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Mitch Marner apparently declined an offer that would've made him one of the highest-paid players in the NHL.The Toronto Maple Leafs offered the restricted free-agent winger contracts of seven and eight years with a cap hit of $11 million in June, according to TSN's Darren Dreger. The average annual value would've tied Marner with Drew Doughty and teammate John Tavares as the fourth-highest paid player in the league.The offer was not deemed palatable to Marner's camp due to the longer term and the AAV being lower than teammate Auston Matthews, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie. Matthews inked a five-year extension with an $11.634 million AAV in February.The $11-million offer to Marner also included performance bonuses that the club wouldn't pay during his entry-level contract, according to Dreger.The Leafs have no incentive to do a three-year bridge deal, since it would still cost around $10 million per season, McKenzie added. This would be problematic for Toronto as Marner could then accept a hefty qualifying offer and walk into unrestricted free agency after the fourth year.San Jose Sharks forward Timo Meier, one of the few premium RFAs to get a deal done, signed a similar contract earlier this offseason. He inked a four-year, $24-million backloaded deal to assure he gets a $10-million qualifying offer in his final year of restricted free agency.The Leafs currently have a projected cap hit of $85.35 million - nearly $4 million above the cap ceiling, according to CapFriendly. However, the dead contracts of David Clarkson and Nathan Horton (combined $10.5M AAV) are projected to hit long-term injured reserve, and Zach Hyman and Travis Dermott (combined $3.13M AAV) could join them on LTIR to begin the season.The Leafs can also option a couple of players to the minors to create additional cap space.Marner finished 11th in league scoring in 2018-19 with 94 points.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins have locked up head coach Bruce Cassidy with a multi-year extension, the team announced on Wednesday.Cassidy will earn around $3 million per season, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun. Contract terms and salary are rarely revealed for coaches.Cassidy has garnered an impressive .670 points percentage in two-and-a-half seasons behind the Bruins' bench, compiling a 117-52-22 record.The 54-year-old replaced Claude Julien as the team's bench boss during the 2016-17 campaign. The club has made the playoffs every season with Cassidy at the helm, and Boston came within one win of capturing the Stanley Cup this past spring.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin says the team has done its part and is now playing the waiting game with restricted free-agent forward Kevin Fiala."We've made him a fair offer and he's deciding," Guerin told The Athletic's Michael Russo on Tuesday. "I understand the position he's in. I've been in it a couple times myself. We want to get him in as quick as possible because if you miss training camp, the chances of you having a good year aren't very good. We want to get him in here and get him going."Fiala collected seven points in 19 games with the Wild after Minnesota acquired him from the Nashville Predators in exchange for Mikael Granlund ahead of last season's trade deadline.The Wild open training camp Friday, and Fiala is the team's lone remaining RFA."I'm just speaking from experience that you're better off being in camp than not," Guerin said. "For Kevin's sake and our sake, I hope he's there, I really do."Minnesota has nearly $8 million in cap space, according to CapFriendly.Fiala, 23, produced 10 goals and 32 points in 64 games before the trade. The winger spent parts of five seasons with the Predators, who drafted him 11th overall in 2014.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Evgeni Malkin may have influenced the club's decision to ship former linemate Phil Kessel to the Arizona Coyotes.The Russian sniper asked to be traded if the Penguins kept Kessel, multiple team sources told The Athletic's Rob Rossi, though Malkin denied it when asked and said his friendship with Kessel is real.Malkin was tired of feeling caught in the ongoing conflict between his linemate and Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan, multiple team and league sources told Rossi. "By the end of last season, everybody from ownership to management to coaches believed Kessel had to go for Malkin to stay," Rossi wrote.Kessel joined the club ahead of the 2015-16 campaign, and his incredible on-ice chemistry with Malkin played a pivotal role in the Penguins capturing back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.Malkin believed Kessel was content with two titles and mostly interested in his statistics, and the 33-year-old worried he'd be seen in the same light if the American remained his winger, according to Rossi's team and league sources.The Penguins traded Kessel to the Coyotes on June 30 in exchange for forward Alex Galchenyuk and defense prospect Pierre-Olivier Joseph.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils have re-signed restricted free-agent forward Pavel Zacha to a three-year deal worth $6.75-million, the team announced on Tuesday.The contract carries an average annual value of $2.25 million, and Zacha will remain a restricted free agent once it expires after the 2021-22 season."We are happy to have finalized this three-year agreement as Pavel is an important part of our team," said general manager Ray Shero. "He has established himself as someone who can play in any situation and we are looking forward to his continued growth as a player."Shero said the club was still trying to sign Zacha despite reports from Sport-Express' Igor Eronko on Monday suggesting the Czech forward had come to terms with Avangard of the KHL.The 22-year-old contributed a career-high 13 goals to go along with 25 points in 61 contests for the Devils in 2018-19.Since New Jersey drafted him with the sixth overall pick in 2015, Zacha has struggled to find his form at the NHL level. In 201 career games, he's recorded 29 goals and 76 points.The Devils now hold $6.46 million in projected cap space with a roster of 22 and no players needing new deals, according to CapFriendly.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk wants a contract extension in place before accepting a trade to the Anaheim Ducks, according to The Orange County Register's Elliott Teaford.On Monday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the two sides have been discussing a potential deal for Faulk, but Anaheim is listed among the 15 teams on the 27-year-old's no-trade list.Just one right-shot rearguard (Josh Manson) is a fixture on the Ducks' defense, making Faulk an enticing option.The 6-foot blue-liner tallied 11 goals and 35 points over 82 games for the Hurricanes in 2018-19, and he's posted positive possession numbers over six consecutive seasons.Anaheim currently holds $8.5 million in projected cap space, according to CapFriendly, and the club could comfortably accommodate Faulk's $4.83 million cap hit next season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's difficult to break into the NHL and contribute right away. Most players need a year or two of experience before beginning to produce consistently, though a select few make an immediate impact.Here are some rookies who will be fantasy difference-makers in their first NHL season:Jack Hughes, C, DevilsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyHughes will warrant a roster spot on your fantasy team this season regardless of the format.The 2019 first overall selection has dominated at every stage early in his career, breaking Alex Ovechkin's points record at the IIHF World U18 Championship with 32 points in 14 games, and also setting a new all-time scoring mark for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.Hughes should receive plenty of opportunities with the New Jersey Devils, especially on a power-play unit featuring Taylor Hall, Nico Hischier, and P.K. Subban. At even strength, his ceiling will depend on which players flank each wing, but the dynamic playmaker should thrive as a fixture in the team's top-six forward group.It would make sense for the Devils to pair Hughes with a scorer like Kyle Palmieri - a shoot-first player who's scored 24-plus goals in four straight seasons. Having two reliable duos in Hischier-Hall and Hughes-Palmieri would also help deepen the Devils' lineup. Hughes could play alongside Hall at points throughout the season, too.Quinn Hughes, D, Canucks Jeff Vinnick / National Hockey League / GettyHughes is an incredible skater with excellent hockey intelligence for his age. Though it was a small sample size, the 19-year-old impressed with three assists and positive possession numbers during his five-game stint with the Canucks last season.The 2018 seventh overall pick should get top-four minutes on the blue line, and he'll receive plenty of power-play time as part of a talented young core featuring Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson, and Bo Horvat. Newcomers J.T. Miller and Micheal Ferland should also help bolster Vancouver's attack.The Michigan product recorded 33 points in 32 games at the NCAA level for the Wolverines last season. His per-game production (1.10 points) ranked second among under-20 NCAA defensemen over the last 20 years.His offensive game won't be fully developed in his first NHL season, but Hughes' upside makes him worth fantasy consideration.Cale Makar, D, Avalanche Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyMakar looked like a seasoned vet while debuting with the Avalanche this past spring, and it'll be a treat to see what the 2017 fourth overall pick can do in his first full campaign.The 20-year-old rearguard joined the club at the start of the 2018-19 playoffs and scored in his first game. He also tallied five assists to finish with six points in 10 contests while logging over 17 minutes per night. Makar never looked out of place, and his confidence with the puck was remarkable for a young talent playing high-stakes hockey.Makar's skating ability