NHL free agency opened over a month ago, and though most of the top players signed almost instantly, a handful of intriguing players remain. Below, we predict which teams will sign the top unrestricted free agents.Note: We predicted Mike Hoffman's destination in previous posts.Erik Haula Chase Agnello-Dean / National Hockey League / GettyPrediction: San Jose SharksThe Sharks' depth down the middle is lacking. Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl are a strong one-two punch, but the remaining pivots on the depth chart are concerning. Offseason addition Ryan Donato can play center but is better suited for the wing. The other options include Dylan Gambrell, Antti Suomela, Noah Gregor, and Joel Kellman.Haula is the best center available and shouldn't be overly expensive. That's good news for the Sharks, who have just $2.3 million in projected cap space. The 29-year-old has dealt with injuries over the last two seasons but tallied 29 goals and 26 assists during his last full campaign in 2017-18.Mikael Granlund Dave Sandford / National Hockey League / GettyPrediction: Florida PanthersThe Panthers have lost almost an entire top-six caliber line since the 2020 trade deadline: Vincent Trocheck (who was swapped for Haula), Evgeni Dadonov (who signed with the Ottawa Senators), and Hoffman (who remains unsigned). As replacements, the club traded for Patric Hornqvist and signed Alex Wennberg this offseason.Florida's secondary scoring is now a major problem. In steps Granlund, who is arguably the best offensive player available aside from Hoffman.The center-turned-winger is coming off a down year, but he averaged 63 points per campaign in the three seasons prior. A seemingly guaranteed second-line role combined with the perks of playing in sunny, tax-free Florida should be enough to persuade Granlund. Plus, the team has $8.3 million in projected cap space.Anthony Duclair Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrediction: Los Angeles KingsThe Kings have money to burn (projected $13.6 million in cap space) and holes in their forward group. Despite being one of the league's best possession teams a year ago (fourth in five-on-five Corsi for percentage), they struggled mightily to score, finishing with the league's second-worst offense.Nobody will accuse Duclair of being one of the better defensive forwards in the game, but his goal-scoring ability is intriguing. He potted 23 in 66 games last year - though 21 came in his first 37 contests before he went ice-cold. He would need to be used in the right situations - offensive-zone starts and the power play - but it could be a good fit.Andreas Athanasiou Codie McLachlan / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrediction: Nashville PredatorsThe Predators have been suspiciously quiet this offseason. We've pegged them as a prime landing spot for Hoffman and potential suitor to sign a player to an offer sheet. If neither materializes, signing one of the top forwards remaining seems probable considering Nashville has the most cap space (projected $12.9 million) of any team in win-now mode.Nashville watched Craig Smith depart in free agency and the aforementioned Granlund is still unsigned. The latter didn't mesh especially well with the team, though, so it seems unlikely he returns.The club has holes in its middle-six forward group, but Athanasiou has plenty of upside. He didn't perform well with the Detroit Red Wings or Edmonton Oilers last season, but he's a former 30-goal scorer with blazing speed and still just 26 years old. Perhaps Nashville could catch lightning in a bottle with what would likely be a one-year deal.Travis Hamonic Derek Leung / National Hockey League / GettyPrediction: Winnipeg JetsThis seems like a perfect match. Hamonic grew up in Winnipeg and opted out of the NHL's return-to-play, citing family concerns. When he requested a trade from the New York Islanders in 2015, it was because of a family matter. Playing for his hometown Jets would seem to be the best fit for him.On the ice, it's a great fit for the Jets, too. They were a mess defensively last season - third-worst expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five - and often bailed out by Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck. Hamonic is an old-school, hard-nosed defender who'd be a big help to Winnipeg's blue line.The Jets are currently listed with no cap space, but Bryan Little and his $5.29-million cap hit are likely headed to long-term injured reserve after doctors recommended he shouldn't suit up next season. The forward suffered a perforated eardrum last season.Sami Vatanen Chase Agnello-Dean / National Hockey League / GettyPrediction: Philadelphia FlyersThe Flyers lost Matt Niskanen this offseason due to a surprising retirement and didn't replace him. Erik Gustafsson was added on a one-year deal, but he's not expected to play heavy minutes on the team's top pairing with Ivan Provorov as Niskanen did.Vatanen may not be ideally suited for that job, either, but he's likely the best option Philadelphia has. Youngster Philippe Myers could be up for the task, but having some veteran insurance wouldn't hurt. Vatanen has logged at least 21 minutes per game in six straight seasons, though he hasn't performed well in those matchups in recent years. He's posted an expected goals share below 50% in three consecutive seasons.The 29-year-old would give the Flyers a third right-handed defenseman in addition to Myers and veteran Justin Braun. It would leave lefties Gustafsson, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Robert Hagg with undefined playing time, but too many defensemen is a good problem to have during what could be a condensed schedule. The Flyers have $4.8 million in projected cap space, too, though some of that will go to Myers, who's a restricted free agent.(Cap source: CapFriendly)

The Crescent Court Hotel in Dallas, Texas is suing the Edmonton Oilers organization over $55,000 worth of unpaid bills, according to the Edmonton Journal's Robert Tychkowski.Edmonton owes $28,000 for a December 2019 stay and an additional $27,000 for its last road trip before the COVID-19 pandemic in March.The team has placed the blame on an accounting glitch compounded by a timeline miscommunication. The Oilers plan on paying the bills and having the situation resolved in the next couple of days.“We have the same challenges as every business navigating through the far-reaching, negative impacts of the global pandemic,” according to a team statement obtained by Tychkowski. “We are working diligently through our business operations and attending to outstanding issues from the unexpected stoppage of last season.“The Crescent Court Hotel has been a good partner and we are working cooperatively with them to resolve this matter.”Edmonton says the unpaid bills are simply for its block of rooms and not any property damage or restaurant tabs. The luxury inn has been the team's hotel of choice in Dallas for several years.Oilers owner Daryl Katz has a net worth of $3.5 billion, according to Forbes.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After teasing the hockey community for weeks, the NHL on Monday finally released its Reverse Retro jerseys for all 31 teams.Some are fantastic, while others miss the mark completely. Below, we rank each new kit from worst to best:31. Vegas Golden Knights

University of Wisconsin head coach Tony Granato isn't happy Hockey Canada is prying away one of his best players for a significant portion of the college season.Granato is frustrated the governing body of Canadian hockey is taking Dylan Holloway - the Edmonton Oilers' first-round pick in this year's draft - for its lengthy evaluation camp ahead of the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championship. The promising forward will miss the final 10 games of the NCAA campaign's first half as a result."They've said all along that they need and want and he has to be here," Granato told the Wisconsin State Journal's Todd D. Milewski after a victory over Notre Dame on Saturday. "So from my side of things, I don't think it's right because his opportunity here to get ready for a world junior tournament playing games like this is a heck of a lot better than scrimmaging (with) 20 of your teammates that you're going to be in the tournament with."Holloway left the Badgers on Sunday to fly to Red Deer, Alberta, site of the 28-day camp. The tournament ultimately begins Dec. 25 in Edmonton.By contrast, USA Hockey plans to begin gathering players around Dec. 10 and already hosted initial evaluation sessions in October, according to Milewski. Wisconsin star and Montreal Canadiens prospect Cole Caufield could be among those considered for the U.S. squad.Holloway, a sophomore center, scored the game-winner in highlight-reel fashion Saturday after tallying in the season opener Friday. Hockey Canada cut him at its evaluation camp before the previous world junior tournament.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It was a gorgeous mid-August day, some five months into the COVID-19 pandemic, when brothers Dovar and Azzaro Tinling, their bellies each filled with one final Montreal smoked meat sandwich, entered the "neutral zone" at the Canada-U.S. border.A giant van marked with the University of Vermont's colors and logos sat outside the duty-free shop. Men's hockey assistant coach Jeff Hill had borrowed the bulky vehicle from the Catamounts' varsity ski team to transport Dovar, Azzaro, one other freshman, and the players' luggage - clothes, hockey gear, televisions, microwaves - in one run.Hill had briefed border authorities on the handoff plan and promised to quickly return stateside with three Canadians bound for the UVM campus in Burlington, some 40 miles south."In a way, it felt like I was smuggling them over the border," Hill told theScore with a laugh.Brothers Azzaro (left) and Dovar Tinling Tinling familyThe Tinling family had driven the scenic two hours from Montreal to Burlington many times over the years. But this trip, like seemingly everything else in 2020, was strange - "surreal," as Azzaro put it. The two boys could cross the border, but Mom and Dad couldn't - not unless they wanted to endure a lengthy quarantine.After a teary goodbye, the parents headed north and the van south. "It was weird, but it actually went pretty smoothly," said Dovar, the younger of the two brothers. "We pulled up to customs, did everything there, and we were off. It took about an hour, tops."Strict protocols greeted them at UVM. Before exploring campus, the brothers were required to pass multiple COVID-19 tests while observing a 10-day quarantine. It wasn't the storybook going-off-to-college scene anyone had envisioned. But that's how it had to be to keep everyone safe and healthy.Dovar, a top prospect for the 2021 NHL Draft, won't turn 18 until March. That makes him the youngest player in NCAA Division I hockey and the youngest Canadian NCAA player since Jonathan Toews and Simon Danis-Pepin dressed for North Dakota and Maine, respectively, in 2005-06.This is the story of Dovar's rise through the ranks, why he chose UVM, and the part his older brother Azzaro, 20, has played in shaping him as a person and athlete.––––––––––The Tinling brothers, born three years and two months apart, grew up in Pointe-Claire, a low-density suburb of Montreal. The family home backs onto Lake Saint-Louis, which in the winter, with some light shoveling, can be converted into a frozen playground.As kids, Dovar and Azzaro would come home from elementary school on their lunch break, lace up their skates, and spend 20-30 minutes on the lake. Their mom, Tracey, would fix sandwiches as the lifelong best buddies buzzed around. Most days it would be one-on-one; other times, someone was the goalie. They'd carve up the lake after school and on weekends, too."It was just fun to us," Azzaro said. "We didn't think anything of it at the time."Dovar (left) and Azzaro on Lake Saint-Louis Tinling familyIn organized hockey, the brothers were on independent timelines. Azzaro's birthday is in December, so he was four age groups ahead of Dovar. There was no scenario - not even in midget, where three cohorts play with and against each other in the Quebec system - in which their paths in minor hockey would cross.The brothers insist Tracey and dad Adolphe never forced hockey upon them. Their love for the sport and drive to improve came naturally. Education, on the other hand, was a top priority in the Tinling household. Adolphe would often use his own story to deliver the message to the brothers and their sister Jordan, now 23.From the mid-1960s to the mid-70s, Adolphe came of age in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, then one of Montreal's roughest areas. He promised himself he'd graduate high school, a promise he says saved his life."Around one-third of the guys I grew up with are dead," he said. "Around one-third are so screwed up because of being exposed to drugs and whatnot. And around one-third are in prison. Take away about 5%, and those are the people who got out and did OK."In a roundabout way, it was this emphasis on education that finally brought Dovar and Azzaro together on the same team last season. Both had aspirations of earning a degree while pursuing the pro hockey path, and the Hawkesbury Hawks of the junior A Central Canada Hockey League happily made room for both forwards as they looked to maintain their NCAA eligibility. Azzaro, an intimidating, heavy winger, recorded 16 goals and 23 assists in 51 games in 2019-20, his second year with the Hawks. Dovar, meanwhile, claimed CCHL Rookie of the Year honors after recording 21 goals and 30 assists in 50 contests."He's a kid who has always played up to the level of competition," said Hill, who started recruiting Dovar to UVM at the beginning of his lone season in midget AAA.Dovar Tinling during a CCHL game IceLevel.comHawks head coach Rick Dorval liked the brothers' chemistry, so he kept them on the same line for the majority of the season. It seemed a wise move in Azzaro's eyes."I knew where he was before I would have to look," Azzaro said of his on-ice synergy with Dovar. "I can't even describe it. It's something you can't really say. I just knew where he would be. I knew his tendencies."Dovar's tenure with Hawkesbury, though short-lived, was formative. He asserted himself against more physically mature players as a wiry 16-year-old and juggled the demands of multiple Team Canada tournaments and endless school assignments. "Last year," he said, "was definitely an interesting experience."Hawkesbury, a small Ontario town that runs along the Ottawa River, is a 50-minute drive from Pointe-Claire, so the brothers lived at home. Azzaro, the self-proclaimed "suburban mom," would pick up Dovar from school and drive him to and from practices and games. The rides, sometimes running deep into the night or in the middle of a storm, became something to look forward to. With Azzaro in the driver's seat, Dovar rode shotgun and served as DJ, blasting "Return of the Mac," among other classics.On the ice, there was no question Dovar was a burgeoning talent."He matured a lot, and as he matured, he became a really elite player," Dorval said. "I wouldn't be afraid to say that - if we were able to put on the playoffs - Dovar could have easily been one of the top three players in the postseason, and he could have been a big reason for us having a legitimate chance at winning a championship."Jon Goyens, Dovar's midget coach, was originally hesitant about his star pupil playing junior A at 16. The CCHL is a hodgepodge of promising prospects and kids at the end of their competitive hockey careers. How might he fit into the mix?"Well, it fit because he made it fit," Goyens said, labeling Dovar a hyper-observant "sponge.""He's just not a kid I bet against. He's committed, he's dialed in."A couple of weeks ago, NHL Central Scouting released its preliminary players-to-watch list for the 2021 draft. Four NCAA players made the list: Owen Power, Kent Johnson, Matthew Beniers, and Dovar. Power, Johnson, and Beniers - all from the University of Michigan - received "A" ratings, indicating they're candidates to go in the first round. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Dovar was rated a notch below as a "B" prospect."Dovar's that Kyle Connor-type player," UVM head coach Todd Woodcroft said. "He's got really good vision. He's got very good patience with the puck."Todd Woodcroft runs a UVM practice Brian Jenkins/UVMWoodcroft's resume includes two decades behind NHL benches, most recently with the Winnipeg Jets as an assistant to head coach Paul Maurice. He's extremely familiar with Connor, Dovar's favorite player, after working with him on a daily basis in Winnipeg. Both forwards have slight builds, explosive hand speed, and off-the-charts hockey sense. Connor is an elite goal-scorer - the Michigan product has notched 31, 34, and 38 goals for the Jets in his first three full NHL seasons - and Woodcroft and Goyens believe Dovar could have a similar trajectory. Dovar, for his part, understands what he has to work on to get there."I'm a pass-first kind of player, but I also think I can score," he said. "I think my biggest asset is my hockey IQ, especially with the puck. I think I'm a strong skater as well. I could work a lot on every aspect of the game, but my play without the puck - defensively and also in the offensive zone - needs work."First, Dovar must prove himself in the college hockey scene. Recruited heavily by a number of powerhouse hockey schools including Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State, he settled on UVM. Household names Martin St. Louis, Tim Thomas, John LeClair, and Patrick Sharp are Catamounts alumni. Now Dovar - alongside Azzaro, the protective older brother - hopes to join that list over the next few years.