The Ottawa Senators and their fans are taking their love for the "Sickos" meme to a new level.While no spectators are currently allowed to attend Senators home games, the team started accepting cutout submissions earlier this week, according to NHL.com's Pat Pickens. Fans seized on the opportunity.

The NHL's division realignment is only supposed to last through this season, but some Canadian clubs are hoping the North Division can remain intact following the 2020-21 campaign."There are at least a couple of the Canadian teams that are still (holding) out hope that the North Division will live beyond this season, that they'll get at least one more year of that," Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reported during Saturday Headlines on Hockey Night in Canada.A few of the Canadian franchises' executives want to see the excitement surrounding the division when fans are allowed back in arenas, Johnston added.The North Division was born out of necessity this season due to Canada's border laws amid the COVID-19 pandemic.However, Commissioner Gary Bettman doesn't envision the temporary realignment sticking around upon the world's return to normalcy."We did what we had to do this year, we had no choice if we were going to play," Bettman said Friday during a press conference. "I do believe that we may focus on more divisional play going forward, although I'm not sure if this much divisional play would hold interest for an 82-game schedule. But it's worked well for this year."Obviously, I don't envision it continuing ... I think our traditional alignment makes more sense and is more widely accepted."Part of the North Division's popularity this season has been its high-scoring games and ample star power. The division holds for four of the league's top eight teams in goals per game and five of the NHL's top six point producers.Keeping the North Division long-term would be difficult to justify from a travel perspective, as its seven teams are spread across four different time zones.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Erik Karlsson inked a long-term deal with the San Jose Sharks in 2019 in order to chase a Stanley Cup, but the team's struggles have forced management to shift the organization's direction.General manager Doug Wilson told The Athletic's Kevin Kurz on Friday that the team is in a "reset." Wilson explained that's why the Sharks used all nine of their draft picks this past offseason to replenish the farm system instead of trading them to improve the current roster.Karlsson is not thrilled about the idea of growing pains."Obviously, I did not sign here to go through a rebuild or go through what I did for 10 years in Ottawa," Karlsson said Saturday, according to NHL.com's David Satriano. "But it is what it is. I think that we need to find a way to build with a core group that we have here and figure out a way how to be competitive here in the upcoming years."After spending nine seasons with the Senators - in which they made the playoffs five times - Karlsson was traded from Ottawa to San Jose in September 2018 for a package involving four players and multiple draft picks. The Sharks made it to the conference finals in Karlsson's first campaign in teal, prompting the Swedish blue-liner to re-sign for eight years at $11.5 million per season.However, the Sharks plummeted to dead-last in the Western Conference standings last season."I mean, I think after the year we had last year, I think it was pretty, pretty clear that we were not going to be the team that we were maybe the first year that I got here," Karlsson said. "You know that doesn't take rocket science to figure out."San Jose's aging core of Karlsson, Brent Burns, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Logan Couture, and Evander Kane are all 29 years of age or older and signed through at least the 2024-25 season. The club currently sits seventh place in the West Division - seven points back of a playoff spot.Karlsson has battled injuries since joining the Sharks, missing 47 regular-season games over the past three years. The two-time Norris Trophy winner has registered two goals and seven assists in 21 contests this season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Sabres lost their 10th straight game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, and head coach Ralph Krueger admits the club's struggles have been almost unlike anything he's experienced."I've really enjoyed challenges as a leader, but this has been one of the toughest that I've seen," Krueger told reporters after the 3-0 loss."We feel like we have a group that's extremely engaged, and we come into a game day like today with a good spirit in the morning, and we set the game up, and somehow, we're just not able to push it over the line offensively."The Sabres, who last lost 10 straight games in 2014-15, were shut out for the fifth time this season. Buffalo owns a league-worst 6-16-4 record and is very likely to miss the playoffs for the 10th straight campaign.Despite the team's disappointing season, Krueger remains focused on finding ways to work through the difficult stretch."I'm doing fine. The pain you feel, obviously you hate to lose in this profession, so you need to manage that and work through it and work towards solutions when the next game comes at you quickly like it is this season."The squad is also currently without captain Jack Eichel, who's out for the foreseeable future with an upper-body injury.Buffalo will look for its first victory since Feb. 23 when it takes on the Washington Capitals on Monday.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs blue-liner Jake Muzzin believes there are similar traits between his current club and the Los Angeles Kings team he won the Stanley Cup with in 2014."It definitely helps when you have great personalities in the room," Muzzin told reporters Saturday. "When it feels like a tight group and kind of like a family atmosphere in there, it's a lot more fun to be a part of. Everyone caring for each other, working for each other, and it helps on the ice when you're trying to set up your teams for success."Similar feelings in both rooms that I felt in L.A. and with this group here in Toronto, so it's been a lot of fun, and obviously winning games helps."Muzzin played with the Kings from 2010-2019 and was an essential part of the club's 2014 Stanley Cup run with six goals and six assists through 26 games.Toronto, which ranks fifth in points percentage (.714), added several veteran players this offseason, including 41-year-old Joe Thornton, Wayne Simmonds, and TJ Brodie. Muzzin credits some of the fresh faces for bringing the squad closer together and believes their added experience will prove invaluable down the stretch."With the guys and the characters that we brought in, it definitely helps," Muzzin said. "... We have some great personalities that want to spend time with all the guys and get guys together, and it brings everyone closer."... You want to eliminate the downs and don't get too high when things are going good, so I think we have guys in the room that understand that. They've been around, they've seen seasons and games where situations come and go."The Leafs begin the second half of their season Saturday with the final tilt of a three-game set against the Winnipeg Jets.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin is returning to the lineup Saturday against the Boston Bruins after a three-week absence, the team announced.Panarin stepped away from the Rangers on Feb. 22 after his former KHL head coach, Andrei Nazarov, made an abuse allegation against him. The allegation stemmed from what Nazarov claimed was a physical altercation in 2011 between Panarin and an 18-year-old woman while the forward was playing in the KHL.The Rangers believe the allegation is a fabrication designed to intimidate Panarin for his political views. Nazarov is a known supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Panarin has been a vocal Putin critic and shown public support for opposition leader Alexei Navalny.Reports have indicated that no evidence, witnesses, or court or police records have been provided to support the allegation. The KHL also said it was never informed of an abuse allegation against Panarin.Panarin missed nine games while away from the Rangers, who went 4-5-0 during that span. The 29-year-old has amassed five goals and 13 assists in 14 games this season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes placed defenseman Jake Gardiner on waivers Saturday for the purpose of sending him to their taxi squad, according to team writer Michael Smith.Gardiner has played only two of the Hurricanes' last eight games, and head coach Rod Brind'Amour said earlier this week the blue-liner has been dealing with a back issue. The move will give the team salary-cap flexibility while Gardiner is out of the lineup, notes Smith.The 30-year-old rearguard carries a $4.05-million cap hit through 2022-23. He inked a four-year, $16.2-million pact with Carolina in September 2019.Gardiner is in his second campaign with the Hurricanes after eight with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He's collected seven points - all assists - across 17 contests this season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has rejoined the club after returning a false positive COVID-19 test, the team announced.Fleury will start Friday versus the St. Louis Blues, according to David Schoen of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.Vegas placed Fleury on the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list Thursday, one day after he started versus the Minnesota Wild.The 36-year-old is a strong Vezina Trophy candidate at the midway point of the season, posting a .938 save percentage and 1.73 goals-against average in 17 appearances.