Milan Lucic blocked by Gary Bettman to continue NHL career
According to Frank Seravalli, Milan Lucic attempted to come back in the NHL but was blocked by commissioner Gary Bettman.
In November 2023, Lucic was arrested for assault and battery on a family member. Back then, he was under a one-year contract with the Boston Bruins organization, but missed most games, as he took a "leave of absence" from the team.
Since then, he joined the Player Assistance Program, the charges upon him were dropped, and became a free agent.
In a new report from Frank Seravalli, we learned that Lucic has been training this summer in New Jersey as he tries to pursue his NHL career.
The insider added that even if the veteran wasn't suspended by the NHL, Bettman would need to clear him to make a return, which hasn't been done yet.
In addition, in order for Lucic to make a return to the NHL, a team would need to show interest.
After what he did, signing him to a contract would attract a lot of negative feedback to any organization. Also, at 36 years old, Lucic isn't at the same level he used to. Taking a risk for something that likely won't pay later isn't something many general managers would do.
During the 2023-24 season, he was limited to only four games with the Bruins because of his legal troubles. He still managed to score two points, all assists.
Source: Frank Seravalli on X
Update: Sources say Milan Lucic has been training in New Jersey
Source for Milan Lucic's statistics: Hockey DB
Milan Lucic
| POLL | ||
AOÛT 15 | 169 ANSWERS Milan Lucic blocked by Gary Bettman to continue NHL career Do you think Gary Bettman should allow Milan Lucic to come back in the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 81 | 47.9 % |
| No | 88 | 52.1 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Jason Robertson | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Chandler Stephenson | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Sebastian Aho | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jalen Chatfield | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mikael Granlund | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Roope Hintz | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Wyatt Johnston | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brandon Montour | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| William Nylander | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mitch Marner | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Jaden Schwartz | - | 2 | 2 | |
| John Tavares | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Jamie Benn | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Evgeny Dadonov | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Yanni Gourde | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Pontus Holmberg | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Fraser Minten | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Ryan Poehling | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jack Roslovic | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Daniel Sprong | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Hurricanes | 18 | 14 | 4 | - | 28 | |
Capitals | 18 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 27 | |
Wild | 18 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 27 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Devils | 21 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 17 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 25 | |
Stars | 18 | 12 | 6 | - | 24 | |
Golden Knights | 19 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 24 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||