Winter Classic start could be delayed, by sunshine
Dazzling sunshine forecast for New Year’s Day in Washington, D.C. could delay the start of the outdoor Winter Classic between the Washington Capitals and the visiting Chicago Blackhawks.
The teams are scheduled to face off at 1 p.m. ET (1800 GMT) on Thursday at Nationals Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals, but the glare off the ice could push the start time back by up to 90 minutes.
Daly said a final decision on the start time would be made on Thursday after further discussions with the coaches and players.
“Everyone keeps asking about the glare on the ice, but it didn’t really affect me that much,” Capitals forward Jay Beagle said in a blog posted after team practice on Wednesday.
“The ice conditions were really good. The glare was noticeable only a little bit going in the one direction, but besides that, it was pretty good.”
Thursday’s forecast for Washington predicts mainly sunny skies and a high temperature of 45 degrees.
Canucks’ Hansen draws one-game suspension
Vancouver Canucks forward Jannik Hansen was fined a maximum $5,000 by the NHL on Wednesday for an illegal check to the head area on San Jose Sharks forward Tommy Wingels during Tuesday night’s game.
Hansen received a two-minute minor penalty for the hit at 0:59 of the second period. Wingels left the ice after appearing to be shaken up but later returned to the game.
Hansen was previously suspended for one game after he delivered a shot to Chicago’s Marian Hossa in February 2013.
In 34 games this season, Hansen has nine goals, six assists and six penalty minutes.
Wild activate G Backstrom
The Minnesota Wild activated goaltender Niklas Backstrom from injured reserve on Wednesday.
The Wild also reassigned goaltender John Curry to the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League.
Backstrom, 36, is 5-3-3 with a 2.58 goals against average (GAA) and a .901 save percentage in 14 games with Minnesota this season. He missed the last three games due to illness.
Redskins, defensive coordinator part ways
The Washington Redskins and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett mutually agreed to part ways on Wednesday.
The Redskins released statements from head coach Jay Gruden and Haslett with the announcement.
Gruden, after finishing 4-12 in his first year as head coach, said Monday that no decisions would be made about his assistant coaches until after he had met with general manager Bruce Allen and owner Dan Snyder.
Haslett had one year left on his contract. He finished his fifth season in Washington and first under Gruden.
During Haslett’s time in Washington, the defense has finished a collective 29th in total yards and 30th in points per game.
Meyer expects QB Miller back at Ohio State
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer expects quarterback Braxton Miller to return to the Buckeyes in 2015 despite persistent rumors of a possible transfer.
The Palm Beach Post reported Tuesday that Miller had shown interest in transferring to Florida State. Miller also has been linked to Oregon, Ole Miss and Duke.
“We’ve had conversations. I expect him to be back,” Meyer said Wednesday in his final press conference before the College Football Playoff semifinal against Alabama at the Sugar Bowl on Thursday night.
Miller, who earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio State earlier this month and would be eligible next season at another school as a graduate transfer, is a two-time Big Ten offensive player of the year. He has been out all season with a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder.
Miller’s replacement, J.T. Barrett, finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting despite breaking his ankle against Michigan in the season finale.