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov resumed skating this week and is still progressing toward a return for the playoffs, general manager Julien BriseBois said Friday, according to The Athletic's Joe Smith.Kucherov underwent hip surgery in December and was ruled out for the regular season.BriseBois is treating Kucherov's postseason return like a major trade-deadline acquisition. It's unlikely the club will add anyone else due to financial restraints."We literally have zero cap space," BriseBois said.Kucherov's injury allowed Tampa Bay to stash his $9.5-million cap hit on the long-term injured reserve, freeing up room to make some crucial offseason signings. The Bolts would be roughly $10 million over the $81.5 million cap if the 2018-19 MVP was healthy right now. There's no salary cap in the playoffs.The Lightning aren't struggling without their star winger while posting an 18-5-2 record. Kucherov registered 85 points over 68 games last season, and then he led the playoffs in scoring with seven goals and 27 assists in 25 contests as Tampa captured the Stanley Cup.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded defenseman Mikko Lehtonen to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for goaltender Veini Vehvilainen, the club announced Friday.Vehvilainen, 24, made his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets on March 6 in relief for Joonas Korpisalo. He stopped three of the four shots he faced.Columbus selected the Finnish goalie in the sixth round of the 2018 NHL Draft. He appeared in 33 AHL games during the 2019-20 season, posting a 10-18-5 record with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.Vehvilainen was named the Finnish Liiga's best goaltender in both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons while playing with Karpat. He was also a member of Finland's gold-medal teams at the 2019 IIHF World Championships and the 2016 world juniors.Lehtonen, 27, was signed by Toronto to a one-year, entry-level contract prior to the beginning of the season. He was the KHL's top-scoring defenseman during the 2019-20 campaign. Lehtonen recorded three assists over nine games with Toronto this season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It would be so cool if the teams we bet could stop blowing three-goal leads in the third period and losing in overtime. We can officially add the Blue Jackets to the list of disgusting beats we've suffered following Thursday's debacle.We're sitting at 77-66 (+10.21 units) on the season heading into Friday night. Here's what I've got so far:Stars (-110) @ Blue Jackets (-110)I can't believe how quick people have been to completely give up on the Stars. So many have written this season off as unsalvageable, going so far as to say the roster is in need of a rebuild. I had a Stars fan tell me yesterday - and I quote - Jamie Benn is the worst captain in the league.First of all, Benn is an incredible teammate, leader, and captain - one of the best in the league, in fact. How anyone - Stars fan or not - could call this guy a bad captain is embarrassing.He's pulled this team out of the mud before - I'm looking at you, Jim Lites - and he will do it again. But the thing is, they aren't even in the mud right now. This team dealt with COVID-19 issues early in the season, postponements stemming from statewide power outages and food/water shortages, and an ongoing cycle of injuries. Benn, Alex Radulov, Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, and Joel Kiviranta have all missed significant time, while Tyler Seguin and Ben Bishop have yet to play.The Stars sit at 8-9-5 as a result, but have played much better than their record suggests. They sit seventh in the league in expected goal share at five-on-five (53.43%) - ahead of the Lightning, Hurricanes, and many others - and eighth in CF%. They're also above average on special teams. Dallas is playing good hockey while being plagued by miserable luck.On Thursday the Stars were outshooting the Blackhawks 21-8 at one point, yet trailing 4-0, in what was the perfect microcosm of how things have gone for this team of late. They've controlled nearly 60% of the expected goal share over their last six games and have just two wins to show for it. Anton Khudobin's struggles have been a big part of that, but the Stars have a perfectly capable replacement with Jake Oettinger - their 2017 first-round pick - primed to take over the starting role. It's only a matter of time before they're rewarded with positive results.It should start as early as Saturday - a game Oettinger and his strong 2.71 GSAA will likely start - against a Blue Jackets team in a tailspin. It's pretty clear John Tortorella's voice is being drowned out by the players, and you'd have to imagine changes are coming. Patrik Laine's puzzling benching on Thursday was the latest in a series of unfortunate events for this team, which just can't seem to get anything going.It's not just that the Jackets are losing, but how they're losing. They're 30th in the NHL this season in expected goal share (45.67%) at five-on-five and sit bottom seven in both PP% and PK%. They are dead last in the NHL in expected goals for per 60 minutes with a mark of 2.09. The Red Wings are 30th with 2.35 xGF/60.Add in Joonas Korpisalo's struggles, and it looks as though things are going to get much worse for the Jackets before they get better. Meanwhile, Dallas could also get Radulov back for this game. Radulov has 11 points in eight games this season but hasn't played since Feb. 4, and his return would be a massive boost for a team finally getting healthy.Pick: Stars (-110)Canadiens (+100) @ Flames (-120)The Canadiens were in as bad a spot as you'll see in pro sports on Thursday. They played at 11 p.m. ET in Vancouver on Wednesday night, then had to fly out to Calgary for a game 19 hours later against a Flames team that had been off since Sunday. That's essentially a scheduling loss for the Habs, who still kept things close.They will be in much better shape for Saturday's rematch, and are a bargain at plus money. The Canadiens lead the NHL in five-on-five expected goal share with an impressive 57.09%, and while they were being undone by a pair of miserable special teams units, they've vastly improved in that regard under Ducharme. Since the coaching change, they're converting at a 33.33% rate on the power play - which would be the best mark in the league - and 82.6% on the penalty kill. Combine that with typically stout five-on-five play and Carey Price rediscovering his form, and there's excellent value here with Montreal.The Flames are going to be a better, more cohesive team under Darryl Sutter, but it's not going to happen overnight. Throw Thursday's game out the window and we can feel quite comfortable betting Montreal at this number.Pick: Canadiens (+100)Alex Moretto is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, despises how the NHL handles starting goalie announcements, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella provided some insight into his decision to bench Patrik Laine for the majority of the third period and all of overtime in Thursday's 5-4 loss against the Florida Panthers."You guys think I don't want to play Patty? I mean, I want to play him," Tortorella said Friday, according to team reporter Jeff Svoboda. "But I still have to make calls as far as how the players are playing at that particular time."I thought Patty probably played one of his best periods in the first period," he continued. "He played really well. But I also have to make calls as the rest of his game is going on where he is at that particular time, especially late in the third period and us reeling a little bit."There's no free passes because you're notably the top gun."Laine snapped a seven-game pointless streak after tallying a goal and an assist. Despite the offensive production, the 22-year-old only saw the ice for 2:20 in the third period and didn't play during the final seven minutes of regulation or in overtime after his line was on the ice for two goals against in the final frame.The sniper was puzzled by his lack of ice time after the game, and said he thought he was "playing good." Tortorella doesn't necessarily see his decision to limit Laine's ice time as a benching."I didn't bench anybody last night," he said, according to Svoboda. "I just decided to play some other people in situations late in the third period that I felt more comfortable with at that time."After owning a 4-1 lead against the Panthers, the Blue Jackets allowed three straight goals in the third period before falling in overtime. Columbus currently sits in fifth place in the Central Division with a 10-12-6 record.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Columbus Blue Jackets sniper Patrik Laine isn't quite sure why he was stuck to the bench during the late stages of the club's 5-4 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers on Thursday.The 22-year-old logged just 2:20 of ice time in the third period and didn't play in the final seven minutes of regulation or overtime despite having what he believed to be a strong game."Yeah we got scored on a couple of times but I think the first two, if you take out the one play where the puck was bouncing a little bit and I couldn't get it out and they ended up scoring, I thought I was playing good, but I guess I thought wrong," Laine told reporters following the loss.Laine, who said earlier Thursday his confidence was "closer to zero" amid a seven-game point slump, tallied one goal and one assist to help Columbus open a 4-1 lead after two periods. However, his line was out for a pair of Panthers' third-period tallies, which could have led to his benching.Head coach John Tortorella didn't offer much when asked about his decision to shorten the bench as the game progressed."At that point in time that's just the way it worked out," Tortorella said.The Blue Jackets acquired Laine from the Winnipeg Jets in January. The Finnish forward was benched in just his fourth game with the club in February for reportedly verbally disrespecting a member of the coaching staff.