The NHL is actively considering changes to its long-standing agreement with the CHL that restricts 18- and 19-year-old drafted players from playing professionally unless they’ve turned 20 or completed four CHL seasons. These proposed revisions could fast-track the development of elite prospects like Capitals draft picks Terik Parascak and Eriks Mateiko, as well as previously affected players like Hendrix Lapierre and Andrew Cristall. Both Parascak and Mateiko are signed and could become eligible to play in Hershey or even challenge for NHL time if the rules change.

Meanwhile, former Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov remains in the headlines after SKA St. Petersburg head coach Igor Larionov stated publicly that Kuznetsov’s decline began “about six years ago.” After an underwhelming season in the KHL, Kuznetsov’s contract was terminated, and he is now a free agent weighing both overseas and NHL options. In coaching news, the Dallas Stars fired Pete DeBoer following another Western Conference Final loss, and two coaches connected to Washington—Mitch Love and Todd Nelson—may be among the candidates to replace him.

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