––––––––––Every family attacks decision-making from its own unique angle. For the Tinlings, lists are a crucial, necessary part of the process. Ever since Dovar, Azzaro, and Jordan were young kids, they've leaned on one particular kind of list: pros and cons."It takes the emotion out of a decision," Azzaro said.6-foot-1, 220-pound Azzaro Tinling Nich Hall/UVMDovar sat down on two separate occasions this past summer to craft lists relating to his hockey career. The first helped determine if UVM was the right school for him.In the pros column, he scribbled four main points: He'd be on the same team and campus as his brother and best friend; he'd be joining a historic Hockey East program; he'd play a key role in revitalizing UVM hockey, which has fallen on hard times of late amid three straight losing seasons; and he'd be able to learn from Woodcroft, who was hired in April to replace longtime UVM bench boss Kevin Sneddon.Under cons, he outlined similar points with different twists: He'd be following in his brother's footsteps instead of charting his own path; he'd be joining a rebuilding team, not a powerhouse; and, by living 100 miles from home, he'd remain in his comfort zone."The pros completely outweighed the cons," Dovar ultimately concluded, and in June he officially committed to UVM for the 2021-22 season. He'd be 18 by then, a "true freshman" by NCAA standards. In the interim, he'd move west to Des Moines, Iowa, to suit up for the USHL's Buccaneers while taking Grade 12 classes at a local high school (high school in Quebec ends after Grade 11) and preparing for the SATs.But not long after Dovar's commitment, Woodcroft volleyed an idea back to the Tinlings. Based on game tape, conversations between player and coach, and the NCAA softening its eligibility rules because of the coronavirus (no SATs, for example), Woodcroft thought Dovar could start college this fall, a full year ahead of schedule.Fast-tracking was an enticing but overwhelming idea. "I had to sit down with both of my parents and really go over it," Dovar said. "I had to do more pros and cons."Hovering over the obvious challenges of changing course were two external variables: The 2020-21 season would be Dovar's NHL draft year, and most - if not all - of the campaign would be played amid a pandemic. Would college hockey be the best setting to maximize exposure to NHL scouts? How much ice time would he get as an underager? How many games would UVM even play?"I'd love to go as high as I can," Dovar said of the draft. "So you definitely take into account which spot is better for you. That played into my choice, getting to know and trusting coach Woodcroft and what he'll be able to do with this program while I'm here. Plus, coming from the NHL, he knows what teams want and how to mold a player."17-year-old UVM forward Dovar Tinling Nich Hall/UVMAfter deep reflection, the pros column had won again."While his peers are playing in the USHL and playing against guys who are 18, 19, maybe 20, this guy's playing against people who are going to have a mortgage next year," Woodcroft said, sprinkling in some hyperbole to make his point.At even strength, Dovar is slated to line up alongside Latvian center Ray Vitolins, also a freshman, and right-winger Alex Esposito, a senior from Connecticut. He'll also get time on the power play during UVM's 20-game schedule. Both team and player are prepared for growing pains."He's going to make mistakes, he's going to turn the puck over, he's going to get scored on, and he's going to get right back out there. That's how he's going to develop," Woodcroft said of Dovar, whose maturity, quiet attention to detail, and general disposition remind the coach of a young Steve Yzerman or Joe Sakic."He's a 17-year-old, but to me, he's a 27-year-old," Woodcroft said. "He's a wise and mature and humble guy. He just gets it, you know?"––––––––––Dovar and Azzaro share a room on the seventh floor of an on-campus dormitory. There's one fridge, one microwave, one TV, two desks, and two beds. On the wall hangs a pair of posters: one of Michael Jordan and another of Kobe Bryant. There's also a flag depicting a cartoon gorilla lifting weights. It's not hard to guess which pieces of wall art belong to whom. "He's a beast in the gym," Dovar said of Azzaro.The brothers, along with UVM's other first-year players, talked recently about the opportunity before them, to one day be known as the freshman class that kick-started a successful and proud period of Catamounts hockey. The Nov. 20-21 weekend signals the beginning of the Woodcroft era with two games against UConn.You can bet Adolphe and Tracey will be tuning in. You can also bet Dovar will try to heed some brotherly advice as the youngest kid on the ice."The biggest thing Azzaro's taught me over the years - I think I was 14 at the time - is that at some point, you have to realize age isn't a factor," Dovar said."Ever since then, I've stopped comparing ages. If you're a hockey player, you're a hockey player."John Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While nothing is set in stone, it seems inevitable that the NHL will have an all-Canadian division to begin the upcoming season given the nation's current border restrictions. If that's the case, Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk doesn't like his team's chances."No," Melnyk told The Bob McCown Podcast when asked if he liked the idea of an all-Canadian division. "I'll tell you why, it's a hockey reason. This is not our year. I think we'll be competitive, but this is the year the Canadian teams are all better. Every one of them, including mine. But I'm still at the beginning of my rise up. Everybody else was good and they're getting better."The Senators finished with the second-worst record in the NHL a year ago. Meanwhile, the other six Canadian teams all qualified for the league's expanded postseason in August."From a hockey point of view, it's exciting," Melnyk continued. "We would be playing a lot of Montreal, Toronto, and Winnipeg. That's fine. We will play the other Canadian teams. That's fine. But from a pure hockey point of view it's a tough, tough, tough division. We don't get to play the weaker teams. They're all good."In a normal regular season, the Sens would've been guaranteed four or five games against the Detroit Red Wings - the only team to finish below Ottawa in last year's standings. They also would've had four or five contests versus the Buffalo Sabres, who also failed to qualify for the expanded postseason.The Senators added Evgeni Dadonov, Matt Murray, Austin Watson, Alex Galchenyuk, Erik Gudbranson, and Josh Brown this offseason, but the team is still in rebuilding mode and isn't projected to contend just yet.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The unique circumstances of the 2019-20 NHL season will give the Tampa Bay Lightning an opportunity no other club has ever enjoyed.For the first time, the Stanley Cup winners' names will already be engraved when each member of the championship team gets their day with the trophy."We've been thinking outside of the box," Phil Pritchard, one of two keepers of the Cup, told the Tampa Bay Times' Eduardo A. Encina. "(We've been asking ourselves,) 'How can we make some positives in a non-traditional, kind of negative time in the world?' and this (was) one of them. Let's get the Cup engraved so when we do have that opportunity, the guys can celebrate it. So, it's a huge positive I think, and everyone (agreed) with it."Usually, the champions' names are engraved just before the start of the following season, after each title-winning player has already spent their day with the Cup. Because of pandemic protocols pertaining to travel, the Lightning haven't had the chance to take turns bringing the trophy to their respective hometowns, according to Encina.While waiting for the go-ahead to carry out that tradition, the hardware was sent to Montreal to be engraved."Not every player has seen their name on it as of yet," Pritchard said. "A lot have, and it's pretty cool. To me, if there's one thing we could do moving forward when we go back to, say, a regular year, I would push for that. The emotions are so powerful when someone sees their name on the Cup."The Lightning won Lord Stanley's mug Sept. 28 and partied with it during their much-criticized parade two days later.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brandon Saad has yet to suit up for his new team, but the forward hopes to remain with the Colorado Avalanche beyond the upcoming season."We haven't had any discussions, I think it's a bit early, especially with not really knowing what's going on with the season and all that, but for me, thinking about it, Colorado has always been in my top because I want to win again," Saad said on the latest episode of the "NHL @TheRink" podcast. "So to be in a great spot like that, on a great team, and then you hear wonders about the city, so really, it seems like a great place where I want to play for a long time."The 28-year-old, who added he would like to finish his career in Colorado, was traded to the Avalanche in October. Since signing a six-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015, the forward has been dealt twice prior to the move to Colorado. He's set to be an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.Saad has been an effective player throughout his career, scoring 20-plus goals in five different seasons and winning two Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks.The forward is set to join a group that includes Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog, and Cale Makar."It's a beautiful city," Saad added. "I'm looking forward to getting the season going because we have a hell of a team out there in Denver."Securing a long-term deal with the Avalanche after this season may prove difficult, as Landeskog and Makar will also be due for new contracts.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brent Seabrook says he'll be ready to contribute next season and is motivated to prove it after having his 2019-20 campaign cut short by multiple surgeries."I feel like I'm 19 years old again trying to make the team," the Chicago Blackhawks defenseman told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun earlier this week. "I'm skating and doing treatment and doing all these extra things here and there. Just trying to get prepared and ready, get the flexibility back - which was a battle for a while - and get the skating back, which has been great. The last two-to-three weeks I've felt really good on the ice. … It's been incredible."Seabrook added that he has no plans to quit despite his injuries, advanced age, and declining production."I'm excited for training camp," he said. "I'm excited for the opportunity to get back out there and show everybody what I got. I'm not done playing hockey. I get that 35 is old in the sports world, but I don't feel old, I still feel young."The blue-liner was limited to 32 games last season. He underwent three procedures over a six-week span beginning in late December, having his right shoulder repaired followed by both of his hips. The 15-year veteran, who played his final game of the campaign Dec. 15, tried to return for the playoffs but failed to crack Chicago's postseason roster.Seabrook collected only four points while posting a 41.22 expected goals for percentage and a 41.53 scoring chances for rate during his abbreviated 2019-20 season.He's spent his entire career with the Blackhawks, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013, and 2015. However, Seabrook's playing time has steadily declined in the years since those titles.SeasonSeabrook ATOI2015-1622:492016-1721:542017-1820:122018-1919:06Seabrook has four years left on his contract at a cap hit of $6,875,000. The Blackhawks parted with two key members of their championship core this offseason, as goaltender Corey Crawford signed with the New Jersey Devils and forward Brandon Saad was traded to the Colorado Avalanche.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators have signed veteran enforcer Micheal Haley to a one-year, two-way contract, the team announced Friday.The deal is worth $700,000 at the NHL level."Micheal will bring experience, leadership, and additional physicality to our organization," general manager Pierre Dorion said. "He's looking forward to serving as a mentor for our young players."Haley posted one goal in 22 games with the New York Rangers last season.The 34-year-old has appeared in 270 career NHL contests. He's collected 32 points and 687 penalty minutes in stints with the New York Islanders, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers, and Rangers.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

50-41 | 40-31 | 20-11 | 10-1Welcome to the theScore's NHL logo countdown. This list examines logos that date back to the inception of the Original Six and includes the main emblem for all 32 current teams, 11 clubs that moved or changed their name, and seven whose logo has undergone a significant redesign. Only primary ones were considered.The five-part series concludes with the top 10 on Friday. Let's continue with Nos. 30-21.30. Winnipeg Jets When the Jets returned to Winnipeg, the team unveiled a brand new logo using the original Jets' colors. The emblem pays homage to the Royal Canadian Air Force by using its logo as inspiration with a jet plane placed over a red maple leaf. This is about as Canadian as it gets.29. Ottawa Senators Senators fans rejoiced when the club announced they're reverting back to their original 2D design this offseason, and for good reason. Ottawa's original logo is a gigantic upgrade over the in-your-face 3D Senator caricature the team used for so long. Simplifying a logo is almost never a bad thing.28. Buffalo Sabres (1996-2006) The Sabres' complete uniform overhaul in the '90s was certainly bold, but the red and black buffalo head was so menacing that it worked. The design lasted only a decade, but it's forever linked to Dominik Hasek's peak run of excellence and a surprise trip to the 1999 Stanley Cup Final. Above all else, at least it's not the "Buffaslug" - the monstrosity of a primary logo that followed until Buffalo rightly returned to its roots in 2010.27. New Jersey Devils It's not immediately evident at first glance, but the Devils' incorporation of the "N" and "J" morphing into the image of a devil's tail and horns is fantastic. It's hard not to think of the glory days of Martin Brodeur and Co. when looking at this logo, which has gone mostly unchanged since its introduction in 1982.26. Colorado Rockies The ill-fated Rockies lasted just six seasons, but their logo lives on today. The Colorado state flag "C" used in this emblem can be seen on the shoulder patch of the Avalanche's jerseys, albeit with different colors. We love this '70s color scheme, and the logo might be more memorable had the Rockies enjoyed any sort of success during their brief tenure.25. Seattle Kraken The NHL's newest franchise knocked its logo selection out of the park. While we were disappointed to see green left out of the color scheme, the double blue and red works. The tentacle outline on the "S" is a nice touch, while the red eye adds to the intimidation of this sea creature.24. Vegas Golden Knights Vegas' logo was met with general approval upon its unveiling in 2017. The possibilities were endless for the team name and logo in Sin City, but ultimately the organization went with a safer choice. The color is a nod to Nevada being the highest gold-producing state in the U.S.23. Philadelphia Flyers The Flyers' primary logo has gone completely untouched since the team's inception in 1967, and for good reason. It's just perfect: The slanted "P" with an orange dot in the middle to signify a puck, and the wings on the side to represent speed - hence the "Flyers." It's hard to imagine this logo ever changing.22. Florida Panthers (1993-2016) We agreed that the old Panthers logo is better than their current one, which came in at No. 37 on this list. While a bit cartoony, the original was much more fierce and intimidating.21. San Jose Sharks Logos don't get more unique than a vicious-looking shark demolishing a hockey stick with its teeth. The menacing graphic is one of the league's most distinct, but the incorporation of the beautiful teal color is what puts the cherry on top here.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

