 1,000 club’s 101st member and the 12th active player to get there.