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues signed goaltender Jordan Binnington to a six-year contract extension worth $36 million, the team announced Thursday.Binnington was scheduled for unrestricted free agency following the 2021 season. His current deal was signed in 2019 and counts $4.4 million against the cap.With their No. 1 goaltender locked up, the Blues are projected to have approximately $16 million in cap space if the league-mandated limit remains at a flat $81.5 million, according to Cap Friendly.Binnington has been the club's starter since the midway point of the 2018-19 season, when he emerged out of nowhere to lead the Blues to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.While he's still a quality netminder, Binnington's numbers have declined since he bursted onto the NHL scene.SeasonRecordSv%GAA2018-1924-5-1.9271.892019-2030-13-7.9122.562020-219-6-3.9082.69Binnington also struggled mightily in last summer's bubble playoffs, posting a .851 save percentage as the Blues were eliminated in five games at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks.The 27-year-old was a third-round pick of St. Louis in 2011.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vegas Golden Knights netminder Marc-Andre Fleury was added to the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list Thursday, according to Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press.The 36-year-old was in goal Wednesday for the Golden Knights' 4-3 loss against the Minnesota Wild.Fleury is arguably the favorite for the Vezina Trophy this season. He leads all netminders (minimum five starts) in save percentage (.938) and goals-against average (1.73) through 17 appearances.Puck-stopper Robin Lehner has been sidelined with an upper-body injury since Feb. 8, and was sent to the AHL on a conditioning loan Wednesday.The Golden Knights had multiple players and members of their coaching staff added to the COVID-19 protocol list at the end of January.Vegas hits the road for a two-game set with the St. Louis Blues on Friday and Saturday. Netminder Oscar Dansk will likely take over starting duties until Lehner or Fleury are available.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After a solid start to his stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets, sniper Patrik Laine seems to have hit a wall both mentally and on the ice."Probably closer to zero," Laine said Thursday when asked where his confidence is at right now, according to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.Laine amassed six goals and four assists in his first 10 games with the club. However, he's gone pointless in his last seven contests, matching the longest drought of his career.Starting with a new club midseason is never an easy task, but the 22-year-old has nothing but good things to say about Columbus."Haven't been here for a very long time, but it starts to feel like home, Laine said, according to Portzline."Can't thank the guys in the organization enough for making this as easy as possible for me," he continued. "Everybody's been great. My teammates are awesome. Everybody who works here is awesome. It's been an easy transition to come here, and I've enjoyed every minute of it.The Blue Jackets acquired Laine and forward Jack Roslovic from the Winnipeg Jets for Pierre-Luc Dubois in late January. Laine has eight goals and five assists in 18 games this season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the NHL looking to make some tweaks to its draft lottery system, commissioner Gary Bettman doesn't believe teams have intentionally played poorly to obtain better picks in the past."There are some clubs who recently think it's important that the teams that are struggling the most get the most help. There are other teams ... that think there is nothing wrong with the present system at all," Bettman said to media via Zoom Thursday. "I don't believe there's tanking in the game. I think our players, and our organizations, our coaches, are too professional."The NHL recently proposed to the league's board of governors some changes to its lottery system. The reported alterations include limiting teams to no more than two lottery wins in a five-year period, allowing clubs to jump up only 10 spots, and reducing picks in the lottery from three to two.Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Thursday that it's "more likely than not" the upcoming 2021 NHL Draft will be held in July, according to The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno. The NHL's general managers were reportedly in favor of postponing the draft.The league last altered its lottery format in 2016, making the top three picks available in the lottery for non-playoff teams instead of just the No. 1 selection. Bettman said he thinks the current system doesn't need a complete overhaul, just a few minor adjustments."Yes there's been an anomaly or two here and there, but the system wasn't necessarily crying out for major change," Bettman said. "I think these adjustments are more in the form of tweaks than anything else."The NHL's last-place team has picked first overall just twice in the past nine years.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Sabres have hit rock bottom. The team was supposed to contend this year after the additions of Taylor Hall and Eric Staal, but they sit dead last in league standings.General manager Kevyn Adams has vowed to make changes, calling the team's struggles "unacceptable."How far Adams goes to shake up the roster remains to be seen. Hall, Staal, and Brandon Montour are all pending UFAs and it's seemingly a foregone conclusion the trio is gone by the April 12 trade deadline. If Adams fails to move them, the Sabres will miss out on valuable returning assets; re-signing any of those three players is highly unlikely.And then there's Jack Eichel. Trading him is not necessarily the best course of action, but it's definitely in the cards if Adams is intent on starting a new rebuild. Remember, Adams was just promoted to GM this past offseason, he may want to build this team from the ground up.Before we explore two potential franchise-altering trades the Sabres should consider, there's an important piece of business Buffalo needs to address.Management shake-up Bill Wippert / National Hockey League / GettyThe Sabres should hire a president of hockey operations. It may seem unlikely since it hasn't happened to this point, but it would be highly beneficial to have an accomplished executive oversee Adams, given that his front-office experience is fairly limited.Ideally, the hire would have a track record of NHL success - perhaps Dean Lombardi, for example. Finding a top hockey executive by the offseason should be a priority for owners Terry and Kim Pegula.Not only would the president of hockey operations provide another voice in any Eichel trade negotiations, but the potential hire would help Buffalo find its next head coach. It's clear Ralph Krueger's message is not getting through. The Sabres need to replace him in the offseason.Hurricane Hall Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThere are a number of potential suitors for Hall. The Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, and Boston Bruins all make sense. But the Carolina Hurricanes may be the most intriguing option.This year could be Carolina's best chance to win a Stanley Cup. Andrei Svechnikov's entry-level deal expires after this season and Dougie Hamilton is a pending UFA. Both players are due for hefty raises.Carolina has some cap space to burn this season, though. It makes sense for them to go all-in.To CARTo BUFF Taylor Hall*F Warren FoegeleF Eric Staal*F Morgan GeekieD Brandon Montour*F Jack DruryD Jake Gardiner2021 2nd-rounder*Buffalo retains 50% salaryThere are a couple caveats to this deal. Staal has a 10-team no-trade list, but it's hard to imagine the Canes are on there. An opportunity to return to his old stomping grounds to try and win another Stanley Cup - this time alongside his brother, Jordan - would be appealing.Gardiner also has a seven-team no-trade list. Buffalo is not the most desirable market, so it's possible the Sabres are on there. If that's the case, it would be hard to make this deal work from a cap perspective. He's signed through 2022-23 at $4.05 million per season. Carolina has tried to move him in the past - as recently as this offseason - to no avail.For Sabres fans, this deal may look a tad underwhelming considering the haul the New Jersey Devils received for Hall last season. There are a few important factors to consider here. The Arizona Coyotes acquired him well before the deadline, Hall is in the midst of his worst season, and this year is a buyer's market - partially due to the flat cap.However, Foegele - an RFA after this season - is a high-floor, top-nine forward at just 24 years old. Geekie, a 22-year-old center, has dominated the AHL and appears to be NHL ready. Drury, the son of Sabres legend Chris, was a 2018 second-round selection. Factoring in the draft pick, that's a solid return for three pending UFAs.Eichel to the Big Apple Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyFirstly, an Eichel trade would have to wait until the summer. Massive deals like this with plenty of money moving around are too difficult to pull off during the season.Secondly, the Sabres don't need to trade Eichel since he's locked up through 2025-26 at $10 million per season. So if they're going to deal their captain, it would take an offer they can't refuse.The Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers would reportedly be the front-runners to land the star center, but we've opted to go with the latter, since the Blueshirts are seemingly further along in their rebuild. New York has plenty of young talent required to land Eichel, and their farm system would remain strong even after this proposed trade.To NYRTo BUFF Jack EichelF Kaapo KakkoF Vitali KravtsovF Ryan StromeD Nils Lundqvist2021 1st-rounder*2022 2nd-rounder*Buffalo receives New York's 2022 first-rounder if trade occurs after draft, or if pick is in the top fiveIt's possible the Rangers aren't interested in paying a price this steep, but Eichel is a bonafide superstar and still just 24 years old. Plus, it's hard to imagine Buffalo parting with its franchise player for much less. New York also gets this done without subtracting much from its current roster.Buffalo's haul includes a lot of high-end talent. Kakko has been a disappointment early on in his NHL career, collecting just 27 points in his first 83 games. However, there's been some strong underlying improvements this season, showing that the 2019 second overall pick still has loads of potential.Kravtsov and Lundqvist are not far behind. They were two of New York's three first-round picks in the 2018 draft. Kravtsov - a big, goal-scoring winger - was taken eighth overall. Lundqvist - a right-handed offensive defenseman - was chosen 28th overall.In this scenario, the Rangers hold on to Alexis Lafreniere - who has more value than Kakko. And they manage to keep Filip Chytil and K'Andre Miller - who are arguably more important to the club's future than Kravtsov and Lundqvist.Strome, who's signed through 2021-22 at $5.35 million per season, is included for cap reasons. But he's no slouch, as he's piled up 18 points in 24 games this season. He could be used as future trade bait for Buffalo, too.Buffalo's next step Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyThere's still a lot that could happen in Buffalo's 2021 offseason if this trade goes through. They could immediately flip Strome before he ever suits up as a Sabre. They could also trade defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (a 2022 UFA) and Sam Reinhart (2021 RFA, eligible 2022 UFA).But for the sake of this exercise, we're including that trio in a 2021-22 roster projection. All three could still be moved ahead of the 2022 deadline.With ample cap space, the Sabres re-signed UFAs Jake McCabe (potentially the next captain) and Linus Ullmark. We're also predicting Buffalo loses Colin Miller in the expansion draft.LWCRWVictor OlofssonDylan CozensSam ReinhartJeff SkinnerRyan StromeKaapo KakkoWarren FoegeleCasey MittelstadtVitali KravtsovZemgus GirgensonsMorgan GeekieTage ThompsonCody EakinKyle OkposoLDRDJake McCabeRasmus RistolainenRasmus DahlinHenri JokiharjuJake GardinerNils LundqvistWill BorgenGLinus UllmarkJonas JohanssonThis team is obviously lacking the high-end talent to compete, but it's a much younger squad with more depth.Plus, the Sabres will likely have a top-five pick in the 2021 draft that should be ready to suit up within a year or so. Buffalo will also have Drury, Jack Quinn, John-Jason Peterka, and other prospects ready to come through the system.An Eichel trade would obviously be devastating for Sabres fans, but if management can hit a home run on the return and properly support that young core, Buffalo could finally begin its journey out from rock bottom.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Our streak of eight overtime losses in a row - including six in four days!! - came to an end Tuesday thanks to the Hurricanes. Hopefully, that Jordan Staal goal will trigger a 180 in the luck department.We're sitting at 77-63 (+13.71 units) on the season heading into Thursday night. Here's what I've got so far, but as always, pay attention to Twitter for any adds.Capitals (-110) @ Flyers (-110)Winners of six of their last seven, the Capitals are coming in hot, while the Flyers are reeling a bit after losing three of their previous five, with just one regulation win. But Philadelphia has played much better despite the results not going its way, controlling a terrific 57.89% of the expected goal share at five-on-five over the last seven contests.A big part of the Flyers' struggles has been the play of Carter Hart, who simply can't find his game. The difference between him and Brian Elliott has been massive for this team, and we're getting an Elliott start tonight, which is a big part of the reasoning behind this play. Hart started the 3-1 loss to the Capitals on Sunday, and Washington feels a bit overvalued here because of it, especially with Tom Wilson still suspended.Pick: Flyers (-110)Panthers (-140) @ Blue Jackets (+120)It's hard to find many positives surrounding the Blue Jackets right now, who have lost seven of their last nine and have scored just 11 goals in their previous seven games. However, much like the Flyers, they've been playing a lot better. They're top 10 in expected goal share at five-on-five over their last seven contests and owned a 53% or greater share in five of those games.A big part of the issue for Columbus has been in net. Since Elvis Merzlikins got hurt, Joonas Korpisalo has started eight straight games. Over that span, the Blue Jackets allowed just 2.31 xGA/60, the fifth-best mark in the league, but are allowing 3.03 GA/60. Korpisalo has struggled, with his minus-7.7 GSAA and minus-11.67 GSAx, ranking 66th and 68th out of 71 goalies this season. Merzlikins is a significant upgrade in both regards.As for the Panthers, their goaltending situation is much shakier. Chris Driedger is cooling a bit after his hot start, and while Sergei Bobrovsky has been a bit better of late, he still hardly inspires confidence. The underlying numbers have been strong for this team, but I'm reluctant to buy in. There's a lot to like up-front when you look at this roster, but their blue line really isn't all that good. I have a hard time believing this defense can sustain the level they're playing at, and that's especially concerning with a shaky goaltending situation backing them up. The Blue Jackets are good value here in a revenge spot on home ice in Merzlikins' return to the crease.Pick: Blue Jackets (+120)(Odds source: theScore Bet)Alex Moretto is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, despises how the NHL handles starting goalie announcements, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks won't void Evander Kane's contract as the forward navigates through filing for bankruptcy in federal court, a team spokesperson confirmed to The Athletic's Daniel Kaplan and Kevin Kurz."The Sharks are 100 percent committed to honoring Evander Kane's contract and have no intention of having it terminated," the spokesperson said.The initial report Wednesday said Kane and the Sharks filed a motion this week and included their desire to "extend time to assume or reject" the remainder of a seven-year, $49-million pact the left-winger inked with the Sharks in May 2018.The original deadline for voiding the contract recently passed, but a bankruptcy judge agreed to postpone it until June 7.The 29-year-old filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in January, citing $26.8 million in debt and $10.2 million in assets. There is $29 million remaining on Kane's pact with the Sharks."Several creditors, including Zions Bancorp, filed recently, asking the court, Professional Bank, and South River Capital to convert the bankruptcy from Chapter 7 to 11, which is typically used for businesses," Kaplan and Kurz wrote."The change would be significant because, under Chapter 11, the $29 million cited by the lenders as remaining on Kane’s contract would be available to creditors like Zions, which is owed $4.25 million. It would not be under Chapter 7, according to Zions, which argues Kane’s losses are business-related."A hearing to determine the designation will take place later in March. Kane and the Sharks would reportedly be more interested in canceling the contract if a judge converts the case to Chapter 11.If the deal remains under Chapter 7, the player and team would have until the June extension deadline to decide on the contract's status based on the judge's ruling.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL's new landmark broadcast and streaming agreement with ESPN has caught the attention of Gary Thorne.The legendary announcer and former voice of the NHL on ESPN said he would be interested in returning to the booth to call hockey games."I'd love to talk to them about it," Thorne told The Athletic's Richard Deitsch.He added: "I'd love to talk about it with ESPN and see what direction they're going to take with it, what the schedule is going to look like, all of that. But from the primary foundational question of, 'Is that something that interests me?' Yes, it does."The NHL and ESPN announced a seven-year agreement reportedly worth more than $2.8 billion Wednesday. The pact gives the network exclusive rights to broadcast four Stanley Cup Finals on ABC between 2022 and 2028, as well as simulcast capabilities on ESPN+, among other rights.Thorne was ESPN's lead NHL announcer from 1992-2004, calling all but one Stanley Cup Final in that span. He was on the mic for some of the most memorable calls of that era, including Ray Bourque winning the Stanley Cup after 22 years in 2001 and Paul Kariya's iconic "off the floor, on the board" goal in 2003.The 72-year-old also featured in EA Sports' NHL video game series for several years.Thorne has worked for MLB's Baltimore Orioles for the last 14 seasons but was told over the offseason he wouldn't be returning to the club. The timing of his availability and ESPN's NHL venture has some hockey fans calling for his return online."Yeah, that's pretty humbling, honestly," Thorne said of the support. "My phone lit up all night from friends who do tweet and are on the platforms, which I am not. They were telling me this was going on. I was like, 'Wow.' I'm just so happy that people have remembered and have those kinds of positive memories about the time that ... and our crew were doing the games."