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Craig Custance dives into his mailbag as readers offer up some potential improvements for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Blog | Conversation | April 19, 2013

After a dominating performance against a Canadian roster enhanced by the NHL lockout, Team USA is relishing its semifinal win ... and preparing for more success in Saturday's gold medal game.

Blog | Conversation | January 03, 2013

Staring into an empty Comerica Park brings another reminder of the NHL lockout's steep price. No winter festival in Detroit. No Winter Classic in Ann Arbor. There's no sign of the NHL anywhere in Hockeytown, writes Craig Custance.

It wasn't an entirely unexpected legal move, but it's interesting nonetheless. Examining the lawsuit filed Friday by the NHL answers some of the questions raised during decertification speculation in recent weeks. The lawsuit seeks a declaration that...

Despite the ugly ending to negotiations in New York, optimism emerged between Kevin Westgarth, Jamal Mayers and Shawn Horcoff that a deal between the NHL and the players will still get done.

If the NHL lockout drags into January, the dynamic of this year's World Junior Championship in Russia changes considerably. Players such as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Nail Yakupov who would otherwise be playing in the NHL will have a chance to represent ...

With decertification a possible road for the NHLPA, Craig Custance looks at who some of the winners and losers might be in a radically-altered landscape.

Blog | Conversation | December 03, 2012

Kings forward Dustin Brown has become the latest high-profile NHL player headed to Switzerland during the NHL lockout.

As the lockout endures, the Minnesota Wild have yet to bring a significantly upgraded roster together. It ruined the momentum of a monumental summer, and will the Wild's new players have enough time to jell and compete in the West?

Blog | Conversation | November 01, 2012

Wild owner Craig Leipold spent $196 million to lure Ryan Suter and Zach Parise to Minnesota. Suter is now wondering if those huge contracts were negotiated in good faith.

Craig Custance examines Blackhawks prospect Brandon Saad, a player who could become the steal of the 2011 draft ... if he can find a consistently high effort level.

Blog | Conversation | October 24, 2012

Craig Custance examines St. Louis Blues prospect Vladimir Tarasenko and why the future appears bright ... but if things go wrong, the Blues could be left with nothing.

Blog | Conversation | October 23, 2012

Craig Custance examines New York Rangers prospect Chris Kreider to see what his potential ceiling and floor may be in the NHL.

Blog | Conversation | October 22, 2012

Craig Custance explains why the negotiating tactics employed by the league and the players are creating distrust that might doom the NHL to a perpetual cycle of work stoppages.

Blog | Conversation | October 19, 2012

Craig Custance breaks down the NHL's latest CBA proposal to assess the impact on teams up against the salary cap, and those with salaries stashed in the minors. The verdict? Don't expect to see a flurry of panicked trades ... not yet anyway.

Blog | Conversation | October 17, 2012

Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty will be flying to Connecticut on Wednesday after leaving the Swiss Club HC Ambri Piotta.