Throughout the month of September, James Bisson and a cast of editors from theScore will share their rankings of the greatest players, teams, and moments in the 100-year history of the National Hockey League. Our final list focuses on the greatest players (Note: "All-Star" refers to end-of-season All-Star team voting and not to appearances in the All-Star Game):100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 | 40-21 | 20-1Voter List

Preseason in the NHL.Players get injured, rookies make first impressions, and fans get bent out of shape over numbers that'll likely have very little impact on the regular season.However, that doesn't mean there aren't some intriguing queries to be pondered heading into the season.Here are four burning questions as exhibition play wraps:Who are the Senators without Karlsson? Stepping back onto the ice is obviously a positive first step, but it's just that - a first step. And with the regular season set to begin in under a week, the Ottawa Senators will likely do so without their No. 1 defenseman.Sure, Thomas Chabot seems ready to make the jump, but with only 10 minutes of NHL ice time to his name, it may be a tall ask for the rookie to play top-four-type minutes.The Sens still employ Dion Phaneuf and Cody Ceci, but Ceci seemed lost in the final two rounds of the playoffs, and Phaneuf could struggle under added pressure and minutes.While Ottawa will try to get by without EK, the bottom line is that these Senators aren't the Senators without their captain. Anticipate Ottawa struggling out of the gate.Can the Devils bounce back in a big way?Expecting New Jersey to bounce back after it finished last in the East isn't exactly a bold prediction.But the Devils stand to be a much-improved club. The additions of No. 1 pick Nico Hischier and winger Marcus Johansson have quickly transformed New Jersey into a club on the rise.The Devils finished last season with the third-fewest goals (180), but that number should increase significantly due to the aforementioned players - and a reinvigorated Cory Schneider.The No. 1 goalie struggled last season, posting his worst save percentage (.908) and goals-against average (2.82) since becoming a NHL regular. However, Schneider's looked sharp across four preseason games, his .921 save percentage in line with his .922 career average.If Schneider can return to his former self and the Devils can get some more scoring, expect a big rebound season in Jersey.Can the Oilers score 300?A team hasn't scored 300 goals in the regular season since the 2009-10 Washington Capitals potted 318. But that could change this year - the Edmonton Oilers are poised to put the puck in the net on the regular.Edmonton has 31 goals in only seven exhibition games - the most in the league. Before you "@" us, we understand preseason stats aren't to be written home about. So, hold up a minute, there's more to it.Remember, Edmonton ranked eighth in the league with 248 goals last season, and boasts two of the best offensive young stars in the game in Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid - and those two are only getting warmed up.In addition, a solid supporting cast can also chip in offensively. The group includes newly-acquired forwards Ryan Strome and Jussi Jokinen, and holdovers Patrick Maroon, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Milan Lucic.Three hundred's a steep target, but if any club can do it, it's the Oilers.Will Calgary find consistency in the crease? It's been more than four years since Miikka Kiprusoff retired, yet Calgary's goaltending situation has been in flux ever since.The Flames' latest attempt at a fix is Mike Smith, acquired in an offseason trade. But the preseason results have been concerning.There's no other way to put it: Smith has looked terrible. He's allowed nine goals on 60 shots, resulting in a horrific .850 save percentage.Despite a mostly rough 2016-17 season with Arizona (forget about the 2.92 GAA and focus on the .914 save percentage) and a poor start to his tenure in Calgary, Smith is still the most viable option the Flames have had since Kipper.Of course, it's still the preseason and the 35-year-old Smith has a lot of time to figure it out, but that doesn't hide the fact Calgary enters the season with question marks in net - again.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL reportedly won't be getting rid of national anthems before games and will allow players to protest.Owners of the league's 31 teams collectively decided not to change the pregame procedure and to respect the players' right to express themselves, reports Sportsnet's John Shannon, characterizing much of the discussion as "constructive.""Consensus was that fans come to the games to watch the games and enjoy the event. And the anthem is part of the event. It was viewed as a positive tradition," Shannon writes.In the discussion of player protest, "the consensus was to respect the players and they have to decide what makes them comfortable" regarding "political and social issues."The Pittsburgh Penguins' controversial decision to visit the White House was apparently also discussed.NHL owners added the topic of the role of national anthems to their agenda at their meetings in New York earlier this week. That followed U.S. President Donald Trump's incendiary comments about NFL players kneeling to bring attention to police brutality, which led to a widespread protest in that league over the weekend.