NPI Monday: Hockey East facing crucial stretch as tournament math tightens, and non-conference struggles continue

Plus, will Michigan leave the Big Ten?

Union beat UNH and UMass Lowell over the weekend (Photo: Union Athletics)

Hockey East’s non-conference skid continues, and the implications could be severe come March when NCAA Tournament bids are handed out.

Is there time to stop the bleeding? And what, realistically, needs to happen over the next few weeks for the league to stabilize its footing? We break it all down in today’s newsletter (#610).

Also in this issue:

• Is it possible that Michigan could operate as an independent program if the proposed private-equity deal with UC Investments — currently on hold — somehow moves forward? According to one Michigan regent, that scenario is very much on the table.

• Teams also expect they’ll be permitted to make mid-season additions at the semester break, despite the NCAA’s summer guidance stating that replacements for injured players, or for those who leave mid-season, would not be allowed. The expectation now is that additions will be permitted for any program operating below the 26-player roster cap (with designated student-athletes not counting toward that total).

• And finally, a positive update on Denver defenseman Garrett Brown.

Don’t forget, if you’re a subscriber, make sure you’re linked to my subscriber chat in the Substack app. I provide updates there in between newsletters. Yesterday you would have received notes on the Spengler Cup selection process as well as the two players selected.

If you have ideas for a future newsletter, tips you want to share, mailbag submissions, or if you want to sponsor a future newsletter, please email mike@collegehockeyinsider.com.

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Now, onto today’s newsletter …

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