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo will miss an extended period of time due to an upper-body injury, head coach Peter DeBoer said Wednesday according to NHL.com's Danny Webster."Obviously not a great sign that he returned home for evaluation," DeBoer said. "I'm not concerned it's long, long-term, but he's out for the foreseeable future."Pietrangelo was injured while blocking a shot in the third period of Saturday's win over the San Jose Sharks, and he didn't play in Monday's clash with the Minnesota Wild.The 31-year-old also missed three games in February after landing on the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list.Pietrangelo joined Vegas as last offseason's prized free agent, inking a seven-year, $61.6 million contract. The Canadian-born alternate captain has notched 10 points in 18 games and leads the club in average ice time (25:27) in his debut season with the Golden Knights.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL is officially returning to "The Worldwide Leader."ESPN has signed a seven-year deal to become an NHL broadcast partner, the league announced Wednesday. The network will pay the NHL more than $400 million per season over the life of the deal, reports The Athletic's Sean Shapiro.The pact - which also involves ESPN's parent company Disney - gives ESPN exclusive rights to broadcast four Stanley Cup Finals on ABC between 2022 and 2028, along with the ability to simulcast on the ESPN+ streaming service and other ESPN properties.It will guarantee 25 regular-season games nationally broadcast exclusively on either ABC or ESPN, 75 regular-season contests streamed exclusively on ESPN+ and Hulu, and broadcasts of half of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on either ABC or ESPN every season. It also includes coverage rights for All-Star festivities, opening night, and other special events, as well as highlights.The agreement also affects the league's out-of-market streaming capabilities in the U.S. The package featuring over 1,000 games per season formerly available on NHL.tv will now only be accessible with an ESPN+ subscription.ESPN will also be bringing back the beloved theme music it first used in 1992.NBC is in the final season of a 10-year pact with the NHL and paying about $200 million per campaign for U.S. broadcasting rights.The NHL is still seeking a second U.S. broadcast partner for the other three Stanley Cup Finals from 2022-28 and additional streaming rights, reports Sportsnet's Chris Johnston. NBC could conceivably sign another broadcasting agreement with the league."We are still talking to (NBC)," Bettman said Wednesday, according to Variety's Brian Steinberg. He added: "Of course they are under consideration."ESPN hasn't aired NHL games since before the 2004-05 lockout, but it was involved in broadcasting the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper is week-to-week with a lower-body injury, the team announced Wednesday.The 30-year-old will head to Arizona for further evaluation.Kuemper suffered the ailment during Monday's road win over the Colorado Avalanche. He's posted a .914 save percentage and a 2.41 goals-against average in 18 games this season.In the meantime, the Coyotes will roll with a tandem of veteran Antti Raanta and youngster Adin Hill between the pipes.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart is well aware he's playing through one of the worst stretches of his young career."I just need to find more ways to stop pucks. Just go out and play," Hart said, according to The Athletic's Charlie O'Connor. "Not overthink things and just trust my game. It's just shitty right now. I don't feel like myself, and I've got to find a way to get back into playing the game that I love and trusting the game I've built."The 22-year-old was pulled from Tuesday's contest against the Buffalo Sabres after allowing three goals on eight shots in the first period. Brian Elliott saved 11 of the 12 shots he faced in relief while helping to backstop the Flyers to a comeback win.Hart had dropped four of his last five appearances prior to Tuesday's game, including a matchup against the Boston Bruins on Feb. 21 when he was yanked after allowing six goals on 23 shots.Alain Vigneault knows Hart is early in his career, and the head coach maintains faith that the goalie will rebound."Carter is a very young goaltender. We all believe in him, we all think that he's got a tremendous amount of potential," Vigneault said, according to NHL.com's Adam Kimelman. "But it's a tough position. He's going to learn from this, he's going to get better."Hart has posted a 6-5-3 record with a .888 save percentage and a 3.61 goals-against average this season. He's also produced the league's fifth-worst goals saved above average rating (-8.18).Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel will miss an additional week at minimum, head coach Ralph Krueger said after Tuesday's loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, according to The Athletic's John Vogl.Eichel did not suit up Tuesday due to an upper-body injury. Krueger said the star forward returned to Buffalo early, and he will still need further evaluation.It's unclear when exactly Eichel suffered the injury, but he did appear to experience discomfort in his neck late in Sunday's loss to the New York Islanders.

Buffalo Sabres forward Eric Staal has indicated he's open to being traded to a contender, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Tuesday's edition of "Insider Trading."The Edmonton Oilers are one club possibly interested in adding the veteran, LeBrun adds."I'm told that he (Staal) would be open to a deal to a contender. He has a partial no-trade, 10 teams on it, but for the right team he would certainly go," LeBrun said."Keep an eye on Edmonton," he continued. "The Oilers would have to be dollar in, dollar out - they're right at the cap, they're in LTIR, but they are looking to upgrade their third line, and I'm told that Eric Staal is a name that has been mentioned internally by the Oilers brass."The Sabres dealt Marcus Johansson to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Staal prior to this season. The pending unrestricted free agent carries a cap hit of $3.25 million.Since arriving in Buffalo, Staal has recorded three goals and five assists over 23 games. The 36-year-old center strung together some productive seasons with the Wild in recent years, scoring 42 goals during the 2017-18 campaign, and finishing with 47 points over 66 games in 2019-20.Buffalo is last in the league with a 6-14-3 record.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury, the team announced Tuesday.It's unclear when the injury occurred as the defenseman finished Sunday's game against the Dallas Stars and also scored the winner in the shootout.Josi has amassed two goals and 14 assists in 25 games so far this season. The 30-year-old took home the Norris Trophy last season after accumulating 65 points in 69 games.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson will likely miss at least three more games with the injury he sustained earlier this month.Pettersson is "probably going to be (out) at least another week," Canucks head coach Travis Green said Tuesday. Vancouver will host the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday and the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday before playing a road affair against the Ottawa Senators next Monday.The Swedish star has missed the last three contests with an upper-body injury.Pettersson had rediscovered his form before being forced out of the lineup. He'd notched 10 goals and 10 assists in his last 20 games after collecting a lone assist over his first six contests this season. Pettersson also buried five goals in as many games before missing time.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins are sending a message to Jake DeBrusk.The slumping forward will be a healthy scratch Tuesday against the New York Islanders, the team announced."At the end of the day, we're not quite getting out of Jake what we want," head coach Bruce Cassidy said, per NBC Sports Boston. "Some of that is circumstance and situation ... but I still feel he's been given ice time to perform to the best of his ability. We just feel we're not getting the effort required. It's not always about the scoresheet."Cassidy added, "Sometimes going upstairs and taking a look is not a bad way to go and put a different perspective on it. ... maybe educating yourself on some things that you see from up top."The 24-year-old has just one goal and four assists in 17 contests this season. He averaged 25 goals and 49 points per 82 games over his first three campaigns. His 14:49 average ice time is more than a minute below his mark from the last two seasons."We want to make him a better player in the long run," Cassidy said. "This is the avenue we're going to take today."Here's the club's projected lineup for Tuesday.

The moribund Buffalo Sabres will play another game without their captain.Jack Eichel won't suit up against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night due to an upper-body injury, the Sabres announced.Though it's unclear if it's related, the 24-year-old star appeared to be bothered by a neck ailment during Sunday's loss to the New York Islanders.

