NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Teams Revealed: Tournament Replaces All-Star Weekend
NHL insider Jeff Marek has been sidelined from Canadian hockey broadcasts after reportedly leaking confidential draft information. The Athletic revealed his exit was connected to sharing sensitive NHL Draft details.
The 2024 NHL Draft made history as the first sports event at the Las Vegas Sphere, featuring a special appearance by Celine Dion. This milestone event showcased both sports and entertainment in Vegas' newest venue.
In gambling-related news, Circa Sports secured a jersey patch partnership with the Chicago Blackhawks, while Houston may gain an NHL franchise as Tilman Fertitta explores bringing a team to the city. The Maloof Brothers also sold their stake in the Vegas Golden Knights.
Several betting operators expanded their NHL presence:
- BetMGM extended its NHL partnership and will develop hockey-themed casino games
- Fanatics Sportsbook partnered with the Carolina Hurricanes
- ESPN Bet and theScore secured NHL betting partnerships
The Vegas Golden Knights celebrated their championship with a unique banner-raising ceremony from a giant slot machine before their 2023-24 season opener. However, controversy emerged when a Las Vegas casino worker allegedly threatened violence at the Stanley Cup victory parade.
The Golden Knights' Stanley Cup victory in a Game 5 blowout cemented Las Vegas as a premier sports city. Their championship run included:
- Taking a 2-0 series lead
- Weathering a Game 3 overtime loss to Florida
- Clinching in dominant fashion
Other notable NHL news includes the suspension of Shane Pinto for 41 games due to gambling violations and revelations about Evander Kane's extensive betting history, reportedly placing up to 50 bets daily with illegal bookmakers.
The league continues evolving, with the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament replacing the traditional All-Star Weekend. Meanwhile, Canadian teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers remain in Stanley Cup contention, representing the country's best hopes for bringing the trophy back to Canada.
Related Articles
The 6 Hardest Sports to Successfully Bet On - From Baseball to MMA
