The St. Louis Blues agreed to a two-year contract with defenseman Jordan Schmaltz on Wednesday, the team announced.The contract is a two-way deal that will pay him $700,000 at the NHL level and $150,000 in the American Hockey League in year one. In the second year, it becomes a one-way contract that will once again earn him $700,000.Schmaltz was originally drafted in the first round, 25th overall, back in 2012 by the Blues. Since then, he has played just 22 games with the team over the past two seasons, tallying three assists.However, he has put up solid numbers while playing in the AHL, including last season when he mustered five goals and 23 points in 31 games with the San Antonio Rampage.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Lou Lamoriello is ready to turn the page.The New York Islanders president of hockey operations spoke candidly Tuesday about the departure of John Tavares."There's no aftermath. Players come and go," Lamoriello told Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post."It's different if they had won championships. It's different if they had had a lot of success. They haven't done much - and I don't say that with any disrespect. Haven't been to the playoffs the last couple years. Things haven't worked out the way everybody would have liked them to, from what my understanding is."Since drafting Tavares No. 1 overall in 2009, the Islanders have qualified for the postseason three times, winning one playoff series against the Florida Panthers in 2016."So, an aftermath? There's no such thing in my mind," Lamoriello, who joined the club's front office in May, continued. "What the players we have here should be thinking about is not making the playoffs last year, and that's what the goal should be. Teams win, not players. Individual players win some games, but teams win championships. And that's what we have to create."In addition to Tavares leaving to join his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1, the club lost one of its top blue-liners, Calvin de Haan, to the Carolina Hurricanes via free agency and its starting goaltender, Jaroslav Halak, signed with the Boston Bruins this summer to be Tuukka Rask's backup.Like Lamoriello, new head coach Barry Trotz is looking ahead to the future."I don't think with us we mentioned John once, other than when we get asked," Trotz, who signed on to be the Isles' bench boss in June for a reported five years at $4 million per season, told Cyrgalis. "We move on. We're not looking back, we're looking forward."The Islanders brought in veteran free agents Valtteri Filppula, Leo Komarov, and Tom Kuhnhackl, and traded for a familiar face in Matt Martin this offseason."The people that were brought in, they all have an element of one of two things," Trotz said. "They've either won, or they bring a high-character value to the group."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Columbus Blue Jackets signed head coach John Tortorella to a two-year contract extension on Wednesday, the team announced.The extension will keep Tortorella with the Blue Jackets through the 2020-21 season.Columbus has enjoyed its two most successful seasons under Tortorella, including the 2016-17 campaign when he led the team to a franchise-best 50 wins and 108 points en route to capturing the Jack Adams Trophy as the league's best coach."Our team has been one of the winningest in the NHL over the past two seasons and John Tortorella has played a critical role in that success and in raising the level of our team's play since his arrival," general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a release. "His passion and commitment to being the best has permeated our team and we believe will lead to even greater success in the future."The 60-year-old has been with the club for the past three seasons, during which he's strung together a record of 129-87-23. Tortorella ranks 19th on the all-time coaching wins list and sixth among active coaches.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Steve Yzerman is out as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning.The executive stepped down from his post on Tuesday after an eight-year run in order to spend more time with his family.Over his tenure, the first-time GM remade the Lightning into a Stanley Cup contender, built out of keen draft choices, clever contracts, and a handful of major trades. While the top job in Tampa Bay now belongs to Julien BriseBois, it's not too soon to look back at the best moves made over Yzerman's time:Dealing with DrouinIn January 2016, disgruntled forward and 2013 third-overall pick Jonathan Drouin revealed he'd requested a trade, citing frustration with a lack of playing time and the organization. But Yzerman refused to bow to public pressure, as Drouin was later demoted to the minors and subsequently suspended after failing to report.Drouin eventually suited up for the AHL squad and was later recalled to the Lightning towards the end of the season. In the playoffs, he was one of Tampa Bay's top scorers, posting 14 points in 17 games. However, it wasn't enough to keep Drouin in Tampa Bay long-term. A deal finally materialized in June 2017, with the Lightning shipping Drouin to the Montreal Canadiens for young blue-liner Mikhail Sergachev.Sergachev has particularly impressed in the early goings of his career. The 20-year-old wrapped up his rookie campaign with the Lightning in 2017-18, notching 40 points to finish second among freshmen defenders.Signing StamkosMuch like this offseason's John Tavares sweepstakes, Steven Stamkos experienced a similar showcase two summers ago. Despite big-time interest from heavy hitters like his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, Stamkos re-signed with the Lightning.Not only did he stay in the fold for eight more years, Yzerman was also insistent on Stamkos agreeing to a more affordable salary structure, leaving more cap dollars for the GM to maneuver.Stamkos is the face of the Lightning, and with a bout of injury challenges now behind him, he's poised to lead the team to its first championship in more than a decade. The Lightning captain finished with 86 points last season, good for 12th league-wide. Stamkos needs just 35 goals in 2018-19 to leapfrog Vincent Lecavalier for first all-time in franchise goals.Drafting KucherovThe Russian factor evidently wasn't a consideration at the draft tables for Yzerman, as the Lightning called Nikita Kucherov's name with the 58th pick in the 2011 draft.Kucherov was dominant in his draft year, finishing with 58 points in 41 games with Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, a KHL junior league club. He then exploded at the under-18s, leading the Russian squad with 21 points in just seven games.It didn't take long for Kucherov to translate that success to the Lightning. The Russian sniper has seen his production climb across five seasons with Tampa. He notched a career-high 40 goals in 2016-17 and followed that up with a 100-point campaign last season. The 25-year-old recently inked a big-money deal that will pay $9.5 million per season beginning in 2019-20. But in the meantime, he'll continue to outperform the steal of a deal - a $4.8-million ticket - that Yzerman inked him to in 2016.The Hedman contractImagine having the reigning Norris Trophy winner under contract for the next seven seasons for less than $8 million a year. Of course, it's not a dream for the Lightning, after Yzerman inked star blue-liner Victor Hedman to an eight-year, $63-million pact in July 2016.While the salary cap has since increased, the Swedish defenseman will enter the coming campaign outside of the NHL's three highest-paid blue-liners, while only taking home a shade more than the likes of Shea Weber, Dustin Byfuglien, Ryan Suter, and Aaron Ekblad.Hedman has emerged as a reliable, dominant defenseman, regularly finishing in the upper echelon in ice time. While his effectiveness is never in question, Yzerman also took the extra strep to enhance his game further, building up his blue line and surrounding Hedman with other top minute munchers like Ryan McDonagh and Anton Stralman.Bringing in BishopThe net in Tampa Bay now belongs to Andrei Vasilevskiy, but it wasn't that long ago when the Lightning went through a carousel of netminders. Lightning fans will recall the likes of Dwayne Roloson, Mathieu Garon, and Mike Smith manning the Bolts' crease.But at the 2013 trade deadline, Yzerman pulled off an intriguing deal with the Ottawa Senators, parting with forward Cory Conacher, who put up 24 points in 35 games in his first season with the Lightning, for goaltender Ben Bishop. Conacher's scoring touch didn't keep up in Ottawa, as he later bounced to two other teams and had several stints in the minors - interestingly enough, Conacher is now back with the Lightning on a two-way deal.As for Bishop, he solidified the Lightning between the pipes and offered the most consistent presence in Tampa Bay's crease since the days of Nikolai Khabibulin. Bishop went on to spend four more seasons with the Lightning, becoming a two-time Vezina Trophy finalist who guided the team to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final. Though since departed, Bishop still ranks first in franchise wins.Honorable mention - Inking undrafted free agentsWhile not nearly as remarkable as the five major moves outlined above, it's still worth acknowledging that Yzerman went beyond the more traditional avenues of trades and free agency to acquire assets.The former Lightning GM was especially active when it came to recruiting undrafted free agents, kicking things off in March 2011 with the signing of Tyler Johnson, who had been passed over after attending camps for two other teams. With the Lightning, Johnson has developed into an effective No. 2 pivot whose 72 points tied Stamkos for the team lead just four seasons ago.But the signings didn't stop there. There's also Yanni Gourde, who agreed to terms in March 2014 and became a full-time player with the Lightning this past season. Gourde appeared in all 82 games, posting 64 points and even picked up a few votes in the Calder Trophy race. New GM BriseBois hopes Yzerman left him one more gift in Alex Barre-Boulet, a 21-year-old who led the QMJHL in scoring with 116 points last season. In March, Barre-Boulet signed with the Lightning as an undrafted free agent.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames are inviting forward Logan Shaw to training camp on a professional tryout, Postmedia's Kristen Anderson reports.Shaw split last season between the Anaheim Ducks and the Montreal Canadiens after being claimed on waivers by Montreal in January.The 25-year-old was a third-round pick of the Florida Panthers in 2011, and he suited up for 53 games with them in 2015-16 before joining the Ducks the following season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Family comes first for Steve Yzerman."This change is important for me, (and it) will allow me to spend more time with my family," the former Tampa Bay Lightning general manager and new senior adviser told reporters, including FOX Sports Sun's Caley Chelios, at a Tuesday press conference that made the switch in title official.Lightning owner Jeff Vinik told Yzerman he respected his decision to step down and agreed it was the right one for the former GM and his family, according to CBS Tampa's Ryan Bass.The distance between the Yzerman family's home and his job in Tampa Bay undoubtedly played a role in the move.

