Last month, the Hockey Hall of Fame unveiled its class of 2024, which consisted of five players — three in the male player category, two in the female player category — and two builders. Two of the male players, Pavel Datsyuk and Shea Weber, went in during their first year of eligibility. Jeremy Roenick had been eligible since 2012, or three years after he played his last official game as a professional with the 2008-09 San Jose Sharks. That’s a distinction that’s unique to the HHOF, because it takes into account players who continue to play professionally around the world, even after their NHL careers conclude.

So, for example, Datsyuk played five years in Russia after leaving the Detroit Red Wings following the 2015-16 season, which is why he wasn’t eligible for selection until this year. Jaromir Jagr, the NHL’s second all-time leading scorer, hasn’t played a game in the NHL since 2017-18, but he continues to play a handful of games every year for Kladno, the team he owns in Czechia. If Jagr finally stops playing this year, he’ll become eligible in 2027 — and he’ll be about as sure a thing as there is to a guaranteed first-ballot inductee.

That’s the thing about Hall of Fame debates. They generally aren’t too controversial at the top end.

GO DEEPER

How…

By: Eric Duhatschek, Hailey Salvian, Max Bultman and Lukas Weese

On Tuesday, the Hockey Hall of Fame revealed the newest members that will be enshrined among the sport’s legends. Pavel Datsyuk, Shea Weber, Jeremy Roenick, Krissy Wendell-Pohl, Natalie Darwitz, Colin Campbell and David Poile make up the 2024 class to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame this November.

Of the seven names, five were players and two were builders. It is the first time since 2010 that two women are being inducted into the same Hockey Hall of Fame class.

Datsyuk played 14 NHL seasons, all with the Detroit Red Wings. During his career, he recorded 314 goals and 604 assists. Nicknamed the “Magic Man,” Datsyuk will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Shea Weber played 16 years in the NHL, 11 with the Nashville Predators and five with the Montreal Canadiens. Playing 1,038 career games, Weber tallied 224 goals and 365 assists. Weber, a two-time first-team All-Star, won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada in 2010 and 2014 along with world championship gold in 2007.

Jeremy Roenick played for 20 seasons in the NHL and was a member of five different teams. Drafted No. 8 in 1988, Roenick began his career with the Chicago Blackhawks (1988 to 1996), before…

Tennessee State University plans to become the first HBCU to sponsor an ice hockey program, in partnership with the NHL, the NHL Players Association and the Nashville Predators, it announced Wednesday at a news conference at Bridgestone Arena ahead of the NHL Draft. Here’s what you need to know:

• Tennessee State intends to launch a men’s club ice hockey team in the 2024-25 school year, and hopes to field Division I men’s and women’s teams “in the near future.”
• The Tigers are seeking to begin competition at the club level in the American College Hockey Association, with athletic director Dr. Mikki Allen stating that they would like to play in the ACHA Division 1 or Division 2 level in either 2026 or 2027.
• Allen, speaking with The Athletic, did not specify how much it will cost for TSU to get ice hockey off the ground but estimated the amount will be “in the six figures.”

What they’re saying

Tennessee State president Glenda Glover said the impetus to add hockey to its athletic program is the success of the Predators and how they developed a strong tie to the city and surrounding region. The Predators, through the efforts of club CEO Sean Henry, have been a partner in the university’s development efforts.

“This city has turned into a hockey town and the people…

If you have questions about the future of your team’s live games on your local cable, satellite or digital provider, particularly those on Bally Sports channels, we’re here to answer with what we know so far.

Diamond Sports Group, the Baltimore-based corporate parent of the 19 Bally Sports channels that air 47 NBA, MLB, NHL and WNBA teams, announced Feb. 15 that it would skip a $140 million debt payment due that day and use the month-long grace period as part of its effort to financially reorganize itself.

Many observers interpret the move as a precursor to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, though that is not a certainty. Diamond has $8 billion-plus of debt, incurred as part of parent Sinclair’s 2019 purchase of the regional sports channels, and lost $1.2 billion in the most recent fiscal quarter.

“Certainly more likely that they will file bankruptcy because they did not make the payment,” said Schuyler Carroll, a bankruptcy attorney who is not connected to Diamond. “But not necessarily that they will file bankruptcy. They are still continuing discussions with their creditors to try and avoid bankruptcy. But those can often be difficult.”

Diamond in a Feb. 15 statement said it “intends to use the 30-day grace period to continue progressing its ongoing…

Barry Trotz — the biggest name and best resume on the NHL coaching market, as has been the case since the spring — had no interest in coaching the Vancouver Canucks. Or any other team, actually. Even the ones who hadn’t spent the last few months firing their head coach, bit by excruciating bit. Trotz, who called Bruce Boudreau after Vancouver made it official on Sunday, says he wants to coach again. Soon. Just not right now. He’s got a vacation to take.

“Absolutely. I’ve talked to a few teams. A couple teams even during the winter have reached out to me. I said, ‘No, I’m not I’m not going back. I’m going over to Europe with with my wife and some friends, and when I get back, I’ll be charged up,’” he told The Athletic Hockey Show.

Trotz, third on the all-time win list and a Stanley Cup champion with the Capitals in 2018, lost his job as Islanders coach after last season, when they failed to make the playoffs for the first time in his four seasons. It was his first time away from coaching in nearly 40 years, and he used it to take care of family business. All that occupied him until December, he said. Now, he’s ready to roll.

“I feel like I’ve accomplished what I needed to accomplish,” he said. “I’ve been staying on top of the league and staying…