After looking at each NHL team's biggest busts, theScore's hockey editors are examining the league's best draft steals. With some exceptions in extreme circumstances, the players included must have made significant contributions to the organization that drafted them. We begin our four-part series with the Central Division.Metropolitan | Pacific (Thursday) | Atlantic (Friday)Chicago Blackhawks Graig Abel / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe pick: Dominik Hasek (No. 199, 1983)

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.An infectious disease specialist suggested on Monday that for hockey to be played safely amid the coronavirus pandemic, extreme measures may be needed, including players wearing full-face shields.Vancouver Canucks prospect Brogan Rafferty is the first player to publicly question the idea.“If that’s the case, a lot of players will be upset with it,” Rafferty told The Province's Ben Kuzma on Tuesday. “A lot of guys don’t even wear a visor, and to have them put a full-face shield on, is not going to go over well - and I can kind of guarantee that.”The NHL began grandfathering in visors in 2013.Rafferty played the 2019-20 campaign in the AHL, where he was able to wear a visor. But he spent the previous three seasons at Quinnipiac University, where NCAA rules forced him to wear a full-face shield.“It’s tough in college when you’re breathing and have that extra layer blocking your face and keeping air from getting into your system,” Rafferty said. “That was an adjustment and it took me a good week or two just to get used to that. With a visor, your peripheral vision is a lot better and when you look down at your skates, you don’t have that (full shield) guard there.“And I don’t see the point of having to wear a clear face mask. You’re going to be around your team anyway and everyone will probably be tested, so I don’t see the merit in my opinion.”Despite the suggestion from a medical expert, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly doesn't think drastic changes will be needed if the league is able to resume play."We would consider anything our infectious disease experts and advisors might recommend," Daly said. "But I'm not sure given the circumstances of our game that any dramatic modifications will really be necessary."The 24-year-old Rafferty finished third among AHL defensemen with 45 points in 57 games this campaign after the AHL officially canceled the remainder of its season on Monday. He's played two career NHL games, both with the Canucks in 2018-19.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is optimistic the league will find a way to resume the 2019-20 season and said canceling the campaign outright is "not something I'm even contemplating," according to Curtis Pashelka of the Mercury News.Appearing in a virtual town hall with San Jose Sharks business members on Tuesday, Bettman expressed confidence that a champion will ultimately be crowned this season."I believe that if the right time comes, and the right circumstances, based on all of the options that we're considering and our ability to execute them, we'll get this season done," Bettman said. "I don't want to sound Pollyanna, but canceling is too easy a solution. That means you stop working hard to do all of the things that we're doing, and I ultimately believe that there will be an opportunity."The NHL halted play on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Players and staff are still in self-quarantine, but the league hopes to initiate Phase 2 of its return plan by late May."States are reopening, cities are reopening," Bettman said. "And if we do the right things, I think we'll be able to finish the season."Though details are still unclear, the NHL is reportedly leaning toward jumping straight into the playoffs upon return.Reported playoff proposals include a 24-team tournament featuring the top 12 clubs in each conference, as well as the traditional 16-team format.Multiple players, including superstars Connor McDavid and Marc-Andre Fleury, said in late March the league shouldn't immediately begin the postseason, citing rust and player safety. The NHL has since said teams will hold training camps to help players get back into game shape before returning.There have only been two instances in NHL history in which the Stanley Cup was not awarded - during the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1919, and the lockout that wiped out the entire 2004-05 season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.The NHL is focusing on skipping the remainder of the regular season and jumping straight into the playoffs if it's able to resume play, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reported Monday.An immediate start to the postseason would represent a significant change in the league's position after April reports indicated the NHL was prioritizing regular-season games and considering condensing the playoffs.Focus can shift quickly in such fluid situation as the league works to return amid a pandemic, Wyshynski noted; it was reported last week that a 24-team playoff format is gaining traction around the NHL.Connor McDavid and Marc-Andre Fleury are among the most notable players who have voiced opposition to beginning the postseason without any regular-season games.There were 189 regular-season contests remaining on the 2019-20 schedule when the NHL postponed the campaign on March 12 due to the COVID-19 crisis.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

"If you look good, you play good." - Deion SanderstheScore is counting down the 100 best uniforms in sports history, with a new post every weekday until May 15.May 4-8:

"If you look good, you play good." - Deion SanderstheScore is counting down the 100 best uniforms in sports history, with a new post every weekday until May 15.May 4-8:

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.After Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced that major professional sports could resume in the state with certain stipulations as of Saturday, it seemed to open up the possibility the region could be a top contender to host postseason hockey. However, that's apparently not the case.The idea that Arizona - which will have its stay-at-home order expire on Friday - is now a leading candidate to be a hub for the Stanley Cup Playoffs is "completely false," a league source told The Athletic's Craig Morgan on Tuesday.After initially considering holding games at neutral sites, the NHL has more recently been entertaining the notion of hosting games in several hub cities if and when it proceeds with its paused campaign.Edmonton, Toronto, and Vancouver have all reportedly expressed interest.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced Tuesday that major professional sports can resume playing in the state as of Saturday.If any sports leagues were to resume in the state, they would have to do so without fans.

Elias Pettersson was taken aback when Wayne Gretzky spoke glowingly of him last year.In April 2019, "The Great One" told Swedish publication Expressen that he saw a lot of his own attributes in the Vancouver Canucks phenom."That young man in Vancouver has really impressed me," Gretzky said at the time, according to a translation quoted by the Vancouver Courier's Daniel Wagner. "We always compare athletes with each other and if there's anyone who reminds me of myself, it is Elias Pettersson. For several reasons. Firstly, he may not be the best skater or has the hardest shot, and he is not the physically biggest player on the ice but he sees the ice so well. And he has a great understanding of the game."But the most important thing is his work ethic. If he loses the puck he immediately tries to win it back. Many young players make an extra turn and take some time to do so, but not Elias. He's right there and is fighting to get the puck back again."Pettersson was stunned by that comment.“It's unreal, especially because it's him noticing my game," he told The Athletic's Thomas Drance this week. "It's so unthinkable."I never thought I’d become the player I am today, I didn't know I'd have success like this so early in my career. For the greatest of all time to say that about me, I didn't think it was real at first. Just awesome."Pettersson won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie for 2018-19 after collecting 28 goals and 66 points in 71 games. He matched that point total in three fewer contests of 2019-20 before the league paused the season in March.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Coyotes president and CEO Ahron Cohen is no longer with the organization, multiple sources told The Athletic's Craig Morgan.The team hired Cohen as its chief operating officer and chief legal officer in August 2015 under previous majority owner Andrew Barroway. Cohen replaced Steve Patterson as the club's president and CEO in July 2018.Arizona enjoyed improvements in several key areas under Cohen's headship, including ticket sales, attendance, sponsorship sales, and TV ratings.It remains unclear who will succeed Cohen.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.An infectious disease specialist believes hockey may have to take extra precautions to be played safely during the coronavirus pandemic.The doctor relayed a number of suggestions to TSN's Ryan Rishaug on Monday:

The Montreal Canadiens signed forward Cameron Hillis to a three-year, entry-level contract, general manager Marc Bergevin announced Tuesday.Hillis, 19, ranked 13th in OHL scoring this season with 24 goals and 83 points in 62 games while serving as captain of the Guelph Storm.The 5-foot-10 center amassed 54 goals and 164 points through 155 career games in three seasons with the Storm. Hillis was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team following his debut season.Montreal selected Hillis in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It turns out Braden Holtby can save more than just pucks.The Washington Capitals netminder and his wife, Brandi, helped rescue a trapped kitten on Monday.

