Early October broke a long, dull lull for the Detroit Red Wings, featuring both the NHL draft and the start of free agency.
General manager Steve Yzerman used the market to sign two forwards, two defenseman and one goaltender, changes that infuse hope the 2020-21 Wings will be more competitive than the team that won only 17 times last season.
A new season would normally be two weeks old by now, but with the pandemic still raging, uncertainty reigns. The NHL is keeping an eye on how the NFL is doing, as well as other leagues that have or hope to stage a season.