Nash Daily: NHL Walks Back Stance On Social Causes, ESPN Debuts Frozen Frenzy

Yesterday afternoon, the NHL reversed course on its prior prohibition on permitting players to use various types of stick tape to support certain social causes or otherwise and issued the following statement: 

“After consultation with the NHL Players’ Association and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, players will now have the option to voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season.”

I’ve continued to believe that this was a self-inflicted wound by the NHL front office as a general matter.

Per Rule 10.1 of the NHL Rulebook, “Adhesive tape of any color may be wrapped around the stick at any place for the purpose of reinforcement or to improve control of the puck.”

Backlash was going to occur, so taking a neutral position was always the right call. The NHL has now got it right, in my opinion, as players and teams are allowed to support a variety of causes that they deem fit but aren’t required to do so. 

This is the perfect example on how to manifest a problem. There was a simple solution from the outset. Players should be able to use whatever tape they would like (per the rule book), teams should be able to support or not support whatever causes they like, and players should be… https://t.co/NsBsTOX9Fj

— Clay Brewer (@ClayBrewer10) October 24, 2023

On Tuesday night, ESPN debuted a hockey edition of “NFL Red Zone” with its inaugural Frozen Frenzy, where all 32 NHL teams were in action.

Initial reviews seem to indicate that the spectacle was a fan favorite. Hopefully, more of these types of staggered start times and all-night hockey occur in the future. Broadcasting only one game that could potentially get blacked out for a large amount of the population should be a thing of the past. 

The NHL and @ESPN teamed up for the first Frozen Frenzy on Tuesday, a 16-game slate with staggered start times and all 32 teams in action. #NHLStats

For more notes from the action-packed night ➡️ https://t.co/JPrJqPDrZp pic.twitter.com/D1SN3VrlsQ

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 25, 2023

In Case You Missed It

Is Mattias Ekholm elite? Many in Nashville and around the league would argue yes, but of course every player has their anonymous detractors. 

What does Nashville’s most recent waiver claim Liam Foudy bring to the lineup? 

Injured Reserve and its recent effects on the Nashville Predators roster is an interesting topic to dive into. 

General manager Barry Trotz appears to love the waiver wire, so it’s helpful to know how this process works. 

Around National Hockey Now and the NHL

Boston Hockey Now: Many thought the Boston Bruins may get off to a rocky but these new version of the Bruins are proving otherwise. 

Chicago Hockey Now: The Chicago Blackhawks are hitting their first slump of the season. 

Colorado Hockey Now: Turns out the Colorado Avalanche are pretty good, and former Predator Ryan Johansen has been a nice addition as the Avalanche seek to make another Stanley Cup run. 

Washington Hockey Now: The Washington Capitals are off to a rocky start under new head coach Spencer Carbery. 

NHL.com: Commissioner Gary Bettman upheld Calgary Flames’ defenseman Rasmus Andersson’s four-game suspension that will keep the Swede out of the Heritage Classic against the Edmonton Oilers this Sunday. 

Follow Clay Brewer on Twitter/X: @ClayBrewer10