Deen’s Daily: NHL Reinstates Acquitted Hockey Canada Players; Georgiev Lands NHL Deal in the East

Alexandar Georgiev has finally landed with a new club in the Eastern Conference. Also, the biggest news on Thursday was an announcement from the NHL and NHLPA about the future of the five acquitted Hockey Canada players.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — September 12.

Colorado Hockey Now

The Rookie Showcase begins today and the Avalanche are set to take on the Utah Mammoth. It’s not quite NHL action, but we’re getting darn close. I’ll have more from yesterday’s practice later this morning.

But in the meantime, how about an update on Alexandar Georgiev? After making it through the whole summer without a contract, the 29-year-old finally signed with a team in the Eastern Conference on Thursday.

And it’s probably the team you would’ve guessed before seeing the news. This should be fun to watch.

READ MORE: Georgiev Signs One-Year Deal With Buffalo

It’s honestly still fascinating to see just how much Georgiev’s stock spiraled in his time with the Avs. 2022-23 looked very promising. Then in 2023-24, he took a step back but looked solid in the playoffs. But last year? Completely off the rails.

Around The NHL

All five Hockey Canada players who were acquitted of any legal wrongdoing over the summer will be reinstated into the NHL.

The league made a formal announcement on Thursday that Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton can sign NHL contracts no sooner than Oct. 15. But they’ll have to continue to serve a suspension until Dec. 1 before dressing in a game.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see at least two of these guys in an NHL jersey by the end of the calendar year. Hart and Edmonton is a rumor that just won’t go away. You have to think Stan Bowman is looking into that.

#NHL rules that the five former players who were acquitted in the 2018 Team Canada sexual assault trial will be permitted to sign contracts no sooner than Oct. 15 and not to play games before Dec. 1. pic.twitter.com/xbmuzRCwX8

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 11, 2025

Philly Hockey Now: More on the reinstatement of Hart, who was the Flyers’ No. 1 netminder at the time of his departure. I’m curious if Philly would entertain the idea of bringing him back.

New Jersey Hockey Now: McLeod was a depth piece on the Devils when he departed almost two years ago to handle legal proceedings.

Montreal Hockey Now: It’s never too early for trade talk and speculation. Especially for a team on the rise like the Habs.

Vegas Hockey Now: Jack Eichel is saying all the right things about his next contract. The expectation is still for him to remain with the Golden Knights past this season.