Steve Yzerman has stepped down as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team announced Tuesday.Yzerman, who discussed his decision with the players Tuesday, has one year remaining on his contract and will continue to serve as a senior advisor. Assistant GM Julien BriseBois will take over the top duties.

The New York Rangers acquired defenseman Adam McQuaid from the Boston Bruins in exchange for defenseman Steven Kampfer, a fourth-round pick in 2019, and a conditional seventh-round pick, the team announced.McQuaid has played his entire seven-year career with the Bruins, despite originally being drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second round in 2005.The 31-year-old was limited to just 38 games this past season, putting up one goal and three assists. He also contributed another goal and two points in 12 playoff games this past spring.Kampfer, meanwhile, has jumped around the NHL during his six years in the league. He began his career playing 48 games for the Bruins between 2010-2012. From there he made stops with the Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers, and the Rangers.In 166 career games Kampfer has tallied 10 goals, 26 points, and 82 penalty minutes.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We use emojis every day to express our feelings or to illustrate a point.Feeling cheeky? 😜 Rebellious? 😈 Spicy? 🌶 Ready for vacation? 🏝With 2018-19 training camps opening this week, it's time to use our emoji vocabulary to describe the NHL's 31 clubs.Here is one emoji taking the pre-camp temperature of each team.ANAHEIM DUCKS - 💊Please send medical care to Ryan Kesler, who remains on the fritz due to a hip injury. In late July, general manager Bob Murray was unable to guarantee the center's availability for the upcoming season. Kesler - who just turned 34 and is entering the third year of a six-year contract - had surgery in June 2017 and has dressed for 44 games since.ARIZONA COYOTES - 🔮What does the future hold in Glendale? Can the eternal rebuild feed off a strong second half in 2017-18 and the acquisition of Alex Galchenyuk? John Chayka is the NHL's most active GM, making splashes big and small. Expect that trend to continue as the process-oriented 29-year-old inches closer to the payoff.BOSTON BRUINS - 🐣In order to remain contenders, the Bruins need their lesser-known young forwards to hatch. Jake DeBrusk had his coming-out party this past spring, but he'll need to find another gear. Danton Heinen should be plenty motivated in a contract year. If unleashed, sniper Ryan Donato has the potential to contend for the Calder Trophy.BUFFALO SABRES - 😂Tears of joy. Rasmus Dahlin, presumed Sabres savior and the jelly to Jack Eichel's peanut butter, is weeks away from his NHL debut. He is joined by freshly acquired winger Jeff Skinner, who waived his no-trade clause for Western New York. The bar is so low in Buffalo that general optimism feels like a colossal step forward.CALGARY FLAMES - 🔌Can James Neal be the offensive spark plug worthy of a $28.75 million contract? Will the move to a new city, depth chart, and conference jolt Elias Lindholm's career? Might center Derek Ryan's contributions light a fire under the bottom six? Is familiar coach Bill Peters capable of coaxing Noah Hanifin into full bloom?CAROLINA HURRICANES - 👽Tom Dundon is an alien invading the NHL. Carolina's owner has been pulling all the hockey-ops strings lately, making his presence known at the draft and in free agency. The billionaire is an outsider now on the inside, essentially the GM despite hiring Don Waddell to work under that title. Dundon is an influencer to monitor during camp and beyond.CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS - 🙏Now accepting best wishes: Corey Crawford. The two-time Cup champ admitted in late July that he was still "not 100 percent" after spending months recovering from an undisclosed injury. Last week, club president John McDonough said he's "confident" Crawford will be ready for the start of camp. Frankly, Chicago is pretty screwed without its starter. That aging, expensive core needs reliable goaltending - and backup Cam Ward is not the answer.COLORADO AVALANCHE - 🎟️The NHL draft lottery may be nine months away, but it's already looming large in Denver thanks to the Matt Duchene swap. The Senators - set to finish at or near the bottom of the standings - owe Colorado their 2019 first-round pick, meaning Avs GM Joe Sakic could have a pair of lottery tickets. Not bad when Jack Hughes is the prize.COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS - 🍞The sticky situation involving the Breadman will dominate discussion around the Jackets until it's resolved. Artemi Panarin, the most dynamic player in franchise history and a 2019 unrestricted free agent, has expressed a desire to leave Columbus, but he may be moved before or during the season. Fireworks are coming - it's just a matter of when.DALLAS STARS - 🤔How will Jim Montgomery play his cards as the Stars switch from Ken Hitchcock to a rookie NHL coach? Lineup decisions awaiting Montgomery include: finding the right linemates for Valeri Nichushkin; managing Miro Heiskanen's rookie workload; and figuring out how to optimally deploy top-liners Alexander Radulov, Jamie Benn, and the politely disgruntled Tyler Seguin.DETROIT RED WINGS - 🤝A handshake may never materialize since one party won't be at camp, but the imminent generational changeover in Michigan will conjure up images of Henrik Zetterberg and Dylan Larkin exchanging pleasantries. His career in jeopardy, the soon-to-be 38-year-old Zetterberg will pass the baton to 22-year-old Larkin, who recently signed a five-year extension.EDMONTON OILERS - 🚣That's Connor McDavid rowing away. Not only are the 36-win Oilers bringing back a familiar roster - one that lacks any slam-dunk linemates for No. 97 - but the blue line looks awfully thin. Thanks to an offseason injury to Andrej Sekera, the defense falls off a cliff after Oscar Klefbom, Adam Larsson, and potential holdout Darnell Nurse. Poor Cam Talbot.FLORIDA PANTHERS - ⁉️The exclamation point represents the hockey trade (Mike Hoffman for picks!). The question mark represents the real-life dynamics (will Hoffman’s off-ice baggage disrupt his segue to Florida?). Hoffman is a legitimate 35-goal, 70-point threat for the Panthers, but a period of awkwardness will likely precede any on-ice success.LOS ANGELES KINGS - ⏳The hourglass has been flipped. The 2012 and 2014 Cup winners are racing against time, trying to prop up an aging roster by funneling in low-impact youngsters and 35-year-old Ilya Kovalchuk. The latter will be a must-see attraction during Kings camp and through the exhibition schedule. Does Kovalchuk still have that magic scoring touch?MINNESOTA WILD - 😐As usual, the Wild are the Switzerland of the NHL: supremely neutral. The playoffs are likely, but a long run isn't. What's more, GM Paul Fenton wasn't overly active this summer - he did little beyond extending Jason Zucker and Matt Dumba - which means the storyline well is dry.MONTREAL CANADIENS - 🌵Galchenyuk and Max Pacioretty are gone via offseason trades, shipped out of town for Max Domi, Tomas Tatar, Nick Suzuki, and a second-round pick. Translation: The Habs' offense is desert dry, with its No. 1 goal-scoring option being Brendan Gallagher - a fine player, but not someone capable of leading an attack. Even if Carey Price finds his prime form between the pipes, Montreal is destined for the NHL's basement.NASHVILLE PREDATORS - 🛀That gut-wrenching Game 7 loss to the Jets last May - punctuated by Pekka Rinne's nightmarish first-period showing of two goals against on seven shots - probably still stings. But the Preds need to wash off the past; they have the horses to challenge Winnipeg for the division title and that effort must start in camp.NEW JERSEY DEVILS - 🎣Despite making the playoffs and employing the league MVP, the Devils enter camp with an inferior roster. Coach John Hynes will be fishing internally for youngsters to replace Patrick Maroon, Brian Gibbons, Michael Grabner, and John Moore. Perhaps Joey Anderson seizes the opportunity? A healthy Marcus Johansson should soften the blow.NEW YORK ISLANDERS - 🥀Morale can't get much lower heading into Islanders camp. Sure, they struck gold at the draft, scooping up Noah Dobson and Oliver Wahlstrom, but losing John Tavares is nothing short of devastating. Excluding the fantastic Mat Barzal, this club is devoid of star power. Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz have their work cut out for them.NEW YORK RANGERS - 🍿The white flag has been waved, and the first wave of core players has been sent packing. Now? Grab your favorite movie theater snack and sit back. The Rangers - the Original Six franchise that never takes a breath - officially begin Stage 2 of The Great Rebuild this fall. Will the transparency continue? Will they keep stripping it down?OTTAWA SENATORS - 💣Ticking. Time. Bomb. The dominant storyline this September will be the futures of Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone, and Matt Duchene. Ottawa's three best skaters are all on expiring contracts and - no shock to anyone following the Sens saga - are probably on their way out at some point in 2018-19. Also: Is Brady Tkachuk ready for full-time NHL duty?PHILADELPHIA FLYERS - 😱Sean Couturier, the league's best young defensive forward, is recovering from a knee injury suffered during a summer charity game. The ailment doesn't seem serious enough to affect the Flyers' regular season, but, when you factor in Wayne Simmonds' health and contract uncertainties, it's not all rainbows and lollipops ahead of James van Riemsdyk's return.PITTSBURGH PENGUINS - 😋It took the Pens 213 games - 106 in 2015-16 and 107 in 2016-17 - to win back-to-back Cups. Last year, with the rival Capitals eliminating them in Game 6 of the second round, the squad's games-played tally shrunk to 94. Surely rested and motivated by the long layoff, Sidney Crosby and pals should be licking their lips all September. The Metro is up for grabs.SAN JOSE SHARKS - 👌Tavares did not take his talents to the Bay Area. It's going to be OK, though, because it's a safe bet GM Doug Wilson has a trick up his sleeve. The Sharks have more than $4 million in cap space and the incentive to supplement an old-ish core sooner than later. Side plot: Is the Joe Thornton farewell tour upon us? Jumbo, 39, can’t play forever.ST. LOUIS BLUES - 😎GM Doug Armstrong cooly upgraded the forward group this offseason, picking up a No. 1 center (Ryan O'Reilly), two top-nine wingers (David Perron, Maroon), and a third-line center (Tyler Bozak) through four different transactions. The Blues seem to be everybody's choice for a dark-horse contender, but how will all of the above fit into the group?TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING - 👀Take a moment and think about how deadly the already lethal Lightning could be if Karlsson joins Victor Hedman, Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point, and Andrei Vasilevskiy. Money is tight, however, so can new GM Julien BriseBois, right-hand man to master negotiator Steve Yzerman for eight years, work his magic to win the EK65 sweepstakes? All eyes on Tampa.TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS - 🐙Aside from the odd battle for a fringe roster spot, Leafs camp will revolve around Tavares, his transition, and the new-look forward group. The club has eight killers up front: Tavares, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Nazem Kadri, Patrick Marleau, Kasperi Kapanen, and Andreas Johnsson. That's one for each octopus tentacle.VANCOUVER CANUCKS - 🎢The NHL's roller-coaster team won't be shutting down that ride anytime soon. Intrigue persists around the sketchy departure of Canucks icon Trevor Linden, the timing of Brock Boeser's next contract, the tangible impact of vets Jay Beagle and Antoine Roussel, the arrival of super-prospect Elias Pettersson, Olli Juolevi's 2018-19 home, and the vacant captaincy. Get this fan base a drink.VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS - 🤠The cowboy emoji was unofficially assigned to "Wild Bill" Karlsson amid the Swede's 43-goal breakout season. Nowadays, it could fit the Golden Knights in general. For starters, there's the contentious Nate Schmidt PED suspension, the bold Pacioretty trade, and the lagging Shea Theodore negotiations. Vegas is ground zero for storylines as camps open.WASHINGTON CAPITALS - 🏆The emoji all 31 teams are chasing belongs to the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals.WINNIPEG JETS - 🍽️The Jets are hungry. Having endured a slow, sometimes painful rebuild, they're ready for the main course after bowing out in five games to Vegas in the Western Conference final. An imperfect team that's got a tremendous top-six forward group and Connor Hellebuyck to compensate for its deficiencies, Winnipeg is a legitimate Stanley Cup threat.John Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer. You can find him on Twitter @matiszjohn.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wayne Gretzky is confident that his Edmonton Oilers will bounce back from a dreadful campaign.After winning their first playoff round since 2006 the season before, the Oilers managed just 78 points en route to a 23rd-place finish in 2017-18. Gretzky, the vice-chairman of Oilers Entertainment Group, expects things to change this time around."Our defense will be better, of that you can be assured," Gretzky said, according to Robert MacLeod of The Globe and Mail. "I expect that Cam (Talbot, last year's No. 1 goaltender) will bounce back from the struggles that he had. I think last year was just an outlier for him."Add that to the addition of the Finnish goalie (Mikko Koskinen), I think we have a solid two-goaltender system ready to roll."While Gretzky is confident in Edmonton's defense, the Oilers will head into the season having made no roster moves to bolster their blue line, with defenseman Andrej Sekera potentially lost for the campaign due to an Achilles injury, and with restricted free-agent defender Darnell Nurse still in need of a contract.Meanwhile, Edmonton's goaltending will need to play a key role for the team to make the playoffs. Talbot posted a career-low .908 save percentage in 2017-18, and the Oilers since added Koskinen, who posted a .937 clip across 29 KHL starts last season.The Oilers will look to start delivering on Gretzky's expectations when they kick off their season against the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 6 in Sweden.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If George McPhee paid too high of a price to add Tomas Tatar at last season's trade deadline, credit the Vegas Golden Knights general manager for quickly cleaning up that decision.Parting with first, second, and third-round draft selections to acquire Tatar, the former Detroit Red Wings winger proved to be a flop with the Golden Knights, managing just six points in the 20-game stretch toward the postseason. His lagging production made him an easy scratch for all but eight games of the Golden Knights' run to the Stanley Cup Final.While Tatar may have bounced back over a full season in Vegas - he's under contract for the next three years - he'll now have that opportunity in Montreal after an early Monday deal sent the Slovak forward, prospect Nick Suzuki, and a second rounder to the Canadiens for Max Pacioretty.It was a short stint for Tatar in Sin City, and a possible shot at a redemption wasn't enough to hold up a deal for a perennial 30-goal scorer in Pacioretty."The (Tatar) deal we did last March was market driven. That was the price," McPhee told reporters Monday. "We did it to help our hockey club. We can't allow what we did months ago to affect a good decision today."In acquiring Pacioretty, the Golden Knights add to an offensive collection that had no trouble finding the back of the net last year - Vegas' 272 goals were the third-most last season. The team will have a new look this season after James Neal and David Perron signed elsewhere, but summer additions like Pacioretty and Paul Stastny will help fill the void.For Tatar, he'll have a shot to skate in the Canadiens' top six and rediscover the scoring touch he had in Detroit before his trade to Vegas. Prior to the 2017-18 campaign, Tatar averaged 25 goals and 49 points across three seasons with the Red Wings.