The NHL isn't permitting teams to ink contracts with players for the current campaign, and it doesn't intend to make exceptions.As of now, the league has no plans to change the rule, The Athletic's Michael Russo reports.After the NHL suspended its season amid the coronavirus pandemic in March, the league told teams that no contracts for draft picks or college, junior, or European free agents could be signed with a start date of the current season.Any signing will be dated July 1 and will take effect in 2020-21, as TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported at the time.Several clubs hoped the NHL would change the rule and allow the players they've already inked or hope to sign to join them for the rest of this season if it were to resume, according to Russo.The Minnesota Wild are one of those teams, as the league reportedly informed them there's "zero chance" highly touted prospect Kirill Kaprizov will be allowed to debut this summer should the 2019-20 campaign proceed.The Vegas Golden Knights are in a similar situation after top NCAA point producer Jack Dugan agreed to join them Monday. Dugan would reportedly prefer to join them this season, but is more likely to do so in 2020-21 because of the rule.When the Montreal Canadiens signed defenseman Alexander Romanov last week, they clarified that the start date was to be determined due to the pause. There was also uncertainty at the time about whether the NHL would change the policy.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.British Columbia Premier John Horgan will speak with commissioner Gary Bettman over the phone Wednesday about the possibility of staging NHL games in the province."I’d very much like to see it happen if we can do it in a safe way," Horgan told CTV's Emad Agahi.The provincial government has had dialogues with the Vancouver Canucks ownership group led by Francesco Aquilini, which also owns Rogers Arena."We believe we can do a pretty good job. We have a lot of hotel capacity," Horgan said."We've got some outstanding facilities, not just Rogers Arena, but a whole host of other arenas around the province."Horgan added that any players, coaches, or officials who set foot in the province will need to follow its 14-day self-quarantine policy.Toronto and Edmonton have also expressed interest in serving as host cities if the NHL resumes play.The league postponed its season on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Kings won't renew the expiring contract of assistant general manager Mike Futa, the team announced Monday in a statement obtained by Kings Insider Jon Rosen."We appreciate his contributions to our organization and are thankful for his effort and dedication," the statement said.Futa, who specializes in drafting and amateur scouting, has been with the organization since 2007. Kings director of amateur scouting Mark Yannetti will instead run the draft.Los Angeles general manager Rob Blake confirmed to Rosen that the club is in no rush to fill its AGM vacancy.Futa's been in consideration for many GM vacancies over the years, including the Carolina Hurricanes' job in 2018 and the Buffalo Sabres' opening in 2017.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

