The NHL is back — here's what's new

With training camps beginning today, players hitting the ice for practice tomorrow and the first exhibition games set for this Saturday, the NHL is embarking on a less-than-two-week sprint to opening night on Sept. 29. 

That's the earliest the regular season has ever started (a gimmicky 2007 opener in England happened on the same date) as the schedule expands from 82 to 84 games — the biggest change brought in by a new collective bargaining agreement that took effect today.

Here's a look at what else is new around the league.

Big moves

To name a few headlines since the Carolina Hurricanes hoisted the Stanley Cup in June, Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk forced a trade to Florida to join forces with his brother Matthew; Edmonton gambled on disgraced head coach Mike Babcock to help Connor McDavid finally win a Cup; and the new Toronto braintrust of Mats Sundin and John Chayka picked highly touted Canadian prospect Gavin McKenna first overall in the draft.

The retooling Leafs also got the jump on free agency by acquiring late-blooming defenceman Darren Raddysh in a sign-and-trade deal with Tampa Bay before signing two-time Cup-winning goalie Sergei Bobrovsky away from Florida. Washington landed the top player on the market, getting high-scoring power forward Alex Tuch in an eight-year, $84-million US sign-and-trade with resurgent Buffalo.

Next moves?

Three-time Vezina Trophy winner and U.S. Olympic hero Connor Hellebuyck remains in limbo after requesting a trade from Winnipeg last month. Carolina and Buffalo are among the teams thought to be interested in the star goalie.

Norris Trophy-winning defenceman Zach Werenski is still in Columbus, for now, after indicating he won't re-sign with the Blue Jackets when his contract