Niklas Kronwall has over 12 NHL seasons under his belt, but he enters the 2018-19 campaign knowing it could be his last.The 37-year-old Kronwall is among the oldest players on the Detroit Red Wings' roster and with teams now favoring younger stars over seasoned veterans, he's realistic about where he stands."I know where I'm at right now. A year from now I don't know where I'll be at," Kronwall said, according to NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger. "I'd love to sign (for) another year but let's face it. The team's getting younger. I'm getting older. The game's getting faster. I'm not the same player I was 10 years ago. But I'm going to do what I can this year both on the ice and off the ice. And just try to be as efficient as I possibly can."Kronwall is entering the final season of a seven-year, $33.25-million contract. While he'd love to sign on for another tour of duty, if this is the end for the native of Stockholm, Sweden, he's appreciative of what the Red Wings organization has done for him."If this happens to be the end of the road, I would be more than happy with the journey that I've had and more than thankful to the Ilitch family and (general manager) Kenny Holland for giving me the opportunity that I have for being able to be with the same team for my entire career," Kronwall, said. "We'll see what happens."I've been fortunate enough to play in Detroit all these years and I have a tough time seeing myself in a different jersey."Kronwall won a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 2008 and ranks fourth in franchise scoring by a defenseman.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leon Draisaitl doesn't think the Edmonton Oilers are going to replicate last season's subpar result."I think we're too good of a team where we're not at least competing in the playoffs or not in the race," the Oilers forward told NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger on Thursday. "And even if we are, that's probably not good enough. We want to make the playoffs and I think we have the team to do it. Now it's up to the players to show it."The Oilers finished with the NHL's ninth-worst record in 2017-18 after qualifying for the postseason for the first time in 11 years and advancing to the second round in the prior campaign.Edmonton won only 36 games last season, but Draisaitl appears motivated to ensure the club gets back in the playoff hunt."We, as players, need to take ownership and be the best team we can be," he said. "I think that last year we weren't the team that we are, or that we want to be. Seasons like that happen, but we have to make sure it doesn't happen again."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers are in no rush to name a new leader.After dealing Ryan McDonagh to the Tampa Bay Lightning at last year's trade deadline, the Rangers finished the 2017-18 campaign without a captain.Yet the historic franchise is ready to wait to name a new leader until someone distinguishes himself from the rest of the pack, according to new head coach David Quinn."We've talked about it as an organization. I think a captain emerges," Quinn told NHL.com's Dan Rosen. "You don't want to put a burden on somebody that isn't ready for it. So I think that will just happen one way or the other."It either will happen that someone will emerge and separate themselves as someone who is clearly going to be the captain, or it won't happen. I think that will take care of itself."McDonagh had worn the "C" since the start of the 2014-15 season, assuming the vacancy from departed captain Ryan Callahan.Forwards Chris Kreider, Mats Zuccarello, and defenseman Marc Staal were alternate captains with the Rangers last season, and all three could be candidates to take on the top duty this year.The Rangers have had 27 captains in the team's history, including two stints by Mark Messier, who wore the "C" from 1991 to 1997, and again from 2000 to 2004.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid is a near lock to be chosen first overall in fantasy hockey leagues with standard scoring. After him, though, it gets interesting. With the second overall pick, there are many ways fantasy owners could go.To assist owners picking in the No. 2 slot, theScore's Josh Wegman, Esten McLaren, and Sean O'Leary make their case for who they believe should be chosen after McDavid.Wegman: Nikita KucherovNikita Kucherov was the only player in the NHL last season to finish top 10 in goals, assists, shots on goal, and power-play points. That's four of the six standard fantasy categories where he dominated. He recorded a plus-15 rating and 42 penalty minutes as well.With the Lightning once again projected to be an offensive juggernaut, the likelihood of Kucherov repeating his career-best 100-point season is high.What separates Kucherov from other contenders is his position. Center is by far the deepest position in fantasy, so drafting a right-winger in Kucherov will allow you to wait on centers, thus building a deeper team.O'Leary: Sidney CrosbyFor the first time since 2015, Crosby and the Penguins didn't play deep into the heart of June. The extra rest should do wonders for No. 87 as he looks to improve on his 89-point campaign from 2017-18.One season after claiming the Rocket Richard Trophy with 44 tallies, Crosby regressed to 29 goals this past season, despite directing only eight fewer shots on net. Sid's shooting percentage was just 11.7 last year. He should be expected to bounce back to his career average of 14.5 in 2018-19.Crosby also holds extra value for his role as a distributor on Pittsburgh's deadly power play - which ranked first in the NHL with a 26.2 percent success rate in 2017-18. He ranked third in the league with 38 power-play points and if he's sharing a top unit with Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, Patric Hornqvist, and Kris Letang again, the sky's the limit for Crosby's production on the man advantage.McLaren: Steven StamkosA fully healthy Steven Stamkos scored 27 goals in 2017-18. His shooting percentage of 12.7 ranked 165th in the league and was well below his career average of 16.7 percent. He set career highs in assists and plus-minus while nearing his personal-best mark in penalty minutes and chipping in 33 power-play points - the third-best total of his career.He was one of just three players in the league with more than 70 penalty minutes to also have at least 27 goals and more than 60 points, making him one of the top targets for addressing a largely foregone category.Stamkos shot the puck less but also finished with a career-high 59 assists. He also saw a slight reduction to his time on ice per game after being limited to just 17 contests the previous season. He certainly has the supporting cast to help him achieve his first 100-point campaign and produce 50 goals for the third time in his career.Though Stamkos was limited to center eligibility last season, he has been granted dual status as a right wing in the past. An injury to the team's thinner wing group could again force Stamkos to the outside, further elevating his fantasy value.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Yet another player is taking legal action against the NHL over head injuries.Former defenseman Bryan Berard is suing the league, claiming that it failed to protect him from repetitive brain injuries throughout his career, and that he now has serious medical problems as a result, according to TMZ.The first overall pick in 1995 said the NHL has a responsibility to "cease (its) patent glorification of, and profiting from, fist-fighting and violence in the league."Berard, who claims to have suffered at least five concussions, added that the NHL needs to not only care about the former players "on whose backs and brains (it) reaped billions of dollars," but also that it must prioritize long-term safety over profit.Several other former players, including Garth Butcher, Ian Turnbull, Mark Hardy, and John Cullen, have filed similar suits against the league, according to TMZ.More than 100 former players are part of an ongoing concussion lawsuit against the NHL for which a federal judge recently denied class-action status. Had that been permitted, more than 5,000 former players would've been allowed to join the case.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ryan Ellis had more than just his own interests in mind when he agreed to an eight-year, $50-million contract extension earlier this week."I'm getting paid more than enough to play hockey," the Nashville Predators defenseman told reporters Thursday. "It was just about coming across a fair deal that would work for both sides. We have other guys that need to be re-upped and need to be signed in the future, and I had to do my part to keep this thing going in the right direction."Ellis is entering the final season of the five-year, $12.5-million pact he inked with the club in 2014, which carries a cap hit of $2.5 million. His new cap hit will be $6.25 million beginning in 2019-20.He likely could've commanded more money had he chosen to enter free agency next summer, but he felt giving the Predators a little cap flexibility would help them remain Stanley Cup contenders for years to come."If we can keep everyone here and keep the core together, I think we can compete for a Stanley Cup for the next 10 years, at least," Ellis said. "That's bold to say, but I think we believe a lot in the people that we have in our room … and I just really wanted to be a part of it."Nashville has about $7.6 million in cap space with no remaining free agents. However, franchise goaltender Pekka Rinne has one year left before hitting unrestricted free agency, talented defenseman Roman Josi has two years remaining on his deal, and gifted young forward Kevin Fiala is one year away from restricted free agency.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