College standout Jack Dugan agreed to join the Vegas Golden Knights, the club announced Monday.It's a pending two-year, entry-level contract, reports The Athletic's Jesse Granger, who adds that Dugan would prefer to start his pro career immediately when hockey resumes. However, he's unlikely to do so until 2020-21; when the NHL paused its season in March, the league told teams they couldn't sign contracts for draft picks or college, junior, or European free agents with a start date of 2019-20.The 22-year-old forward was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award - handed out annually to the top NCAA Division I men's hockey player - after leading the nation with 52 points in 34 games this season in his sophomore campaign with Providence.Dugan led all NCAA skaters in assists (42) and even-strength points (30). He also had a productive freshman year in 2018-19, notching 39 points in 41 contests.The Golden Knights selected him in the fifth round of the 2017 draft.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mike Gartner ended his 19-year NHL career as one of the most prolific goal-scorers and fastest skaters in league history, but what made his feats even more remarkable is that he played while essentially blind in one eye.Gartner struggled his entire career with amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, but largely kept it to himself."My left eye is my dominant eye, I have 20-20 vision in my left eye and 20/200 vision in my right eye," Gartner told The Athletic's Eric Duhatschek. "If I cover my left eye and look out of my right eye, I couldn't even drive my car. It didn't really come into play until I turned pro, at which point I had to take an eye test."The doctor said, 'Cover one eye, and then cover the other' - and I said, 'I can't see out of that eye.' For years, the doctors just kinda looked the other way - I would take the black thing they use to cover your eye and move it a little so I could read the eye charts. They didn't care if I could see out of both eyes, as long as I could pass the eye test - and score goals."Gartner's lack of vision didn't seem to hold him back, as his 708 career tallies rank seventh in NHL history. He also holds the record for most consecutive 30-goal seasons with 15.However, he did face several obstacles while keeping his condition secret, particularly when coaches asked him to play on the left wing."I was pretty limited that way. I was a right-winger, I really couldn't play anywhere else," said Gartner. "I remember, one time, they tried to put me on left wing and I told them, 'I can't play over there. I don't feel comfortable.' I really think it was because I couldn’t see the ice the same way - whereas playing right wing, I could see the entire ice surface, because my left eye was dominant. When I went on the off wing, I couldn't see as well. I told them, 'I'm not a very good left-winger. You're better off just keeping me on the right side.'"Gartner played 1,432 NHL games split between the Washington Capitals, Minnesota North Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Phoenix Coyotes. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL informed the Minnesota Wild that there's likely "zero chance" prized prospect and KHL star Kirill Kaprizov will be eligible to join the club if the 2019-20 season resumes, sources told The Athletic's Michael Russo.Kaprizov's KHL contract expired April 30, and in previous seasons he would have been eligible to join the Wild afterward and burn a year off his entry-level contract. However, when the NHL went on pause March 12, it instructed teams that draft picks as well as college, junior, and European free agents could not be signed unless the start date is for 2020-21.Last season, Colorado Avalanche phenom Cale Makar joined the club in the playoffs while fresh off winning the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's top player.Minnesota drafted Kaprizov in the fifth round in 2015. He's suited up for CSKA Moscow since, registering 230 points in 293 games. The 23-year-old has also represented Russia internationally on numerous occasions, most notably at the 2018 Games in PyeongChang where he claimed a gold medal after notching nine points in six contests.The Wild, who have long been in pursuit of Kaprizov, aren't worried about the chance that he could conceivably sign in the KHL for another season before he's eligible to play in the NHL."It's a viable concern, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it," general manager Bill Guerin said. "I know Kirill wants to come and play in Minnesota as soon as possible. But, I guess, I can’t say 100% that this won't come into play. But he has made clear to me that he wants to be here very much."The Wild sat one point out of a wild-card position in the Western Conference when the season was put on hold.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We have no idea when the NHL may get around to handing out its real awards, and in light of that, we're making up our own hardware and distributing it for the paused 2019-20 season.Let's get right to it.Biggest surprise team ?Nominees: Flyers, Blue Jackets, OilersPhiladelphia was one of the hottest teams in the league during the second half of the season, and the Flyers were suddenly competing for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division when the campaign was suspended.Columbus, meanwhile, persistently survived last offseason's mass exodus of star players, and the Blue Jackets were in the hunt for a wild-card berth thanks to an unlikely dominant goaltending duo. And Edmonton blossomed into a legitimate Pacific Division threat, finally looking like a team that extends beyond its supernova captain.And the winner is: Flyers. There was a shake-up in the City of Brotherly Love last offseason, and it's appearing to pay dividends. After finishing sixth in their division in 2019, the Flyers, under the guidance of new head coach Alain Vigneault, are turning things around.Philly ranked among the top 10 in goals for and against at the season pause, and the Flyers were a deeper club ready to compete in the playoffs. Hockey is more fun when the Broad Street Bullies are in the mix.Most tantalizing unsolved mystery ? Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyNominees: Rangers' playoff pursuit, Metropolitan crown, Battle of Alberta in Round 1The final three weeks of the season offered plenty to anticipate, and it almost hurts physically to think about all we could miss out on witnessing. Was a surging New York squad hot enough to sneak into the playoffs? What team would come out with the top seed in the jam-packed Metro? Would we finally be treated to Edmonton versus Calgary in the playoffs for the first time since 1991?And the winner is: Battle of Alberta. Everybody knows the Flames and Oilers are rivals, but the hatred between the two clubs was absent for so long the matchup became stale. That was until this winter, when Matthew Tkachuk and Zack Kassian poured gasoline on the fire, reigniting the animosity with highly publicized battles both on and off the ice.As the league entered its stoppage, four points separated Edmonton and Calgary, and the teams were progressing toward a first-round matchup. There's no guarantee it will happen, but if it does, the hype will be through the roof.Most underrated star ?Nominees: Mika Zibanejad, Jonathan Huberdeau, Kyle ConnorThis one speaks for itself. Which superstar deserves more recognition league-wide for their abilities?And the winner is: Zibanejad. It's about time the hockey world opens its eyes to the Rangers' superb Swede, as he's emerging into a full-blown superstar.Zibanejad notched a career-high 74 points a season ago, and thanks in part to the arrival of Artemi Panarin in New York, he ranked 12th in league scoring with 75 points despite only appearing in 57 games in 2019-20. Zibanejad was also seventh in points per game (1.32) and goals (41) this year before his dominant campaign was put on hold.Most intriguing awards race ? Claus Andersen / Getty Images Sport / GettyNominees: Hart Trophy, Rocket Richard, CalderWas Leon Draisaitl's stranglehold in the Art Ross race enough to secure MVP too? Or could a red-hot stretch run shift momentum in the direction of Nathan MacKinnon, Artemi Panarin, or perhaps even Connor McDavid? Who was going to end up with more goals: David Pastrnak, Alex Ovechkin, or Auston Matthews? Would any of them hit 60? And lastly, which of Quinn Hughes or Cale Makar would earn Rookie of the Year honors?And the winner is: Rocket Richard. This year's race for the biscuit-burying crown was one of the best in recent memory. Ovechkin was knocking on the door of his ninth 50-plus-goal season, while his lamp-lighting heirs apparent, Pastrnak and Matthews, could have challenged the elusive 60-goal mark if their absurd scoring paces carried on for a few more weeks.Breakout player of the year ?Nominees: Travis Konecny, William Nylander, Igor ShesterkinIn this category, there's a player from the loaded 2015 draft class making quite a name for himself, a Swedish sniper who would also be the favorite for bounce-back player of the year, and a rookie goaltender who took the league by storm with some incredible numbers after a late-season call-up.And the winner is: Konecny. Even though lots of veteran and more high-profile stars lead his Flyers team, the 23-year-old sits atop the club's scoring list with 61 points in 66 games.That mark represents a new career high by a landslide. However, while Konecny has earned a greater role in Philadelphia's offensive plans this season, he still only averaged 16:48 minutes of ice time per contest, which is well outside the top 100 among forwards. His impressive points per-60 rate at five-on-five (2.32) indicates he's just getting started as an elite producer.Most disappointing team ? Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / GettyNominees: Panthers, Sabres, PredatorsHere we have one of last offseason's biggest spenders, a club that yet again failed to take a step forward, and a preseason Stanley Cup threat in danger of missing out on the playoffs for the first time in five campaigns.And the winner is: Panthers. After hiring Joel Quenneville as head coach and signing Sergei Bobrovsky to a gigantic contract in free agency, many expected Florida to make serious noise in the Atlantic Division.Instead, the Cats were outside the playoff picture at the time of the pause, and their big-ticket summer acquisition had logged just 23 wins and a measly .900 save percentage. Talk about buyer's remorse.Best on-ice moment ?Nominees: Ovi notches No. 700, The "Svech," Zibanejad's five goalsThere's been plenty of terrific highlights this season, including Ovechkin joining the exclusive 700-goal club, Andrei Svechnikov displaying rare flare in the NHL, and Zibanejad's virtuoso five-goal effort versus the Capitals.And the winner is: Svechnikov. Not only was the Carolina Hurricanes' sophomore audacious enough to attempt to score lacrosse-style in a live game, but he showed the skill to pull it off ... twice! The highlight is special, and Svechnikov's cojones helped open the floodgates for the world's best players to build up the courage to showcase their creative touch on a nightly basis.Best viral moment ? Grant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / GettyNominees: David Ayres, Brad Marchand's shootout gaffe, Mite of the Night in WashingtonAn emergency backup goalie stoning the Maple Leafs, the NHL's most polarizing personality blowing a shootout for the league's best team by completely missing the puck, and an adorable, excitable young Capitals fan who couldn't help but tell the world about his tarantula, Michael. This card is stacked.And the winner is: David Ayres, no question. He might have provided the league's most viral moment ever.Twitter was set ablaze when the world's now most famous EBUG entered the game versus Toronto on Hockey Night in Canada, and social media kicked into overdrive when he actually pulled off the victory. The saga evolved into a North American media frenzy, and the Leafs, as if they weren't universally mocked enough, will now forever be the team that lost to a Zamboni driver.Best game ?Nominees: Leafs-Canes thriller, Tkachuk vs. Kassian, Lightning-Bruins brawlWhat do hockey fans like more than goal barrages and line brawls? Not much. All three of these games stood out for at least one of those reasons, and the contests were unquestionably among the most entertaining of the season.And the winner is: Leafs versus Hurricanes. There was no rough stuff, but the 8-6 barn burner between these two clubs evoked 80s vibes, and it was a thriller from start to finish.Toronto was up 3-0 barely five minutes after puck drop, only for Carolina to respond with five unanswered goals. The Leafs looked dead in the water with the score 6-4 midway through the final frame, but Matthews and Mitch Marner took over with an onslaught of highlight-reel goals in less than a minute to earn a stunning victory.Green Jacket Award ? Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport / GettyAnd the winner is: Andreas Athanasiou (-46)Here are a pair of honors based on season totals, like the Rocket Richard or Art Ross Trophies. The Green Jacket Award shines a light on the player with a plus-minus that would be a low enough score to win any golf tournament. Athanasiou had a chance to salvage his score after his trade to Edmonton, but the fact that all three of our finalists suited up for the Detroit Red Wings at some point says it all.Finalists: Valtteri Filppula (-44), Filip Hronek (-38)Cy Young Award ?And the winner is: Noel Acciari (20 G, 7 A)This award is for the player whose goals-assists split best mirrors the win-loss record of MLB's best pitcher. Congratulations, Mr. Acciari. Not only did you record your first 20-goal season in the NHL, you now own a prestigious award to help you remember it for life.Finalists: Artem Anisimov (15 G, 4 A), Casey Cizikas (10 G, 4A)Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nashville Predators forward Ryan Johansen is taking full responsibility for his inconsistent play this season and knows he needs to be better for his team to succeed.“With my role on this team and the standard I hold myself to, I need to outperform No. 1 centers on a night-by-night basis," Johansen said, according to The Athletic's Joe Rexrode."I need to show my teammates every night, 'Hey, I've got this guy.' I've got to be one of our horses every night. And when that's not happening, it's frustrating. I'll be honest, it has chewed me up this year."Johansen ranked fifth in team scoring when the league suspended play - despite owning the Predators' highest annual cap hit (alongside Matt Duchene) at $8 million. The 27-year-old pivot is on pace for just 43 points over 82 games, which would mark his lowest full-season total since his rookie campaign in 2011-12."This is an experience I haven't had since I was a young player, and it ate me up," he said. "You've got teammates counting on you, you've got this big contract, and you're just trying to find it."Predators general manager David Poile wasn't shy in acknowledging the insufficient contributions of one of his top-paid players."He's got to play better," Poile said. "He's got to find a way to be more impactful. He's got to produce more. I expect more and he expects more from himself."Nashville has played at a 41-win pace in 2019-20 after winning the Central Division in each of the last two campaigns with 47 and 53 victories, respectively. The Predators occupy the Western Conference's final wild-card berth despite their underwhelming season thus far.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tuukka Rask is indecisive.The Boston Bruins netminder said in March that retiring after his contract expires in 2021 was "a possibility." However, on Monday, he contradicted his earlier statement."I haven't thought about retirement at all," he told The Athletic's Joe McDonald.The 33-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down, either. He owns a .929 save percentage and a league-best 2.12 goals-against average in 41 games this season."Winning drives me," he said. "I haven't put a number into it that what age it might be, but we'll see. Maybe it's 36, or 37. Maybe it's 42. Maybe I'll be the goalie who plays to 45, maybe not."The 2014 Vezina Trophy winner ranks first on the Bruins' all-time wins list. He carried the team to two Stanley Cup Finals in 2013 and 2019 but lost both, and backed up Tim Thomas when Boston won the Cup in 2011.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Colorado Avalanche may consider reviving one of the most iconic uniforms in sports history to celebrate their 25th season in Denver in 2020-21.The Quebec Nordiques moved to Colorado prior to the 1995-96 campaign, but their famous blue uniforms featuring a fleurs-de-lis design and red igloo logo might be making a comeback in the near future."Next year is the team's 25th anniversary season. I think there is an opportunity," Declan Bolger, the senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, told The Athletic's Ryan S. Clark. "We've talked about it, but the opportunity has not (arisen) up to now. It's not the only thing we've talked about. We have talked about a lot of things."The Avalanche organization is still littered with important figures from the team's tenure in Quebec. Jean Martineau, currently the senior vice president of communications, has been with the franchise since 1986. Pierre Lacroix, who became the Nordiques' general manager shortly before their relocation and oversaw two Stanley Cup wins in Colorado, is still on board as a senior advisor. Joe Sakic, a draft pick of the Nordiques in 1987 and the franchise's all-time points leader, is now Colorado's GM.But despite those ties and the fact the club still sells Nordiques merchandise, the Avalanche have never worn Quebec throwbacks."Up to now, we have not had a uniform that has incorporated the Nordiques, but it is clear other clubs like Carolina (formerly the Hartford Whalers) have recently leaned into their past," Bolger said. "With Pierre, Joe, and Jean being with the team, you look in the media guide and how the Nordiques' records are included with the Avalanche's records, we certainly do acknowledge the Nordiques."We have been back there twice for exhibition games. It's something we have leaned into instead of away from."The Hurricanes have embraced their Hartford roots since Tom Dundon took over as majority owner in 2018, with players wearing throwback green uniforms during a handful of games.As for the Avalanche, count Nazem Kadri among the players who would be fired up for a throwback night in Denver.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.The American Hockey League Board of Governors voted to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 campaign and 2020 Calder Cup playoffs due to the coronavirus pandemic, the league announced Monday."After a lengthy review process, the American Hockey League has determined that the resumption and completion of the 2019-20 season is not feasible in light of current conditions," AHL president and chief executive officer David Andrews said.He added: "The League's operational focus has turned toward actively preparing for the 2020-21 season."League standings will be sorted by points percentage and all player statistics are considered final and official as of March 12 - the day the league suspended play. These stats will serve as the basis for determining awards for the 2019-20 campaign.The cancellation marks the first time since 1936 that the Calder Cup won't be awarded.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

