NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he doesn't think the Winnipeg Jets' attendance issues are a red flag for the team's viability.

"I don't view this as a crisis," said Bettman, who spoke alongside deputy commissioner Bill Daly on Tuesday before the Jets hosted the St. Louis Blues. "But I do believe, as with any team in any market, there needs to be collaboration between community and the fan base and the club.

"And I believe, ultimately, it will be here."

Valeri Nichushkin has been cleared to resume practicing with the Colorado Avalanche after receiving care from the player assistance program.

The NHL and NHL Players' Association announced Monday that Nichushkin has entered the follow-up care phase. He has not yet been cleared to resume playing in games.

Patrick Kane returned to Chicago with the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday for his first game against the Blackhawks since he was traded to the New York Rangers a year ago. The 35-year-old winger, nicknamed Showtime for his flashy style, had 446 goals and 779 assists in 1,161 regular-season games with his first NHL team.

Just like he has so many times before, Kane delivered. He had a goal and an assist in Detroit's 3-2 victory, closing it out on a breakaway 1:43 into overtime. 

After his New Jersey Devils were embarrassed by the rival New York Rangers at home on Thursday, star center Jack Hughes said his team needs an attitude adjustment as their playoff hopes dim.

"We've got to digest tonight and then we've got to wrap our heads around changing our attitude and really believing in ourselves," said Hughes, who scored the Devils' only goal in their 5-1 loss to the Rangers, who won their ninth straight game. "Not just talking and saying that, but actually doing that."

Connor Bedard is returning to the Chicago Blackhawks lineup Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins, sources told ESPN.

The return is earlier than expected for Bedard, who fractured his jaw six weeks ago. The Blackhawks had initially penciled in next week for a return. The game is at the United Center in Chicago.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have fired general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.

Kekalainen, 57, was hired in February 2013 by the Blue Jackets, becoming the first European-born general manager in the NHL.

The Blue Jackets have the worst record in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto Maple Leafs All-Star defenseman Morgan Rielly on Sunday accepted an offer for an in-person hearing with NHL Player Safety following his cross-check on Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig on Saturday night.

The league's safety department posted on social media that the hearing will be held Tuesday at the NHL's offices in New York. The Maple Leafs will host the St. Louis Blues later that night.

Minnesota Wild general manager and three-time U.S. Olympian Bill Guerin will be responsible for overseeing the building of the United States teams competing in the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off tournament next year and the 2026 Winter Games, USA Hockey announced Thursday.

The Chicago Blackhawks will host the 2025 NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field, a league source confirmed Tuesday.

Their opponents will be the St. Louis Blues.

The NHL previously held the second Winter Classic at Wrigley Field in 2009, featuring the Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings. This marks the second time in three seasons that the NHL is revisiting a venue for the Classic, having held an outdoor game at Fenway Park in 2010 and 2023.

Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov is entering the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, the league and union announced Monday.

Kuznetsov will be away from the team indefinitely while he receives care. Under the terms of the program, he can return to the team for practice and then games when cleared by administrators.

The Capitals said earlier Monday that Kuznetsov was not practicing for personal reasons.