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Until anyone proves capable of dethroning the Pittsburgh Penguins, it's their Stanley Cup to lose next spring, but several teams are well positioned to prevent a three-peat.One of those clubs came close to knocking off the Penguins last season, while another would have been capable of a lengthy Cup run in 2017 if not for a major injury to its captain.Elsewhere, a certain Western Conference squad will be looking to build on an encouraging return to the playoffs with the Hart Trophy winner and his talented teammate in tow, while a promising Eastern Conference team could accelerate its rebuild in a major way with a long awaited title.Here's who we project will hoist the ultimate prize in 2018:EditorStanley Cup ChampionOther FinalistSeries Length (Games)Josh Gold-SmithPredatorsPenguins7Craig HagermanLightningDucks7Flip LivingstoneOilersPenguins6Ian McLarenLightningOilers6Sean O'LearyLightningOilers7Josh WegmanMaple LeafsOilers5Cory WilkinsLightningDucks6Gold-Smith: The Predators came oh, so close to forcing Game 7 against the Penguins in the 2017 Cup Final, and they're ready to avenge that defeat.Nashville lost some scoring punch this summer when James Neal was claimed in the expansion draft, but the Predators have plenty of firepower with the likes of Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen, plus Kevin Fiala, the promising, young forward who's healthy again.The Predators' biggest strength is obviously their elite top four on the back end, and while Ryan Ellis will probably need a few months to recover from his injury, he'll be back for the stretch run.Pekka Rinne turns 35 in November, and that's concerning, but Juuse Saros will be waiting in the wings if the veteran falters. Nashville added Nick Bonino, who'll replace the retired Mike Fisher, and also brought back Scott Hartnell, so one of the NHL's deepest teams is in position to get over the hump.Hagerman: The Tampa Bay Lightning nearly squeaked into the playoffs last season. A blazing final few weeks saw them ultimately finish just one point out despite having two more wins than the Toronto Maple Leafs. This all while missing Steven Stamkos, who managed 20 points in just 17 games. With their captain back in the fold and likely playing alongside a budding Nikita Kucherov, the club could do some real damage.Last season Stamkos finished with the third-best points-per-game total behind only Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby. Meanwhile, Kucherov finished just four goals shy of Crosby who picked up the Rocket Richard Trophy and Victor Hedman cemented himself among the best defenders in the league.The Lightning have all the pieces, and health permitting, there is no reason why they can't go the distance.Livingstone: The Oilers were only a few favorable bounces short of a Western Conference Final berth this past spring. And now, with the long-term futures of franchise cornerstones Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid solidified, Edmonton is ready to take the next step.While replicating last season's 103-point regular-season showing won't be easy, they have the talent required to be the last team standing come June. Aside from its two superstars in McDavid and Draisaitl, Edmonton boasts a deep lineup that includes the likes of Milan Lucic, Ryan Strome, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.Factor in that Cam Talbot solidified himself as a bona fide No. 1 netminder last campaign, and the Oilers have become a legitimate Cup threat.(Photo courtesy: Action Images)McLaren: A few years ago, the Lightning looked like a potential dynasty in the making.In 2015, they pushed the Chicago Blackhawks to six games in an eventual Stanley Cup Final loss. The next year, they lost Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final by a single goal and then watched as Pittsburgh won its first of two straight championships.Last season's campaign was interrupted early and often by injuries - most notably a season-ender suffered by Stamkos in November - and still they only missed the playoffs by a single point.But lest we think their window is closed, consider the emergence of Kucherov in Stamkos' absence, the growth of Victor Hedman into a Norris contender, the rise of Andrei Vasilevskiy to the ranks of elite netminders, and a roster that is as deep and talented at both ends of the ice as any other.Finally, Lightning will strike.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)O'Leary: The Lightning have every piece they need to avenge last season's wasted opportunity.