50-41 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1Welcome to the theScore's NHL logo countdown. This list examines logos that date back to the inception of the Original Six and includes the main emblem for all 32 current teams, 11 clubs that moved or changed their name, and seven whose logo has undergone a significant redesign. Only primary ones were considered.The five-part series concludes with the top 10 on Friday. Let's continue with Nos. 40-31.40. New York Islanders (1995-97) There's no in-between for the Islanders' "Highliner" era: You're either fully on board with the nostalgia or you can't shake the feeling of staring at a box of fish sticks. Regardless of where you stand, the incorporation of teal deserves props for at least being creative.39. Atlanta Flames For whatever reason, Atlanta's flaming "A" doesn't quite work as well as Calgary's flaming "C." The colors definitely pop, but the design lacks inspiration and doesn't hold up when it's not crested on a jersey.38. Carolina Hurricanes Realistically, how many ways can a hurricane be artistically depicted? Carolina would likely tell you that options are limited, as the club has rocked this underwhelming swirly design as its primary crest since relocating from Hartford in the late '90s.37. Florida Panthers The Panthers downgraded when they switched to this logo for the 2016-17 season. The old one was much more intimidating and ferocious.36. Arizona Coyotes The desert colors are slick, but the logo itself is literally just a Coyote head. For an organization that used to own one of the most artistic and unique looks in hockey, the Coyotes' modern crest is very dull.35. Nashville Predators There are all sorts of animal predators to choose from, so why a saber-toothed tiger? Apparently, a fang and foreleg bone of one of these prehistoric beasts was found in a cave just below the entrance of Nashville's old First American Center 26 years before the team's unveiling in September 1997. The logo is certainly fierce-looking, but it's somewhat lacking in creativity.34. Atlanta Thrashers The brown thrasher is the state bird of Georgia and was the inspiration behind Atlanta's team name and logo. The bird is described as aggressive and defensive, an identity the Thrashers surely hoped to replicate.33. New York Islanders The Islanders' original logo is easily better than the aforementioned Highliner one. The map of Nassau and Suffolk counties is a nice touch behind the New York-sized "NY," and incorporating a stick and puck is always a nice touch.32. Vancouver Canucks The orca breaching out of the water is a tribute to British Columbia's West Coast heritage, and presenting it as a "C" ties things together very nicely. The contrasting shades of blue also work well, and while it's not the best logo the organization has dawned, the Canucks don't have to worry about rebranding for the foreseeable future.31. Los Angeles Kings (1967-75) The Kings seem unlikely to shift away from their black and silver color scheme anytime soon, but we love the purple and gold. It's far more exciting and unique. This team logo, which never appeared on the front of a jersey, ranks 10 spots higher than Los Angeles' current one. Perhaps it will return in an alternate uniform someday.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1Welcome to the theScore's NHL logo countdown. This list examines logos that date back to the inception of the Original Six and includes the main emblem for all 32 current teams, 11 clubs that moved or changed their name, and seven whose logo has undergone a significant redesign. Only primary ones were considered.The five-part series concludes with the top 10 on Friday. Let's begin with Nos. 50-41.50. Anaheim Ducks Anaheim pulled off perhaps the biggest logo downgrade in NHL history when it shifted out of the Mighty Ducks era. Gold and orange is a bizarre color combination, and an infusion of black and silver simply doesn't work. Whenever the Ducks update their logo again, perhaps it would be wise to actually include, you know, a duck.49. California Golden Seals (1970-76) Initially named the California Seals, the team was purchased by Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley in 1970 and renamed the Bay Area Seals. After just two games, the club re-branded to the California Golden Seals and switched its colors to green and gold to match those of the MLB's A's. The colors simply didn't work this time around, and the font could have been more aesthetically pleasing.48. Columbus Blue Jackets The Blue Jackets' current logo is simple and serves its purpose, though it doesn't exactly stand out. It was used as an alternate logo beginning in 2003 but became the primary one in 2007. It incorporates the Ohio state flag wrapped around a star, paying homage to the team's roots in patriotism.47. Cleveland Barons (1976-78) The Cleveland Barons were born when the California Golden Seals relocated to Ohio in 1976. New city, new name, but yet another underwhelming branding decision. The crest was outdated even for the '70s, and the lack of creativity certainly didn't help market the team. The Barons' existence was short-lived, as the club merged with the Minnesota North Stars after just two seasons.46. Tampa Bay Lightning Since their inception in 1992, the Lightning have gone with a simple bolt for their logo. It went through a couple of minor tweaks, but the club completely updated the logo and the team's primary colors to the current design ahead of the 2011-12 season. It certainly doesn't push any boundaries, which prevented it from placing higher up the list.45. Dallas Stars It's safe to say the Stars organization left all of its best looks in Minnesota. Dallas' current logo is rather simple and uninspiring, and for a city so full of life, it fails to tell much of a story. Perhaps it's time the club considers at least bringing back its look from the Mike Modano era.44. Columbus Blue Jackets (2000-07) The Blue Jackets' old primary logo is better than the current iteration but was nothing to write home about. If Columbus is planning a rebrand anytime soon, it can leave this one behind. We want the cannon!43. Kansas City Scouts (1974-76) NHL hockey didn't last long in Kansas City, and the Scouts' logo was a neat idea that was executed lackadaisically. The design is an homage to The Scout, an iconic statue located in Penn Valley Park that overlooks downtown. It's certainly a unique look, but it feels incomplete due to a lack of detail.42. Washington Capitals The Capitals' emblem is aesthetically pleasing but falls far short of its potential. The colors pop and the stars are an excellent touch, but wordmark logos appear lazy and leave a lot to be desired. With a little bit more imagination, Washington could have one of the better logos in the league.41. Los Angeles Kings The Kings have undergone more logo changes than most teams but have donned the current crest since 2011. It incorporates the team's famed crown emblem from the past, but the design is basic overall. While it's not very flashy, the black and silver color scheme helps get the job done.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 10-1Welcome to theScore's NHL logo countdown. This list examines logos that date back to the inception of the Original Six, and it includes the main emblem for all 32 current teams, 11 clubs that moved or went through a name change, and seven logos that have undergone a significant redesign. Only primary ones were considered.The five-part series concludes with the top 10 on Friday. Let's continue with Nos. 20-11.20. Phoenix Coyotes Opinions on this logo are often split. Some think it's too busy, while others love the creativity. The Kachina design is unique, and it ties the team nicely to the Arizona area. However, the emblem seems to be more popular now after making its return on the Coyotes' throwback jerseys than during the late '90s and early 2000s, when it was the club's primary logo. Don't be surprised if it becomes the primary again in due time.19. Calgary Flames What else could you really ask for other than a flaming "C" in Calgary? The club has stuck with this base design through slightly different iterations since its inception, and the recent simplification of the logo - removing a black outline - makes it look flawless on one of the sport's best uniform sets.18. Vancouver Canucks (1978-1992) The Canucks' flying-skate logo is the franchise's best. It's a bold, intricate, and cleanly executed concept that still holds up as one of the league's top emblems. The clash of black, yellow, and orange is unique and works well with the design, as opposed to the first time the club applied the flashy color scheme.17. New York Rangers The Rangers' shield-style logo is among the best of its kind. The team needed a few tries before settling on this font and design, and it's been in use since the '70s. The logo is simple with bold colors, but complex doesn't always mean good.16. Pittsburgh Penguins A golden triangle to represent the downtown Pittsburgh area and a fierce-looking Penguin on skates is an iconic look for the franchise that's donned this crest for all five of its championships. Classic, simple, and effective.15. Edmonton Oilers We love a unique wordmark, and the Oilers' droopy font has stood the test of time. Edmonton has never shifted from the base design of this logo - save for one ultra-bold alternate jersey - and we don't see a reason why the club ever would.14. Winnipeg Jets (1979-90) Many were calling for the Jets to bring back this sublime design when the team returned to Winnipeg, and rightfully so. The colors are bold, the letters pop out, and it's a delight for the eyes. The "J" being in the shape of a hockey stick is also a nice touch on one of the most timeless logos in NHL history.13. Colorado Avalanche There's a reason this logo has gone untouched throughout the Avalanche's existence. The puck-led avalanche around the mountain perfectly forms the letter "A," and the swoop of snow also creates a subtle "C." The logo connects nicely to Denver's roots, too.12. Minnesota Wild How long did it take you to learn that this picturesque forest landscape also forms the shape of a wild animal? The path is the mouth, the shooting star (an ode to the Minnesota North Stars) is an eye, and the sun is an ear. This logo gets bonus points for uniqueness and creativity.11. Chicago Blackhawks The Blackhawks' classic logo has undergone very minor changes over the franchise's near century-long existence. An artistic side profile of Black Hawk, a Native American of the Sauk nation and a prominent historical figure in Illinois, has been central to Chicago's look since the beginning. It's one of the most colorful and detailed logos in all of sports.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11Welcome to the theScore's NHL logo countdown. This list examines logos that date back to the inception of the Original Six and includes the main emblem for all 32 current teams, 11 clubs that moved or changed their name, and seven whose logo has undergone a significant redesign. Only the primary ones were considered.Here are the top 10 logos.10. Minnesota North Stars So simple yet so effective. The unique blend of green and yellow is synonymous with the North Stars, and the sharp design still holds up decades after the club's relocation to Dallas as the Stars - who, ironically, could use a new look.9. St. Louis Blues If a team's logo stays roughly the same for over 50 years, it means they did something right. Aside from a few wordmarks and color tweaks, the famous "Blue note" has mostly stayed the same since the team's inception in 1967. The logo perfectly captures the jazz and blues scene St. Louis is known for.8. Montreal Canadiens One of the oldest and most recognizable logos in all of pro sports, the Canadiens' crest is still one of the best in the league. The red, white, and blue along with the "C" and "H" are so simple but work so well. The logo hasn't changed much since its introduction in 1917, and rightly so.7. Boston Bruins The Bruins are the NHL's oldest American team, and while they didn't introduce the spoked B until 25 years into their history, it's become iconic. This logo has only undergone slight changes over the years, and for a good reason. It's a simple yet eye-catching look.6. Quebec Nordiques It's not the most thrilling design, but we adore the classic look Quebec rocked before the franchise moved to Denver. The lowercase "N" is extremely '70s, but the fact it forms an igloo is a perfect touch. We always appreciate incorporating a stick and a puck, and the dynamic shades of red and blue tie everything together perfectly. Surely we aren't alone in hoping to see this logo on the ice again one day.5. Buffalo Sabres At last, the Sabres have it right again. After multiple redesigns from their original logo, Buffalo finally brought back its first crest this offseason with the proper shade of royal blue - rather than the navy that's diminished the iconic look's luster over recent years. Let's hope this beauty never disappears again.4. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim This logo is a cult classic for an entire generation of hockey fans. It would likely be criticized if it were released today without a beloved movie franchise attached to it, but the Mighty Ducks' crest is one of the most admired in the sport more than 10 years since Anaheim moved on to its current drab logo and uniform combination.3. Toronto Maple Leafs The Maple Leafs logo has varied over the years, but switching to this iconic masterpiece - similar to what the club wore from 1938-63 - for the 2016-17 campaign was definitely the right move. Former team owner Conn Smythe originally gave the franchise the Maple Leafs logo in 1927 to honor the badge worn by Canadian soldiers in World War I.2. Detroit Red Wings The Red Wings' classic look is one of the greatest in all of sports. Not only is the logo a masterpiece aesthetically, but the winged wheel perfectly represents the heart of the Motor City. The timeless design has remained virtually the same since the team adopted its name in 1932, which is a testament to how connected it is to the history of the city and the sport.1. Hartford Whalers This logo is so simple yet complex at the same time. The green "W" for Whalers and the blue whale's tail are obvious, but it may require a second glance to realize the negative space between those two makes up the "H" in Hartford. Even though the Whalers relocated to Carolina in 1997, this remains the greatest NHL logo of all time and one of the best in sports history.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After commissioner Gary Bettman announced Tuesday that the NHL is considering a temporary realignment for the upcoming season, theScore decided to create three realignment options the league could explore.With Canada's 14-day quarantine rules still in effect (despite an ongoing pilot project), it's not surprising that Bettman hinted an all-Canadian division may be inevitable in 2020-21. But how would that affect the rest of the NHL?There are a few important things to keep in mind here. Bettman specifically said having teams travel "from Florida to California may not make sense," so we've eliminated inter-conference regular-season games. These realignment proposals are designed to align time zones and reduce travel as much as possible.For the purposes of this exercise, we assumed the league will stage a 48-game regular season, which is reportedly the shortest campaign it's considering. Bettman also said he hopes to have the playoffs finished before July, so anything more than 48 games seems challenging with a Jan. 1 target start date. The NHL ran a 48-game season during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign, so there's familiarity.Here are our three realignment options:4 divisions Brandon Magnus / National Hockey League / GettyEastSouth CentralWestCanadaBostonCarolinaAnaheimCalgaryBuffaloChicagoArizonaEdmontonNew JerseyColumbusColoradoMontrealNY IslandersDetroitDallasOttawaNY RangersFloridaLos AngelesTorontoPhiladelphiaSt. LouisMinnesotaVancouverPittsburghNashvilleSan JoseWinnipegWashingtonTampa BayVegas

It appears short-term hubs may not be used for the 2020-21 season after all.The idea of NHL teams playing games in their own arenas is gaining steam for the upcoming campaign, sources told TSN's Frank Seravalli.This contradicts commissioner Gary Bettman's comments Tuesday in which he said the league was considering sending teams to a hub for 10-12 days to play games before going back home for a week. Although that idea still remains a possibility, it appears it wasn't overly popular during Thursday's Board of Governors meetings.The significant price of operating bubbles and the potential loss of revenue with neutral-site games are among the leading reasons why the league prefers teams to travel from city to city to play, like MLB and the NFL have done. The NHL reportedly spent an estimated $75 million to $90 million on the playoff bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton.The league is also apparently considering two-to-three game series against each opponent - similar to baseball - in order to reduce travel.Teams would be permitted to have fans in their arenas in limited capacities - like the NFL has done - in certain regions that allow it.The NHL is still targeting Jan. 1 as a start date and hopes it can finish the playoffs by mid-July before the Olympics begin. That timeline would seemingly provide four-to-five months for a regular season and two-to-three months for the postseason. A 48-game campaign is reportedly considered the minimum, but models of 62, 60, and 56 contests apparently exist.During the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign, the league began its 48-game season Jan. 19 and had the Cup awarded June 24.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks are calling on their fans to help them prevent potential development plans from pushing the club out of its home arena and the city itself.