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the wee hours of Monday morning, the much-publicized uncertainty surrounding Max Pacioretty's future in Montreal came to an end, as the Canadiens dealt their captain to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for forward Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki, and a 2019 second-round draft selection.In addition, Pacioretty inked a four-year, $28M extension to complete the deal, while Montreal retains 10 percent of his 2018-19 salary ($4.5M), and Vegas holds on to $500,000 of Tatar's ($4.91M) until 2021.Now that the dust has settled on arguably the biggest trade of the offseason, let's asses each team's haul.Golden KnightsVegas appears adamant on remaining a threat in the Western Conference, and adding Pacioretty to its top six should help their quest to prove last season's impossible run to the Stanley Cup Final wasn't a fluke.It would be ludicrous to split up the top line of William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, and Reilly Smith after their showing last year, meaning Pacioretty can slot in on the second line alongside fellow newcomer Paul Stastny - an elite playmaker far superior to any pivot Montreal was able to run out over the course of Pacioretty's tenure there.Given Stastny's passing prowess, there's a logical connection between him and Pacioretty - one of the best shooters in the NHL. Since 2011-12, only eight players league-wide have outproduced his 206 goals, and his struggles last season are more than likely an anomaly, as injuries limited him to 64 appearances and he shot just eight percent compared to his career average of 11. Given a fresh start and easier competition down the lineup, it's easy to picture Pacioretty returning to the 30-goal mark he's eclipsed five times in his career.Even after giving up three assets for one player, Vegas escapes the deal in pretty good shape. The acquisition of Tatar at last season's trade deadline was a mistake from the get-go, as general manager George McPhee parted with first, second and third round picks for six points in 20 regular season games, and a seat in the press box for most of the Golden Knights march to the finals.Most GMs would have such a regrettable deal pinned on them for years, but even after tying on another draft pick to move Tatar out of town after just six months, McPhee still owns five picks in the first three rounds in each of the next two drafts, and a much better player to supplement his attack.Suzuki's departure takes away one of Vegas' top prospects, but that's the cost of business, and McPhee could afford it with blue chippers Cody Glass, Lucas Elvenes, Nikita Gusev, Erik Brannstrom, and Nicolas Hague still in the farm system.Grade: ACanadiensAfter holding on to Pacioretty through the trade deadline and draft - though a deal did come close - Marc Bergevin lost major leverage, and made matters worse when he went public in saying he wants to trade his captain ASAP and wouldn't negotiate an extension.Montreal's return can't be properly determined until we get a clearer picture on what Suzuki can become at the NHL level. He's the primary piece of the Habs' return, and has scored 196 points in his last 129 games with the OHL's Owen Sound Attack. Suzuki immediately becomes one of the Canadiens' top prospects along with 2018 No. 3 pick Jesperi Kotkaniemi, but is likely a year or two away from making any significant impact on an NHL roster.In Tatar, the Habs fill out their lineup with a player touted for his offensive ability, but who has issues with consistency. The 27-year-old racked up 34 points last season - the lowest mark of his career since becoming a regular NHLer. Montreal ranked 29th in goals last season and the addition of Tatar alone isn't going to do much to change that.With training camp set to begin later this week, Bergevin was running out of time to orchestrate a deal for another piece of the Canadiens core. Since the 2015-16, he's cut ties with P.K. Subban, Alex Galchenyuk, Mikhail Sergachev and now Pacioretty via trade. The return on this most recent deal didn't induce the same level of immediate angst as his previous ones, mainly because he recouped multiple assets instead of another one-for-one exchange.Still, a small-impact roster replacement, a promising prospect and an additional second-round lottery ticket isn't as much as it could have been for one of this era's most consistent scorers and captain of the NHL's oldest franchise, had Montreal played its hand more efficiently.Grade: B-(Photos Courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A common occurrence in hockey circles is for unsigned players to avoid the ice - and potential injury - while awaiting a new contract.But that's not the case with Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Reinhart. The 22-year-old remains a restricted free agent, but has been skating alongside teammates in the lead up to training camp on Thursday.That willingness to participate has general manager Jason Botterill feeling optimistic that a deal can soon be reached with Reinhart."I'm excited that Sam's in town here working out with our guys, being a part of things," Botterill told Bill Hoppe of Buffalo Hockey Beat. "We continue our dialogue with his agent and (we are) still very hopeful to get a deal done."Reinhart is coming off of his three-year entry level deal and is likely due for a sizable raise after finishing last season with career highs in both goals (25) and points (50).Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Journeyman forward Jussi Jokinen has signed a professional tryout offer with the Detroit Red Wings, he announced via Instagram on Monday.The 35-year-old suited up for the Edmonton Oilers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings, and Vancouver Canucks in 2017-18, contributing five goals and 12 assists in 60 combined games.If Jokinen finds a spot with the Red Wings, they'll be his 10th NHL team.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A management group that is pushing for an NHL franchise in Seattle is seeking a general manager, even though the league is yet to offically grant the city an expansion team.According to Dave Tippett, senior advisor with the Seattle hopefuls, the aim is to begin the GM search next spring and to have the right candidate in place by the draft."I think it happens probably around the draft next year - a year out. Vegas hired George McPhee about 15 months out from when they started," Tippett told 950 KJR. "We'll have a good list of candidates. Some may be working through the draft with the team. There might be somebody available before that. We'll see how it goes, but by next spring we'll start digging into that."

The Edmonton Oilers have signed veteran forward Alex Chiasson to a professional tryout offer, the team announced Monday.Chiasson appeared in 61 games with the Washington Capitals last season, netting nine goals and nine assists. He added another two points en route to the Capitals' Stanley Cup championship.The 27-year-old has skated in 381 career games with the Dallas Stars, Ottawa Senators, Calgary Flames, and Capitals.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vegas Golden Knights will continue to play without a captain, general manager George McPhee confirmed Monday, according to The Athletic's Lisa Dillman.Instead, the team will proceed as it did during its inaugural season with a number of alternate captains. Last year, Deryk Engelland, Jason Garrison, James Neal, David Perron, Luca Sbisa, and Reilly Smith were named alternate captains, with three serving as home alternates and three on the road.