Alex DeBrincat is doing his part.The 19-year-old forward is making a strong bid to crack the Chicago Blackhawks' opening night lineup, an effort boosted by a highlight-reel goal scored Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings.

If you build it, they will come.On Thursday night T-Mobile Arena was graced by the man who inspired the Vegas hockey club's moniker, the Golden Knight.OK, not really, but nevertheless, this man's outfit - which was spotted during the club's preseaosn tilt against the Colorado Avalanche - is fantastic.If the Golden Knights are still looking for a mascot, they may have just found him.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Don't rule Brian Boyle out for opening night.The veteran center - who's been skating on his own since announcing a diagnosis of leukemia on Sept. 19 - could indeed make his New Jersey Devils debut on Oct. 7 against Colorado."There's a possibility," head coach John Hynes said Wednesday, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. "Brian will be back with us starting (Thursday) and then we'll just kind of see where he goes over the next week. But nothing has been ruled out yet."Boyle has yet to practice with the team but may be able to do so as early as Monday, giving him several days to get acclimated."I think with Brian, he knows really when he's ready," Hynes continued. "We're not going to rush him. If he is ready and he can get a full week of practice in, that's probably fine. He's not going to get a preseason game, so no matter what he's going into a regular season game (to start)."If he's back with us next week, we're going to have some very intense practices and if he gets a full week, I have a pretty strong feel he'll be ready to go."Boyle signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract with the Devils as an unrestricted free agent on July 1.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One of the NHL's few black players has decided not to kneel during the American national anthem this season.San Jose Sharks forward Joel Ward released a statement Thursday on Twitter, stating that, though he supports those who have knelt during the anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality, he won't do so himself."Although I fully support those who before me have taken the lead in bringing awareness to these issues, I will not kneel during the national anthem like my brothers have done," he wrote.In Ward's statement, he opens up about the racism he's experienced."As a black man, I have experienced racism both inside and outside of the sporting world. I have been pulled over by law enforcement for no reason. I have been looked at suspiciously because of the color of my skin."In spite of this, Ward feels "the original message" has been lost, and the focus has shifted to the act of kneeling, rather than what it stands for.What the Toronto, Ontario native truly wants is for society to move forward on this highly debated issue."We need to be working on bridging the gap between people of all color, and between law enforcement and minorities," he wrote. "How can we be a part of the solution and not part of the problem - or be another distraction from what the real issues are?"If we spend more time talking about these real issues instead of the actions that are taking place in an attempt to raise awareness about them, we will be a much richer and stronger society."As a 10-year NHL veteran, and a minority in the league, Ward's voice certainly speaks louder than most.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Post contains coarse languageNational anthems are reportedly a topic of discussion among the NHL's 31 chairmen.The board of governors added the role of anthems to its agenda Wednesday in light of last weekend's events in the NFL, according to Sportsnet's John Shannon.