The global pandemic has wreaked havoc on the NHL's best-laid plans throughout the last year. And it's not about to stop.The 2019-20 regular season was cut short, the Stanley Cup Playoffs were played exclusively inside two bubbles, and multiple teams' activities have been suspended for long periods during this truncated season.Will the 2021 draft be next? Officials from the league and its players' association have reportedly discussed the possibility of pushing the July 23-24 event to late 2021, early 2022, or mid 2022 - and everyone has an opinion."In a perfect world, what should we do? We should move the draft," one NHL scout said. Consensus is difficult to find, though: "I haven't found one scout who wants it delayed," said another scout who spoke to theScore.Alexis Lafreniere is selected 1st overall in the 2020 draft Mike Stobe / Getty ImagesWhile the wind seems to be blowing towards maintaining the status quo and going ahead with a virtual draft in July, the NHL and NHLPA have been fairly quiet on the topic. (Requests for comment for this story from the league and PA went unfulfilled.)To better understand both sides of the debate, we checked in with more than a dozen hockey people, most notably NHL managers and scouts, as well as NHLPA agents. Below is a summation of their unfiltered takes on the topic:The case for delayingThe idea of delaying the draft has gained steam of late because - as expected - the 2020-21 scouting season has been a one-of-a-kind adventure.Not only are most talent evaluators stuck scouting draft-eligible prospects through video because of travel and arena restrictions, there's virtually no new video from a few key North American leagues.Among the continent's five most prominent junior loops, the USHL is the only one that cobbled together something resembling a normal schedule, with all 14 of its teams playing at least 32 games through Sunday. The top leagues in Ontario and B.C. haven't started their respective seasons and they may be forced to cancel them outright if teams don't return to action soon. The WHL recently started its season but 17 of 22 teams have yet to play. The QMJHL's been on and off for six months, with teams playing between 13 and 34 games.Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is a proponent of rescheduling. He looks at the current scouting landscape and sees inequity. "I would hope they push it back and give us a chance to watch these kids and give these kids a chance to play and put their best foot forward," Yzerman said on Feb. 22.Panthers scout Bill Ryan sits with GM Bill Zito during the 2020 draft NHL Images / Getty ImagesThe options for rescheduling include this coming December/January and next June. The first option would give teams the start of 2021-22 to further evaluate the class. The second would extend that window and avoid staging the event in the middle of a season. The NHL could instead hold what one assistant GM called a "summer 2022 hockey convention": Two drafts - one for the cohort of players born in late 2002 and early 2003, and another for those born in late 2003 and early 2004 - in the same city over a week or so (assuming large gatherings have resumed without restriction)."Going ahead with the draft (this summer) isn't worth the downside of having limited viewings on these kids," the assistant GM said. Imagine the extra buzz back-to-back drafts would generate in the lead-up to free agency.Added a prominent agent: "I think the players are pretty flexible. But for the teams, why would you want to make arguably the most important investment you make every year without having watched (some of) these guys play?"Top 2021 draft prospect Dylan Guenther Marissa Baecker / Getty ImagesThe number of sidelined prospects has decreased over the course of the season. Many top prospects were loaned to teams in Europe, where pro and junior hockey has evaded pandemic-related shutdowns, for the most part.Barrie Colts blue-liner and potential first overall pick Brandt Clarke has dressed for 23 games in Slovakia's top pro loop. Kitchener Rangers forward Francesco Pinelli has competed in 11 games for a Slovenian team in the Alps Hockey League. Usual junior rivals Mason McTavish (Peterborough) and Brennan Othmann (Flint) are currently Swiss B League teammates.An overseas loan can often bring ice time, exposure, as well as valuable life experience. However, as another agent notes, the grass hasn't been greener for everybody. "Some of the opportunities people are heading over for aren't that great in terms of living conditions, quality of hockey, all of that," he said.Another scout feels similarly and points to the conundrum created by unequal opportunities: "Tons of top kids haven't played at all or have been playing in non-traditional European leagues," he said. "Can't do a draft with (little to) no data from the WHL or OHL."Speaking more generally, a third agent brings up how these unprecedented times have taken their toll on the mental health of so many draft-eligible players, particularly those unable to compete. They've dedicated their lives to chasing the NHL dream and right now there isn't a whole lot they can do to advance their cause."I hope that part of it is taken seriously," the agent said of teams assessing the current draft class. "(I hope) that these kids aren't maligned or marked off or crossed out from draft lists because they had mental health issues."The case against delayingTop 2021 draft prospect Matthew Beniers Dave Reginek / Getty ImagesThe argument for keeping the draft in July begins with tough love: let's power through this mess and reset in the fall ahead of the 2021-22 season."At some point," a scout said, "you've just got to rip the Band-Aid off and get back to a normal calendar."He adds the current scouting season is far from perfect but all 32 NHL teams (Seattle is scheduled to participate in the draft for the first time) are at the same disadvantage as far as evaluating through video and having incomplete reports on WHL and OHL prospects. "Are you going to delay the whole draft (to cater to) a player pool of somewhere between 30 and 40?" he asked.Pushing the date would create another problem, since scouts would then be tasked with monitoring players from multiple classes simultaneously. The coverage overlap would adversely affect preparation for 2022.And, sure, staging the 2021 draft sometime around the next world juniors or in tandem with another draft sounds intriguing. Shoehorning a marquee event into a different part of the calendar, though, would muddy the waters within individual clubs and across the league from a business perspective.Blues assistant GM Ryan Miller works the phone during the 2020 draft Scott Rovak / Getty ImagesAnother scout mentions that contracts for hockey operations employees usually expire on July 1. If a team wanted to part ways with a scout, how would that transpire given that the work is technically ongoing?More crucially, how would a delay impact the pro timelines of draft-eligible players? For example, the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the NHLPA includes specific language about service time. So if a player is drafted later than usual, he is placed on an alternative timeline from other players in the league. Players must wait seven years before becoming eligible for unrestricted free agency. Does that number stay at seven or move to six?Aside from avoiding a host of CBA-related issues, maintaining the status quo would also reward teams who have safety nets built into their scouting strategy. Some organizations monitor underage players more closely than others, so their book on, say, a WHLer with a handful of games played in 2020-21 won't be blank. They'll have a feel for his skill set and can project accordingly."These teams spend millions of dollars on scouting. But you can't just scout a player five or six times and have an opinion on him. That's not responsible management," said a former NHL coach. Scouts and managers, he argues, are paid to also keep a close eye on players from future draft classes.The view from the NHL draft floor in 2019 Jeff Vinnick / Getty ImagesTo please the largest group of people, the coach suggests the NHL consider running the draft in July and tacking on an additional two or three rounds. That way, each team gets extra lottery tickets to use on overlooked players. (This is easier said than done since it would likely require NHLPA approval.)Another idea being tossed around: While it's looking doubtful there will be a scouting combine between now and July, perhaps the league should try to arrange a one-off showcase tournament for sidelined players. It would provide scouts with supplementary material and, again, bridge the gap in the debate.A second assistant GM is confident the sport's higher-ups will figure out this contentious issue one way or another. "There's a lot of really smart people at the league and within teams, with managers and scouts," he said. "They'll figure out a plan that suits the best for the times we're in."John Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer. You can follow John on Twitter (@MatiszJohn) and contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo will not be in the lineup against the Minnesota Wild on Monday night, the team announced.Stone appeared to suffer a minor injury late in the second period of Saturday's contest and missed the remainder of the game. Head coach Pete DeBoer said postgame that Stone was held out as a precaution and his concern was minimal, according to Las Vegas Review Journal's David Schoen.In the same game, Pietrangelo appeared to get hurt after blocking a shot off his wrist.Stone was named the NHL's first star of the week earlier Monday after recording 10 points in his past four games. Pietrangelo has also been red-hot of late, racking up one goal and five assists in his last seven games while averaging 24:57 of ice time.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Auston Matthews' lingering wrist injury is affecting the superstar's play and how the club is deploying him since his return to the lineup, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said Monday."We've moved him around on the power play as a result of that," Keefe said, according to NHL.com. "He's not looking as comfortable when he's shooting, but he's showing he's very good in a lot of other areas."It doesn't seem to affect his ability to handle the puck or pass the puck. ... He's found ways to generate chances and shots, he's made plays for his linemates. He's brought a lot of positive things to us."Matthews missed two games last week with an injury Keefe said has been bothering the forward all season. The 23-year-old hasn't recorded a point since returning, but he's fired 15 shots on goal over three contests.The four-time All-Star says the injury is still healing."It's been all right," Matthews said. "Still need to progress it a bit. But we've got this week here and got some rest coming up next week, so hopefully the rest can get it feeling better. Definitely would like to see it heal a bit."Matthews ranks sixth in the NHL in points (31) and first in goals (18) despite missing time and his recent slump.The Maple Leafs play their next game Tuesday evening versus the Winnipeg Jets.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL is proposing at least three key changes to the draft lottery system, reports Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are making good on their pledge to delay their championship banner ceremony until spectators are allowed back inside Amalie Arena.In conjunction with the return of fans to the building, the Lightning will raise the Stanley Cup banner to the rafters Saturday when Tampa Bay hosts the Nashville Predators.The spectacle will be part of a "reopening night" for the Lightning, who unveiled the pennant Jan. 13 but chose not to elevate it completely until fans could return.