is sensational, making him a perfect fit with the up-tempo Avalanche. He's already skilled enough to log big minutes and should be a fixture on the club's loaded top power-play unit. Playing with Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog, and Nazem Kadri should result in Makar producing an impressive rookie season.Kaapo Kakko, RW, RangersPressFocus/MB Media / Getty Images Sport / GettyKakko should benefit from playing on a top-heavy New York Rangers roster. The club lacks forward depth, but Kakko is too skilled to play bottom-six minutes, and fireworks could be coming if he's on a line with Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin.At 6-foot-3 and nearly 200 lbs, the 18-year-old enters the league with an NHL frame and a heavy shot. A natural goal-scorer at every level, he's poised to contribute immediately in the goal column at even strength and on the power play.During his final season in Europe, Kakko tallied 22 goals over 45 games for HC TPS in Liiga - the top pro league in Finland - setting a record for under-18 players.The 2019 second overall selection is ready for the NHL, and he should produce for your fantasy team.Mackenzie Blackwood, G, DevilsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyBlackwood came two games shy of losing his rookie eligibility in 2018-19 while posting a 2.61 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage over 23 appearances with the New Jersey Devils. Snagging a rookie goalie for your fantasy team with just over a quarter-season of NHL experience is a bonus, especially considering the direction New Jersey is heading.Injuries have plagued starting Devils netminder Cory Schneider over the previous two campaigns, and he isn't getting any younger. Even when healthy, the 33-year-old has posted below-average numbers, and he hasn't put together a steady season since 2015-16.With the Devils projecting to be a young, up-and-coming team, it wouldn't be a surprise to see them challenge Blackwood with a heavier workload this season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jonathan Toews believes the under-the-radar nature of the NHL and NHLPA's current negotiations bodes well for future labor peace."It's probably the way it should be, and I think that's probably a good sign that there is some mutual respect and both sides are trying to come to agreements," the Chicago Blackhawks captain said, according to The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno. "You have mutual dedication to keeping our game going down the same path and not disrupting that."After meeting in New York last week, the two sides held discussions Monday and will meet again Tuesday, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.The ongoing talks have produced little fanfare to this point, but NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr characterized the meetings as cordial and "free from rancor" last week.The union has until Sunday to reopen the current CBA if it so chooses. Otherwise, the agreement will expire as scheduled Sept. 15, 2022.On Aug. 30, the NHL decided not to exercise its own option to trigger an opt-out clause.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jake Gardiner decided against joining the Montreal Canadiens.Marc Bergevin, the club's general manager, confirmed as much Monday at the team's annual golf tournament."We had interest, we made an offer, and it's a two-way street," the GM said. "If you're interested, the player has to be interested, so I can't comment on why he didn't (accept it), but yes, we did (make an offer)."Bergevin didn't provide any more details about the offer, reiterating that he didn't want to speculate about why Gardiner wouldn't want to sign with Montreal.The former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman inked a four-year, $16.2-million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. He became an unrestricted free agent after spending his first eight NHL seasons with the Leafs.Bergevin also said Monday that the Canadiens have begun negotiating an extension with forward Max Domi.The Montreal GM revealed Sunday that he isn't interested in bringing back longtime Canadiens rearguard Andrei Markov.Gardiner collected 30 points in 62 games with Toronto last season after racking up a career-high 52 points across 82 contests in 2017-18.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens and forward Max Domi have opened talks on a potential contract extension."I won't talk about negotiations in public, but we had some talks at the start of the summer, yes," Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin told reporters in French on Monday, as translated by the club.Domi, 24, is heading into the final year of his current deal and is scheduled to become a restricted free agent after 2019-20.The 5-foot-10 forward set career bests in his first campaign with the Habs, recording 28 goals and 44 assists for 72 points in 82 games.Fellow Canadiens forwards Nick Cousins and Charles Hudon, along with defenseman Victor Mete, are also set to become restricted free agents next summer.Domi was selected by the Arizona Coyotes with the 12th overall pick at the 2013 draft. The Canadiens acquired him from the Coyotes in June 2018.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Negotiations between the Tampa Bay Lightning and restricted free-agent forward Brayden Point reportedly remain at an impasse.The two sides are not close to a new contract with training camp set to begin Sept.12, according to The Athletic's Joe Smith.The 23-year-old broke out last season - the last on his entry-level contract - setting career highs with 41 goals and 51 assists for 92 points in 79 contests.Point was also a vital piece of the Lightning's juggernaut power play, leading the NHL with 20 goals on the man advantage.Since being selected by Tampa Bay in the third round at the 2013 draft, Point has tallied 91 goals and 198 points in 227 contests.The Alberta native is one of the many blue-chip talents who remain unsigned across the NHL.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Jersey Devils general manager Ray Shero remains focused on re-signing restricted free-agent forward Pavel Zacha despite reports that the former first-round pick is leaving for the KHL, according to NHL.com's Mike Morreale."His agent told me a couple days ago (that he could sign in the KHL), but I'm hopeful we'll get something done over the next few days entering training camp," Shero said Monday. "I think we're trying to find the right term and based upon his age. He's a real good fit for us as a player. He's a young guy whose game is evolving. ..."I can't control what he does. If (the KHL) is the route he likes, it's going to be a long road back to the NHL."Earlier Monday morning, Sport-Express' Igor Eronko reported that Zacha agreed to terms with Avangard of the KHL. The Devils issued a qualifying offer to Zacha this summer and thus retain the 22-year-old's NHL rights even if he signs overseas."My advice (to Zacha) would be that you're going to hopefully play in the NHL for a long time," Shero said, "and to get to where we hope you can be and continue to grow, why would you (play in the KHL)? That's going to be a big step back."The 6-foot-3 center has struggled to carve out a role with the Devils since being selected sixth overall at the 2015 NHL Draft. Zacha has mustered 29 goals and 76 points in 201 career contests.The Devils have $8.71 million in projected cap space with Zacha the only player in need of a new contract for next season, according to CapFriendly.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Anaheim Ducks are reportedly interested in acquiring Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk.The two sides are in ongoing discussions about a trade involving the 27-year-old rearguard, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.Friedman added that details are still being worked out, and that Faulk has a partial no-trade clause in his contract that includes the Ducks.The Hurricanes reportedly shopped Faulk last June amid stalled extension talks, but they were unable to find an appropriate suitor. He's now set to enter the final year of his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent.The 6-foot blue-liner recorded 11 goals and 35 points in 82 games for the Hurricanes last season before adding one goal and eight points in 15 playoff contests.After inking defenseman Jake Gardiner to a four-year, $16.2-million deal last week, Carolina sits $1.5 million over the salary cap and will likely need to move a player to become cap compliant.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The first major restricted free-agent domino has fallen.The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Zach Werenski to a three-year, $15-million contract, the team announced on Monday.Werenski's new deal runs through the 2021-22 season, and he'll remain a restricted free agent with arbitration eligibility when it expires.Werenski will earn $7 million in the third year of the contract, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. That ensures he'll receive a qualifying offer of no less than that amount prior to a potential fourth year should the two sides fail to negotiate another deal before then.The 22-year-old has been an instrumental part of the Blue Jackets' blue line while recording 128 points over 237 contests throughout his entry-level contract. He also led all restricted free-agent defensemen in points during the 2018-19 campaign and ranked second in average ice time.His 38 goals rank ninth among NHL rearguards since entering the league in 2016-17.Getting Werenski signed prior to training camp has provided a bright spot after an otherwise difficult offseason for the Blue Jackets. The club watched forwards Matt Duchene and Artemi Panarin walk in free agency, along with netminder Sergei Bobrovsky.The Blue Jackets hold $10.76 million in projected cap space with a nearly full roster and no remaining players needing a new contract, according to CapFriendly.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