William Nylander says he doesn't feel there's any heightened need to get a contract done with the Toronto Maple Leafs following Dylan Larkin's new long-term pact with the Detroit Red Wings."Now that contract negotiations have started you're more aware of what's going on with things like that," Nylander told NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger on Thursday. "Right now, once something like that happens, you're more updated on what's going on around the league, more educated. But once you sign, I don't think you pay attention to that."There is no extra pressure or urgency to get something done just because guys like (Larkin) sign."Nylander is a restricted free agent without a contract entering the upcoming season.It's not unreasonable to compare the 22-year-old Maple Leafs forward's situation to that of Larkin, who was an RFA himself before inking a five-year, $30.5-million deal with the Red Wings last Friday. Larkin is also 22, and he produced 63 points while Nylander posted 61 last season.However, Nylander doesn't appear concerned with Toronto general manager Kyle Dubas' approach to his negotiations."I've said all along that Kyle wanted to take things slow and I'm fine with that," Nylander said. "They're going back and forth with my agent from what I hear. We'll see what happens. They said it would take a while and I'm still not worried. When it gets done, it gets done."Related: Projecting William Nylander's next contractEarlier this month, Nylander told theScore's John Matisz that he'd prefer to sign a long-term contract rather than a bridge deal.Dubas insisted back in July that "we can and we will" retain the dynamic young trio of Nylander, Auston Matthews, and Mitch Marner, the latter two of whom became eligible to sign new deals July 1.Leafs training camp will open with medicals Sept. 13, followed by the first on-ice session the next day.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vegas Golden Knights forward William Karlsson believes he can replicate last season's success and ink the lucrative contract he desires.After finishing third in the league with 43 goals, the 25-year-old couldn't come to terms on a long-term deal with the club, instead settling on a one-year, $5.25-million contract."It's me betting on myself a little," Karlsson said, according to NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger. "It would be great with a long-term (deal) but we couldn't agree on that. Both sides wanted it long term but it couldn't work out."I believe I can have another productive year, show that last season was no fluke, and earn something long term."Karlsson's monstrous campaign came after never managing more than nine goals or 25 points in his first two full seasons in the league with the Columbus Blue Jackets. With Vegas, he saw an increase of 34 goals and 53 points, which he attributes largely to an increased role with the Golden Knights."I'm not sure what happened in Columbus but when your confidence is down it affects you," Karlsson said. "All I wanted is a chance to show what I can do. Vegas let me do that. It let a lot of guys do that."If Karlsson can put up another 40-goal season, he could command a long-term contract in the ballpark of $9 million per season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes and forward Sebastian Aho have begun talks regarding a contract extension.Aho is entering the final year of his entry-level deal and is hoping to sign long term, but for now, discussions appear to be in the infancy stages."We've been talking about something," Aho said, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "But I've got nothing to say yet."Aho made significant strides in his sophomore season, pacing the Hurricanes in both goals and points with 29 and 65, respectively. The 21-year-old is also coming off a stellar performance at the World Championship where he put up nine goals and 18 points in just eight games.The Hurricanes finished last season 14 points outside the final wild-card spot in the East. Another stellar campaign for Aho is a must if they are to return to the postseason for the first time since 2008-09.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Patrik Laine is not sweating the fact that he remains without a contract extension heading into the 2018-19 season.The Winnipeg Jets sniper still has a year remaining on his entry-level deal and, as such, is preaching patience."It's not something we need to hurry because I still have a contract," Laine said, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti "But obviously that's something I want to do at some point and they want to do. But there's no rush."I really don't care," Laine said. "There's no rush, really. I can do it next summer or this summer. I don't mind."While the former second overall pick doesn't appear pressed to sign an extension, he did admit that when the time comes he'd prefer to put pen to paper on a long-term deal."It's always easier if it's long term so you don't have to think about doing a new contract for a while, and I'm happy where I'm at," Laine said. "I want to stay there for sure. That's something I want to do and hopefully, they're thinking the same way."Given that the 20-year-old has tallied 80 goals in his first two NHL seasons - only Alex Ovechkin has more in that span - it's safe to say the feeling is likely mutual on the Jets' part.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One month out from the start of training camp, the Detroit Red Wings still remain uncertain as to whether or not Henrik Zetterberg will be healthy enough to suit up this season.The 37-year-old has been dealing with back issues and in turn has been unable to do any training this offseason, leaving the 2018-19 campaign up in the air."He's had a hard summer and I don't think his back is reacting great," head coach Jeff Blashill said Wednesday, according to Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News. "Certainly we'll know more in a month (at training camp), but as of today, there's a lot of doubt as to whether his back will be healthy enough to play."Zetterberg did manage to get into the lineup for all 82 games last season, but as Blashill explained, it wasn't easy for the veteran center."As you know, Hank wasn't able to practice for half the year," Blashill said. "He was able to gut it out through those last two months where he wasn't able to practice. There were nights I didn’t think he'd able to play and he did play."Zetterberg hasn't missed a game since the 2014-15 campaign. He still has two more years remaining after this season on his current 12-year, $73-million contract, which holds an annual average value of just under $6.1 million.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Anaheim Ducks have inked forward Ondrej Kase to a three-year deal, the club announced Wednesday.His new pact carries a $2.6-million average annual value, a league source told the Orange County Register's Elliott Teaford.Kase was a restricted free agent who finished second on the team with 20 goals in 66 games last season.The 22-year-old was selected 205th overall by the Ducks in 2014.Anaheim's lone remaining free agent is fellow 22-year-old forward Nick Ritchie, who is an RFA.