The MLB is staring at a potential lockout, and nations are protesting FIFA. While we’re in the depths of the NHL offseason, at least we know it’s coming back this fall. 

There are only 60 days until the Boston Bruins kick off the 2026-27 season. (Vladimir Sobotka, anyone?)

The well is pretty dry, but the Bruins announced their plans for the Prospects Showcase yesterday. An ensemble of prospects will be heading to Buffalo for the 11th straight year, but this time the tournament looks a little different. The Bruins will still get their two games in, though. 

Elsewhere around the hockey world, the IIHF announced its plans for the two nations that have been removed from international competition. That’s not changing, especially on the highest level. The San Jose Sharks are also turning the page, and now two local guys are up for new deals. 

There’s also a Marty Walsh interview, trade rumors surrounding a young defenseman, and a feature story on a young Devils’ forward. 

Happy Friday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today’s Daily Bean:

Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins (via 𝕏): The Bruins announced their schedule for the 2026 Prospects Showcase in Buffalo. It’s the 11th straight season going to Buffalo, but this year will look a lot different. It’s just the Bruins and the Sabres. 

Sunday, September 13 – 5:00 PM

Monday, September 14 – 12:00 PM

NHL News & National Hockey Now

IIHF: The IIHF upheld the ban on the Russian national team, citing “ongoing safety, security, and sporting integrity concerns.” The IIHF will continue reviewing Russia on an event-by-event basis. 

Russia will not be playing in any of the following tournaments:

2027 Men’s World Championship

2027 World Junior Championship

2027 U18 Women’s World Championship

2027 U18 Men’s World Championship

Russia also requested entry into the 2027 Women’s World Championship, which will be reviewed in November 2026. 

IIHF: The IIHF also issued an update on the Belarusian team’s status. They, similarly to Russia, requested entry into five tournaments. Belarus will be held out of two for “ongoing safety and security concerns.”

Belarus will not be playing in the following tournaments:

2027 Men’s World Championship

2027 World Junior Championship

TSN: Two days after signing him, Färjestad BK (SHL) has cut ties with Cal Foote. The club heard the reaction, saying that there were “concerns, disappointment, and questions” from a wide range of people. 

Foote was one of five members of Team Canada’s 2018 WJC team who were acquitted on sexual assault charges last summer.

San Jose Hockey Now: Macklin Celebrini is signed. The Sharks still need to sign Lincoln native Collin Graf, and Lexington native Will Smith is eligible for an extension. Sharks GM Mike Grier spoke on the two, saying that Graf is “pretty close,” while Smith is in the same boat as Celebrini. Sheng Peng has more from Grier. 

NHLTradeRumors.me: Alexander Nikishin. He’s been a hot name in the market this summer, and the St. Louis Blues remain involved. According to Jim Rutherford of The Athletic, the Blues are looking to find the right price, but they want the 24-year-old left shot defenseman. 

The big hurdle in front of St. Louis is Robert Thomas, who the Hurricanes had interest in at the last trade deadline.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils recently signed Arseny Gritsyuk to a 3x$3.25M deal, keeping the 25-year-old Russian in Newark through the 2028-29 season. He spoke about his trying times with the game of hockey, and specifically, his time with Bob Hartley and Avangard Omsk. 

Now, just a few years later, he has a different perspective on Hartley. Gritsyuk said Hartley “was probably the coach who truly transformed the player in me.” Daniel Amoia has more on the relationship between the two, including the impact it had on the young Devils forward.

Sportsnet Video: Marty! The former Mayor/current NHLPA executive director joined Sportsnet’s The Fan Pregame and offered his thoughts on the potential MLB lockout. Walsh noted that a lockout is “bad for sports.” The Dorchester (God’s country) native talked about his experience with the last MLB CBA negotiations, as he was the Secretary of Labor during that time. 

Detroit Hockey Now: It’s the end of July. However, yesterday was Dylan Larkin’s 30th birthday. It has not been smooth sailing with him and the Red Wings this summer, but that did not stop them from propping him up on their social pages yesterday. 

Red Wings fans did not seem too thrilled in the replies. 

Bruins Offseason Schedule

Friday, September 11: Rookie Camp opens – Warrior Ice Arena, Brighton, MA

Sun, Sept 13-Mon, Sept 14: Prospects Showcase – LECOM Harborcenter, Buffalo, NY

Wednesday, September 16: Training Camp opens – Warrior Ice Arena, Brighton, MA

Sunday, September 20: First preseason game – TD Garden, Boston, MA

Tuesday, September 29: Home opener – TD Garden, Boston, MA

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