You shouldn't completely avoid the following players in fantasy hockey this season, but they're unlikely to meet expectations relative to how high you'll have to draft them.Morgan Rielly, D, Maple LeafsRielly finished third among NHL defensemen with 72 points in 2018-19, surpassing his previous career-high of 52 points. It was a banner year for the former fifth overall pick, as he scored 20 goals despite never reaching double-digit tallies in the previous five years of his career.Rielly's season was aided by a career-best 9.0 shooting percentage, which doubled his career mark of 4.1 percent entering the campaign. He has a quick shot that he's able to get through traffic, but he doesn't possess a rocket from the point that would make this mark sustainable.Additionally, 18 of Rielly's 52 assists came with the man advantage. There's a strong chance that he'll lose power-play time to the newly acquired Tyson Barrie, specifically with the top unit. Barrie, who quarterbacked the Avalanche's seventh-ranked power play a year ago, has a right-handed bomb from the point, making him a better fit for Toronto's left-handed heavy No. 1 unit.Rielly is in the prime of his career and surrounded by high-end talent, so he's still likely to get somewhere between 50 and 60 points, but he won't have nearly the same value as a year ago.Mark Giordano, D, FlamesIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyGiordano had a season for the ages in 2018-19, tallying a career-high 74 points and winning the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman.Unfortunately, the odds of the soon-to-be 36-year-old repeating that output is highly unlikely. The Flames captain finished second in the league - only to Nikita Kucherov - with 32 secondary assists, compared to 25 primary helpers. Secondary assists are tougher to predict year-to-year and Giordano's total is primed for regression.He'll still be a reliable fantasy option who's capable of 50 points or so, but he'll be a bust relative to his likely draft position.Joe Pavelski, C/RW, StarsPavelski is another aging veteran unlikely to replicate a surprisingly productive season.The former Sharks captain racked up a team-leading 38 goals a year ago, largely due to an inflated 20.2 shooting percentage. It was the highest mark of his career, nearly doubling his 11.9 percent mark over his first 12 seasons. For perspective, Pavelski's 38 goals are the second-most he's ever scored in a season, but his 2.51 shots per game were his lowest since his rookie year.Pavelski, now 35, has switched teams for the first time in his career. The Stars are very talented, specifically on the power play, where Pavelski makes his living with deflections. But with a lot of unfamiliarity, he's more likely to settle into the 20-25 goal range, at best.Brayden Point, C, LightningKirk Irwin / Getty Images Sport / GettyPoint enjoyed a fantastic season riding shotgun with Kucherov, recording 41 goals, 51 assists, and a league-leading 20 power-play tallies.However, the Lightning and Kucherov enjoyed historically good seasons, so there's likely at least some regression on the way, including for Point.For starters, his 21.5 shooting percentage was the second-highest in the league among players with at least 20 goals. Kucherov is surely one of the best playmakers in the game, but that mark likely isn't sustainable.Point will still probably register 30-35 goals and 75-80 points, but using a first- or second-round pick on him could be a reach, especially considering the center depth in fantasy hockey.As with other unsigned restricted free agents, there's also significant risk with drafting Point until he has a contract. Even if he signs late, him skipping training camp could lead to a sluggish start.(Advanced stats courtesy: Natural Stat Trick)Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin returned to the ice shortly after an injury scare during a team scrimmage on Monday.The sniper initially went down in pain and was unable to put weight on his left leg as teammates helped him to the locker room, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.However, Ovechkin was back on the ice a short time later and appeared to be moving around just fine.

The Washington Capitals have named former defenseman Brooks Orpik to the team's player development department, the club announced on Monday.Orpik will work closely with defensive prospects in the organization, primarily with the Hershey Bears, the club's American Hockey League affiliate."As a member of our team, Brooks was a tremendous leader and a great role model for our young players," general manager Brian MacLellan said. "We are excited to be able to bring him back in this new role. We feel he will be a great resource for our hockey staff and our prospects."Orpik recorded 62 points in 332 regular-season games with the Capitals and helped the team capture its first Stanley Cup in 2017-18.The 38-year-old announced his retirement on June 25 after playing for the Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins over 15 NHL seasons.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Connor McDavid had an encouraging weekend, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to suit up for the first game of the season.The Edmonton Oilers superstar appeared content with his progress following an informal skate with some teammates Saturday as he continues to work his way back from a torn PCL suffered in Edmonton's 2018-19 season finale.McDavid told the assembled media, including Sportsnet, his knee "felt good right away" during the session and that he's still "working toward" playing Oct. 2 when his team hosts the Vancouver Canucks.The Oilers captain said he's already passed his team physical, though he hasn't yet been cleared for contact."I'm supposed to play hockey and I don't make those decisions," the 22-year-old said of his recovery timeline. "The doc will say when I'm good to go, and that's when I'll go."

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin says he's not interested in signing veteran defenseman Andrei Markov, as the club is looking to get younger.“Two years ago, his contract was due, we made an offer,” Bergevin told Marc Denis of RDS on a special edition of “Table d’hote” that aired on Saturday night. “Efforts were made to sign it and he chose another direction that was the KHL. It was two years ago.“Since that time, things have changed,” Bergevin added. “The player has aged. The organization has changed direction. We have a lot of young people growing up... We really want to give our young people a chance.”Markov spent 16 years with the Canadiens before inking a deal with Kazan Ak-Bars of the KHL prior to the 2017-18 season. Last month, the 40-year-old who's pursuing an NHL return expressed his desire to play in Montreal again.Bergevin regards defensemen Noah Juulsen, Victor Mete, Josh Brook, and Alexander Romanov as examples of young, promising prospects he's looking to develop.Markov is just 10 games shy of becoming the sixth Canadiens player to play 1,000 contests for the team. The Russian rearguard ranks sixth in both games played (990) and assists (453) in franchise history.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Every season we see a crop of talented players take their production to the next level.If you missed out on emerging playmakers like Elias Lindholm, Alex DeBrincat, or Mitch Marner last campaign, you won't want to overlook these potential breakout candidates in 2019-20.Nico Hischier, C, DevilsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAlthough Hischier was mired by injuries in 2018-19, he was on pace for a higher point total than his rookie campaign. The Swiss talent is in the final year of his entry-level contract, giving him more incentive to put together his finest season yet.Over the last 20 years, there's a steady track record of highly touted talents taking off during their third NHL season, and we expect Hischier to do the same - especially with Taylor Hall healthy.The duo of Hischier and Hall appeared in only 29 games together last season. With Hall in the lineup, Hischier mustered 0.75 points per game compared to 0.63 without him. The latter mark is still commendable for a second-year center tasked with catalyzing an offensively weak roster while also fulfilling his defensive duties.The Devils got stronger at both ends of the ice this offseason with the additions of P.K. Subban, Wayne Simmonds, Jack Hughes, and Nikita Gusev. The improved depth should give Hischier more opportunity to capitalize, particularly on the power play. Assuming he stays healthy, Hischier can certainly break the 70-point mark and muster 25-to-30 goals.Ondrej Kase, RW, DucksIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyKase has shown he's got all the tools to produce at a high level - he just needs more opportunities to contribute. With Corey Perry out of the mix, Kase is a strong option to pair alongside perennial playmaker Ryan Getzlaf on the Ducks' top line.The 5-foot-11 winger tallied 38 points in 66 games in 2017-18 and was on pace for a 54-point breakout campaign in 2018-19 before injuries derailed his season. When healthy, The 23-year-old has proven to be a consistent offensive threat, ranking second in the league in shots per 60 minutes and 13th in high-danger scoring chances (per 60) last season.Kase is extremely skilled with the puck. He's among the top players in the league in terms of zone entries and exits, and is far better in this department when compared to Perry. The talented Czech also led the league in rush attempts per 60 minutes, and if he's penciled in on the top unit, he should help Ducks sniper Rickard Rakell return to form.Philipp Grubauer, G, AvalancheMichael Martin / National Hockey League / GettyWith longtime starter Semyon Varlamov signing in Long Island this offseason, Grubauer has finally landed the No. 1 role he's earned. The German has quietly been one of the best backup goalies in the league, posting a career 2.39 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage over 138 career games.When the Avalanche leaned on him during a critical late-season stretch in 2018-19, his play never wavered. Grubauer went 9-2-2 with a .955 save percentage over his last 15 starts to help the club