This Week in the NHL: 2024 Draft Lottery contenders turn gaze to Macklin Celebrini at World Juniors
So many games. So little time. What should you focus your NHL hockey fandom on if your favorite team’s games don’t scratch the itch enough?
Welcome to This Week in the NHL. From now until April, we’ll lay out a collection of key games, events and deadlines to watch on the league calendar each week.
So what’s on tap for Dec. 25 – 31?
Dec. 20-27: NHL holiday roster freeze
Per the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement, “for all players on an NHL active roster, injured reserve, or with non-roster and injured non-roster status as of 11:59 p.m. (local time) Dec. 19, a roster freeze shall apply through 12:01 a.m. (local time) Dec. 28, with respect to waivers, trades and loans,” subject to a few exceptions.
Dec. 24-26: NHL holiday break
No games will be played on these dates. The teams also won’t practice and their dressing rooms will be closed.
Dec. 26: 2024 World Junior Championship begins
The world’s best under-20 prospects do battle in their annual 10-team tournament beginning on Boxing Day, per tradition. Canada will attempt to three-peat as gold medallists but will not enter the WJC as the favorites. The Americans are considered the heavy favorites thanks to their stacked roster, while host Sweden is a serious threat for gold as well. Check out prospect analyst Steven Ellis’ team preview hub for comprehensive breakdowns of every team. The NHL’s worst clubs will have a close eye on the WJC, where projected 2024 Draft No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini will play a big role for Canada.
Dec. 31: Busy New Year’s Eve slate in NHL
The NHL rolls out a rare nine-game Sunday lineup on the final day of 2023. It starts with a 2:00 p.m. ET matinee with the Winnipeg Jets visiting the Minnesota Wild and concludes when the San Jose Sharks visit the Colorado Avalanche at 8:00 p.m. ET.
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