The Vegas Golden Knights signed newly acquired forward Max Pacioretty to a four-year, $28-million contract, the team announced Monday.The contract includes a limited 10-team no-trade clause, according to CapFriendly.Pacioretty was traded from Montreal to Vegas early Monday morning in exchange for forward Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki, and a 2019 second-round pick.Pacioretty's 2018-19 cap hit will remain $4.05 million, as established by his old deal, with the new extension kicking in for the 2019-20 season.Earlier Monday, Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said the trade was contingent upon Pacioretty signing in Vegas long term.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins signed forwards Lee Stempniak and Daniel Winnik to professional tryout agreements on Monday, the team announced.Stempniak is coming off a 2017-18 season in which he was limited to just 37 games with the Carolina Hurricanes. He tallied three goals and nine points.The 35-year-old had a brief stint with the Bruins during the 2015-16 season after being acquired from the New Jersey Devils at the trade deadline. He scored three goals and added seven assists in just 19 games.Winnik enters camp after playing the 2017-18 season with the Minnesota Wild. In 81 games last year, the 33-year-old recorded six goals and 23 points.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares expects full attendance when training camp opens this week.Although restricted free-agent winger William Nylander is without a contract for the coming season, Tavares is confident the 22-year-old will be at camp, which opens on Thursday."We believe we're going to have Willy (Nylander) here to start camp," Tavares said, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.Last week, during an interview with TSN's Bob McKenzie, Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas said he wouldn't expect Nylander to be in camp until a contract is signed.Back in August, Nylander stated he would like to sign a long-term deal with the Maple Leafs. The Swede is coming off his entry-level contract, putting up back-to-back 20-goal, 60-point seasons.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Luca Sbisa is attending New York Islanders training camp on a professional tryout, he told The Athletic's Arthur Staple.Sbisa spent last season patrolling the Vegas Golden Knights blue line and was on pace for a career year before it was cut short by injury. In total, he finished the campaign with 14 points, a plus-8 rating, 50 hits, and 54 blocks in 30 games while averaging 19:31 per night.Sbisa was routinely the odd man out during the postseason, suiting up in just 12 of 20 playoff games during Vegas' magical run to the Stanley Cup Final.The 28-year-old former first-round pick could help solidify an Islanders back end that allowed a league-worst 293 goal last season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Another member of the Boston Bruins' core will not make the trip to China for their two preseason games this week.Due to a visa issue, forward David Krejci will not travel with the team, the Bruins announced on Monday. Forward Colby Cave will take Krejci's place on the roster.Krejci joins a handful of Bruins regulars who will not suit up against the Calgary Flames on Sept. 15 and 19. The list includes Noel Acciari, Zdeno Chara, Danton Heinen, Torey Krug, Sean Kuraly, and Patrice Bergeron.Heinen and Kuraly were excused by the team after the two participated in the Bruins' global trip in China this summer; Krug and Acciari are coming off injuries, and Bergeron continues to rehab from offseason surgery.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the early hours of Monday morning in Montreal, Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin pulled off another significant trade, dealing captain Max Pacioretty to the Vegas Golden Knights.In return, the club acquired forward Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki, and a second-round pick. Unlike some of Bergevin's other deals, the package he was able to fetch in Monday's trade got a generally positive reaction.Here's what people had to say on Twitter:

The trade that sent Max Pacioretty to the Vegas Golden Knights early Monday morning apparently was a long time coming.Speaking at the Montreal Canadiens annual golf tournament on Monday, general manager Marc Bergevin told reporters that Pacioretty requested a trade last season on more than one occasion, according to TVA Sports' Renaud Lavoie.Bergevin added that while Pacioretty requested a move, he didn't disclose to the 29-year-old that he had intentions of trading him, according to TSN's John Lu.Canadiens owner Geoff Molson backed Bergevin's claim, refuting previous assertions by Pacioretty and his agent that he did not ask for a trade, and that he wanted to be a Canadien long term.

Max Pacioretty was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki, and a second-round pick early on Monday morning, and his fantasy stock is now booming.Pacioretty is coming off a down year with only 17 goals, but he's otherwise been remarkably consistent throughout his career. Over the last seven seasons, he's averaged 33.6 goals, 65 points, and nearly 300 shots per year over an 82-game average.Early in Pacioretty's career, he earned the top-line left wing spot on the Montreal Canadiens and never let it go. In Vegas, the top unit of Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson, and Reilly Smith isn't likely to be split up, leaving Pacioretty with a reduced second-line role.That could result in less ice time, likely bringing his shot total down. However, the 29-year-old won't be the primary focus of his opponents, which will lead to easier matchups. He'll also probably get a chance to line up alongside free-agent acquisition Paul Stastny, who would be the best playmaking center Pacioretty has ever played with by quite a wide margin.As for special teams, the Golden Knights' power play was solid in 2017-18 while ranking 11th. It's possible Pacioretty, a five-time 30-goal scorer, replaces Alex Tuch on the top unit, but it seems more likely he anchors the second power-play line alongside Stastny, Erik Haula, Colin Miller, and possibly former Hab Daniel Carr.A return to his 35-goal form with around 60 points and 275 shots is within reach for Pacioretty. He can safely be selected between rounds five and seven in standard leagues, depending on the size of your league. In banger leagues, which have hits as a category, he can be taken a round earlier thanks to Pacioretty's willingness to throw his weight around (118 hits in 2017-18).Tatar's ceiling is capped in Montreal's fantasy wasteland(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Tatar has reeled off four straight 20-goal seasons, and while he may continue that streak in Montreal, prospective fantasy owners shouldn't expect a whole lot more. He should grab a first-line role with the Habs and replace Pacioretty. But he won't be paired with a legitimate center, making 25 goals his likely ceiling.Tatar doesn't contribute in many other fantasy categories outside of goals. He should contend for the green jacket this year (the league's worst plus/minus), and needs to be a late-round pick in deeper leagues, and nothing more than a streaming option in standard 10- or 12-team leagues.However, there is still fantasy value to be extracted from this trade for the Habs. Suzuki, the 13th overall pick in 2017, has racked up 196 points over the past two seasons with the OHL's Owen Sound Attack. If he continues to develop, the 19-year-old could become a top-two center in Montreal within a year or two, making him a solid late-round pick in dynasty leagues that carry NA spots.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Don't be surprised if Max Pacioretty inks an extension with the Vegas Golden Knights in the coming days.Related: Canadiens trade Pacioretty to VegasMontreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin told reporters Monday that the trade was contingent on Pacioretty signing a long-term deal in Vegas, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.Talks between Pacioretty's camp and the Golden Knights are already underway, reports TVA Sports' Renaud Lavoie.For Golden Knights GM George McPhee, the clause in the deal was necessary. He gave up a first, second, and a third-round pick to acquire Tomas Tatar at last year's trade deadline, then flipped Tatar, top prospect Nick Suzuki, and a second-round pick to get Pacioretty, whose contract expires after this season. Without this contingency, McPhee would be giving up a haul for a rental player.What Pacioretty's extension will look like remains to be seen, but there are a few interesting comparable contracts that were signed this summer. Evander Kane, 27, signed a seven-year, $49-million deal with the San Jose Sharks in May. James Neal, 31, inked a five-year contract in Calgary worth $5.75 million annually. James van Riemsdyk, 29, returned to the Philadelphia Flyers on a five-year, $35-million contract. Pacioretty's extension could potentially fall somewhere between these three.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Max Pacioretty's tenure in Montreal is over, as the Canadiens announced early Monday morning that they have traded their former captain to the Vegas Golden Knights in return for Tomas Tatar, Nick Suzuki, and a 2019 second-round pick.