Though the two sides have yet to begin contract negotiations, Carolina Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell hopes to lock up star defenseman Dougie Hamilton to a long-term deal in the near future."We're getting close to talking about it (contract extension)," Waddell said Thursday, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.He added: "He is a UFA at the end of the year, so we'd like to get that one done sooner than later. That one, you would have doubts if you play out the season, so it makes sense to try to get something done before the start of the season."The 27-year-old has one season remaining on his current deal, which he signed with the Calgary Flames in 2015. The Hurricanes acquired the defenseman prior to the 2018-19 campaign.Hamilton was among the Norris Trophy front-runners in 2019-20 before he fractured his fibula in January, sidelining him for the remainder of the regular season. He amassed 14 goals and 26 assists in 47 games.However, Waddell knows it will be increasingly difficult to sign Hamilton to a lucrative long-term deal due to the financial implications of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic."You've got a flat cap for the next two years, we know that," Waddell said. "We also know that the market's changed. I'm not saying we're not going to do a long-term deal, but the long-term deals, if you look at free agency, you've only got a few guys that got more than three years in the whole market. ... So I think the market has changed and it should change because of the situation we're all-in."Hamilton is a key part of a strong defensive group in Carolina. The team already has Jaccob Slavin, Jake Gardiner, Brady Skjei, and Brett Pesce signed for at least the next three seasons.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Red Wings forward Bobby Ryan didn't expect to find himself in a new city for the 2020-21 campaign.The veteran winger had the final two years of his contract with the Ottawa Senators bought out in September after spending seven seasons with the club."It was about a minute conversation. There’s really not much to say," Ryan said, according to The Athletic's Craig Custance. "What do you say, really? I said, 'OK, thank you, good luck' and that’s it. It came as a complete shock … It was not the call I expected on that Friday morning for sure."Ryan won the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2020 after publicly sharing his battle with alcohol abuse. The former first-round draft pick took three months off during the season to seek treatment and scored a hat trick upon his return to Ottawa in February.The 33-year-old says he's forever grateful for the love and support he received from the city despite his abrupt ending with the organization."I’ve always liked the people in Ottawa," Ryan said, according to Custance. "I won’t say I ever truly fell in love with the city part of it. The people in the community are just incredible. I had so many ups and downs there. So many highs, like the playoffs. And lows, slumps, and last year. They always embraced me ... you never got the sense that they’d given up on you."Ryan inked a one-year, $1-million deal with the rebuilding Red Wings in October. The 6-foot-2 right-handed shooter scored 15 goals and 42 points through 78 games during the 2018-19 season and now wants to prove he's still got plenty left in the tank."I knew that I needed to prove there is still some high-end hockey in me. I didn’t want to go somewhere and immediately be a third- or fourth-line guy. I still think I can play in the top six to nine."The New Jersey native has amassed 254 goals and 555 points over 833 NHL contests.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vancouver Canucks head coach Travis Green is making it clear he wants to remain with his team for the long haul.General manager Jim Benning said last week that the financial ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic were impacting a potential extension for Green, who has just one year left on his contract."I understand it. I've had some dialogue with Jim and kicked some things around," Green told Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre. "For me, the biggest thing is that we're always on the same page, and we have been from Day 1. The fact Jim wants to extend me fits with what I want to do."The Canucks hired Green in 2017 after he spent the previous four seasons coaching the team's AHL affiliate. He helped guide Vancouver to its first playoff victory in 2011 this past season.The 49-year-old has been instrumental in the Canucks' rebuild, helping the team's young stars progress and re-establishing the club as a contender."When I first came to Vancouver, we talked about building this team up and taking the proper steps to do it," Green said. "I still want to coach this team and win in Vancouver, not just now and not just next year but for the long term. We'll see how this plays out during the pandemic and revisit it."He added: "When you ask me if I want to stay in Vancouver, of course I do. It’s not even a question in my mind. I can't imagine winning a Stanley Cup in any city but Vancouver."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to Puck Pursuit, an interview-style podcast hosted by John Matisz, theScore's national hockey writer.Subscribe to the show on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.Puck Pursuit · TSN's Bob McKenzieTSN's Bob McKenzie joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including:

The Boston Bruins are "full steam ahead" with netminder Tuukka Rask for the upcoming campaign, according to head coach Bruce Cassidy."I think everything that happened in the bubble has been addressed, dealt with," Cassidy said Wednesday, according to NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin. "We're moving on, getting ready to win next year. That includes our goaltender."Rask opted out of the league's return in August following Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes to tend to a family emergency. The Finnish goaltender received support from the organization and his teammates after making the decision.Cassidy said Rask's absence affected the team mentally before the Tampa Bay Lightning eliminated the Bruins in five games. The 55-year-old bench boss believes the 2020 Vezina Trophy finalist is excited to get back and compete."... I think he just wants to get back in the net and play hockey and play well and give us a chance to win," Cassidy said."Probably nobody more excited on our team to (be) getting back in there," he added. "I would assume that Tuukka would sort of say 'hey, I'm still the goalie I was last year and I'm ready to go. Family's good, I'm good. Everyone's in a good place. Let's play hockey.'"Rask is entering the final year of his current deal and will become an unrestricted free agent after the season. The 33-year-old has spent all 13 campaigns of his career with the Bruins, and Rask said in October he wouldn't want to play anywhere else.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL is getting creative in exploring its options for the 2020-21 season.While the league is looking for ways to have teams play in their own buildings, it's also discussed using short-term hubs and temporarily realigning the divisions to reduce travel amid the coronavirus pandemic, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday."You'll play for 10-12 days," Bettman said of the potential hub system, according to NHL.com's Nicholas J. Cotsonika. "You'll play a bunch of games without traveling. You'll go back, go home for a week, be with your family. We'll have our testing protocols and all the other things you need."It's not going to be quite as effective as a bubble, but we think we can, if we go this route, minimize the risks to the extent practical and sensible. And so that's one of the things that we're talking about."With the Canada-United States border closed to nonessential travel, a division including all the Canadian teams is another possible adjustment."Obviously, we're not going to move all seven Canadian franchises south of the 49th parallel, and so we have to look at alternative ways to play," Bettman said.He added, "As it relates to the travel issue, which is obviously the great unknown, we may have to temporarily realign to deal with geography, and that may make sense, because having some of our teams travel from Florida to California may not make sense."The NHL is targeting Jan. 1 as the start date for the 2020-21 campaign and reportedly won't consider playing less than a 48-game season. Bettman, who previously said he'd prefer to avoid playing in the summer, says he's focused on getting back to the league's usual calendar."While we're in the middle of working on our return to play as well, which I hope to have put to bed soon, our goal is to get back to a normal schedule starting (next) fall and being done before July on a longer-term basis," Bettman said. "That is the goal."The NHL and NHLPA each need to agree upon any potential plan as they did for the 2020 return to play.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks haven't yet begun "substantive" extension talks with superstar forward Elias Pettersson, reports Thomas Drance and Rick Dhaliwal of The Athletic.The two sides have stayed in touch over the offseason and the lack of significant progress on a new agreement is nothing to be concerned over, Drance and Dhaliwal add.The 2020-21 campaign will be the final season of Pettersson's entry-level contract and he's eligible for an extension at any point. However, the Canucks appear willing to take their time on a new pact for the 21-year-old as they navigate through the ramifications of a flat salary cap for the foreseeable future.General manager Jim Benning said earlier in November that the pandemic is currently affecting the Canucks' financial flexibility when it comes to awarding head coach Travis Green a contract extension.Vancouver is projected to have over $24 million in salary cap space before the 2021-22 season, and the club will also need to ink defenseman Quinn Hughes to a new deal by then.Pettersson's next deal could easily reach over $10 million per season, with the left-handed shooter averaging 0.92 points per game across his first two seasons. The young Swedish sniper, who has a Calder Trophy on his resume, also registered 18 points in 17 games this past summer in his first taste of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This is the second half of a two-part series ranking all 31 NHL teams by tiers for the 2020-21 season. Part 1, which addresses the bottom 14 teams, was published Monday.This is an annual exercise conducted after the dust has settled on the draft and free agency. The tiers are based on projections for the 2020-21 season only, not the long-term trajectories of each franchise. Lastly, keep in mind the timing. We're all awaiting word on the 2020-21 NHL season, which means there's runway for teams before rosters need to be finalized.Moderately dangerous (4th tier)Possible playoff teams unlikely to go on deep runCalgary Flames"Solid" is the word that comes to mind regarding the 2020-21 Flames. They're a high-floor team (make the playoffs, probably?) whose ceiling is limited (win a round or two, at best?). Landing stud goalie Jacob Markstrom in free agency was massive; he'll be a huge help over the short and long terms. Otherwise, the roster is unexceptional: above-average top-six forwards, above-average top-four defense, decent but unspectacular depth at both positions. The playoff history of this team during Johnny Gaudreau's six-year tenure (two total series wins) doesn't inspire a ton of confidence. The Flames fit - solidly - into the fourth tier.Trendline: Stuck in middle20192018Previous tiers3rd4th Chase Agnello-Dean / Getty ImagesColumbus Blue JacketsAnybody with half a hockey brain could have guessed what Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen would attempt to do this offseason: Find. More. Goals. The John Tortorella-coached squad is routinely one of the top defensive outfits in the NHL, but it finished last season tied for 27th in team offense. Acquiring free-wheeling playmaker Max Domi should help the cause. Domi will find a home down the middle behind young star Pierre-Luc Dubois - who's currently unsigned - while 37-year-old former Minnesota Wild captain Mikko Koivu, added on a cheap one-year deal, will fill the third-line center role.Many wonder if Kekalainen has more maneuvers up his sleeve, seeing as Gustav Nyquist is scheduled to miss a big chunk of 2020-21 because of shoulder surgery. Perhaps the Blue Jackets put the full-court press on free-agent winger Mike Hoffman to supplement the attack. They need finishers. Some food for thought: What should we expect from the Joonas Korpisalo-Elvis Merzlikins goalie duo?Trendline: Rounding out20192018Previous tiers6th3rdVancouver CanucksThe Canucks have taken a small step in the wrong direction. After a breakout year filled with thrilling storylines and two playoff series wins, their starting goalie (Markstrom), a top-six winger (Tyler Toffoli), and two everyday defensemen (Chris Tanev, Troy Stecher) left via free agency. Nate Schmidt and Braden Holtby arrived to more or less replace Tanev and Markstrom. Looking strictly through a 2020-21 lens, the Canucks are worse - albeit by a small margin.Assuming the upward trajectory continues for Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat, J.T. Miller, and Quinn Hughes, the end product might actually look pretty close to the 2019-20 Canucks: a team very much in the hunt for a playoff spot. That description surely isn't what Vancouver fans hoped for following a transformative and exciting season, but it is the reality of the situation.Trendline: Cautious optimism20192018Previous tiers6th8thMontreal CanadiensIt's easy to like the Canadiens' offseason. Aside from the term of the contract handed out to power forward Josh Anderson, all of GM Marc Bergevin's transactions could be filed under "astute." Anderson, exchanged for Domi in a swap of two 20-something forwards, and Toffoli, a medium-sized free-agent splash, shore up the top six. Former Hurricane Joel Edmundson and Russian prospect Alexander Romanov add some oomph to the back end. Jake Allen, acquired via trade from the Blues, is an excellent backup for Carey Price.The flurry of activity comes after a confidence-building showing in the bubbled postseason, where youngsters Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi impressed. The Habs are suddenly in the mix for the best team in Canada. They are, unquestionably, the most fascinating of those seven clubs.Trendline: Gearing up20192018Previous tiers5th8th Bruce Bennett / Getty ImagesNew York IslandersIn the Barry Trotz-Lou Lamoriello era, the Islanders have made the playoffs both years and won four series, earning a trip to the conference finals in the 24-team bubbled postseason. There's little reason to expect anything different in 2020-21. Trotz's style of play - keep opponents' shots to the outside, cycle the hell out of the puck in the offensive zone - perfectly suits the mentality of Lamoriello's stable of mostly blue-collar players. Losing top-four defenseman Devon Toews in a salary-dump trade stings, but it's not the end of the world. Meanwhile, star center Mat Barzal, a potential offer-sheet target, will eventually re-sign. The train keeps chugging in New York.Trendline: Predictably good20192018Previous tiers4th7thPhiladelphia FlyersAs usual, the Flyers are hard to nail down. Based on last year's success in the regular season and their current roster, it wouldn't be crazy to suggest they're a top 10 team in the NHL. But Philadelphia is definitely in the bottom half of that list, perhaps even 10th, which means its chances of winning a Cup aren't overly high.It feels like this team is one significant piece - even two - away from jumping from the fourth tier to the third, though that upgrade could still happen this offseason or at the trade deadline. Not helping matters: veteran defenseman Matt Niskanen's surprising retirement. GM Chuck Fletcher picked up Erik Gustafsson in response, but the offensively inclined blue-liner probably doesn't fully compensate for the loss of Niskanen.Trendline: Back and forth20192018Previous tiers5th4thEdmonton OilersIt's going to come together for the Oilers someday … right? 