"If you look good, you play good." - Deion SanderstheScore is counting down the 100 best uniforms in sports history, with a new post every weekday until May 15.May 4-8:

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid believes a change in attitude throughout the organization helped the club get back into the playoff mix this season."Management, coaching staff is all new, we brought in a couple new players, but I think it's just the vibe around the team that's changed," McDavid said on Sportsnet's #Ask31. "Everyone talks about that winning culture, and we didn't have that for a number of years."Just changing that whole culture and whole mindset I think has been huge."After missing the postseason for the third time in four years last season, McDavid was vocal about his disappointment, saying his frustration level was "really high," and that it was "going to be a long summer" without playoff hockey.The Oilers then used their time off to make some major changes. Edmonton hired longtime Detroit Red Wings executive Ken Holland as general manager, named Dave Tippett its new head coach, and brought in a series of new players, including goaltender Mike Smith and veteran winger James Neal.The series of moves appeared to have worked, as the Oilers sat comfortably in second place in the Pacific Division with 83 points when the league went on pause March 12.McDavid, of course, played a big role in the club's success, posting 97 points in 64 games to rank second in league scoring behind teammate Leon Draisaitl.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Anaheim Ducks inked defenseman Brendan Guhle to a two-year contract extension, the team announced Sunday.The deal carries an annual cap hit of $800,000, according to CapFriendly.Guhle recorded eight points in 30 games with the Ducks this season. He also spent 27 games with the AHL's San Diego Gulls, where he tallied 14 points. The 22-year-old was acquired along with a first-rounder in the trade that sent Brandon Montour to the Buffalo Sabres in February 2019.Guhle's underlying metrics weren't very impressive. His 41.9% expected goals for was worst among Ducks defensemen who played at least 10 games, and his 43.5% high-danger scoring chance was second-worst, according to Natural Stat Trick. However, there's still plenty of room to grow for the former second-round pick.The Ducks also signed depth forward Sam Carrick to a one-year deal reportedly worth $700,000. The 28-year-old has collected five points in 34 career NHL games.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 1969-70 Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins were headlined by the transcendent Bobby Orr, ultimate wild card Derek Sanderson, all-time sniper Phil Esposito, and world-class goalie Gerry Cheevers. That foursome's average age was 25. An older guy named "Chief" balanced out the core.Johnny Bucyk, a physical, goal-scoring 34-year-old forward who fully embraced his role as the unofficial captain, brought responsibility and maturity to a roster brimming with talent. His leadership extended beyond the rink, too."If you needed something, (Bucyk) was more than happy to make sure you got it," former teammate Brad Park once said. "If you needed a dishwasher, he'd tell you where to go.""If you needed an elephant," former Bruins coach and GM Harry Sinden added, "John could get you an elephant somewhere in Boston." B Bennett / Getty ImagesThis reputation of being selfless and levelheaded off the ice - plus two Cups, more than 1,500 games played, more than 500 goals scored, and two Lady Byng trophies - helped Bucyk earn his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981, where he's now enshrined alongside Orr, Esposito, and Cheevers.One particular goal among Buyck's 556 career tallies stands above the rest because it set the table for the most iconic photo in NHL history. Bucyk's late third-period goal in Game 4 of the 1970 Cup final against the St. Louis Blues extended the game so Orr could fly through the air early in overtime."It was the big goal to put it into overtime," Bucyk said in a recent interview. "We were up 3-0 in the series. Then, of course, Bobby scored the biggest goal of all. It was nice to win the Stanley Cup for the first time. That was a big plus for me, being part of the team."Sunday marks 50 years since Orr's goal. To commemorate the occasion, NHL Network Originals produced a one-hour documentary about the 1969-70 Bruins. "Big, Bad & Bobby" debuts Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on NHL Network (U.S.) and Sportsnet (Canada).Ahead of the debut, Bucyk, now 84 and living in Boxford, Massachusetts, with his wife Terri, chatted with theScore about a number of Bruins-related topics.––––––––––Do you have the picture of Bobby hanging up somewhere in your house?Oh yeah. We've got all kinds of pictures hanging around. I've got that one of him flying through the air. I mean, it was a big night, a big goal, and a big thing. We finally won the Stanley Cup after 29 years.What had you heard about Bobby before he arrived in Boston in 1966? That was your 12th year in the NHL and 10th with the Bruins.I watched him in junior and you saw the talent that he had and the way he played. Then, when he came to us, I happened to be his roommate. They put Bobby with me. We got along so well. Very close friends, as we still are. But you knew things were going to change with him back there. When he was on the ice, it was like playing on a power play. Six on five.Would you ever catch yourself daydreaming as he skated coast to coast?(Laughs) I just kept saying to myself, 'Oh, we're going to win the Cup, we're going to win the Cup, we're going to ... ' He made the biggest difference. Adam Glanzman / Getty Images Sport / GettyWhere do you stand on the greatest-of-all-time debate? Bobby? Wayne?Ah, it's too hard to compare. You're talking about two players from two different positions. Both very talented, both exciting to watch. I don't grade them, I don't grade anybody in the league, because everybody is different. They were two of the best, though. Gretzky was such an offensive player. Bobby was both - offensive and defensive. I just couldn't compare them. It's so tough to do. Even now, with so many great players, who are you going to pick? The way the league is now, every team has some good, All-Star players. And a lot of these kids now are going to be great. Nothing you can do.You don't hear about Bobby's defense very often. Everyone remembers the skating and point totals. Is defense an underrated part of his game?If Bobby was caught up ice, he'd be back before you knew it. He could always, always get back into the play. He was such a good skater, and went at such fast speeds. He could just accelerate real quick and he had so much talent. And it was too bad. He played hurt a lot of the time, and that's what shortened his career. He should have been playing for many more years. But that was Bobby. Bobby knew he was better than what we had, so he wanted to play, hurt or not. He was out there, no matter what, and doing his best.Do you feel like those playoff runs in 1967-68 and 1968-69 were necessary experiences, essential building blocks to winning the Cup in 1969-70? (The Bruins had missed the playoffs for eight straight seasons prior to 1967.)It was a big plus. It gave you a lot of confidence. You're