Editors:

To help you prepare for the upcoming NHL season that opens Sept. 29, here are some of AP’s plans. An up-to-the minute listing of all stories planned, including games and events, is available in Coverage Plan on AP Newsroom. You can also find a link to Coverage Plan on the left navigation of the Newsroom home page. Please contact Dave Zelio (dzelio@ap.org) with questions. This advisory will be updated. All times Eastern.

Game coverage

AP will provide NHL game text recaps, photos and boxes (sums) through the Stanley Cup Final after the regular season begins Sept. 29.

Previews

HKN—Season Preview — The Carolina Hurricanes head into the season as the defending Stanley Cup champion but they will have a host of challengers led by Colorado, Florida, Dallas and more. All the teams will have an extra two gamesto get sorted out for the postseason courtesy of the NHL's first expansion of the regular season in 30 years. By Stephen Whyno. Text, photos by noon Sept. 24. With HKN—Puck Drop-What To Know (Sept. 25).

HKN--Atlantic Division Preview — With the old guard of Florida and Tampa Bay still at the top of the NHL and young Buffalo and Montreal on the way up, there’s only room for five playoff teams in the Atlantic Division, which may be the NHL’s best. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. Text, photos by 3 p.m. Sept. 22.

HKN--Metropolitan Division Preview — The Carolina Hurricanes go in as defending Stanley Cup champions, with the usual worries about a title hangover. After that, there’s very little certainty about the Metropolitan Division, from Sidney Crosby and Pittsburgh to Alex Ovechkin and Washington. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos by 3 p.m. Sept. 22.

— With Eastern Conference preview capsules for U.S.-based teams (450 words, photos) on Sept. 22.

HKN--Central Division Preview — Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota again look to be the class of the NHL’s Central Division, a gauntlet at the top with Utah and others knocking on the door. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. Text, photos by 3 p.m. Sept. 23.

HKN--Pacific Division Preview — After what looked like a down season, the Pacific Division produced the Western Conference champion in Vegas. But the Golden Knights may not be the team to beat in the Pacific this time, with Connor McDavid and Edmonton looking to rebound from a first-round exit and Macklin Celebrini and San Jose on the verge of becoming a contender. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos by 3 p.m. Sept. 23.

— With Western Conference preview capsules for U.S.-based teams (450 words, photos) on Sept. 23.

Top stories

HKN--Trade Demands — Brady Tkachuk asked for a trade out of Ottawa and wound up in Florida. Connor Hellebuyck could soon be joining him after requesting a trade from Winnipeg. Dylan Larkin and Zach Werenski also asked for a trade in recent months. It is somewhat of a coincidence that all of them won Olympic gold with the U.S. and now want a change of scenery, though they understand what especially wanting out of Canada looks like from the outside. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos by 3 p.m. Sept. 17.

HKN--Let’s Play 84 — The NHL is going to an 84-game season for the first time since 1994. In addition to fewer exhibition games, that could have an effect on goalie tandems, stats and records. Players are embracing the change, which also comes with an early start. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos by 3 p.m. Sept. 25

HKN--Changing Economics — Leo Carlsson’s $18 million a year offer sheet from Philadelphia combined with a rising salary cap has entirely changed the game of NHL salaries nearly overnight. Cale Makar will be the league’s first $20 million player when his new contract kicks in, and it is not hard to envision a world with someone — maybe Connor McDavid in a couple of seasons — reaching $30 million. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos by 3 p.m. Sept. 28.

Around the rinks

HKN--Hurricanes-Unique Champion — The NHL is a copycat league, but the way the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup is not something that can be a blueprint for other teams. It’s a style of play that coach Rod Brind’Amour has ingrained over several years, and it is one rivals admire for how difficult it is to play against. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos by 3 p.m. Sept. 21.

Sharables and talkers

HKN—Training Camps-What To Know — The NHL going to an 84-game regular season means training camps are shorter with fewer exhibition games. Players are unsure of what to expect with a shorter leadup to one of the earliest opening nights in league history. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos by 3 p.m. Sept. 16.

HKN--Puck Drop-New Faces — Pavel Dorofeyev with the New York Rangers, Brady Tkachuk with the Florida Panthers and Sergei Bobrovsky with the Toronto Maple Leafs are among the familiar faces in new places around the NHL this season. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos by 3 p.m. Sept. 18.

HKN--Puck Drop-Coaching Carousel — Mike Babcock is back in the NHL with Edmonton, hoping to provide the right motivation to get Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl over the hump and win the Stanley Cup. Peter Laviolette is now with his seventh team after taking over in Los Angeles. A couple of teams made changes last winter and spring to get a jump on candidates, including the New York Islanders with Peter DeBoer. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos by 3 p.m. Sept. 21.

HKN--Puck Drop-Rookie Watch — Gavin McKenna will be firmly in the spotlight as the top pick in Toronto and is likely to be the favorite to win the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. San Jose’s No. 2 pick, Ivar Stenberg, Washington’s Cole Hutson and Philadelphia’s Porter Martone are also in the mix. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos by 3 p.m. Sept. 24.

HKN--Puck Drop-What To Know — A look at the story lines around the NHL, including picks for who will make the playoffs, win major awards and, of course, the Stanley Cup. By Hockey Writers Stephen Whyno and John Wawrow. Text, photos by 3 p.m. Sept. 25.