Editing National Hockey League (section)

==History==
{{NHLHistory}}
{{main|History of the National Hockey League}}

===Early years===
The National Hockey League (NHL) was established in 1917 as the successor to the [[National Hockey Association]] (NHA). Founded in 1909, the NHA [[1910 NHA season|began play in 1910]] with seven teams in [[Ontario]] and [[Quebec]], and was one of the first major leagues in professional ice hockey. However, by its [[1916–17 NHA season|eighth season]], a series of disputes with [[Toronto Blueshirts]] owner [[Eddie Livingstone]] led team owners of the [[Montreal Canadiens]], the [[Montreal Wanderers]], the [[Ottawa Senators (original)|Ottawa Senators]], and the [[Quebec Bulldogs]] to hold a meeting to discuss the league's future.<ref name="mcfarlane_15_16">{{harvnb|McFarlane|1997|pp=15–16}}</ref> Realizing the NHA constitution left them unable to force Livingstone out, the four teams voted instead to suspend the NHA, and, on November 26, 1917, formed the National Hockey League. [[Frank Calder]] was chosen as the NHL's first president, serving until his death in 1943.<ref>{{Harvnb|Holzman|Nieforth|2002|p=159}}</ref>

The Bulldogs were unable to play in the NHL, and the remaining owners founded the [[Toronto Arenas]] to compete with the Canadiens, Wanderers and Senators.<ref>{{harvnb|McKinley|2006|p=77}}</ref> The first games were played on December 19, 1917.<ref name="Jenish 2">{{cite book|last1=Jenish|first1=D'Arcy|title=The NHL : 100 years of on-ice action and boardroom battles|date=2013|publisher=Doubleday Canada|isbn=978-0385671460|page=16}}</ref> The [[Montreal Arena]] burned down in January 1918, causing the Wanderers to cease operations,<ref>{{cite web|title=Early Leagues and the Birth of the NHL |url=http://capitals.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=NHLPage&bcid=his_EarlyLeagues |last=McFarlane |first=Brian |website=National Hockey League |access-date=January 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091130110236/http://capitals.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page |archive-date=November 30, 2009 }}</ref> and the NHL continued on as a three-team league until the Bulldogs returned in 1919.<ref name="pincus24">{{Harvnb|Pincus|2006|p=24}}</ref>

[[File:1930 Stanley Cup.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Stanley Cup]] in 1930, several years after it became the ''de facto'' championship trophy for the NHL]]
The NHL replaced the NHA as one of the leagues that competed for the Stanley Cup, an interleague competition at the time. Toronto won the first NHL title, and then defeated the [[Vancouver Millionaires]] of the [[Pacific Coast Hockey Association]] (PCHA) for the [[1918 Stanley Cup Finals|1918 Stanley Cup]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Holzman|Nieforth|2002|p=197}}</ref> The Canadiens won the league title in 1919, but the series in the Stanley Cup Finals against the PCHA's [[Seattle Metropolitans]] was abandoned due to the [[1918 flu pandemic|Spanish Flu]] epidemic.<ref name="pincus23">{{Harvnb|Pincus|2006|p=23}}</ref> In 1924, Montreal won their first Stanley Cup as a member of the NHL.<ref>{{Harvnb|Sandor|2005|p=33}}</ref> The [[Hamilton Tigers]] won the regular season title in [[1924–25 NHL season|1924–25]], but refused to play in the championship series unless they were given a [[Canadian dollar|C$]]200 bonus.<ref>{{Harvnb|Pincus|2006|p=35}}</ref> The league refused and declared the Canadiens the league champion after they defeated the [[Toronto St. Patricks]] (formerly the Arenas) in the two-game, total-goals NHL championship series. Montreal was then defeated by the [[Victoria Cougars]] of the [[Western Canada Hockey League]] (WCHL) in [[1925 Stanley Cup Finals|1925]]. It was the last time a non-NHL team won the trophy,<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=STC&year=1924-25 |title=Victoria Cougars—1924–25 Stanley Cup |access-date=January 17, 2010 |journal=Legends of Hockey |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930080728/http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=STC&year=1924-25 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref> as the Stanley Cup became the ''de facto'' NHL championship in 1926, after the WCHL ceased operation.<ref>{{Harvnb|Sandor|2005|p=35}}</ref>