up there, you have a chance to win. You're all the way, deep into the playoffs. And then you lose. But you knew you were close and you knew eventually it was going to change. And it did.How important was the 1967 trade - where Esposito and a couple of other guys came to Boston - to the trajectory of those Bruins teams?That trade was probably the biggest trade ever to help us. To get Espo, (Ken) Hodge, and Freddie Stanfield - three great players - was to get (most of) our power play, too. You couldn't believe it when that trade happened, and when Bobby came up and Derek (Sanderson) came up. You knew you were on your way to a Cup.Many hockey fans today don't know anything about Derek Sanderson - on the ice or off it. He was quite the character, wasn't he?He was a lot of fun. He kept you alive. He's funny. He was one of the best penalty killers we ever had. Him and Eddie Westfall made a good pair. They scored a lot of goals. What else can you say? He was quite competitive. He was a disturber out there, too. He had all the other teams upset. Boston Globe / Getty ImagesThe Bruins weren't very good at the beginning of your career. Did you ever think to yourself, "Oh man, I'm not going to win a Cup here?"No, I loved Boston, I loved playing here, I loved the fans, and we were competitive a lot of the time. We had some great years. We did go a few years without even getting into the playoffs. That was a little tough, but I never thought about asking to be traded or hoped to be traded. I just wanted to play hockey and do it in Boston. Whoever knew my career would still be on? I'm still working for the Bruins. This is my 62nd year with the organization. That's exciting. How many people on any job can say they've been there over 60 years? I'm very thankful. Thankful to (ownership) for keeping me on.You're in the documentary. What was it like to relive these old memories?I've had a good career. I had 23 years as a player in the league. That's a lot of times to try to remember. You do remember your 500th goal. I remember the playoffs in St. Louis. In the opening game, I got a hat trick - that's something you don't forget. And then, of course, scoring the goal in the fourth game (of the Cup final) to put it into overtime with just about seven minutes left in the game, where they were leading us 3-2. I scored that one, tied it up, and then we won it in overtime. You try to remember the good times. As you get older, it gets tougher and tougher.You guys were celebrities in Boston during this period. What did that look like on a daily basis? Did you have much privacy away from the rink?It was tough. You didn't wear a helmet, so fans would recognize you real quick. They all wanted to say hello, get a picture, get an autograph. But that's part of it. When you choose this life, you've got to go through that. I had no problem with it. I loved to talk to the people. Sometimes I didn't want to talk to them, though (laughs). Especially when you've just lost and they want to know why. How the heck would I know? No, it was fun. I had a real good run, enjoyed it, and I still enjoy being part of the team. It's just too bad what's happening this year. I thought we had a real good chance to win the Cup.How plugged into the current Bruins team are you? Who's your favorite player, and why?I'm at every game at home. I don't travel, but I watch the road games on TV. I gave up traveling a few years ago because I had enough of it. I think I've probably missed three games in my life. I enjoy the game. It's fun. I'd have to say (Patrice) Bergeron and (Zdeno) Chara. They're two of my favorites. Both are very close friends. Just (Bergeron's) competitive nature. He works both ways on the ice. He's such a good, talented player who works hard every game. Mike Stobe / Getty ImagesDo you like today's game better than the game from your era?It was different back then. The rules are different now. The equipment is different now. The sticks. The skates. We used to wear the same pair of skates for two or three years. Now, they use two or three pairs a year. There's just so many different things nowadays. They shoot the puck harder, and I'm sure faster. The players are better skaters, probably better than we were. Yeah, the game is still enjoyable to me. If you've got two teams who are going to go out and play hard and physical, bump and grind, and not do anything stupid like get stupid penalties, it's enjoyable. I don't like seeing all the chippiness. I like seeing good heart instead. And in Boston we've had a lot of (guys with good heart).As things go, you remember some of the things you had. Even the years when I played, the rivalry we had with Montreal, you knew every game was going to be a battle. It was going to be a fight, it was going to be something. But I used to always say, if you had a bad game score-wise, liven it up with a fight. Somebody would get into a fight on the ice and the fans would go home happy.How do you think you would fare if you were transported to this era and just starting your NHL career in 2020?(Laughs) I know I'd be richer.John Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.Bobby Orr understands the desire to see hockey return, but he also comprehends the danger of the coronavirus pandemic."I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to come back, but to think that you're going to finish the season, have a playoff, and then start next season, I think we have to be really careful," the legendary former defenseman told TSN's James Duthie. "We just cannot come back until the players are safe, the families are safe, anybody connected with those games, around the games, if they do come back, (we have to make sure) that everyone is safe."The Hockey Hall of Famer, who's celebrating the 50th anniversary of his iconic airborne Stanley Cup-winning goal Sunday, emphasized that the sport's significance pales in comparison to the world's current predicament."This is bigger than the game," Orr said. "This is life and death. We have to be real careful and real sure that everyone is prepared, and we can't be putting our players back out on the ice without proper conditioning. Staying at home the way they are now, it’s pretty difficult to stay in hockey skating shape."There's more important things than sports," he added. "I’m the biggest hockey fan in the world, and I miss it. I miss it a lot. But we can't be coming back too quickly. Things have to be right for the game to start up (again) and for the players to come back."The NHL paused its season March 12 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In late April, the league was targeting a July return and hoped to reopen facilities in mid-to-late May, but the latter phase reportedly won't be initiated until a majority of clubs are able to do so.In early April, Orr wrote a letter thanking workers at Massachusetts General Hospital, calling them the "true heroes."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This week, theScore will be selecting each NHL team's greatest all-time draft bust. This edition focuses on the Metropolitan Division, excluding the Vegas Golden Knights due to the fact that their drafts are too recent to consider anybody a bust.Central | Metropolitan | AtlanticAnaheim Ducks Nhan Chu / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe pick: Alexei Smirnov (No. 12, 2000)