Forty-five years ago today, Paul Henderson scored one of the most iconic goals in hockey history: the winner in Game 8 of the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union. Coming in the midst of the Cold War, the Canadian victory was bigger than hockey.If Henderson had never scored that goal, though, most hockey fans probably wouldn't know who he was. In 707 NHL games, the left winger collected just 236 goals and 477 points.Here are five more players who didn't light up the scoresheet over their careers, but still became responsible for some of the most legendary goals in hockey history.Bill BarilkoWithout Bill Barilko's Stanley Cup-clinching overtime goal in 1951, The Tragically Hip song "Fifty-Mission Cap" wouldn't exist.For those unfamiliar with the Canadian hit, Barilko's goal in '51 won the Toronto Maple Leafs the Cup, but later that summer, he boarded a single-engine private plane bound for a weekend fishing trip and disappeared. His body initially couldn't be found. The Leafs didn't win another Cup until 1962 - the same year Barilko's body and the wreckage of the plane was discovered.The man they called "Bashin' Bill" had just 62 points in 252 career regular-season NHL games. He did live up to his nickname, though, accumulating 456 penalty minutes.Bobby BaunBobby Baun set the bar for "hockey tough" incredibly high.In Game 6 of the 1964 Stanley Cup Final, the Maple Leafs were trailing the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 in the series. Midway through the third period, Baun was stretchered off after blocking a shot. It turned out he fractured his ankle on the play. However, he returned later in the period, and wound up scoring the OT winner to force a Game 7, which the Leafs ended up winning.Baun played 17 NHL seasons, finishing with a career high of just 20 points.Uwe KruppIn their first season in existence, the Colorado Avalanche produced an unlikely hero despite having stars such as Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg on the roster.Towering German defenseman Uwe Krupp, who finished with 281 points in 729 career NHL games, scored the triple-overtime winner in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final to complete the sweep for the Avs. He's probably never had to pay for a drink in Denver since.Petr SvobodaThis was the golden goal before the golden goal.The 1998 Olympics were the first to allow NHL players, and goaltender Dominic Hasek carried the Czech Republic in Nagano. With the gold-medal contest locked in a 0-0 tie midway through the third period, Petr Svoboda notched what would be the only goal of the game - and the biggest goal in Czech hockey history.Svoboda's career didn't feature many other thrilling moments, though. In 1,028 regular-season games, he scored just 58 goals.Alec MartinezThe most recent of these career-defining goals came from the stick of Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez. After notching the OT winner in Game 7 of the 2014 Western Conference Final, Martinez played the hero once again by potting the Cup clincher in overtime of Game 5 against the New York Rangers.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Islanders are one step closer to finding a new home.The Isles say they've turned in "a comprehensive proposal to create a world-class sports and entertainment destination" at Belmont Park, according to Jim Baumbach of Newsday Sports.The Islanders had played their home games at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island since 1972, but began playing at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn in 2015-16. The facility was built primarily for basketball, and has drawn some heavy criticism for hosting NHL hockey.Belmont Park, located just outside New York City and about 20 minutes from the old Coliseum, has been under discussion as a possible location for a new arena since April.The Islanders' ownership group is reportedly visiting Detroit on Thursday to tour the new home of the Red Wings, Little Caesars Arena, according to Sportsnet's John Shannon.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues have discussed the potential signing of unrestricted free agent Jaromir Jagr, general manager Doug Armstrong said Thursday, according to Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic.The Blues have a sudden need for forward help, as it was announced Wednesday that Robby Fabbri will miss the entire 2017-18 season after re-injuring his surgically repaired left knee.Despite being 45 years old and well past his prime, Jagr can still contribute offensively and could provide an element of scoring depth to St. Louis' forward group.Last season, Jagr registered decent numbers for the Florida Panthers, tallying 16 goals and 30 assists while also logging a respectable average of 17 minutes in ice time.Rumors have swirled regarding Jagr's next destination since the Panthers cut ties with the veteran winger July 1.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Josh Anderson reportedly wants out.The holdout has requested a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.Anderson, who's a restricted free agent, elected not to report to training camp while awaiting a new contract.