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A who's who of NHL players with American ties will play in a benefit game to raise money for the late Jim Johannson's family and USA Hockey later this month.Here's the full list of participants in the Stars and Stripes Showdown, which will take place on Aug. 26 in Plymouth, Michigan:PlayersNHL TeamPlayerAnaheim DucksPatrick EavesAnaheim DucksCam FowlerBoston BruinsAnders BjorkBoston BruinsCharlie McAvoyBuffalo SabresMatt HunwickBuffalo SabresJake McCabeCalgary FlamesJohnny GaudreauCalgary FlamesNoah HanifinCalgary FlamesMatthew TkachukChicago BlackhawksAlex DeBrincatChicago BlackhawksPatrick KaneChicago BlackhawksConnor MurphyColorado AvalancheJ.T. CompherColumbus Blue JacketsCam AtkinsonColumbus Blue JacketsSeth JonesColumbus Blue JacketsZach WerenskiDetroit Red WingsDanny DeKeyserDetroit Red WingsLuke GlendeningDetroit Red WingsJimmy HowardDetroit Red WingsDylan LarkinMinnesota WildZach PariseMinnesota WildRyan SuterNew York IslandersAnders LeeNew York RangersBrady SkjeiOttawa SenatorsCraig AndersonOttawa SenatorsColin WhiteOttawa SenatorsPatrick SieloffPhiladelphia FlyersJames van RiemsdykToronto Maple LeafsConnor CarrickToronto Maple LeafsAuston MatthewsVegas Golden KnightsAlex TuchWinnipeg JetsKyle ConnorWinnipeg JetsAndrew CoppWinnipeg JetsConnor HellebuyckWinnipeg JetsJacob TroubaCoachesTeamCoachDetroit Red WingsJeff BlashillNew Jersey DevilsJohn HynesNew York RangersDavid QuinnWisconsin Badgers (NCAA)Tony GranatoAll proceeds from the game will go to the USA Hockey Foundation's Jim Johannson Legacy Fund - which was established to benefit grassroots community hockey programs across the United States - and the Ellie Johannson College Fund.Jim Johannson died in his sleep at the age of 53 in January. He was the assistant executive director of USA Hockey and had been serving as the general manager of the 2018 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Fantasy leagues are won and lost at the draft, and while you never truly know what you're going to get from any player, some selections are riskier than others.Injury history, shooting percentage, and changes of scenery are all contributors to what makes certain picks bigger gambles than others. Below are five candidates for the 2018-19 season that will require careful consideration when you're on the clock.Carey Price, G, CanadiensThe case against: Price is coming off a rotten 2017-18 season which was derailed by injuries and inconsistent play. His .900 save percentage was easily the lowest mark of his career, and at 30-years-old, there's no guarantee he returns to his old form. Plus, with Shea Weber out and a lack of offensive firepower up front, it's hard to imagine the Canadiens' skaters helping out their netminder.The case for: He's still Carey Price. Last year went just about as bad as it could have. He's only one season removed from a Vezina caliber year where he posted a .923 save percentage and 37 wins. Price is one of the most dominant goalies of his generation, and even if his teammates don't perform, there's a chance he does well individually. Plus, if he plummets down the draft order, he could serve as an elite backup with other names flying off the board in the earlier rounds.Ilya Kovalchuk, LW, KingsThe case against: The Los Angeles Kings and fantasy owners alike will be eager to see how long it takes Kovalchuk to re-adjust to the NHL game after five seasons in Russia, and the 35-year-old will face pressure to perform in both instances. While he was brought in to help the Kings' attack, questions surrounding his usage and chemistry with new teammates will need to be answered before Kovalchuk can be considered a worthwhile early-round pick.The case for: Kovalchuk is one of this generation's most prolific producers, registering 816 points in as many games before returning home to the KHL, where his numbers were even gaudier. If he stays healthy and finds his way onto Anze Kopitar's flank, there's a good chance he takes the NHL by storm again.William Karlsson, C, Golden KnightsThe case against: Whoever scooped Karlsson off the waiver wire early last season hit the jackpot, as his 43 goals stunned the hockey world. However, a 23.4 shooting percentage is a major red flag for impending regression.The case for: Karlsson's motivation to perform is right in front of him, as the Golden Knights opted for a one-year contract rather than a long-term commitment. If he wants to prove he's a big-time producer worth building around, now's the time.Anders Lee, LW, IslandersThe case against: Lee no longer has the opportunity to play alongside John Tavares, which significantly hurts his value. Even after pouring in 74 goals over the past two seasons, Lee's fantasy outlook is largely in limbo without the former captain in the picture.The case for: Lee's role in the Islanders' top six isn't going to change with Tavares in Toronto, and there's a strong possibility Calder Trophy winner Mat Barzal slots in on the top line. The 21-year-old has the talent to create space and ample opportunities for Lee to bury a good chunk of goals.Sean Couturier, C, FlyersThe case against: Was it a flash in the pan, or did Couturier suddenly develop into an offensive force in his seventh season in the NHL? Despite his incredible 2017-18 campaign, Couturier's larger career resume as a 30-40 point player makes his status at the top of draft boards a risky consideration.The case for: Part of Couturier's emergence as an offensive threat last season (31G, 45A) was due to his pairing with Claude Giroux, who also set career-highs across the board on the Flyers' top line. Philadelphia keeping the duo together would certainly help Couturier's value as fantasy owners debate whether to roll the dice on last season's breakout star.(Photos Courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks are ready to lock up Brock Boeser.In speaking with Ben Kuzma of The Province, Canucks general manager Jim Benning confirmed the two sides have kicked off preliminary discussions on a contract extension, with more talks scheduled for next week."We haven't got down to talking term," Benning said. "We plan to circle back and I'm not sure where it's going to go, but we want to see if we can get somewhere. There's no time frame on it."Brock is going to see the best matchup line and best defensive pair, but I don't expect a drop-off. He has pushed himself hard to pick up where he left off and there are other contracts coming up in the league in the next six months that could drive up the price - I understand that part of it. But it has to make sense for everybody."Despite being limited to just 62 appearances last season, and missing the final 16 games of the year with a back injury, Boeser led the Canucks with 29 goals. That total ranked second among all freshmen and was two back of Winnipeg Jets rookie Kyle Connor for top spot.Boeser, 21, has one year remaining on his entry-level contract that carries a $925,000 cap hit plus an additional $850,000 in performance bonuses.Vancouver selected Boeser with the 23rd pick in the 2015 draft.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

John Tavares has left Long Island, but the biggest change to hit New York this offseason may have been the departures of general manager Garth Snow and head coach Doug Weight.In their place, the New York Islanders recruited former Toronto Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello, who then hired Barry Trotz, fresh off of a Stanley Cup championship with the division rival Washington Capitals.The new faces will help restore the credibility of the franchise, according to Islanders legend Bryan Trottier."The credibility aspect, absolutely, instantaneously it's there," Trottier, a four-time Stanley Cup winner with the Islanders, told NHL.com's Dave McCarthy. "The media can't argue with their experiences and that's always been a little bit of a problem with the Islanders because if they don't do well, everybody's all over them. So now with Lou there, he's got credibility. Barry's got credibility."How do you second-guess a guy like (former Islanders coach) Al Arbour, a guy like Scotty Bowman, a guy like Barry Trotz? Those guys have years and years and years of experience."While Trotz's Stanley Cup win with the Capitals was the first of his career, he brings no shortage of a winning history, as his 762 coaching victories rank fifth all time (and just 20 back of Arbour).Lamoriello, meanwhile, has three Stanley Cup rings to his name from nearly three decades at the helm of the New Jersey Devils. He's also coming off a three-year stint as GM of the Maple Leafs that saw the legendary executive reshape the club into a championship contender. Of course, Lamoriello had a handful of intriguing building blocks with the Maple Leafs, but the Islanders have their fair share of impressive young talent as well."For (Mathew Barzal) to be an Islander and to have the kind rookie season he had, he's not disappointing anyone," Trottier added. "He's a down-to-earth kid and tying my rookie assist record was great. Sharing a record with a young, skilled kid like this is awesome. I see wonderful things for Mathew in the future and for the Islanders."Should Barzal and the Islanders qualify for the playoffs this year, it will mark just the fourth time the franchise has done so in the past 12 seasons.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrej Sekera is sidelined indefinitely after undergoing successful Achilles tendon surgery, the team announced Tuesday.Sekera suffered the injury during offseason training. No timeline has been provided for his return.It's a devastating injury for Sekera, who was limited to just 36 appearances in 2017-18. He also missed the first 34 games of last season as he recovered from summer knee surgery.Sekera finished last year with eight assists while averaging more than 16 minutes in ice time. The 32-year-old is signed through the next three seasons at a $5.5-million cap hit.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

To prepare for the 2018-19 NHL season, theScore will be rolling out all the fantasy hockey advice you'll need to dominate your draft and win your league. Make sure to check back for updates right up until the regular season begins.2018 Fantasy Rankings

The Florida Panthers have signed forward Mark Letestu to a professional tryout, the team announced Tuesday.The 33-year-old is coming off a 2017-18 season split between the Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets. He tallied eight goals and 19 points with Edmonton in 60 contests and another four points in 20 games with Columbus.

