Leading up to the start of the 2019-20 season, theScore will be counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by our NHL editors. We'll reveal 10 players every day until the top 10 is unveiled on Oct. 2.100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-150. Logan Couture, SharksThe Sharks' new captain is a fierce competitor and one of the most clutch performers in the game. Couture set career highs with 43 assists and 70 points last season and was sensational in the playoffs again, leading all players with 14 goals in 20 contests.49. Jonathan Toews, BlackhawksMany observers wrote off Toews after a poor 2017-18 campaign, but he bounced back in a big way, setting career highs in goals (35), assists (46), and points (81) last season. An elite defensive player, he remains one of the better two-way centers in the league.48. Sean Monahan, FlamesMonahan was solid during his first five seasons in Calgary, but he broke out last year, recording career highs in goals (34), assists (48), and points (82). Despite the success, Monahan went cold at times. If he can eliminate the streaky nature of his play, he'll be a true pain for the opposition.47. Jonathan Huberdeau, PanthersMaddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe now-26-year-old's talent has always been there, but the forward took his undeniable chemistry with Aleksander Barkov to even greater heights last season, exploding for a career-high 92 points. Huberdeau also potted 30 goals for the first time and should continue to excel for an up-and-coming Florida squad.46. John Carlson, CapitalsThe 6-foot-3 rearguard has anchored the blue line for one of the league's elite clubs this decade and is seemingly still improving. Carlson topped his impressive 68-point 2017-18 season with a career-high 70 points in 2018-19. An impact defender, Carlson also finished ninth in the NHL with 164 blocks last season.45. Sergei Bobrovsky, PanthersBobrovsky may have been feeling the pressure of a contract year early in 2018-19, but he settled in nicely. He recorded a .933 save percentage and seven shutouts in his final 23 games and was fantastic during the Blue Jackets' first-round upset of the Lightning. The 31-year-old will look to be the answer in goal for the Panthers.44. Nicklas Backstrom, CapitalsBackstrom has been the model of consistency in Washington, scoring at least 70 points for six seasons in a row, though only topping 80 points once over that span. He was a huge part of the Capitals' Stanley Cup-winning squad in 2018 and will be counted on to try to bring the Caps back to glory.43. Alex Pietrangelo, BluesDave Sandford / National Hockey League / GettyThe captain of the reigning Stanley Cup champions remains one of the NHL's elite blue-liners as he enters his 12th season at just 29 years old. Pietrangelo is as steady as they come on the back end, and he was a major reason the Blues captured their first title back in June.42. Morgan Rielly, Maple LeafsRielly has established himself as one of the most elite offensive defensemen in the NHL with 26 goals and 124 points over the last two campaigns. In 2018-19, the 25-year-old became just the third Leafs blue-liner to break the 70-point mark (72) - and the first since the 1979-80 season.41. Claude Giroux, FlyersThe move from center to left wing over the last few years has helped Giroux maximize his offensive abilities and hide some of his defensive deficiencies. He's one of just six players with 60 assists in each of the last two seasons. The other five? Nikita Kucherov, Connor McDavid, Blake Wheeler, Sidney Crosby, and Johnny Gaudreau.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leading up to the start of the 2019-20 season, theScore will be counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by our NHL editors. We'll reveal 10 players every day until the top 10 is unveiled Oct. 2.100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-140. Artemi Panarin, RangersPanarin has never registered less than 74 points in a season over four years in the NHL and he hit a career-high 87 points for the Blue Jackets last season. He was rewarded with a seven-year, $81.5-million contract by the Rangers and, along with rookie Kaapo Kakko, will look to bring some offensive excitement to the Big Apple.39. Elias Pettersson, CanucksPettersson produced nearly a point per game in his impressive rookie campaign, as he claimed the Calder Trophy after overcoming an early-season concussion. The Canucks phenom is a special talent who's only going to get better in the years to come.38. Kris Letang, PenguinsLetang has been a staple on the Penguins' blue line for over a decade, and the 32-year-old hasn't shown signs of slowing down when he's healthy. The 6-foot rearguard matched his career high with 16 goals in 2018-19 and finished the campaign with 56 points despite being limited to 65 games.37. Drew Doughty, KingsNorm Hall / National Hockey League / GettyAnyone writing Doughty off after one bad year will likely regret it. The former Norris Trophy winner is feeling extra motivated entering the season, and as one of the NHL's most candid players, he usually means what he says. Doughty is one of the few elite defensemen in the NHL that plays with a legitimate mean streak, making him tough on opposing forwards.36. John Gibson, DucksLast season may have been a down year for the Ducks, but Gibson still performed at a very high level. The 26-year-old managed a 26-22-8 record while Anaheim was just 9-15-2 with Gibson on the bench. The Ducks just didn't have the ability to stay competitive without Gibson between the pipes.35. Carey Price, CanadiensPrice returned to form in 2018-19 and is still undoubtedly one of the NHL's most dependable goaltenders. The 32-year-old has some miles on him now, but the Canadiens will have nothing to worry about in their crease as long as he occupies it.34. Jack Eichel, SabresRob Carr / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Sabres franchise talent took a major step forward last season with a career-best 82 points in 77 games. Eichel is an incredible skater who sees the game at an elite level and contributes at an efficient rate. His points-per-game mark of 0.91 ranks 26th in the NHL since his debut in 2015-16.33. Mark Giordano, FlamesIf these rankings were strictly based off last season, Giordano would be much higher. The 35-year-old enjoyed a career year, posting 74 points and ranking third among defensemen with 73 takeaways. A repeat of his Norris Trophy-winning season may be unlikely, but Gio remains an ageless wonder and one of the game's elite blue-liners.32. David Pastrnak, BruinsPasta only appeared in 66 games last season and still managed to collect career highs in goals (38) and points (81). He added another 19 points in the playoffs as the Bruins went all the way to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final before falling to St. Louis. At 23 years old, Pastrnak looks primed to explode this upcoming season.31. Seth Jones, Blue JacketsOne of the most underappreciated defensemen in the league, Jones is responsible in his own end and productive in the offensive zone, making up one half of a promising top pairing for Columbus alongside Zach Werenski.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Talk of this summer's star-studded horde of restricted free agents was inescapable. There were rumblings of historically rich contracts, offer sheets, and extended holdouts. In actuality, it was a whole lot of waiting around until a flurry of deals came to fruition once training camps started.The drama finally ended Sept. 28 when Mikko Rantanen and Kyle Connor became the final members of an unfathomably deep group of young phenoms to put pen to paper. With the biggest story of the offseason finally settled, let's take one last look at each RFA deal and hand out some grades before these players take the ice to do what they do best.Sebastian Aho, Carolina HurricanesWhat we projected: 8 years, $82 million ($10.25M AAV)

This just in: the Vegas Golden Knights and San Jose Sharks don't like each other very much.The bad blood between the Pacific Division rivals was on full display in the third period of Sunday's preseason finale, with the two sides engaging in numerous scrums.Tensions rose when Sharks goalie Aaron Dell gave Mark Stone an elbow as the winger skated by.

Jack Johnson's days with the Pittsburgh Penguins appear to be numbered.The veteran defenseman was told over the weekend that there are potential deals on the table for Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford, and Johnson is involved in the majority of them, sources told The Athletic's Josh Yohe.While a trade isn't a certainty, Rutherford warned Johnson a deal within the next 48 hours is quite possible, and the GM wanted to keep the blue-liner aware of all possibilities, according to the report.The Penguins may need to make a move to get under the salary cap ceiling before the season begins. Johnson carries a cap hit of $3.25 million and is on the books for the next four campaigns.After trading defenseman Olli Maatta to the Chicago Blackhawks in June, Rutherford said he had planned to deal "either Johnson or Maatta."Pittsburgh signed Johnson to a five-year, $16.25-million contract in free agency on July 1, 2018.The 32-year-old played every regular-season game for the Penguins last season but managed only 13 points while averaging 19:17 in ice time.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Corey Perry will wait a bit longer to make his Dallas Stars debut.The veteran winger will be out for two more weeks, Stars head coach Jim Montgomery told reporters on Sunday, according to Mike Heika of the team's website.On Sept. 13, Montgomery said Perry suffered a small foot fracture and the forward would be re-evaluated in two weeks.At that time, Perry said he planned to be ready for the season opener against the Boston Bruins on Oct. 3. However, missing an additional two weeks pushes his return closer to mid-October.Perry signed a one-year, $1.5-million contract with the Stars as a free agent on July 1 after the Anaheim Ducks bought him out. He spent all 14 of his previous NHL seasons with the Ducks.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jordan Staal will wear the "C" for the Carolina Hurricanes this season, with Jaccob Slavin and Jordan Martinook serving as alternate captains, the club announced Sunday.Staal succeeds Justin Williams, who won't be with the team to begin the season while taking a break from the NHL. Staal previously served as Hurricanes co-captain along with the recently traded Justin Faulk in 2017-18.Staal was an alternate captain for Carolina from 2012-17 and then again in 2018-19. He also wore an "A" during his last four seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2008-12.His older brother, Eric - now a member of the Minnesota Wild - wore the "C" for the Hurricanes for seven seasons prior to that, including one campaign as co-captain with current head coach Rod Brind'Amour in 2009-10.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sidney Crosby's injury doesn't appear to be serious.The Pittsburgh Penguins superstar is day-to-day, head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters on Sunday. The bench boss added that Crosby was held out from practice for precautionary reasons and "his status is encouraging."Crosby skated briefly before practice, but he didn't take part in the session.The Penguins captain left Saturday's preseason game against the Buffalo Sabres and didn't return after blocking a shot in the first period. He was spotted leaving the arena with a slight limp, but without a walking boot or crutches, according to the Tribune-Review's Seth Rorabaugh.Pittsburgh opens its 2019-20 regular season on Thursday at home against the Sabres.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With opening night around the corner, theScore's Josh Wegman and John Matisz serve up some bold predictions for the coming NHL season:McDavid, Draisaitl finish 1-2 in league scoring, Oilers miss playoffsThis, oddly enough, almost happened last year. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl ranked second and fourth in NHL scoring with 116 and 105 points, respectively, while the Oilers missed the playoffs by a wide margin (11 points).The strange disconnect between superstar power and team success will likely widen if McDavid and Draisaitl can elevate their play individually and as a pair in 2019-20. Playing together more often might do the trick, as last year the duo shared the ice for 805 five-on-five minutes, which accounted for roughly 60% of Draisaitl's total even-strength usage.A return to the postseason isn't going to be easy for Edmonton. The Central Division looks poised to claim five of eight playoff tickets in the West, leaving the Pacific with three. Calgary, Vegas, and San Jose are a tier above the rest, with Arizona and Vancouver also in the mix for a spot. Where's the room?Penguins slide to last in the MetroGregg Forwerck / Getty ImagesAdmittedly, this is an extreme outcome for a franchise that's won three of the last 11 Stanley Cups and employs Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang.Don't forget, though: The 2019-20 Penguins aren't the Penguins of old, and the Metro Division is a jumbled mess.Beyond Washington and Carolina - the typical preseason picks for first and second place - Pittsburgh's part of a medley of six quality teams. Each of them has question marks, but solid arguments can be made in favor of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Columbus, New Jersey, and both New York teams contending for the remaining two playoff spots reserved for Metro squads.When you stop and think about the ages of three of Pittsburgh's four most important players - Crosby and Letang are 32, and Malkin is 33 - and recall that the fourth key piece, goalie Matt Murray, has a checkered health record, tumbling to the basement is imaginable. The Pens are a top-heavy team, and there's no guarantee every star will continue to shine.Given all of the uncertainty, where does one slot them in Year 1 of the post-Phil Kessel era? The best-case scenario is first, while the worst case is last. And, of course, there's the middle. All three possibilities are realistic within such a wacky division.Matthews scores 60 goalsA 60-goal season has only been accomplished twice in the last 23 years. Steven Stamkos accomplished the feat in 2011-12, while Alex Ovechkin hit the mark in 2007-08. With scoring on the rise, we're due for another.Auston Matthews has been the NHL's best five-on-five goalscorer since entering the league in 2016-17. Now that he'll be properly positioned on the right half-wall on Toronto's power play, he could become one of the league's best goalscorers with the man advantage.Matthews' injuries slowed him down after torrid starts over the past two campaigns. Last season, he was also without running mate William Nylander for much of the year. If Matthews can stay healthy and play alongside a motivated Nylander all year, the 22-year-old could certainly reach 60 goals.Quinn - not Jack - Hughes wins the CalderIcon Sportswire / Getty ImagesThe 2019-20 rookie class is quite deep, with a group of four - forwards Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko, and defensemen Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes - leading the charge ahead of opening night.Quinn, the elder Hughes brother and Vancouver's pride and joy on the back end, is expected to skate on the Canucks' second pair with veteran Chris Tanev. In five NHL games last season, the 19-year-old looked at right at home, picking up three assists while flashing his trademark mobility.Hughes is a supremely smart playmaker bursting with potential. If coach Travis Green lets him quarterback the top power-play unit, look out. Defensemen rarely win the Calder, but he has a decent chance if Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser line up alongside him to pad the assist total.Erik Karlsson reaches 90 pointsPerennial Norris Trophy contender Erik Karlsson had a year to adjust to his new team and surroundings, and now he's ready to take off. If he can reach 90 points, he'd be the first defenseman to accomplish the feat since Ray Bourque had 91 in 1993-94.Karlsson's career high in points is 82, so it's not far-fetched to believe he could tally eight more. Scoring is way up since the 2015-16 campaign when he set the bar, and he's now on a team with significantly more firepower up front. After all, he had 45 points in 53 games last season while shooting a career-low 1.8%.Of course, the key to Karlsson reaching the mark is a clean bill of health.No NHL goalie starts 60 gamesDave Reginek / Getty ImagesThis has never happened over the course of an 82-game season, but we're predicting load management will sweep goaltender nation.In 2018-19, eight goalies started at least 60 games, but only one started more than 65:GoalieTeamGSDevan DubnykMIN66Carey PriceMTL64Connor HellebuyckWPG62Martin JonesSJ62Sergei BobrovskyFLA61Marc-Andre FleuryVGK61Frederik AndersenTOR60Jacob MarkstromVAN60The Wild may find themselves desperate enough to throw Dubnyk out there 60-plus times again. In other cases, however, whether it be a more capable backup now in place or an incentive to give the starter some rest, teams could, by design, play their starter fewer than 60 games.Predators' power play goes from worst to firstIt's mind-boggling that a roster featuring Roman Josi, P.K. Subban, Ryan Ellis, Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, and Viktor Arvidsson capitalized on only 12.9% of their power-play opportunities last season. An All-Star cast was essentially useless with the man advantage, owning the worst PP in the NHL.With Matt Duchene subbing in for Subban, the personnel isn't drastically different this season. Then again, former Sabres assistant coach Dan Lambert has been hired to help Preds bench boss Peter Laviolette reconfigure the sputtering power-play attack. Really, there's only one way to go and it's up.Is it a stretch to suggest Nashville's PP will climb from 31st to first? Sure. It wouldn't be wild, though, considering the talent the coaching staff has at its disposal and the fresh mind manning the coach's clipboard.Panthers rise to first in the AtlanticIcon Sportswire / Getty ImagesThe Atlantic Division is arguably tops in hockey. It may not be as deep as the Central, but its top-end teams are among the league's best. The Lightning are the runaway favorites, and the Leafs and Bruins are both talented enough to take the crown. However, the Panthers can't be ruled out.Florida would certainly need some things to falls its way, but on paper, the Cats have a chance.The top-six forward group, led by two-way star Aleksander Barkov, can compete with the division's heavyweights. Depth was an issue, but it's been improved with the additions of Brett Connolly and Noel Acciari. Anton Stralman was brought in to stabilize the back end, but the biggest key on D will be former No. 1 pick Aaron Ekblad taking a leap in his development. With head coach Joel Quenneville now at the helm, it's possible. Lastly, two-time Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky addresses a major need between the pipes.No player exceeds 100 penalty minutesThe last time a player led the league in penalty minutes with fewer than 100 was back in 1945-46 when there were only 47 games in a season. Six players recorded 100 PIMs or more last season, but we're predicting none will reach the mark in 2019-20:PlayerTeamPIMsEvander KaneSJ153Tom WilsonWSH128Antoine RousselVAN118Ian ColeCOL115Brendan LemieuxNYR108Zack KassianEDM102This follows the league-wide trend of fighting majors declining each season, but, of course, it'll require some players to be on their best behavior.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leading up to the start of the 2019-20 season, theScore will be counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by our NHL editors. We'll reveal 10 players every day until the top 10 is unveiled Oct. 2.100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-160. Shea Weber, CanadiensWeber remains one of the game's best defensemen, but he needs to be able to stay on the ice. The six-time All-Star has played just 84 games total over the last two seasons, though he still managed 49 points over that span. The Canadiens captain enters this season healthy and will be key to Montreal's playoff hopes.59. P.K. Subban, DevilsBruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe player who was traded for Weber was dealt again following a down statistical year, but he's still a very good defenseman who should bounce back with a slew of exciting new teammates. Subban's puck-moving ability and his knack for creating offense is exactly what New Jersey needs to complement Taylor Hall, Jack Hughes, and Co.58. Phil Kessel, CoyotesKessel has been among the league's most consistent producers this decade. The 31-year-old has played in 774 consecutive contests and has contributed 697 points in that span. He's hit the 20-goal mark in 11 straight campaigns, including six 30-goal seasons, and was a pivotal player in helping the Pittsburgh Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.57. John Klingberg, StarsKlingberg is one of the best offensive defensemen in the league. He's averaged 58 points per 82 games in his career and is a possession monster. The Swede struggles to guard his own blue line and is mistake-prone at times, but his strengths far outweigh his weaknesses.56. Mathew Barzal, IslandersWhile Barzal's production may have taken a step back in 2018-19 following his Calder Trophy-winning season in 2017-18, he remains one of the NHL's brightest young talents. Barzal improved defensively last season under new head coach Barry Trotz and will look to up his totals on the scoresheet to offer the Isles the total package.55. Ben Bishop, StarsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyBishop had a resurgent 2018-19 campaign, finishing second in Vezina Trophy voting after leading the league with a career-best .934 save percentage and a 19.88 goals saved above average at five-on-five. The veteran netminder will be 33 in November, but he's showing few signs of slowing down.54. Sean Couturier, FlyersThe potential Selke Trophy candidate is one of the top two-way players in the game and has recently flourished as an elite point producer. Couturier has racked up back-to-back 76-point seasons while tasked with shutting down the opposition's top talent on most nights.53. Vladimir Tarasenko, BluesFor as talented as Tarasenko is, it's a bit surprising that he's never exceeded 40 goals or 75 points in a single season, although that could change this year. The Russian sniper might have the best release in all of hockey, outside of Auston Matthews. We're not talking slap shots or one-timers here.52. Evgeny Kuznetsov, CapitalsIt was a bumpy offseason for Kuznetsov, who was suspended for Washington's first three games this season as well as for four years by the IIHF after testing positive for cocaine. But on the ice, he remains key to the Capitals' attack after posting 155 points in 155 games the last two seasons, and he should help Washington contend for another Cup.51. Anze Kopitar, KingsKopitar followed up a 92-point season with a 60-point campaign in 2018-19, but Los Angeles' team-wide struggles don't change the fact that he's still a gifted two-way center. The versatile Kings captain remains a vital cog up front for the retooling club.(Analytics courtesy: Natural Stat Trick)Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Colorado Avalanche and restricted free agent Mikko Rantanen agreed to a six-year contract, the team announced Saturday.Financials of the deal weren't officially disclosed, but TSN's Bob McKenzie reports it will carry an average annual value of $9.25 million.The reported terms would make him Colorado's highest-paid player, easily surpassing linemate Nathan MacKinnon's incredibly team-friendly cap hit of $6.3 million.Colorado was adamant in its desire to lock up Rantanen to a long-term deal, and the club was reportedly unwilling to give him Mitch Marner money. The Maple Leafs' dynamic winger signed for a cap hit of $10.98 million earlier in September and was widely considered a close comparable to Rantanen.With Rantanen signed, the Avalanche have their entire roster under contract and a projected $6.365 million in remaining cap space, according to Cap Friendly.The 22-year-old Rantanen skated with Norway's Storhamar Dragons as he and the Avs worked to find common ground over the summer.He's emerged as a bona fide superstar since Colorado drafted him 10th overall in 2015 and is coming off a career year in which he posted 31 goals and 56 assists in 74 contests.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Winnipeg Jets have signed restricted free agent Kyle Connor to a seven-year contract extension that carries a $7.14-million average annual value, the team announced Saturday.Colorado Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen inked his own extension earlier Saturday evening, making Connor the last of this year's star RFA class to sign a new deal.His fresh contract marks Winnipeg's second big signing in as many days, as fellow RFA Patrik Laine agreed to terms on a two-year, $13.5-million deal on Friday.With Connor signed, the Jets have a projected $7.716 million in available cap space, according to Cap Friendly. However, that number doesn't factor in Dustin Byfuglien - who is currently suspended without pay as he ponders his future in the league - and his $7.6-million cap hit.The Jets drafted Connor 17th overall in 2015, and he's emerged as a key piece in the club's attack alongside Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler on the top line.Connor recorded his second consecutive 30-plus goal season in 2018-19, notching 34 while adding 32 assists in 82 contests.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is being evaluated by medical staff after blocking a shot Saturday in the club's preseason finale versus the Buffalo Sabres, head coach Mike Sullivan announced.Crosby left the game in the first period and didn't return. Penguins forward Bryan Rust is also being evaluated after blocking a shot himself.Sullivan said the team will probably have more definitive answers on the matter on Sunday morning.Crosby was spotted leaving the arena with a slight limp but had no walking boot or crutches, according to Seth Rorabaugh of the Tribune-Review.Pittsburgh opens its regular season Thursday versus the Sabres. Crosby is entering his 15th NHL season and was runner-up for the Hart Trophy in 2018-19 after posting his sixth 100-point campaign.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser returned to the ice on Saturday morning, less than a week after suffering a concussion in his lone preseason appearance.