“This trade request is news to me,” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said after the initial report was published. “And we are not looking to trade Josh Anderson.”The winger's agent, Darren Ferris, declined to comment.Related: Josh Anderson's agent reportedly in touch with Team Canada amid contract disputeAnderson ranked sixth on the Blue Jackets with 17 goals in his first full NHL season, despite averaging only 12:01 in ice time.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Throughout the month of September, James Bisson and a cast of editors from theScore will share their rankings of the greatest players, teams, and moments in the 100-year history of the National Hockey League. Our final list focuses on the greatest players (Note: "All-Star" refers to end-of-season All-Star team voting and not to appearances in the All-Star Game):100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 | 40-21 | 20-1Voter List

Last season, the Pacific Division housed the Art Ross, Hart, and Norris Trophy winners in Connor McDavid and Brent Burns.The two are among the most thrilling players in the game today, and with the league's newest franchise now in the fold, there is certainly plenty of reasons to keep an eye on the Pacific Division this season.The Pacific features several cubs looking to build off of last season, but with only eight playoff spots up for grabs, some are sure to be left disappointed.Here's how things could pan out this year.RankingTeamLast Season1Edmonton Oilers22Anaheim Ducks13Calgary Flames44San Jose Sharks35Los Angeles Kings56Arizona Coyotes67Vancouver Canucks78Vegas Golden KnightsN/AEdmonton OilersLed by McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers are primed to be even better than they were last season. The club should benefit from the Jordan Eberle-Ryan Strome trade, and also added Jussi Jokinen, who'll likely provide some added offensive depth.With another year under their belts, players such as Drake Caggiula and Darnell Nurse are going to be better. If Jesse Puljujarvi can finally step into the lineup, the Oilers should be well on their way to a division title.Anaheim DucksDespite losing Shea Theodore to the Golden Knights in the expansion draft, the Ducks still boast one of the premiere defense corps in the league.Last season, Anaheim had just the 18th-best offense but still finished with the third-best record in the Western Conference and top spot in the Pacific. One of the team's most glaring issues was Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry combining for just 34 goals - after Perry tallied 34 himself in 2016.The Ducks will be without Ryan Kesler, Hampus Lindholm, and Sami Vatanen to start the season, but they'll ultimately challenge for another division title, given their depth throughout the roster.Calgary FlamesThe Flames had probably the most productive offseason in the NHL. The team acquired Travis Hamonic and Mike Smith while also re-signing Michael Stone.Calgary enters the season with the strongest defense corps in the league - now that Ryan Ellis of the Nashville Predators will miss the first couple months of the year - and in a relatively weak division, the Flames will compete for a top-three finish.San Jose SharksThe Sharks' window appears to be closing, as Patrick Marleau's move to the Toronto Maple Leafs would hint at.That being said, the team is still strong with Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture, and Brent Burns manning the ship. A playoff spot is expected, but a division title is probably out of the cards.Los Angeles KingsThe Kings restructured their front office and coaching staff this offseason with the hopes of getting back to the postseason. However, they did very little to fix their roster.The club's lone significant addition was Mike Cammalleri. The 35-year-old should give a boost to the Kings' offense, but fixing last season's 25th-ranked offense on his own is highly unlikely.Arizona CoyotesThe additions of Derek Stepan, Antti Raanta, and Niklas Hjalmarsson surely give the Coyotes a bump, but don't expect them to skyrocket up the standings.The club is poised to feature plenty of rookies and young stars. The future is bright, but don't expect the likes of Clayton Keller, Dylan Strome, Christian Dvorak and Co. to be able to make immediate impacts.Vancouver CanucksBarring a dramatic turnaround from Daniel and Henrik Sedin, the Canucks are unlikely to have much of a rebound from last season.The club added Sam Gagner, Thomas Vanek, and Michael Del Zotto this offseason, and while the trio might be an improvement, these three are not going to propel the Canucks up the standings. In the end, the basement of the division is where you can expect to find Vancouver.Vegas Golden KnightsHockey is coming to the desert, but don't expect championships or division titles anytime soon.The Golden Knights should be exciting and competitive with the likes of James Neal, Theodore, and Marc-Andre Fleury, but they still need more time to tool their roster and develop. A last-place finish is their most likely outcome.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the immortal words of Jesse Katsopolis, "Have mercy."Connor McDavid showed off his midseason form in Wednesday's exhibition contest against the Carolina Hurricanes, scoring a pair of goals in a span of 92 seconds.The first came on a breakaway.

