Winnipeg Jets forward Brendan Lemieux will have a hearing for an illegal check to the head on Florida Panthers forward Vincent Trocheck, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Saturday.The incident occurred during the second period of Friday's game as part of the NHL Global Series in Finland, and saw Lemieux receive a match penalty on the play.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin was forced from Saturday's game against the Ottawa Senators with an undisclosed injury, the team confirmed.The 18-year-old blocked a shot in the second period and did not return for the third, according to Sportsnet's John Shannon.The injury is not believed to be serious and head coach Phil Housley noted postgame that Dahlin will travel with the team to New York for its game against the Rangers on Sunday, but there has been no diagnosis yet, according to Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News.Dahlin, the first overall pick in June's draft, picked up an assist Saturday before exiting, giving him five points in 14 games this season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Good luck stopping Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog, especially when they're all on the ice with the man advantage.Late in Friday's game against the Vancouver Canucks, the Colorado Avalanche's red-hot trio connected on the power play, pulling off a flawless passing sequence to take a 6-5 lead with under two minutes to go in regulation.Let's take a closer look at how they did it.We pick things up with Rantanen (No. 96) controlling the puck as Colorado sets up with about 20 seconds left in the penalty to Canucks center Bo Horvat.Rantanen evaluates his options with Landeskog planted down low, Matt Calvert in the slot, Tyson Barrie at the blue line, and with the path to MacKinnon obstructed by two Canucks penalty killers.Rantanen elects to move into the faceoff circle, drawing in multiple Vancouver defenders in the process. Ben Hutton takes him on directly.Hutton appears to be playing Rantanen well, but the Avalanche winger feathers a beautiful pass between the blade of Hutton's stick and the Canucks rearguard's skates, and the puck goes by him on the way to Landeskog.Landeskog stops the puck on his stick for a split-second while sitting on the doorstep and quickly recognizes both that he can't safely get it to Calvert and that MacKinnon is lurking unattended in the other circle.Landeskog quickly slings it in MacKinnon's direction.MacKinnon goes down on one knee and rips a one-timer, to which Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom barely has time to react.It's a perfectly placed shot, and it beats Markstrom short side.The whole sequence was textbook power-play strategy and execution, carried out about as well as possible.The awareness and passing ability shown by both Rantanen and Landeskog, plus the finish by MacKinnon, made it a shining example of how and why they've been so dominant this season.Colorado ultimately gave up the tying goal with 36 seconds left and then lost the game in overtime, but MacKinnon's second marker of the night served as an immaculate illustration of the chemistry the trio has developed.(Images courtesy: NHL.com)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Montreal Canadiens forward Paul Byron missed Thursday's contest against the Washington Capitals due to a lower-body injury. On Saturday, coach Claude Julien announced the ailment will keep him sidelined for at least the next three games.Byron will not suit up Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, nor will he make next week's trip to New York to take on the Islanders and Rangers.An extended absence could be a key loss for Montreal, as Byron is tied for fifth in team scoring with seven points in 11 games.Byron is in his fourth season with the Canadiens. He inked a four-year, $13.6-million extension during training camp.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's always next year for Sebastian Aho.After picking up at least one assist through the season's first 12 games - a feat that matched NHL legend Wayne Gretzky for most all time - the Carolina Hurricanes forward failed to add another helper in Friday's overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes.Aho was held scoreless on the night, and while he won't take sole possession of top spot in NHL history, his showing through the first dozen contests was, naturally, good enough to set a Hurricanes record.The Finnish forward has registered 17 points across 13 contests this season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Elias Pettersson may be the most electrifying player Vancouver Canucks fans have seen since Pavel Bure.The rookie racked up five points in Friday night's 7-6 overtime victory against the Colorado Avalanche, raising fans to their feet every time he touched the puck. In fact, he became the youngest player in franchise history to reach the five-point mark in one game, according to Sportsnet.He scored the game-tying goal, and assisted on Derrick Pouliot's OT winner, but his best work of the night may have come on this sensational bank pass to Brock Boeser in the second period.

The New Jersey Devils' 2015 sixth overall pick, Pavel Zacha, was assigned to the AHL on Friday after failing to record a point in the first 10 games of the regular season, the club announced.Zacha had become a regular for the NHL club the past two seasons, skating in 139 games and producing 49 points.The 2015 NHL Draft was loaded with talent, as Ivan Provorov, Zach Werenski, Timo Meier, and Mikko Rantanen were selected after Zacha, in that order. Other players taken in that first round include Jake Debrusk (14), Mathew Barzal (16), Kyle Connor (17), Thomas Chabot (18), Brock Boeser (23), Travis Konecny (24), and Anthony Beauvillier (28).In the same transaction, Kevin Rooney was also assigned to the AHL, while Kurtis Gabriel and Brett Seney were recalled from Binghamton.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Nashville Predators got a glimpse of their goaltending future over the past two weeks, and it was awfully bright.Pekka Rinne has been the face of the Predators for over a decade. He's their anchor between the pipes and, as P.K. Subban put it following last year's playoff exit, "the backbone of this team." But the remarkably durable Rinne missed about two weeks due to injury before returning to action Thursday night against Tampa Bay.His short absence opened the door for 23-year-old Juuse Saros - Rinne's eventual successor - to serve as Nashville's No. 1 netminder, and the results were positive. Saros went 4-2-0 with a .922 save percentage, a 2.49 goals-against average, and one shutout.That solid play wasn't a fluke, as Saros owns a .922 save percentage and a 2.43 goals-against average in 56 career games as a backup.Andy Devlin / National Hockey League / GettyInterestingly, the young Finn's appearance doesn't exactly scream franchise goaltender, as it's rare to see a goalie under 6-foot-3 in today's NHL. Rinne, for example, is 6-foot-5 while Saros checks in at just 5-foot-11, which likely contributed to him slipping to the fourth round of the 2013 draft. Yet, despite his small stature, the latter has enjoyed success at every level, getting by with reflexes, athleticism, competitiveness, mental toughness, and a high hockey IQ.Given so few late-round picks pan out, drafting Saros is already a win for the Predators, but the selection could prove even more important next season and beyond.Potential cap issuesRinne, who turns 36 on Saturday, will be an unrestricted free agent following the season, and while the Predators would surely like to have the reigning Vezina Trophy winner back, the salary cap may get in the way.Nashville's projected cap hit for next season is slightly above $64 million, according to Cap Friendly. Under the current $79.5-million cap, that gives the team just over $15 million in projected space, making it highly unlikely the front office will be able to meet Rinne's demands, especially considering he's already one of the league's highest-paid goalies:Goalie Age Cap HitCarey Price30$10.5MHenrik Lundqvist36$8.5MSergei Bobrovsky29$7.425MTuukka Rask31$7MRinne36*$7M* As of SaturdayIn addition to Rinne, the Preds have six impending free agents, including RFAs Kevin Fiala and Ryan Hartman - two players that general manager David Poile likely views as part of his long-term core. But perhaps more importantly, Roman Josi's contract expires after the 2019-20 season, and he could realistically demand Drew Doughty money (eight years, $88 million) as an unrestricted free agent heading into his age-30 season.Simply put, it's improbable that Nashville will re-sign Rinne, unless he's willing to take a significant hometown discount. The team plays in one of the league's smaller markets and is surely aware of the risks that would come with signing an aging goalie to a big-money contract, even if it's short term. And with plenty of goaltender-needy teams out there, there will likely be more than one general manager who's willing to pony up for Rinne.Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyMeanwhile, Saros' contract doesn't expire until after the 2020-21 season, and having a starting goaltender who makes just $1.5 million would give Poile plenty of flexibility to retain key players and use the remaining money to improve the rest of his roster.The Predators are arguably the NHL's deepest team and they're in win-now mode with Rinne in goal - as they should be. But while the sample size of Saros' starting stint is admittedly small, all signs point to him being ready to succeed as the No. 1 after being groomed for years behind one of the best in the business.We'll only know for sure once Saros is actually handed the crease, but it seems the Predators have the goalie they need to remain a legitimate Stanley Cup contender once the sun sets on Rinne's time in the Music City.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Winnipeg Jets forward Brendan Lemieux was assessed a match penalty during the second period of Friday's contest against the Florida Panthers for his hit on Vincent Trocheck.Afterward, Lemieux dropped the mitts with Panthers defenseman Mackenzie Weegar.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Yanni Gourde to a six-year extension carrying a $5.166-million cap hit, the club announced Friday.Last year marked Gourde's first full season with the Lightning, in which he finished third in NHL rookie scoring with 64 points in 82 games."Yanni personifies our team's identity with his speed and relentlessness on the ice and his strong character off of it," Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said in a statement. "He is proof of how far hard work and dedication can take you, and we look forward to him continuing his career in Tampa Bay."Gourde joined the Lightning as an undrafted free agent in 2014.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Florida Panthers netminder Roberto Luongo will make his return to the crease Friday versus the Winnipeg Jets in the second game of the NHL Global Series in Finland.Luongo has not suited up since Florida's season opener, when teammate Frank Vatrano fell on his leg midway through the second period. It was later announced he'd miss two-to-four weeks with an MCL injury.In his absence, the Panthers have turned to backup James Reimer, who suited up Thursday in the first of a two-game set against the Jets. Across eight appearances, Reimer has posted just one win and a .885 save percentage. He allowed three goals on 35 shots in Thursday's loss to Winnipeg.Luongo returns with the Panthers in an early hole, as the team sits last in the Eastern Conference with a 2-5-3 record.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One rather obvious candidate leads the pack, while several other familiar faces have stated cases of their own as the Hart Trophy race has begun to take shape.Here's an early look at the top candidates to be named the NHL's most valuable player this season.ATOI = Average time on ice

Jeff Vinik believes his team has a chance to play in one of the NHL's international games next season.The Tampa Bay Lightning owner told The Athletic's Joe Smith that while nothing is finalized yet, they are "close" to landing a spot in Stockholm next November.Tampa Bay boasts a pair of Swedish players in reigning Norris Trophy winner Victor Hedman, as well as veteran blue-liner Anton Stralman."We’ve got a shot at it," Vinik said Thursday. "We’ve got Victor and Anton, (so) that would make a logical choice for us."A league representative agreed with that sentiment and confirmed the team has made its desire known."We obviously understand the natural fit that this club would have if they were participating in a game in Sweden," NHL chief content officer Steve Mayer told Smith in an email. "The club has expressed interest. We will see what we can work out."NHL commissioner Gary Bettman revealed Thursday that the league has tentative plans to bring games to Sweden, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Switzerland in 2019-20, with Stockholm and Prague potentially hosting regular-season contests.The Lightning haven't played outside North America since October 2008 when they lost to the New York Rangers in Prague.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard has been assigned to the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights, the team announced Friday.In a corresponding roster move, the Oilers have recalled blue-liner Kevin Gravel from the AHL's Bakersfield Condors.Bouchard appeared in seven games with the Oilers, a stretch that saw him register his first NHL goal against the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals.The Oilers selected Bouchard with the 10th overall pick in last year's draft. He recorded 87 points in 67 games for the Knights last season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As a hockey fan, few things are more fun than a roster filled with young, fast, up-and-coming players. For instance, Team North America captivated the sport's international community at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey by giving us a taste of the future.With that in mind, we decided to use our imagination and build a 25-man roster - 13 forwards, nine defensemen, and three goaltenders - using only the best under-25 players in the world.There's no cap limit and no consideration of specific forward positions or whether a defenseman shoots left or right. We're simply picking the top players in each category. So, without further ado, here is theScore's All-Under-25 Team (career stats as of Nov. 1):ForwardsConnor McDavid, Edmonton OilersJared Silber / National Hockey League / GettyAge: 21

The Montreal Canadiens set an NHL record for the fastest two goals scored by one team Thursday night against the Washington Capitals, according to NHL Public Relations.Max Domi notched the go-ahead goal off the rush with 22 seconds left in the game.

The Ottawa Senators have sent rookie forward Alex Formenton back to his junior club, the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, general manager Pierre Dorion told TSN 1200 following Thursday night's game.The 19-year-old played in nine of the Senators' opening 12 games, where he recorded just one goal on 16 shots. By returning Formenton down prior to him playing in his 10th game of the season, the team won't burn the first year of his entry-level contract.Formenton was drafted in the second round, 47th overall, in 2017. Last season, he recorded 29 goals and 48 points in as many games with the Knights.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

BUFFALO - Turning around to face a reporter after sliding his helmet onto the top shelf of his KeyBank Center stall, it took Jack Eichel milliseconds to reply to a question about Rasmus Dahlin’s adjustment to the NHL.“I think he’s been pretty good,” the Sabres captain and No. 1 center told theScore. “You watch our games? He’s been pretty good, eh?”While it was a run-of-the-mill quote, Eichel’s body language said something different. A straight face and suggestive eyes accompanied the second “pretty good," as if Eichel was downplaying Dahlin in an effort to keep the rookie’s rising stock under wraps a tad longer.It was the look a person gives when they know something and you don't.“He’s been as advertised. He’s been tremendous,” Eichel said following some prodding. “If he’s not one of the best defensemen in the NHL in a few years, I’d be extremely surprised.”In selecting Dahlin with the No. 1 pick this past June, the Sabres - who have been entrenched in Rebuild 2.0 ever since Jason Botterill took over for Tim Murray as general manager a year and a half ago - landed the perfect piece to complement Eichel. Armed with an 18-year-old future franchise defenseman and a 22-year-old star center, second-year bench boss Phil Housley now has premier building blocks at two key positions.Harry How / Getty ImagesThe early returns are promising, too. The Sabres recorded at least one point in eight of their 12 games in October, and Dahlin whistled past the nine-game rookie audition period. Appearing in every contest and earning 19 minutes per outing, he's been showcasing a diverse toolbox headlined by breezy skating.“Effortless. Floating. At the same time, so fast, so powerful,” veteran winger Jason Pominville said of Dahlin’s trademark skill. “It doesn’t seem like he’s really breaking a sweat when he gets moving out there. It’s fun to watch, but sometimes it’s frustrating as players. You’re like, ‘How does he do that!?’ He just blows by guys.”Pominville and the rest of the hockey world were acutely aware of Dahlin’s tantalizing abilities long before the 2018-19 season began. Since opening night, the team has transitioned from drooling over his offensive wizardry to being enthralled by the nuanced contributions Dahlin brings. Yes, he's far from a finished product, but the big Swedish blue-liner, who's recorded a goal and three assists, is on his way to mastering the small things.“Maybe in the first five games he was a little hesitant, didn’t want to mess up, didn’t want to turn the puck over,” defenseman Jake McCabe said prior to a game against the Canadiens on Oct. 25. “But, with how much skill and talent he has, you can tell he’s starting to go back to his instincts and let those take over. These next 10-to-20 games, he’s really going to take off.”As for those subtleties - the plays you might not notice unless you’re really glued into the action - well, for starters, Dahlin has flashed some impressive dexterity when handling the puck. He tends to shift his weight from one leg to the other and enjoys mixing in a head shake or two.Below, focus on No. 26 in white, the guy holding the line at the bottom right of the screen. He's in constant motion, even while not skating forward:Known for always playing with his head up and banking 80 Swedish Hockey League games before coming to North America, Dahlin says the shimmy-shake has been part of his arsenal for a while now.“It’s an old thing. It’s helpful,” said the modest, soft-spoken teen who spent part of his minor hockey career playing forward.Center Casey Mittelstadt doesn’t care if it’s second nature to Dahlin, he’s still impressed.“It looks small, but it sends most guys in an absolute twirl,” he said.Similar to how young snipers Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, and fellow rookie Elias Pettersson are finding new ways to score by firing the puck from different release points and angles, Dahlin is also incorporating an element of unpredictability to his game.While less boisterous than, say, a quick-twitch snap shot from Matthews, those Dahlin fakes - which seem to emerge mostly when he’s quarterbacking the first power-play unit - serve a similar purpose.“Deception is one of his best assets - getting a forward leaning the wrong way and going around him, or making no-look passes on the tape, or getting pucks through guys’ sticks,” McCabe said, later praising the rookie's hockey sense.“It’s also a mental thing,” added fellow defenseman Casey Nelson, stopping to snap his fingers. “He just comes on very quick to things, just gets it, you know what I mean? He’s a very smart hockey player.”Dahlin’s elite hockey brain has given Housley and assistant Steve Smith - who runs the defense - lineup flexibility. It's extremely rare for a defenseman his age to play regular minutes in the NHL, as entering the season Aaron Ekblad, Jakob Chychrun and Dahlin's teammate, Zach Bogosian, stood as the only 18-year-old rookie blue-liners to dress in more than seven NHL games during the salary-cap era. Even better, Dahlin can also be moved up and down the depth chart and not miss a beat.D PARTNERTOI WITH DAHLINJake McCabe84:18Casey Nelson51:25Rasmus Ristolainen19:42Zach Bogosian10:52Nathan Beaulieu10:18Marco Scandella3:25Some might suggest the absence of a consistent partner reflects poorly on Dahlin, perhaps hinting he's difficult to play with. Housley and Smith would disagree.Dahlin’s seven-game stint with McCabe, for instance, illustrated the youngster’s adaptability.“Quite frankly, we asked Jake to go to the right side and Dahlin to go on the left,” Smith said of the now-injured McCabe, who, like Dahlin, shoots left. “We found Jake was struggling a little bit on the right side, so we put him back on the left side and his game took off. It didn’t matter where Dahlin was; he was playing just as well on both sides of the ice.”“I actually like the right side a lot,” Dahlin said, eliciting images of Red Wings great Nicklas Lidstrom. “I can play both, so it doesn’t matter.”The Sabres' defense has been struggling for years, finishing 29th, 21st, 15th, 29th, 25th, and 23rd in goals against since the 2012-13 lockout. In shots against, they’ve ranked 21st, 30th, 22nd, 30th, 28th, and 30th. Though part of the problem can be traced back to poor goaltending, the core issue has been defensive personnel.Enter Dahlin, a spunky three-zone player from Trollhattan who genuinely cares about defending. Suddenly, Buffalo's defense has a second player worthy of top-pairing minutes. Over time, Rasmus Ristolainen, who's been tasked with carrying the group for the past few years, should be able to breathe a little easier.Dahlin, who has a 52.2% Corsi rating heading into Thursday night's game against the Senators, asserted himself physically during his debut NHL shift, engaging with Bruins power forward Jake DeBrusk before he could hit the hash marks.There's a difference between making a big hit for the sake of making a big hit, and making a big hit when the situation calls for physical force. Dahlin often opts for swiping at pucks with his stick while gaining a positional advantage through his efficient lateral movements.“He’s a guy who is reliable defensively because of his skating, because of how good his stick is,” Pominville said. “He can get away with (riskier pinches) because of that - even if he gets caught, he can still get back.”Added Smith: “When we first drafted him here, everybody - of course - had an opinion. And I remember listening to a guy who I do respect an awful lot in the game, (NHL Hall of Famer) Denis Potvin. ‘Teach this kid defense first, the offense will come.’ The crazy part is, this kid is so sound defensively that we’re almost pushing him in the other direction.”Here, Dahlin beats the Calgary forward to a loose puck along the boards and immediately hits teammate Tage Thompson with a clean backhand chip pass:No edginess was needed, and the crisis was averted through subtle movement.That combination of heads-up defense, quick decision making, and next-level skating makes Dahlin dangerous to the opposition. Excellent at anticipating what may happen a second or two down the line, the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder selectively activates, cruising through the neutral zone and into the far end of the rink to support Sabres rushes.“When the situation comes up,” Dahlin said, “I will try to do something. But (I try to) not force it.”That part of his game proved vital when Dahlin scored his lone NHL goal, a tap-in against Arizona. He weaved his way to the red line before dishing to crafty puck-carrier Jeff Skinner. Following Skinner's drive to the net, Dahlin buries the rebound amid a group of defenders.Twelve games in, Dahlin is a work in progress. There are shifts when he looks precisely 18 years old (maybe that's why he wasn't named a finalist for Rookie of the Month in October?), and there's a chance he'll hit the dreaded rookie wall at some point, considering he's never completed an 82-game season.Then again, no matter what transpires between the boards, whether it’s during practice or a game, Dahlin wants to learn more. That aspect of his personality blows away Smith, who was an NHL defenseman himself from 1985 to 2001, and said the young D-man is showing a "thirst for knowledge."“I find that his maturity is overwhelming for such a young player," he said, later adding, "It's after every shift. He’s not adverse to turning around and saying, ‘Hey, was I OK there? Should I have been there?’ Sometimes I’m initiating, sometimes he’s initiating.”A projected superstar with a willingness to learn after every shift? What a start.“I think it’s sorta scary to think about how good he’s going to be in the future,” Skinner said.“We’re super lucky to have him,” Eichel said, this time cracking the slightest smile.John Matisz is theScore's National Hockey Writer. You can find him on Twitter @matiszjohn.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bobby Orr isn't optimistic the NHL will be able to avoid a fourth lockout since 1994."My gut feeling is I'd be surprised if there's not," Orr said this week, according to The Canadian Press. "I hope there isn't. But it's going to be a tough one."After the most recent lockout in 2013, the NHL and NHLPA signed a 10-year collective bargaining agreement, but both sides own the right to opt out next September. Should that happen, a renegotiation would be required prior to the 2020-21 season, rather than before 2022-23.Olympic participation and escrow are reportedly among the most pressing issues for the players in the current CBA."I think there are concerns (with the current CBA) on both sides." Orr added. "I hope I'm wrong. We don't need another lockout."We've got it going now. It would be a shame to put it on the back burner."Though his playing days are long gone, Orr remains linked to several current players as the head of Orr Hockey Group, an agency that represents superstars Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews, among others.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Slava Voynov has formally applied to the NHL to be reinstated.Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said on Thursday that the league will now decide whether to permit the former Los Angeles Kings defenseman to return."We’re in (the) process of an intense factual investigation," Daly said, according to The Fourth Period's Dennis Bernstein. "I’m not in a position to give (a) timeline. When (the) investigation is done, (the) commissioner (Gary Bettman) will deal with his application for reinstatement."The investigation will include witnesses, and Bettman has the right to issue a further suspension upon its conclusion, according to Sportsnet.Voynov was arrested in fall 2014, and a police report said he punched, kicked and choked his wife, Marta Varlamova. He was convicted on a misdemeanor domestic abuse charge in 2015, and then sentenced to 90 days in jail after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of corporal injury to a spouse.The Kings terminated his contract shortly thereafter, and Voynov left for Russia in September 2015. He's been playing for SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL ever since.A judge dismissed his conviction in July, opening the door for NHL reinstatement.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A woman has filed a lawsuit against San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane alleging he failed to follow through on an agreement to pay her $3 million to abort their baby - an accusation Kane's lawyer insists is "baseless."The lawsuit, claiming a breach of contract, was first reported by TMZ Sports on Wednesday.Kane's lawyer issued a statement on Thursday, which was obtained by Kevin Kurz of The Athletic:

Scoring is up across the league to begin the year, but that doesn't mean goaltenders haven't been posting monster numbers. Here are the early front-runners for the Vezina Trophy after the first month of the 2018-19 NHL season.5. Jaroslav Halak, Boston BruinsCodie McLachlan / Getty Images Sport / GettyHe's not the Bruins goalie you might expect to make this list, but through six games this season Jaroslav Halak is playing incredibly well.The veteran netminder was brought in to be Tuukka Rask's backup, and now he's stolen starts while going 4-0-2 with a .947 save percentage and a 1.51 goals-against average, putting him second and first in those categories, respectively, among goalies who have appeared in at least five games this season.If he can maintain that level of play, which has also included two shutouts, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy will face a very difficult decision.4. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay LightningEthan Miller / Getty Images Sport / GettyAndrei Vasilevskiy has been nearly perfect to begin the season, posting a 6-1-1 record through eight games.Following a 2017-18 campaign that ended with Vasilevskiy receiving his first career Vezina Trophy nomination, it appears the 24-year-old could once again contend for the award. He's posted a 1.98 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage, marks that rank third and sixth league-wide.The Lightning's offense is beginning to hit its stride, which will make Vasilevskiy's job easier. He could hit the 40-win plateau for the second straight year.3. Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota WildRonald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Wild sit just two points outside of the top spot in the Central Division, even though the club is averaging the ninth-fewest goals per game.Devan Dubnyk has been a rock between the pipes and is driving the team's success. The 32-year-old has recorded a goals-against average of 2.19 and a .937 save percentage. He's given up two or fewer goals in six of his nine games played. Even more impressively, Dubnyk has also faced the third-most shots in the league.If he keeps this up, Minnesota should earn its seventh straight postseason berth.2. John Gibson, Anaheim DucksJonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport / GettyNo goalie has faced more rubber than John Gibson, with an average of 38.4 shots per game directed his way. He appears to be the sole reason for the Ducks still being within reach of the Pacific Division lead.Opposing teams are outshooting Anaheim by roughly 14 shots per game this season, but the Ducks are still just three points back of the division-leading San Jose Sharks. Gibson's 9.38 goals saved above average leads the league, and he's also produced a league-leading 84 high-danger saves, which is 26 more than the next-closest goalie.Few players have been more valuable to their team than Gibson. He could be in the running for the Hart Trophy if he can drag the Ducks into the playoffs.1. Semyon Varlamov, Colorado AvalancheBruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettySemyon Varlamov has faced 262 shots over his first eight games of the season, and just 13 pucks have gone past him.He's the league's save-percentage leader with a mark of .950, and Varlamov ranks fifth in 5-on-5 high-danger save percentage. His stellar play is helping the Avalanche challenge for the top spot in the crowded Central Division.Colorado brought in former Washington Capitals backup Philipp Grubauer this offseason, with the hope he would challenge for the starting role. But after Varlamov's scorching start, it appears the net is his until further notice.(Analytics courtesy: Natural Stat Trick)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL is poised for more European excursions in 2019-20, as commissioner Gary Bettman announced tentative plans Thursday for the league to host games in the Czech Republic, Sweden, Germany, and Switzerland, according to Brian Compton of NHL.com.Bettman said Prague and Stockholm will host regular-season games, while cities in Germany and Switzerland will get preseason contests, according to The Fourth Period's Dennis Bernstein. Dates and the potential teams involved haven't been determined.The Winnipeg Jets and Florida Panthers are currently in Finland for a two-game slate, while the Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils each played an exhibition match in Germany and Switzerland, respectively, before opening their regular season in Gothenburg, Sweden. All these events were part of the NHL Global Series, which began in 2017.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cory Schneider's bid to reclaim the New Jersey Devils' crease begins Thursday night.The goaltender will start against the Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey head coach John Hynes confirmed Thursday morning, according to NJ.com's Chris Ryan.Schneider missed the first eight games of the season while recovering from hip surgery that he underwent in May.Keith Kinkaid performed admirably in Schneider's absence, but then allowed seven goals in Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.Schneider made five saves on six shots in relief of Kinkaid in that contest, the 32-year-old's first appearance of the campaign.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Roberto Luongo is back on the Florida Panthers' active roster, but he's still unlikely to suit up until the team returns from Europe.The Panthers activated Luongo off injured reserve Thursday. Head coach Bob Boughner reiterated his sentiments from Wednesday that the ideal plan is for the club's No. 1 netminder to play next week rather than in one of the two Finland contests Thursday and Friday."Officially, if (Luongo) is ready, he could play, but we're going to make that decision (Friday)," Boughner told NHL.com's Brian Compton on Thursday. "I could see him more playing when we get back home, (but) he's close. He's real close."The Panthers' bench boss further explained that he wants to play it safe with the 39-year-old goaltender, and that Thursday's roster move is at least partially motivated by the need for depth in the crease."We want to make sure (Luongo) is 110 percent before he gets back in there and make sure that we're doing the right thing by him," Boughner said. "We need three goalies in case something (happens)."Luongo was injured in Florida's season opener when teammate Frank Vatrano fell on his knee. He hasn't played since.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee, the team announced Wednesday.Quick had already missed five games this season with a separate lower-body injury he sustained during the first game of the season, returning from the ailment on Oct. 18. Then, on Saturday, the netminder was ruled out again and required a new evaluation.He's started four games in 2018-19, going 0-3-1 with a .845 save percentage. Quick's latest surgery marks his second significant absence in three seasons, as he appeared in just 17 contests in 2016-17 because of a groin injury.The Kings are not expected to explore the trade market while Quick is out, according to Fox Sports West's Jon Rosen, meaning they'll likely roll with Jack Campbell and Peter Budaj between the pipes in the meantime.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes and burgeoning superstar Sebastian Aho appear to be on the same page when it comes to his future with the franchise.Aho's currently playing out the final year of his entry-level contract and is in line for a major raise. Negotiations on a long-term pact began in the offseason, and Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell is optimistic a deal will be signed before the end of this season."We've had lots of discussions and everything has been positive," Waddell told Chip Alexander of The News & Observer on Monday. "We both have the same goal, and that is we want to sign him to a long-term deal and he wants to be here long term. That's always the starting point, which is always good."Waddell added that the two sides aren't too far apart when it comes to finances."The amount of money we're talking, there's not a crazy difference," he said.Last month, Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon called Aho's next contract one of the organization's top priorities, and for good reason. Since being drafted 35th overall in 2015, the forward's managed 131 points in 172 contests.So far this season, his game looks to have reached another level. In 12 contests, Aho's already notched 17 points and matched an NHL record set by Wayne Gretzky and Ken Linseman by recording an assist in 12 consecutive games to start a season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Nashville Predators have activated goaltender Pekka Rinne off injured reserve, the club announced Wednesday.The reigning Vezina Trophy winner missed five games with an undisclosed ailment after exiting late in the Predators' 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames on Oct. 19.The veteran netminder who turns 36 years old on Saturday was 3-1-0 with a .929 save percentage, a 2.11 goals-against average, and one shutout in five contests before suffering the injury.The Predators' heir apparent in goal, Juuse Saros, went 3-2-0 with a .917 save percentage across five starts while Rinne was out.In a corresponding move on Wednesday, Nashville reassigned netminder Troy Grosenick to its AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Roberto Luongo isn't quite ready to play just yet, but he doesn't appear to be far off.Florida Panthers head coach Bob Boughner provided an update on the veteran goaltender's timetable from Helsinki on Wednesday."I think the plan is for him to … unless there's a complete surprise that I haven't heard yet, the plan is for him to probably try and play next week when we get home," Boughner told NHL.com's Brian Compton. "This is more of a rehab week."Luongo hurt his knee when teammate Frank Vatrano fell on it in the Panthers' season opener. Florida's No. 1 netminder hasn't played since. He was expected to miss two-to-four weeks, so an early-November return would keep him on schedule."He does look good," Boughner said. "I know his knee feels good. So hopefully we'll hear something in the next few days what his plans are."The Panthers and the Winnipeg Jets are in Finland for games on Thursday and Friday.Florida's first game back from the trip will be a home date against the Edmonton Oilers on Nov. 8. That contest is the first of a three-game homestand that also includes a matchup with the New York Islanders on Nov. 10 and a clash with the Ottawa Senators on Nov. 11.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators have placed goaltender Mike Condon on waivers, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.Condon has started just two games for the team this season, allowing eight goals. On Tuesday versus the Arizona Coyotes, Condon was pulled after giving up three goals on eleven shots, including one from the blue line at the other end of the ice.He's been with the Senators since the 2016-17 season, managing a .906 save percentage over 73 games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With some of the league's top defensemen off to slow starts, the Norris Trophy race is wide open to begin the season.ATOI = Average time on ice

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 Google Play.Hannah Stuart and Josh Wegman, both of theScore, join John to talk about the 2019 NHL draft and fantasy hockey, respectively. Topics include:

It appears Dallas Stars forward Alexander Radulov still has a bone to pick with Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin.The former Canadien was in town Tuesday when his Stars took on the Habs, but he refused to speak to the local media, according to Richard Labbe of La Presse.Radulov did break his silence on at least one occasion, though.When J-F Chaumont of the Montreal Journal asked for a minute to talk with Radulov after the game, he responded by saying "talk to Bergevin," according to TSN's John Lu.Radulov spent the 2016-17 season with the Canadiens, but signed a five-year, $31.25-million contract with the Stars as a free agent that offseason. He reportedly turned down the same offer from the Canadiens - though at the time of Montreal's offer, it was already too late.

The Detroit Red Wings will be without forward Thomas Vanek for the next two-to-three weeks, head coach Jeff Blashill said postgame Tuesday.Vanek exited in the first period against the Columbus Blue Jackets with a lower-body injury and did not return.Before going off with the ailment, Vanek set up rookie Michael Rasmussen's first career goal. The Red Wings went on to win the contest 5-3.The 34-year-old Vanek has put up five points in 12 games in his second stint with the Red Wings this season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Islanders farmhand Josh Ho-Sang doesn't think he was given a fair shake at cracking the big club out of camp this season.Ho-Sang, who's been vocal about his lack of opportunity with the Islanders in the past, believes New York's new-look regime under Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz had its team predetermined in training camp."I felt like they had their minds made up on what was going to happen and what the team was going to look like," Ho-Sang told Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post. "It's OK. They had the whole summer to plan that. I don't know if you watched any of the games, but I didn't play a lot. It's OK. It is what it is."Ho-Sang was drafted 28th overall by the Isles in 2014. While he possesses an NHL-level skill set, his commitment on both sides of the puck and actions off the ice have shaped his reputation as a player.Even in the AHL, he's not sure he's being deployed properly."They tell me they want me to be a top-six forward up there, but I'm not a top-six forward down here, so it's confusing," he said. "Sometimes, it's like you're sprinting with a rubber band on. You constantly have tension. You run until you're exhausted and then the band is going to pull you back. If I was going to say anything, it would be: Just watch. I'm just pointing it out."In nine games with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers this season, Ho-Sang has recorded four assists. Over his NHL career, he's amassed 22 points in 43 contests.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A month into the season, with the shine wearing off and a superstar shelved, the Toronto Maple Leafs look human.Sure, they're 8-4, good for top spot in the Atlantic Division, and they're averaging 3.5 goals per game, seventh in the NHL. Nonetheless, red flags have sprouted over the past five contests. The offense is beginning to sputter, producing goal totals of zero, one, four, three, and one. Monday's loss to the Calgary Flames - Toronto's first of many games without the injured Auston Matthews - might have been their worst performance of the season.Courtesy of the Flames, St. Louis Blues, and Pittsburgh Penguins, consider this a guide to shutting down the high-octane Leafs at five-on-five, with a few play clips as examples of how each strategy worked.Force dump-ins, break out with supportIn a pregame chat with theScore, Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin described an ideal situation in which Calgary would close neutral-zone gaps, forcing Toronto attackers to dump the puck."You don't want to give them the blue line,” he explained. “You don't want them to be able to come over the blue line and make a play. You want to be tight on them, so ... they're chipping pucks in and we can start our breakout."Mike Smith, the NHL's top puckhandling goalie, is the X-factor for Calgary's breakouts. If he keeps his puck retrievals simple and completes the first pass consistently, the Flames are in business.And business was good Monday night, as variations of the above sequence played out a handful of times over the course of the Flames' 3-1 victory.A Leafs player feeling the pressure of a tight gap dumps the puck in; Smith intercepts the curling puck and finds a defenseman idling in a safe spot; the defenseman shuffles the puck to a well-positioned forward; the forward hits a teammate heading north.Here's another example of a successful zone exit. This time, Calgary opted for an overhead toss that spanned the entire neutral zone - ironically, a move the Leafs pull off regularly when they're humming - and it led to a scoring chance.Whether it was the top line centered by John Tavares or the rarely used Frederik Gauthier trio, the Leafs were outplayed for about 55 minutes by the Bill Peters-coached squad. They turned the puck over far too often, and when they didn't, they struggled to get a shot through to the net. As Toronto coach Mike Babcock put it, the Flames "sailed out of their zone and beat us up the ice," playing with structure."I thought we did a good job keeping the gaps (small)," Flames center Mikael Backlund said. "And when they did get into our zone, I don't think they came with enough bodies. It was usually just one or two guys. It was easy for us to break the puck out."Protect the houseAt last Saturday's morning skate, St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko talked about the importance of limiting the Leafs' access to the middle of the ice."It's going to be a game of making sure we're on top of them, making sure we make it tough on them to generate chances," the towering defenseman told theScore. "If we're over top of them and don't let them generate speed and generate opportunities, it's going to be helpful because they seem to always find ways to make things happen."The outcome of effectively deploying this strategy? A 4-1 Hockey Night in Canada win for the Blues, who guided the Leafs into low-percentage areas throughout the game. Toronto only recorded seven five-on-five shot attempts from the slot/net-front area, and just three came off the stick of a top-six forward (an attempt each from Matthews, Tavares, and Kasperi Kapanen).Check out this Jake Gardiner point shot from the closing minutes of the first period:Because one-timed slap shots are aesthetically pleasing and there's some chaos brewing within the frame, Gardiner’s shot looks like a quality chance. Zero in on the details, however, and it's actually nothing special.Parayko's work on Zach Hyman is critical; his body positioning and active stick keep the feisty winger on the perimeter and prevent him from getting a firm handle on the puck. Disrupted and pressured, Hyman guesses on a pass to the slot, which misses Tavares and ends up in Gardiner's wheelhouse. However, the shot is relatively harmless - it's about 50 feet from the net, goalie Jake Allen is unscreened, and the Leafs aren't well-positioned to capitalize on a rebound, Tavares having been dumped on his way to the goalmouth.The Maple Leafs have been excellent overall at occupying prime scoring areas, generating 13.4 high-danger shot attempts per hour through 12 games - the fifth-highest rate in the league entering play Tuesday. Before facing the Flames, Toronto owned the third-closest average shot distance (all situations) at 32.4 feet.The Blues seemed well aware of this early-season trend and adjusted accordingly."You have to protect the middle of the ice and let them make their seam passes and expose guys," St. Louis center Ryan O’Reilly said. "We were just committed to it, we were prepared, and we knew what they can do."Disrupt and attack in the neutral zoneOf course, having Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby to offset Matthews and Tavares was extremely beneficial for the Penguins, but coach Mike Sullivan challenged his squad to both engage physically and protect their blue line."The best game plan for us is to get our offense from defending," Pittsburgh rearguard Jack Johnson said hours before puck drop. "I don't think we want to get into a 10-9 game … It's about being committed to being hard to play against."The Leafs' willingness to attempt stretch passes has been well-documented. It's kind of their thing. The Penguins tasked themselves with flipping the script by not overcommitting on offense and putting themselves in a favorable position to pressure the Leafs into making quick decisions in transition.Here, Kapanen is forced off the puck by Riley Sheahan. Matt Cullen eventually scoops up the debris and hits the streaking center. At the Leafs' blue line, Sheahan feeds Jamie Oleksiak, who lobs the puck on net. The rebound is pushed all the way to the top of the left circle, where Cullen fires a quick wrister at Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen.The Penguins didn’t convert on that particular play. They did, however, reverse the course of a potentially dangerous neutral zone wind-up by puck pursuers Kapanen and Matthews, as well as a trailing Patrick Marleau.Below, Tavares is poke-checked at the red line. The Penguins gain possession, regroup with poise, and enter the Leafs' zone with the puck. Easy peasy.Taking away opponents' time and space is a common concept at all levels of hockey. Yet it's not always realistic, especially against a Leafs team that feeds off quick strikes."We tried to play as much as we could in the O zone," Penguins winger Bryan Rust reflected following the 3-0 win. "D-men were pinching, keeping pucks alive. I thought we were backchecking all night. I think it all helped."Calgary, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh all benefited from solid goaltending, timely scoring, and maybe a little bit of luck in their triumphs over the Leafs. But so did the Ottawa Senators, the only other team to defeat Toronto. What sets the first three teams apart is a sense of control.The Flames, Blues, and Penguins all developed game plans that, in slightly different ways, allowed them each to smother Toronto's skilled forwards and force the Leafs to defend. Not only did these teams reap the benefits, but they also showed the league that a goal-scoring giant can be cut down to size.John Matisz is theScore's National Hockey Writer. You can find him on Twitter @matiszjohn.(Statistics courtesy: NaturalStatTrick.com, Hockey-Reference.com, and NHL.com)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks will welcome Joe Thornton back into their lineup on Tuesday night versus the New York Rangers, the team announced.Thornton has missed the last nine contests after experiencing swelling in his surgically-repaired right knee. He was on the ice for the club's first two games of the season, but then the veteran was placed on injured reserve.Knee injuries have slowed the 39-year-old for much of the last year. Thornton sat out of the Sharks' final 35 games of the 2017-18 season and their playoff run after tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee, nine months after suffering the same injury in his left knee.Limited action has caused Thornton to collect just one assist so far in 2018-19, but he's inching toward two major career milestones. With five more games played and three more goals, he'll reach 1,500 and 400, respectively, for his career.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug will make his 2018-19 season debut on Tuesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed hours before puck drop.Krug injured his left ankle during a preseason game in late September and was to be re-evaluated three weeks later.The ailment wasn't related to the ankle fracture that ended his season during the playoffs last spring.Krug posted a career-high 59 points in 76 regular-season contests in 2017-18.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One of the Dallas Stars' most potent offensive weapons will be back in the lineup Tuesday night.Alexander Radulov is set to make his return against the Montreal Canadiens, Stars head coach Jim Montgomery told reporters Tuesday, according to Mike Heika of the club's official website.Radulov missed the previous four contests with what the team would only classify as a lower-body injury.He amassed four goals and six assists in six games before missing time.Radulov will play on a line with Tyler Seguin and Justin Dowling on Tuesday night, while Jamie Benn will play alongside Jason Spezza and Mattias Janmark.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Hurricanes netminder Scott Darling will make his 2018-19 season debut on Tuesday night against the Boston Bruins, head coach Rod Brind'Amour confirmed to Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer.Darling suffered a hamstring injury during Carolina's final preseason game, and he was recalled from his AHL conditioning stint last week. In his absence, the Hurricanes have been rolling with the tandem of Curtis McElhinney and Petr Mrazek in net. The struggling duo has combined for a .882 save percentage in all situations, per Corisca, which ranks 26th in the NHL.Despite the issues between the pipes, the Hurricanes are off to a 6-4-1 start on the strength of a dominant offense. The return of Darling could provide some consistency as the team looks to become a real threat in the Eastern Conference.However, Darling still has a lot to prove while attempting to take over the reins and become Carolina's bonafide No. 1 goalie. In 2017-18, his first season of a four-year, $16 million contract, Darling won just 13 of 43 starts while managing a .888 save percentage.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Preseason prognosticators favored the likes of like Rasmus Dahlin and Andrei Svechnikov to claim 2018-19 Rookie of the Year honors, but it's a handful of early surprises who make up this month's edition of the Calder Trophy rankings:5. Dennis Cholowski, Detroit Red WingsGregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport / GettyA banged-up blue line has led to lots of early minutes for the Red Wings' young defense core, especially 2016 first-round pick Cholowski.Averaging more than 22 minutes a night, Cholowski has been regularly called upon by coach Jeff Blashill and leads all Detroit defenders in ice time. While Cholowski's offensive contributions haven't resulted in many victories for the rebuilding Red Wings, he already has six points in eight games.The challenge for Cholowski will be keeping up his strong play. Mike Green has already returned to the lineup and Danny DeKeyser's eventual activation from the injured reserve could chip away at the 20-year-old's usage.4. Henri Jokiharju, Chicago BlackhawksKirk Irwin / Getty Images Sport / GettyLong gone are the days when the Blackhawks' blue line was their strength. But the next wave is arriving and Finnish freshman Jokiharju is the main attraction.The 19-year-old has become a favorite of bench boss Joel Quenneville - he's seeing nearly 21 minutes of action per game. That belief in Jokiharju has paid off on the scoreboard, as the rookie defender has already put up seven points in just 11 contests to lead all Chicago defensemen in scoring.Perhaps most impressive is how quickly Jokiharju has adapted to the pro game. A first-round pick by the Blackhawks in 2017, he needed just one more year in junior before jumping into Chicago's lineup full time.3. Max Comtois, Anaheim DucksSean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / GettyGoals have been hard to come by in Anaheim, as key offensive contributors Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf have spent much, if not all, of the season on the shelf. The Ducks' playing style also has the team in its own end more often than not, so time around the opposing crease is seemingly a rarity.Enter Comtois, the 2017 second-round pick who is picking up the scoring pace in the absence of the Ducks' top performers. Through 10 contests, Comtois has picked up two goals, including a game-winner, and five assists to sit tied for first in team scoring.Comtois has now passed the 10-game entry-level-contract threshold, but his offensive production likely already ruled out any chance of a return to the QMJHL, anyway.2. Max Lajoie, Ottawa SenatorsJana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo / Getty Images Sport / GettyWhile second-year defenseman Thomas Chabot is doing his part to help Senators fans forget about former captain Erik Karlsson, credit is also due to rookie rearguard Lajoie.Lajoie has stepped into the Senators' lineup after spending just one year in Belleville, and appears to be a perfect fit for Guy Boucher's new-look coaching scheme. Across nine appearances, Lajoie has already picked up seven points, including four goals. It's only a matter of time before the fresh face becomes more well-known to the hometown crowd.1. Elias Pettersson, Vancouver CanucksRich Lam / Getty Images Sport / GettyLooking for a dynamic talent who could run away with this year's rookie honors? Feast your eyes on Canucks first-year sensation Pettersson, if you haven't already.Through seven appearances, the 19-year-old forward has picked up ten points, including seven goals, showing he can be an integral building block in the Canucks' forward corps alongside Brock Boeser. Even more impressive is that the Swedish talent hasn't struggled in adapting to the pace of play in his first season in North America.While it's unknown what Pettersson's stat line would look like had he not missed a six-game stretch after a suffering a concussion, the good news is he has since returned to the lineup.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bad news for the Vancouver Canucks as forward Brandon Sutter will be out at least four-to-six weeks after injuring his shoulder Monday night, according to TSN's Farhan Lalji.Sutter separated his shoulder after crashing into the boards during a penalty kill in the second period. The initial time frame is considered a best case scenario according to Lalji, meaning Sutter could be out even longer than six weeks.After the game Canucks head coach Travis Green didn't get into specifics on Sutter's injury, but did say the recovery time would not be days but "more like weeks."Through 12 games this season, Sutter has recorded three goals and one assist. He had 11 goals and 15 assists in 61 games with Vancouver last season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki has been suspended three games for an illegal hit to the head of Vegas Golden Knights forward Cody Eakin, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Monday.The incident in question occurred during the first period of Sunday's game. Eakin was forced from the contest and did not return.It's Borowiecki's second suspension in less than a week. The 29-year-old was assessed a one-game ban for elbowing Boston Bruins rookie Urho Vaakanainen.Borowiecki will be eligible to return to the lineup Nov. 4 when the Senators host the Tampa Bay Lightning.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

TORONTO - Things might feel a bit claustrophobic for Maple Leafs fans right now, but rest assured - the sky is not falling.Auston Matthews, the club's best forward through 11 games and an early candidate for both the Hart and Art Ross trophies, will be out for at least four weeks. Though his injured left shoulder won’t require surgery, Matthews is scheduled to miss a minimum of 14 games, beginning with Monday's tilt versus the Calgary Flames.On the bright side, the Leafs' carefully constructed roster - one that's brimming with unproven forwards itching for a few more shifts per game - should grant them some breathing room until Matthews recovers. And, perhaps more beneficially, it will give management a real chance to assess the team's depth."It's too bad for the kid," head coach Mike Babcock told the media on Monday. "And yet, it's an opportunity for someone on our team to play more. It's an opportunity for us to dig in and continue to get better.”So, how will the depth chart look on Monday night against Calgary? These were the forward lines assembled for the morning skate:LWCRWHymanTavaresKapanenMarleauKadriMarnerJohnssonLindholmBrownEnnisGauthierLeivoOnly the fourth line remained the same as the start of Saturday night’s win over the Winnipeg Jets, during which Matthews suffered his injury.Changes include:

As the one-year anniversary of the blockbuster trade that brought Matt Duchene to the Ottawa Senators approaches, general manager Pierre Dorion remains pleased with his investment."(I'm) very happy with how it turned out. Obviously, from a team (perspective), we would have liked to have more success, but the player is exactly as advertised," Dorion told reporters Monday. "He's a No. 1 center, he can carry the load, he can play against the other team's best lines."I think his production has been there. I think he's been a big part of why our power play is so successful this year. I think he brings tremendous leadership qualities. He's someone that can do a lot offensively. We've also seen him play some penalty kill."The Senators parted with forward Kyle Turris, goaltender Andrew Hammond, prospect Shane Bowers, a conditional first-round pick in 2018, and a 2019 third-rounder to bring Duchene to Ottawa in a three-team trade Nov. 5, 2017.But as Dorion indicates, while Duchene owns an impressive stat line since joining the Senators - he posted 49 points in the 68 games that followed the deal, and has 11 points across 10 games this season - it hasn't always translated to the win column. At the time of the trade, Ottawa owned a 6-3-5 record and went 22-40-6 the rest of the way.Most troubling to pundits was the inclusion of the Senators' first-round pick. Ottawa retained the option to defer the pick to 2019 if the team had a top 10 selection, and the Senators decided to do so in order to draft agitating forward Brady Tkachuk fourth overall. The risk is that some draft-lottery misfortune and another poor finish - the Senators wound up 30th overall last year - could cause the franchise to lose out on budding superstar Jack Hughes come June.But in the here and now, with the Senators at .500 this season, Dorion seems satisfied with last year's megadeal."We're really finding out that Matt Duchene is really a complete player, and as a human being, I can't say enough great things about him," Dorion added.Duchene, 27, can become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

During the regular season, theScore's NHL Power Rankings will be published every two weeks. This latest edition is the second of the regular season. It was compiled by editors Sean O'Leary, Josh Wegman, and Cory Wilkins.1. Nashville Predators (8-3-0) ▲Even with Pekka Rinne on the shelf, this is the most dangerous team in the league. The Predators could use an uptick in depth production, but with Filip Forsberg playing the way he is - nine goals in his last seven games - a lack of secondary scoring hasn't been much of a problem thus far. - O'LearyPreviously: 5th2. Tampa Bay Lightning (7-2-1) ▲First off, we're gonna go ahead and declare Tampa's 7-1 loss to the Arizona Coyotes an anomaly. Prior to that stunning result, which came on the latter half of a back-to-back with Andrei Vasilevskiy on the bench, the Bolts had won five of six, and they still stand as one of the NHL's most complete rosters. - O'LearyPreviously: 12th3. Toronto Maple Leafs (8-3-0) ▼The high of back-to-back wins over the Winnipeg Jets was diminished by the loss of Auston Matthews, but Toronto is still in good shape thanks to a rather notable offseason signing. A resolution on the William Nylander front would make it even easier to cope. - O'LearyPreviously: 1st4. Pittsburgh Penguins (6-1-2) ▲Evgeni Malkin has 18 points in nine games, and the Penguins just went 4-0 on a cross-Canada trek during which captain Sidney Crosby collected eight points of his own. Don't sleep on Pittsburgh. - O'LearyPreviously: 17th5. Colorado Avalanche (7-3-2) ▲Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Avs' top line is playing at a ridiculous level right now, but lost in the excitement of Colorado's high-powered offense has been the team's consistency between the pipes. Semyon Varlamov and Philipp Grubauer have combined for a .942 save percentage at five on five while allowing just 27 goals through 12 games. - O'LearyPreviously: 8th6. Winnipeg Jets (7-4-1) ▲The Jets haven't completely hit their stride just yet, and Patrik Laine hasn't scored an even-strength goal through 11 contests. Perhaps an excursion to Finland will help this Cup contender and its top sniper. - O'LearyPreviously: 19th7. Carolina Hurricanes (6-4-1) ▼Carolina is controlling over 61 percent of shots at five on five, and its high-tempo, fun-loving approach has become must-watch hockey. Unfortunately for the Canes, they've yet to find a reliable answer in goal, which appears to be the only thing preventing this club from storming its way into the top tier of the Eastern Conference. - O'LearyPreviously: 2nd8. Minnesota Wild (6-2-2) ▲After a slow start, Minnesota has reeled off five consecutive wins to make a push in the crowded Central Division. As usual, Devan Dubnyk has been the Wild's best player, while the early resurgence of Zach Parise - who has 11 points in 10 games - has helped the offense. - O'LearyPreviously: 26th9. Montreal Canadiens (6-2-2) ▲Who saw this coming? The Habs are playing a relentless brand of hockey and it's yielded positive results early on in a year when almost everyone expected them to be a basement dweller. Let's see how long they can keep it up. - O'LearyPreviously: 13th10. Boston Bruins (6-3-2) ▼Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / GettyBoston's won six of its last 10 on the strength of its scorching top line, but questions remain about both the club's forward depth and in goal, where Tuukka Rask has managed a measly .902 save percentage in his first six starts this year. - O'LearyPreviously: 3rd11. Columbus Blue Jackets (6-4-0) ▲The Blue Jackets are off to a good start despite Sergei Bobrovsky's .872 save percentage and 3.87 goals-against average. Just imagine how dangerous this team will be once one of the league's top goaltenders starts playing like himself. - WegmanPreviously: 18th12. San Jose Sharks (6-3-2) ▲Many pundits listed the Sharks as Stanley Cup contenders after the addition of Erik Karlsson, and we're starting to see why. The club is 4-0-1 in its last five games, with tasty home matchups against the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers on the docket this week. - WegmanPreviously: 16th13. Edmonton Oilers (6-3-1) ▲Critics were calling for Todd McLellan's job after an 0-2 start, but the Oilers have now won six of their last eight games, including victories over the Jets, Bruins, Predators, and Washington Capitals. - WegmanPreviously: 27th14. Washington Capitals (5-3-2)The league's best power play has helped hide some of the Capitals' even-strength struggles so far this season. It would be foolish to think the defending champs can't work out the kinks. - WegmanPreviously: 14th15. Buffalo Sabres (6-4-1)Kevin Hoffman / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Sabres are 3-0-1 in their last four games, but face an uphill battle in the suddenly deep Atlantic Division. - WegmanPreviously: 15th16. New Jersey Devils (5-2-1) ▼The Devils are receiving more and more offensive contributions from players not named Taylor Hall, which should help them continue to fill the win column as long as Keith Kinkaid remains stellar between the pipes. - WegmanPreviously: 4th17. Chicago Blackhawks (6-3-3) ▼Everyone was writing off the Blackhawks before the season began, but Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Co. are proving there's still plenty left in the tank. However, only one of Chicago's wins has come against a team with a record above .500. - WegmanPreviously: 7th18. Dallas Stars (5-5-0) ▼The Stars continue to be one of the most perplexing teams in the NHL, given their high-end talent but relative lack of success. It's possible Dallas is just taking time to adjust to new bench boss Jim Montgomery. - WegmanPreviously: 6th19. Calgary Flames (5-5-1) ▼The Flames have received awful goaltending from Mike Smith in the early going, so it wouldn't be shocking to see David Rittich receive more starts as the team tries to spark a turnaround. - WegmanPreviously: 10th20. Arizona Coyotes (5-5-0) ▲Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe offensive dam has finally broken for the Coyotes, who just finished smashing the Lightning to push their win streak to three games. Arizona appears equally strong in its own end, as both Antti Raanta and Darcy Kuemper have proven difficult to beat. - WilkinsPreviously: 31st21. St. Louis Blues (3-4-3) ▲Big offseason moves - counting the additions of Ryan O'Reilly, Tyler Bozak, and David Perron - led to big expectations in St. Louis, but the Blues have been an early-season flop. Jake Allen has struggled between the pipes and head coach Mike Yeo knows his job could be on the line if things don't improve. - WilkinsPreviously: 24th22. Vancouver Canucks (6-6-0) ▼A strong start to the season for the Canucks - a squad many picked as a favorite to lead the draft lottery - will now be tested by a host of injuries. The good news is both their young stars, Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson, are back in the lineup after spending some time sidelined. - WilkinsPreviously: 11th23. New York Islanders (5-4-1) ▼Big wins over the Flyers and Los Angeles Kings were essentially nullified after key losses to the Sharks and Anaheim Ducks, but the biggest takeaway for the Islanders is that new coach Barry Trotz has straightened out the team's goaltending. Thomas Greiss and new face Robin Lehner have both put up solid numbers, a nice bounce back after netminding proved to be New York's biggest weakness a year ago. - WilkinsPreviously: 20th24. Vegas Golden Knights (5-5-1) ▲The magic of last season appears to be gone for the Golden Knights. Most troubling is the team's apparent inability to score. The free-agent departures of James Neal and Perron could come back to haunt general manager George McPhee. An injury to Max Pacioretty only makes things more challenging. - WilkinsPreviously: 25th25. Ottawa Senators (4-4-2) ▼Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Senators have slowed after a strong start to the season, losing their last three games. Still, the team is exceeding preseason predictions and is providing a look at what's to come in talented young players Thomas Chabot and Max Lajoie. - WilkinsPreviously: 21st26. Anaheim Ducks (5-5-2) ▼You can only spend so much time in your own end before it's reflected in the loss column. That's the case with the Ducks, who have dropped five in a row and are being outpaced by an average of 14 shots each night. A litany of injuries doesn't help either. - WilkinsPreviously: 9th27. Philadelphia Flyers (4-7-0) ▼No team has allowed more goals than the Flyers, and it's difficult to imagine that stat improving even with the return of Michal Neuvirth. To make matters worse, Philadelphia's offense has dried up as it's dropped its last three games and scored just two goals in the process. - WilkinsPreviously: 22nd28. Florida Panthers (2-4-3) ▲While James Reimer is a reliable backup, the Panthers need to hang on as they await Roberto Luongo's return from injury. Fortunately, the team has had some success in doing so, picking up points in four of its last six contests. The Panthers now head to Finland for a two-game series versus the Jets. - WilkinsPreviously: 30th29. New York Rangers (3-7-1)Based on expectations, the Rangers' record through the early parts of the season isn't too surprising. Rookie coach David Quinn has made a quick transition to the NHL, while star talents Mats Zuccarello, Mika Zibanejad, and Henrik Lundqvist are still showing up. There's just a shortage of depth. That will come as New York continues down the rebuild road. - WilkinsPreviously: 29th30. Los Angeles Kings (3-7-1) ▼A slow start to the season has head coach John Stevens on the hot seat. While it appeared a turnaround could come with the return of Dustin Brown, another injury to star netminder Jonathan Quick took the wind from those sails. - WilkinsPreviously: 23rd31. Detroit Red Wings (2-7-2) ▼An ugly October has Red Wings fans looking toward the Jack Hughes lottery. A banged-up blue line hasn't helped matters. While the wins aren't coming, there have been some bright spots, particularly rookie defenseman Dennis Cholowski, Detroit's first-round pick from the 2016 draft. - WilkinsPreviously: 28thCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. 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Michael Rasmussen won't need to pack his bags.The Detroit Red Wings forward will remain with the big club for the season, head coach Jeff Blashill said, according to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.Rasmussen will play his 10th NHL game Tuesday, effectively burning the first year of his entry-level contract and putting to rest the possibility he would be reassigned to the WHL's Tri-City Americans.Detroit selected Rasmussen with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 draft. He's picked up one assist across nine appearances this season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Amid complaints from goaltenders across the league about the new specifications for their equipment, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly isn't considering backtracking.For the 2018-19 season, the NHL and NHLPA agreed to new specifications for goaltender chest protectors, making them more form-fitting to help increase scoring across the league. Despite the early gripes, Daly said the new equipment standards will not be reverted."Some of the concerns we're hearing now, they may grow in number, because you may hear somebody else do it, so you do it, too," Daly told ESPN's Emily Kaplan. "But I don't think we'll ever reach the point where we'd consider making changes."Numerous prominent netminders have voiced their displeasure with the modifications. Ben Bishop of the Dallas Stars told ESPN the new gear is more susceptible to leaving bruises, while Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals is wary of the added potential for serious injury."I like to not overreact to things," Daly said. "I don't think that some of the concerns we're hearing about currently are really reflective of a large majority of goaltenders."The league has seen an increase in goals this season, with the average rising to 6.18 goals per game, up from the 2017-18 mark of 5.94.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues announced four roster moves on Monday, recalling three skaters and one goaltender from the AHL.Netminder Ville Husso is among the recalls. He joins the Blues after starter Jake Allen left Saturday's contest following a collision with a teammate.Robby Fabbri, Nikita Soshnikov, and Carl Gunnarsson, all of whom were on conditioning stints, were also recalled.Fabbri hasn't suited up for the Blues since February 2017, when he suffered a knee injury. He then missed the entire 2017-18 campaign after re-injuring his ACL. The 22-year-old also sat out the start of this season because of a groin injury.In three appearances with the AHL's San Antonio Rampage this season, Fabbri has recorded one goal and one assist. He was the Blues' 21st overall pick in 2014.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Jersey Devils netminder Cory Schneider has been recalled from his AHL conditioning stint, the team announced Monday.Schneider was assigned to New Jersey's minor-league club earlier in October. He missed the beginning of the campaign as he continued to recover from his May hip surgery and has yet to suit up for the Devils this season.In three appearances with the AHL's Binghamton Devils, Schneider came away with one win and an .897 save percentage.Backup Keith Kinkaid held down the fort in Schneider's absence, going 5-2-1 with a .925 save rate.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.