The Calgary Flames have cut ties with Devante Smith-Pelly, releasing the forward from his pro tryout agreement, the club announced on Saturday.Smith-Pelly was signed to the PTO in early September.The 27-year-old produced eight points in 54 games while playing a fourth-line role with the Washington Capitals in 2018-19, adding 14 points in 20 contests for their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears.Smith-Pelly helped the Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018, notching seven goals across 24 playoff games, including the tying marker during the title-clinching Game 5.He's also suited up for the New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, and the Anaheim Ducks in his eight-year NHL career.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leading up to the start of the 2019-20 season, theScore will be counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by our NHL editors. We'll reveal 10 players every day until the top 10 is unveiled Oct. 2.100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-170. Jaccob Slavin, HurricanesSlavin's game isn't very flashy, but it's extremely effective, making the 25-year-old one of the most underrated players in the game. He's led the Hurricanes in blocks in three straight campaigns and ranks 19th among all NHL defensemen in that department since his debut in 2015-16. The 6-foot-3 rearguard has also posted positive possession numbers in each of his four NHL seasons and has hit the 30-point mark three times.69. Jeff Skinner, SabresAfter eight seasons in Carolina, Skinner finally got his chance to play with an elite playmaking center in Jack Eichel. It resulted in his first 40-goal campaign, and if he sticks with Eichel, it probably won't be his last.68. Charlie McAvoy, BruinsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyDespite being only 21 years old, McAvoy has already proven himself to be a high-value defenseman, as he led the Bruins in average time on ice with over 22 minutes last season, and then upped that total to over 24 minutes per game in the postseason. He was rewarded with a new deal and should help cement Boston's blue line for a long time.67. Torey Krug, BruinsSpeaking of Bruins defensemen, Krug is a key member of one of the best defensive corps in the NHL. He topped the 50-point plateau for the third straight campaign in 2018-19 despite being limited to 64 games and proved more than worthy of slotting in on Boston's second pairing.66. Tuukka Rask, BruinsRask showed that he's still one of the elite netminders in the game with another dominant performance in 2018-19. The 32-year-old ranks eighth among active netminders in wins and his career goals-against average of 2.28 is good for 11th all time among goalies with at least 150 NHL starts.65. Rasmus Dahlin, SabresDahlin didn't receive as much national recognition for his rookie season as he should've. He became just the third defenseman ever to record 40 points or more as an 18-year-old, joining Bobby Orr and Phil Housley. The comparisons to Nicklas Lidstrom and Erik Karlsson are lofty, but the 2019-20 season may show us why he's being measured against two all-time greats.64. Jamie Benn, StarsLast year, Benn recorded his lowest point total in a full season since he was a rookie, but there's still plenty left in the tank for the former 40-goal scorer. The Stars captain remains a threat whenever he steps on the ice and should be able to top the 30-goal mark again on a strong Dallas roster.63. Frederik Andersen, Maple LeafsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyLike many goaltenders, Andersen has endured inconsistency at times, but the Toronto netminder has been steady overall, posting save percentages of .918, .918, and .917 in his three seasons with the Leafs. His 15.86 goals saved above average at five-on-five ranked fifth among all NHL goalies in 2018-19.62. Matthew Tkachuk, FlamesTkachuk broke onto the scene last season as one of the toughest yet most effective players in the league. The 6-foot-2 forward finished second among Flames forwards with 104 hits while also chipping in career highs of 34 goals and 77 points. Tkachuk has all the makings of an NHL captain, and with current leader Mark Giordano turning 36 in October, he could be next in line for the role.61. Patrik Laine, JetsIn terms of playing a complete 200-foot game, Laine is far too high on this list. He may be one of the league's most lethal goal scorers when he's going, but when he's not, he can be virtually useless. The Jets sniper scored 18 goals in November last year, but no more than four in any other month. He has annual 50-goal potential, but he's also a major defensive liability.(Analytics courtesy: Natural Stat Trick)Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ryan Johansen is ready for the games to count.The Nashville Predators forward immediately left the ice through the nearest gate after scoring the overtime winner during Friday night's preseason contest against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Rasmus Sandin appears to be in head coach Mike Babcock's good books with the preseason winding down.The rookie rearguard suited up for his final audition Friday night in Detroit and drew praise from his bench boss following the 4-3 shootout victory."You try to do the right thing for his development, you try to do the right thing for our team to win," Babcock said, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton. "We've been talking about it all through camp. It doesn't appear to me (age) seems to be a problem. He seems ready.""I thought Sandman was really solid, one of the best players in the game for sure," Babcock added. "Played real hard, real smart, just makes good plays. Good opportunity for him to be important, and he was."Sandin led all skaters in ice time Friday night with 30:35. He didn't record a point but finished with two assists in four preseason contests. He isn't expected to suit up in the Leafs' final tuneup Saturday night.Toronto drafted Sandin 29th overall in 2018. He spent last season with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, racking up 28 points in 44 games.The Maple Leafs begin their regular season Wednesday night versus the Ottawa Senators.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

No player will ever wear No. 87 in the QMJHL from the 2020-21 season on, as the league announced it will officially retire the number in Sidney Crosby's honor.Crosby was on hand in Rimouski, Quebec, on Friday night where his former team, the Oceanic, raised his number to the rafters. There, it was announced that No. 87 would be retired league-wide.The Oceanic drafted Crosby first overall in 2003, which marked the beginning of a prolific junior career. In 121 games in the "Q," Crosby notched 303 points, and he's the only player to ever win back-to-back CHL Player of the Year awards.The home crowd welcomed him back Friday with a raucous ovation:

The Calgary Flames have signed forward Tobias Rieder to a one-year, two-way contract worth $700,000, according to theScore's John Matisz.Rieder joined the Flames on a professional tryout ahead of the preseason.The 26-year-old failed to score a goal in 67 games with the Edmonton Oilers in 2018-19 after signing with them as a free agent last July. Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson openly criticized the German winger after the campaign, telling season-ticket holders that if Reider had "scored 10 or 12 goals, we'd probably be in the playoffs."A fourth-round pick of the Oilers in 2011, Rieder spent the first three seasons of his NHL career with the Arizona Coyotes from 2014-17. He played another 58 contests with them in 2017-18 before being shipped to the Los Angeles Kings at the trade deadline. He'd never scored fewer than 12 goals in a campaign prior to last season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In this two-part series, theScore's Josh Gold-Smith and John Matisz evaluate which NHL clubs make for appointment viewing and which teams might have fans changing the channel. Watchability criteria include, but are not limited to: Playing style, expectations, star power, and potential for chaos. (Check out the bottom 16 here.)15. Boston BruinsThe Bruins aren't one of the NHL's most exciting teams and the unabashed homerism of play-by-play man Jack Edwards can make them a tough watch for non-Boston fans. But the Stanley Cup finalists boast arguably the best forward line in hockey and gargantuan 42-year-old Zdeno Chara is still worth tuning in for.14. Carolina HurricanesThe Storm Surge era may be over, but the Hurricanes and their puck-possession style are alive and well. With Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, and Andrei Svechnikov up front - not to mention an enviable defense corps and decent goaltending duo - Carolina has appeal. A top-end broadcast adds extra pop.13. Florida PanthersA summer of significant change has vaulted the Panthers back into relevance as the arrivals of well-respected coach Joel Quenneville and No. 1 netminder Sergei Bobrovsky instantly make Florida more attractive to the broader NHL fan base. Star forwards Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau might finally have enough talent around them to get back into the playoffs.12. New York RangersBruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Rangers' rebuild has received a massive jolt, and so too has the intrigue surrounding this group. This offseason alone, New York gained Artemi Panarin and his playmaking skills in transition; Kaapo Kakko and his raw power off the wing; and Jacob Trouba and his 60-point potential from the blue line. Skating at the historic Madison Square Garden doesn't hurt, either. Showtime.11. Winnipeg JetsThere's no doubt the Jets will be less entertaining if Dustin Byfuglien steps away long-term. Even without him, though, Paul Maurice's crew remains quite watchable thanks to its skilled forwards and heavy, fast-paced style. The potential for further off-ice drama (what happens with restricted free agent Kyle Connor?) makes Winnipeg all the more compelling.10. Vegas Golden KnightsVegas' debut season was a story for the ages, with the upstart Golden Knights making it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. Year 2 featured the acquisition of two-way star Mark Stone and continued team success. VGK 3.0? In a wide-open Pacific Division, we'll see. Head coach Gerard Gallant promotes a highly engaging swarming style, and the broadcast is excellent, too.9. Vancouver CanucksThe Canucks are an up-and-coming team fresh off a busy offseason. Offensive spark plugs Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser (assuming the latter isn't out long term) will continue to make Vancouver games exceedingly exciting, and crafty rearguard Quinn Hughes will surely bolster the Canucks' status as one of the NHL's most thrilling teams to follow throughout the year.8. Calgary FlamesCalgary's four-headed watchability monster - agitating scorer Matthew Tkachuk, ageless wonder Mark Giordano, elite playmaker Johnny Gaudreau, and worker bee Sam Bennett - earns the team a top-10 nod. The defending Pacific Division champions are a threat to win it again, and their tilts against fellow divisional heavyweights San Jose and Vegas are sure to be spirited affairs. Plain and simple, the Flames are fun to watch.7. New Jersey DevilsBruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyWhat a difference a summer makes. The Devils now have dynamite first overall pick Jack Hughes, the ever-magnetic P.K. Subban, and incoming KHL star Nikita Gusev joining former MVP Taylor Hall, the underrated Nico Hischier, and sniper Kyle Palmieri. After enjoying arguably the best offseason in the league, New Jersey is suddenly a huge draw for fans across the continent.6. Edmonton OilersLet's be honest, a roster comprised of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and a bunch of beer leaguers would crack this list's top 10. Toss in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' under-the-radar effectiveness, Zack Kassian's antics, Dave Tippett's arrival behind the bench, and plenty of questions in net, and the Oilers narrowly miss out on a top-five spot. Will it be chaos or success in Edmonton this season?5. Chicago BlackhawksThe 2018-19 Blackhawks were among the NHL's most entertaining teams, ranking eighth in goals per game while allowing the second-most against. Point-hoarder Patrick Kane, a resurgent Jonathan Toews, and breakout star Alex DeBrincat are all game-breaking talents. More of the same in head coach Jeremy Colliton's first full season will ensure Chicago's contests remain must-see TV.4. San Jose SharksWith one of Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns jumping over the boards virtually every shift of every game, the Sharks are inherently fun. Timo Meier - one of the sport's premier power forwards - is a treat to track, and Tomas Hertl is no slouch in the allure department. The watchability kicker? This season could mark Joe Thornton's farewell tour.3. Toronto Maple LeafsExpectations are high in Toronto, especially with Mitch Marner's splashy new contract on the books. Whether or not they meet expectations, the Maple Leafs should be appointment viewing merely by virtue of a dynamic forward corps featuring Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Marner, and William Nylander, as well as Morgan Rielly and Tyson Barrie on the back end.2. Colorado AvalancheIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyLooking like he's been shot out of a cannon multiple times a game, Nathan MacKinnon is Colorado's main man both in terms of winning hockey games and generating universal appeal. Each secondary attraction is awesome in his own right, with Cale Makar, Samuel Girard, Nazem Kadri, and the still-unsigned Mikko Rantanen offering a healthy mix of speed, skill, creativity, and fearlessness. The Avalanche are on the rise. Don't change the channel.1. Tampa Bay LightningBeyond the swapping of a few depth pieces, the 2019-20 Lightning largely return the same historically dominant roster of a (regular) season ago. The Steven Stamkos-led squad features reigning Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov, three-zone threat Brayden Point, all-world blue-liner Victor Hedman, and Vezina-winning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Lightning are stacked, and unquestionably the NHL's most watchable outfit.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Winnipeg Jets and Patrik Laine have agreed to a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $6.75 million, the club announced Friday.Laine was a restricted free agent. His new pact will pay him $6 million in 2019-20 and $7.5 million in 2020-21.The 21-year-old sniper is coming off a 30-goal, 50-point campaign, but those figures represented the worst offensive output of his three NHL seasons. In addition, 18 of his markers came across 12 games in November.Laine was one of several high-profile unsigned RFAs entering 2019-20. His teammate, Kyle Connor, is one such player who remains without a new contract.Despite Laine's dip in offensive production last season, he finished third on the Jets in goals and fourth in points while appearing in every game.The Finnish winger was Winnipeg's second overall pick in 2016.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews says he and general manager Kyle Dubas are still on good terms.Questions arose after Matthews failed to notify the team about a disorderly conduct charge against him stemming from an incident that occurred in his hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona, in May."I think we’re in good shape," Matthews told reporters, including TSN, about his relationship with Dubas. "Obviously, I made a mistake. I’m taking ownership of it, but everybody makes mistakes."Dubas said he was very disappointed to learn of the incident through Twitter earlier this week, and that he phoned Matthews immediately to have an "honest conversation" about what happened."I think the conversations we've had (have been positive) and just trying to work through it, but I'd say our relationship is just fine," Matthews added.The 22-year-old forward admitted that not informing the Leafs about the charge immediately was an error in judgment. He also issued a statement of regret on Wednesday.