This week, theScore will be selecting each NHL team's greatest all-time draft bust. Our final edition focuses on the Atlantic Division.Central | Metropolitan | Pacific Boston Bruins Greg Fiume / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe pick: Zach Hamill (No. 8, 2007)

In late May 1979, the Montreal Canadiens were on home ice with a 3-1 series lead and a chance to close out the New York Rangers for their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup to end the decade.Thanks to two goals from Jacques Lemaire and 14 stops from Ken Dryden, the Habs got the job done with a 4-1 victory, winning their 22nd title in franchise history.Watch a replay of the classic game below.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If the NHL resumes its 2019-20 campaign, Vegas Golden Knights winger Mark Stone will be ready to return from the injury that sidelined him before the pause.Stone was deemed week-to-week due to a lower-body ailment on March 1, with his team in the thick of the Pacific Division playoff race. Over two months later, he's healthy enough to return."I'm good. Healing up," Stone told Gary Lawless of the club's website. "Still have a couple little obstacles to get over, but overall in a good spot. Just want to play hockey again.""I don't know exactly the day I got hurt, but I think it has been almost 10 weeks now. When I first got injured, I was gunning to be back in four weeks," he added. "It's crazy how things can turn but I'm excited to be getting healthy and feeling at a 100 percent."Stone missed six games before the coronavirus-induced season suspension on March 12. The 27-year-old two-way star ranks second on the team with 63 points in 65 games during his first campaign in Vegas.The Golden Knights remain three points clear of the Edmonton Oilers atop the Pacific.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If you've ever wanted to live on a street named after your favorite hockey player, Las Vegas might be the place for you.A new community in the city's north end is naming 30 streets after members of the 2017-18 Vegas Golden Knights, who went to the Stanley Cup Final in their historic inaugural season, according to construction and planning documents obtained by The Athletic's Jesse Granger."We wanted to capitalize on all the excitement that the Golden Knights bring to the city, and especially in northern Las Vegas," Taylor Morrison division president James Gomez said. "The community has been such an integral part of our growth and so supportive of our opening. The idea to name the streets after players' names has created quite a buzz and we've already had a lot of interest from different prospects on what street they will buy on, based on their favorite players."Here's a list of all 30 streets:Street nameGolden Knights WayGeorge McPhee RoadGerard Gallant StreetMarc-Andre Fleury RoadNate Schmidt RoadWilliam Karlsson StreetMarchessault RoadShea Theodore RoadRyan Reaves StreetReilly Smith StreetAlex Tuch RoadWilliam Carrier RoadBrayden McNabb StreetErik Haula CourtMalcolm Subban StreetTomas Nosek StreetDavid Perron StreetJon Merrill StreetDeryk Engelland RoadCody Eakin RoadRyan Carpenter RoadPierre Edourard StreetColin Miller RoadTomas Tatar CourtOscar Lindberg StreetBrad Hunt RoadOscar Dansk RoadNick Suzuki StreetMaxime Lagace RoadLuca Sbisa StreetOddly enough, there are no reported street names for owner Bill Foley or sniper James Neal."The community is set to open in June 2020. It's our first Taylor Morrison product in Las Vegas, and we couldn't think of a more fitting way to honor the city," Gomez said.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.Agent Allan Walsh says none of the NHL general managers he's spoken with support the idea of holding the draft in early June."I have not talked to one GM who likes it, and I talk to almost all of them," the agent said Thursday, according to The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno."The draft serves a lot of different purposes in giving GMs the tools to build their roster for the next year, apart from just drafting seven rounds of players," he added. "The cap teams - the (Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning) - are going to have to move at least one big contract to make it work. And the time to do it is at the draft. But you can't do it under a first week or second week of June scenario when you don't know if the season is canceled or whether we are really going to come back and play."On Wednesday, Washington Capitals GM Brian MacLellan said of the draft that he believed the majority of his contemporaries "would like it to happen in a natural order."Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman was more direct about the matter when asked about it April 30."My thought is: Why would you do that? Why would you need to do that?" he said, later adding, "I haven't heard a good reason why we should do it prior to the end of the season if we do conclude the season over the course of the summer."Earlier in April, NHL commissioner Bill Daly confirmed that the league was considering holding a virtual draft in early June even if the season remains paused amid the coronavirus pandemic, though he noted it was one of several options being considered.The league postponed the 2020 draft in late March, less than two weeks after halting the current campaign. It has yet to decide when the rescheduled - and potentially reformatted - event would be held.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Milan Lucic is amused by the fact that the hypothetical pick attached to his trade from the Edmonton Oilers to the Calgary Flames is currently up in the air.The Oilers dealt the imposing forward and a conditional 2020 third-round selection to the Flames for winger James Neal last July. In order for the Flames to receive the pick, Neal has to score at least 21 goals in 2019-20, and Lucic needs to finish with at least 10 fewer markers than his counterpart.Neal has 19 goals and Lucic has eight with the season paused."I think it's hilarious that that's what it's come down to right now," Lucic said Thursday on the "Spittin' Chiclets" podcast."If you ask me, I think the condition should stand," he added. "I just think it's funny that here we are with what should have been 12 games left and we're 11 goals apart."The shitty thing is, too, I had one (goal) and one (assist) in my last game, and I was starting to feel it again, and (Neal) just came off a pretty big injury ... I think I probably would have closed that gap from 11 goals. That's why I think it's funny that that's where that's sittin' at right now."Neal potted all 19 of his tallies in his first 42 games with the Oilers, including a four-goal night in just his third contest with the club. Following an eight-game goalless skid, he suffered a foot injury in late January that forced him to miss the next month. Upon returning in March, he produced no markers and two assists in five contests.Lucic collected four goals and nine points over his last 15 games, including two markers in his last four contests.The fate of conditional picks included in trades remains uncertain with the NHL season on hold amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Edmonton played one more game than Calgary before the league postponed the campaign March 12.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hall of Fame sniper Brett Hull believes the social media age has sucked the enjoyment from the hockey he knew during his playing days."We did the same things, we said the same things, but there was no way to get caught," Hull said on Sportsnet's "Hockey Central" on Friday. "We can go out after games, we can go to strip clubs, we can go to bars, and we could do whatever we wanted, and it would all be hearsay.""The fun is gone," he added. "The game is not fun anymore to me."Hull's comments are in reference to former Washington Capitals forward Brendan Leipsic, whose contract was terminated Friday after derogatory messages from a group chat with his friends were leaked.The 55-year-old also touched on how technology has lessened camaraderie and team bonding among players."These guys, they take their Xboxes on the road with them, and it's so sad. But it's the nature of the game, right? Do you want to go out and have everyone with their cell phone on you, or do you want to just make sure you don't get in trouble?"Hull's playing career spanned from 1986-2006. He suited up for the Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, and Phoenix Coyotes across 19 seasons, registering 741 goals and 1,391 points while collecting two Stanley Cups, an MVP, and three All-Star nods.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers say forward Jack Rodewald's involvement in a series of leaked messages from a private Instagram group chat has "no place in our organization or our great game," according to the Winnipeg Sun's Scott Billeck.In a statement released Friday, the team also said it will "cooperate fully with the league, NHLPA, and PHPA to ensure that this matter is handled quickly and appropriately."Washington Capitals forward Brendan Leipsic was also included in the group chat, and he was placed on waivers Friday with the purpose of terminating his contract.Rodewald has appeared in 10 NHL games, all with the Ottawa Senators. He was traded to the Panthers organization midway through the 2019-20 season, and the 26-year-old skated in 43 games with the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is offering to pay for all COVID-19 testing for players and the community if Toronto is chosen as a hub city for the NHL's potential return, Ontario premier Doug Ford said Friday."What I understand, all tests will be supplied by MLSE," Ford told reporters Friday, according to the Toronto Star's Kevin McGran. "The cost will be absorbed by MLSE or the NHL, whoever it might be. And I guess through that, when they set it up, then they’ll actually donate some of the time of the testing area to the public, as well."So they’re giving back to the public on top of testing their own players, which I thought was very thoughtful of them for doing that."The NHL has proposed placing four groups of teams in four different cities as a contingency plan to save the 2019-20 campaign. Toronto, along with several other NHL sites - including Edmonton and Vancouver - has expressed interest in hosting."We have had conversations with (MLSE) and it’s all based conditionally on following the chief medical officer’s protocol," Ford said. "People that aren’t in the country right now, if they do come back, they’re going to have to be quarantined like everyone else for two weeks. I understand with the Raptors, the NBA and the NHL, (they) have super stringent restrictions and protocols in place."Ontario cabinet minister Lisa MacLeod announced Friday that facilities connected to the province's sports teams are allowed to reopen under certain provisions. The Raptors, a club MLSE also owns, will allow one player and one coach at a time on the court. However, the NHL reportedly said it won't permit players to return to practice rinks until all teams have been given the same opportunity.The NHL went on pause March 12. Players and staff remain in self-isolation, and the league hopes to begin the second phase of its return plan in late May.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Legendary defenseman Bobby Orr believes Connor McDavid could become the greatest player to ever lace up skates.Orr doesn't think the Edmonton Oilers captain is there yet, and he gives the greatest-ever title to Gordie Howe. But No. 4 said McDavid is on track to challenge the best of the best."But we've had Mario (Lemieux), Wayne (Gretzky), Sid (Crosby), and there's a guy out in Edmonton now," Orr told WEEI's Dale & Keefe. "Before this is all over, however the players are rated, they might be dropping down one by the time Connor McDavid finishes. He's going to be up there."Howe is certainly a valid choice. The Detroit Red Wings icon recorded the most games played in NHL history, and he retired in 1980 as the league's all-time goals (801) and points leader (1,850). "Mr. Hockey" also won four Stanley Cups, six scoring titles, and was a 21-time All-Star, all while being named MVP six times.McDavid, who's only 23 years old, has lived up to his generational-talent status and then some through his first five NHL seasons. His 1.34 points per game ranks fifth all time among players who have logged 300-plus games played, and he's already claimed one MVP, two scoring titles, and two Ted Lindsay awards, and earned three all-star nominations.Orr himself can make a case for being considered the greatest of all time, too. Despite only playing 657 contests across 12 seasons due to injuries, Orr finished with 915 points, two Stanley Cups, two Conn Smythe trophies, and three MVPs, and he won the Norris Trophy an astonishing eight consecutive times.Orr and McDavid maintain a long-standing relationship, as Jeff Jackson - a member of the Orr Hockey Group - represents the latter.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While every team needs a coach, it takes someone special to stand out as an iconic bench boss, regardless of the sport. How much do you know about the most impactful coaches in sports history? Take our quiz below to find out.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This week, theScore will be selecting each NHL team's greatest all-time draft bust. This edition focuses on the Metropolitan Division.Central | Pacific | Atlantic (Sunday)Carolina Hurricanes Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe pick: Zach Boychuk (No. 14, 2008)