After undergoing shoulder surgery in the spring, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski is hoping to avoid missing the start of the 2018-19 regular season."My goal, ultimately, is to be there for Game 1," the 21-year-old told Brian Hedger of BlueJackets.com. "You never want to miss time, you never want to miss games, so my goal going into training camp and into the season is to be ready for Game 1."If it's later, like Game 5 or Game 10, whenever that is, I'm going to work to miss as few games as possible and be ready to help the team."Werenski had the surgery on May 3 to repair a lingering injury that he played through for the majority of the 2017-18 campaign. He still managed to set a career high with 16 goals, but produced 10 fewer points (37) than during his impressive rookie campaign.For now, Werenski has begun skating but hasn't progressed to contact drills."I feel great out there," he said. "There's no problems right now. I'm just kind of ramping it up here, trying to get my timing back. Everything feels good on the ice. I haven't had any contact yet. That's not until later. I probably won't do that until probably halfway through training camp, but everything is good. Everything's on pace. I actually don't know what my timeline is, to be honest, but I'm hoping to be back toward the start of training camp - probably not Day 1, but as soon as I can be."The Blue Jackets will open the 2018-19 season on Oct. 4 when they clash with the Detroit Red Wings.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Nashville Predators and defenseman Ryan Ellis have agreed to an eight-year, $50-million contract extension, the team announced Tuesday.Ellis was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the upcoming season, but the extension will now keep him under contract through the 2026-27 campaign. He's currently in the final year of a five-year, $12.5-million deal that pays him just $2.5 million per season."Ryan is a huge part of our team on and off the ice and we are happy to have his leadership remain in our locker room for the foreseeable future," general manager David Poile said in a release. "We have talked about wanting to keep the core of our team together, and this is another opportunity to help us do so while continuing to compete for a Stanley Cup. Ryan is entering his prime and is one of the reasons why we feel this team has a chance to win every time we step on the ice."

Tiger Woods proved last week at the PGA Championship that a major victory is around the corner. And the 2019 schedule stacks up perfectly for him to notch the 15th of his career by this time next year.Woods shot a 6-under 64 Sunday at Bellerive Country Club to finish alone in second, two shots behind winner Brooks Koepka. Had it not been for an ill-timed tee shot on the back nine, a barely missed putt on the front nine, and some scattered mistakes the first three days, this could've been a vastly different week in golf history.Bellerive wasn't supposed to favor the 2018 version of Woods' game. He's 175th on the PGA Tour in driving accuracy and 119th in putting, and this course was set up for someone to hit drivers all week and roll in as many putts as possible (which is exactly what Koepka did).But he flipped the script and did (almost) everything right - just a month after holding a piece of the lead at the Open Championship at Carnoustie, which played completely opposite to Bellerive.The fact that Woods was competitive at two very different major championship venues bodes well for 2019, when he'll return to three courses where he has enjoyed overwhelming success.Stomping groundsWoods will be 43 by the time next year's Masters rolls around, but he has an advanced degree in playing Augusta National. Any renovation that golf course has undergone in the past two decades has been because of Woods. If he can keep things as tight as he did last week, he'll continue to be a threat at the Masters for years to come.Next year's PGA Championship will move to May, making it the second major of the year. It'll take place at Bethpage Black Course on Long Island, where Woods captured the 2002 U.S. Open and finished tied for sixth at the 2009 U.S. Open. When Bethpage is set up for a major, he performs.Next up, Woods will play the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. All he did there was win the 2000 edition by 15 shots. And had it not been for a Sunday 75 in 2010, he might have won that U.S. Open, too (he ended up tied for fourth, just three shots back of champion Graeme McDowell).The Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland will be a bit of a question mark, as he's never played that course in competition. And while he had never played Bellerive, either, links golf has a steeper learning curve than the bomb-it-and-find-it course setup in Missouri.The good thing is that Woods has won three Open Championships, and has more than 20 years of experience playing links golf, which he enjoys more than any other kind, as he's able to shape shots and play more on the ground than in the air.Top-heavy scheduleThe fact that there are three majors before the halfway point in the calendar year can only be beneficial for Woods, who admitted he spent plenty of time in an ice bath before the PGA Championship battling inflammation that was "everywhere." He can get them out of the way before his body potentially starts to wear down.The season will be condensed, meaning more key tournaments earlier on, but Woods can prioritize the majors in hopes of peaking at the right time - as opposed to his approach this year, when he was still adjusting to his new swing late in the season.Still TigerThe fact that just over a year ago Woods wasn't even cleared to hit chip shots makes his accomplishments this season even more spectacular. Only a missed 7-footer on No. 18 at the Open Championship prevented him from runner-up finishes at both of the final two majors.We'll never see the Tiger Woods of old again, but this version is ready to compete. He showed it repeatedly this year on the biggest stages. And it shouldn't come as a surprise if he adds to his already legendary major victory total next year.Adam Stanley has written about golf since 2011 for PGATOUR.com, LPGA.com, and the Canadian Press, among other organizations. He's also a frequent contributor to The Globe and Mail. Find him on Twitter @adam_stanley.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils re-signed defenseman Steven Santini to a three-year, $4.25-million contract Tuesday, the team announced.The 23-year-old split this past season between the Devils and the club's AHL affiliate in Binghamton. He posted two goals and eight assists in 36 games at the NHL level and three goals and six points in 27 AHL contests."We are excited to lock up Steven, a young, developing defenseman, for the next three seasons," general manager Ray Shero said in a release. "He provides size and a physical element that complements our existing defensive group moving forward."Santini was drafted in the second round in 2013. He's put up four goals and 17 points in 75 career games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brady Tkachuk has his sights set on playing in the NHL right away, and he believes he's ready to stick around for the entire campaign.The Ottawa Senators prospect made that clear when asked what he believes is the best spot for him during the upcoming season."I think it's with Ottawa and in the NHL," Tkachuk told TSN 1200 on Monday. "For me it's a dream of mine to play there. I think I'm physically ready and mentally ready for the grind that comes with the NHL. ... At the end of the day, it's where the management thinks is best for me, but I'm going to try my best to be on Ottawa for the whole year."The fourth overall pick in June's draft signed his entry-level contract with the Senators on Monday, opting to leave Boston University after a solid freshman season in which he posted 31 points in 40 games."BU was such a great spot to me, so it was hard to leave, but it had to happen eventually," Tkachuk said. "It's a dream of mine to be in the NHL, and I thought this was the right time."The Senators have a few options with Tkachuk, who will turn 19 on Sept. 16.They can give him a spot with the NHL club out of camp and keep him on the big club's roster all season, as he's aiming for. But they could also either loan him to the OHL's London Knights, who own his junior rights, or assign him to their AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, perhaps after giving him a nine-game trial with Ottawa.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Forward Brady Tkachuk has put pen to paper on a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators, the club announced Monday.It was reported on the weekend that Tkachuk had informed Boston University he would be turning pro. His father, Keith, confirmed Saturday that Brady would be signing with the Senators."We know how much he agonized over leaving Boston University, and we are encouraged by the degree of accountability and commitment this shows from him," Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said in a release."Through tenacity, combativeness, and work ethic, he also exemplifies leadership skills that we know will benefit the team now and well into the future. Most of all, Brady has shown us through his maturity that he is coachable, committed to teamwork, and determined to help us strengthen our team chemistry. For all these reasons, he is an exciting young player whose growth and development we are eager to support."The 18-year-old was selected fourth overall in June's draft after entering as the second-ranked skater in North America by NHL Central Scouting. He's coming off a freshman college campaign in which he posted eight goals and 31 points in 40 games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the first time in 20 years, the Hlinka Gretzky Cup (formerly known as the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup) was held in Canada in 2018. Though last week's tournament isn't an IIHF-sanctioned event, it does serve as a fun unofficial kickoff to the junior hockey season, and a great first look at a lot of draft-eligible players.Canada defeated Sweden 6-2 on Saturday night to nab the gold medal. Russia claimed bronze, defeating the United States 5-4 in a hard-fought game earlier in the day.Here are five things we learned from this year’s tournament.The 2019 NHL Draft is going to be greatSure, you've heard of Jack Hughes. Maybe you've even heard of Kaapo Kakko, the Finnish winger who's continually mentioned right after Hughes in early draft discussion. But the draft is more than its top two spots, and this tournament showed there's a lot to be excited about beyond Hughes and Kakko. While every deep draft gets compared to 2003's draft class, this year, that comparison might be deserved.In no specific order, some 2019 draft-eligible tournament standouts include:

