NHL Takes Puzzling Stance on Recent Outrage Regarding National Anthem Booing

We have already seen Canadian hockey fans relentlessly boo the American National Anthem during a live NHL broadcast, and some new information reveals there's likely much more to come.

According to TSN Senior Correspondent Rick Westhead, he has spoken to one Canadian NHL team who told them there are no plans to ditch the long-standing tradition of singing the American and Canadian National Anthems before every hockey game.

That said, Westhead added that some Canadian teams may opt-out of the US Anthem as young singers may be rattled by the booing, even though it is not directed at them.

Not only did the Ottawa Senators boo the US Anthem before their game against the Minnesota Wild this weekend, but fans of the Vancouver Canucks let the boos rain down during the anthem before a game against the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.

Fans at the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Scotiabank Arena, booed "The Star Spangled Banner" in advance of the game between The Toronto Raptors and LA Clippers as well, showing that the problem isn't going anywhere.

In his latest edition of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Sportsnet Elliotte Friedman wondered if the league wouldn't put a stop to the signing of the national anthems, given everything that's going on.

The Toronto Maple Leafs don't have a home game against an American team until directly after the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off when they host the Carolina Hurricanes.

It's possible the tariff battle between the two nations will have cooled off by then, but it's difficult to say for sure. In the meantime, the 4 Nations Face-Off will likely be filled with boo-birds when Team Canada takes on Team USA Saturday, Feb. 15.