2020-21 will be Connor McDavid's sixth year in the NHL, and his team - beyond superstar teammate Leon Draisaitl and a few other pieces - is once again middling. So once again, it's difficult to envision a deep playoff run for Edmonton, barring some miraculous performances from McDavid and Draisaitl. Top-pairing defenseman Oscar Klefbom is expected to miss most, if not all, of next season because of his chronic shoulder injury.GM Ken Holland reeled in fresh faces Kyle Turris, Dominik Kahun, and Tyson Barrie on short-term deals. Settling for a Mikko Koskinen-Mike Smith duo in net, however, is a tough pill to swallow for the fan base.Trendline: Opportunities missed20192018Previous tiers5th5thScary at full potential (3rd tier)Cup win not out of question, though a lot must fall into placePittsburgh PenguinsGod bless Jim Rutherford. No GM provides fodder for fans and media as consistently as Rutherford, who obtained forwards Kasperi Kapanen, Colton Sceviour, Mark Jankowski, and Evan Rodrigues and defensemen Michael Matheson and Cody Ceci this offseason. Gone are Matt Murray, Patric Hornqvist, Patrick Marleau, Dominik Simon, Justin Schultz, and Jack Johnson. From an aggregate talent standpoint, it's probably a wash.That's been the Penguins' approach for a few years: Squeeze every last ounce out of the tail end of the Sidney Crosby-Evgeni Malkin era by trying out new peripheral pieces every season. This team will make the playoffs for the 15th straight time. If 2019-20 All-Star Tristan Jarry can hold down the fort as the No. 1 goalie, look out. The long offseason will benefit Crosby, 33, Malkin, 34, and running mate Kris Letang, 33, while the early exit from the bubble should add extra fuel to the fire.Trendline: Ever-threatening20192018Previous tiers3rd2nd Mark Blinch / Getty ImagesToronto Maple LeafsGM Kyle Dubas made his team wiser, nastier, and bigger by bringing in Joe Thornton, Wayne Simmonds, and Zach Bogosian this offseason. According to Dubas' critics, these moves show growth because the Leafs have been "too easy to play against" for the past few years. Toronto also signed longtime Flames defenseman T.J. Brodie, who undoubtedly upgrades the blue line. Meanwhile, homegrown wingers Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson were shipped out of town while Joey Anderson, Jimmy Vesey, and Travis Boyd were welcomed into the fold.The revamped depth chart isn't markedly better or worse - it's just a little different. Make no mistake, the Auston Matthews-led crew will win plenty of regular-season games in 2020-21. The success or failure of this group ultimately depends on its performance in the playoffs, which is why Toronto earns a third-tier spot in these rankings. The Maple Leafs have consistently been better on paper than in the games. Time to flip the script.Trendline: High-ceiling underachiever20192018Previous tiers2nd2ndSt. Louis BluesThe Blues would have landed in the second tier if they had re-signed Alex Pietrangelo, weren't in a bind up front with Vladimir Tarasenko out until at least February after his third shoulder surgery in as many years, and had some semblance of salary-cap flexibility. They're a deep, experienced hockey team only two seasons removed from winning the Cup, but they're in a few pickles. The optimistic spin: Torey Krug's presence lessens the Pietrangelo hit and a breakout season from Robert Thomas could go a long way in helping to replace Tarasenko's production. In terms of projecting regular season and playoff success, St. Louis looks to be among the best of this tier.Trendline: Stubborn A-lister20192018Previous tiers2nd3rdBoston BruinsIt feels like 2020-21 could be the beginning of the end for this iteration of the Bruins. Krug is gone, Zdeno Chara might retire, Tuukka Rask and David Krejci are both entering the final year of their contracts, and Patrice Bergeron turned 35 in July. That said, the 2019-20 Presidents' Trophy winner is still a force to be reckoned with. Signing play-driving forward Craig Smith at $3.1 million per season for three years ranks as one of the smartest moves of the offseason. Although Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak are both coming off surgeries, they're world-class players. Rask remains an upper-echelon goalie, and Charlie McAvoy is underrated and only 22. So this team can't be counted out of Cup contention. Not yet, anyway.Trendline: Veteran savvy20192018Previous tiers2nd2nd Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesCarolina HurricanesThe Hurricanes have been relatively inactive this offseason - and that's totally fine because Carolina has been knocking on the door for a while. The team controls the flow of play most nights and quietly boasts deep groups at forward and on defense. As for star power, Dougie Hamilton and Jaccob Slavin are two of the best blue-liners in the game; Sebastian Aho is an elite top-line center; and Andrei Svechnikov, who will surely score 50 goals one day, is due to level up again. Jordan Staal and Vincent Trocheck fill out the second and third center roles nicely, while Jesper Fast, who signed a three-year deal as a free agent, is a reasonable replacement for retiring longtime Cane Justin Williams.The roster's only true weakness is in goal; barring a trade, Petr Mrazek and James Reimer will share the workload. If this club was located in Canada and not the Sun Belt, it'd be due for more buzz. The Hurricanes are a bit of a sleeping giant in the Eastern Conference.Trendline: About to burst20192018Previous tiers4th6thWashington CapitalsThe Capitals are well-known at this point. Most of the long-term core is locked up for a few more years and GM Brian MacLellan hasn't performed any major surgery around the edges this offseason. Sure, Henrik Lundqvist arriving as the wily backup to Ilya Samsonov is cool, and Justin Schultz subbing in for Radko Gudas on the back end is interesting. Brenden Dillon's extension is team-friendly. But that's it, in part because the 2018 Cup champions have so much money tied up in their top guys.The sticky thing about Washington is its lackluster showing in the bubbled postseason, and now Alex Ovechkin - one of the lone playoff standouts - is in the final season of his 13-year deal. Calling 2020-21 a crossroads season might be a tad dramatic, but the coming campaign does have a certain urgency. Well-respected coach Peter Laviolette provides a fresh voice behind the bench, so there should be equal amounts of motivation and pressure.Trendline: Always contending20192018Previous tiers3rd2ndDallas StarsThe Stars are running back the same crew that captured the Western Conference title, though top center Tyler Seguin and starting goalie Ben Bishop will be sidelined until late March or early April as they recover from offseason surgeries. Let's be clear: Dallas' players, along with GM Jim Nill and head coach Rick Bowness, deserve full marks for what they accomplished in the bubbled postseason. Hit by the injury bug, they gutted out 14 playoff wins before running out of gas against Tampa Bay. Nobody can take away those accomplishments. But let's be clear again: It was a perfect storm for the Stars. They're a very good NHL team, but not a great one, so repeating or improving on their playoff feats is a daunting task in 2020-21.Trendline: Consistent dark horse20192018Previous tiers3rd5thSecondary Cup favorite (2nd tier)Elite, battle-tested team with a few minor concerns Dave Sandford / Getty ImagesVegas Golden KnightsThe Golden Knights landed the biggest fish in free agency by inking Pietrangelo to a seven-year, $61.6-million deal. He's an elite blue-liner fresh off a Norris Trophy-caliber season. However, having to ship out top-four defenseman Schmidt and top-six center Paul Stastny to make room for Pietrangelo was suboptimal, and that's fundamentally why Vegas landed in its own tier below Tampa and Colorado.Coach Pete DeBoer doesn't have a proven second-line center right now, though there is a chance rookie Cody Glass slides into that role. Shea Theodore and Marc-Andre Fleury are other 2020-21 X-factors. How much growth is left in Theodore, the breakout star of the bubbled postseason? How will Fleury perform as the 1B goalie to 1A Robin Lehner? Vegas is one of those rare teams constructed to win both in the regular season and the playoffs, and management is clearly all-in.Trendline: Legit challengers20192018Previous tiers3rd3rdHeavy Cup favorites (1st tier)Star-studded, deep - simply a cut above the restColorado AvalancheGM Joe Sakic has been inching toward this moment since he was hired in 2014. Through masterful drafting, developing, and acquiring, the Nathan MacKinnon Avalanche have evolved into legitimate Stanley Cup favorites. Like the Lightning, Colorado's roster offers a fantastic mix of high-end talent (MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog, Cale Makar) and dependable depth (Nazem Kadri, Brandon Saad, Devon Toews, Samuel Girard, etc.). The only real question mark for the Avs is in the crease, where Philipp Grubauer returns as the starter. But it could end up a moot point since Colorado possesses the firepower to dominate in every other facet of the game most nights.Trendline: Apex reached20192018Previous tiers4th6thTampa Bay LightningIt's tempting to look at the Lightning's salary-cap conundrum and conclude the reigning champions will regress in 2020-21. Could one or two of Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn, Yanni Gourde, and Ondrej Palat be absent from coach Jon Cooper's lineup card on opening night? It sure seems likely given the crunch that GM Julien BriseBois is dealing with. But zoom out for a moment and it's reasonable to suggest this juggernaut can withstand a notable roster hit; the Lightning did win the Cup with Steven Stamkos sidelined for all but five playoff shifts. Tampa Bay is built to repeat, with any value lost in the offseason made up by improvements from Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli, Mikhail Sergachev, and Erik Cernak, four players in their early 20s who still have plenty of room to grow.Trendline: Era kings20192018Previous tiers1st1stJohn Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Earlier this week, theScore explored the writing and release of "Fabric of the Game," Chris Creamer and Todd Radom's deep dive into the history of the names and logos of every NHL team - plus 15 bygone franchises and the Seattle Kraken.In a recent interview, the authors identified their all-time favorite NHL logos and broke down the design characteristics that make these emblems so appealing. Each expert's top five choices are listed alphabetically below, and their analysis follows.Creamer: Buffalo Sabres, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, New Jersey DevilsRadom: Atlanta Flames, Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild, Philadelphia Flyers, Winnipeg Jets (original)––––––––––Atlanta FlamesEric Vail, 1979. Focus On Sport / Getty ImagesWhen new, Canadian ownership whisked this franchise north to Calgary four decades ago, the Flames' uniforms retained a dash of Atlanta: the Coca-Cola shade of red native to the soda giant's home city.The simplicity and coherence of Atlanta's flaming "A" logo have long stuck with Radom, a renowned graphic designer: "It conveys a lot with a little, which is always my criteria."Radom was 16 when, in 1980, he attended one of the Flames' first games as a Calgary-based team and came to appreciate the "C" variant on its own merits. It's just that the "A" set a high standard."Once you've seen the 'A' with the flame right in the middle, (the 'C' isn't) quite as elegant," Radom said. "But listen, 40 years on, the Flames are not only wearing them but reverting back to that original look. It holds up."Boston BruinsZdeno Chara, 2020. Mark Blinch / NHL / Getty Images"Fabric of the Game" dispels a well-worn tale about the Bruins' spoked "B": that the logo was designed in 1948 to assert Boston's status as the "Hub of the Universe," a voguish nickname for the city in the 19th century. The authors' research turned up no corroborating evidence, though Radom said they're still on the lookout.Setting aside what the "B" isn't, Radom finds it easy to value what the mark is. It's solid, includes arresting colors, and remains faithful to the 72-year-old initial design despite minor font and outline tweaks. Badass teams donned the "B" in the 1970s, Radom said, and today, historical consistency begets instant recognition."They look like the Bruins," Radom said. "You flip on a game, look at your screen: They are the Bruins."Buffalo SabresMike Ramsey, 1991. Graig Abel / Getty Images"Extraordinarily clever" is how Creamer, the editor of SportsLogos.net, describes the balance Buffalo struck with its 1970 expansion logo. The jersey crest features a buffalo and crossed sabers. "It says it all," Creamer noted. Chef's kiss. 