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In this two-part series, theScore's Josh Gold-Smith and John Matisz evaluate which NHL clubs make for appointment viewing and which teams might have fans changing the channel. Watchability criteria include, but are not limited to: Playing style, expectations, star power, and potential for chaos. (Check out the top 15 here.)31. Anaheim DucksNot even John Gibson's best efforts can make the Ducks watchable, especially after Corey Perry and his occasional antics relocated to Dallas. Anaheim is far and away the least compelling team in the NHL.30. Minnesota WildFrom a watchability standpoint, average sucks. And average is the Wild's thing right now. They'll ice a decent squad every night, but they don't have a superstar attraction. Nobody will be surprised if they make the playoffs or shocked if they miss the cut. The broadcast is solid yet unremarkable.29. Detroit Red WingsBeyond Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha, the 2019-20 Red Wings are likely to be pretty dull. If Filip Zadina can quickly acclimatize to the league, sure, he might be worth watching as well. Overall, there just isn't much to be excited about when it comes to hockey in the Motor City.28. Los Angeles KingsDrew Doughty and Anze Kopitar are entertaining, but the level of intrigue surrounding the Kings as a whole is rather low. They won't win many games, don't play a particularly fun style, and employ too many over-the-hill guys.27. Arizona CoyotesNorm Hall / National Hockey League / GettyPhil Kessel's arrival in the desert will make Coyotes games a bit more interesting. But outside of Kessel, Clayton Keller, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson - and despite Arizona's intriguing position in the Western Conference playoff picture - the 2019-20 Coyotes won't move the ratings needle much.26. Columbus Blue JacketsJohn Tortorella and Seth Jones keep the Blue Jackets from falling too far down the list after Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene, and Sergei Bobrovsky all jumped ship in the offseason. Zach Werenski, Cam Atkinson, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Josh Anderson all offer their own varying degrees of charm.25. New York IslandersDespite the Islanders' playoff success last season, it's hard to get excited about Barry Trotz's defense-first system - and even that's a mirage. Other than offensively gifted center Mathew Barzal, the Islanders don't boast much must-see talent.24. Philadelphia FlyersAlain Vigneault's back behind an NHL bench. Carter Hart's set for his first full season. Gritty's surely got a trick or two up his sleeve. Most importantly, this iteration of the Flyers tends to go on long winning streaks and losing skids. Add it all together and there's some mild national appeal.23. Montreal CanadiensThe Canadiens have an intriguing collection of young talent. Still, they're an average offensive team largely dependent on Carey Price. Brendan Gallagher can be a hoot to watch, but is anybody tuning in just for him?22. Nashville PredatorsThe Central Division will feature some of the season's toughest battles and, on paper, the Predators are arguably the team to beat. Mixing the ever-entertaining Matt Duchene with dangler Filip Forsberg and probably the best defense corps in the entire league is a win for viewers.21. Ottawa SenatorsFor the most part, the Senators weren't really worth watching last season, but they should be a little more fun this time around. New coach D.J. Smith will have the club playing at a high pace, Brady Tkachuk and Thomas Chabot should continue to develop, and Erik Brannstrom's impending arrival could be another reason to tune in. One way or another, expect goals galore during Sens games.20. Buffalo SabresJoe Hrycych / National Hockey League / GettyRound 2 of the Jack Eichel-Rasmus Dahlin dynamic duo: Check. Ralph Krueger's return to the NHL coaching ranks: Check. More than a dozen motivated players on expiring contracts: Check. A team desperate to break an eight-season playoff drought: Check. Holding the Sabres back in these rankings is something very important: Their low competitive ceiling.19. St. Louis BluesThe Stanley Cup champions have a dynamic winger all fans can enjoy in Vladimir Tarasenko and an elite center who does all the little things well in Ryan O'Reilly. But it's hard to dispute the notion that the Blues - a team buoyed by goaltending and defensive prowess - aren't very exciting to watch. They tend to get their business done quietly without a ton of flare.18. Washington CapitalsWe've seen this movie before. It's a good movie, starring the sensational Alex Ovechkin with a strong supporting cast of Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov, John Carlson, and Tom Wilson. The problem is, not much has changed since last year. Or the year before. You can only watch the same movie so many times, right?17. Dallas StarsTyler Seguin, Alexander Radulov, and a resurgent Jamie Benn should be entertaining as usual, and the Stars are legitimate contenders. Daryl "Razor" Reaugh makes the broadcast enjoyable, too. But Dallas had the NHL's third-worst offense last season and still isn't an especially must-see team, even after adding Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry over the summer.16. Pittsburgh PenguinsSmack-dab in the middle of our rankings is a squad we've come to know very well over the years. As with Ovechkin's Capitals, this is both a compliment and an insult. Working for the Penguins from a watchability perspective are the presences of can't-miss centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, head coach Mike Sullivan's up-tempo style, and a defensive group and goaltending duo riddled with question marks.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mike Babcock is confident there won't be any disagreement within the Toronto Maple Leafs organization about the team's next captain.Toronto's head coach expressed as much to The Athletic's Jonas Siegel earlier this week, before Auston Matthews' disorderly conduct charge came to light."Yeah, you know what, what's interesting about captaincies, it's really interesting to me," Babcock said. "When you name a captain, if you do it right, the players think they picked him, the owner thinks he picked him, the manager thinks he picked him, the coach thinks he picked him, because it's obvious to you. It's all the same guy. I have a strong feeling in the end that's what it'll be like here."Leafs president Brendan Shanahan said earlier in September that he believes the team will name a captain this season.Matthews and John Tavares were prodded about the club's captaincy throughout the offseason, while Morgan Rielly remains a worthy candidate.Tavares wore the 'C' for five seasons with the New York Islanders before signing with Toronto in the summer of 2018.The Leafs have gone without a captain since trading away Dion Phaneuf in 2016.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2019 NHL playoffs were every official's nightmare - a horror show stuck on repeat.On top of the usual debates over goalie interference and borderline hits, this past spring featured an abundance of officiating controversies. Everybody was frustrated.There was the phantom major penalty in the opening round, the protective netting and bench-door offside fiascos in Round 2, the missed hand pass in the conference finals, and finally - the big kahuna - the missed tripping call in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.NHL commissioner Gary Bettman tried to keep his head from exploding. Perplexed players and coaches called the blunders "embarrassing" and a "black eye" on the league. ESPN proclaimed that officiating in the postseason was "maddeningly inconsistent. The Hockey News argued that referees had hijacked an otherwise entertaining Cup Final.Jamie Sabau / Getty ImagesEverything that could go wrong went wrong, and the referees and linesmen shouldered the bulk of the blame. After the dust settled, one question kept percolating in my brain: Why, in this era, would somebody aspire to be an NHL official?Officials are expected to be mistake-free, and when they aren't, they get booed mercilessly, chastised on social media, and picked apart behind closed doors.Meanwhile, their influence on the game is eroding thanks to advancements in technology and the quest for perfection. They're constantly away from family, traveling upwards of 175 days a year to fulfill a dizzying schedule. Nobody, aside from their loved ones and those at ice level, gives a crap when an errant stick wounds them in the crotch or the mouth.From afar, it's fair to suggest the cons of the profession definitely outweigh the pros. There are so many other careers to pursue. Why officiate?The new pathOn a sunny day in August in Western New York, the NHL staged its annual Officiating Exposure Combine at the Harborcenter, the same college hockey rink where the league holds its pre-draft scouting combine for players every April. The invitation-only event is mainly targeted at former players who are interested in a second career in hockey, making it both a semi-competitive tryout and an experimental leap of faith."Growing up, none of the people here wanted to be officials," NHL director of officiating Stephen Walkom said from his seat overlooking the ice. "They wanted to be players. Then they tried officiating - like some are today - and they fell in love with it."Combine participants. Dan Hickling / Hickling ImagesThe combine is a four-day crash course. On-ice instructors teach the fundamentals of calling a game, such as signaling an infraction, running a faceoff, and positioning. Off the ice, attendees move through various tests for fitness, vision, and decision-making. They learn about theory and social media. If you happen to be on the fence about seriously pursuing officiating, you'll either love it or hate it by the time you leave the combine.It's clear after an hour or two of observation and conversation that the NHL covets a particular handful of core traits in prospective officials: great communication skills, a strong understanding of the rulebook, fluent and agile skating abilities, elite hockey sense, and certainly a thick skin.Occasionally, a first-timer checks off all the boxes. "When you scout refs, you see a Sidney Crosby or a Connor McDavid," Al Kimmel, the NHL's top evaluator of officials, said. "Those people stand out from everybody else."Walkom and Kimmel can identify a future star referee without having seen them call a meaningful game at any level. The ex-pro bypasses the traditional learning curve. "If you’ve been on the third or fourth line and sat on the bench a lot," Walkom explained, "you've been calling penalties, offsides, and icings for a long time."Al Kimmel. Dan Hickling / Hickling ImagesKyle Flemington, a former enforcer who retired from pro hockey in 2017 following a combined 152 games in the ECHL and the top league in the UK, has been on a fast track since his appearance at the 2018 combine. The 27-year-old will split the 2019-20 season between the NHL and AHL after just one year of officiating in the AHL and OHL.Flemington, who's on the linesman track, is 6-foot-7, strong as an ox, skates well, and has shown he can develop a strong rapport with all kinds of players. He owns a diploma in police foundations but decided to give officiating a whirl - and is now hooked."You're there to help the game of hockey," Flemington said. "You're not there to try to screw it up. I think that's a misconception when people think of officials. We're not there to be the bad guy. We're there to run the game in a safe manner, and conduct it at a good pace."There's also financial incentive to join the profession. Under the latest collective bargaining agreement between the league and its officials, NHL referees earn between $190,000 and $400,000 per year, while NHL linesmen pull in between $125,000 and $250,000. That's a significant pay bump for a former ECHL player.Currently, 34 referees and 34 linesmen are on staff to exclusively work NHL games. Another 10 refs and four linesmen - up-and-comers such as Flemington - rotate between NHL and AHL assignments. In addition, Walkom said, the league monitors 20 to 25 prospects who call games at lower levels, like the ECHL and juniors, to keep the officiating pipeline fresh. In total, about 100 individuals are in the NHL system.Katie Guay. Dan Hickling / Hickling ImagesFour of them are women: referees Katie Guay and Kelly Cooke, as well as Kirsten Welsh and Kendall Hanley, who work the lines. All four attended the Buffalo combine, and they officiated NHL prospects at rookie tournaments earlier this month.Guay, who played college hockey at Brown and now officiates men's Division I games, is on a trajectory that should one day land her a permanent NHL gig. She's a woman in a male-dominated field but reports no cases of mistreatment from NCAA players, coaches, or officials, which has liberated her to climb the ranks."Our goal as officials is like the players: to make it to that big game," Guay said. "We have great camaraderie in the locker room. It's fun to be with the crews and work together. We're the third team on the ice and, ultimately, we're just out there to have fun, service the game, and play our role."And speaking generally, Walkom says, "It's just a matter of time" before the NHL follows the NBA and NFL by hiring its first full-time female official.Lifestyle and flakOn game night, the average NHL fan is introduced to the officials when the broadcast flashes the crew's names and their faces before puck drop. Unless the final score is linked to a call, the striped skaters fade from our memories shortly after the last horn sounds.Save for a handful who've hit the mainstream - the exuberant Wes McCauley, the polarizing Tim Peel, and pro golfer Garrett Rank top the list - most NHL officials are anonymous. The game is built on the players, not those who enforce the rulebook, but the anonymity leaves room for a lack of empathy from outsiders for the trials of the job."Fans see you on the screen for two hours and they don't see what happens before or after that," Tyson Baker, a 24-year-old linesman working in the NHL and AHL, said. "Maybe you had a flight delay and you're stuck in an airport for eight hours. Maybe you've got to hustle home after a trip because you have another plane to catch."Greg Offerman. Dan Hickling / Hickling ImagesNHL officials fly commercial, often alone, covering 180,000 to 200,000 miles per season. A typical week features three games, usually in different cities. By year's end, officials who advance through the postseason will have slept in hotel beds about as often as they've slept at home. Road duties include doing your own laundry, eating healthy, working out, and studying the next game's players and coaches."You have to be dialed in for 60 minutes every night," Flemington replied when asked about the main takeaway from his first year of officiating. "You're the one running the game. You're blowing the whistle. The game stops when you want it to stop."Booing is a peculiarity of the job that each newcomer must come to grips with in a hurry. Being loathed by a large group of people - 20,000 or so in a packed NHL arena - is a unique and lonely experience. Most people can't relate. The zen move is to disregard the noise, no matter how intimidating it may be. After all, it's out of your control."You have to laugh it off," NHL referee Corey Syvret said. "The fans are passionate; we're passionate. Everybody's out there trying to (call a solid game). You're never going to please everybody, so it's really something you have to embrace."You may have noticed that NHL officials don't have social media accounts. In an effort to diminish the wrath of overzealous fans, the league has a line in its contracts with officials that bans the use of platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.Syvret says NHL players, coaches, and executives respect the roles of referees and linesmen on the whole. It's impossible to avoid confrontation altogether - especially when emotions run hot after a missed, borderline, or incorrect call - but there's a blanket awareness that officials are human and humans make mistakes."Everyone is striving for perfection," said Syvret, a former defenseman who's viewed as a rising star in officiating circles. "I don't believe that'll ever happen in this business. It's so competitive, there's so much emotion and intensity out there. Things happen so fast."Corey Syvret Dan Hickling / Hickling ImagesHowever, the further a game is removed from the NHL, the more abuse players, coaches, and spectators seem to direct toward officials. Minor hockey - and youth sports in general - can be a cesspool for attacks that are mostly verbal but sometimes physical. USA Hockey loses 50% of its 9,000 new officials after their first year, in part because of the constant harassment they face."Society today tends to be a little bit different than it was 30 years ago," USA Hockey director of officiating Matt Leaf said by phone from the organization's headquarters in Colorado. "There's an expectation that officials - regardless of age, regardless of experience level, regardless of what level of hockey they're out there working - (should) be perfect and only get better from there. That's just not a realistic approach."Leaf added: "Nobody's banging on the glass screaming at Little Johnny for missing the open net, right? Yet, if the official missed an offside, it's like the end of the world."Future of officiatingAs noted, the abilities of NHL officials were called into question far too often in the 2019 playoffs. Mistakes became a cringeworthy story on several occasions."Nobody wants to have that kind of effect on a hockey game, and we had some of our best guys on the ice," Walkom said. "Mistakes happen. Our job as officials is to recover. Last postseason wasn't easy. A lot of unfortunate incidents affected results. And, our team collectively, we know we need to be better. That's life, and we'll learn from it."The league's Board of Governors and its general managers rallied to implement a series of rule changes for the 2019-20 campaign. Among them is an expansion of the video review and coach's challenge systems. This season, officials will be able to review certain penalty calls on video, while coaches can challenge missed stoppages of play in the offensive