The NHL embarked on a rapid expansion in the 1920s, adding the [[Montreal Maroons]] and the [[Boston Bruins]] in 1924, the latter being the first American team to join the league.<ref>{{cite web|title=Boston Bruins History|url=https://www.nhl.com/bruins/team/history|website=Boston Bruins|access-date=July 2, 2022|archive-date=February 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201205300/https://www.nhl.com/bruins/team/history|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[New York Americans]] began play in 1925 after purchasing the assets of the Hamilton Tigers, and they were joined by the [[Pittsburgh Pirates (NHL)|Pittsburgh Pirates]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Holzman|Nieforth|2002|p=262}}</ref> The [[New York Rangers]] were added in 1926,<ref>{{Harvnb|Pincus|2006|p=33}}</ref> and the [[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago Black Hawks]] (later changed to Blackhawks) and [[Detroit Red Wings|Detroit Cougars]] (later known as the Red Wings) were added after the league purchased the assets of the defunct WCHL.<ref>{{Harvnb|Pincus|2006|p=29}}</ref> A group purchased the Toronto St. Patricks in 1927 and renamed them the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Pincus|2006|p=39}}</ref>

In 1926, Native American [[Taffy Abel]] became the first non-white player in the NHL and broke the league's colour barrier by playing for the New York Rangers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kennedy |first1=Ian |title=Taffy Abel's Family Asks NHL to Recognize His Indigeneity As Barrier-Breaking |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/taffy-abels-family-asks-nhl-to-recognize-his-indigeneity-as-barrier-breaking |website=The Hockey News |access-date=April 5, 2024 |date=October 25, 2022 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226085428/https://thehockeynews.com/news/taffy-abels-family-asks-nhl-to-recognize-his-indigeneity-as-barrier-breaking |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1934, the first [[NHL All-Star Game]] was held, to benefit [[Ace Bailey]], whose career ended on a vicious hit by [[Eddie Shore]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Pincus|2006|p=47}}</ref> The second was held in 1937, in support of [[Howie Morenz]]'s family when he died of a coronary embolism after breaking his leg during a game.<ref>{{Harvnb|McKinley|2006|p=120}}</ref>

===Original Six era===
{{main|Original Six}}
The [[Great Depression]] and the onset of [[World War II]] took a toll on the league. The Pirates became the [[Philadelphia Quakers (NHL)|Philadelphia Quakers]] in 1930, then folded a year later. The Senators likewise became the [[St. Louis Eagles]] in 1934, also lasting only a year.<ref>{{Harvnb|McFarlane|1997|p=33}}</ref> The Maroons did not survive, as they suspended operations in 1938.<ref>{{Harvnb|McFarlane|1997|p=37}}</ref> The Americans were suspended in 1942 due to a lack of available players, and they were never reactivated.<ref>{{Harvnb|McFarlane|1997|p=43}}</ref>

[[File:There's no action like hockey action by Louis Jaques.jpg|thumb|left|A game between the [[Montreal Canadiens]] and the [[New York Rangers]] in 1962|alt=Five men playing hockey in a crowded arena.]]
For the [[1942–43 NHL season|1942–43 season]], the NHL was reduced to six teams: the Boston Bruins, the Chicago Black Hawks, the Detroit Red Wings, the Montreal Canadiens, the New York Rangers, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, a line-up, often referred to as the "[[Original Six]]", that would remain constant for the next 25 years. In 1947, the league reached an agreement with the Stanley Cup trustees to take full control of the trophy, allowing it to reject challenges from other leagues that wished to play for the Cup.<ref>{{cite book |last=Diamond |first=Dan |author2=Zweig, Eric |author3=Duplacey, James |title=The Ultimate Prize: The Stanley Cup |year=2003 |publisher=Andrews McMeel Publishing |isbn=0-7407-3830-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/ultimateprizesta0000diam/page/40 40] |url=https://archive.org/details/ultimateprizesta0000diam/page/40 }}</ref>

