MAJOR: the NHL announces an emergency press conference by Gary Bettman

The NHL will take advantage of this lull to address numerous urgent issues.

Thus, the league has announced that Commissioner Gary Bettman will hold an important press conference this Friday. It's likely to be extremely interesting.

Bettman has not said a word (publicly) for several weeks, since the major developments of the last few days involving notably Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Michael McLeod, and Cal Foote.

So, it's a big appointment this Friday!

Don't be surprised either if the League makes a major unexpected announcement, to completely divert media attention to something other than the scandal involving Team Canada Junior 2018.

An announcement for Salt Lake City? An announcement for a World Cup of Hockey? These are two serious possibilities.

It's likely to be a major press event, especially if Gary takes the opportunity to pull a major announcement out of his hat.