NBC Sports will air a record 109 regular-season games during the 2018-19 campaign, the television network announced Monday.The usual suspects headline the schedule. The Chicago Blackhawks lead the way with 19 appearances, while the Stanley Cup champions, the Washington Capitals, will make 18.As part of the announcement, NBC revealed its plans to rebrand Wednesday night coverage from "Rivalry Night" to "Wednesday Night Hockey." This year's 25 Wednesday broadcasts will feature 17 doubleheaders and their largest variety of teams to date, with the Capitals making the most appearances with eight.NBC will also broadcast the 2019 Winter Classic between the Boston Bruins and Blackhawks, the Coors Light Stadium Series game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, and coverage from All-Star weekend in San Jose, including the game, which will be broadcast in prime time for the first time since 1997.Here's a list of the number of national appearances each team will receive this season:TeamNational AppearancesNBCNBCSNAnaheim Ducks808Arizona Coyotes202Boston Bruins14212Buffalo Sabres505Calgary Flames202Carolina Hurricanes101Chicago Blackhawks19316Colorado Avalanche606Columbus Blue Jackets202Dallas Stars101Detroit Red Wings606Edmonton Oilers707Florida Panthers101Los Angeles Kings505Minnesota Wild1129Montreal Canadiens101Nashville Predators12111New Jersey Devils202New York Islanders101New York Rangers1459Ottawa Senators000Philadelphia Flyers17413Pittsburgh Penguins15213San Jose Sharks808St. Louis Blues1028Tampa Bay Lightning12111Toronto Maple Leafs606Vancouver Canucks000Vegas Golden Knights909Washington Capitals18414Winnipeg Jets505Let the games begin.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Islanders have signed defenseman Noah Dobson to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Monday.Dobson was drafted 12th overall this past June, a pick that looks to have been among the draft's biggest steals, as he entered ranking fifth among all North American skaters and third among North American defensemen.The 18-year-old had a monstrous year after putting up 17 goals and 69 points in 67 games for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the QMJHL, while also contributing 13 playoff points en route to his team capturing the Memorial Cup.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Few things motivate people to produce at a high level like the thought of a big payday.A number of players will be looking to prove their value this season in hopes of putting pen to paper on a multimillion-dollar deal next July.Let's take a look at five players who should boost their production as they seek bigger deals - leaving out some superstars entering their contract years. Not only are Tyler Seguin, Sergei Bobrovsky, Erik Karlsson, and their ilk likely to enjoy continued success this season, they're probably set to cash in regardless of their performance.Artemi Panarin, Blue JacketsPanarin's days as a member of the Blue Jackets seem to be numbered.The 26-year-old reportedly told the team he wasn't ready to sign an extension in June and said in July that he won't talk business once training camp opens. It looks like he'll be playing his final year in Columbus this season, and could potentially be traded.Related - Report: Panarin would seriously consider return to Blackhawks in free agencyOver the last two years, he's posted 156 points, good for seventh league-wide and tied with Alex Ovechkin for the second-most among left wingers. Another strong year would give him the opportunity to write his ticket to the team of his choosing, which appears to be what he wants most. An eight-digit contract wouldn't hurt either. Do you need more motivation than that?Jeff Skinner, SabresAfter a down 2017-18 campaign, Skinner is poised to bounce back.The 26-year-old joins the Sabres after largely playing on the Carolina Hurricanes' third line last season. Luckily for him, he's expected to slot into Buffalo's top trio alongside Jack Eichel.This could be just what Skinner needs to get his numbers back up to snuff. In his impressive 2016-17 campaign, he recorded a career-high 37 goals and matched his career best of 63 points while averaging the most minutes among the team's forwards on the power play and at even strength. One should expect this kind of heavy volume in Buffalo.Skinner is entering the last season of a six-year, $34.35-million deal, and he'll be playing more minutes alongside an elite talent with what could be his last big contract on the horizon.Ryan Ellis, PredatorsThere's no getting around it, Ellis is currently playing on one of the most team-friendly contracts in the league.The Predators blue-liner is going into the final year of a five-year, $12.5-million contract, a deal that pays him just $2.5 million annually.Ellis comes into this season after posting nine goals and 32 points in just 44 games a year ago.Over the last two years, he's had the 17th highest points per game total among all defensemen with at least 60 games played.Ellis' production continues to improve and with his first and potentially only long-term contract of his career on the line, expect him to further showcase himself as one of the league's premier offensive defensemen.Jake Gardiner, Maple LeafsGardiner is coming off a season that will be remembered for featuring both the best and worst of what the young defenseman has to offer.The 28-year-old set a career high with 52 points in 82 games while potting a career-best 15 power-play points. He had a strong regular season, but shouldered much of the blame for the Maple Leafs' collapse in the third period of Game 7 against the Boston Bruins.He averaged the most ice time on the team during the regular season and finished with the ninth highest point total by a Maple Leafs defender since the 1991 campaign.Gardiner now enters a pivotal season, as many pundits still point to the club's blue line as their weakness. If he can prove to be a dependable defenseman at both ends of the ice, he will be in line for a big payday.William Karlsson, Golden KnightsCan Karlsson repeat his production?After managing just 18 goals across 183 career games heading into his first season with the Golden Knights, Karlsson went off. The Swede finished third overall with 43 goals while besting his previous career high in points by 53, tallying 78 in 82 contests.Prior to signing a one-year, $5.25-million contract, Karlsson was reportedly asking for $6.5 million from Vegas heading into arbitration, while the Golden Knights had countered with a $3.5-million ask.Karlsson eventually got the Golden Knights to come up nearly $2 million from their original price, suggesting they understand his worth. It's now on him to replicate that success.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After the Vegas Golden Knights came within three wins of claiming the Stanley Cup in their inaugural season, general manager George McPhee believes improvements to the second forward unit could be key to taking the next step."We did have to change the second line from what it was last year, because as second lines go, it wasn't good enough defensively," McPhee told the "Vegas Golden Knights Insider Hockey Show." "It produced, but the goals against per 60 minutes was not good enough. We were actually dead last among second lines in the league. You can either just sort of look the other way on that or you can address it. We're trying to address it."To help deal with those issues, Vegas inked free-agent center Paul Stastny amid an otherwise quiet offseason. The veteran middleman is expected to bring a scoring touch, while his ability to play all 200 feet of the ice was especially intriguing for McPhee.Meanwhile, the trio of ​Erik Haula, David Perron, and James Neal was the most common second line for Vegas last season, according to Corsica, and the latter two have both moved on as free agents this offseason.So, for now the plan appears to be slotting Stastny into the second-line center spot, while shifting Haula to the wing. That leaves one more job up for grabs, which could possibly be secured by Tomas Tatar, who was acquired from the Detroit Red Wings at the deadline for three draft picks. Another option is one of the Golden Knights' budding young talents in Alex Tuch, who notched 15 goals and 22 assists as a freshman."You've got to make room for guys to grow," McPhee added. "Tuch is certainly a guy who we're ready for some growth. He had a good rookie season, but we think with his ability, his speed, and his size that he could really a score a lot more goals this year than he did last year."One thing is for sure - Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant will have plenty of options available when he starts constructing line combinations at training camp in September.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators' top pick from the 2018 draft is leaving the college ranks.Brady Tkachuk has decided to turn pro and will sign a contract with the club, as his father, Keith, told NHL.com's Mike Morreale on Saturday night.The 18-year-old informed Boston University head coach Albie O'Connell of his plans, as reported earlier Saturday by ESPN's John Buccigross.Tkachuk was mulling whether to return for a sophomore season at BU or to sign an NHL contract.The Senators selected the winger fourth overall after he posted 31 points in 40 games with the Terriers.He'll join Keith and his older brother, Matthew, as members of the Tkachuk family to sign NHL deals.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Another member of the Tkachuk family appears in line to make the NHL.Brady Tkachuk reportedly informed Boston University head coach Albie O'Connell that he intends to sign a pro contract with the Ottawa Senators this season, according to ESPN's John Buccigross.The forward was drafted fourth overall by the Senators in June and was expected to decide whether or not he would return to college by Sunday.The 18-year-old is coming off his freshman year at Boston University, where he put up eight goals and 31 points in 40 games.He'll become the latest Tkachuk to make his mark in the NHL after his father, Keith, and brother, Matthew (who plays for the Calgary Flames).Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rene Fasel is preparing for the best, the worst, and everything in between.TSN's Gord Miller - who on Friday hosted a panel featuring Fasel at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton - reports the IIHF president has told the IOC that there are four men's hockey options "on the table" for the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.The first option: like from 1998 through 2014, NHL players participate in the men's hockey tournament.The second: like the 2018 Olympics, only amateur/professional players with no contractual NHL affiliation are eligible to participate.The third: Only under-23 players (presumably just those without an NHL contract) participate.Fourth: No men's hockey.