zone.Elsa / Getty ImagesIt remains to be seen if these alterations will make a sizable impact or just slow down the game. Either way, Walkom insists, the officials are on board and undeterred. "People think that officials are very anti-technology, that it's taking away their power," he said, "but if any official is in it for the power, they're in it for the wrong reasons.""We'd ultimately like to do it on our own, in real time," Syvret said. "But sometimes you're blocked out and you don't see the whole play. Was the puck kicked in on the far side of the net? There's freaky things that happen, and that's when it become useful."The NHL has been criticized in the past for not being as forthcoming as it could be with explanations and accountability regarding specific judgment calls made by officials. Videos prepared by the league's hockey operations department that explain rules and calls are released to the public, but the officials themselves never speak to the media. The league, a spokesperson says, is not considering a change in that stance.So, why officiate? Well, there's the thrill of being in the thick of it, the healthy paycheck, the camaraderie, and the opportunity to push yourself. Players score and make saves; officials try their darndest to call a good game."There's excitement in being right down there in the action, feeling the breeze on your face, being in the middle of scrums," Kimmel said."Even that intensity of making a correct decision in the moment - in a split second - it's just challenging yourself to be the best that you can be. Athletes, in whatever sport and whatever angle they pursue, they want to be the best."John Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leading up to the start of the 2019-20 season, theScore will be counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by our NHL editors. We'll reveal 10 players every day until the top 10 is unveiled Oct. 2.100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-180. Colton Parayko, BluesParayko was a key contributor during the Blues' Stanley Cup run, playing over 25 minutes per game during the postseason, second-most on the team behind only Alex Pietrangelo. At 26 years old, Parayko is set to enter his prime. While he may have registered a career-low 28 points last season, his value as a shutdown defenseman will continue to rise.79. Marc-Andre Fleury, Golden KnightsFleury will turn 35 in late November, but he's still quite dependable. The Vegas goaltender started 61 games last season - his most since 2014-15 - and finished fourth in Vezina Trophy voting. Fleury will likely shoulder a big workload again this season, but he's proven to be one of the league's most reliable netminders.78. Timo Meier, SharksEzra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / GettyMeier had an incredible breakout campaign in his third NHL season in 2018-19. The 2015 first-round pick notched a career-high 30 goals and 66 points and ranked third among Sharks forwards with 99 hits. The 22-year-old is already a savvy two-way forward and will play a significant top-line role in San Jose for years to come.77. Pekka Rinne, PredatorsEven at 36 years old, Rinne remains one of the NHL's most reliable goalies. He's registered a save percentage of .918 or better in four of his last five seasons. Perhaps the most underrated part of his game is his ability to handle the puck, which might only be bested by Mike Smith.76. Miro Heiskanen, StarsThe former third overall pick made an impressive debut last year during his rookie season, as he finished fourth in Calder Trophy voting and led all rookie defensemen with 12 goals. Heiskanen beefed up during the summer, adding eight pounds of muscle; the added strength should help elevate his play to another level.75. Brock Boeser, CanucksWith a new contract signed, Boeser can now focus on helping the Canucks continue to progress in what will be his third full campaign with Vancouver. The talented American winger has already shown a knack for scoring, even though we haven't seen him play more than 69 games in a season.74. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, CoyotesNorm Hall / National Hockey League / GettyThe Coyotes captain is a premier blue-liner with significant offensive upside. Ekman-Larsson ranks third among defenseman in goals (102) since the 2012-13 campaign and has reached double digits in that department in six straight seasons. The 6-foot Swede has only missed 13 games over his nine-year career and has logged 24:20 of ice time per contest since his sophomore campaign.73. Filip Forsberg, PredatorsForsberg uses a combination of strength, speed, and skill as one of the league's best players at driving to the net. This ability attracts defensemen's attention, which creates time and space for him and his linemates. He's yet to reach 35 goals or 70 points, but that will change soon. It's still mind-boggling that he was traded for Martin Erat and Michael Latta.72. Matt Duchene, PredatorsDuchene joins his fourth team in three years, though it appears he's found a home in Nashville. The Predators inked Duchene to a seven-year, $56-million contract after he scored a career-high 31 goals last season and are counting on him to spark an offense that was in the bottom half of the league a year ago.71. Gabriel Landeskog, AvalanchePlaying on arguably the best line in hockey certainly isn't a bad gig, but Landeskog has proven he belongs alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. The Avalanche captain set career-highs in goals, assists, and points in 2018-19 while playing more than 21 minutes per contest for the first time in his career.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Nolan Patrick has been diagnosed with a migraine disorder and won't be available for the start of the regular season, the team announced Thursday.The Flyers are listing the center as week-to-week.Patrick missed the final two games of the 2018-19 season with a concussion, but there's no word indicating that the diagnosis is concussion-related.The 21-year-old mustered 13 goals and a career-best 31 points in his second NHL campaign. He also ranked fourth among Flyers forwards with 72 hits.Patrick has contributed 26 goals and 61 points over 145 career contests since being selected by Philadelphia with the second overall pick at the 2017 NHL Draft.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur underwent successful quadruple bypass heart surgery on Thursday and is expected to make a full recovery, the team announced.The club released the following statement at the request of Lafleur's family."Guy Lafleur underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery earlier this morning at the Centre hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal (CHUM). This procedure was necessary after a routine examination detected a cardiac issue. The operation was successful, and doctors predict a full recovery after several months of convalescence. The family wishes to thank the entire medical team, as well as the personnel at the CHUM, and will not issue any further comment."Lafleur spent 14 NHL seasons with the Canadiens, one with the New York Rangers, and two with the Quebec Nordiques before retiring after the 1990-91 campaign.The Quebec native is the Canadiens' all-time franchise scoring leader with 1,246 points and sits second in goals with 518. He captured five Stanley Cups with the club throughout the 1970s.Lafleur ranks 27th all time in NHL scoring with 1,353 career points and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin insisted Thursday there's no credence to the rumors suggesting forward Jonathan Drouin could be traded."I don't know where they come from," Bergevin told the media on Thursday, as relayed by TSN. "Most of those reports are from somebody's basement in Toronto, so I don't pay attention to that, to be honest with you."Bergevin's comments came after an Eastern Conference executive reportedly texted Sportsnet's Eric Engels on Wednesday to say Drouin's name was "definitely out there."The 24-year-old Drouin has produced just one assist in three preseason contests so far while seeing limited ice time - something that has also fueled trade rumors."He had some good moments, but overall, we need more," Bergevin added. "He's a skill player. He has talent, he has a lot of attributes and I know last year he had a tough finish. He had a good summer. Training camp is training camp."Drouin tallied 53 points in 81 games last season, but he recorded just four goals and 16 points over his final 30 contests.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL has partnered with athlete marketing platform Opendorse, the league announced Thursday. The partnership is said to be an effort to build and promote player brands and increase fan engagement through social channels.Participating clubs and the league itself will use the platform to help players share highlights, in-game images, and other media to their personal social media platforms."As players, we create so many moments on the ice, but rarely have access to it after the fact," Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang said. "With Opendorse, I get back to the dressing room after a win, and boom - there's a post ready to share with fans. It sounds simple, but this partnership is a big win for us as players and for the game itself."The New Jersey Devils were the first NHL club to partner with the marketing platform in 2017-18. They led all teams in total player engagement and engagement rate that season and also ranked second in player follower growth, having added more than 130,000 followers during that time.Teams around the league have hosted "social media nights," but the NHL has been criticized in the past for failing to connect its players with the fans on the same level as other leagues like the NBA and NFL."We owe it to our players and the fans to make their moments more accessible beyond the broadcast and the in-arena experience," NHL chief marketing officer Heidi Browning said. "Our players have some of the most passionate, engaged fans in all of sports, and we believe we can help them continue to build and capitalize on that connection on social media."Opendorse is currently used by more than 9,000 athletes around the world.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In anticipation of the new season, theScore surveyed a dozen players about a variety of topics recently at the BioSteel camp in Toronto and the NHL/NHLPA media tour in Chicago.The All-Star panel includes Matt Duchene of the Predators; Mat Barzal of the Islanders; Matt Dumba of the Wild; Derek Stepan of the Coyotes; John Gibson of the Ducks; John Klingberg of the Stars; Tom Wilson of the Capitals; Jaccob Slavin of the Hurricanes; Jonathan Huberdeau and Brett Connolly of the Panthers; and Ryan O'Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko of the Blues.The interviews, lightly edited for brevity and clarity, were held individually and compiled to form the discussion below.––––––––––The NHL offseason brought a ton of activity. So many GMs, coaches, and players changed addresses. Which division is now the toughest?Dumba: "You asked this because you know I'm going to say the Central (laughs) … It is the Central, man. Put some respect on it. It's been ridiculous, right? And the whole Central acquired guys for this year, dominant players from other divisions. It's going to be fun. Those are good matchups. It pushes you to be on your game every night, and it definitely helps you with other matchups when you do play teams from the East or the Pacific. Those Central games, they're tough."Bruce Bennett / Getty ImagesDuchene: "Geez, you know what, you never know until the season is over. Every year it looks like, 'Oh, this division, that division, whatever,' and then you come out of the year, and it’s like, 'Oh, geez, that one was pretty good this year.' I definitely know our division (the Central) is very tough. That's confirmed. I've played in three of the four (divisions) now and they all have their different attributes and challenges. I don't think there's a toughest or least tough. They're all just different."Slavin: "Toughest division? I don't say this just because I play in the Metro, but you've got so many talented players in the Metro. ... You've got two of the best players in the game (in Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin), and now Jack Hughes to the Devils, where they have (Nico) Hischier and (Taylor) Hall already. They're going to be a pretty dangerous forward lineup this year."Stepan: "I mean, it's hard not to say the Central with the Blues being in it. But the Atlantic is really stacked up nicely, too, this year. I think I'm going to go with the Stanley Cup champions (and the Central), just because I feel like that's the safe bet."––––––––––After a hectic postseason, the NHL has revamped its video review process. Is that good? Do you have the patience for more reviews and coach's challenges?Wilson: "It's a slippery slope for a lot of those calls (in the playoffs). In one of them, there's a hand pass. How far do you go back? If there's a hand pass two minutes ago and there hasn't been a whistle yet, do they (review)? If it directly leads to a goal, that's different, but if there hasn't been a whistle for five minutes since the hand pass, are they going to go play it back and disallow the goal? That's really not the way the sport was meant to be played."Every sport's (officials are) in the same place - umpires in baseball - where they have split seconds to make decisions and then there's a video. And if they make the wrong call, they're scrutinized. I think refs probably have some of the toughest jobs in any sport."Andy Devlin / Getty ImagesBarzal: "I don't mind it at all. If you're going to (try) to get it right, you might as well get it right (through review). I do feel like the game has certain aspects where not everything's going to be perfect."We had a tough bounce against Carolina in Game 1 (of the playoffs last year). I had the goal disallowed with Anders Lee in front of the net. ... On the goal I'm talking about, Carolina's goalie is out of the crease. I don't know what Anders Lee is supposed to do there. He's being pushed in. ... There is a fine line there, where if a goalie is out of the crease, it doesn't make sense to me why a player has to move around himself to accommodate him."Tarasenko: "I (like) the idea of (when a team requests) an offside challenge and (gets) it wrong you get a two-minute penalty. Goalie interference is important, too. But, I think (all the reviews), just a little bit, kill the dynamics of the game."Sometimes there's a break (for review) and we'll follow it with a TV timeout. And if there is no TV timeout by (the 10-minute mark), we get another TV timeout. There's a couple of games where you just sit down for so long."Huberdeau: "It's still hockey. It's gotta still be a human sport. It can't be all cameras and reviewing everything. Mistakes happen. It was just tough. I feel (last) year everything that was happening was on the refs (in the playoffs). They're human, they make mistakes, it was unfortunate, but they're trying to make a fair deal on the reviews."I think for five-minute majors you should have reviews for that. It was not good to see (Joe) Pavelski get hurt like that, but I don't think it was (worthy of) five minutes either. If they were to review it for a bit, I think they would have maybe called two minutes. But, anyway, it's in the past. I think, yeah, there's some plays they should review, but not everything. It slows the game down, and (at some point) it's not going to be hockey anymore."––––––––––NFL quarterback Andrew Luck recently retired at 29 years old in part because he feels "mentally worn down." As a pro athlete, can you relate at all?O'Reilly: "I don't think I'm retiring anytime soon (laughs) ... Oh gosh, that's a completely different sport. The amount of pressure that's on those guys - what they go through, and what they put their bodies through - is a whole other level. That's tough, but he's an incredible player that gave everything he had. It's a completely different situation. If I'm playing good hockey, I'm not going to get hit too much. I'm not a very physical guy, so you're not taking that abuse as much. And it can be tough, yeah, being a professional athlete. There's so much that goes into it, so many different things that you have to deal with, and that's one of the beautiful things about sports. It's never easy."Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesWilson: "I can relate to that, for sure. At 29, he's probably got a fair amount of miles on the body and on the mind. It's not like he's 22. He had a career, he's (dealt with) a lot of pressure, especially for someone at his position. Pretty much every game he plays the outcome rides completely on him. I think a lot of people see athletes, see the money they make, the life that they live, but a lot of times there's other stuff going on. It's a grind. You're working extremely hard, there's a lot of pressure. You hope the best for him for his next chapter."Connolly: "Everyone deals with dark days (in) their career, there's no question. I think it takes a lot of courage for him to do that. That's not an easy thing. He's obviously thought about it for a long time. When you're not happy doing something, it's (difficult) like any job. I think it just gets amplified because he's a professional athlete, star quarterback. There's so much money around it, so many people that are watching, and so many people that are depending on you to bring a Super Bowl (to the city)."Gibson: "Honestly, everybody has their own stuff going on. … You've got a life to live after. He made what he thought was the best decision for his health, and his family, and his future. And you can't blame a guy for doing that."I think people think that (athletes are) immune to everyday problems, or problems in general. People can criticize, but you don't know what's going on in his life or his health or his family. ... We're human beings too, just like everybody else."