capture the final playoff berth in the Western Conference. He then went on to stifle the top-seeded Calgary Flames in Round 1, allowing just 10 goals in the team's five-game series victory.Grubauer will likely start 50-plus games for an Avalanche team poised to take another step, which should translate to a high number of wins. A full year of Cale Makar on the back end will help, and the acquisition of two-way center Nazem Kadri also benefits the club defensively.Andreas Johnsson, LW, Maple LeafsKevin Sousa / National Hockey League / GettyThe argument could be made Johnsson announced his arrival with a 43-point rookie season in 2018-19, but we'll consider him a breakout candidate because we believe he can take his production up another level.The 24-year-old is likely to start the season on a line with Auston Matthews and William Nylander. That trio spent limited time together last season, but when aligned, posted a Corsi-For of 57.53 and owned a 61.5 share percentage of high-danger scoring chances. With the Tavares line drawing a ton of difficult matchups, expect those three to run wild once again.Johnsson found the majority of his success (16 goals, 36 points) at even strength, which is a strong indication he doesn't need to rely on the man advantage to be effective. In fact, the electric winger ranked ninth among Leafs forwards in power-play ice time last season, and with the absence of Nazem Kadri, Patrick Marleau, and Tyler Ennis, he should become a staple on the second unit.With his incredible speed and skill, Johnsson could certainly reach the 30-goal mark and land between 55-to-60 points.Miro Heiskanen, D, StarsGlenn James / National Hockey League / GettyHeiskanen had a sensational rookie season that landed him in a unique class. Only 12 first-year defensemen have hit the 33-point mark since 2009-10, and none of them scored more goals than the smooth-skating Finn, who tallied 12 last season.What's more impressive about the then-19-year-old's early production is that he did it for an offensively thin team that finished 29th in scoring. However, the Stars bolstered their attack this offseason with the acquisitions of Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry, and expect more production out of developing talents Roope Hintz and Denis Gurianov.The rookie logged an impressive 23:07 of ice time per game last season, including 1:39 on the power play. His minutes may not increase dramatically in Year 2, but he should receive an uptick in usage and see more opportunities with the man advantage.All advanced stats courtesy of NaturalStatTrick / A3Z comparison by CJ TurtoroCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Kings have signed goaltender Jack Campbell to a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $1.65 million, the team announced Saturday.Campbell was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, and his new deal will go into effect at the start of the 2020-21 campaign.The 27-year-old appeared in 31 games for the Kings in 2018-19 and posted a record of 10-14-1 to go along with a 2.30 goals-against average, a .928 save percentage, and two shutouts.The 6-foot-2 netminder was acquired by the Kings from the Dallas Stars in June 2016 and has made 38 career appearances.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jake Gardiner was the easy scapegoat.In back-to-back first-round Game 7 losses to the Boston Bruins, the heavily scrutinized Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman didn't bring his best stuff. Could he have played better? Absolutely. Was he the primary reason for his club's early playoff exits? Absolutely not.After Gardiner signed a four-year, $16.2-million deal with the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday, most Toronto fans will simply say "good riddance," with Game 7 turnovers imprinted in their minds as they reflect on his tenure in blue and white. In reality, though, he was one of the most underappreciated Leafs players in recent memory and the franchise's second-best defenseman of his generation behind Morgan Rielly.Looking strictly at the salary-cap era, one could argue Tomas Kaberle and Bryan McCabe were better, but both made a significant portion of their contributions before the 2005 lockout. Dion Phaneuf is probably the only other modern Leafs blue-liner who gives Gardiner a run for his money.Gardiner was an easy target. Toronto's fan base, for the most part, has always adored the underdog. The player who brings grit, toughness, tenacity, and a chip on his shoulder. Players like Darcy Tucker. Gardiner, at least visibly, didn't offer any of those traits.The areas in which Gardiner excels aren't as obvious to the casual fan. He's one of the NHL's best puck-movers and transition defensemen. He makes an excellent first pass and, when necessary, can skate his way out of trouble with some of the most unique edge work in the league.Your browser does not support the video tag. Courtesy: CBCGardiner is mistake-prone, though, and his mistakes are glaring. Although his net impact in Toronto was far more positive than negative, most Leafs fans couldn't look past his blunders. The home crowd at Scotiabank Arena even booed him whenever he touched the puck during a regular-season game against the Colorado Avalanche in January.Over the last three seasons, the Leafs controlled 53.3% of the scoring chances, 54.2% of the high-danger scoring chances, and 58.5% of the goals scored with Gardiner on the ice at five-on-five. Those are elite numbers, and they're even more impressive when one considers the fact he had to drag Nikita Zaitsev around for the bulk of those three campaigns.Here's a look at how Gardiner and Zaitsev performed with and without each other over that span:SituationCF%xGF%GF%SCF%HDCF%Together49.250.551.652.154.9Zaitsev w/o Gardiner48.84844.850.748.5Gardiner w/o Zaitsev52.452.264.554.354.2CF% = Corsi for (shot attempt) percentage

Auston Matthews isn't impressed with recent talk that he'll leave the Toronto Maple Leafs for an American market once his current deal expires.Last week, former NHL executive Brian Burke joined Sportsnet 590 The FAN and expressed his confidence that Matthews will head south after his contract runs out, citing the tax differences between Canada and the Untied States."We haven't even started my first year (on the new contract) and then this?" Matthews said on Friday, according to NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger. "I think it's just August, there was nothing going on, why not just spark up a controversy. How better to do that than to talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs."Matthews signed a five-year, $56.17-million pact with the Maple Leafs in February. He would have been a restricted free agent this offseasonThe San Ramon, California native grew up in the Phoenix area, and in an interview with The Athletic's Craig Morgan, Matthews said he wants the Arizona Coyotes to be successful, prompting pundits and fans to ponder his long-term intentions."It's a little bit disappointing because it's so far away and there is other stuff that could be talked about rather than that," Matthews said. "Obviously you can talk about what you want to talk about. Obviously it creates controversy and will get you a lot of clicks. But it's not really something that bothers me or that I look at because I'm just looking at today and this season and doing the best I can."Since Toronto drafted him first overall in 2016, Matthews has thrived while leading the Maple Leafs in goals (111) and points per game (0.97)."I love playing in Toronto," he said. "It's unbelievable. It's the best city to play in in the NHL. Our fans are amazing. The history of the organization is incredible. The spotlight and all of that is something that kind of comes with it and it's something I've learned to embrace and kind of gone with."The Maple Leafs host the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 2 to kick off their 2019-20 campaign.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara isn't certain he'll be in the lineup for the team's first regular-season game on Oct. 3."I'm not sure," Chara said, according to The Boston Globe's Matt Porter. "I think I should be, but it's a process of making sure there are no setbacks or any discomfort."The 42-year-old suffered a broken jaw when he took a deflected puck to the face during Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the St. Louis Blues. Chara had plates and screws inserted in his mouth but, incredibly, didn't miss a game. He also had surgery after the playoffs to remove loose bodies in his elbow.Chara said his offseason training was postponed by "six, seven weeks, with all the surgeries I had and all the rehab I had to go through.""I'm still recovering, still working at being full strength," he said.The towering defenseman is entering his 22nd NHL season and 14th with the Bruins. He contributed five goals and 14 points in 62 contests in 2018-19.