The Mark Hunter watch is officially over.The ex-NHL executive is headed back to the London Knights to assume the role of general manager, the Ontario Hockey League club announced Friday."I am very happy to be back in London," Hunter said in a press release. "We have a strong group within our organization and I look forward to returning to work with everyone to develop an even stronger team for our fans and for our city and the community."Hunter, 55, left the Toronto Maple Leafs this spring after a four-year tenure, first as director of player personnel and then as assistant GM. The former NHL player and the team "mutually agreed to part ways" in the wake of Kyle Dubas' promotion to the GM chair in May.There was much speculation this offseason over Hunter's next step. Many believed the New York Islanders made sense as a potential NHL fit, given Hunter's ties to their new GM, old Leafs boss Lou Lamoriello. However, a return to the OHL should surprise no one.Hunter, part owner and vice-president of the Knights, bumps Rob Simpson into an associate GM role. Simpson was London's general manager for the past two seasons following four years as assistant GM, including two-and-a-half under Hunter."Rob and I will be working together every day in order to achieve the goals of our organization," Hunter said. "He has done an outstanding job in all facets of his position and I look forward to continuing to work with him on all elements within our organization."We are excited for this upcoming season and look forward to bringing another competitive team forward to entertain and excite our fans."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If this is the end of the road for Brian Gionta, he'll look back fondly over his 16-year-long NHL career.The 39-year-old has spent the offseason training in his native Western New York, and while he hasn't ruled out the possibility of suiting up next season, it appears it would need to be a near unimaginable opportunity for him to do so."I'm still training with the group of guys who are here," Gionta told NHL.com's Dave Stubbs. "At this point, it's basically to hang around them and stay in shape. But I'm prepared (for retirement) unless something very out of the ordinary and significant came through."Gionta's time in the big leagues began in 2001 and included stints with the New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, and a short encore with the Boston Bruins.A Stanley Cup win with the Devils in 2003 marked his biggest accomplishment, though his 48-goal output with New Jersey three years later is also deserving of applause, as the feat still stands as a franchise record.Last season, Gionta spent much of the year practicing with the Sabres' AHL club in Rochester in preparation of PyeongChang 2018, where he competed with Team USA before inking a deal with the Bruins in February.If he has skated in his final NHL game, Gionta will wrap his 1,026-game career with 291 goals and 304 assists. Not too shabby for a diminutive player who many pundits pegged as having little chance of making waves in pro hockey.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A Friday meeting offered the latest on the Senators' plan to build a new arena in downtown Ottawa.While the get-together between team ownership and city officials largely focused on the site plan, zoning amendments, and the requirement of public consultation, it also served as the first major update on the file since January when the Senators reached a principle agreement to redevelop the LeBreton Flats neighborhood for a new arena.The Senators and Trinity Development Group are continuing to work toward a master agreement with the National Capital Commission as part of their joint venture known as RendezVous LeBreton. That new phase in the project could take up to 18 months.While an estimated cost for the project hasn't been revealed, Ottawa mayor Jim Watson already ruled out the possibility of using public funds."We want to be a willing partner," Watson told Jon Willing of the Ottawa Citizen on Friday. "They understand obviously that we don't have the funds to fund paying for an arena and they're fully appreciative of my position on that."On the Senators' side, there's no concern about footing the bill."We are fully capable of funding our portion of what we need to accomplish and I think that as a team effort here that everything is required can get done," Senators owner Eugene Melnyk told Willing.While the plan is for the Senators to move from Kanata to the city's downtown core, Melnyk said there shouldn't be any concern about the team's long-term future in the Canadian capital."The one thing that is constant always is we're here to stay in Ottawa for a very, very long time," Melnyk added. "We want to make sure the LeBreton project, if accomplished, is a success for many, many years, for our children's children, and that's the way we're looking at it."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Defenseman Ryan Ellis and the Nashville Predators are working towards a contract extension, according to general manager David Poile.The longtime GM told ESPN Radio 102.5 in Nashville on Thursday that the club is engaged in "consistent and continual conversations" with Ellis' camp regarding a new deal.Ellis, a key member of arguably the best defense corps in the NHL, who's currently on his honeymoon, is entering the final season of a five-year contract worth $2.5 million annually.An alternate captain, right-handed all-situations blueliner, and regular 30-point getter, many believe the 27-year-old has been underpaid for years.Ellis' boss seems to agree."Ryan just got married, so we'd like to give him a gift," Poile said.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Henrik Zetterberg's status for next season remains up in the air.The Detroit Red Wings captain has long struggled with back injuries, dating back to the 2014 season when he missed the final 24 games of the regular season, plus three playoff contests, following back surgery.However, Zetterberg has not missed any time in the past three seasons. While the hope is that he can dress for the upcoming campaign, his status remains uncertain."There's a real unknown right now with Henrik Zetterberg," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland told The Athletic's Craig Custance.The 37-year-old signed a 12-year, $73-million contract with the Red Wings in 2009, and has three years remaining on the pact. The deal is heavily front-loaded, and will see him earn just $5.35 million over the final three seasons."I am anxious to know where Henrik Zetterberg is at. He's a bit of an unknown as far as health," Holland added, per the Detroit Free Press' Helene St. James. "Have talked to his agent - he has had (a) tough summer. He hasn't been able to train anywhere near (the level of) past summers. I'm hoping he'll play."MLive.com's Ansar Khan first reported about internal doubt within the Red Wings' organization over Zetterberg suiting up this season due to his injury history.If the two-time All-Star is unable to play, the Red Wings can place him on the long-term injured reserve, relieving the team of his $6.08-million cap hit.Zetterberg finished second in team scoring last season with 56 points.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Red Wings have given forward Dylan Larkin a five-year contract, the team announced on Friday.The deal is reportedly worth $6.1 million per season, according to Craig Custance of The Athletic.The 22-year-old is now the highest-paid Red Wing, slightly ahead of captain Henrik Zetterberg's $6.08 million cap hit.Larkin appeared in all 82 games for Detroit last season, leading the team in scoring with 63 points. The Michigan native began his NHL career as a winger three seasons ago, but later moved to center. He's expected to be the Red Wings' top center for the 2018-19 campaign."Dylan brings a lot of determination, a lot of passion, and he loves the game of hockey," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said in a statement. "He's becoming a young player that has those leadership qualities in him. He earns respect because he plays hard and loves the game."Detroit selected Larkin with the 15th pick in the 2014 draft.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's a changing of the guard in the NHL. Some former have-nots, like the Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs, are becoming haves.The rise of new contenders has dramatically altered both the NHL and fantasy hockey landscapes. With that in mind, let's recalibrate our outlook on the league's players and teams heading into the 2018-19 draft season.Here are five NHL teams to target in fantasy:Note: We considered only standard-league categories (goals, assists, plus/minus, power-play points, penalty minutes, shots on goal) for this exercise.Related - Fantasy hockey: Standard league top 200 playersWinnipeg JetsThe Jets have both the firepower and depth to make fantasy owners drool. Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, and Dustin Byfuglien are surefire premier producers. And Nikolaj Ehlers, Kyle Connor, Mathieu Perreault, Jack Roslovic, Bryan Little, Jacob Trouba, and Tyler Myers range from borderline must-acquires to admirable roster fillers. Most notably flying under the radar in Manitoba are Ehlers, a 30-goal threat, and Connor, who quietly recorded 57 rookie points during the 2017-18 season. Really, any forward owning a spot on the Jets' top three lines is worth consideration. In goal, Connor Hellebuyck is a safe bet for 35-plus wins and, at minimum, a league-average save percentage. When in doubt, pick up a Jet.Toronto Maple LeafsThe Leafs’ fantasy value is best explained by tiers. The first features John Tavares and Auston Matthews, elite centers who will be top-15 picks in most drafts. Next is the top-50 tier, which includes goalie Frederik Andersen and potential 80-point winger Mitch Marner. As for the third tier, there are strong arguments to be made for William Nylander, Patrick Marleau, Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner, and Morgan Rielly as top-150 fantasy players. Nylander, in particular, can usually be counted on for at least 20 goals, 40 assists, and 185 shots. Rounding out Toronto’s embarrassment of riches are wingers Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Johnsson, Zach Hyman, and Connor Brown, whose fantasy stocks are linked to minutes played alongside Matthews, Tavares, and/or Kadri.Tampa Bay LightningFrom a competitive standpoint, the Lightning are probably the NHL’s best team. In fantasy land, they’re also not far off thanks to a top-three performer in Nikita Kucherov, top-10 stud Steven Stamkos, and several secondary options. Andrei Vasilevskiy is a lock to rank high in goalie categories, while defensemen Victor Hedman and Mikhail Sergachev, as well as forwards Brayden Point, J.T. Miller, and Yanni Gourde, provide solid value, too. Don't treat Gourde, 26, as a typical sophomore, since he's firmly in the prime of his career and could eclipse 70 points. Tampa, a team that hasn't altered its roster this summer, led the NHL in goal differential in 2017-18, so expect excellent plus-minus ratings from all of the above.Washington CapitalsDreaded Stanley Cup hangover aside, a squad headlined by reigning goal-scoring champ Alex Ovechkin, burgeoning star center Evgeny Kuznetsov, and power-play quarterback John Carlson deserves your fantasy attention. Braden Holtby, who should be motivated following an off year between the pipes, is the fourth key piece on the Capitals. Then there’s veteran playmaker Nicklas Backstrom, perennial 50-point winger T.J. Oshie, breakout candidate Jakub Vrana, and penalty-loving Tom Wilson. Washington offers a ton of fantasy versatility. Oh, and don't sleep on 23-year-old Andre Burakovsky.Boston BruinsThe Bruins sneak up on you. Their No. 1 line includes Brad Marchand, who produces in all categories, 35-goal scorer David Pastrnak, and the ever-reliable Patrice Bergeron. Goalie Tuukka Rask is still effective, Jake DeBrusk should explode in 2018-19, a healthy David Krejci tends to hover around 50 points, and sophomores Danton Heinen and Ryan Donato are smart late-round sleeper picks. Plus, the blue line features likely future Norris Trophy contender Charlie McAvoy and Torey Krug's booming shot. Boston's roster has a high ceiling, though past that first line you’re betting on best-case scenarios.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Coyotes have signed forward Christian Dvorak to a six-year contract extension set to kick in for the 2019-20 season, the team announced Thursday.Terms of the deal weren't disclosed by the team, but Craig Morgan of AZ Sports reports the pact is worth $4.45 million annually, citing a source."Christian is a highly skilled, reliable, two-way center who continues to improve each season," general manager John Chayka said. "He will be a key player for us in the future and we are thrilled to have him for the next seven seasons."The 22-year-old suited up in 78 games for the Coyotes last season, recording 15 goals and 22 assists. Dvorak was drafted 58th overall by the club in 2014, and has one more season on his entry-level contract.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While the Ottawa Senators and Mark Stone may have only come to terms on a one-year contract this offseason, the star forward is confident both sides will be able to reach a long-term agreement in the future.Stone inked a one-year, $7.35-million contract just hours before his scheduled arbitration meeting with the club. Luckily, both sides avoided the unpleasantness of arbitration and remain on good terms, leaving Stone believing a long-term deal down the road is possible."I was really happy with the way everything panned out," Stone said, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. "I don’t think either side really wanted to take it to arbitration. We're really happy with the number and both sides are really happy to have the opportunity to try and work something out long-term."Stone can sign an extension anytime after Jan. 1, 2019. He is coming off his most productive season in terms of points per game, as the 26-year-old tallied 62 points in 2017-18 (tied for the team lead) despite being limited to just 58 games due to injury.Having managed no fewer than 20 goals and 54 points in his first four full seasons in the league, Stone will likely cash in once his next round of contract talks pick up.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A dazzling first season with the Vegas Golden Knights saw head coach Gerard Gallant capture the Jack Adams Award as the 2017-18 NHL coach of the year.Now, his hometown of Summerside, Prince Edward Island has an even more impressive way to celebrate the coach's accomplishment.On Wednesday, city councillor Gordie Whitlock proposed commissioning a statue that would pay tribute to the hometown hero, saying many residents want to commemorate the coach locally.Another suggestion is to rename the street Gallant grew up on, changing it to Turk Street. The Vegas Golden Knights coach has long gone by the nickname "Turk."While Gallant has been coaching in the pros for two decades, he spent three seasons as the bench boss of the Maritime Hockey League's Summerside Western Capitals before making the jump to the IHL in 1998.Gallant was born in Summerside in 1963. He's among a handful of NHL alumni hailing from the city of less than 15,000, a list that includes Dave Cameron, Doug MacLean, and Steve Ott.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Jersey Devils owner Josh Harris isn't taking the future of his franchise player for granted.Reigning MVP Taylor Hall has two years left on his contract, meaning he's eligible to sign an extension at any point starting next July 1. Harris is putting long-term security for the 26-year-old at the top of his to-do list."High. The highest," Harris said when asked where Hall's next deal ranks on his priorities, according to Chris Ryan of NJ.com. "He's committed, he's authentic, he is an amazing player obviously. He's a guy you build around. Whether it's him, Nico (Hischier), Will (Butcher). Taylor is definitely going to be front and center, so it will definitely be a high priority. I hope I'm working with Taylor for a long time."Hall is slated to make $6 million for the next two seasons - the ninth-highest cap hit in the league for a left winger. He's on track for a considerable raise after recording 39 goals and 54 assists in 79 games this past season. His performance helped carry the Devils to the playoffs for the first time since 2012.New Jersey currently has just five players signed beyond 2020, and without taking on any big contracts this offseason, the Devils are set to have plenty of cap space to pay Hall - who would become an unrestricted free agent in 2020 if an extension isn't agreed upon.