'Nuff said.Why meddle with perfection? Seymour Knox III, the Sabres' founding owner, voiced that sentiment during the mid-1990s rebrand that completely changed the club's appearance. If Original Six teams don't overhaul their logos, he argued, Buffalo shouldn't feel the need, either. Only in 2010 did the Sabres ditch the maligned "Buffaslug" to revive the original design, vindicating Knox 14 years after his death.Next season, the crest will again be royal blue rather than dark blue, completing the return to roots."We can look back on this now and think, 'This guy was onto something,'" Creamer said of Knox. "If only he could see what's happening now."Colorado RockiesLanny McDonald, 1980. Bruce Bennett / Getty Images It's Creamer's belief that blue-red-yellow color schemes should get far more play across North American sports. The NCAA's Kansas Jayhawks swear by such a pattern. The same goes for the NBA's Denver Nuggets, though red isn't paramount in their motif.From 1976-82, before the Rockies moved to New Jersey and an expansion MLB team picked up the name, this NHL club rocked a tricolor, white-striped Rocky Mountain logo crafted in the image of Colorado's state flag."An amazing, remarkable thing to do," Creamer said, praising the decision to meld two signature state symbols.It's only fitting that the Colorado Avalanche, recognizing their heritage, now trot out a similar mountain icon as an alternative logo."In the wrong colors, but still," Creamer said.Detroit Red WingsGordie Howe, 1956. Bettmann / Getty ImagesAs with the Bruins, Creamer applauds Detroit for riding with the same logo through the eras. Save for the occasional cosmetic update, no one has touched or sullied the winged wheel that Ted Lindsay, Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman, and Nicklas Lidstrom each sported in turn.Longevity is one thing, but how's this for added historical significance: Detroit's famous emblem is a tribute to the first winners of the Stanley Cup, the amateur Montreal Hockey Club's "Winged Wheelers." That outfit lifted the chalice in 1893, a full 115 years before the Red Wings celebrated the most recent of their 11 titles."To me, that alone - the history attached to it, to the origins of hockey - make it one of the greatest logos in the NHL," Creamer said.Hartford WhalersMark Hunter, 1991. Graig Abel / Getty ImagesCreamer named his top logos in no particular order, but this one might be his favorite, partly because of a childhood lesson his dad imparted. He recalls browsing old sets of Upper Deck hockey cards and mocking team insignias he didn't understand, Hartford's trademark whale tail among them.He'd never noticed the hidden green "H" just above the Whaler "W." When his dad pointed this out, it was a lightbulb moment for Creamer - the realization there's more to some logos than immediately meets the eye.The whale tail is at once nuanced and straightforward, he said, not to mention pleasantly colorful. It depicts the franchise's identity through an illustration a kid could replicate.What else explains the logo's enduring charm?"The team doesn't exist anymore," Creamer said. "That doesn't hurt."Minnesota WildZach Parise and Brad Hunt, 2020. Andy Devlin / NHL / Getty Images"How do you embody something that is a Wild?" Radom wondered when this franchise settled on a name in the late 1990s. Unlike a saber or a whaler, unlike a flame or a mountain range, Minnesota saddled its designers with an abstract muse: something rugged or picturesque, sure, but without a readymade or obvious form.Happily, Radom said, the end product nails the look and feel of venturing off the grid in the State of Hockey: "It takes you to a certain place."At the top of the logo, the sun sets above green trees and a handsome red sky. A river winds into the forest from the bottom right corner. The scene unfolds within the contours of an animal head, the creature's eye represented by the north star that salutes Minnesota's first NHL club.Radom believes the logo has "gained equity over the past two decades," even though the Wild have iced few great teams in that period."That's a hard thing to pull off, but they pulled it off," he said.New Jersey DevilsScott Gomez, 2003. Dave Sandford / Getty Images Like Hartford's whale tail, camouflaged "H", and foundational "W", elements in the Devils' logo fuse to produce a harmonious whole. There's power in being direct, Creamer said. New Jersey's creation - interlocked initials that contort into a devil's tail and horns - certainly fits the bill.The Devils released the mark in 1982, not long before Creamer was born, and the only notable edit in 38 years has been a change in the color of the background circle: a shift from green to black for a more assertive, less Christmassy motif. The organization wore black trim in its three championship seasons, a coincidence that strengthened the brand."Some logos are elevated by success," Radom said. "(The Devils) become a little dynasty, and that logo is elevated by virtue of the fact that they have those Stanley Cups."Philadelphia FlyersBobby Clarke, 1975. Focus On Sport / Getty ImagesFundamentally, Radom likes the shapes Philadelphia has used to brand itself since 1967: the slanted "P" that sprouted wings; the central orange dot that imitates a puck. The Flyers helped kick-start the league's expansion era, but their commitment to visual tradition is reminiscent of an Original Six club. Like Boston and Detroit - and unlike Buffalo - they've stayed the course.Spiritually, Radom has long appreciated that the Flyers wear orange and black, verging off-trend in the cradle of U.S. independence."Where 1776 rules all, the Flyers are not red, white, and blue, and there are no stripes or stars," he said.Apart from brief experiments with silver and gold trim, Philly's logo has remained untouched, its aesthetic distinctive."It looks as good now as it did when Bobby Clarke was out there with no teeth," Radom said.Winnipeg Jets (original)Dave Babych (left) and Dale Hawerchuk, 2016 Heritage Classic. Jonathan Kozub / NHL / Getty ImagesWinnipeg's original hockey team, a three-time World Hockey Association champion in the 1970s, took what Radom characterizes as a "kitchen sink" approach to its emblem."It has everything," he said. "It says Winnipeg. It says Jets. It has a picture of a jet. It has a hockey stick. But you put all that together, it's only two colors, and there's something about it that is kind of goofy and '70s."Those Jets wore the logo in the NHL until 1990. Long after they departed for Phoenix, the current name-holders reprised the style - airplane silhouette and all - for the Heritage Classic in both 2016 and 2019. The tributes looked great, Radom said, and they reminded him of a fond teenage memory: requesting a pocket schedule from the WHA by mail."The WHA sent me back these decals, which I still have, all these years later," Radom said. "Among them is this Winnipeg Jets logo. It makes me feel warm inside."Nick Faris is a features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman strongly believes the NHL and players' association will establish a successful plan for the 2020-21 campaign."I'm very optimistic," Yzerman said earlier this week, according to the Detroit Free Press' Helene St. James. "I'm hopeful. I don't really have any control over it. The league can only control so much, as well."I think the players' association and the league, the cooperation from both sides has been fantastic. It's my understanding they're working together now to put a plan in place."The 2019-20 season ended Sept. 28 after being delayed multiple months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly reiterated last week that the league is targeting a Jan. 1 start for the 2020-21 campaign.As of Friday, the NHL-NHLPA return-to-play committee apparently hadn't yet met to discuss next season despite the date being less than two months away.Yzerman says the biggest hurdle facing the league is the border restrictions between Canada and the United States."Ultimately, we're restricted by international governments - the Canada-US border - local, state governments," Yzerman said. "Right now, it looks like we'll be able to come up with some kind of plan, but I don't know specifically what that is."Yzerman will be hoping the Red Wings can take the next step in their rebuild in 2020-21 after finishing dead last in the NHL for the first time since 1985-86.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars signed forward Roope Hintz to a three-year deal with an average annual value of $3.15 million, the team announced Monday.Hintz, 23, will be a restricted free agent when the deal expires following the 2022-23 season.The 6-foot-3 Finn ranked second on the Stars with a career-best 19 goals - including five game-winners - and added 14 assists through 60 regular-season contests in 2019-20.He added two goals and 13 points over 25 playoff games during the Stars' run to the Stanley Cup Final.Stars general manager Jim Nill has kept busy this offseason. He inked netminder Anton Khudobin and forwards Radek Faksa and Denis Gurianov to new deals and brought in defenseman Mark Pysyk. Nill also named Rick Bowness permanent head coach in October.Dallas now has just under $258,000 in projected cap space with a full 23-man roster, according to CapFriendly.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This is the first installment of a two-part series ranking all 31 NHL teams by tiers for the 2020-21 season. Part 2, which addresses the top 17 teams, will be published Tuesday.This is an annual exercise conducted after the dust has settled on the draft and free agency. The tiers are based on projections for the 2020-21 season only, not the long-term trajectories of each franchise. Lastly, keep in mind the timing. We're all awaiting word on the 2020-21 NHL season, which means there's runway for teams before rosters need to be finalized.Worst of the worst (8th tier)In a league of their own in a not-so-nice wayDetroit Red WingsThe Red Wings' offseason has been undeniably productive, which is a step in the right direction for a franchise looking to regain respectability. Up front, Vladislav Namestnikov, Bobby Ryan, Sam Gagner, and Adam Erne were brought in on short-term deals. Troy Stecher, Jon Merrill, and Marc Staal are all also under contract for a year or two and were added to the blue line. And inking goalie Thomas Greiss at $3.6 million per season for two years was a tidy piece of business from general manager Steve Yzerman.These acquisitions improved Detroit, yet the offseason work will only slightly move the needle because the bar was set so laughably low last campaign. The 2019-20 Wings lost 54 of 71 games while finishing with a minus-122 goal differential. Among 31 teams, they're still the furthest away from a Stanley Cup in 2020-21.Trendline: Still murky20192018Previous tiers7th8thHead barely above water (7th tier)Rebuilding with the inside track on prime draft-lottery oddsAnaheim DucksWhere are the goals going to come from? That's the biggest question tied to the Ducks right now, with Ryan Getzlaf, Rickard Rakell, Adam Henrique, Jakob Silfverberg, Sonny Milano, and Danton Heinen probably making up the team's top six.Getzlaf, who's 35 years old and on an expiring contract, could be trade bait as the deadline approaches. Anaheim's blue line is solid, especially with Kevin Shattenkirk arriving on a three-year deal, and John Gibson is a premier goalie, so there's a glimmer of hope for this capped-out franchise in transition. But the Ducks will be a bottom-five team in 2020-21, and they'll benefit from finally committing to a full-scale rebuild.Trendline: Nearing bottom20192018Previous tiers6th3rd Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesLos Angeles KingsOf the four teams in the seventh tier, Los Angeles' fan base has the least to gripe about. GM Rob Blake has been honest about trudging through a weighty rebuild while aging stars Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty remain under contract. So far, so good, with Quinton Byfield, Alex Turcotte, Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Rasmus Kupari, Arthur Kaliyev, Akil Thomas, Samuel Fagemo, and Tobias Bjornfot headlining an impressively deep and talented prospect pipeline.The club also holds nine picks in the 2021 draft and plenty of cap space to weaponize. The Kings' future looks bright, but don't expect anything beyond minor gains this season.Trendline: On the rebound20192018Previous tiers7th4thSan Jose SharksThe Sharks are one of the trickiest teams to gauge. In 2018-19, they lost in the conference finals. Then while struggling through injuries and poor performances this past campaign, they ranked 29th in points percentage, missing the 24-team postseason. Most of their top players are 30 or older, and GM Doug Wilson didn't accomplish much this offseason.Notable new faces include top-six forward Ryan Donato and goalie Devan Dubnyk, both of whom were acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Wild. On paper, Dubnyk and Martin Jones are far from a reliable goaltending tandem, which is why San Jose lands in this lower tier. Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns, Logan Couture, and other key contributors could bounce back during Bob Boughner's first full year behind the bench, but the Sharks' roster probably isn't strong enough to mask the deficiencies in net.Trendline: Lacks clarity20192018Previous tiers4th3rdOttawa SenatorsThe Senators are on a similar trajectory to the Wings, though they're a bit further ahead in the rebuilding process. They're not ready to contend for a playoff spot despite graduating from the painful bottoming-out phase. Picking up two-time Stanley Cup champion Matt Murray in a trade should solidify the goaltending position in Ottawa, while former Panthers winger Evgenii Dadonov is set to inject some much-needed offensive punch.Still, this team's record will largely rest with the growth of core youngsters like Thomas Chabot, Erik Brannstrom, Brady Tkachuk, Colin White, Josh Norris, Drake Batherson, and Alex Formenton. Really, it's in the Sens' best long-term interest to enter the draft lottery again before transitioning into a new, more competitive phase in 2021-22. The wait continues in Canada's capital city.Trendline: The climb begins20192018Previous tiers8th8thNotch below the playoffs (6th tier)For various reasons, 2020-21 doesn't project to be a banner seasonArizona CoyotesThe Coyotes have been a hot mess lately, and that's putting it mildly. The team's effort in the postseason was uninspiring, and Arizona forfeited two high draft picks due to scouting violations. The club then attempted but failed to trade captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and it renounced the rights to draft pick Mitchell Miller following a public outcry.That series of events has left Arizona with a dire outlook over the next few years. The Coyotes should be fine in 2020-21, largely due to stellar netminders and Rick Tocchet's coaching. However, Clayton Keller and Phil Kessel leading an attack isn't intimidating anyone.Trendline: A drying well20192018Previous tiers6th7th NHL Images / Getty ImagesMinnesota WildThere are simply too many unknowns with the Wild. The club's center depth leaves plenty to be desired. Who knows how impactful highly touted Russian forward Kirill Kaprizov will be as an NHL rookie. First-round pick Marco Rossi may or may not make the team. Top-four defenseman Matt Dumba has been mentioned in the trade-rumor mill all offseason. Three longtime leaders - Dubnyk, Mikko Koivu, and Eric Staal - are gone. Cam Talbot is the new starting goalie. And much more.Toss in the fact that GM Bill Guerin, who's been on the job for a year, isn't done turning over the roster, and Minnesota is in an awkward, ho-hum position for 2020-21.Trendline: Direction TBD20192018Previous tiers6th5thNew Jersey DevilsTom Fitzgerald is quickly putting his stamp on this team, and the GM's first offseason in charge has been sharp. Signing Corey Crawford makes a ton of sense, as the move gives goalie-of-the-future Mackenzie Blackwood veteran support. The acquisitions of Andreas Johnsson and Ryan Murray were shrewd, and Lindy Ruff appears to be a solid head coach hire.However, the Devils - an organization with just two playoff appearances over the past decade - will be chasing the seven other Metropolitan Division teams even after all of their moves. With Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier green still, is New Jersey as good as or better than Carolina, Philadelphia, Washington, Pittsburgh, Columbus, or