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Much of the attention in NHL fantasy drafts is directed at the opening rounds, and rightfully so - you can't win your league without some serious star power. But, as is the case in real life, depth pieces can prove key in winning championships. Here are five players to target late in your draft that could help your team become a powerhouse.Andrei Svechnikov, LW/RW, HurricanesIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAfter being drafted second overall by the Hurricanes in 2018, Svechnikov quietly went about his business in his rookie campaign, potting 20 goals and 17 assists in 82 games. That stat line isn't eye-popping, but when you consider he's only the seventh 18-year-old to hit the 20-goal mark in a single season during the salary-cap era, you can infer that a serious breakout might be coming.Svechnikov should be in line for a larger role in Carolina's offense this season, and if the Russian suits up alongside Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen, his numbers could skyrocket. Factor in some extra power-play time - all 20 of Svechnikov's goals last season came at even strength - and you have a high-quality sleeper candidate.Elsewhere, Svechnikov posted 189 shots on goal last season despite averaging less than 15 minutes per night, and he added 123 hits to further boost his value.Josh Morrissey, D, JetsChristian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / GettyYour championship roster also needs good finds on the blue line in order to succeed, and Morrissey is a solid option.Morrissey's point totals have increased in each of his three seasons in the NHL, and he posted a career-high 31 in only 59 games in 2018-19. If the Jets defenseman is healthy, that number should rise again this year, since he should receive top-pairing minutes at even strength and projects to take over power-play time from the departed Jacob Trouba.If you're in a banger league, Morrissey's peripheral stats offer solid value as well. The 24-year-old should easily crack 100-plus hits and blocks.Nikita Gusev, LW, DevilsJOE KLAMAR / AFP / GettyThe hockey world is eager to see what Gusev can bring to the NHL, but the mass uncertainty may push him far down some draft boards, providing a perfect opportunity to strike on a player ripe with upside.Gusev, 27, has been playing against professionals in the KHL for years now, and his stats in his native Russia are impressive. Last season with SKA St. Petersburg, he posted 82 points (17 goals, 65 assists) in 62 games. He's lit it up internationally as well, registering 16 points in 10 games at the World Championship in May and a tournament-leading 12 points in six games at the 2018 Olympics.His tantalizing skill set could be deployed on a New Jersey power-play unit that also features Taylor Hall, Jack Hughes, and P.K. Subban. If other members of your league are skeptical of this guy in later rounds, pounce.Anthony Mantha, LW/RW, Red WingsDave Reginek / National Hockey League / GettyMantha is coming off a career-high 25-goal season with Detroit despite being limited to 67 games, showing the high-end promise the Red Wings hoped for when they drafted him 20th overall in 2013.The soon-to-be 25-year-old primarily spent his time flanking Dylan Larkin in 2018-19, and they put up solid results - a trend that should continue for another year as the Wings' two core pieces keep developing as pros.Mantha shot the puck more than ever last season, too, but still maintained his career-average shooting percentage of 12.6%, indicating he's a candidate to produce consistently rather than a flash in the pan. He also netted seven goals in nine contests for Canada at the World Championship if you needed any more convincing that this is a player quietly trending toward becoming a premier NHL goal-scorer.Kevin Labanc, LW/RW, SharksBrandon Magnus / National Hockey League / GettyLabanc broke out for the Sharks with 56 points last season, and the 23-year-old is in an excellent position to improve his production again in 2019-20.San Jose lost captain Joe Pavelski in free agency, which opens a hole for Labanc in the Sharks' top six and power play. He ranked eighth on the team in ice time among forwards last season and still tied Evander Kane for sixth among all San Jose players in points.Labanc also has extra incentive to produce after he raised eyebrows by signing a one-year, $1-million contract to prove himself worthy of a larger payday down the road. The Sharks winger may be getting paid later, but for your fantasy team, he's money in the bank right now.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes signed defenseman Jake Gardiner to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $4.05 million, the team announced Friday.Gardiner, formerly of the Toronto Maple Leafs, was arguably the top player available at his position this summer.The $4.05-million cap hit is the same amount Gardiner received in each of the last five seasons with Toronto. He'll join a Hurricanes team that already boasts a loaded defensive corps featuring the likes of Jaccob Slavin, Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, and Justin Faulk.However, Carolina may need to move a player out to become cap compliant. With Gardiner entering the fold, the Hurricanes have a projected cap hit of just over $83 million, according to Cap Friendly.Gardiner had spent his entire eight-year career with the Maple Leafs after being selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the 2008 draft. The 29-year-old missed 20 games due to a back injury last season but registered 30 points while logging over 21 minutes per contest.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks made a notable addition to their front office Friday, hiring former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti as a professional scout.His primary focus will be scouting the American Hockey League, the NHL's top developmental league.Colletti served as Dodgers GM from 2006-14. Prior to his hiring, the Dodgers were in a nine-year slump during which they made one playoff appearance. The club reached the postseason five times over Colletti's nine-year tenure and posted a 783-674 record (.537 win percentage) with only one losing season (2010).Following the 2014 campaign, Colletti was replaced by Farhan Zaidi as new president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman shook up the front office. Zaidi has since moved on to become president of baseball ops for the San Francisco Giants, while Friedman has assumed the GM role."Ned has an extensive background working in professional sports and talent evaluation and he will bring a fresh perspective to our organization's evaluation process," Sharks GM Doug Wilson said in a press release. "This was a unique opportunity to add someone of Ned's experience to our staff."According to the release, Colletti "religiously attended" Blackhawks games while he grew up in Chicago.After he moved out of his GM role with the Dodgers, Spectrum SportsNet LA hired Colletti as a baseball analyst.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Edmonton Oilers veteran forward Kyle Brodziak is expected to spend the upcoming season on long-term injured reserve due to back issues, according to Sportsnet's Mark Spector.Brodziak was signed to play out the second campaign of a two-year contract in 2019-20. His $1.15-million cap hit being moved to LTIR would give the Oilers about $2.6 million in available space to operate with, according to Cap Friendly.The club signed center Riley Sheahan to a one-year deal reportedly worth $900,000 on Thursday.Brodziak, 35, suited up in 70 games for the Oilers last season and registered nine points.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Longtime Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs has given control of the team to his six children, he told Kevin Dupont of The Boston Globe."I have given it to my kids," Jacob said. "They are paying me some of the proceeds that come out of this. It happened this year. This was done on the basis that the longevity is going to continue in the hands of the Jacobs children, and the next generation will have it."Jacobs has owned the team for 44 years, purchasing the Original Six franchise in 1975 for roughly $10 million. The Bruins were estimated to be worth $925 million in 2018, according to Forbes.The 80-year-old owns and operates Delaware North, a hospitality and food service company which was founded by his father and uncles.Jacobs was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builders' category in 2017 and saw his Bruins win their lone Stanley Cup of his tenure in 2011.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

CHICAGO - P.K. Subban remembers picking up the phone in early 2013 and the voice on the other line insisting that betting on himself was the smart play."P.K., listen, you're young still. You've got lots of time. If you're ready to go play, go play," his mom said over the phone. So Subban, then a 23-year-old restricted free agent coming out of the lockout, did just that. After a brief holdout, he signed a two-year, $5.75-million bridge deal with the Canadiens."And I went and I played and I won the Norris Trophy," Subban said Thursday. He subsequently signed an eight-year, $72-million extension with Montreal. Mom, as is often the case, was right.John Russell / Getty ImagesSubban offered this anecdote as he met with reporters at the NHL/NHLPA preseason media tour. Everybody in the hockey world is talking about the negotiations that are still ongoing between NHL teams and more than 30 restricted free agents, despite the fact that training camps open next week.It's Sept. 6 and, at the head of the class, Mitch Marner, Brayden Point, Mikko Rantanen, Matthew Tkachuk, Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, Brock Boeser, Zach Werenski, Charlie McAvoy, and Ivan Provorov are all unsigned. The so-called first domino, which is believed to be Marner, has yet to fall, and there's no guarantee he'll re-sign before the season starts in October.What's the next move in this league-wide game of chicken, which was never expected to drag on through the summer? Will players adopt Subban’s approach and get something done so they can compete again, or will they dig in their heels and continue to negotiate for something closer to their preferred money and/or term? What would a protracted RFA impasse do for the game of hockey?"You want to see the best at camp. I don't know if they're going to sign before camp, or during camp, or during the season," Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier said."You want to see ex-teammates and buddies get as much as they can - what they're worth," continued Couturier, whose six-year, $26-million deal signed in 2015 looks like a bargain nowadays. "I don't know if it's good or bad, but there seems to be kind of a switch in the way the contracts are going these days. A few years ago, there were a bunch of bridge deals. It was almost automatic you signed a bridge deal. And now tendencies are switching towards more long term (second contracts)."Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug reluctantly inked back-to-back one-year deals earlier in his career. He knows the standoff is just business; a general manager simply might not have the cap flexibility to break the bank. But he also acknowledges the potential damage some teams may face in October if their star - or stars, in Winnipeg's case - aren't signed."I've been through it personally. I missed the first few weeks of camp (in 2014), and once you show up, the contract (drama) is over with and you just start playing," Krug said."