Joel Bouchard was looking for a response that never came.The bench boss of the AHL's Laval Rocket, the Montreal Canadiens' minor-league affiliate, handled the coaching duties for the Canadiens as part of the NHL Rookie Showdown this weekend.But the first two games of the tournament, which precedes main camp and included the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs, left Bouchard seeing red after two of his players were carted off the ice.Canadiens prospect Jake Evans was stretchered out of Friday's contest after taking a hit from the Senators' Jonathan Aspirot. A similar incident occurred Sunday when defenseman Jarret Tyszka was wheeled off the ice after he was driven into the end boards by Maple Leafs forward Hudson Elynuik.A lack of response from teammates to the first hit left Bouchard upset, while the second incident in such quick succession is seemingly forcing him to take action."We didn't do anything both times," Bouchard told Kelsey Patterson of The Canadian Press. "Enough is enough. I gave them a chance the first time, now they're going to learn. The guys on the ice, nobody went to see the other team. Unacceptable. My players were warned."I'm not asking for my players to fight, but you have to stand up for one another. This is the Montreal Canadiens. I'm not promoting violence, but we're not going to get walked all over either."Both players were hospitalized following the hits - Evans has since been released from care - while the incidents became the focal point of the tournament for the Canadiens, who dropped both contests by a combined 8-2 score.Bouchard, a Montreal native, is entering his first season with the Rocket after spending the past three years as head coach of the QMJHL's Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hockey's become a young man's game, with more and more players entering the NHL while they're still physically developing.Elias Pettersson, the fifth overall pick by the Vancouver Canucks in 2017, is one such case. The Swedish import brings hulking height at 6-foot-2, but a slender figure that weighs in at just over 160 pounds.But it's his skill, not size, that makes Pettersson a dominant force, as he told NHL.com's Kevin Woodley: "It isn't my weight that got me here ... My style of hockey is not to have big muscles."That much was evident last season when the 19-year-old finished with 56 points in 44 games to lead his Vaxjo Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League in scoring. He then pocketed another 19 points in 13 playoff appearances en route to the championship and MVP honors.Pettersson's year also marked the best junior-aged season in the SHL since Kent Nilsson's 53-point campaign more than 40 years ago. As he climbed the ranks, Pettersson passed the likes of Swedish hero Peter Forsberg (48 points) and Canucks legends Daniel and Henrik Sedin (45 and 47 points, respectively).He appears ready for prime time, as he shifts his game to Vancouver, his second straight pro season as a rookie. On a rebuilding Canucks squad, Pettersson is expected to play in the top six and could see minutes alongside other budding young stars like Brock Boeser and Adam Gaudette.Don't expect Pettersson to buckle under the pressure of playing in a Canadian market. He's already exceeded expectations in rewriting the SHL's record books. He's now tasked with repeating those exploits in Vancouver, as the Canucks rookie is considered a favorite to capture the Calder Trophy in 2018-19.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Andrew MacDonald will be out for approximately six weeks after suffering a lower-body injury during an offseason workout, the club announced on Sunday.MacDonald averaged the third-most ice time among Flyers blue-liners during the 2017-18 season, tallying 21 points and 131 blocked shots in 66 games.MacDonald's absence could give towering 21-year-old blue-liner Philippe Myers a chance to become one of Philadelphia's top-six defensemen to open the season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seemingly every athlete who gets busted for performance enhancing drugs says the same thing: "I would never knowingly put a banned substance in my body."The case of Nate Schmidt, who was suspended 20 games for violating the NHL's PED program last week, has been no different, but it was revealed that only seven-billionths of a milligram of the substance was found in his system - equivalent to a pinch of salt in an Olympic swimming pool. During the appeal, an expert concluded that there was no evidence of intentional use.Schmidt's teammates unsurprisingly came to his defense, but now the Vegas Golden Knights blue-liner has one of the NHL's most prominent faces in his corner: Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon."I do believe him," MacKinnon told The Athletic's Craig Custance. "I don't think he was f---ing injecting a needle in his ass. We're all hockey players. We all respect the game. I'm sure Nate Schmidt isn't a cheater. I believe him. I don't think he intentionally did anything."The Athletic's Katie Strang reported that it's very possible Schmidt's positive test was a result of eating contaminated meat. In 2016, NFL player Duane Brown tested positive for Clenbuterol, but he was cleared after it was traced back to tainted beef. Boxer Canelo Alvaraez tested positive for the same substance in February and claimed it was a result of tainted meat. A hair follicle test came back negative for Clenbuterol, backing his case.It still hasn't been revealed which substance was found in Schmidt's system, but other players around the league have taken note of the situation."I'd be remiss if I didn't learn from it," New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider said. "And make sure I was really cognizant of what I'm putting in my body, regardless of if I'm on the road at a restaurant or shopping at Whole Foods."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There won't be an uproar over Josh Ho-Sang's jersey number this season.After wearing No. 66 through his first two years with the New York Islanders, it appears Ho-Sang will wear No. 26 for the coming campaign.Ho-Sang's new look comes as part of a series of organizational changes implemented by new general manager Lou Lamoriello that are meant to build team unity, including a preference for lower jersey numbers and a ban on facial hair.Anthony Beauvillier and Adam Pelech have new, lower numbers as well, the former going from 72 to 18 and the latter from 50 to 3."You'll definitely see the changes that have been made and the structure," Ho-Sang told Andrew Gross of Newsday. "The biggest thing visually is my face."While No. 66 isn't honored by the Islanders, nor is it retired league-wide like Wayne Gretzky's No. 99, it's best associated with Pittsburgh Penguins legend Mario Lemieux.Ho-Sang's decision to wear the number didn't sit well with some hockey traditionalists. In March 2017, however, Lemieux voiced his support for Ho-Sang's number choice.Only six players have worn No. 66 in NHL history. Ho-Sang and Calgary Flames defenseman T.J Brodie (2010-11 season) are the only players to wear it since Lemieux retired in 2006.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If Matt Duchene is to re-sign with the Ottawa Senators, it could depend on two of his teammates landing contract extensions of their own.Duchene can become an unrestricted free agent next offseason, but the 27-year-old is keeping an eye on forward Mark Stone's and captain Erik Karlsson's futures in Ottawa to help decide whether he'll stick with the Senators.Related: Duchene intrigued by free-agency route after watching Tavares"Those are the things I want to sit back and watch," Duchene told NHL.com's Dan Rosen. "The nice thing is is I'm kind of the last domino in that sense. Those are things I want to see."Duchene, who is entering the campaign on the final season of a five-year, $30-million pact, could be among the top free agents available next summer should he choose to test the waters.Like Duchene, both Stone and Karlsson can become unrestricted free agents in 2019. That became a reality for Stone after he agreed to a one-year deal in August ahead of an arbitration hearing, while Karlsson's future in the Canadian capital has been a subject of trade chatter dating back to last season's deadline."Erik, that's a little bit different situation, but with (Mark), that's a guy I'd love to move forward with as a teammate," Duchene added. "Him doing a one-year deal, it's a little bit different and makes you think a little bit, but I want to see what he's saying and we'll talk through it."Having talked about it, we both really like it in Ottawa and we both want it to work, so that's the biggest thing."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kevin Hayes is entering the season with a one-year contract extension, but the surrounding uncertainty doesn't necessarily mean his days are winding down as a member of the New York Rangers.Many pundits saw the short-term pact as an opportunity for the rebuilding Rangers to cash in on Hayes at next year's trade deadline, but that doesn't appear to be the mindset of management."It is a one-year deal, but like I've told Kevin, we'd like to have him long term," Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton told Larry Brooks of the New York Post. "He's said that he wants to be here, so let's have him come to camp in great shape, be a leader, have a big season, and let's go from there. Nothing is set in stone."Hayes, who scored a career-high 25 goals last season, hasn't been shy about his desire to remain in Manhattan."I'm a Boston kid, but I absolutely love New York City and I would love to be there my entire career," Hayes said in August. "At the moment, (a one-year contract) was best for both sides. We couldn't really come to a long-term agreement and a one-year deal is what came out of it."I'm not treating it like I'll be out of there in February or at the end of the year. Everyone keeps saying UFA at the end of the year, but that had nothing to do with the decision."Hayes, 26, will earn $5.175 million this season, per CapFriendly. He's eligible to sign a new deal with New York as of Jan. 1, 2019.