In 1945, [[Maurice Richard|Maurice "Rocket" Richard]] became the first player to score [[List of NHL players with 50 goal seasons|50 goals]], doing so in a [[50 goals in 50 games|50-game season]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p196108&type=Player&page=bio&list=ByName#photo |title=The Legends—Rocket Richard |access-date=January 18, 2010 |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307224757/http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p196108&type=Player&page=bio&list=ByName#photo |archive-date=March 7, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Richard later led the Canadiens to five consecutive titles between 1956 and 1960, a record no team has matched.<ref>{{Harvnb|Pincus|2006|p=100}}</ref>

In 1948, Asian Canadian [[Larry Kwong]] became the first Asian player in the NHL by playing for the New York Rangers.<ref name="ward">{{cite web |last1=Ward |first1=Rachel |title=1st NHL player of colour, Larry Kwong, dies at 94 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/larry-kwong-calgary-nhl-1.4582793 |work=[[CBC News]] |access-date=June 5, 2020 |date=March 19, 2018 |archive-date=June 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604022152/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/larry-kwong-calgary-nhl-1.4582793 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=David |title=A Hockey Pioneer's Moment |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/20/sports/hockey/larry-kwongs-shift-for-rangers-in-1947-48-broke-a-barrier.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220205229/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/20/sports/hockey/larry-kwongs-shift-for-rangers-in-1947-48-broke-a-barrier.html |archive-date=February 20, 2013 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website=The New York Times |access-date=June 5, 2020 |date=February 19, 2013}}</ref> In 1958, [[Willie O'Ree]] became the first black player in the league's history when he made his debut with the Boston Bruins.<ref>{{cite web |title=Willie Eldon O'Ree |website=legendsofhockey.net |access-date=June 5, 2020 |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=13894 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118092936/http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=13894 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 18, 2008}}</ref>

===Expansion era===
By the mid-1960s, the desire for a network television contract in the United States, coupled with concerns that the [[Western Hockey League (1952–1974)|Western Hockey League]] was planning to declare itself a major league and challenge for the Stanley Cup, spurred the NHL to undertake [[1967 NHL expansion|its first expansion since the 1920s]]. The league doubled in size to 12 teams for the [[1967–68 NHL season|1967–68 season]], adding the [[Los Angeles Kings]], the [[Minnesota North Stars]], the [[Philadelphia Flyers]], the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]], the [[California Seals]], and the [[St. Louis Blues]]. However, Canadian fans were outraged that all six teams were placed in the United States,<ref>{{Harvnb|McKinley|2006|pp=194–195}}</ref> so the league responded by adding the [[Vancouver Canucks]] in [[1970–71 NHL season|1970]], along with the [[Buffalo Sabres]], both located along the [[Canada–United States border]].<ref>{{Harvnb |McFarlane |1997 |pp=106–107}}</ref> Two years later, the emergence of the newly founded [[World Hockey Association]] (WHA) led the league to add the [[New York Islanders]] and the [[Atlanta Flames]] to keep the rival league out of those markets. In 1974, the [[Washington Capitals]] and the [[Kansas City Scouts]] were added, bringing the league up to 18 teams.<ref>{{Harvnb|McFarlane|1997|p=115}}</ref>