the two New York teams in 2020? Probably not.It's an optimistic time for the Devils, but they're only starting an upward trajectory.Trendline: A good start20192018Previous tiers6th5thChicago BlackhawksLike the Kings, the Blackhawks are trying to rebuild without tearing down the entire championship foundation, which, in this case, includes Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook. Longtime starting goalie Crawford wasn't re-signed, creating a dangerous dynamic in the crease. Chicago is porous defensively, and now Malcolm Subban and Colin Delia will be tasked with bailing out that unit? Good luck.On the flip side, Kane is an elite player, Toews experienced a resurgent 2019-20, and Alex DeBrincat, Kirby Dach, Dominik Kubalik, Adam Boqvist, and Ian Mitchell are all promising young talents. The Blackhawks finished last year with a .514 points percentage. Just above .500 is a fair prediction for 2020-21.Trendline: Treading water20192018Previous tiers5th5thFlorida PanthersNo NHL franchise is spinning its wheels more than the Panthers. Jonathan Huberdeau is 27 years old, Aleksander Barkov is 25, and Aaron Ekblad is 24, and the team has accomplished basically nothing over the trio's six seasons together (zero playoff series wins in two appearances).Now there's been a huge turnover, with the club bidding farewell to Mike Hoffman, Evgenii Dadonov, Mike Matheson, Colton Sceviour, Josh Brown, Erik Haula, Brian Boyle, Lucas Wallmark, and Mark Pysyk while welcoming Patric Hornqvist, Alex Wennberg, Markus Nutivaara, Radko Gudas, Vinnie Hinostroza, Carter Verhaeghe, and Ryan Lomberg. The acquisitions were cost-effective and carry little risk, yet Florida has become worse.Down the road, Bill Zito and Joel Quenneville - a pretty good GM-head coach tandem - could turn the ship around. In the present, though, prepare for more mediocrity.Trendline: Slipping back20192018Previous tiers4th4thStandings purgatory (5th tier)Playoff potential, but the stars must align perfectlyNew York RangersPutting the Rangers in the "purgatory" section may seem negative. But it's actually a compliment to the fine job management has done while rebuilding the Original Six franchise.A playoff spot in 2020-21 isn't out of the question. Then again, even after adding first overall pick Alexis Lafreniere and continuing to develop sophomores Adam Fox and Kaapo Kakko, New York is still in a transition zone. The club's rise has been fast and virtually mistake-free. However, we don't know how good the goaltending tandem of Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev will be in the short term. Nor do we know if the defense corps, as currently constructed, is strong enough to protect one-goal leads against high-octane offensive squads.Trendline: Future forward20192018Previous tiers6th5th Andy Devlin / Getty ImagesNashville PredatorsIt's almost unfair to slot the Predators into any tier right now, as they appear far from finished with their offseason maneuvering. There's $12.9 million in cap space for GM David Poile to work with, and two unsigned free-agent forwards - snipers Mike Hoffman and Anthony Duclair - are obvious fits.The Preds disappointed in the postseason, losing to the Coyotes in the qualifying round. Despite boasting an elite blue line and quality goaltending, Nashville has generally failed to build off a trip to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. Unless something drastic happens soon, the franchise could be entrenched in the NHL's mushy middle as an annual toss-up while good but not nearly good enough to win a championship.Trendline: In decline20192018Previous tiers3rd1stBuffalo SabresThe Jack Eichel-era Sabres will finally challenge for a playoff spot this year. Whether they make the postseason is another question. Either way, there's no denying first-time GM Kevyn Adams has upgraded the club's forward group substantially.The top six now features Eichel, former MVP Taylor Hall, veteran two-way center Eric Staal, former 40-goal scorer Jeff Skinner, young sniper Victor Olofsson, and reliable producer Sam Reinhart, with hot-shot rookie Dylan Cozens also in the mix. There are question marks on the back end and between the pipes, but the Sabres' offense should keep them competitive every night.Trendline: Slowly upward20192018Previous tiers6th7thWinnipeg JetsThe Jets land in the fifth tier because there's a lot of variance in their possible outcomes for 2020-21. If everything goes according to plan, they can make some noise in the Western Conference. If the season's bumpy, they're likely not a playoff team.Reacquiring Paul Stastny to fill the vacant second-line center role has been Winnipeg's lone notable transaction this offseason. The team's defense, which was atrocious last year, is essentially the same. And while he's among the league's best goalies, there's no guarantee Connor Hellebuyck produces another Vezina Trophy-caliber season.However, Winnipeg's attack remains scary with Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Nik Ehlers, and Patrik Laine (if he doesn't get traded) leading the charge. And head coach Paul Maurice is a difference-maker himself.Trendline: Hold steady20192018Previous tiers4th1stJohn Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Winnipeg Jets signed 2020 first-round draft pick Cole Perfetti to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Monday.Perfetti was the fifth-ranked North American skater entering the draft, but the Jets landed the dynamic center at 10th overall.The 18-year-old finished second in the OHL in scoring last season with 111 points in 61 games.The OHL isn't slated to return until February, but Perfetti is expected to feature prominently on Canada's world junior squad.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers hired longtime NHL defenseman Ulf Samuelsson as an assistant coach, the team announced Monday."Ulf is a knowledgeable and experienced coach who will be a great addition to the Panthers," said general manager Bill Zito. "We are excited for him to join Joel (Quenneville's) coaching staff and look forward to his competitive mentality and the impact that he can have on our team."Samuelsson most recently served as head coach of the Swedish Hockey League's Leksands IF, while also working as a Seattle Kraken scout. He's coached the AHL's Charlotte Checkers and has been an assistant for the then-Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks, where he worked under Quenneville.Samuelsson's NHL playing career spanned 16 seasons split among the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers. The 56-year-old registered 332 points in 1,080 games, winning two Stanley Cups with the Pens in 1991 and 1992.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs icon and former Hockey Night in Canada announcer Howie Meeker has died at the age of 97, a team spokesperson told The Canadian Press.Meeker won four Stanley Cups and a Calder Trophy over an eight-year playing career that spanned from 1946 to 1954. He also coached the Maple Leafs for one season in 1956-57.He then joined Hockey Night in Canada as a broadcaster and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998 for his career as an analyst.NHL commissioner Gary Bettman paid his respects to Meeker with a statement later Sunday."Howie Meeker spent his long and remarkable life playing, teaching, and broadcasting the game of hockey and serving his country with incredible enthusiasm," Bettman said."Presented with the Foster Hewitt Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998 and awarded the Order of Canada in 2010, Howie Meeker connected countless fans to hockey with his wisdom and infectious voice. The National Hockey League celebrates his life and mourns his passing."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The QMJHL has announced seven teams located in COVID-19 red zones will assemble a protected environment in Quebec City for 10 days.The Gatineau Olympiques, Drummondville Voltiguers, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Victoriaville Tigres, Shawinigan Cataractes, Chicoutimi Sagueneens, and Quebec Remparts will station themselves accordingly at the Videotron Centre from Nov. 17-27.Each team will play six regular-season games.The move comes at the recommendation of Quebec Public Health officials. The province reported its highest ever daily increase of COVID-19 cases on Sunday with 1,397.The QMJHL is the only branch of the CHL to have begun its 2020-21 campaign. The schedule started in October and there have already been outbreaks on multiple teams.The WHL is scheduled to return Jan. 8, while the OHL is targeting Feb. 4 for its resumption.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the most part, the 2020 free-agent frenzy is over. The next step for fans and pundits is to look ahead to next year's class.We don't know when exactly the next signing period will take place, but here are some of the top players currently scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next offseason.ForwardsAlex Ovechkin, Capitals

The NHL still has its eyes set on starting the 2020-21 season on New Year's Day.Dropping the puck on Jan. 1 "remains our objective," league deputy commissioner Bill Daly told TSN's Pierre LeBrun on Friday.The NHL-NHLPA return-to-play committee hasn't met yet to discuss the matter despite the date being less than two months away, LeBrun added.The upcoming campaign's logistics remain unknown. It's unclear how many games will be played, whether an all-Canadian division will be created due to border restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, if bubbles will be needed, or if fans will be able to attend games.Earlier reports state the league isn't considering anything less than 48 games. Daly previously mentioned at least 10-12 scenarios the league could viably look at, but added none are more likely than others.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears Oscar Klefbom's 2020-21 campaign is in jeopardy.The Edmonton Oilers defenseman is dealing with a nagging shoulder injury that general manager Ken Holland says could keep him off the ice next season."I’m planning for 2020-21 that Oscar is not playing and anything other than that will be a surprise. A pleasant surprise," Holland said, according to the Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson.Klefbom, 27, has already undergone multiple shoulder procedures over his seven-year career, most recently leaving the team for surgery in March 2018. The injury kept him out for nine contests toward the end of the 2019-20 regular season, but he appeared in all four of the club's postseason games this summer.The 6-foot-3 blue-liner is an integral piece of the Oilers' defense corps and one of the league's premier minute munchers. Klefbom has paced the club in average ice time over four consecutive seasons and ranked fifth among all players in that department (25:25) in 2019-20. He also added five goals and 34 points over 62 games.Edmonton added rearguard Tyson Barrie in free agency this offseason, but Holland says he doesn't plan on making any more moves to fill the defensive hole."Yes, we could always use one more (defenseman), but we’re fine right for now," Holland said. “We’ve got (William) Lagesson signed. If we get (Ethan) Bear signed, then we’ve also (got) Bouchard … I’m watching how Evan’s playing in Europe. He’ll be back for our training camp."The start date for the 2020-21 campaign remains unclear, but the league's target is Jan. 1.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar will not need arbitration after settling on a three-year deal, the team announced Friday.The contract will carry an average annual value of $3.25 million, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman."MacKenzie is a solid two-way competitor who brings tenacity and skill to our lineup," General manager Bill Zito said. "He has developed into a key member of the Panthers both on and off the ice and we look forward to him taking the next step in his career."Weegar, 26, has increasingly played a vital top-four defensive role with the Panthers since making his NHL debut in 2016. He recorded seven goals and 11 assists in 45 games this past season while averaging 20:07 of ice time per game.The Ottawa native was one of the Panthers' best possession players in 2019-20. He ranked fourth on the team with a Corsi For rating of 53.25% at five-on-five and second with an expected goals for rating of 54.73%.Florida drafted Weegar in the seventh round in 2013. He's appeared in 172 career games with the team, tallying 13 goals and 28 assists.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers and forward Brendan Lemieux avoided arbitration by reaching an agreement, the team announced Friday.The deal is reportedly for two years and carries an average annual value of $1.55 million, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.The two sides were reportedly heading to arbitration roughly $1 million apart, with Lemieux seeking $2 million annually and the team offering slightly over $1 million.The physical forward accumulated 164 hits and 111 penalty minutes last season while also racking up six goals and 12 assists in 59 games.Lemieux was selected with the 31st pick in the 2014 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. He's appeared in 131 career games with the Rangers and Winnipeg Jets, tallying 19 goals and 17 assists. Lemieux ranks ninth in the league in penalty minutes since his NHL debut in 2017.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers and forward Ryan Strome will not need arbitration, as the two sides settled on a two-year contract, the team announced Friday.The deal carries an annual cap hit of $4.5 million, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.Strome's arbitration hearing was scheduled for Thursday. The two sides were reportedly set to enter the process over $2 million apart.The 27-year-old had a breakout season in 2019-20, racking up 59 points in 70 games while primarily playing alongside Hart Trophy finalist Artemi Panarin.Strome was originally selected fifth overall by the New York Islanders in 2011. He showed promise with 50 points in his sophomore campaign, but he averaged just 32 points over his next four seasons prior to 2019-20.The Blueshirts acquired the pivot from the Edmonton Oilers in November 2018 in exchange for Ryan Spooner.The Rangers have $6.4 million remaining in projected cap space, according to CapFriendly. However, they still need to sign restricted free agent Brendan Lemieux. The two sides are reportedly set to enter Friday's arbitration hearing roughly $1 million apart.