Today, ESPN made some more announcements about on-air talent they’re hiring in the wake of their new deal with the NHL. So far, the list is promising, and includes several former or current women’s players—yesterday’s announcement added Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Hilary Knight, and Blake Bolden.

Cassie Campbell-Pascall is already familiar to most Canadian hockey fans, if not for her playing years, for her time spent as a commentator on Sportsnet. I’m assuming that all of you know Hilary Knight, as you’re not newborn babies (and if you are, please let someone know, as I’m sure science would like to study you). Blake Bolden, who in my opinion should have been an Olympian, is less of a household name than Knight but is an excellent defender who is now working as a pro scout for the Los Angeles Kings. This is all making me considerably less likely to not watch all nationally broadcast hockey games on mute, which was my general policy when it came to NBCSN.

(Also, as happy as I am to see a broadcast team that has multiple women on it, it’s still kind of depressing that it feels refreshingly new.)

That is a relief, and I say this without the slightest hint of irony.

A bunch of NHL Award winners were announced last night, and we all learned that Auston Matthews did not win the Hart, thereby saving us from having to write a very awkward article. I’m sure Oilers fans are used to that sort of thing by now. It’s fine. They’ll be fine.

ICYMI

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