(There's) more uncertainty in how each individual guy deals with that. Are they still training? Are they still sitting there pouting, wondering, 'When am I going to sign? When do I actually have to get serious and ramp things up?' So, it's a different circumstance for all players. It can definitely serve as a distraction if it's a guy you know plays a lot of minutes, or scores a lot of goals or points for your team."Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesBo Horvat, meanwhile, is diplomatic while his teammate Boeser and the Vancouver Canucks work toward a second contract. "It is a different market than it was even a couple of years ago, just with how good these guys are and the money being thrown around," Horvat said. "They're doing what they think is in their best interest, and I'll have to leave that one up to the agents."Last season, Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander had a long RFA holdout before signing. Both the team and the player solved a long-term problem but experienced short-term pain. The Leafs played a third of the season without the young winger, and when he came back, he only supplied a combined 30 points in 61 regular-season and playoff games. Toronto failed to advance past the first round of the postseason, and now there's extra pressure on him to prove his worth in 2019-20.The current flock of unsigned RFAs doesn't have arbitration rights, so sitting out like Nylander is the players' main source of leverage. The threat of an offer sheet from another team diminishes once the season starts, with so much salary already accounted for and attention focused on the games at hand.But could we see a team throw down an offer sheet this fall, as Montreal GM Marc Bergevin did with Carolina Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho in July? Subban, who will unleash his play and his personality with the Devils this season, wouldn't mind such a development."The cream always rises to the top. The good players are always going to get paid, and I think that all those guys are great players," he said. "I'm not sitting in their shoes, I can't tell them what to do, but I can tell you one thing: 31 teams would take any one of those RFAs. Take any one of them! Any one of them want to come play in Jersey?"John Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Joe Thornton has signed a one-year deal to remain with the San Jose Sharks for the 2019-20 season, the team announced Friday.Terms of the contract weren't officially disclosed, but Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports it's worth $2 million."Words cannot equate the impact that Joe has had on this franchise since his arrival in San Jose in 2005," general manager Doug Wilson said in the team's announcement. "Joe is a generational player who seemingly blazes past an existing Hall of Famer with each game he plays. His leadership and dedication to the organization and his teammates is inspiring. He has the rare ability to make the players around him better and we're excited to see him healthy and back wearing the Sharks crest."Thornton was an unrestricted free agent this summer. His one-year deal is the third in a row he's signed, with each coming cheaper than the last. His contract in 2017-18 was worth $8 million, and he earned $5 million last season.At 40 years old, Thornton's future following San Jose's elimination in May's Western Conference Final was unclear, but he assured if he came back for a 22nd season, it would only be for the Sharks.Thornton battled some injuries last season but still produced 51 points in 73 games before adding 10 more in 19 playoff contests.With each point, Thornton continues to climb the all-time ranks. He currently sits 14th in league history with 1,478 career points and is well within range of hitting the illustrious 1,500-point plateau. He's also eighth all time in assists with 1,065, passing the likes of Mario Lemieux, Gordie Howe, and Steve Yzerman this past season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews doesn't want to see restricted free agent Mitch Marner's contract dispute go the same route that William Nylander's did last season."Willie, he didn't enjoy those three months not being with the team, not playing," Matthews told NHL.com for the Player Media Tour in Chicago. "Obviously jumping back in midseason, you haven't played a game in six or seven months, it's tough mentally and physically. I don't think anybody really wants this to drag out."Obviously, we'd love to see him (sign) as soon as possible. He's a big part of our team, so obviously when the season starts, you want to see him out there with everybody."Nylander didn't sign his deal until minutes before the deadline on Dec.1. He struggled to find his game when he returned and said after the season that he regretted missing time.Marner is a long way from reaching the point Nylander did, but Toronto's training camp opens next week and the club's leading scorer said he "probably" won't attend without a new contract.Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas said earlier this week that the two sides have continued to discuss the contract and he's hopeful Marner will be signed when the team convenes in St. John's, Newfoundland on Sept. 13.Toronto is currently projected to have a cap hit of more than $700,00 over the NHL's $81.5-million salary cap limit, but it can build an offseason roster as rich as $92.05 million before placing David Clarkson and Nathan Horton on long-term injured reserve to drop back within the limit, according to Cap Friendly. The Maple Leafs can also shed some additional money by optioning players to the minors.Marner is coming off the best season of his three-year career, as he posted 94 points in 82 games in 2018-19.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This past offseason saw plenty of players undergo a change of scenery. While a new team can often mean a fresh start, here are three faces in new places to stay away from this fantasy hockey campaign.Corey Perry, RW, StarsSean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / GettyPerry won't be pulling on an Anaheim Ducks sweater for the first time in his 14-year career. The 34-year-old signed a one-year deal in Dallas following his buyout from the team where he won a Stanley Cup, a Rocket Richard, and an MVP.The veteran winger has been handed a new opportunity with the Stars but he likely won't come close to being the player he was in the past. He'll probably be buried on Dallas' second or third line and could be limited to second-unit power-play duties due to the club's bevy of options.Injuries have derailed Perry's production over the last few years, so the bar for him to have a decent bounce-back campaign is pretty low. However, he's worth nothing more than a waiver pickup this fantasy season.Micheal Ferland, LW/RW, CanucksIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyFerland inked a lucrative four-year contract with the Canucks this offseason after posting 40 points in 71 games in Carolina last season. He has all the tools to be an effective player in Vancouver's lineup on the ice but he has a lot of red flags fantasy-wise.First and foremost, Ferland's health is a major issue. He spoke last season about his concerns for his well-being after suffering the second concussion of his career.Second, the 27-year-old doesn't register a ton of shots and is unlikely to earn big power-play minutes on a Canucks team laden with young talent.Ferland has spent plenty of time alongside superstars in both Carolina and Calgary. If he gets a look alongside Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser on Vancouver's top line, Ferland could have some value as a streaming option. Otherwise, there's too much risk involved.Robin Lehner, G, BlackhawksIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyLehner was a steal in fantasy leagues last year, as the 28-year-old posted a career-high .930 save percentage across 46 games with the Islanders en route to being an out-of-nowhere Vezina Trophy finalist.For whatever reason, the Isles couldn't come to terms with Lehner on a new deal, and now he'll share a crease with longtime starter Corey Crawford after winding up in Chicago.Crawford's missed a ton of time in recent seasons due to injuries, so Lehner may have an opportunity to emerge as the Blackhawks' No. 1. However, he still needs to prove last season wasn't a flash in the pan. He may be in tough to do so, as he goes from the defensive-minded Isles, who allowed the 11th-fewest shots per game last season (30.9), to a Blackhawks squad that gave up 34.8 per contest - the second-highest number in the league.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vladimir Tarasenko says he's healthy.The St. Louis Blues sniper allayed any fears about his status for training camp after suffering a pair of injuries en route to winning the Stanley Cup in June."Now everything feels fine," he told NHL.com's Tom Gulitti on Thursday. "I'm still recovering, but I feel strong, I feel good and ready to go."Tarasenko revealed he sustained a dislocated shoulder early in the Cup Final against the Boston Bruins but continued playing."My shoulder popped out in Game 2 in the second period," he said. "They put it back in, and I was able to finish the game."Tarasenko had surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder last offseason but didn't require a procedure this summer.He also had a knee scope performed following the championship victory in June.Despite the two injuries, the 27-year-old winger didn't miss a playoff game in 2019.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL's marketing department is certainly thinking differently, and that may not be a good thing.A tweet shared by the league's primary account Thursday which clearly referenced Apple's 1997 "Think Different" ad campaign was met with confusion and scorn by Twitter users.