[[File:NHL Logo former.svg|upright|thumb|NHL logo used from 1946 until 2005]]
The NHL fought the WHA for players, losing 67 to the new league in its first season of [[1972–73 WHA season|1972–73]],<ref>{{Harvnb|McFarlane|1997|p=113}}</ref> including the Chicago Black Hawks' [[Bobby Hull]], who signed a 10-year, $2.5&nbsp;million contract with the [[Winnipeg Jets (1972–96)|Winnipeg Jets]], then the largest in hockey history. The league attempted to block the defections in court, but a counter-suit by the WHA led to a Philadelphia judge ruling the NHL's [[reserve clause]] to be illegal, thus eliminating the elder league's monopoly over the players.<ref>{{Harvnb|McFarlane|1997|p=133}}</ref> [[Wayne Gretzky]] played one season in the WHA for the [[Indianapolis Racers]] (eight games) and the [[Edmonton Oilers]] (72 games) before the Oilers joined the NHL for the [[1979–80 NHL season|1979–80 season]].<ref name="LOHGretzky">{{Cite web|url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p199901&page=bio&list=#photo|title=The Legends—Wayne Gretzky|access-date=January 18, 2010|publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051123203450/http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p199901&page=bio&list=#photo|archive-date=November 23, 2005|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Gretzky went on to lead the Oilers to win four Stanley Cup championships in [[1984 Stanley Cup Finals|1984]], [[1985 Stanley Cup Finals|1985]], [[1987 Stanley Cup Finals|1987]] and [[1988 Stanley Cup Finals|1988]], and set single-season records for goals (92 in [[1981–82 NHL season|1981–82]]), assists (163 in [[1985–86 NHL season|1985–86]]) and points (215 in 1985–86), as well as career records for goals (894), assists (1,963) and points (2,857).<ref name="LOHGretzky" /> In 1988, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in a deal that dramatically improved the league's popularity in the United States. By the turn of the century, nine more teams were added to the NHL: the [[San Jose Sharks]], the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]], the [[Ottawa Senators]], the [[Mighty Ducks of Anaheim]], the [[Florida Panthers]], the [[Nashville Predators]], the [[Atlanta Thrashers]], and, in 2000, the [[Minnesota Wild]] and the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]].<ref name="EOHGretzky">{{Cite web|url=http://www.oilersheritage.com/history/dynasty_highlights_gretzkytrade.html|title=Edmonton's Saddest Hockey Day—The Gretzky Trade|access-date=January 18, 2010|publisher=Edmonton Oilers Heritage Foundation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201052918/https://www.oilersheritage.com/history/dynasty_highlights_gretzkytrade.html|archive-date=February 1, 2010}}</ref> Also, in the mid to late 1990s, the Quebec Nordiques, original Winnipeg Jets, and Hartford Whalers relocated to Denver, Phoenix, and Raleigh, respectively. In 2011, the Atlanta Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg, and the [[Winnipeg Jets]] were revived. On July 21, 2015, the NHL confirmed that it had received applications from prospective ownership groups in [[Quebec City]] and [[Las Vegas]] for possible expansion teams,<ref name="NHL update">{{cite press release|title=Update on NHL expansion application process|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/update-on-nhl-expansion-application-process/c-775295|website=NHL.com|date=July 21, 2015|access-date=July 2, 2022|archive-date=July 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702052940/https://www.nhl.com/news/update-on-nhl-expansion-application-process/c-775295|url-status=live}}</ref> and on June 22, 2016, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the addition of a 31st franchise, based in Las Vegas and later named the [[Vegas Golden Knights]], into the NHL for the [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18 season]].<ref name="Vegas expansion">{{cite news|last=Rosen|first=Dan|title=Las Vegas awarded NHL franchise|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-expands-to-las-vegas/c-281010682?tid=281011650|website=NHL.com|date=June 22, 2016|access-date=December 5, 2018|archive-date=December 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202065746/https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-expands-to-las-vegas/c-281010682?tid=281011650|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 4, 2018, the league announced a 32nd franchise in [[Seattle]], later named the [[Seattle Kraken]], which joined in the [[2021–22 NHL season|2021–22 season]].<ref name="Seattle expansion">{{cite news|last=Rosen|first=Dan|title=Seattle NHL expansion approved by Board of Governors|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/seattle-nhl-expansion-approved-to-be-32nd-team-play-in-2021-22/c-302581450|website=NHL.com|date=December 4, 2018|access-date=December 5, 2018|archive-date=December 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205060729/https://www.nhl.com/news/seattle-nhl-expansion-approved-to-be-32nd-team-play-in-2021-22/c-302581450|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 18, 2024, the Arizona Coyotes suspended operations and sold their hockey assets, including players and other personnel, to a [[Utah Hockey Club|new team]] in [[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]].<ref name="BOG announcement">{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-bog-approves-establishment-of-new-franchise-in-utah |title=NHL BOG approves establishment of new franchise in Utah |website=NHL.com |date=April 18, 2024 |access-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-date=April 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419170756/https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-bog-approves-establishment-of-new-franchise-in-utah |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="THN-Utah-sale">{{cite web| url = https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-board-approves-new-franchise-in-utah-how-an-arizona-franchise-could-return-in-five-years| title = NHL Board Approves Sale of Coyotes' Hockey Assets to New Franchise in Utah: How an Arizona Franchise Could Return| last1 = Tovell| first1 = Jonathan| last2 = DeRosa| first2 = Michael| last3 = Stoller| first3 = Jacob| date = April 18, 2024| publisher = The Hockey News| access-date = April 23, 2024| archive-date = April 23, 2024| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240423164939/https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-board-approves-new-franchise-in-utah-how-an-arizona-franchise-could-return-in-five-years| url-status = live}}</ref> Two months after Utah's foundation, the Coyotes ceased their efforts to re-activate within the five-year window granted to do so, bringing the NHL back to 32 franchises.<ref name="defunct?">{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/bettman-confirms-meruelo-will-not-be-re-activating-coyotes-franchise/ |title=Bettman confirms Meruelo will not be re-activating Coyotes franchise |website=Sportsnet.ca |date=June 25, 2024 |access-date=June 25, 2024}}</ref>