Chicago Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton announced Monday that the NHL won't suspend blue-liner Connor Murphy for his hit on Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak, according to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.Murphy, who was ejected from Sunday's contest for the hit, won't be fined either, reports The Athletic's Joe Smith.The NHL Department of Player Safety felt the head was not the main point of contact and thus did not schedule a hearing, Smith adds.Cernak left the game and did not return but was a full participant in Monday's practice, and head coach Jon Cooper is "hopeful" Cernak can play Tuesday, according to NHL.com's Bryan Burns.Murphy has never been suspended over his eight-year NHL career.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The National Women's Hockey League postseason is back on.Four teams will compete in the semifinals on March 26, with the winners meeting in the single-elimination Isobel Cup final the next night, the NWHL announced Monday.The top-seeded Toronto Six will face the fourth-ranked Boston Pride, and the No. 2-slotted Minnesota Whitecaps will clash with the third-seeded Connecticut Whale.All three games will take place at Warrior Ice Arena, the Boston Bruins' training facility in Brighton, Massachusetts. All of the matchups will be shown on NBCSN, marking the first time a major U.S. national network will broadcast women's pro hockey league championship games.The NWHL suspended play due to COVID-19 concerns on Feb. 3 - one day before the Isobel Cup playoffs were slated to begin. The league opened an abbreviated 2021 campaign in an isolated environment on Jan. 23 in Lake Placid, New York, but the Metropolitan Riveters withdrew from the bubble five days later following multiple positive tests. The Whale did the same on Feb. 1 despite having clinched a playoff spot.The league will employ "enhanced health and safety protocols and enforcement" upon resuming play.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

I've inevitably cooled off a bit after an outstanding initial return on investment. However, it's the way I'm losing some of these bets that has me going full tilt.The Panthers and Wild blew very late leads and lost in overtime last Monday. Los Angeles allowed the tying goal with 44 seconds left in regulation and lost in overtime Friday after missing a chance at an empty net. The Blues blew a 3-0 lead Saturday and fell in overtime. And the Stars came back from 3-0 down Sunday only to lose in a shootout off this ridiculous Pekka Rinne save:

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy was given a major penalty and subsequently ejected from Sunday's clash versus the Tampa Bay Lightning for a hit to the head on Erik Cernak.Here's a look at the collision:

This is the fifth edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2020-21 season. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.In this edition, we pick every team's most improved player.1. Tampa Bay Lightning (17-4-2)Previous rank: 4Mikhail Sergachev has been an important piece for the Lightning since being acquired in June 2017, but the 22-year-old blue-liner has taken significant strides this season, scoring at a personal-best rate and logging the most minutes of his career.2. Vegas Golden Knights (16-4-1) Brandon Magnus / National Hockey League / GettyPrevious rank: 7The acquisition of Chandler Stephenson could go down as one of the best trades in Golden Knights history. Plucked from the Washington Capitals for a fifth-rounder last year, Stephenson went from fourth-liner in D.C. to No. 2 center on a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. He's on pace for 55 points over 82 games.3. Carolina Hurricanes (17-6-1)Previous rank: 2Martin Necas has arrived. The Hurricanes' 2017 first-rounder is fifth on the club with 18 points in 21 games after producing 0.56 points per game in 2019-20, his first full NHL season.4. Toronto Maple Leafs (18-6-2)Previous rank: 1Justin Holl went from being scratched 71 times in 2018-19 to being a surprisingly capable top-four defenseman last year. Now, the 29-year-old is indispensable to one of the league's best teams, playing over 21 minutes per game while suppressing expected goals at the best rate of anyone on Toronto's top-four.5. Florida Panthers (15-5-4)Previous rank: 6The Panthers have been patiently waiting for Aaron Ekblad to become a stud defenseman, and he may have made that leap this season. The former No. 1 pick would be on pace for 58 points in an 82-game season, which would be a career-best by far. He's now playing both sides of the puck at an elite level and is proving to be a nightmare for opponents.6. New York Islanders (15-6-4)Previous rank: 16Ilya Sorokin entered the season with a ton of hype, and after a bit of a shaky start, he's settled in nicely with the Islanders. He's appeared in just seven games but has compiled a 4-2-1 record with a solid .911 save percentage and a sparkling 2.14 goals-against average. The crease still belongs to Semyon Varlamov, but Islanders fans can feel confident about their club's goalie of the future.7. Boston Bruins (13-6-3) Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrevious rank: 5Charlie McAvoy has gone from great to exceptional this season. Despite losing partner and mentor Zdeno Chara, McAvoy has taken the next step as a franchise defenseman and looks poised to be in the Norris Trophy conversation for years to come.8. Washington Capitals (14-6-4)Previous rank: 14Rookie goalie Vitek Vanecek was suddenly thrust into the starting goalie position early in the season, and he hasn't squandered his opportunity. The youngster has compiled a 10-5-3 record alongside a .906 save percentage in 19 starts.9. Philadelphia Flyers (12-7-3)Previous rank: 12Joel Farabee has been a revelation in Philly this season. The Flyers' first-rounder from 2018 is second on the club with 19 points and looks like a future top-six cornerstone.10. Colorado Avalanche (13-7-2)Previous rank: 3Samuel Girard was already good prior to 2020-21, but the 22-year-old has put himself into legitimate Norris Trophy and Canadian Olympic conversations with his recent play. He has 17 points in 20 games with strong underlying numbers. The seven-year, $35-million extension he signed in 2019 looks like a steal for Colorado.11. Winnipeg Jets (15-8-1)Previous rank: 10Mason Appleton looked like a fringe NHLer a year ago, but the 25-year-old is now an integral part of Winnipeg's third-line checking unit. He's chipping in offensively, too, with 12 points in 24 games.12. St. Louis Blues (14-8-3) Harry How / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious rank: 9We listed Jordan Kyrou as St. Louis' biggest surprise in our last rankings, but he also deserves recognition as the club's most improved player. He struggled to stay in the lineup last year but has been one of the team's most important players in 2021, registering 20 points in 25 games.13. Minnesota Wild (13-8-1)Previous rank: 17Jordan Greenway and Jonas Brodin deserve honorable mentions for their improved offensive games, but no Wild player is more deserving of this title than Selke Trophy candidate Joel Eriksson Ek. He's stepped up for a Wild club sorely lacking quality centers, leading the team in goals and ranking second among NHL forwards in xGF%.14. Montreal Canadiens (11-6-6)Previous rank: 11Jeff Petry has quietly strung together a number of impressive seasons since joining the Canadiens in 2015, but he's taken his game to another level. He's been in the Norris Trophy conversation all year long, as he leads Montreal in points (22) and power-play points (nine) and ranks third in ice time (21:56) and blocked shots (26).15. Pittsburgh Penguins (14-9-1)Previous rank: 13Brandon Tanev is now in his second season with the Penguins and has been showing his worth all over the ice. He leads the team with 3.22 takeaways per 60 minutes and 19.15 hits per 60 minutes, and he's also drawn the fourth-most penalties (five).16. Chicago Blackhawks (13-7-5)Previous rank: 15Malcolm Subban entered 2021 with a career save percentage of .899. In seven appearances as a backup this year, he's 4-2-1 with a .918 clip and 2.63 goals against average. It's never too late for goalies to make their mark.17. Edmonton Oilers (15-11-0) Andy Devlin / National Hockey League / GettyPrevious rank: 8Jesse Puljujarvi still isn't close to living up to the expectations that follow a fourth overall selection, but at least he's proving to be a capable top-nine NHL forward. It appears his year in Finland helped him regain some confidence, as he's on pace for 23 goals over 82 games.18. New York Rangers (10-10-3)Previous rank: 25Adam Fox was a relatively unheralded rookie last year, but he's blossomed into a bona fide top-pairing defenseman in 2021. The 23-year-old runs New York's top power play, is a dynamic puck-mover, and ranks 11th among all NHL skaters in logging 24:46 per contest. He has all the tools to be a future star.19. Los Angeles Kings (10-8-5)Previous rank: 18Adrian Kempe is well on his way to a career year. The former first-round pick averaged 34 points per 82 games over his last three seasons but is playing at a 50-point pace this year.20. Arizona Coyotes (11-10-3)Previous rank: 20Jakob Chychrun has blossomed into the Coyotes' No. 1 defenseman. He's tied for third among Arizona skaters with 17 points, leads the team in average ice time, and his 53.9 xGF% stands to be the best of his career - and nearly a 5% increase from last season.21. Dallas Stars (7-8-5)Previous rank: 22Joe Pavelski was quiet in his first season with the Stars but came through with a massive performance in the postseason. The 36-year-old carried over that momentum and is now seemingly playing some of the best hockey of his career with 12 goals and 11 assists through 19 games and boasts a league-leading 10 power-play tallies.22. Calgary Flames (11-12-3) Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrevious rank: 21Rasmus Andersson is on pace for career highs across