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seven NHL teams now find themselves without an official leader following the departures of Alex Pietrangelo from St. Louis and Mikko Koivu from Minnesota. With a high number of captain vacancies throughout the league, let's take a look at some of the top candidates for each opening.Ottawa Senators Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe Senators expressed their utmost confidence in Thomas Chabot by inking the then-22-year-old to a massive eight-year, $64-million extension in 2019. He figures to be a big part of Ottawa's bright future as one of the league's highest-paid blue-liners. It would make sense to put him at the forefront of the Senators' resurgence.On the other hand, Ottawa turned some heads by taking Brady Tkachuk fourth overall in 2018. Tkachuk has already surpassed expectations by breathing new life into the Senators' lineup as the team's premier forward. The 21-year-old's evident heart and dedication make him a great choice to captain Ottawa for years to come.New Jersey Devils Elsa / Getty Images Sport / GettyNico Hischier seems destined to be the team's captain at some point, but he may have to wait to get the "C" stitched onto his jersey. He's still just 21 years old, so it's possible New Jersey would like to see Hischier mature first before putting that kind of pressure on him.In order to give Hischier time to develop, the team could make veteran Travis Zajac the captain. The 35-year-old - who has just one season remaining on his current deal - has spent his entire 14-year career with the Devils. Giving him the captaincy would be a nice nod to Zajac's devotion to the club before it passes the torch to the future of the franchise.New York Rangers Jared Silber / National Hockey League / GettyThe Rangers have been without a captain since Ryan McDonagh's departure in 2018, but they have a number of good candidates to succeed him. Chris Kreider is a career Ranger who recently inked a seven-year pact. He could inspire the team as a respected veteran who wears his heart on his sleeve.However, Mika Zibanejad seems destined to become New York's captain. He's one of the Rangers' top players, he's a fan favorite, and he's showcased his ability to step up in critical situations. Zibanejad has all the makings of a great captain in the Big Apple.St. Louis Blues Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe Blues may not rush to name a captain for next season following Pietrangelo's departure. There are plenty of viable players that are ready to step in and fill the spot, including veteran Brayden Schenn. The 29-year-old is signed through 2027-28 and has been vital for the team throughout his career.The player that many are pegging to be St. Louis' next captain, though, is Ryan O'Reilly. He's shown an improved attitude and a clear resurgence in play over the past two seasons since the Blues acquired him from the Buffalo Sabres. O'Reilly - who won the Conn Smythe Trophy after helping the Blues capture the Cup in his first season with the club - has all the qualities of a leader.Detroit Red Wings Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyIt's clear both Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha are set to spearhead a new era in Detroit. After a complete overhaul that's resulted in a ton of young talent, the Red Wings will need either Larkin or Mantha to guide the way.However, all signs point to Larkin assuming that role. The Michigan native sported an "A" this past season, and he's Detroit's offensive focal point. The 24-year-old will be needed in the locker room to get his young teammates going.Vegas Golden Knights Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe Golden Knights' choices to be their captain are plentiful. Do they go with a Day 1 player? How about a past captain like Max Pacioretty, who's already spent two seasons with the team?Mark Stone seems to make the most sense. He's arguably been Vegas' best player since arriving at the 2018-19 trade deadline, and he cemented himself with the team by immediately inking a monster eight-year, $76-million deal. Stone's an elite on-ice force who has previous leadership experience with the Ottawa Senators and Team Canada.Minnesota Wild Andy Devlin / National Hockey League / GettyMinnesota will be without Koivu - the first permanent captain in Wild history - for the first time since his NHL debut in 2005. There may not be a rush to replace him, but Minnesota has a number of savvy veterans to choose from. One of them is Ryan Suter. He's been a pillar on the team since he signed his gigantic 13-year, $98-million deal in 2012. His play may have declined since, but his presence and leadership are still a big part of his role.Another player to keep an eye on is Jared Spurgeon. The 30-year-old - who's signed through 2026-27 - figures to be the team's premier defenseman for the foreseeable future. He's played with the Wild for his entire career, which helps his case - only five active NHL captains haven't played their entire career for their current club.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alex Ovechkin isn't done lighting up the NHL just yet, but the superstar recently confirmed he hopes to end his playing career in his hometown of Moscow."My career is not over yet. I'm still in my prime," Ovechkin told Russian Television International, as translated by Sportsnet. "I think I will definitely play for a few more years, God grant that my health is good. I would finish in Russia at Dynamo Moscow."Ovechkin, 35, is fresh off posting 48 goals and 67 points this past regular season. The gargantuan 13-year contract he signed in 2008 is set to expire after the 2020-21 campaign, which would make him an unrestricted free agent for the first time.However, Ovi assured he wants to finish his NHL career with the Washington Capitals."It's not a question of money. It's a matter of principle," he said. "I played for only two teams - Dynamo and Washington."He added, "It is clear, in two, three, four years, maybe five, I will end my career in Washington," Ovechkin said. "I want to end on a beautiful note - to play my last match for Dynamo Moscow."The nine-time "Rocket" Richard winner became the eighth player in NHL history to reach 700 career goals, finishing the campaign with 706. Ovechkin is currently 188 behind Wayne Gretzky's all-time record of 894; if he does end up playing five more NHL seasons, he'd need to average 38 tallies to finish atop the list.Ovechkin spent four seasons with Dynamo before bursting onto the NHL scene in 2005-06. He also played there during the lockout stoppage in 2012.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Columbus Blue Jackets signed defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a three-year agreement carrying an annual cap hit of $2.8 million, the team announced Thursday.Gavrikov made his NHL debut last season and tallied 18 points in 69 games while averaging about 19 minutes of ice time per contest. The 6-foot-3, 213-pound rearguard was deployed primarily in a shutdown role alongside veteran David Savard. He performed well at five-on-five and on the penalty kill despite the tough matchups, as evidenced by HockeyViz's isolated impact:Positive is good in the offensive zone (top row), negative is good in the defensive zone and penalty kill (bottom row). hockeyviz.com"Vladimir Gavrikov was everything we hoped he would be during his rookie season last year, establishing himself as a top-four defenseman in the National Hockey League," said Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen. "He is still a young player that we expect will get better every year and continue to be an important part of our blue line."Drafted by the Blue Jackets in the sixth round in 2015, Gavrikov spent five seasons in the KHL before joining Columbus for his age-24 campaign.The Blue Jackets have $9.2 million remaining in projected cap space, per CapFriendly, but still have to sign fellow restricted free agent Pierre-Luc Dubois.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to Puck Pursuit, an interview-style podcast hosted by John Matisz, theScore's national hockey writer.Subscribe to the show on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.Puck Pursuit · Sportsnet anchor Ken ReidSportsnet's Ken Reid joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including:

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Gustav Nyquist underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a labral tear in his left shoulder and is expected to fully recover in five-to-six months, the team announced Wednesday.General manager Jarmo Kekalainen revealed the ailment was a chronic issue that Nyquist has dealt with for a number of seasons."He has been able to perform at a high level, but a cyst in the area developed over time that has inhibited his ability to continue to do so," Kekalainen said. "As a result, surgery was the best course of action and we look forward to having him back at full strength this season."The 31-year-old completed his first season with the Blue Jackets in 2019-20 after inking a four-year, $22-million pact with the club last summer. He recorded 15 goals and 42 points in 70 games.The NHL has expressed its desire to target Jan. 1 as the start date for next season. Nyquist's timetable would have him on track to return in April or May.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Islanders and stalwart defenseman Ryan Pulock came to terms on a two-year contract, the team announced Wednesday.The deal carries an annual cap hit of $5 million, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. The structure of the contract is $3.34 million in the first year and $6.66 million in the second year, Friedman added.Pulock was scheduled to have an arbitration hearing Friday.The 6-foot-2, 217-pound blue-liner led all Isles in ice time last season, averaging 22:24 per game. He also led the team's defensemen with 35 points.The analytics show he's one of the better five-on-five rearguards in the league, according to Charting Hockey's Sean Tierney.

The New York Rangers and forward Brendan Lemieux appear to be far apart in contract negotiations.With Lemieux's arbitration hearing scheduled for Friday, the team filed for a two-year deal worth roughly $1.0125 million per year while the player is seeking $2 million annually, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.The son of four-time Stanley Cup champion Claude Lemieux, Brendan is a chip off the old block - in a sense. The 24-year-old plays the same old-school, physical, agitating game his father did, as evidenced by the 164 hits and 111 penalty minutes he accumulated this past season.He's yet to reach offensive heights similar to his father's, however, as his modest 18 points in 59 games for the Rangers last season marked a career high.New York is also reportedly more than $2 million apart in negotiations with center Ryan Strome, whose arbitration hearing is set for Thursday.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Winnipeg Jets superstar Mark Scheifele says he's fully recovered from the leg injury that derailed his postseason."I'm 100 percent, no question," Scheifele told NHL.com's Tim Campbell. "Skating every day. I don't know anyone who skates more than I do. I love being on the ice. That's my No. 1 thing. I get on the ice as much as I can."Winnipeg's top center played only three shifts of the club's qualifying-round series versus the Calgary Flames because he caught an errant skate from Matthew Tkachuk in the back of the leg during a play along the boards. The Flames took the series in four games.Due to Tkachuk's reputation as a pest, his intentions were questioned, but Scheifele said he doesn't believe the winger hurt him on purpose.The 2019-20 campaign marked Scheifele's seventh full season with the Jets, and he finished the regular season tied for the team lead with 73 points in 71 games.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars may be without two of their most important players for an extended period next season.Goaltender Ben Bishop underwent right knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus on Oct. 21 and is expected to miss approximately five months, the team announced Tuesday.Additionally, forward Tyler Seguin underwent a right hip arthroscopy and labral repair on Nov. 2 and is expected to also need approximately five months to recover from the date of the surgery.Bishop was deemed unfit to play for the majority of the Stars' playoff run, which culminated in a Stanley Cup Final loss. He appeared in only three games across the postseason and ultimately missed the team's final 13 contests.It was revealed after the playoffs that Seguin played through his injuries for the majority of the action. He tallied just two goals and 11 assists in 26 games during the postseason.The NHL is targeting a start date of Jan. 1 for the 2020-21 season. With the injury timelines given by the team, Bishop could return in late March and Seguin in early April.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Elias Lindholm's career has taken off since arriving in Calgary in the 2018 offseason. He's totaled 56 goals and 132 points in 151 games over the last two campaigns while mostly playing right wing on the team's top line with Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau.However, Flames head coach Geoff Ward is thinking about moving Lindholm back to his natural center position on a full-time basis next season."I think we really want to explore whether or not we have a better lineup with Elias Lindholm at center than right wing,” Ward told Sportsnet's Eric Francis. “It certainly is an option. I think with the depth we’ve acquired in free agency we can take a look at that. We know how the other lineup fits together and are comfortable with that."The Flames haven't added any marquee names up front, but the acquisitions of Josh Leivo, Joakim Nordstrom, and Dominik Simon give the club added depth on the wings.While it's a small part of playing center, Lindholm has won 52.4% of faceoffs in his career. The Swede also received down-ballot Selke Trophy votes in each of the last two seasons for his defensive play. Lindholm played center at times during the 2019-20 season, and Ward liked what he saw."(Lindholm) was a really effective player for us in the middle," he said. "You saw how much life he had. I think he really does see himself as a centerman - always has. I think he got some energy playing the position he grew up playing. We’ve got to take a look at that for sure. It’s a natural position for him - he’s certainly shown that.”With Lindholm at right wing, Calgary's forward lines project to look something like this:LWCRWJohnny GaudreauSean MonahanElias LindholmAndrew MangiapaneMikael BacklundMatthew TkachukMilan LucicSam BennettDillon DubeDominik SimonDerek RyanJosh LeivoJoakim NordstromThis is one of the many options Ward could explore with Lindholm at center:LWCRWAndrew MangiapaneElias LindholmMatthew TkachukJohnny GaudreauSean MonahanJosh LeivoSam BennettMikael BacklundDillon DubeMilan LucicDerek RyanDominik SimonJoakim NordstromThe trio of Lindholm, Tkachuk, and Mangiapane produced an expected goals for percentage of 56.4% in 249 five-on-five minutes last season, according to Natural Stat Trick. That's 2% better than what Tkachuk and Mangiapane generated with Backlund as their center, and 6% better than what Lindholm posted on the wing with Gaudreau and Monahan.Leivo is coming off a fractured kneecap, but he's flashed finishing ability in the past - a necessary trait when playing with Gaudreau and Monahan.The line of Lucic, Bennett, and Dube was excellent for Calgary in the postseason, but the latter two likely wouldn't skip a beat flanking a superior player in Backlund.One thing is clear: Ward will have plenty of flexibility at his disposal next season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.