Toronto Maple Leafs assistant coach Paul McFarland accepted a job as head coach of the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs, the NHL team announced Friday.McFarland joined Toronto's staff prior to the 2019-20 campaign after two seasons as the assistant coach of the Florida Panthers. He remained on the team's bench after head coach Mike Babcock was replaced by Sheldon Keefe midseason. The move gives Keefe an opportunity to start assembling his own staff for next season.McFarland will stay with the Leafs for the remainder of the 2019-20 campaign if the season is able to resume."Ultimately, I made this decision for my own development as a head coach and I am honored and excited about the opportunity to help develop an exciting group of young players in Kingston," McFarland said. "I still remain 100% committed to the Maple Leafs organization, its staff, and the players for the remainder of the 2019-20 NHL season and Stanley Cup Playoffs."McFarland was responsible for running the Leafs' sixth-ranked power play, which operated at 23.1%.This will be the 34-year-old's second stint in Kingston; he previously served as Frontenacs head coach for three seasons from 2014-17. This time around, he'll get an opportunity to coach phenom Shane Wright, the projected top pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.Ontario cabinet minister Lisa MacLeod announced Friday that professional sports teams in the province are permitted to begin training at their respective club facilities."Today we are lifting certain restrictions in a controlled, restricted, sanitized, and voluntary manner to allow for individualized training and conditioning for our major sports teams whose leagues have come forward with rigorous health and safety protocols," MacLeod said.The order covers NHL, NBA, MLB, MLS, and CFL clubs that play in the province, but it remains up to each league to decide how to proceed. The NHL reportedly said it won't allow players to return to their club's facilities until all are permitted to do so, in an attempt to stop teams from having a competitive advantage.The Toronto Raptors will allow limited access for their players to the OVO Athletic Centre starting May 11.Though the order is province-wide, it's also subject to municipal guidelines, which could differ from city to city.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals have placed forward Brendan Leipsic on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract, the team announced Friday.Messages from an Instagram group chat containing inappropriate and misogynistic conversations between Leipsic and his friends were leaked to the public Wednesday. The Capitals deemed the messages "unacceptable and offensive."Leipsic's brother Jeremy was also in the group chat. He played for the University of Manitoba men's hockey team but was released from the program Friday. Florida Panthers minor-leaguer Jack Rodewald was in the group chat as well.Leipsic was in the final year of a deal paying him $700,000 annually. He was set to hit restricted free agency after the 2019-20 campaign.The 25-year-old posted 11 points in 61 games with the Capitals this year while playing fourth-line minutes. He had stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks, and Los Angeles Kings before joining Washington.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.The NHL and NHLPA announced Friday the postponement of its 2020 international games due to the COVID-19 pandemic."The NHLPA and the NHL remain committed to maintaining and growing our international presence," the two sides said in a statement. "We hope that our fans overseas understand the need to postpone the 2020 games, but we look forward to being back with them in 2021."The Boston Bruins and Nashville Predators were slated to open their 2020-21 campaigns in Prague, Czech Republic while the Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blue Jackets were scheduled to play a pair of games in Helsinki, Finland later in the fall."We are disappointed by the postponement of our trip to Finland, but look forward to having the opportunity to play in front of Finland's passionate hockey fans in the future," said Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen in a statement. Kekalainen is a native of Kuopio, Finland and was the NHL's first European-born general manager.Boston was also to complete its training camp in Germany and then play Adler Mannheim in an exhibition game. The Predators were going to wrap up their training camp in Switzerland before taking on SC Bern.The league was also looking to schedule an event in China for the 2020-21 season, though deputy commissioner Bill Daly ruled that as "unlikely" in early March, according to ESPN's Emily Kaplan.The NHL began its Global Series games in 2017. The 2020 event would have marked the fourth straight year, and ninth time overall, that the league has traveled to Europe to play regular-season games.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens agreed to terms with defenseman Alexander Romanov on a three-year entry-level contract, the team announced Friday.However, the start of the contract has yet to be determined due to the uncertainty surrounding the NHL season.The Canadiens are awaiting word on the league's ruling regarding whether new signings can play the rest of the current season, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.If there's a 24-team playoff format, which is reportedly gaining traction, the Eastern Conference's 12th-seeded Canadiens would presumably want Romanov to join the team for the remainder of this campaign.Romanov, a second-round pick in 2018, suited up for 43 games in each of the last two seasons with CSKA Moscow of the KHL, racking up a combined 11 points while playing limited minutes.The 20-year-old dominated during the last two World Junior Hockey Championships. He was named to the tournament All-Star team each time, tallying a total of 14 points in as many games.In his midseason prospect rankings after the 2020 world juniors, The Athletic's Corey Pronman listed Romanov as the 18th best prospect, fifth among defensemen."Romanov is a great skater and a very physical player. Even though he's not that big, he lands huge hits on a regular basis because of how quickly he closes on his checks," Pronman wrote. "The main area of debate on Romanov is his offense. He's not a top-end offensive guy, but what I've learned to appreciate is how efficient his exits are. He makes a lot of great passes from his own end and is competent on the power play too."Montreal has a need for a left-handed-shooting defenseman who can skate and move the puck, and Romanov fits the bill.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

"If you look good, you play good." - Deion SanderstheScore is counting down the 100 best uniforms in sports history, with a new post every weekday until May 15.May 4-8:

"If you look good, you play good." - Deion SanderstheScore is counting down the 100 best uniforms in sports history, with a new post every weekday until May 15.May 4-8:

Pittsburgh Penguins fans are being recognized for their dedication to the team, as Forbes Magazine ranks them the ninth-most passionate fans across the four major North American sports.The magazine's rankings take into account television ratings, game attendance, merchandise sales, and social media reach. Penguins fans were the highest-ranked among NHL fan bases, and the only hockey-based group to make the top 10 overall."Our fans are the greatest," Penguins president and CEO David Morehouse said, according to NHL.com. "We are so grateful for their support, and it's never a surprise to us when they're named the most passionate fans in the NHL. Because they are. We hope everyone is staying safe during this challenging time."The Penguins currently hold the NHL's longest-ever sellout streak, which began in 2007, according to Yahoo's Andrew Lisa."The NHL's only team in the top 10 can thank All-Star Sidney Crosby, whose jersey has been a hot item since his 2005 debut," Forbes wrote. "Two Stanley Cups in the last five years help, as do 12 sellout seasons at PPG Paints Arena."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.