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jake Evans is on the mend.The Montreal Canadiens draft pick was released from hospital Friday night and is undergoing treatment Saturday while following the team's concussion protocol, the club announced.Evans was removed from Friday night's rookie tournament game against the Ottawa Senators on a stretcher in the third period after absorbing a high, heavy hit as he entered the offensive zone.He lay motionless on his back before being attended to and taken off the ice by the Canadiens' medical staff.The 22-year-old forward played four seasons at Notre Dame after Montreal selected him 207th overall in 2014.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If Kevin Bieksa finds a new home for the upcoming season, it will reportedly be close to where his family resides in California.The veteran defenseman has entertained a few offers this summer, but is looking for a perfect fit, as his family will be staying in the Golden State regardless of where he ends up and he wants to be relatively close to them, according to Sportsnet's Dan Murphy.Bieksa became an unrestricted free agent after spending three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks.The 37-year-old was limited to 59 regular-season games and one playoff contest in 2017-18, logging third-pairing minutes while chipping in eight points before making his lone postseason appearance of the campaign.He signed a two-year, $8-million deal with the Ducks on July 1, 2015.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes are ready to talk contract with Sebastian Aho.The two sides held negotiations earlier this offseason but put talks on hold once Aho headed home to Finland for the summer. But with the winger back in Raleigh for training camp, Carolina is prepared to take another crack at locking in a new deal."He's in town now and we'll pick up talks," Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "We had some talks in the summertime, but just felt it wasn't the right time. So now that he's back, we'd like to put some time into (it), and I think they feel the same way. Hopefully we can come out of here with a resolution."Aho is entering the final year of his entry-level contract that carries a $925,000 cap hit, plus performance bonuses.After finishing with over 45 points in each of his first two NHL campaigns, there should be no doubt that the 21-year-old is due for a big-time raise.Waddell's goal is to have Aho put pen to paper before the Hurricanes open the season on Oct. 4 against the New York Islanders."I'm not one to put these deadlines and all that right now, but the goal would be let's get it behind us so we all can move forward," Waddell said. "He's proven he's a good player. We don't know what the ceiling is yet for him, but you get to know him as a player and a person and he's the kind of guy you continue to build players and pieces around."The Hurricanes selected Aho with the 35th pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen admits choices will need to be made on both Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky.Both are pending unrestricted free agents. Panarin has already stated that he won't negotiate an extension once camp opens, while the Blue Jackets also remain far apart in negotiations with Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner."If we can't work out a contract, then we'll have to make some decisions," Kekalainen told NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "I wouldn't say they're just going to stay and ride out into the sunset."Still, Kekalainen remains hopeful that both players are long for Columbus."We're still optimistic we can get things done and we feel they can be a huge part of our team in the future," Kekalainen said. "We're going to have a good team into the future and hopefully they want to be part of it. That's our mindset right now, to keep working at it."Panarin is entering 2018-19 on the final year of a two-year, $12-million contract. The 26-year-old was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in June 2017 as part of a multi-player trade involving winger Brandon Saad. Panarin's 82 points last year marked the best single-season total in the Blue Jackets' 18-year history.Bobrovsky has posted a 176-106-26 showing across six seasons in Columbus, including 24 shutouts, a 2.37 GAA, and a .923 save percentage. That stretch also saw Bobrovsky capture the Vezina Trophy in 2012-13 and 2016-17.The 29-year-old goaltender carries a $7.425-million cap hit on the final season of his four-year contract.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Columbus Blue Jackets and head coach John Tortorella are close to agreeing on a contract extension, according to general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.Kekalainen is confident a deal will be reached before the Blue Jackets open training camp next week, telling NHL.com's Tom Gulitti, "He's done a great job. I think the coaching staff has done a great job for us and stability is important, so I'm sure we’ll get something worked out."The update comes just one day after the Blue Jackets inked Kekalainen to an extension, in addition to extending president of hockey operations John Davidson, and Bill Zito, who was promoted from assistant to associate GM.Tortorella has one year remaining on his current contract, his fourth season with the Blue Jackets. The coming campaign is the first in which Columbus will pay all of Tortorella's contract after his former club, the Vancouver Canucks, was responsible for paying part of the deal following his 2014 dismissal.Since joining Columbus, Tortorella has helped bring the team to the next level, guiding the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record 108 points in 2016-17. That season, Tortorella was the recipient of the Jack Adams Award presented to the NHL's coach of the year.It marked the second time Tortorella has captured the award. He was also given the honor in 2004 after leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to a championship.Tortorella has posted a 129-87-23 record over nearly three seasons after becoming the Blue Jackets' bench boss in October 2015. The Boston native ranks first all-time among American-born coaches with 575 career wins in 1,175 games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There has been further progress in contract talks between Tyler Seguin and the Dallas Stars.The 26-year-old can become an unrestricted free agent next offseason; in late August, Seguin expressed disappointment that a new deal had not yet been reached."We are deep in discussions. It's moving in the right direction," Stars general manager Jim Nill told team reporter Mark Stepneski.Talks picked up steam upon Seguin returning to Dallas prior to training camp."I think once he got down around the team and stuff, that was important for him," Nill added. "Like I said, things are moving in the right direction."I'd like to get it done before the season starts, but with negotiations, you never know. But I think both parties would like to get it done before. I think it's always been the plan to get it done before the season starts."Time is of the essence, as Dallas opens the season Oct. 4 against the Arizona Coyotes.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Drew Stafford is getting his shot to make the New Jersey Devils, as the veteran forward will attend camp on a professional tryout, the team announced Friday.Stafford appeared in 59 games with the Devils last season, registering eight goals and seven assists. He inked a one-year deal worth $800,000 with New Jersey in August 2017.Stafford, 32, has notched 415 career points across 784 games with the Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, Boston Bruins, and Devils.