Hockey

Hiring season will be upon us before you know it. We polled 22 people in front offices around the league to find the next wave of candidates.

With just a game or two left on most teams’ schedules, the No. 1 seed out West remains in contention. Get caught up here.

Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper, in the season finale vs. Florida, started three Black forwards Monday night, saying he hopes it will become the norm in the league.

Sabres captain Jack Eichel said Monday there has been a disconnect between him and the team since he was injured in March, and he raised questions about his long-term future in Buffalo.

The Flyers offered free tickets and Gritty stickers and T-shirts as an incentive for fans to get vaccinated on the main concourse before Monday’s season finale against New Jersey.

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is becoming an investor in the National Women’s Soccer League’s Washington Spirit.

One persistent Flyers fan has been trying to get the mascot to throw a sheet cake at her for 18 months. In a weekend of reflection and benevolence, Gritty granted the request.

After six seasons with the Blue Jackets, including a last-place finish this year, veteran coach John Tortorella, who did not have a contract for next season, is out in Columbus.

The National Women’s Hockey League approved the sale of the Connecticut Whale on Monday, making the franchise the third in the six-team league to have private owners.