===Labour<!--This article uses Canadian English spelling--> issues===
There have been four league-wide work stoppages in NHL history, all occurring after [[1991–92 NHL season|1992]]. The first was [[1992 NHL strike|an April 1992 strike]] by the [[National Hockey League Players' Association]], which lasted for ten days but was settled quickly with all affected games rescheduled.<ref name="labour_history">{{Cite news|title=We've been here before |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/cba/features/flashback.html |author=CBC Sports |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=January 29, 2004 |access-date=June 9, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050409050550/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/cba/features/flashback.html |archive-date=April 9, 2005 }}</ref>

A [[1994–95 NHL lockout|lockout]] at the start of the [[1994–95 NHL season|1994–95 season]] forced the league to reduce the schedule from 84 games to 48, with the teams playing only intra-conference games during the reduced season.<ref name="labour_history" /> The resulting [[NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement|collective bargaining agreement]] (CBA) was set for renegotiation in 1998, and extended to September 15, 2004.<ref name="2004_lockout">{{Cite journal|title=The hockey lockout of 2004–05 |last=audohar |first=Paul D. |journal=Monthly Labor Review |url=http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2005/12/art3full.pdf |date=December 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060111070235/http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2005/12/art3full.pdf |archive-date=January 11, 2006 |url-status=live }}</ref>

With no new agreement in hand when the contract expired, league commissioner [[Gary Bettman]] announced a [[2004–05 NHL lockout|lockout]] of the players union and closed the league's head office for the [[2004–05 NHL season|2004–05 season]].<ref name="2004_lockout" /> The league vowed to install what it dubbed "cost certainty" for its teams, but the Players' Association countered that the move was little more than a euphemism for a [[salary cap]], which the union initially said it would not accept. The lockout shut down the league for 310 days, making it the longest in sports history, as the NHL became the first professional sports league to lose an entire season.<ref name="2004_lockout" /> A new collective bargaining agreement was eventually ratified in July 2005, including a salary cap. The agreement had a term of six years with an option of extending the collective bargaining agreement for an additional year at the end of the term, allowing the league to resume as of the [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06 season]].<ref name="2004_lockout" />