The Edmonton Oilers added some center depth by landing veteran pivot Riley Sheahan on a one-year contract, the team announced Thursday.The deal is worth $900,000, Sportsnet's Mark Spector reports.Sheahan split last season between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers, collecting 19 points in 82 games while being deployed primarily on the fourth line.The 27-year-old has totaled 149 points in 447 career NHL games. He was a first-round pick in 2010 by the Detroit Red Wings, who were run by current Oilers GM Ken Holland at the time.Sheahan is expected to compete with Colby Cave and Kyle Brodziak, who's currently dealing with a back ailment, for Edmonton's fourth-line center job.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL has dropped Jogmo World Corp. as its primary technology partner in player and puck tracking."We're in the process of making a switch," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told ESPN's Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski on Thursday. "Jogmo had some organizational and financial challenges which we were concerned about at the offset, but actually came to fruition. We have a new partner who can do it and we're very confident that that hasn't slowed us down."A technology company named SMT is the league's new partner, a source told ESPN.Bettman said the change in partnership won't affect the league's plans to get player and puck tracking ready for the 2019-20 playoffs. However, a complete unveiling won't happen until 2021, executive vice president and chief revenue officer for the NHL Keith Wachtel told ESPN.When the league announced its initial partnership with Jogmo in January, they had planned to have tracking implemented for the 2019-20 season."We believe we'll be up and running for the playoffs. Maybe we could be up and running sooner, but we want to set expectations because it's complicated - obviously it's taken a long time. Getting it set up in 31 buildings, none of which are identical, and it has to work perfectly. And it has to work perfectly at the same time," Bettman said."My belief is, based off everything I'm being told, is that we'll be up and running for the playoffs. That doesn't mean we won't use it, for example at the All-Star Game, but it's the scalability and fine-tuning of it, to make sure it does what it's supposed to do."Player and puck tracking would allow the league to more accurately collect player data, stats, and analytics. The tracking data would also provide fans with more information on the game for pleasure, education, and betting reasons.The NHL has exclusivity deals with MGM Grand, Fan Duel, and William Hill in anticipation of player tracking. Further delays could affect such deals.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bo Horvat says he's cut out to be captain of the Vancouver Canucks - if they call his number."Yeah I think so," Horvat told NHL.com from the Player Media Tour in Chicago on Thursday. "First of all, it would be an unbelievable honor to wear the 'C' and to wear any letter, for that matter. But to even be in consideration is definitely humbling. But it wouldn't change who I am."He added: "It wouldn't change the type of player I want to be. I wouldn't let it affect me that me. I'd just try to be the best leader I can be."The Canucks didn't have a captain last season, electing against naming a new leader after the retirement of Henrik (and Daniel) Sedin. Horvat was an alternate captain along with Alexander Edler, Brandon Sutter, and Chris Tanev.The 24-year-old Horvat was drafted ninth overall by the Canucks in 2013. He's coming off the best season of his career, which saw him notch 61 points in 82 games and average nearly 21 minutes of ice time per contest.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Phil Kessel's suburban Pittsburgh home hit the real estate market this summer following his trade to the Arizona Coyotes, and it quickly went viral thanks to a photo of its single-seat theater room.

The Boston Bruins and defenseman Torey Krug, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason, haven't begun talks on a potential contract extension, the blue-liner told Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press.Krug became eligible to ink an extension on July 1, but the Bruins need to address the contracts of fellow defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo. Both youngsters are currently restricted free agents and training camp is set to open next week.The lack of extension negotiations doesn't mean Krug and the Bruins won't eventually find common ground. In July, general manager Don Sweeney said it would take a "unique opportunity" to trade away the defender, who's developed into a core piece for the team.Additionally, following a loss in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, Krug said he wants to stay in Boston forever.Krug will have a $5.25-million cap hit in 2019-20, the final season of a four-year deal signed in 2016. He should be in line for a considerable raise whenever he puts pen to paper, as he ranks fifth among all defensemen with 163 points in 221 games since inking the contract.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks added Kendall Coyne Schofield to their broadcast team for the 2019-20 season, the team announced Thursday.

It doesn't appear as though Andrei Svechnikov has any interest in dropping the mitts with Alex Ovechkin again.The Carolina Hurricanes youngster, who's taken boxing lessons for the past few years, was asked who the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world is. Rather than choosing a professional fighter, he quickly went with Ovechkin, according to ABC 11's Mark Armstrong.Svechnikov knows better than anyone not to trifle with the Washington Captials legend, as the two fought in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series in April. It didn't go well for the rookie.

The 2019-20 fantasy hockey season is fast approaching, and after a summer filled with roster moves throughout the NHL, it's important to keep tabs on all the new faces in new places as you gear up for your draft.With that in mind, here are four players set to excel on their new teams.P.K. Subban, D, DevilsJohn Russell / National Hockey League / GettyOne of the more offensive-minded blue-liners in the league should be able to flex those tendencies even more with the burgeoning New Jersey Devils. Subban battled injuries during 2018-19 and finished with his lowest points per game total since 2011-12, a mark he'll surely be hungry to redeem.The Devils' 21st-ranked power play last season wasn't disastrous for an offensively thin team already without its best player, Taylor Hall, for the majority of the season. In 2019-20, Subban will likely quarterback a man advantage that will feature a combination of talented options, including Hall, Jack Hughes, Wayne Simmonds, Nico Hischier, Kyle Palmieri, and Nikita Gusev.Subban's always been confident with the puck on his stick, and his ability to move it efficiently is something the Devils' blue line has lacked. The 6-foot rearguard is in the 95th percentile among defensemen in possession zone exits per 60 minutes over the last three campaigns. Combined with the Devils' added speed and skill at forward and a healthy Hall, Subban's ability should help the team's attack off the rush.Alex Galchenyuk, C/LW, PenguinsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyGalchenyuk recorded his poorest statistical output last season since his sophomore campaign. However, he still amassed 19 goals and 41 points for the Arizona Coyotes while playing predominantly with up-and-comer Clayton Keller and rookie winger Conor Garland.A fresh start with the Pittsburgh Penguins offers the former third overall pick a new world of opportunity.Nick Bjugstad will likely occupy the third-line center role, which means Galchenyuk should find himself alongside either Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby, two premier-level talents that the 25-year-old has never had the privilege of playing with. Galchenyuk - who's totaled nine power-play goals in three of the last four seasons - should also have an opportunity to play a valuable role on the Penguins' man advantage.He may not have the ability to drive a line on his own, but when aligned with talented running mates, Galchenyuk possesses the raw talent to be very effective.Kevin Shattenkirk, D, LightningJared Silber / National Hockey League / GettyShattenkirk was on pace for 41 points in his first campaign with the New York Rangers in 2017-18 before sustaining a season-ending injury in January. The 31-year-old struggled to reinsert himself as a top-pair option the following season, but he also wasn't put in a great position to do so.In 2018-19, he was most frequently paired with Frederick Claeson, who's at best a bottom-pair rearguard in the NHL. On the Tampa Bay Lightning, Shattenkirk is one of two regular right-shot options on the blue line, and thus could find himself playing alongside Victor Hedman. Veteran Ryan McDonagh, who's still a far stronger overall player than Claeson, could also be a potential partner.Shattenkirk will also get the opportunity to do some damage on the power play. The 6-foot defenseman possesses a heavy shot and ranks fifth in power-play points and seventh in goals at his position since 2011-12.The veteran also brings the banger stats. Shattenkirk ranked third on the Rangers last season in blocked shots and hovers right around one hit per game for his career. If you're concerned about plus/minus, no Lightning defenseman finished as a minus last season, and none of their top-four blue-liners finished lower than a plus-12.James Neal, LW/RW, OilersIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettySometimes NHL fans and pundits can have an extremely short memory. Neal's been written off by many after a forgettable 2018-19 season with the Calgary Flames, but the 31-year-old hit the 20-goal mark in each of his previous 10 NHL campaigns.Last season, Neal recorded the fourth-worst shooting percentage among forwards with a minimum of 100 shots on goal with a mark of 5% - less than half his career average of 11.6%. The Ontario native also logged the least amount of average ice time of his career and was limited in power-play opportunities.The Edmonton Oilers offer Neal a chance at redemption. He'll likely find himself in the team's top-six forward group to start the year and should get a chance to prove himself as a scoring threat playing alongside the world's top talent in Connor McDavid or, at worst, a 69-point man in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.Neal spent most of the 2018-19 season on the Flames' third line paired predominantly with center Mark Jankowski, whose below-average career assist rate of 0.79 per 60 minutes pales in comparison to McDavid's ridiculous mark of 2.37.Advanced stats courtesy of NaturalStatTrick, A3Z tool by CJ TorturoCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Donald Fehr says it's essentially status quo after the NHLPA met Wednesday night in Chicago, and the notion of postponing the union's opt-out deadline hasn't been broached, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.The NHLPA's executive director said no decisions were made or were scheduled to be made at the meeting of the group's executive board, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.However, Fehr added it was a good conversation and more CBA discussions with the NHL would be upcoming, according to LeBrun.He added that the two sides are scheduled to resume talks Friday in New York.Fehr said the players haven't decided whether to opt out of the current CBA and that Sept. 15 is a "soft deadline," according to Postmedia's Michael Traikos.The NHLPA has until that date to reopen the CBA if it desires. Last week, when the NHL declined to exercise its own right to do so, it was reported that there was a possibility the Sept. 15 deadline could be moved if momentum continued in discussions between the league and the union.Approximately 50 people - including the executive board and several other players - attended the meeting, according to The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It doesn't appear Patrick Marleau will return to the San Jose Sharks after all.Marleau's agent, Pat Brisson, told Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on Wednesday that the fit is not there between the player and team. However, he said Marleau still wants to play and will pursue other opportunities around the league.Marleau was informed of San Jose's decision in July, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun. The Sharks have a huge amount of respect for Marleau but want to give younger players a chance to play.The Toronto Maple Leafs traded Marleau this summer to the Carolina Hurricanes, who proceeded to buy him out. Marleau waived his no-trade clause to allow the move with the expressed intent on returning home to the west coast.Marleau, 39, hasn't missed a game since the 2008-09 campaign, but he tallied just 16 goals with the Leafs last season, which was his lowest total since his rookie year in 1997-98.The Sharks have $4.68 million in projected cap space, according to CapFriendly. They're still expected to bring back Joe Thornton, who remains a UFA.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pierre McGuire appears to be getting a demotion.The longtime hockey analyst has been removed from NBC Sports' No. 1 hockey broadcast crew and will be replaced by Brian Boucher, a source told The Athletic's Rick Carpiniello.McGuire will still work NHL games for NBC but Boucher will be on the top team with Mike "Doc" Emrick and Ed Olczyk, adds Carpiniello."Identical to last year, we will begin the season with Doc, Eddie, and Brian working the early Wednesday Night hockey game, with Pierre anchoring the late game of the doubleheader," NBC Sports said in a statement to Sports Business Journal's John Ourand.The 58-year-old joined the network when it acquired the league's U.S. broadcast rights in 2006. He has been working full-time for NBC since 2011.McGuire drew criticism and was essentially forced to apologize for a series of awkward on-air exchanges with fellow analyst Kendall Coyne Schofield in January.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Winnipeg Jets and defenseman Josh Morrissey have begun negotiating a long-term contract extension, he told The Athletic's Ken Wiebe."We chatted a little bit throughout the last couple weeks and throughout the summer," he said. "It's just kind of the process of how it goes. You've been through contract negotiations, so you know how it works."Morrissey is entering the final season of a two-year, $6.3-million bridge deal he signed last September. The 24-year-old was limited to just 59 games in 2018-19 due to injury but still managed to post a career-high 31 points while averaging 22:24 minutes per night.He's adamant about being with the team for years to come."I've always maintained I want to be a Jet and I want to play here in Winnipeg," Morrissey said. "I would love to get something done. As a player, you want to go through the process and handle it the right way. I would love to play here throughout my career. We’ll see what happens."With Jacob Trouba's departure and Dustin Byfuglien now in his mid-30s, Morrissey is expected to take on a greater role on the Jets' blue line this season.While locking in Morrissey would certainly be a boon for the Jets, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has more immediate business to take care of. Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor are both restricted free agents, and the Jets have a projected $16.15 million in remaining cap space to sign the duo, according to CapFriendly.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames signed forwards Devante Smith-Pelly, Tobias Rieder, Zac Rinaldo, and Alexandre Grenier to professional tryouts, the team announced Wednesday.Smith-Pelly suited up in 54 games for the Washington Capitals last season, tallying eight points and 78 hits while playing a fourth-line role. He was a playoff hero for the Caps in 2018 when he scored seven goals - including the game-tying tally in the Cup-clinching Game 5.Rieder averaged 14 goals per season through his first four NHL campaigns but failed to find twine in 67 games with the Edmonton Oilers last season. Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson was critical of Rieder's play and said the team would "probably be in the playoffs" had the forward scored double-digit goals in 2018-19.Rinaldo is one of the few remaining enforcers in the NHL. The 29-year-old has three seasons of at least 100 penalty minutes, and racked up three points, 20 PIMs, and 47 hits in 23 contests with the Nashville Predators last season.Grenier has just nine games of NHL experience under his belt - all with the Vancouver Canucks in 2015-16 and 2016-17. He spent the entirety of the 2018-19 campaign with the AHL's Laval Rocket, registering 27 points in 68 games.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Kings have signed forward Adrian Kempe to a three-year contract with an average annual value of $2 million, the team announced Wednesday.Kempe's entry-level contract expired at the end of the 2018-19 season, and he was a restricted free agent before signing his new deal. The 22-year-old was a first-round pick by Los Angeles in 2014.After posting a promising 37 points in 81 games two campaigns ago, Kempe scored just 12 goals to go along with 16 assists last year while averaging 14:30 of ice time in the same number of contests.Kempe's new contract leaves the Kings with a projected $6.7 million in available cap space with no other players to deal with, according to Cap Friendly.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.