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Artemi Panarin's agent, Dan Milstein, doesn't foresee his client being traded before the start of the regular season.Panarin made it clear this offseason that he doesn't intend to sign a contract extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets and he will not discuss business with the team once training camp opens. However, following recent discussions between the club's management and Milstein, it doesn't appear as though Panarin is going anywhere."We've spoken with management and we expect Panarin to be with the Blue Jackets," Milstein said, according to The Athletic's Craig Custance.Related - Report: Rangers are Panarin's preferred destinationPanarin has just one year left on his current contract and will become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of this season. The possibility of the 26-year-old hitting the open market in July isn't something Panarin's camp appears to be worried about, as Milstein insists going to free agency is merely a player's right."Look at it this way, you only become a UFA once in your career when you have an option and opportunity to sign a long-term contract," Milstein said. "Loyalty is important but you're given the right by the CBA to see what's out there."Panarin is coming off his first season with the Blue Jackets, during which he set a career high with 82 points in 81 games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Matt Duchene's tenure in Ottawa could wind up being very brief, as the 2019 unrestricted free agent confirmed to reporters Friday that he and the Senators haven't had any contract talks yet."There's been some big things going on that obviously take precedent over that," Duchene told TSN's Frank Seravalli, potentially referring to the ongoing Erik Karlsson saga.On Tuesday, Duchene noted that negotiations hadn't started and said it "would be awesome" if a long-term deal worked out with the Senators. He reiterated Friday that he is open to re-signing in Ottawa, but added that he couldn't help but watch John Tavares carve his own path in free agency this summer. Tavares signed a seven-year deal worth $11 million per season with the Toronto Maple Leafs."It's the first time you have that ultimate power as a player and you have to do what's best for you," Duchene said.Duchene was acquired by the Sens in a blockbuster three-way trade last November, in which Ottawa sent its 2019 first-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche.His time in Ottawa got off to a rocky start, but despite the team's struggles, the 27-year-old finished the season strong with 20 goals and 23 assists in his final 44 games. Centers in their prime rarely hit the free-agent market, so he would likely fetch a pretty penny come July 1.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames dished out a five-year, $28.75-million contract to James Neal over the offseason in a significant effort to bolster their offensive depth. Now, their new sniper has visions of potentially forming one of the league's most dangerous lines come puck drop.Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau have steered the ship over the last four years on the club's top unit, but have been unable to find a right winger to fully complement their chemistry. Neal hopes to be that guy."That's where I want to play (on the right side), especially on that top line with Johnny and Sean," Neal told Sportsnet's Eric Francis."Them both being left shots, it's great. When you're passing lefty to lefty, it opens up quick. I love having a left-handed centerman. I look forward to playing with them. It will be great. They're guys that can shoot the puck, but who are also great passers."Neal has been one of the NHL's most consistent marksmen over his career, registering at least 20 goals in 10 of 11 seasons while maxing out at 40 in 2011-12. Last season with the Vegas Golden Knights, the 31-year-old scored 25 times and added 19 assists in 71 contests.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jacksonville Jaguars All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey made waves in the hockey world recently, claiming in a tell-all interview with ESPN's Mina Kimes that he could probably crack the NHL with six months of training.Cue the outrage.With training camp for the 2018-19 season around the corner, several prominent NHLers were asked about Ramsey's claim, and it's safe to say they disagree."I think it's insulting to our league," Buffalo Sabres star Jack Eichel told Emily Kaplan of ESPN. "For us as players, we've dedicated our lives to be playing in the NHL. To think after six months you could come play arguably one of the hardest sports in the world? I mean, I think it's ridiculous he would say that. It's ignorant."St. Louis Blues sniper Vladimir Tarasenko shared Eichel's disbelief."I can bet any money in the world there's no chance he can play in the NHL in six months. It's impossible. Him saying that ... it de-classes our sport," he said.Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers tried his best to apply some logic to the hypothetical scenario, but still wasn't buying it."It's funny to me," Kreider said. "I think he's an unbelievable athlete, but skating is a skill set unto itself - just like running is, just like swimming is. Think of someone who has never swam before. If you've never been in the water before, no matter how good of an athlete you are, chances are, you're not going to be an Olympic-caliber swimmer in six months."Among all the critics, Stanley Cup champion Evgeny Kuznetsov stood as the lone optimist."I would like to see that, for sure," he said. "He can come; we can help him. It's cool if an athlete wants to try something new."Ramsey does have quite the athletic resume, to his credit. He's emerged as arguably the best shutdown corner in the NFL since being drafted fifth overall by the Jags in 2016 and had a prolific track and field career at Florida State on top of his football duties.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tyler Seguin appears to be getting closer to a contract extension with the Dallas Stars.After it was reported Wednesday that Seguin and the Stars engaged in "more significant" contract discussions over the weekend, the center said talks have picked up recently and that he's hopeful of signing before the season begins, according to NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger.The development comes around a week after Seguin told reporters, including theScore's John Matisz, that he was disappointed with the lack of discussions regarding an extension.The 26-year-old is currently set to enter the final season of his six-year, $34.5-million contract, and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer if no deal is reached beforehand.Seguin is coming off a strong season that saw him post a career-high 40 goals and 78 points in 82 games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Patrick Kane is hopping on the Toronto Maple Leafs bandwagon.While speaking at the NHL's media day, the Chicago Blackhawks forward was asked which team - other than his own - he thinks will win the Stanley Cup. His answer? The Maple Leafs, according to NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed general manager Jarmo Kekalainen and president of hockey operations and alternate governor John Davidson to multi-year extensions, the team announced Thursday.The Blue Jackets also promoted Bill Zito from assistant GM to associate GM, and signed him to an extension as well."Under John Davidson's leadership, our club has made great strides over the past six seasons and this long-term commitment speaks to the confidence that our ownership group, led by John P. McConnell, has in his vision for our team," said Blue Jackets President Mike Priest. "The plan implemented by our hockey operations senior management team is working and we are pleased that these talented and committed individuals will continue to lead our hockey operations efforts for years to come."In five full seasons with both Kekalainen and Davidson at the helm, the Jackets have made the postseason three times, accumulating a franchise-record 108 points in 2016-17, but have failed to win a playoff series.Kekalainen, a native of Finland, became the first European-born GM in NHL history when he was hired in February of 2013.The Blue Jackets' brass are set to make some key decisions that could drastically alter the franchise. Star goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and dynamic forward Artemi Panarin are both unrestricted free agents after next season.The Athletic's Aaron Portzline reported last month that negotiations between Bobrovsky and the club have stalled, and initial discussions were far apart. Meanwhile, Panarin has made it clear he's not ready to sign an extension, forcing the Jackets to explore trade options.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, losing to the rival Washington Capitals in the second round of the 2018 playoffs - and watching them eventually hoist the trophy - left Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby with a bitter feeling."I think that'll definitely light a fire for us," Crosby told NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika. "That's on your mind when you play that team again. It's just the way it is. That's the way it is when you lose. You've always kind of got that feeling of something to prove."The Penguins-Capitals rivalry featuring Crosby and Alex Ovechkin has been one of the best in sports over the last decade or so, and it was only amplified by Washington's Stanley Cup victory this past spring.Even though Crosby doesn't have much left to prove to anyone, his competitive spirit and work ethic have made him one of the best to ever play the game.Crosby went on a European vacation this summer, but couldn't stop himself from bringing his hockey gear."Yeah I brought it," he said with a smile. "I figured I'd want to get on at some point."A motivated Crosby is a dangerous proposition for opponents, and Ovechkin and the Caps will find out firsthand as the two teams square off in the season opener Oct. 4 in Pittsburgh.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Seattle ownership group will make a formal presentation to the NHL's board of governors on Oct. 2 in New York. However, the board will not vote on expansion at that meeting, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said, according to Sports Illustrated's Alex Prewitt."In a vacuum, I think everyone assumes (the board of governors) would be inclined to expand to Seattle," Daly said. "But there's distance between here and there in terms of taking a vote."The board's reluctance to vote on Seattle expansion could be due to both sides being willing to wait another year before the potential franchise's inaugural season.