On October 5, 2005, the first post-lockout season took to the ice with all 30 teams. The NHL received record attendance in the 2005–06 season, with an average of 16,955 per game.<ref name="season_review">{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/hockey_features/season_review.html |title=A season to remember |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |first=John |last=Molinaro |date=April 20, 2006 |access-date=June 9, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618174146/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/hockey_features/season_review.html |archive-date=June 18, 2006 }}</ref> However, its television audience was slower to rebound due to American cable broadcaster [[ESPN]]'s decision to drop its NHL coverage.<ref name="ibisworld">{{cite web |url=http://www1.ibisworld.com/pressrelease/pressrelease.aspx?prid=107 |title=Super Bowl XLII versus the Economy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603025811/http://www.ibisworld.com/pressrelease/pressrelease.aspx?prid=107 |archive-date=June 3, 2008 |access-date=May 11, 2008 }}</ref> The league's post-lockout agreement with [[NHL on NBC|NBC]] gave the league a share of revenue from each game's advertising sales, rather than the usual lump sum paid up front for game rights. The league's annual revenues were estimated at $2.27&nbsp;billion.<ref name="ibisworld"/>

On September 16, 2012, the labour pact expired, and the league again [[2012–13 NHL lockout|locked out the players]].<ref>{{cite news|title=On ice: NHL locks out its players|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/on-ice-nhl-locks-out-its-players/|publisher=CBS News|access-date=September 16, 2012|archive-date=September 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917035447/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57513713/on-ice-nhl-locks-out-its-players/|url-status=live}}</ref> The owners proposed reducing the players' share of hockey-related revenues from 57 percent to 47 percent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/8382911/nhl-officially-locks-players-cba-expires |title=NHL imposes league-wide lockout |first=Katie |last=Strang |publisher=ESPNNewYork.com |date=September 16, 2012 |access-date=September 16, 2012 |archive-date=March 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322053906/http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8382911/nhl-officially-locks-players-cba-expires |url-status=live }}</ref> All games were cancelled up to January 14, 2013, along with the [[2013 NHL Winter Classic]] and the [[2015 National Hockey League All-Star Game|2013 NHL All-Star Weekend]].<ref>{{cite web|title=NHL announces cancellation of 2012–13 regular-season schedule through January 14|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-announces-cancellation-of-2012-13-regular-season-schedule-through-january-14/c-648084|website=NHL.com|access-date=December 20, 2012|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307105107/https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-announces-cancellation-of-2012-13-regular-season-schedule-through-january-14/c-648084|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="2013WinterClassic-cancelled">{{cite web|title=NHL cancels 2013 Winter Classic|url=http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/02/nhl-cancels-2013-winter-classic/related/|publisher=NBC News|access-date=November 2, 2012|date=November 2, 2012|archive-date=May 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514034658/http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/02/nhl-cancels-2013-winter-classic/related/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="2013AllStar-cancelled">{{cite news|title=NHL cancels games through Dec. 14, All-Star game|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nhl-cancels-games-through-dec-14-all-star-game/|publisher=CBS News|access-date=November 23, 2012|archive-date=October 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021195227/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57553761/nhl-cancels-games-through-dec-14-all-star-game/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Dec30-cancelled">{{cite web|agency=The Canadian Press |title=NHL Announces Game Cancellations Through Dec. 30 |publisher=The Sports Network |date=December 10, 2012 |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=411343 |access-date=December 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211112604/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=411343 |archive-date=December 11, 2012 }}</ref> On January 6, a tentative agreement was reached on a 10-year deal.<ref>{{cite news |title=NHL OWNERS TO VOTE ON CONTRACT WEDNESDAY |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/nhl-owners-vote-contract-wednesday |agency=Associated Press |access-date=January 8, 2013 |archive-date=January 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114074221/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/nhl-owners-vote-contract-wednesday |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 12, the league and the Players' Association signed a memorandum of understanding on the new deal, allowing teams to begin their training camps the next day, with a shortened 48-game season schedule that began on January 19.<ref>{{cite web|title=NHL, players finalize agreement, camps can open Sunday|url=http://www.freep.com/usatoday/article/1828151?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CDetroit%20Red%20Wings%7Cp|work=Detroit Free Press|access-date=January 13, 2013|archive-date=May 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522234048/http://www.freep.com/usatoday/article/1828151?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CDetroit%20Red%20Wings%7Cp|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Player safety issues===
Player safety has become a major issue in the NHL, with [[concussion]]s resulting from a hard hit to the head being the primary concern. Recent studies have shown how the consequences of concussions can last beyond player retirement.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Whyno |first1=Stephen |title=Faces of concussions: NHL's head-on battle with an epidemic |url=https://apnews.com/article/health-north-america-nhl-mo-state-wire-daniel-carcillo-3009fe80b3614dc28620a5e9d3db675e |website=AP NEWS |access-date=November 15, 2021 |date=May 23, 2019 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115114747/https://apnews.com/article/health-north-america-nhl-mo-state-wire-daniel-carcillo-3009fe80b3614dc28620a5e9d3db675e |url-status=live }}</ref> This has significant effects on the league, as elite players have suffered from the aftereffects of concussions (such as [[Sidney Crosby]] being sidelined for approximately ten and a half months), which adversely affects the league's marketability.<ref>{{cite news |first=Josh |last=Hargreaves |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/crosby-discusses-lengthy-recovery-road-from-concussions-safety-of-the-game/article14118504/ |title=Crosby discusses lengthy recovery road from concussions, safety of the game |work=The Globe and Mail |date=September 5, 2013 |access-date=March 14, 2014 |location=Toronto |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304234523/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/crosby-discusses-lengthy-recovery-road-from-concussions-safety-of-the-game/article14118504/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2009, [[Brendan Shanahan]] was hired to replace Colin Campbell, and was given the role of senior vice-president of player safety. Shanahan began to hand out suspensions on high-profile perpetrators responsible for dangerous hits, such as [[Raffi Torres]] receiving 25 games for his hit on [[Marián Hossa|Marian Hossa]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/04/21/video-brendan-shanahan-explains-raffi-torres-25-game-suspension/ |title=Video: Brendan Shanahan Explains Raffi Torres' 25 Game Suspension |publisher=CBS Chicago |date=April 21, 2012 |access-date=March 14, 2014 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203011545/http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/04/21/video-brendan-shanahan-explains-raffi-torres-25-game-suspension/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

