SJHN Daily: NHL Nixes Themed Jerseys in Warm-Ups, Sharks Release Development Camp Schedule

NHL teams will no longer sport specialty jerseys in warmups.

From NHL Board of Governors: teams will not wear specialty jerseys in warmups next season. Also: Cap, Ottawa, Arizona and other topics. With Commissioner Gary Bettman here — https://t.co/7kBduYBk1X

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 22, 2023

These specialty jerseys, unfortunately, became a recurring headline throughout the past NHL season. San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer, in addition to Ivan Provorov, and Eric and Marc Staal, refused to wear the NHL’s Pride-themed jerseys during their team’s respective Pride Nights.

BREAKING: Reimer Declines To Wear Pride Jersey

This is the first season in which the NHL’s specialty jersey initiative have received public pushback from players.

In addition to Pride celebrations, NHL teams host Military Appreciation and Hockey Fights Cancer-themed events which will also no longer feature players wearing specialty jerseys in warm-ups. Teams will still be allowed to design and auction off specialty jerseys, they just won’t be put on display by its players during warm-ups.

In an interview with Sportsnet following this Board of Governors decision, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman shared his frustration with the media attention these boycotts caused. He said that players or teams refusing to wear these jerseys undermined the cause of the themed nights, and nixing the specialty jerseys all together would help.

“This way, we can keep it focused on the game,” said Bettman. “On these specialty nights, we’re going to be focused on the cause.”

ESPN senior writer Greg Wyshynski, however, brought up this contradiction with the BOG’s decision:

It's my understanding there'll be new NHL inclusion initiatives soon, like player empowerment to speak on social justice issues.

Yet they've now banned players from having *the choice* to wear jerseys on the ice that support causes they're passionate about. How does that square?

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 23, 2023

While I agree players refusing to wear themed jerseys does undermine the cause, I feel removing specialty jerseys (such as the Pride-themed ones) further shows hesitance from the NHL to take a stand on social justice issues. And not allowing players to show support for these causes eliminates another avenue for players to take stands on issues they and the NHL see as important.

It feels like the NHL is taking the path of least resistance to avoid controversy. And that’s disappointing.

AT SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW…

Patrick Marleau is rejoining the San Jose Sharks, in a player development and advisory role.

Matvei Michkov will be meeting with NHL teams coming up.

Will Smith will not visit San Jose before the NHL Draft on Wednesday.

Locked on Sharks reacts to Bob McKenzie’s final rankings ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft.

We are making a big announcement tomorrow!

Check this space tomorrow for a big @sjhockeynow announcement!!

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) June 23, 2023

OTHER SHARKS NEWS…

The San Jose Sharks are holding their annual prospect scrimmage at Tech CU Arena on July 6 at 6 PM. Development camp will be held from Jul. 4 to 6, all practices open to the public.

Max Miller provides a roundup of the Sharks’ off-season to this point.

Thanks for the treats last night, Cuda Country 😋🍪

Ugly Sweater weekend is on the calendar and we are so ready 👀
Bust out your best Santa suits for Santa Con on December 15 and then join us for🧸Teddy Bear Toss presented by @kpthrive on December 16! pic.twitter.com/HCKSESEslx

— San Jose Barracuda (@sjbarracuda) June 22, 2023

A couple San Jose Sharks prospects were named to their country’s World Junior Showcase rosters.

#SJSharks prospects Filip Bystedt and Mattias Havelid have been named to Sweden's 2023 WJSS roster. Bystedt co-led Sweden in scoring at the 2023 World Juniors while Havelid enjoyed a productive second half of the season after missing time due to injuryhttps://t.co/2ek9Ns8eUI

— San Jose Sharks PR (@SanJoseSharksPR) June 22, 2023

AROUND THE NHL…

National Hockey Now hosts their first podcast! They discuss the latest NHL rumors.

Full notes from the Board of Governors meeting, with more details about specialty jerseys, the salary cap, the Ottawa Senators sale, and more.

Erik Haula signs a three-year extension with the New Jersey Devils.

"The Oilers weren't just about winning the series – they were about breaking up the Flames."@FriedgeHNIC and @JeffMarek on the ripple effects of the Battle of Alberta in the 2022 playoffs.#LetsGoOilers #Flames

— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) June 23, 2023

The Detroit Red Wings have been mentioned in four recent trade rumors.

The Pittsburgh Penguins could leverage cap space in trades this offseason.

Jordan Staal, Carolina Hurricanes “at an impasse” in contract talks.

The Vegas Golden Knights start their preseason schedule against the Sharks.

The Montreal Canadiens‘ ECHL affiliate continues a very eventful offseason.

With #NHLAwards on Monday, worth noting that the 2023 @GoldenKnights are the first @StanleyCup champion without a regular-season awards finalist since 1995 (and only the fifth in the modern era, h/t @PR_NHL)

— VGK Communications (@VGK_PR) June 23, 2023