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wayne Gretzky has been named global ambassador of the Kunlun Red Star of the KHL, the team announced on Tuesday.The club plans to have Gretzky focus on aiding youth development in China at a planned hockey school that will provide training for kids aged eight to 17."Having Wayne Gretzky on board is a tremendous boost for hockey in China," Red Star's Executive Director Ao Meng told the ChinaDaily.com's Sun Xiaochen. "To now have him part of the growth of hockey in China in the buildup to the 2022 Winter Olympics will promote interest and participation in the sport, especially among young people."The move looks to be the latest ploy by the country to boost its hockey program ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, which will be held in Beijing."I'm excited to make my first trip to China next month and partner with Kunlun Red Star to grow this wonderful game," Gretzky said. "I'm looking forward to seeing more and more young players take part in the sport."The NHL has made it a priority in recent years to try and tap into the Chinese market. The league announced in May that the Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames would play two preseason games in China. It will mark the second straight season the NHL has played preseason contests overseas after the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings played a pair of exhibition games in China last year.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After an injury kept him out of the final week of the regular season and the entire postseason, Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter looks to be on the mend.The 33-year-old fractured his ankle in a game against the Dallas Stars on March 31. After undergoing surgery and taking it easy throughout the summer, his latest CT Scan was positive, and he told The Athletic's Michael Russo he's confident he'll be ready for training camp.Related - Wild's Suter: Doctors usually see my type of ankle injury in car accidents Suter has begun skating periodically and said his ankle feels good and should return to normal. He plans to play in a benefit game on Aug. 26 that will help raise money for the Jim Johannson Legacy Fund and the USA Hockey Foundation. American stars like Auston Matthews, Dylan Larkin, James van Riemsdyk, and teammate Zach Parise will also participate in the event.Despite the injury, Suter had a very productive 2017-18 campaign. He tallied six goals and tied his career high of 51 points in 78 games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Age is just a number for some elite producers in the NHL.Once most players enter their 30s, they're generally past their prime. However, there are still a select few who put up big numbers even while some of their aging colleagues struggle to stay in the league.Here are five players you can count on in fantasy even though they're entering their mid-to-late 30s.Patrick Marleau, Maple LeafsMarleau enters the 2018-19 season having posted consecutive 27-goal seasons, and when the puck drops to commence the Toronto Maple Leafs' season on Oct. 3 he'll be 39 years old.The veteran forward had a strong first season in Toronto, tallying five game-winning goals and surpassing the 200-plus shot threshold for the 10th time in his career. Following the signing of John Tavares on July 1, head coach Mike Babcock suggested that Marleau would start this season playing alongside Auston Matthews and William Nylander.Given he spent the majority of last season playing alongside Nazem Kadri on the team's "checking line," the move should put Marleau in line to continue to produce. Meanwhile, with the departure of Tyler Bozak, James van Riemsdyk, and Leo Komarov, Marleau could also see more power-play action, which would set him up to record double-digit points with the man-advantage this season.Justin Williams, HurricanesWilliams flourished in his first year with the Carolina Hurricanes. He finished third in scoring with 51 points - just his second 50-plus point season since the 2012-13 lockout-shortened season.He tallied a respectable 16 goals, and the 36-year-old did so, despite the fact that his shooting percentage dropped 6.3 percent from the previous year (14.4 percent).Over the last five seasons, Williams has averaged 19.8 goals and 47 points with an average of 10 power-play points. He might slot a little lower in the Hurricanes lineup next season with the addition of Andrei Svechnikov, but if he can maintain his high-level play and get a little more puck luck, he should be in line to hit the 20-goal mark once again.Joe Thornton, SharksThornton's likelihood of producing this season will depend on his ability to remain healthy.Last season, he was limited to just 47 games, not dressing in a single contest after Jan. 23 after undergoing knee surgery. Despite the missed time, the 39-year-old still managed to put up a respectable 36 points, including 13 goals - six more than he had in 79 games in 2017.He also tallied seven power-play goals while recording half of his total points with the man advantage. In a poor 2017, Thornton scored just seven goals, but still managed 50 points. He also put up 19 power-play points, and this past season, he had another 18.In a full 82-game campaign Thornton should be good for another 60 points, and around 30 points with the man advantage.Eric Staal, WildFollowing the 2015-16 season, it looked as though Staal might be on his way out of the league. In a combined 83 games he scored 13 goals and 39 points with the Hurricanes and the New York Rangers.However, he looks to have rekindled his offense with the Wild and has shown no sign of slowing down. This past season, Staal had the second-highest goal total of his career (42) and the highest since his sophomore season during the 2005-06 campaign.Staal is coming off a 76-point season and will turn 34 in October. Last season, He had a career-high shooting percentage (17.4) and had double-digit power-play goals (11) for the first time in seven years.With 70 goals in the past two years, Staal should be a safe bet to challenge for another 30 goals this coming season.Joe Pavelski, SharksPavelski's point totals have dropped over the last two seasons since a 2015-16 campaign that saw him post 38 goals and 78 points. Nevertheless he has remained consistent, still managing to record 68 and 66-point seasons respectively.The Sharks captain recently saw his shooting percentage drop to 9.8 percent last season, his lowest mark in seven years. Despite the drop, Pavelski still hit the 20-goal plateau for the ninth straight time in a full 82-game season.This season, he is expected to slot alongside a healthy Thornton and a rejuvenated Evander Kane, who put up 14 points in 17 games after joining the club ahead of the trade deadline.At 34 years old, there is no reason to think Pavelski won't produce 60-plus points for the eighth time in his career. He should also be a lock to pick up 20 power-play points for the seventh time.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Blackhawks legend Stan Mikita died Tuesday."With great sorrow, the Mikita family announces that Stan passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, at the age of 78," the team said in a statement. "He was surrounded by his loving family whom he fiercely loved."Mikita, who spent his entire 22-year NHL career in Chicago, won four Art Ross Trophies, two MVP awards, two Lady Byngs, and was a member of the 1961 Stanley Cup-winning team. He's the Blackhawks' all-time leader in points (1,467), assists (926), and games played (1,396), and ranks second in goals (541).He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983 and his No. 21 was the first number to be retired by the Blackhawks."There are no words to describe our sadness over Stan's passing. He meant so much to the Chicago Blackhawks, to the game of hockey, and to all of Chicago. He left an imprint that will forever be etched in the hearts of fans - past, present, and future. Stan made everyone he touched a better person," chairman Rocky Wirtz said.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes might turn back the clock this season.The club is holding a fan vote for their 2018-19 goal song, and a modern version of "Brass Bonanza" - the iconic tune of the Hartford Whalers - is one of the options.The Whalers relocated to Carolina in 1997.Tom Dundon, who became the Hurricanes' majority owner in January, hasn't been shy about wanting a throwback presence at PNC Arena, as one of his first moves was making Whalers gear available for purchase at home games."Brass Bonanza" was certainly a fan favorite. Heck, even Chris Pronger, who spent two seasons in Hartford, admitted to humming it."Oh yeah! That's a very iconic goal song," he laughed in an interview with theScore last November.Despite the song's history, it faces some stiff competition in this fan vote.SongArtistJump AroundHouse of PainLithiumNirvanaParty UpDMXRaise UpPetey PabloRock and RollLed ZeppelinThe NightsAviciiUprisingMuseVoting closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 13.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.