To aid with removing high-speed collisions on icing, which had led to several potential career-ending injuries, such as to Hurricanes' defenceman [[Joni Pitkänen|Joni Pitkanen]], the league mandated hybrid no-touch icing for the [[2013–14 NHL season]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Wyshynski |first=Greg |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nhl-players-approve-hybrid-icing-safety-trumps-subjectivity-231456246--nhl.html |title=NHL players approve hybrid icing, as safety trumps subjectivity &#124; Puck Daddy |work=Yahoo! Sports |date=September 30, 2013 |access-date=March 14, 2014 |archive-date=February 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227023245/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nhl-players-approve-hybrid-icing-safety-trumps-subjectivity-231456246--nhl.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On November 25, 2013, ten former NHL players (Gary Leeman, Rick Vaive, Brad Aitken, Darren Banks, Curt Bennett, Richie Dunn, Warren Holmes, Bob Manno, Blair Stewart, and Morris Titanic) sued the league for negligence in protecting players from concussions. The suit came three months after the [[National Football League]] agreed to pay former players US$765&nbsp;million due to a player safety lawsuit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=437509 |title=Former NHL players sue league over concussions |publisher=The Sports Network |date=November 25, 2013 |access-date=March 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131131031/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=437509 |archive-date=January 31, 2014 }}</ref>