––––––––––Teammate or opponent, who's your pick for breakout player in 2019-20?Connolly: "This is going to be probably not the answer a lot of people are expecting but: Tom Wilson. He got suspended last year. You look at his numbers, and he had (22 goals in 63 games). That's not easy to do. He's had a great summer. He’s been playing with the same linemates. He's going to play a little power play. He's a very hungry guy. I would say that he would be a guy whose numbers are going to jump out at you."Bruce Bennett / Getty ImagesDumba: "I skated with him in Florida (in late August, early September), and he's already established, he's a really good player, but I think he could do some real damage this year. That's Matty Barzal."Gibson: "I keep referring to our young guys, but I think one of them's going to break out. Whether it's Troy Terry, or Max Jones, or (Maxime) Comtois. … With the more games they played (last year), it looked like they got more comfortable. You look at those three, in particular, (and) two of them are going to get a chance to play probably with some good players. I think one of them's going to take the ball and run with it."Klingberg: "I think Roope Hintz is going to be really good. We saw just a glimpse of him in the playoffs. But the guy is a helluva player. He's fast, he's strong, he's got a good sense of the game as well. I think that guy is going to be really huge for us in the top six. With guys like (Tyler Seguin), (Jamie) Benn, Pavelski, (Corey) Perry, and those guys maybe getting shut down some games, I think you're going to see Roope Hintz take off as well."John Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Montreal Canadiens forward Jonathan Drouin's name is apparently circulating in trade rumors."His name is definitely out there," one Eastern Conference executive texted Sportsnet's Eric Engels.Drouin logged a team-low 11:57 of ice time with a roster full of AHL players in the team's 3-0 defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. He has one assist through three preseason contests.Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported earlier this week that the Habs are interested in moving a forward.Drouin recorded just four goals and 16 points over his final 30 games in 2018-19, and the Canadiens missed the playoffs by two points.The 24-year-old was acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in June 2017. He has four years remaining on his current deal, which is worth an average annual value of $5.5 million.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas was as surprised as anyone when he learned of Auston Matthews' legal trouble on Tuesday.Dubas was "very disappointed" in how he found out about the disorderly conduct charge against Matthews, according to The Athletic's James Mirtle. He told Mirtle that he read the news on Twitter.The general manager said he called Matthews immediately after he found out and the two had an "honest conversation," according to TSN's Kristen Shilton.Matthews admitted that not informing the team in May when the incident occurred was an error in judgment, according to Mirtle.Many expected Matthews to be named the Leafs' next captain, but it's unclear whether the incident will affect the team's plans."I don't think today's the day to talk about the captaincy," Dubas told Mirtle.A female security guard at Matthews' condo complex in Arizona filed a complaint that stated an intoxicated Matthews and two of his friends approached her while she was doing paperwork in her vehicle at around 2 a.m. She said Matthews attempted to open the locked vehicle and sit inside because he thought it would be funny. The security guard said she then exited the vehicle to confront Matthews, but he pulled down his pants and grabbed his buttocks - which appeared to be covered by underwear - as he walked away.Phoenix outlet 12News released body cam footage of her interview with the police on Wednesday.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Video contains coarse languageA body cam video of a police interview with the security guard pressing charges against Auston Matthews was published by Arizona's 12 News on Wednesday.The woman is pressing charges against the Toronto Maple Leafs' star forward for disorderly conduct stemming from a May incident in his hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona.According to the police report, Matthews, who appeared intoxicated, was outside his condo complex with some friends at approximately 2 a.m. when he attempted to open a security guard's car and sit down inside as she was doing paperwork. After she exited the car, Matthews dropped his pants and grabbed his buttocks as he walked away. His underwear appeared to stay on.The body cam interview provides further details of the incident, though the audio often cuts in and out.After the incident, Matthews' friend apparently tried to persuade the security guard not to tell property management what had happened."I said, 'I just want to let you know that there's cameras and there will be a camera that will show your friend pulling his pants down and walking into the elevator with his pants down,'" the security guard told police of her explanation to Matthews' friend.The surveillance video in question has not been released to the public.Matthews' father initially claimed Matthews denied the incident took place after property management reached out to inform him of the encounter, according to the security guard. After property management sent him the security footage, Matthews' father apparently didn't respond.A condo board member said the board would support the woman if she decided to press charges "because this resident has been an issue for us anyway," according to the security guard.The police officer said Matthews did nothing to warrant any charges other than those eventually pressed."Most of everything that you're telling me is a crime, as far as disorderly conduct, because it seriously disrupted your peace, your way of working," he said. "In order to be public sexual indecency ... there has to be either genitals that are seen or the anus itself."The security guard replied that she could not confirm or deny if Matthews' underwear had come off because he was too far away, though she did see him drop his pants and bend over."It's still leaning more to disorderly conduct, which is a misdemeanor crime, but not public sexual indecency ..." the officer said. "The only thing I could really charge him with is the disorderly conduct part of it. It's a misdemeanor crime. It's arrestable."The officer added it could eventually become harassment if Matthews or his friends continued to bother her in the future. It does not appear the situation has escalated to that level.Matthews issued a statement of regret Wednesday.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have three NHL-caliber netminders in Matt Murray, Casey DeSmith, and Tristan Jarry. Since all three would need to clear waivers to be sent to the minors, general manager Jim Rutherford is exploring other options."Conversations are going on," Rutherford told The Athletic's Josh Yohe. "If someone wants to make a trade, then there’s a good chance we will do that. Otherwise, we’re either going to keep all three on the roster or hope one of them clears waivers."Murray is the uncontested No. 1 goalie, so his job appears to be safe. Rutherford wouldn't give any hints on who has the leg up for the No. 2 job, but he did admit he tried to trade Jarry in the offseason, only to find no takers."We just couldn’t do anything in the summer," Rutherford said. "But in the last three or four days, things have changed. The market is really heating up, especially for goalies."DeSmith performed well as Murray's backup last season, going 15-11-5 with a .916 save percentage and 2.75 goals-against average. Jarry has not had the same amount of success in the NHL, but he did register a .915 save percentage in the AHL a year ago.The Penguins have a bit more invested in Jarry, who was a second-round pick in 2013 and is still just 24 years old. DeSmith, meanwhile, is 29 and was undrafted.Pittsburgh is about $300K over the salary cap. Moving DeSmith, who has a modest cap hit of $1.25 million, would help solve some of those issues, but he's also signed for three more years, providing some security. Jarry, meanwhile, has one year left on his deal worth $675K.Rutherford's phone calls around the league extend past his netminders, though. In addition to Jarry, forwards Bryan Rust, Nick Bjugstad, and defenseman Jack Johnson are all reportedly available for trade, league sources told Yohe.Rust ($3.5M), Bjugstad ($4.1M), and Johnson ($3.25M) would all help solve Pittsburgh's cap issues."We can still find a way to make this roster compliant," he said. "We can go with fewer than 23 players on the roster, but that’s not ideal. We’ll see. We could certainly move somebody."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alex Ovechkin has won the Rocket Richard trophy so many times, he deserves partial naming rights.The Washington Capitals winger has claimed it in six of the last seven seasons as the NHL's top goal-scorer, which is why he's got the shortest odds to win it again in 2019-20. At the pace Ovechkin is scoring it's foolish to advise against betting on him, but there's a new crop of young players emerging in the league that offer plenty of value.Player OddsAlex Ovechkin5-1John Tavares11-1Patrik Laine12-1Connor McDavid13-1Auston Matthews14-1Nathan MacKinnon16-1Nikita Kucherov16-1Alex DeBrincat21-1Leon Draisaitl28-1Patrick Kane30-1Brayden Point34-1David Pastrnak34-1Mark Scheifele34-1Steven Stamkos34-1Taylor Hall34-1Vlad Tarasenko34-1Cam Atkinson40-1Jake Guentzel40-1Tyler Seguin46-1Mark Stone49-1Sidney Crosby49-1Johnny Gaudreau50-1Auston Matthews (14-1) - Best BetAfter scoring 40 goals as a 19-year-old in his rookie season, Matthews has yet to reach those lofty heights since, managing 34 and 37 in his two subsequent campaigns. Injuries have prevented him from making the expected jump to 50, as he's been held under 70 games in both seasons since appearing in all 82 his first year in the league.Matthews' ice time, or lack thereof, has also been a hot issue in Toronto - the center has never been among the leaders on the Maple Leafs in that category. He was also fourth on the team among forwards in power-play time per game in each of the last two seasons. Does his ice time really need to increase for Matthews to take a run at the Rocket Richard trophy? He was scoring at a 45-goal pace over 82 games last season, and he leads the entire NHL in goals per 60 minutes since his debut in 2016. A scoring outburst feels inevitable, regardless of how Mike Babcock elects to deploy him. A career year is on the precipice provided he can keep himself on the ice.Alex DeBrincat (21-1) - Best BetThere's a lot to like about DeBrincat, who potted 41 goals last year in just his second NHL season and finished seventh in the league in goals per 60 minutes. His minutes only figure to increase as he becomes an integral part of the Blackhawks. He'll be playing alongside former OHL linemate Dylan Strome on the second line and getting top power-play time with Patrick Kane. DeBrincat scored 10 goals in 24 games (0.41 per game) before the team acquired Strome, and 31 in 58 after (0.53 per game). It would be surprising not to see him take another step forward in 2019-20.Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyJake Guentzel (40-1) - Value PlayGuentzel had a career season last year, as the Pittsburgh Penguins winger enjoyed his first 40-goal campaign while setting new highs in assists and points at the ripe age of 24. Another 40-goal season is well within reach, especially playing alongside Sidney Crosby, but he will need an uptick in power-play time to push for 50. He averaged just 2:07 of PP time per game last season, which was 191st in the NHL. With Phil Kessel (3:14 PPT/G last season) in Arizona, there's a legitimate shot he sees his time on the top unit skyrocket.Viktor Arvidsson (60-1) - Value PlayUnquestionably the best value on the board, Arvidsson registered 34 goals last season despite being limited to just 58 games. He was scoring at an elite rate, with his 0.59 goals per game trailing only Ovechkin (0.63) and Leon Draisaitl (0.61); He was joint-top of the NHL in goals per 60 minutes, along with David Pastrnak. His shooting percentage is in line for regression after jumping to 17.4 from a previous career high of 12.6, but at 26 years old, coming off his third full season in the NHL, there's reason to believe the jump could be sustainable. Either way, at the rate the Nashville Predators forward was scoring at last season, this price is way too high.Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Atlantic | Metropolitan | Central | PacificHome to the 2016, 2017, and 2018 Stanley Cup champions, the Metropolitan Division is up next in this four-part series, in which I dive deep into the NHL schedule to identify the best spot to bet against every team this season.Carolina HurricanesDate: Oct. 18, at Anaheim; March 29, at New JerseySometimes it's hard to pick just one. The Carolina Hurricanes face a grueling stretch to open the season, with an early three-game West Coast trip culminating in a visit to Anaheim in what will be their fifth contest in eight days, including two back-to-backs. In March, the Canes will play a Sunday matinee in New Jersey the day after hosting Pittsburgh, which will mark their 14th game in 23 days and the second leg of their fourth back-to-back of the month. Also, they have to find a way to get motivated in front of a humdrum afternoon crowd. Although they're used to quiet arenas, so maybe that won't be an issue.Columbus Blue JacketsDate: Feb. 1, at BuffaloThe Columbus Blue Jackets will likely be searching for their legs when they return from nine days off, including the All-Star break, at the start of February. Having to get motivated for a matinee in Buffalo after that much time off is an especially tough ask. It'll be the Sabres' third game back after the All-Star break, so they'll have their legs. The game also falls in the middle of a five-game homestand for the Sabres, with no back-to-backs, meaning fatigue won't be an issue for them.New Jersey DevilsDate: March 7, at NY RangersHow much will the New Jersey Devils have left in the tank when they visit Madison Square Garden on the first Saturday of March? It'll be their fifth game in eight days, and the finale of their second back-to-back of the week - the first of which comes in the midst of a West Coast trip. In the nine days leading up to their game in MSG, they play in San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Vegas before returning home to take on the Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues the night before.New York IslandersDate: Dec. 27, at ChicagoOnly four teams in the NHL have fewer back-to-backs than the New York Islanders this season, but the amount of rest they have leading up to their matchup in Chicago - the Robin Lehner revenge game, as I like to call it - should prove distracting. The players have the unenviable task of leaving their families the day after Christmas, and won't return until late on New Year's Eve. Where will their heads be at during that stretch? We know where Lehner's will be. He's not about to lose to the team who wouldn't pay him after a Vezina-worthy season.Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyNew York RangersDate: Feb. 28, at PhiladelphiaFrom Jan. 5 to Feb. 10, the New York Rangers have just three road games, with one of them at Long Island against the Islanders. They better make the most of it. Eight of their next 10 games will be on the road, with the last of that stretch coming on the final day in February in Philadelphia after playing in Montreal the previous night. It'll be the Rangers' second back-to-back in a week, and their fifth game in eight nights, four of which are away from home.Philadelphia FlyersDate: Jan. 8, vs. WashingtonThe Philadelphia Flyers play a joint-worst 17 back-to-backs this season and have some brutally congested spells in their schedule. With lots of travel and little rest, there'll be a number of spots to fade them, but one jumps out in particular. The Flyers jet out west for a lengthy California road trip right after Christmas and will spend New Year's Eve in Los Angeles - if only we could all be so lucky. Then they'll fly to Vegas for more partying hockey, Arizona for golf, and finally Carolina, before hosting the Washington Capitals on a back-to-back the next night, in what will be their first home date after a six-game, 12-night road trip. Caps -500.