the board and looks to have cemented his status in Calgary's top-four moving forward. Some influence from new defensive-minded head coach Darryl Sutter could be a boon to Andersson's development.23. Vancouver Canucks (11-15-2)Previous rank: 26Brock Boeser appeared to be stagnating after three campaigns of solid production, but he's made the leap this year. He leads the Canucks with 28 points in as many games and is just three goals away from tying his total from all of last season.24. Columbus Blue Jackets (10-11-5)Previous rank: 19Jack Roslovic is a newcomer to the Blue Jackets, but his homecoming has sparked him to reach new levels. He's collected 14 points in 19 games and looks like much more than just a throw-in piece in the Patrik Laine-Pierre-Luc Dubois swap.25. Nashville Predators (11-14-0)Previous rank: 28It's been a miserable season in Nashville, but Eeli Tolvanen is at least making a name for himself. The highly touted prospect has only found the net five times, but that's good enough for a tie for third on the Predators.26. San Jose Sharks (8-11-3)Previous rank: 24Logan Couture's season was cut short last year due to injury as he finished with just 39 points in 52 games. The captain looks to be back on track, with a team-leading 12 goals and 20 points through 22 games despite San Jose's struggles to stay afloat.27. Anaheim Ducks (7-12-6) Michael Martin / National Hockey League / GettyPrevious rank: 27The Ducks plucked Max Comtois in the second round of the 2017 draft, and he's quickly developed into one of the team's top players. Through 25 games, the 22-year-old leads his club with nine goals and 16 points.28. New Jersey Devils (8-11-2)Previous rank: 23The Devils and Pavel Zacha have long been ridiculed for the Czech pivot's draft position in a loaded 2015 class, but he's grown considerably this season. Zacha leads New Jersey in points and has proven to be a reliable option down the middle.29. Ottawa Senators (9-17-1)Previous rank: 31Drake Batherson had just 46 games of NHL experience going into the season but has quickly proved to be an integral part of the Senators' young core. The 22-year-old has been red-hot, accruing nine goals and nine assists in 27 contests.30. Detroit Red Wings (7-16-3)Previous rank: 30After a tough season with the Senators last year, Bobby Ryan seems to be getting back on track in Detroit. He leads the Red Wings with 13 points, with nine of them coming at five-on-five. He also leads the team with six primary assists.31. Buffalo Sabres (6-14-3)Previous rank: 29Linus Ullmark was one of the few bright spots on the reeling Sabres before going down with an injury in February. The goalie ranked fifth in the league with a .879 high-danger save percentage at five-on-five and placed eighth with 5.15 goals saved above average.(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick)Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. 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Every week, theScore offers a fantasy hockey column detailing a handful of moves you should make. This edition focuses on Week 8. Roster percentages and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo.Trade for Jacob MarkstromTeam: Flames

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin believes the NHL's Department of Player Safety was too harsh on teammate Tom Wilson for his hit on Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo.Ovi said Sunday that Wilson's seven-game suspension is "kind of a joke," mainly because the play wasn't ruled a penalty on the ice.Here's a look at the hit:"I think when you play hockey you have to be ready for that, and you have to know who's on the ice," Ovechkin added.The suspension is the fifth of Wilson's career.Carlo was hospitalized but has since been released. Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said Sunday that the blue-liner is "going to be out for a while."Ovechkin's comments come three days after he was fined by the league for spearing the Bruins' Trent Frederic in the groin.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko made his season debut Saturday night against the Los Angeles Kings.In a corresponding move earlier Saturday, the Blues placed defenseman Colton Parayko on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.Tarasenko has been recovering from the third shoulder surgery of his career in late August."It was a long period without playing hockey, but most important, we needed to get it fixed and get it done and get it healthy again," Tarasenko said.He added, "The three surgeries is in the past, there is some speculation still, but it was a different injury, not the same injury three times. Now it's healthy, I feel strong and ready to come back and can't wait until I step on the ice."The sniper hurt his shoulder in October 2019, which resulted in his second surgery. After spending the majority of the 2019-20 regular season recovering, he returned for the playoffs. Tarasenko only appeared in four contests before undergoing the third procedure.The 29-year-old led the Blues in goals for five straight seasons prior to the 2019-20 campaign. Since 2013, he ranks 13th in the NHL with 214 tallies.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar thinks superstar Nathan MacKinnon will miss additional time after sitting out Friday's tilt against the Anaheim Ducks."I'm assuming he's going to miss a couple games," Bednar said after the Avalanche's overtime win, according to The Athletic's Peter Baugh.MacKinnon missed the final 12 minutes of Tuesday's game after taking a hit to the head from San Jose Sharks rookie Joachim Blichfeld.The Avalanche said Friday afternoon that MacKinnon would play Friday but subsequently ruled him out shortly before puck drop in an effort to avoid further injury.Blichfield received a two-game suspension for the hit.MacKinnon has posted 22 points in 19 games this season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon is out with an upper-body injury Friday, the team announced.The club said earlier in the day that MacKinnon would be in the lineup against the Anaheim Ducks.San Jose Sharks rookie Joachim Blichfeld caught the forward with a hit to the head Wednesday night. The NHL suspended Blichfeld for two games Thursday.MacKinnon missed the final 12 minutes of Colorado's 4-0 win, but head coach Jared Bednar said postgame the perennial Hart Trophy candidate seemed to be fine.The 25-year-old is tied for the club lead with 22 points and has posted a team-high 17 assists in 19 games.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mark Pavelich, a member of the "Miracle on Ice" 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team and veteran of 355 NHL games, has died at 63."We send our condolences to his family, friends, and the countless young players who he and his 1980 Team USA teammates inspired to play our game," the league said in a statement.The playmaker for Team USA recorded seven points in seven games at the Olympics in Lake Placid, and Pavelich assisted on Mike Eruzione's famous game-winning goal that defeated the Soviet Union in the semifinals.Pavelich died at a residential treatment center in Minnesota, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. He was there under civil commitment after a violent assault on his neighbor in 2019.Following the assault, Pavelich was deemed mentally ill and dangerous, and his family is convinced he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Pavelich's cause of death is unknown, and the degenerative brain disease can only be diagnosed posthumously.In addition to starring for Team USA, Pavelich also logged five seasons with the New York Rangers, notching 133 goals and 185 assists over 341 games. He set a rookie franchise record with 76 points in 1981-82.He also briefly played for the Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Sabres are in the midst of yet another disappointing season, and general manager Kevyn Adams expressed his frustration with the team's lack of progress."I'm angry. I would hope all of you are," Adams said, according to Buffalo News Sport's Mike Harrington. "I would hope all our fans are because that means you care. ... I've been empowered by Terry and Kim Pegula to fix this and that's what I'm going to do."The Sabres made a number of big moves during the offseason, including the additions of top free agent Taylor Hall and depth piece Eric Staal. Many expected those acquisitions to finally push Buffalo to contender status, but the team once again finds itself near the bottom of the standings.With a 6-12-3 record, the Sabres rank third-last in the league in points percentage and goals per game (2.19). Head coach Ralph Krueger is in his second year at the helm, and Adams didn't dismiss the notion that his job may be in jeopardy."Everything is being evaluated. (Krueger) understands the situation we're in is unacceptable," Adams said when asked why a coaching change hasn't been made yet, according to Harrington. "The players do. Everybody does. It's just flat-out not good enough."The general manager is reportedly aggressively trying to make a trade to improve his club. Franchise center Jack Eichel has expressed his displeasure with the club's performance in the past, but Adams said he hasn't requested a trade, according to Harrington.The team's top players have struggled to produce so far in 2021. Eichel and Hall have just two goals apiece, and Jeff Skinner has collected just one assist while also being a healthy scratch for several games.Buffalo hasn't reached the postseason since 2011.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Thursday's bets weren't looking great early, but the Flyers and Rangers both erased deficits for comeback wins, padding our bankroll in the process. I added the Stars as a play on Twitter, which was a loser. So we didn't quite sweep, moving to 70-54 (+17.16 units).Here's what I'm looking to bet this weekend:Blues (-135) @ Kings (+115)

Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning says head coach Travis Green's job is safe for now.