===Women in the NHL===
From 1952 to 1955, [[Marguerite Norris]] served as president of the [[Detroit Red Wings]], being the first female NHL executive and the first woman to have her name engraved on the Stanley Cup. In 1992, [[Manon Rhéaume]] became the first woman to play a game in any of the major professional North American sports leagues, as a goaltender for the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] in a preseason game against the [[St. Louis Blues]], stopping seven of nine shots.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Basu|first1=Arpon|title=Part 1: Manon Rhéaume shatters the gender barrier|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=642005|website=NHL.com|date=September 23, 2012|access-date=April 15, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229131739/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=642005|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Manon Rheaume, Team Canada |url=http://www.whockey.com/profile/canada/rheaume.html |website=whockey.com |access-date=April 15, 2020 |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525160351/http://www.whockey.com/profile/canada/rheaume.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, [[Dawn Braid]] was hired as the [[Arizona Coyotes]]' skating coach, making her the first female full-time coach in the NHL.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bieler |first1=Des |title=NHL's first female full-time coach hired by Arizona Coyotes |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/08/24/nhls-first-female-full-time-coach-hired-by-arizona-coyotes/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=April 15, 2020 |date=August 24, 2016 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027193447/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/08/24/nhls-first-female-full-time-coach-hired-by-arizona-coyotes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The first female referees in the NHL were hired in a test-run during the league's preseason prospect tournaments in September 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Roarke |first1=Shawn P. |title=Women officials thrilled by NHL experience |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/women-referees-at-nhl-prospect-tournament/c-309020390 |website=NHL.com |access-date=February 6, 2020 |date=September 10, 2019 |archive-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317225819/https://www.nhl.com/news/women-referees-at-nhl-prospect-tournament/c-309020390 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2016, the NHL hosted the [[2016 Outdoor Women's Classic]], an exhibition game between the [[Boston Pride]] of the [[National Women's Hockey League]] and [[Les Canadiennes]] of the [[Canadian Women's Hockey League]], as part of the [[2016 NHL Winter Classic]] weekend festivities.<ref>{{cite web |title=NHL to host first-ever Outdoor Women's Classic presented by Scotiabank |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=794629 |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229131416/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=794629 |archive-date=December 29, 2015 |date=December 28, 2015}}</ref> In 2019, the NHL invited four women from the US and Canadian Olympic teams to demonstrate the events in [[2019 National Hockey League All-Star Game#Skills Competition|All-Star skills competition]] before the [[2019 National Hockey League All-Star Game|All-Star Game]]. Due to [[Nathan MacKinnon]] choosing not to participate following a bruised ankle, Team USA's [[Kendall Coyne Schofield]] competed in the Fastest Skater competition in his place, becoming the first woman to officially compete in the NHL's All-Star festivities.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Benjamin |first1=Amalie |title=Coyne Schofield shines in fastest skater at All-Star Skills |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/kendall-coyne-schofield-shines-in-fastest-skater-at-all-star-skills/c-304238704 |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 15, 2020 |date=January 25, 2019 |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604140602/https://www.nhl.com/news/kendall-coyne-schofield-shines-in-fastest-skater-at-all-star-skills/c-304238704 |url-status=live }}</ref> The attention led the NHL to include a [[2020 National Hockey League All-Star Game#Elite Women's 3-on-3 game|3-on-3 women's game]] before the [[2020 National Hockey League All-Star Game|2020 All-Star Game]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berkman |first1=Seth |title=Women Get a Spotlight, but No Prize Money, in New N.H.L. All-Star Event |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/24/sports/hockey/nhl-skills-competition-women.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124082033/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/24/sports/hockey/nhl-skills-competition-women.html |archive-date=January 24, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |date=January 24, 2020}}</ref> Rheaume returned to perform as a goaltender for the [[2022 National Hockey League All-Star Game|2022 NHL All-Star Game]]'s Breakaway Challenge.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Myers |first1=Tracey |title=Rheaume set for return to ice as goalie in 2022 NHL All-Star Skills |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/manon-rheaume-to-participate-in-2022-nhl-all-star-skills/c-330423200 |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 12, 2022 |date=February 1, 2022 |archive-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204232101/https://www.nhl.com/news/manon-rheaume-to-participate-in-2022-nhl-all-star-skills/c-330423200 |url-status=live }}</ref>