Atlantic | Metropolitan | Central | PacificThe Central Division is widely considered to be the best in the NHL, as five of the top 12 teams favored to win the 2019-20 Stanley Cup hail from it.And it's next up in this series, in which I dive deep into team schedules to identify the best spot to bet against every club this season.Chicago BlackhawksDate: Jan. 2, at VancouverCongratulations to the Blackhawks, who get to bring in the new year in the fifth- and sixth-most livable cities in the world. After spending Dec. 31 in Calgary, they'll fly to Vancouver for a date with the Canucks. That game is the last in their holiday road trip, and all they'll care about by that point is catching their flight after the showdown. The Blackhawks are 3-11 on the road the last two seasons against Canada's Western Conference teams.Colorado AvalancheDate: Oct. 25, at VegasIf you've been following this series then you already know extensively about the "Vegas Flu." And it's amplified when a team has three full days off before a road game against the Golden Knights. The Avalanche conclude an early six-game road trip in Vegas, after what is sure to be a night or two of fun in Sin City for one of the league's youngest teams. Over the last three seasons, teams are 17-38 (30.9%) in the finale of a six-game road trip. I'd confidently tick that win percentage down even further given the circumstances.Dallas StarsDate: April 2, at San JosePlaying five games in seven nights is tough. Playing five games in seven nights near the end of an 82-game season is brutal. That's the task at hand for the Stars toward the end of the campaign, as they have two back-to-backs in a week, with plenty of travel mixed in. Here's the seven-day forecast: The Stars fly to Chicago, back to Dallas for a game the next night, have a day off, host the Canucks, have another day off, fly to Anaheim, and then play in San Jose the next night. That's a lot of Air Miles to collect in a week. Jim Montgomery better hope his club has a playoff spot locked in by the time it makes the trip to Northern Cali.Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyMinnesota WildDate: Feb. 1, vs. BostonThe NHL typically does its best to match up teams coming off bye weeks. It takes a few periods to shake the rust off after a nine-day break in the middle of the season. The Wild will be at a significant disadvantage in their first game back from their vacation when they take on a Boston Bruins team that has a game the night before to get back into rhythm. The back-to-back shouldn't hurt the Bruins, either, considering they'll be rested following their own hiatus.Nashville PredatorsDate: Feb. 22, vs. ColumbusThe Predators were 0-5 in the second half of last season in the latter contest of a back-to-back. They face a daunting travel schedule in early February that will take them from Nashville to Winnipeg before trips to Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, back home, and St. Louis, all concluding with a stop back in Nashville for a second game against the Blues in as many nights. Later that week, one day after an away contest in Chicago, the Predators return home to host the Columbus Blue Jackets. A second back-to-back in a week - coming off a brutal travel schedule - is as good a spot as any to fade a club.Fun fact: The Preds play only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in October. They don't have a single game on any other night.St. Louis BluesDate: Jan. 18, at ColoradoApparently, one of the perks of being the Stanley Cup champions is a favorable schedule the following season. The Blues have the most games in the NHL this season with at least one day of rest before. Do you know what's not great, though? St. Louis has a five-game homestand leading up to its bye week, but before it can officially coast into that mini-vacation, the Blues have to leave home for Colorado for a night. Where will their minds be during a Saturday matinee against the Avalanche, which will be followed by a flight home to enjoy eight days off? Not at the rink, I'm betting.Winnipeg JetsDate: Oct. 8, at PittsburghThe Jets need all the help they can get early in the season, as they deal with the distraction of unsigned forwards Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor and the uncertain future surrounding defensive leader Dustin Byfuglien. Opening the season with four consecutive road games won't help. Winnipeg will be itching to get home by the time its East Coast trip concludes in Pittsburgh. The Jets have lost all nine of their games in Pittsburgh since relocating to Winnipeg, and they've lost 18 in a row there dating back to their days as the Atlanta Thrashers. The franchise's last win in the Steel City came in December 2006, when Vyacheslav Kozlov and Bobby Holik scored late to clinch the victory. Talk about a throwback.Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said he was not aware of the disorderly conduct charge against forward Auston Matthews until Tuesday."I just found out yesterday," Babcock said on Wednesday, according to TSN."You're always disappointed. I mean, as the Toronto Maple Leafs we really pride ourselves in doing things right both on the ice and off the ice and treating people (well), so it's an unfortunate situation."Matthews is a strong candidate to be named the team's next captain. When asked if the incident will impact his ability to be a leader for the team, Babcock said "I don't think so at all."The charge against Matthews stems from an incident that took place on May 26 in his hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona.The complainant, a security guard at a Scottsdale condo complex, stated that Matthews and a group of males tried to open her vehicle at 2 a.m as she sat inside doing paperwork.According to the report, Matthews dropped his pants, bent over, and grabbed his buttocks as he walked away. The complainant said he seemed to keep his underwear on.The 22-year-old Matthews expressed regret in a statement following the team's skate on Wednesday.Despite his disappointment, Babcock knows it's his responsibility to support his players as best he can."I went to him this morning and this is what I said: 'Are you okay?'"That's what the coach is here for. I'm here for our players and I'm here to help them become better men and better people and better players."Matthews is slated to play in the Leafs' preseason contest on Wednesday night against the Montreal Canadiens.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hockey Hall of Famer Cammi Granato is the first female pro scout in NHL history after Seattle's franchise hired her as part of its first group of scouts.The club also announced the hiring of Ulf Samuelsson, Stu Barnes, Dave Hunter, and John Goodwin to round out the staff."I've had other NHL opportunities to get back into hockey," Granato said, according to NHL.com's Bob Condor. "Seattle is the right fit for me and an exciting organization to join. It lined up as the perfect opportunity."Granato was a star talent in her playing days with the women's United States hockey program. She captained the Americans to a gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics and a silver at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City."For me as a player, I recognized hockey IQ when I would give up the puck to a teammate and it didn't go into a sort of black hole," Granato said. "That high-IQ player would make the right decisions with the puck. They know what to do with the puck and without it. They anticipate plays to be made and see peripherally."Granato and Canadian Angela James became the first females to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November 2010.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky is out indefinitely with a wrist injury and likely won't be available for the start of the regular season, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced Wednesday.Dubinsky recorded six goals and 14 points in 61 games with the Blue Jackets in 2018-19 and added one goal in 10 playoff contests.The 33-year-old winger is entering his 13th NHL campaign and has registered 153 goals and 438 points through 823 career games with the Blue Jackets and New York Rangers.Columbus opens its season at home Oct. 4 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Heading into the 2019-20 regular season, theScore's Mike Dickson, Josh Gold-Smith, John Matisz, Sean O'Leary, Matt Teague, and Josh Wegman make their picks for all major year-end NHL award recipients.Calder TrophyBruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyEditorPickDicksonJack HughesGold-SmithKaapo KakkoMatiszCale MakarO'LearyKaapo KakkoTeagueJack HughesWegmanCale MakarWe're torn between freshmen Hughes, Kakko, and Makar. The bottom line: A stellar crop of rookies will make things interesting this season, especially in the Metropolitan Division.Jack Adams AwardAndy Marlin / National Hockey League / GettyEditorPickDicksonJohn HynesGold-SmithJoel QuennevilleMatiszJoel QuennevilleO'LearyJohn HynesTeagueJohn HynesWegmanRick TocchetJohn Hynes enters his fifth season as head coach of the New Jersey Devils with a 141-146-41 record. But we believe he's going to say goodbye to a career sub-.500 record for good once 2019-20 is complete.Selke TrophyIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyEditorPickDicksonPatrice BergeronGold-SmithAleksander BarkovMatiszAleksander BarkovO'LearyMark StoneTeagueSean CouturierWegmanAleksander BarkovAleksander Barkov earned 23.5% of the Selke vote last season, and that number is going to rise. Only 23 years old and with a Lady Byng and fifth-, fourth-, and sixth-place Selke finishes already to his name, Barkov could go on a Patrice Bergeron-esque run with this award and cement himself as the NHL's best defensive forward.Norris TrophyKavin Mistry / National Hockey League / GettyEditorPickDicksonSeth JonesGold-SmithErik KarlssonMatiszSeth JonesO'LearyErik KarlssonTeagueVictor HedmanWegmanErik KarlssonIf you forgot how good Erik Karlsson is because he played only 53 games last season out west, you're about to be reminded. Another Norris Trophy will give him three, and will put the 29-year-old in a tie with Hall of Famers Chris Chelios, Paul Coffey, Pierre Pilote, and Denis Potvin.Vezina TrophyJamie Sabau / National Hockey League / GettyEditorPickDicksonSergei BobrovskyGold-SmithAndrei VasilevskiyMatiszCarey PriceO'LearyAndrei VasilevskiyTeagueBen BishopWegmanAndrei VasilevskiyIt'll be two straight for Andrei Vasilevskiy, who will make everyone forget about Tampa stunningly being swept in the 2019 playoffs.Hart TrophyMichael Martin / National Hockey League / GettyEditorPickDicksonConnor McDavidGold-SmithNikita KucherovMatiszNathan MacKinnonO'LearyNathan MacKinnonTeagueNathan MacKinnonWegmanAuston MatthewsNathan MacKinnon was the Avalanche's first overall pick in 2013, and we have him winning his first Hart Trophy at 24 years old. His prime years will be something else.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Atlantic | Metropolitan | Central | PacificIt bears reminding, these picks are not to be taken as bible. There are plenty of factors to consider when placing a bet, and a lot can happen between now and the day of these games. Here, I've dug through schedules and identified spots where teams typically struggle, which you can monitor as the season progresses.With that being said, it's onto the Pacific.Anaheim DucksDate: Oct. 14, at BostonSince the start of the 2016 season, the Ducks are 3-10 in away games after playing a back-to-back. We don't have to wait long to find them in that spot this season, as they have a back-to-back in Pittsburgh and Columbus before flying to Boston two days later for a Monday matinee. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. PT.Arizona CoyotesDate: Jan. 29, at AnaheimIt takes some time to get back into a rhythm when you have 10 days off in the middle of the season. The Ducks have the chance to get their legs back under them on the 27th - a luxury the Coyotes do not have before making the trip to Anaheim on the 29th. Expect some rust from Rick Tocchet's team at the Honda Center.Calgary FlamesDate: Oct. 20, at AnaheimThe Flames are set for a rude awakening in the 2019-20 season, with 15 games over their first 29 days. The worst stretch sees the team play six in nine nights, flying from Calgary to Dallas, to Vegas, to San Jose, home to Calgary, and then Los Angeles, before concluding the brutal stretch with a Sunday game in Anaheim. The contest will mark the second half of their second back-to-back in a week.Edmonton OilersDate: Feb. 16, at CarolinaAsk any player and they will tell you how much easier it is to get fired up for a game when 20,000 fans are packed into an arena. Do you know what's not typically a loud rink? PNC Arena on a Sunday afternoon in February. It's going to be tough for the Oilers to find their legs in what will be their fourth game in six nights, on a back-to-back flying from Florida to Carolina. The Oilers are 6-19 in this spot - second game in as many days on the east coast - since the start of the 2013-14 season.Los Angeles KingsDate: March 27, at St. LouisNo team in the Western Conference has more games on consecutive nights than the Kings. It makes for a number of tough stretches on their calendar, but perhaps none worse than in March when they have five games in seven nights. Three of these contests are on the road, with the final two coming on a back-to-back, playing in Nashville on Thursday, and in St. Louis on Friday. Toward the end of an exhausting season, how much are they really going to have left in the tank for their date with the Blues?San Jose SharksDate: Dec. 10, at NashvilleNot all teams struggle with the dreaded back-to-backs. The Sharks actually have a winning record in the second half of them under Peter DeBoer. They typically struggle in the game that follows, especially when it's on the road - the Sharks are 5-12 in that spot over the past two seasons. Keep a close eye on their trip to Nashville in December, which follows a back-to-back in Florida the weekend prior, coming off a trip to Carolina. That's a lot of travel in a six-day span.Other spots that fit this trend: Oct. 19, at Nashville; Oct. 27, at Ottawa; Dec. 31, at Detroit; Jan. 7, at St. Louis; Feb. 25, at Philadelphia; March 11, at Chicago; March 17, at Colorado.Vancouver CanucksDate: Nov. 30, at EdmontonThe Canucks have three road trips this season of at least five games. A number of teams don't even have one. That's not ideal for the Canucks, as they're 3-13 (18.8%) in the finale of road trips of at least five games since the start of the 2014-15 season. There are a few opportunities to exploit the trend this season, but one, in particular, stands out - a trip to Edmonton at the end of November. The game concludes an exhausting six-game trip which also includes stops in Dallas, Nashville, Washington, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. That's too many miles to count.Other spots that fit this trend: Jan. 14, at Winnipeg; Feb. 6, at Minnesota.Vegas Golden KnightsDate: Nov. 10, at DetroitThe Golden Knights have never won the second leg of a back-to-back against Eastern Conference teams in franchise history. They're 0-7 in that situation over their first two seasons of existence. No better time to test the theory than on Nov. 10, when we will definitely get the Red Wings at plus money. Vegas plays a Sunday matinee in Detroit after a Saturday night game in Washington. The Wings have the Saturday off and are home on the Friday.Another spot that fits this trend: Dec. 3, at New Jersey.Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews made a statement Wednesday regarding the disorderly conduct charge filed against him."I regret any of my actions that would ever put a distraction on the team or distress any individual," Matthews said. "I take a lot of pride in preparing myself for the season and representing the Toronto Maple Leafs as well as I can."Matthews didn't take any questions due to the ongoing investigation.

The Florida Panthers have released veteran forward Troy Brouwer from his professional tryout agreement, the team announced Wednesday.Brouwer, 34, was bought out by the Calgary Flames in August 2018 and signed a one-year, $850,000 deal with the Panthers ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.The 6-foot-3 forward appeared in 75 games for the Panthers last season and contributed 12 goals and 21 points while leading the team with 177 hits.Brouwer has played 13 NHL seasons and captured a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames have inked restricted free-agent forward Matthew Tkachuk to a three-year deal worth an average annual value of $7 million, the team announced Wednesday.The contract gives Tkachuk the largest annual cap hit on the team. He will be a restricted free agent when it expires.The 21-year-old will make $9 million in the third season of the contract, according to TSN's Darren Dreger. That ensures he'll receive a qualifying offer of at least that amount for a potential fourth year, should the sides fail to agree to a new deal before that time.Tkachuk had a breakout campaign in his third NHL season in 2018-19. The Scottsdale, Arizona, native tallied career bests with 34 goals and 43 assists for 77 points. He also ranked third on the Flames with 104 hits.The Flames now have key core pieces Tkachuk, Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm, Mark Giordano, and Noah Hanifin signed through the 2021-22 campaign.Tkachuk is the fifth high-profile player from this summer's restricted free-agent class to sign a bridge deal with their respective club. Most recently, Brayden Point inked a three-year contract with an average annual value of $6.75 million with the Tampa Bay Lightning.Three notable restricted free agents remain with the 2019-20 season set to begin Oct. 2. Winnipeg Jets forwards Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor, along with Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen are still in need of new deals.Calgary now sits $658,000 above the cap with a full active roster, which means the team will need to shuffle some pieces around to become compliant before the start of the regular season, according to CapFriendly.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leading up to the start of the 2019-20 season, theScore will be counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by our NHL editors. We'll reveal 10 players every day until the top 10 is unveiled Oct. 2.100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-190. Tomas Hertl, SharksHertl announced his arrival as a top-line talent with a career-best 35-goal, 74-point campaign in 2018-19. The 25-year-old continued to thrive in the playoffs as well, potting 10 goals and 15 points over 19 games. Hertl may regress in the goal column after posting a 19.9 regular-season shooting percentage last year, but he's capable of being a consistent 70-point player and is an essential piece for one of the league's top teams.89. Jordan Binnington, BluesBinnington may have played the fewest career games of anyone on this list, but he was the Blues' savior last year. The 26-year-old rookie went 24-5-1 with a .927 save percentage and a 1.89 goals-against average after a midseason call-up last year, then won 16 of 26 playoff games en route to St. Louis' first Stanley Cup.88. Ryan Suter, WildIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyWith an annual cap hit of more than $7.5 million through the 2024-25 season, Suter's contract doesn't look great for the future, but the 34-year-old remains an integral part of Minnesota's defense. He led all NHL skaters with nearly 27 minutes of average ice time last season, while his 47 points were the 14th-most among defensemen.87. Viktor Arvidsson, PredatorsArvidsson poured in a career-high 34 goals in 2018-19 despite being limited to 58 regular-season games due to injury - a 48-goal pace over an 82-game schedule. His 17.4% shooting rate is bound to regress, but the crafty Swedish winger can fill the net and is a perfect fit alongside center Ryan Johansen.86. Zach Werenski, Blue JacketsWerenski has developed into one of the game's best young defensemen and will likely outplay his new three-year, $15-million deal with Columbus. The 22-year-old ranks ninth among NHL blue-liners with 38 goals since his debut in 2016-17 and can cause headaches for the opposition's top talent on any given night.85. Jacob Trouba, RangersTrouba potted a career-high 50 points with the Jets last season, but the best is yet to come. The 25-year-old has all the traits of a No. 1 workhorse defenseman and will get a chance to shine in that role for an up-and-coming Rangers team.84. Joe Pavelski, StarsRonald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / GettyAfter 13 seasons in San Jose, Pavelski will start the NHL campaign in a new home for the first time in his career. The 35-year-old can still bring it, as evidenced by the 38 goals he scored last season to match the second-best output of his career. His veteran leadership and goal-scoring ability should be welcome additions in Dallas.83. Thomas Chabot, SenatorsThe heir to Erik Karlsson as Ottawa's unquestioned No. 1 blue-liner, Chabot took a big step forward after Karlsson was traded, collecting 55 points while averaging over 24 minutes of ice time across 70 contests last year. The 22-year-old is set to command his team's highest cap hit when his new eight-year, $64-million contract kicks in for 2020-21, but it's tough to argue he doesn't deserve it.82. Dylan Larkin, Red WingsThe speedy top-line center broke both the 30-goal and 70-point marks for the first time in his career in 2018-19. Larkin has taken major leaps in two straight seasons and continues to show his bona fides as the Red Wings look to name their next captain.81. Alex DeBrincat, BlackhawksIt's amazing this diminutive sniper slipped all the way to the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft after back-to-back 50-goal, 100-point campaigns with the OHL's Erie Otters. DeBrincat has done nothing but score since entering the NHL, potting 69 goals over his first two seasons, including 41 last year.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leading up to the start of the 2019-20 season, theScore will be counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by our NHL editors. We'll reveal 10 players every day until the top 10 is unveiled Oct. 2.100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1100. Nico Hischier, DevilsAs the No. 1 pick in 2017, expectations are high for Hischier, and he's demonstrated flashes of brilliance over his first two seasons in New Jersey. The 20-year-old notched 47 points in 69 games last season, and with the Devils now loaded up following new additions, he should be poised for a breakout campaign.99. David Krejci, BruinsKrejci showed last season that he's anything but over the hill, posting a career-high 53 assists and matching his career-best with 73 points. He also added 16 more points in 24 contests during the Bruins' Stanley Cup Final run. Not bad for a 33-year-old.98. Matt Dumba, WildBruce Kluckhohn / National Hockey League / GettyDumba was on pace for a career-high 30 goals and 56 points in 2018-19 before a torn right pectoralis muscle ended his season in late December. The 25-year-old is an incredible two-way defenseman and could even be considered a dark horse candidate for the Norris Trophy.97. Robin Lehner, BlackhawksThose under the impression that Lehner's remarkable 2018-19 season was a product of Barry Trotz's defensive system are wrong. The Islanders were actually a middle-of-the-pack team in scoring-chance prevention, but Lehner still finished second in the league with a .930 save percentage and third with a 2.13 goals-against average.96. Cam Atkinson, Blue JacketsAtkinson has become the face of the Blue Jackets during the post-Rick Nash era. He led Columbus with a career-high 41 goals last season, good enough to tie for sixth league-wide. After several high-profile departures during the offseason, the Jackets will lean heavily on Atkinson's offensive production in 2019-20.95. Dougie Hamilton, HurricanesDon't put too much stock in Hamilton's declining point production over the last couple of seasons. The Carolina blue-liner posted a sublime 57.61 Corsi For percentage and a solid 52.17 Goals For percentage in 2018-19 while solidifying his role in one of the NHL's best defensive pairings.94. William Karlsson, Golden KnightsLachlan Cunningham / Getty Images Sport / GettyKarlsson burst onto the scene with an incredible 43-goal campaign in 2017-18, but he potted only 24 goals last season. Realistically, the 26-year-old Swede will probably finish closer to the latter mark in 2019-20, but he's still a very skilled player who fills an important role up the middle for an elite team.93. Braden Holtby, CapitalsHoltby is coming off the two worst regular seasons of his career, but he remains one of the league's most accomplished goalies. In his trophy case, there's a Vezina Trophy, a Jennings Trophy, and most importantly, a Stanley Cup.92. Alexander Radulov, StarsRadulov may have found a home in Dallas after spending time in Nashville, Montreal, and the KHL throughout his career. He scored a career-high 29 goals last season (topping his previous best of 27 from the season prior), and the veteran also matched his best campaign with 72 points despite playing in only 70 games.91. Kyle Connor, JetsThe unsigned restricted free agent took another step forward during his second full season with Winnipeg, although a shooting percentage of 15 helped during his 34-goal, 66-point campaign, following a 16.1 percent clip in 2017-18. Regardless, the skilled 22-year-old winger complements his linemates perfectly.(Analytics courtesy: Natural Stat Trick)Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to Puck Pursuit, a weekly NHL podcast hosted by John Matisz, theScore's national hockey writer.Subscribe to the show on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.In the first episode of the 2019-20 season, John is joined by former NHL forward Devin Setoguchi to discuss a variety of topics: