After he was hammered with a 20-game suspension Wednesday, more than a few teammates came to the defense of Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson.Among the most vocal was fellow winger Devante Smith-Pelly, who told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski, "Honestly, I think it's garbage. We watched a video from the league saying what hits are good, and which ones aren't. They showed some hits that were way worse than that ... maybe not in force, but as it regards to the head, that were so-called 'allowed.' I guess he just has a different rule book, and I think it's garbage, honestly."You can't just (suspend) because it's him. We all feel he went through the shoulder. The guy has a separated shoulder. Just because it's him, you don't have to make a statement."Wilson was issued the ban following a head hit to St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist during preseason action. The suspension also comes on the heels of his three-game ban as a result of head hit in last year's playoffs.A decision has yet to be made on whether Wilson will appeal the suspension.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains coarse languageBrad Marchand certainly has a way with words.Following a 7-0 blowout loss to the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals, the Boston Bruins agitator summed up his feelings with some colorful language."It's fucking one game," Marchand told Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press. "It's nothing. We'll let it go and worry about tomorrow tomorrow."In the team's season opener, the Bruins found themselves in an early hole after netminder Tuukka Rask allowed five goals before the midway point of the second period.While the Bruins were shutout, Marchand wasn't entirely held off the scoresheet, as he ended the night with an instigator penalty and a game misconduct after fighting the Capitals' Lars Eller.

Erik Karlsson confirmed that he received a contract offer from the Ottawa Senators before being traded to the San Jose Sharks, but feels he would have been dealt even if he'd accepted Ottawa's proposal.The defenseman expressed that sentiment in an interview with Sportsnet's Christine Simpson Wednesday, telling her that negotiations with the Senators didn't progress to the final stages."I don't think it ever got to the point where I had an option to sign anything," Karlsson said. "It never even got close to that, and even if I would have signed, they probably would have traded me anyways, and I would have been somewhere else."Karlsson also revealed that, for all intents and purposes, his fate was initially sealed last winter."They had me traded in February already at the (trade) deadline," he said. "We were told we were pretty much gone, and that was very tough to hear."The superstar blue-liner said it was Senators general manager Pierre Dorion who informed Karlsson that a trade was imminent as training camp was on the verge of opening."(He) called me in the morning and told me not to come into camp (on) the first day, and that's when I probably realized that it was going to go down pretty quickly."Karlsson was traded to the Sharks on Sept. 13 along with forward Francis Perron for forward Chris Tierney, defenseman Dylan DeMelo, prospects Rudolfs Balcers and Josh Norris, a pair of draft picks, and another conditional pick if Karlsson re-signs with the Sharks.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes' push to host an outdoor game is moving in the right direction.Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon revealed as much to the Raleigh News & Observer's Luke DeCock on Wednesday. He said the NHL's events team visited Carter-Finley Stadium, home of the NC State Wolfpack, in September.Dundon called the league's evaluation of the site "progress," while conceding that the potential open-air affair won't have the fanfare or branding of a Winter Classic game. Instead, it will be a team-organized event done with NHL approval.“Traditionally, the Winter Classic is more for a national audience," Dundon said. "We’re not ready for that. We haven’t earned it.”He didn't seem too concerned about not having the branding."The NHL is excited and we’re excited and then we’re not dealing with national perception," Dundon said. "Because we’re not doing it for them. We’re doing it for us and our fans.”An NC State spokesperson told DeCock that the university and athletic department support the idea and would be willing to cooperate with the league and the Hurricanes.Back in January, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said an outdoor game at Carter-Finley was "not out of the question."The football facility, which has a capacity of over 57,000, is directly across the street from PNC Arena, home of the Hurricanes.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson has been suspended 20 games for his hit on St. Louis Blues center Oskar Sundqvist, the department of player safety announced on Wednesday.This marks Wilson's fourth suspension over his last 105 games, including preseason and postseason contests.Wilson, who signed a six-year, $31-million contract with the Capitals this offseason, will forfeit $1.26 million during his suspension.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Flyers' new mascot, Gritty, now has his own hockey card.Upper Deck unveiled an official NHL rookie card for Gritty on Tuesday, and will be providing details on how fans can get their hands on one in the coming weeks.(Photos courtesy: Upper Deck)Gritty has only been in existence for a little over a week, but he's already the NHL's most followed mascot on Twitter, according to Underground Sports Philadelphia, with more than 114,000 followers,Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's time to drop the puck on the 2018-19 NHL season. While we're all brimming with excitement, plenty of questions about what lies ahead over the next seven months remain.Here, we'll address one issue each Western Conference team is facing entering the new campaign.Anaheim Ducks: How do they overcome early injuries?Anaheim immediately faces a major uphill battle as injuries to Corey Perry, Patrick Eaves, and Ryan Kesler create significant holes in the roster. That will lead to opportunities for lesser-known winger Ondrej Kase and forward prospect Troy Terry. But if another Ducks regular goes down, it could be a long season in Orange County.Arizona Coyotes: Can they finally take a step forward?The Coyotes will get another crack at making progress during their ongoing rebuild. Arizona improved when it added Alex Galchenyuk and Michael Grabner over the summer, and believe it or not, Antti Raanta led the NHL in save percentage (.930) among goalies with 40-plus appearances in 2017-18.Calgary Flames: How will their offseason acquisitions pan out?Calgary did it all this offseason. They hired a new coach in Bill Peters, made a big trade splash when Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm were added, dipped into the free-agent market and lured James Neal, then also acquired Austin Czarnik and Derek Ryan, two supplemental pieces. Will all that lead to a playoff appearance? General manager Brad Treliving better hope so.Chicago Blackhawks: Was last season a one-off, or the beginning of the end?Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe Blackhawks' run of consecutive playoff appearances ended at nine last spring, and finding their way back won't be an easy task. Corey Crawford's health is the club's ultimate X-factor, but Chicago's fate in 2018-19 can't fall solely on his shoulders. Numerous key Blackhawks underachieved last season, and similar performances won't cut it in the league's most competitive division.Colorado Avalanche: Who takes over in goal?After surprisingly earning a playoff berth last season, the Avs' biggest move of the summer was acquiring goaltender Philipp Grubauer from the Washington Capitals and signing him to a three-year contract. He'll battle with the oft-injured Semyon Varlamov for the starting job, and whoever takes the reins will play an integral role in whether Colorado is competitive again.Dallas Stars: Is another new coach the answer?Dallas is on its third head coach in as many years, and rookie bench boss Jim Montgomery is tasked with getting an underachieving Stars squad back into the playoffs. Dallas has a loaded top line and some nice young pieces on the blue line. But the Stars have missed the postseason in three of the last four years, and another futile campaign could lead to some serious roster revamping.Edmonton Oilers: Can they bury the memories of last season?Edmonton's 2017-18 season was a nightmare, and the Oilers opted to give virtually the same roster another shot rather than undergoing a significant overhaul. To avoid a repeat disaster, Cam Talbot needs to be better in goal, and someone other than Connor McDavid has to step up offensively.Los Angeles Kings: Can their core still carry them?Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Kings have a top-heavy roster and a talented core that's produced two Stanley Cups. But they aren't getting any younger, and the poor supplemental pieces surrounding Los Angeles' nucleus make it tough to believe this team is a championship contender. Signing Ilya Kovalchuk will help, but an injured Dustin Brown and an underwhelming bottom six will be a lot to overcome.Minnesota Wild: How do they get over the hump?The Wild have found a way into the playoffs in three straight seasons, only to be ousted in the first round each time. Other than naming Paul Fenton general manager, Minnesota didn't undergo any changes since its five-game elimination in April, and this club appears stuck on the bubble. Bruce Boudreau never misses the playoffs, and Devan Dubnyk is good enough to rely upon every year. But finding a way to get past the first round is priority No. 1 in 2018-19 for the Wild.Nashville Predators: Is this Rinne's last season in Nashville?The Predators are set to be a Stanley Cup contender again, but questions surrounding Pekka Rinne's future linger. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner faltered against Winnipeg in the playoffs to sour what was otherwise a stellar campaign in 2017-18. Rinne is a pending unrestricted free agent next summer, so this could be the 35-year-old's last shot at winning a ring with the club he's backstopped for 12 seasons.San Jose Sharks: Are they the best team in the West?An aging club with a shrinking championship window has turned back into a powerhouse thanks to general manager Doug Wilson, and now the Sharks look poised to make a run at the top of the Western Conference standings. The addition of Erik Karlsson, along with a full year of Evander Kane, gives San Jose one of the deepest rosters in the NHL, and their new-look lineup will lead to must-watch hockey.St. Louis Blues: Can Jake Allen be consistent?Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAfter a summer filled with big-name acquisitions, the Blues' most significant question for the upcoming campaign is the play of goaltender Jake Allen. The 28-year-old's .906 save percentage sunk St. Louis' playoff hopes in 2017-18. Now with a more complete roster in front of him, Allen will need to bounce back for the Blues to keep pace with their fellow Central Division contenders.Vancouver Canucks: What's the ceiling for the kids?The Canucks' rebuild is nowhere near complete, but fans will get a glimpse of the team's future in 2018-19. The arrival of dynamic center Elias Pettersson adds excitement to the organization, and Brock Boeser and Bo Horvat will be bright spots during another year of development for a team not expected to contend for a while yet.Vegas Golden Knights: Are they a Cup threat again?Vegas advanced to the Stanley Cup Final during its first season as an expansion team, setting a pretty high bar going forward. That may have seemed like a fluke at the time, but these Golden Knights are legit. Adding Paul Stastny and Max Pacioretty gives Vegas one of the deepest top-six groups in the NHL. This club can easily contend again.Winnipeg Jets: How will the loss of Paul Stastny effect the attack?Speaking of Stastny, how will the Jets overcome losing their big trade deadline acquisition? Stastny's passing prowess added a new element to Winnipeg's attack, and he was a key contributor as the club advanced to the Western Conference Final, tallying 15 points in 17 playoff games. The Jets are still deep up front, but there's no question Stastny's departure is an immediate downgrade up the middle.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nearly half of the NHL's coaches were hired in the past two years, so there may be fewer on the hot seat than usual. However, there's three in particular who could be without a job in due time.Todd McLellan, OilersJoel Auerbach / Getty Images Sport / GettyHired: May 19, 2015Another bad start for the Edmonton Oilers could cost Todd McLellan his job. After a successful 2016-17 season, the Oilers began last year with a 7-12-2 mark and never climbed out of that hole.By season's end, the Oilers had the league's worst power play (14.8 percent) and the seventh-worst penalty kill (76.7). Special-teams woes are usually blamed on the coach - fairly or not.General manager Peter Chiarelli may be feeling some pressure himself. Back-to-back seasons of missing the playoffs with Connor McDavid on the roster is unacceptable in a hockey-crazed market like Edmonton, and Chiarelli will promptly make a coaching change if the team starts slow once again.Joel Quenneville, BlackhawksJonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport / GettyHired: Oct. 16, 2008Joel Quenneville is the longest-tenured coach in the league, but his time in the Windy City may be drawing to a close.Quenneville's job was rumored to be jeopardy during a disastrous 2017-18 campaign as the Blackhawks missed the playoffs (by a lot) for the first time since he took over.And general manager Stan Bowman hasn't done Quenneville any favors; a series of one-sided trades have stripped the roster of most of its talent.Meanwhile, Corey Crawford's health is worrisome, the blue line is full of question marks, and Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane will be asked to carry the offensive load despite all their mileage. In a tough Central Division, the Hawks seem more poised to be in the Jack Hughes sweepstakes than to contend for the postseason. If early indicators point toward another season without playoff hockey, Bowman may turn the page and bring in a new coach.Randy Carlyle, DucksBruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyHired: June 14, 2016 (second stint)The Anaheim Ducks were hampered by injuries for much of the first half last season, and already have a slew of players shelved to begin 2018-19. They still rallied to make the playoffs after a 11-11-6 start a year ago, but were swept in the first round by the rival San Jose Sharks.Carlyle's first stint as Anaheim's bench boss ended after an early playoff exit and then a slow start to the following season. And with the team's Stanley Cup window closing, his archaic coaching style could cost him his job this time around. General manager Bob Murray wants the Ducks to play faster, and he may need a fresh voice to make it happen.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A pair of Montreal Canadiens veterans will begin the 2018-19 season in the press box, as defenseman Karl Alzner and center Tomas Plekanec have been designated as healthy scratches for Wednesday's opener versus the Toronto Maple Leafs, head coach Claude Julien announced.Alzner is in the second season of a five-year, $23.125-million contract he signed with the Canadiens last July. The 30-year-old played over 20 minutes per night on Montreal's blue line in 2017-18 and hasn't missed a single game since the 2009-10 season.Plekanec, meanwhile, rejoined the Canadiens on a one-year contract after a trade-deadline move to the Maple Leafs last season. He recorded 26 points in 77 games split between the two teams.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jack Eichel has been named captain of the Buffalo Sabres.

Brady Tkachuk's NHL debut will have to wait.The Ottawa Senators rookie forward will miss the club's season opener on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks with a mild groin strain, general manager Pierre Dorion said, according to TSN's Ian Mendes.Tkachuk earned a spot on the Senators' roster after tallying one goal, one assist, eight shots, eight hits, and three penalties drawn in four preseason games.The 19-year-old was the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft after a 31-point season at Boston University.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leading up to the start of the 2018-19 season, theScore is counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by four of our NHL editors.100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-110. Taylor Hall, DevilsWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman119119Hall paced the New Jersey Devils in epic fashion last season, recording a whopping 41 more points than Nico Hischier, who finished second on the team. He's always been a strong skater and playmaker, but Hall found his scoring touch during his MVP campaign. His 39 goals were a career high and he should be in line for another big year at the front of New Jersey's attack. -- O'Leary9. Anze Kopitar, KingsWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman91487Kopitar silenced his critics in a major way last season, exploding for a career-high 92 points on a Los Angeles Kings club that wasn't among the league's top offenses. His disappointing 2016-17 output was clearly an aberration and his strong two-way play remains nearly unparalleled. The Hart Trophy finalist deserves to be mentioned among the NHL's absolute best. -- Gold-Smith8. Auston Matthews, Maple LeafsWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman68914Since he entered the league in 2016-17, Matthews leads all players with 55 five-on-five goals despite missing 20 games to injury last season. Now he's poised for an offensive explosion as he prepares to share a power-play unit with John Tavares this year. We've only reached the tip of the iceberg when it comes it the 21-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs phenom. -- O'Leary7. Erik Karlsson, SharksWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman45712Can any player in the league single-handedly take over a game quite like Karlsson? His ability to carry a team was on full display during the 2017 postseason when he tallied 18 points in 19 games and nearly took a ragtag Ottawa Senators squad to the Stanley Cup Final. The smooth-skating Swede has two Norris trophies to his name, and has arguably been robbed of two more. -- Wegman6. Nikita Kucherov, LightningWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman13654Kucherov paced the league in scoring for the majority of the year before Connor McDavid went on a tear following the All-Star break. The Russian winger finished with an even 100 points and has emerged as one of the most talented players in the league, and a magician with the puck - just ask Braden Holtby and Robin Lehner. -- Hagerman5. Nathan MacKinnon, AvalancheWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman5766MacKinnon was very close to winning the Hart last season, and rightfully so. He carried the Colorado Avalanche back to the playoffs and finished 0.01 points per game behind McDavid for tops in the NHL. He's a lethal scorer and playmaker, and the sky's the limit at just 23 years old. -- Gold-Smith4. Alex Ovechkin, CapitalsWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman8445Ovechkin is the greatest goal-scorer of this decade, earning the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy seven times. He just finished guiding the Washington Capitals to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history and shows no signs of slowing down. Ovechkin's shot remains one of the most feared in the NHL. Don't be surprised if he breaks the 50-goal threshold this season for the eighth time in his career. -- Hagerman3. Evgeni Malkin, PenguinsWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman3333Malkin is obviously one of the today's elite players, but he makes his case to be recognized as one of the greatest to ever lace up a pair of skates with his ability to elevate his play when Pittsburgh Penguins teammate Sidney Crosby is absent. When Malkin is at his very best, the argument could be made that he's more dangerous than Sid, though the Pens captain is far more consistent with his level of dominance. -- Wegman2. Sidney Crosby, PenguinsWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman2222Crosby has relinquished the title as the NHL's best player, but that doesn't mean the superstar is on the decline. He continues to produce at an elite rate and is well-rounded in every facet of the game. Crosby still regularly dazzles, and it would be foolish to think he's finished adding to his trophy case. -- O'Leary1. Connor McDavidWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman1111This one's a no-brainer, and that's a testament to just how otherworldly McDavid is. Even amidst a disastrous Edmonton Oilers season, the superstar center rose to new heights with 41 goals and claimed his second straight Art Ross Trophy with a career-high 108 points. It's almost scary when you remember he's only 21 years old. -- Gold-SmithCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Anaheim Ducks forward Ondrej Kase will be sidelined indefinitely with a concussion, reports Mike Coppinger of the Los Angeles Times.Kase suffered the injury in Saturday's preseason tilt against the Los Angeles Kings.The injury is the latest blow to a Ducks squad that's already lost veteran winger Corey Perry for five months due to a knee injury. Also, center Ryan Kesler's return remains unclear as he's still rehabbing from hip surgery.In 66 appearances with the Ducks last season, Kase notched 20 goals and 18 assists. His 20-goal output finished second to only Rickard Rakell for the team lead.Kase is under contract for the next three seasons at a $2.6-million cap hit.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sam Gagner will be playing closer to home.The veteran forward and Ontario native, who cleared waivers Tuesday after being released by the Vancouver Canucks, has been loaned to the AHL's Toronto Marlies, the team announced Tuesday.The Canucks' alternative was to assign Gagner to their minor-league affiliate in Utica, N.Y.However, while Gagner will suit up for the Toronto Maple Leafs' farm club, he remains property of the Canucks and can't be recalled by the Maple Leafs, unless they were to acquire his rights.The 29-year-old is under contract for the next two seasons at a $3.15-million cap hit.While it's a rare occurrence, it's not the only such arrangement in the NHL. Matt Moulson, who's under contract with the Buffalo Sabres, spent last season with the AHL's Ontario Reign, the Los Angeles Kings' minor-league affiliate. Moulson has again been loaned to Ontario for 2018-19.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the first time since 1974, the Vancouver Canucks will begin the season without a captain.In place of the retired Henrik Sedin, who captained the Canucks since 2010, the team has named a four-player leadership group of Bo Horvat, Brandon Sutter, Chris Tanev, and Alex Edler."Our team culture will be built from leadership by committee," Canucks head coach Travis Green said in a statement. "It will be a big part of our process and our identity each and every game."Of the four, Edler is the longest-serving Canuck, having been with the franchise since 2006.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Alex Chiasson, the team announced Tuesday.The veteran forward had been attending Edmonton's training camp on a professional tryout offer. He appeared in four preseason contests, picking up two points.Chiasson joins the Oilers after spending 2017-18 with the Washington Capitals. He notched 18 points in 61 games last season, then added two more points in the playoffs en route to the Stanley Cup.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL is one step closer to a 32nd franchise as commissioner Gary Bettman announced that the executive committee voted unanimously to recommend Seattle for an expansion team, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.A formal vote will take place at December's Board of Governors meeting.Related: Who, what, where, when, how: Answering NHL-to-Seattle FAQsThe Seattle ownership group is led by Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Texas billionaire David Bonderman. Former Arizona Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett, who is serving as an advisor, is the group's lone hockey-related hire.The group is aiming to join the NHL for the 2020-21 season, playing out of the KeyArena, where an extensive renovation has been planned.The NHL has expanded by three teams since 2000, adding the Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Mike Green won't be suiting up in October.The veteran blue-liner has been sidelined with a virus that kept him out of the lineup for the entire preseason. While the initial diagnosis was that Green could miss the start of the season, Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill said that Green will be out for at least a month, according to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free PressIt's been a troubling last few months for Green on the injury front. After missing the final nine games of 2017-18 due to a neck injury, he underwent cervical spine surgery at the end of the season.Green has spent the past three seasons with the Red Wings. He inked a two-year, $10.75-million extension with Detroit this summer.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Divisions:

The Chicago Blackhawks could have Corey Crawford back in net before the end of the month.Head coach Joel Quenneville said the Blackhawks are "optimistically" targeting Oct. 18 against the Arizona Coyotes as a possible return date for the club's star netminder, according to The Athletic's Mark Lazerus. If this comes to fruition, Crawford would only miss the first five games of the season.Crawford was limited to just 28 games last year due to a concussion. In the small sample size, though, he played some of the best hockey of his life, sporting a .929 save percentage, a 2.27 goals-against average, and two shutouts.Quenneville added that Crawford looked "extremely good" and "sharp in all areas" during Tuesday's practice.Anton Forsberg and offseason acquisition Cam Ward are expected to share the crease until Crawford returns.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators fans may have to wait longer than expected to get their first look at Brady Tkachuk in meaningful action.The No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 draft is doubtful to play in the team's season opener on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks, general manager Pierre Dorion told TSN 1200 on Tuesday."We're hopeful he'll be able to rejoin the team (soon)," Dorion said, according to the Ottawa Citizen's Bruce Garrioch. "It's nothing serious, it's a nagging little injury and we want to be cautious."Meanwhile, veteran forward Marian Gaborik will begin the season on injured reserve. The oft-injured sniper underwent back surgery in April, but was originally expected to only miss eight weeks. On Sept. 12, Dorion said there's no guarantee he would play this season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers have signed defenseman Jason Garrison to a one-year contract, the team announced Tuesday.The veteran rearguard earned a spot on Edmonton's blue line after signing a professional tryout with the club back on Aug. 28.The 33-year-old suited up in just eight games for the Vegas Golden Knights last season, spending most of his 2017-18 campaign in the AHL, where he tallied eight goals and 20 assists in 58 games.Garrison has logged 538 games in the NHL, highlighted by a 16-goal season in 2011-12 with the Florida Panthers.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 first edition looks ahead to the 2018-19 campaign. It was compiled by editors Josh Gold-Smith, Sean O'Leary, and Josh Wegman.1. Washington CapitalsThe Stanley Cup champions return with the core intact and with largely the same supporting cast - minus their former head coach and backup goaltender. Barry Trotz's departure was stunning, but new bench boss Todd Reirden was a vital part of the championship team and gives Washington some additional continuity in his new role.Other contenders have undoubtedly improved, but the Capitals get the benefit of the doubt as the top dog until they prove unworthy. -- Gold-Smith2. Vegas Golden KnightsThe Golden Knights lost James Neal and David Perron in free agency after their improbable Cup Final run, but adding Max Pacioretty and Paul Stastny bolstered a Vegas club that was already well positioned to make another extended foray into the playoffs. They won't take anyone by surprise this season, but it might not matter. -- Gold-Smith3. Tampa Bay LightningSteve Yzerman's exit sent shockwaves throughout the league, but new GM Julien BriseBois was the longtime heir apparent and, like Reirden, brings a similar sense of continuity to the Lightning. Tampa Bay didn't lose anyone else this summer, and this team still has an incredibly deep and balanced roster. -- Gold-Smith4. Winnipeg JetsThe Jets remain a powerhouse, especially after GM Kevin Cheveldayoff locked up Connor Hellebuyck, Blake Wheeler, and a couple of key defensemen in the offseason. Another trip to the Western Conference Final wouldn't be a shocking development. -- Gold-Smith5. San Jose SharksEzra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe addition of Erik Karlsson transformed the Sharks from a likely playoff squad to a team with a legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup. Doug Wilson got Logan Couture, Evander Kane, and Tomas Hertl signed to extensions while keeping Joe Thornton in the fold, too. San Jose should challenge Vegas for the division and conference crowns. -- Gold-Smith6. Toronto Maple LeafsJohn Tavares is a Toronto Maple Leaf, and that has fans dreaming of Lord Stanley's mug, but the club still has a lot to prove. Toronto's new loaded power-play unit is a nightmare for opponents, though, and this club appears ready to take the next step. The William Nylander saga hangs overhead, but both the present and future look bright in Toronto. -- Gold-Smith7. Nashville PredatorsLast season's Presidents' Trophy winners had a fine offseason, but they must be disappointed that Eeli Tolvanen will start out in the AHL. More importantly for the Predators, the spotlight is on Pekka Rinne, who's 36 next month and is entering a contract year. Will he be Vezina-worthy again? -- Gold-Smith8. Boston BruinsThe Bruins still have an explosive top line, a keeper on defense in Charlie McAvoy, and a steady goaltender in Tuukka Rask. But they may be hard-pressed to keep up with the Lightning and the Leafs in the Atlantic Division, especially now that Torey Krug is out for at least three weeks. -- Gold-Smith9. Pittsburgh PenguinsAfter finally being vanquished by the Capitals in last spring's playoffs, the Penguins had a pretty lackluster offseason in which a surprising long-term deal for Jack Johnson was their biggest move. Pittsburgh remains stacked up front, but depth might once again be a concern. -- Gold-Smith10. St. Louis BluesBilly Hurst / USA Today SportsThe Blues had a terrific summer. They landed versatile center Ryan O'Reilly in a trade, brought back David Perron, and added Patrick Maroon and Tyler Bozak to bolster their forward group. St. Louis is also set on the back end, so as usual, Jake Allen's play will likely determine whether they can hang with the league's truly elite teams. -- Gold-Smith11. Los Angeles KingsEven with the news that Dustin Brown will be out indefinitely with a broken finger, the Kings are still one of the league's most complete teams. Keep in mind, this club recorded 98 points despite missing Jeff Carter for most of last year. Plus they added Ilya Kovalchuk this offseason for an extra scoring punch. -- Wegman12. Minnesota WildThe Wild are constantly pegged as a team that's good, but not good enough. Well, a 101-point season is pretty good, considering they accomplished that feat in the competitive Central Divison, which contains two of the league's best teams. They may not be anyone's Stanley Cup pick, but they're certainly an above-average squad, and a near lock to make the postseason. -- Wegman13. Anaheim DucksThe Ducks may be old and slightly banged up already, but they have some of the league's best center depth, a top-four defense core, and a premier goaltender - factors always conducive to success. -- Wegman14. Philadelphia FlyersThe Flyers added to their already prolific offense in the offseason by inking James van Riemsdyk to a five-year, $35-million contract. However, even with Shayne Gostisbehere and Ivan Provorov patrolling the blue line, there are holes on the back end. And, as it has been for the last few decades, the goaltending is a major question mark. -- Wegman15. Florida PanthersEliot J. Schechter / National Hockey League / GettyThe Panthers possess one of the league's most lethal top-six forward groups, but can it be enough to carry them to the postseason? The bottom-six is lacking, there are holes on defense, and Roberto Luongo's durability between the pipes is worrisome as he approaches the age of 40. -- Wegman16. Calgary FlamesThe Flames made some big offseason moves, acquiring Noah Hanifin, Elias Lindholm, and James Neal, to fill out a deep roster. Like the Panthers, though, the Flames will go as far as an aging, injury-prone netminder can take them, which is never ideal. -- Wegman17. Dallas StarsCan Jim Montgomery right the ship in Dallas? He'll be the Stars' sixth head coach since 2008-09. With Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, and others, the talent is there, but the results haven't been in the past, with just two playoff berths and one series victory in the last decade. -- Wegman18. Columbus Blue JacketsCan the Blue Jackets drown out the background noise of all the Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky rumors? It'll be tough with Seth Jones and Ryan Murray out to begin the season. -- Wegman19. Colorado AvalancheThe biggest question mark facing the Avalanche this year is scoring depth. Behind the first line of Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mikko Rantanen, who's going to step up? Someone will have to if the Avs are going to return to the playoffs. -- Wegman20. Edmonton OilersJana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo / National Hockey League / GettyThe Oilers seem to have found Connor McDavid some linemates, as he, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Ty Rattie lit it up this preseason after ending last year on a high note. Cam Talbot, Oscar Klefbom, Milan Lucic, and many others will need bounce-back seasons, but playoff hockey in Edmonton is well within reach. -- Wegman21. Carolina HurricanesThe Hurricanes underwent numerous changes over the summer and have once again been designated as dark horse playoff candidates. While the moniker hasn't yielded any results in years past, Carolina got better by adding Dougie Hamilton. With decent goaltending, it's not hard to see them competing in the Eastern Conference. -- O'Leary22. New Jersey DevilsThe Devils are out to prove last season wasn't a fluke, but they didn't do much over the offseason to reinforce the roster. That said, the Devils enter the season fully healthy, and do have reigning MVP Taylor Hall leading the way. Let's see if the magic can carry over into a new campaign. -- O'Leary23. Chicago Blackhawks It looks like goaltender Corey Crawford is getting closer to full health, and that's a great sign for the Blackhawks, who had their season torpedoed when he went down last year. Still, Chicago needs to be way better in front of him if they want a chance to return to the playoffs. -- O'Leary24. Buffalo SabresThe Sabres have a new starting goalie in Carter Hutton, a new offensive weapon in Jeff Skinner, and added a generational defenseman in Rasmus Dahlin. Perhaps this is the year things finally trend upward in Buffalo. -- O'Leary25. Arizona CoyotesChristian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / GettyArizona was an afterthought in the playoff picture by November last season thanks to a historically awful start, but created some optimism for the future by finishing surprisingly strong. Can their group of kids carry that over into 2018-19? -- O'Leary26. New York IslandersIt certainly wasn't a quiet summer on Long Island. No more captain, a new coach, general manager, and plenty of new players are in-house. The Isles' roster certainly doesn't scream playoff threat, but maybe Stanley Cup winner Barry Trotz can find a way to get the most out of his guys. -- O'Leary27. New York RangersTough times all across New York these days, it seems. After tearing things down last season, the Rangers will begin to try and rebuild this year, emphasizing the development of their youngsters and selling remaining parts for future assets. Poor Henrik Ludnqvist. -- O'Leary28. Detroit Red WingsThis is Dylan Larkin's team now, and while he's a perfectly good player, those around him don't equate to much. On the bright side, Detroit has 10 total picks for the 2019 draft. -- O'Leary29. Montreal CanadiensEarly impressions indicate Jesperi Kotkaniemi was a great choice for the Canadiens' future, but as for the present, this is a roster with some major flaws. Hopefully, Carey Price returns to his reliable old self or else Montreal could be falling even farther down our rankings in the future. -- O'Leary30. Vancouver CanucksThe excitement of mixing Elias Pettersson with Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser is warranted, but it doesn't negate the misguidance of the Canucks spending their summer awarding three bottom-six forwards multi-year contracts. -- O'Leary31. Ottawa SenatorsThere's not much left to say about all the Senators have gone through over the past 12 months, but the countdown for decisions on pending unrestricted free agents Mark Stone and Matt Duchene is officially on. -- O'LearyCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs' goaltending depth just took a hit.Veteran Curtis McElhinney was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, while fellow netminder Calvin Pickard was claimed by the Philadelphia Flyers, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.These moves come in the wake of Toronto's decision to keep 2017-18 AHL goaltender of the year Garret Sparks as the team's backup behind Frederik Andersen this season.McElhinney, 35, is coming off the best season of his career, posting a .934 save percentage and a 2.14 goals-against average in 18 games with the Leafs a year ago. He'll likely split duties with Petr Mrazek in the Hurricanes' crease while Scott Darling recovers from a lower-body injury.Pickard, 26, spent the bulk of the 2017-18 campaign with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, registering a .918 save percentage and a 2.31 goals-against average in 33 games. The former Colorado Avalanche netminder will likely serve as Brian Elliott's backup in Philadelphia until Michal Neuvirth regains full health.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Scott Darling will miss two weeks with a lower-body injury, head coach Rod Brind'Amour said, according to Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer.Darling suffered the injury during Sunday's preseason meeting with the Nashville Predators. After the game, Brind'Amour mentioned it was a hamstring ailment.The towering 6-foot-6 netminder signed a four-year, $16.6-million contract with the Hurricanes last offseason after he was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks. He struggled in his first year in Raleigh, going 13-21-7 with an .888 save percentage and a 3.18 goals-against average.Backup goaltender Petr Mrazek, who was signed to a one-year deal as a free agent this summer, will likely split starting duties with the recently acquired Curtis McElhinney until Darling returns.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Any team can beat any opponent on any given night because of the parity in today's NHL. The league is wide open, but sometimes a tough schedule can trip up a squad.Lengthy road trips are one of the main disadvantages for a team over the course of a season. Coaches don't have as much control over matchups while trying to manage player fatigue, and multiple long flights across the continent take a toll.With the season upon us, here are three of the most difficult stretches teams will face away from home in 2018-19.Washington Captials: Feb. 12th-21st Opponents: Blue Jackets, Sharks, Ducks, Kings, Maple Leafs, Sabres

Montreal Canadiens forward Jacob de la Rose suffered a cardiac episode and will not make the trip to Toronto for the team's season opener against the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, the club announced Tuesday.The incident occurred during Saturday's game against the Ottawa Senators, according to TSN's John Lu. Team doctors didn't clear de la Rose to travel so he will remain in Montreal for further evaluation.The 23-year-old Swede tallied 12 points in 55 games with the Habs a year ago. He inked a two-year, $1.8-million contract with the club this past summer.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leading up to the start of the 2018-19 season, theScore will be counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by four of our NHL editors. We'll reveal 10 players every weekday until the top 10 is unveiled on Oct. 3.100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-120. Brent Burns, SharksWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman14232127Since 2015-16, Burns has the 19th-most points in the NHL, ahead of premier forwards such as Mark Scheifele, Vladimir Tarasenko, Taylor Hall, and Nathan MacKinnon. In that span, only Alex Ovechkin has more shots. Giveaways are his Achilles heel, but when a rugged, 6-foot-5 blue-liner is annually posting forward-like numbers, the turnovers are tolerable. -- Wegman19. Steven Stamkos, LightningWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman21192022After being limited to just 17 games in 2017, Stamkos returned to his elite self in 2018. He tallied 86 points, forming one of the top duos playing alongside Nikita Kucherov. Now healthy, his shot from the half wall is as good as ever and his speed remains a killer. -- Hagerman18. Tyler Seguin, StarsTom Pennington / Getty Images Sport / GettyWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman29161720Since joining the Stars in 2013-14, Seguin has recorded 384 points in 387 games, while his 173 goals over that span trail only Alex Ovechkin. His production gets somewhat overlooked, but there's no denying that the 26-year-old is one of the best centers in the league and is worth every penny of the $78.8-million extension he signed in September. -- O'Leary17. Brad Marchand, BruinsWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman18261617When he's not licking or elbowing opponents, Marchand is one of the NHL's best left-wingers. The talented pest trailed only Connor McDavid, MacKinnon, and Evgeni Malkin among qualified players in points per game last season, pouring in 85 over 68 contests. He plays on the edge at times, but there's no denying his offensive skills. -- Gold-Smith16. Mark Scheifele, JetsHannah Foslien / Getty Images Sport / GettyWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman23131819Scheifele has been a point-per-game player over the past two seasons and showed he has the ability to elevate his game when it matters most by burying 14 goals in 17 playoff contests over the spring. The 25-year-old has entered his prime as a player, and he's cemented his name as one of the league's best players. -- O'Leary15. John Tavares, Maple LeafsWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman16171513Tavares is already firing on all cylinders with his new team, and he has Toronto Maple Leafs fans salivating thinking about what he'll accomplish when the games count. The superstar forward averaged 34 goals and 76 points over his final four seasons with the New York Islanders, and he could top that playing on a loaded Leafs power-play unit. -- Gold-Smith14. Patrick Kane, BlackhawksBill Smith / National Hockey League / GettyWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman26121410His numbers might have dropped last season, but there is no getting around the fact that few NHLers possess the skill set of Kane. He can stick handle in a phone booth, appears at times to have eyes in the back of his head, and has a wicked release to boot. He's still a wizard with the puck. -- Hagerman13. Drew Doughty, KingsWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman7151315Doughty's natural offensive abilities are well documented, but what he has that some of the league's other top defensemen lack is a mean streak. He'll hack, whack, dish out physical punishment, and play with a chip on his shoulder. This drives opponents up a wall and makes him very unpleasant to play against. -- Wegman12. Patrice Bergeron, BruinsMaddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / GettyWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman1211128There isn't a thing Bergeron can't do. He centers what is arguably the best line in the NHL, alongside Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, he's a wizard in the faceoff dot, and last season put up 63 points in 64 games, good enough for the best points-per-game mark of his career. He's everything you could want in a centerman. -- Hagerman11. Victor Hedman, LightningWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman10101011Hedman's mobility, high-end skill, and instincts are just simply unfair when you remember he's 6-foot-6, 223 lbs. He has the ability to take control of a game the same way some of the best blue-liners of all time have. Despite Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, and Andrei Vasilevskiy's importance, Hedman is the Lightning's most valuable player. -- WegmanCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Guy Boucher isn't focusing on his contract situation entering the 2018-19 season.The Ottawa Senators' bench boss will be on the final year of the three-year contract he inked in 2016. But he isn't concerned about his uncertain future."I've had that before and I won a championship," Boucher told Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. "Ask Barry Trotz how he liked his year (in Washington)? I don't do things in life for money, I never have. I don't do things for contracts. I do things because I like being there and I want to do them."I put my name at the bottom of that contract for three years and that's what I plan to do and to do it well, and that's exactly what's happening."In two seasons with the Senators, Boucher has posted a 72-71-21 record, but with wildly different outcomes. In 2016-17, he led the Senators to within one goal of the Stanley Cup Final, only to follow up with a 30th-place finish last season.After a disastrous 2017-18 season, Senators general manager Pierre Dorion put Boucher through a review period and stressed that, in order to return behind the bench, he must play more young players and hold more practices. That meeting seemingly went well, as Boucher remains in Ottawa.Boucher is the Senators' seventh coach since 2007.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One surprise deserves another.After the Arizona Coyotes made an off-the-board pick in this summer's draft by selecting Barrett Hayton fifth overall, the young center will begin the upcoming season in the NHL."Everything we thought and expected (about Hayton) has come true," Coyotes general manager John Chayka told theScore's John Matisz. "He's one of those guys who you think will keep getting better and better every single day. He does a lot of good things, makes his teammates better, and came into camp and did a nice job. He's going to start off on our opening day roster and we're just going to take it day by day here."Many pundits projected the Desert Dogs selecting a prospect like Filip Zadina or Quinn Hughes during the 2018 draft. However, the franchise felt Hayton checked many of its boxes, as Chayka told The Athletic's Craig Morgan following the selection."He's a premium person, (a) premium player, playing a premium position," Chayka said. "He's a foundational piece for us. We think he's a complete 200-foot center."Hayton was held scoreless in two preseason appearances. He could see some regular-season ice time with fellow centers Christian Dvorak and Alex Galchenyuk both sidelined to start the season.Arizona could choose to give the 18-year-old a nine-game trial before sending him to the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. A longer stint, however, would burn the first year of his entry-level contract.Hayton recorded 60 points in 63 games with the Greyhounds in 2017-18.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sidney Crosby has spoken.Asked about Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson's hit on St. Louis Blues center Oskar Sundqvist, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain sounded off on the winger's apparent inability to learn from his past punishments."We've talked about it a lot with him. He still chooses to make those hits. I'm sure the league's well aware of that," Crosby told Jonathan Bombulie of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I just don't know how many opportunities you need. Obviously, the point hasn't been made yet."

The Nashville Predators have acquired forward Nick Baptiste from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenseman Jack Dougherty, the teams announced Monday.Baptiste appeared in 33 games with the Sabres last season, picking up four goals and two assists. He was Buffalo's third-round pick in 2013.Dougherty has yet to make his NHL debut, having spent the past two full seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals, the Predators' AHL affiliate. He notched one goal and 11 assists in 63 contests with the Admirals last season.The Predators chose Dougherty in the second round of the 2014 draft.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alex Nylander isn't quite ready for prime time.The Buffalo Sabres assigned the 20-year-old forward to the AHL's Rochester Americans, the team announced MondayIt marks the third straight season that Nylander will begin in the minors.In 51 games with the Americans last season, Nylander notched eight goals and 19 assists to finish just inside the top-10 in team scoring. He later added one goal across three appearances with the Sabres.Buffalo selected Nylander with the eighth pick in the 2016 draft.While Nylander is headed to the minors, former first-rounder Tage Thompson appears set to make Buffalo's final 23-man roster, according to The Athletic's John Vogl.The Sabres acquired Thompson from the St. Louis Blues this offseason as part of the Ryan O'Reilly trade. In 30 games last season with the AHL's San Antonio Rampage, the Arizona native picked up eight goals and 10 assists. He added nine points in 41 games with the Blues.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's time to drop the puck on the 2018-19 NHL season and while we're all brimming with excitement, there are plenty of questions about what lies ahead. Here, we'll address one question each Eastern Conference team is facing entering the new campaign.Boston Bruins: Can they balance their attack?There's no question the Bruins have the best top line in hockey in Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak, but their depth is far more uncertain. Boston needs its kids to contribute, and its veterans to bounce back in order to keep pace in the top-heavy Atlantic Division.Buffalo Sabres: Is this the year they take a step forward?The Rasmus Dahlin era is underway, Jack Eichel is healthy and has a new running mate in Jeff Skinner, and the Sabres expect to make some progress this season. It's highly unlikely Buffalo will compete for a playoff spot, but finishing higher than eighth in the division - something the Sabres have done only once in the last five years - would be a nice start.Carolina Hurricanes: Will a change in culture yield success?The Canes first offseason under owner Tom Dundon featured some considerable shakeup. Former captain Rod Brind'Amour is now head coach and Carolina also dealt Jeff Skinner and acquired Dougie Hamilton in separate trades. It's tough to say whether the roster got better, but either way, a 10th consecutive season outside the playoff picture isn't going to cut it.Columbus Blue Jackets: Will Bobrovsky's, Panarin's futures affect the team's psyche?Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyOn the surface, the Blue Jackets have the pieces to contend in the Eastern Conference, but the uncertain contract situations of both Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin loom large over a club that can ill-afford losing both to unrestricted free agency.Detroit Red Wings: Can they remain committed to a rebuild?General manager Ken Holland has said he's not much of a believer in long-term rebuilds, but that's the task that lies ahead. Although the Red Wings lack talent on their current roster, they had a tremendous draft in June and set themselves up for another with 11 picks accumulated for 2019. Now it's up to the organization to ensure that trend continues and fully commit to the future.Florida Panthers: Can they snag a playoff spot?A late-season surge saw the Panthers miss the final wildcard spot by a single point, and a reinforced top six with the addition of Mike Hoffman puts Florida on the prowl to contend for the playoffs once again. Unfortunately for the Cats, a trio of behemoths lies ahead of them in the Atlantic, but a bubble spot is theirs for the taking should things come together in Florida.Montreal Canadiens: Is Carey Price back?Simply put, the 2018-19 Canadiens can only go as far as Price takes them. In years past, that was a strength, but he's coming off a season in which he battled injuries and posted a dreary .900 save percentage. Price's potential resurgence alone won't guarantee anything for the Habs, but it would be reassuring if he returned to close to his old form.New Jersey Devils: Is regression inevitable?Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Devils were the Cinderella story of the East last season, using Taylor Hall's marvelous MVP season to clinch a wildcard berth. There's nothing to suggest Hall can't be among the league's top producers once again, but if his teammates don't help ease his workload, New Jersey's playoff appearance could be a one-off.New York Islanders: Can a new staff steer things in the right direction?The Islanders hired a new general manager and coach over the summer, but their captain still opted for greener pastures. Now, it's up to Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz to establish stability and build for a future centered around Calder-winner Mat Barzal.New York Rangers: What do the kids have to give in Year One of the rebuild?New York opted to bail on its slim playoff chances midway through last season, choosing to publicly announce a rebuild instead. The spotlight is now on a collection of kids tasked with becoming the building blocks of a sustained future on Broadway. It could be a long year, but the Rangers should be able to get an idea of what lies ahead with a good chance of adding another high pick in the process.Ottawa Senators: Where do they even go from here?No Erik Karlsson, no first-round pick, and Matt Duchene and Mark Stone could be traded by the deadline. The puck hasn't even dropped yet, and the Sens' outlook is as bleak as it gets after one of the most tumultuous offseasons in the history of the sport. But as general manager Pierre Dorion would put it, at least they're a team.Philadelphia Flyers: What's the answer in goal?Len Redkoles / National Hockey League / GettyThe Flyers have a deadly attack and an elite-top pairing in Shayne Gostisbehere and Ivan Provorov, but the club's biggest question mark comes between the pipes. The tandem of Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth instills little confidence, but super-prospect Carter Hart lurks in the weeds. Who's going to be the one to step up and give this team a chance to contend?Pittsburgh Penguins: Do they have even more to give?Believe it or not, even with three top-10 scorers, the league's best power play, and 100 points in the standings, the Penguins underachieved last season. Pittsburgh ranked 29th in five-on-five PDO (Corsica), mired by a mediocre shooting percentage and a dismal save percentage. Based on their talent alone, it's highly unlikely this occurs again - which is a terrifying proposition for the rest of the conference.Tampa Bay Lightning: Is this the year it all comes together?Nothing is guaranteed in this league, but the success of Tampa's season will undoubtedly be judged by what it accomplishes in the postseason. The Lightning are a championship-caliber team with no glaring roster holes, and falling short in the playoffs once again will be considered a massive disappointment.Toronto Maple Leafs: Can they manage expectations?In case you hadn't heard, the Maple Leafs signed John Tavares over the summer, and like it or not, the spotlight will be shining bright on Toronto all season as it ices its most competitive roster in ages. Now, it's up to them to drown out the noise and push even closer to the top of the standings and win a playoff round for the first time since 2004.Washington Capitals: Will there be a hangover?"Championship hangover" is a common moniker in the sports world, but the Caps may have taken the adage a smidge too literally after finally winning the Stanley Cup in June. Washington will be ready to go once their championship banner is raised, but Alex Ovechkin's crew now has a target on their backs, and netminder Braden Holtby will need to carry over his playoff form for the club to have an answer for their adversaries.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle and the NHL seem destined to figure this out. At this point, it would take a major misstep to derail the push for a 32nd team and for that team to not reside in the Washington hub.Arena renovations are set to begin, local interest has been proven, and the NHL is talking about Seattle like it's going to happen. So, the expansion franchise appears to be on track.Tuesday is a gigantic day for the prospective ownership group. Let's review that and answer other NHL-to-Seattle FAQs below:When might Seattle get its team?Seattle could have an NHL team as early as the 2020-21 season.That's the hope, although the 2021-22 campaign might be the likelier scenario given a potential lockout.On Tuesday, Seattle Hockey Partners (SHP) - the group trying to make the Pacific Northwest home to the NHL’s 32nd franchise - and the city’s mayor will be making an official presentation to the league's executive committee in New York City.Deputy commissioner Bill Daly recently said that if the executive committee approves SHP's pitch, an official expansion vote could occur at December’s board of governors meeting in Florida.With apologies to Quebec City, Houston, and Kansas City, etc., Seattle is the lone city in the running for expansion, per Gary Bettman’s wishes. The commissioner seems set on finally touching down in the Emerald State.Who is behind the expansion push?The main names to know are private equity CEO David Bonderman, Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer, sports executive Tod Leiweke, and ex-NHL coach Dave Tippett.Potential NHL owner Jerry Bruckheimer / Icon Sportswire / GettyBonderman and Bruckheimer represent the ownership group, which also includes vice-chairman David Wright, whose family owns the famous Space Needle in Seattle. Meanwhile, CEO Leiweke and senior advisor Tippett, most recently the Arizona Coyotes' head coach from 2009-17, do most of the talking."I pledge to you a club that serves and makes our community better while pursuing the ultimate goal of bringing a Stanley Cup back to Seattle,” Leiweke said in a letter to fans in April.SHP is an extension of Los Angeles-based Oak View Group, an entertainment and sports facilities company founded by Tim Leiweke (Tod’s brother) and music executive Irving Azoff. Tim Leiweke has extensive experience running NHL clubs, as he previously presided over the Anschutz Entertainment Group (L.A. Kings) and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (Toronto Maple Leafs).At the moment, Tippett is the lone hockey-operations employee. He recently said the group plans to begin its search for a general manager in the spring.What's the deal with the decrepit arena?Just wait.Significant renovations to KeyArena, the former home of the NBA’s Seattle Supersonics, are scheduled for a two-year period starting this month and finishing in October 2020.Originally pegged at roughly $600 million, construction is now expected to cost around $700 million. The renos are being privately financed .KeyArena’s iconic roof is being preserved, but that's about it. The building, which is located in the 74-acre downtown Seattle Center, will be redesigned for a hockey seating capacity of 17,400.SHP launched a ticket drive in March, setting a goal of 10,000 deposits. It was met within 12 minutes and the drive swelled to more than 30,000 deposits by day’s end.After the NHL team is up and running, ownership aspires to bring the NBA back, and join the A-list concert circuit.Why believe in the Pacific Northwest market?The market is practically screaming for a pro hockey team.Statewide hockey registrations grew by 6.9 percent from 2016-17 to 2017-18, according to USA Hockey, which tied North Carolina for the fourth-highest increase in the country. In terms of raw numbers, the state ranked 17th out of 51 (DC included) with almost 9,900 players.Interestingly, while the state of Washington doesn't have an NCAA Division I hockey program, it boasts four of the Western Hockey League's 22 teams.The Seattle Thunderbirds play in Kent, which is about 20 miles south of the city center. The Everett Silvertips are 30 miles north, the Spokane Chiefs are 280 miles east, and the Tri-City Americans (of Kennewick) are 225 miles southeast. Meanwhile, the Portland Winterhawks in neighboring Oregon are the league’s only other American franchise.The Seattle NHL 2020 flag / Icon Sportswire / GettyLocal groups in Seattle have tried to land an NHL franchise on a number of occasions, ultimately failing in 1974, 1990, 2007, 2011, and 2013.Fun fact: The Seattle Metropolitans won the 1917 Stanley Cup as a member of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association. They folded seven seasons later.How will expansion affect my favorite team? For one, it’ll make your owner richer. The NHL has stated that Seattle, if approved, will be sent a $650-million invoice. The Vegas Golden Knights paid $150 million less.On a more relatable level, expansion will take a player from your team's roster and from the rosters of the 29 other clubs (Vegas will be excluded from the process). The same draft rules and parameters that were applied to the Golden Knights will likely be applied to Seattle.On that note, Bettman and Daly relayed in May that they were pleased to see Vegas field a competitive lineup in Year 1.Finally, let your imagination run wild about realignment possibilities, because adding Seattle to the mix would solve the current conference imbalance of 15 in the West and 16 in the East."It does provide alignment for the league," Daly told The Associated Press. "We’ve been misaligned for a couple years in the sense of more teams in the East and less in the West, so that would be a benefit if were to expand."A popular post-realignment proposal is eight divisions with four teams apeice, a la the NFL.Where is the nickname debate taking us?Somewhere between the sea and green stuff ... maybe?As detailed by DetroitHockey.net back in January, SHP lawyer Christina Song registered domains that represent "Sea Lions" and 12 other potential names, including Seals and Evergreens.Here's the full list, in alphabetical order: Cougars, Eagles, Emeralds, Evergreens, Firebirds, Kraken, Rainiers, Renegades, Sea Lions, Seals, Sockeyes, Totems, and Whales.SHP intends to engage fans with regards to the nickname when/if the franchise is granted. However, the governor of Washington called the team the Seattle Totems - the moniker of the former local minor-league hockey team - during a press conference in March. The blunder sent locals into a tizzy.Meanwhile, the Seattle Times is wrapping up an "official(ly unofficial)" naming contest of its own. After a bracket-style process, only the Sockeyes and Totems remain.Go Totems?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.

Veteran winger Radim Vrbata retired Monday, ending a 16-year NHL career.He made the announcement through a statement released by his agent, Rich Evans.

Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug suffered a left ankle injury and is set to be re-evaluated after three weeks of wearing a walking boot, general manager Don Sweeney announced.Krug fractured the same ankle during the club's second-round series versus the Tampa Bay Lightning last season, but his current ailment is unrelated, Sweeney said.The 27-year-old recorded 59 points while averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game last season.The Bruins kick off their season Wednesday in Washington against the Capitals.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

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The NHL is a lot of hockey to follow and there's just not enough time to keep up with your favorite team and its prospects, who are often scattered across North America, and in some cases, the world. Fortunately, we've got you covered.All season long, we'll bring you a prospect notebook to keep you up-to-date with both drafted players and those vying for the top spots in the 2019 NHL Draft. Here's how the season is kicking off.In the ShowEzra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe youth takeover is in full effect. Veterans are being cut in training camp or waived to be sent to the minors and fresh blood is taking their place. More prospects than in years past have the opportunity to make their club's opening-night roster and make an impression on the big stage.Kailer Yamamoto had a nine-game tryout with the Oilers last season before returning to the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL, but this year it seems he might stick in Edmonton. His nine preseason points - including six goals - tied him with Nashville Predators star Filip Forsberg for third overall, behind only teammates Connor McDavid and Ty Rattie.Under the direction of new head coach Bill Peters, the Calgary Flames are engaging in a youth movement of sorts. After six points - four goals - in the preseason, rookie forward Dillon Dube has likely done enough to make the team, and chances are high that defenseman Juuso Valimaki will join him.Both Brady Tkachuk and Alex Formenton have made the Ottawa Senators' opening-night roster. We may not know what the Senators are going to be this season, but here's a not-so-bold prediction: Tkachuk (and his big mouth and gritty play) will lead the team in penalty minutes, while also contributing on the score sheet.Elias Pettersson was practically the only bright light in the abyss that was the Vancouver Canucks' preseason, and it appears he's on the fast track to adapting to the NHL game. You almost hate to waste him on the Canucks, who are about to embark on a "Lose For Hughes" campaign to bring 2018 seventh overall pick Quinn Hughes' brother, Jack, to Vancouver.But then, with moves like these, it'll be hard to keep him down:

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded defenseman Connor Carrick to the Dallas Stars in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2019, the team announced Monday.If Carrick suits up in 50 or more games this season, Toronto's newly acquired pick gets bumped up to a sixth-rounder.Earlier Monday, Carrick was included in the Leafs' latest round of cuts, but the club evidently found a trade partner before he officially hit the waiver wire.Carrick has struggled to carve out a consistent role within the Maple Leafs' top six over the past two seasons and was frequently a healthy scratch last year. The 24-year-old played in 47 games for the Leafs in 2017-18, recording four goals and eight assists in just over 15 minutes per contest.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks have waived forward Sam Gagner, the team announced Monday.Gagner was set to enter the second season of a three-year contract signed with the Canucks that pays him $3.15 million annually.In 74 games with Vancouver last season, Gagner had 10 goals and 21 assists. The 29-year-old has suited up for five teams since 2013-14, but should garner some interest on the waiver wire as a serviceable depth center.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed goalies Curtis McElhinney and Calvin Pickard on waivers, the team announced Monday.Toronto initially included defenseman Connor Carrick in its list of cuts set to hit the wire at 12 p.m., but Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reports the blue-liner wasn't actually placed on waivers.McElhinney served as the Leafs' backup for the past two seasons and posted a .934 save percentage in 18 appearances in 2017-18. Pickard appeared in just one game after Toronto acquired him via trade in October.Toronto's backup goalie job now belongs to Garret Sparks, who was named the AHL's top goalie last season after going 31-9-1 with a .936 save percentage.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leading up to the start of the 2018-19 season, theScore will be counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by four of our NHL editors. We'll reveal 10 players every weekday until the top 10 is unveiled on Oct. 3.100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-130. Roman Josi, PredatorsWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman20352932Josi has blossomed into a true impact player, capable of neutralizing opponents with outstanding positioning and a strong stick. He can also drive an offense with his smooth skating stride, high-end skill, and good instincts. -- Wegman29. Artemi Panarin, Blue JacketsWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman39203024Panarin erased any doubts he could produce elite numbers without Patrick Kane on his opposite flank after putting up a career-high 82 points in his first season in Columbus. The Bread Man has established himself as one of the NHL's best wingers, and you can bet he'll remain at the top of his game in a contract year. -- O'Leary28. Jamie Benn, StarsWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman27312821He does it all. Benn will crush you into the boards, set up a nice goal, or rip one himself. He's still the straw that stirs the Dallas Stars' drink, leading the team in points, finishing second among Stars forwards in hits, and pacing the club with seven game-winning goals last season. -- Hagerman27. Jack Eichel, SabresWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman24332323Eichel had his best NHL campaign in 2017-18 despite missing 15 games. The soon-to-be 22-year-old has been hindered by injuries in each of the past two campaigns but he's clearly an elite offensive talent who's only scratching the surface of his potential. Don't be surprised if he truly breaks out this season. -- Gold-Smith26. Aleksander Barkov, PanthersWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman15292731Barkov is maybe the most underrated player in the league. Yes, he has a ridiculous set of hands, but the 6-foot-3 center is as good without the puck as he is with it, finishing fifth in the league with 82 takeaways and second among Panthers forwards with 67 blocked shots last season. An elite penalty killer, Barkov will be a perennial Selke Trophy candidate for the next decade. -- Wegman25. Patrik Laine, JetsWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman30222426It's only a matter of time before Laine starts winning Rocket Richard trophies; his devastating release is simply unsolvable for opposing netminders. While goal scoring is Laine's greatest asset, his underrated passing ability and hands help make him one of the best young players in the NHL. -- O'Leary24. Claude Giroux, FlyersWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman35241918Giroux is coming off a monstrous 2017-18, nearly doubling his 2016-17 point total to finish second in league scoring after moving to the wing. He's recorded the fifth-most assists over the last four seasons as one of the top playmakers in the league. -- Hagerman23. Blake Wheeler, JetsWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman25272616Wheeler not only posted a career-high 91 points last season, his versatility and selflessness practically saved the Jets' campaign. After top center Mark Scheifele went down with an injury, Wheeler shifted from right wing to center - almost unheard of for a veteran of his pedigree - and totaled 16 points in as many games as the Jets went 11-2-3. That's the sign of a true leader. -- Wegman22. P.K. Subban, PredatorsWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman19182528The Predators have four excellent defensemen, but Subban is the best of the bunch and the heart and soul of the group. He's a great skater who can score and get under his opponents' skin. Few NHLers play with as much passion as Subban does, and few are as versatile. -- Gold-Smith21. Evgeny Kuznetsov, CapitalsWegmanO'LearyGold-SmithHagerman17212229Kuznetsov's 2017-18 cemented him as one of the league's top players. The charismatic Russian was bumped up to Alex Ovechkin's line and produced a career-high 83 regular-season points, then recorded a Conn Smythe-worthy 32 points in 24 postseason games as the Caps captured the Cup. -- O'Leary(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber has been named the 30th captain in franchise history, the team announced Monday.In addition, the club announced forwards Paul Byron and Brendan Gallagher will serve as alternate captains for the upcoming season.Weber takes over for Max Pacioretty, who was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights over the offseason. The 33-year-old blue-liner joined the Canadiens in 2016 in the trade that sent P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators, for whom Weber formerly served as captain.It will be a while before Weber can officially don the "C," as he continues to recover from knee surgery.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Scott Hartnell has retired from the NHL after 17 seasons.He made the announcement on his Twitter account:

The Edmonton Oilers traded defenseman Jakub Jerabek to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a condition sixth-round draft pick in 2020, the teams announced Monday.The pick turns into a fifth-rounder if Jerabek plays in more than 50 regular-season games for the Blues in 2018-19.The 27-year-old spent last season split between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals, winning the Stanley Cup with the latter. Overall, he appeared in 36 games during the 2017-18 campaign, recording eight points.Jerabek signed a one-year, $1-million contract with the Oilers in August.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to Puck Pursuit, a weekly NHL podcast hosted by national hockey writer John Matisz.Subscribe to the show on iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and Google Play.On Episode 2, the second half of a two-part season preview, John is joined by NBC's Adam Gretz to project the 2018-19 Western Conference. Topics of discussion include:

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson has been offered an in-person hearing for his hit on St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist, the NHL's department of player safety announced Sunday.By offering Wilson an in-person hearing, the department of player safety now has the ability to suspend him for at least six games if they so desire.Here's a look at the hit:

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson was ejected from Sunday's preseason game against the St. Louis Blues for a blindside hit on Oskar Sundqvist.

Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown is out indefinitely, as the club announced the veteran suffered a broken finger during the team's final preseason game on Sunday."It's not good to lose one of your top guys," teammate Drew Doughty told The Athletic's Lisa Dillman. "Brownie is a guy that is very very hard to replace. Both in the room and on the ice."Brown is coming off a bounce-back season offensively, scoring 28 goals and adding 33 assists, all while accumulating a team-high 189 hits with his usual rugged style. He was poised to start the season on the Kings' top line with Anze Kopitar and Ilya Kovalchuk.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.