There also figure to be some chilly affairs for several of the games in the Midwest and Northeast, but it doesn’t look like there’s any reason to bench your usual starters. Let’s break down the two games mentioned above and see how worried you should be. WEEK 16 RANKINGSQuarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker NFL Week 16 weather updates The Browns-Bears game is expected to see temperatures in the teens, snow before the game, and some snow during the game....

The good news is, for those teams (and this game picker), there are still three quarters of the season to make amends. All times ET. NFC Games of the Week Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (Sunday 1 p.m., FOX) . The Lions are in first place in the NFC North for now, and if they win at Lambeau Field for the first time in almost 22 years, they should like their chances to stay there....

In a statement to news outlets Monday morning, including USA Today, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said of the gesture, which was in support of the protests of last August’s police shooting in nearby Ferguson, Mo., “We respect and understand the concerns of all individuals who have expressed views on this tragic situation." The St. Louis Police Officers Association had issued a statement “calling for the players involved to be disciplined and for the Rams and the NFL to deliver a very public apology....

The initial rosters for the four divisions at the All-Star Game were announced on Jan. 5. One player from each of the eight divisions was selected for their respective divisional team. In total, seven skaters and one goalie have already been picked per All-Star team. There are 12 total spots remaining — three per division — and fans get to vote on who gets the All-Star nod in 2023....

That, in a sentence, about sums up the 2015 NHL All-Star Game in Columbus, Ohio. Team Toews and Team Foligno combined to score 29 goals, shattering the past record of 25 for the game, as Team Toews emerged as 17-12 victors. MORE: Gaudreau is what Weekend all about | PHOTOS: All-Star game | All-Star Skills Challenge Team Foligno’s Ryan Johansen, a member of the hometown Blue Jackets, scored twice, had an assist and was voted by fans as the game MVP....

Based on the recommendation by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of a 60-day shutdown of large events involving more than 50 people, The Hockey News’ Jared Clinton believes it’ll be mid-May at the earliest before the NHL returns to action. On Monday, the league indicated it hopes to open a training-camp period 45 days into the period covered by the CDC’s directive. TSN’s Gino Reda reported the league is eyeing a return to action as early as May 15....

Aside from the start date being pushed to Jan. 13, a number of players tested positive and four teams had training camps suspended for at least one day or a large number of players miss time. The Stars shut down their camp on Jan. 9 after it was revealed six players and two staff members tested positive. The Penguins canceled training camp the same day, while the Blue Jackets had 19 players miss training camp on Jan....

For DFS contests tonight, there is the $40,000 Spin-O-Rama with a $6 entry fee and an $10,000 Micro Spin-O-Rama with a $2 entry fee among the usual higher stake contests. It’s once again worth noting that several games could have an over/under of six from Las Vegas. Keep in mind, Vegas is not always right. MORE: SN DFS | DFS Lineup Builder Because of the volatile nature of goalies (and other reasons), there will be more information on social media coming closer to roster lock....

The CDC announced the shortening of the isolation recommendations Monday because of research into when people are most contagious after contracting the virus and recommended five days of strict mask-wearing around others after someone who tests positive returns from isolation. NHL players, coaches and team staff who test positive can return to their teams after five days if they are asymptomatic or return a negative PCR test, or two negative rapid tests taken over two hours apart....

After Wednesday night’s 4-1 loss to Tampa Bay, it’s the first time in a playoff hole. For many of the team’s young players, it’s an entire new experience to adjust to. “Playoffs are desperate hockey,” rookie defenseman Charlie McAvoy said. “You know, you don’t ever go into any games having the luxury of being able to lose this one. That’s not how it goes. We want to win every single game....

That apparently includes a separated shoulder and an undisclosed MCL injury. After the Golden Knights eliminated San Jose from the postseason on Sunday, Kane told Kevin Kurz of The Athletic that he had been dealing with both of the above ailments. Kane, who was acquired from Buffalo at the trade deadline, scored three goals and registered an assist in San Jose’s first-round sweep of the Anaheim Ducks. He managed just one point, a Game 3 goal, in six games against Vegas....

In the second period, with Boston already up 3-0, Carolina Hurricanes captain Justin Williams released the puck, turned and was caught high Marchand’s stick, knocking him down. Williams took exception to the play and went back at Marchand, grabbing the strap of his helmet and ripping it open. Referee Gord Dwyer appeared to catch only Williams’ reaction, which Marchand courteously pointed out. He then pointed towards the penalty box and mocked Williams’ captaincy as he skated away — suggesting he should have known better than to take a retaliatory penalty in such a critical game....

While speaking on the “Coach’s Corner” segment during “Hockey Night in Canada” on Saturday, the commentator and former Bruins coach revisited his criticism of the Hurricanes’ post-game celebrations and took things a step further by bashing the fan base. “I don’t understand this,” Cherry said. “I said this on Canada and it goes down in there. You know, it’s a funny thing. They know that it’s the wrong thing to do, or they’d do it in the playoffs....

The Golden Knights and Sharks also make a move in the right direction this week, while it’s the Blues and Jets that are among those heading the opposite way. Here is the complete breakdown of Sporting News’ NHL power rankings for Week 11. PREVIOUS POWER RANKINGS: Preseason | Week 1​ | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10...

Futures remains uncertain for Panarin and Bobrovsky The uncertain futures of Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Artemi Panarin and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. remain a hot topic in the NHL rumor mill. Both are slated to become unrestricted free agents next summer and neither seems likely to re-up in Columbus. Panarin’s reluctance to sign a contract extension with the Jackets has been well known for several months. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes the 26-year-old left wing could emulate “John Tavares’s free-agent setup....

Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba became this summer’s first noteworthy player to have his contract for next season awarded via arbitration. After going through a hearing on Friday, the 24-year-old received a one-year deal worth $5.5 million. Both sides were reportedly far apart in terms of dollars. The Trouba camp sought $7 million while the Jets proposed $4 million. The arbiter obviously decided the middle ground was the fair one, something the blueliner and his club’s management failed to agree upon....

That opinion still prevails two years later. In a press conference last week during the NHL Global Series in Stockholm, Sweden, league commissioner Gary Bettman said going to the Olympics remained “incredibly disruptive” to the season. MORE: Bettman on Olympics being ‘disruptive’ to the NHL During recent collective bargaining talks between the league and the NHL Players Association, reports indicated the players remain keen to return to Olympic competition. This issue could become a potential stumbling block toward extending the current CBA beyond its Sept....

That's no longer the case. Looks like the beach volleyball court might need some work. Or not. For the record, NHL ice guru Dan Craig said 55 degrees at puck drop for Kings-Ducks would be ideal. Here's a time-lapse video of the process:

The future of the NHL is in good hands. We’ve seen the emergence already of players like Trevor Zegras, the Hughes brothers, Moritz Seider and many more. At the World Juniors just a month ago, top draft picks like Mason McTavish shined on the international stage. Soon, all of this young talent will become everyday NHLers. With that in mind, The Sporting News is taking a look at the 23 best players under the age of 23 in the NHL....