Thank goodness these games don't count.The Montreal Canadiens lost 4-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Quebec City on Wednesday, dropping their preseason record to 0-6. But as far as head coach Claude Julien is concerned, it's not time to panic quite yet."There is frustration at not winning, but the thing I have to remember is look at the bigger picture," Julien said, per Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun. "The core group that we are counting on have been pretty good. But we're just as disappointed (losing), even though it doesn't count."Related - Watch: Canadiens' Drouin goes backhand shelf on LeafsAs a reminder, the Colorado Avalanche went undefeated during last year's exhibition round - and subsequently finished dead last in the final standings.Montreal kicks off its regular-season slate Oct. 5 in Buffalo.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If an NHL player wants to make a statement during the playing of the national anthem, he will have the full backing of his union bosses."We believe each player may choose to speak out or engage in peaceful protest on matters that are important to him," NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr wrote in a memo sent to players Wednesday. "A player is entitled to his own views on political and social issues, and the right of each player to express such views deserves respect."A handful of players have spoken out on the topic in recent days, including Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban, Philadelphia Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds, and San Jose Sharks forward Joel Ward, who didn't rule out the possibility of kneeling during the national anthem."Should a player decide to make such a peaceful protest, he would of course have the full support of the NHLPA in regard to his right to do so," Fehr added.Fehr's comments come two days after NHL commissioner Gary Bettman noted he respects players' choices, but reasoned that fans are not interested in watching "an evening of politics."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues received devastating news Wednesday when they learned young forward Robby Fabbri will miss the entire year after he injured the same knee which he had surgically repaired this offseason.It's a big blow to a St. Louis squad which has already lost forward Alex Steen and defenseman Jay Bouwmeester to short-term injuries, in addition to center Patrik Berglund, who will be out of the lineup until December.A long list of key injuries could leave Blues general manager Doug Armstrong little choice but to explore the market in order to help his ailing club. With that in mind, here are three options he should consider:Run with a rookieBefore looking elsewhere, the easiest and cheapest option for St. Louis is to promote from within. The team already has little cap space to work with - about $2.2 million, according to CapFriendly - and moving Fabbri's entry-level deal to the long-term injured reserve doesn't free up much more wiggle room.As training camp cuts loom, several young forwards have put on a show to make final decisions difficult for Blues' management. Center Ivan Barbashev is among those who have impressed in exhibition action, as he's picked up three points in four contests. The Russian forward was selected 12 picks after Fabbri in 2014.Also intriguing is Klim Kostin, added this year with the draft pick acquired for Ryan Reaves, as he's scored two goals in four games.Make a deal for DucheneColorado Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic has been patient in finding the right return for center Matt Duchene, and an opportunity may have fallen into his lap with the Blues.The Avalanche have insisted on getting an up-and-coming blue-liner in return, and St. Louis may have the perfect center piece of a deal in Vince Dunn. The 20-year-old defenseman is among the 32 players remaining at Blues' camp and looks poised to push for a spot after he posted 45 points in the AHL last season. Could the Blues package Dunn plus a high-end pick (and a contract, for salary cap considerations) to get a deal done?Duchene's addition would also shore up the Blues in the middle of the ice. The team rolled the dice on newly-acquired Brayden Schenn, with the plan to use him as a center despite him seeing more time on the wing while with the Philadelphia Flyers. Alongside Paul Stastny, the pair make an interesting one-two punch, but adding Duchene further solidifies St. Louis at center.Dive into free agencyThe Blues can also try their luck in free agency to cover Fabbri's loss. While the options are limited, free agency brings the advantage that it only costs cash - no other assets required.On one hand, St. Louis could be the next destination for the legendary Jaromir Jagr, who remains unsigned despite his pleas via social media.But a more likely scenario could be veteran winger Jarome Iginla, also in the hunt for NHL work. After struggling with the Avalanche last season, Iginla looked rejuvenated through his short tenure with Los Angeles, as he recorded nine points in 19 games. Signing in St. Louis would also reunite Iginla with Armstrong, who was with the Dallas Stars when the team drafted him more than two decades ago.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Nashville Predators will stand together, choosing not to join fellow professional athletes in kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality.This was affirmed Wednesday by defenseman P.K. Subban following a report from Yahoo Sports quoting him as saying he would "never" take a knee during the pre-game event."People are allowed to voice their opinion," Subban explained, per Adam Vingan of The Tennessean. "People are allowed to do that. As far as what we’re doing in this locker room, that’s a consensus among our dressing room. If something changes for somebody, then that’s their right. But as a team, that’s what we’re going to do.""You’ve seen other teams do different things, and that’s fine," he added. "At the end of the day, we’re all going to stand together as a team."For his part, Subban - a Canadian whose parents immigrated to Canada from the Caribbean - wants to be known as one of the top players in a game wherein black players remain a minority."I realize that being a black hockey player, people are going to recognize that. That’s fine," Subban said. "But I want to be recognized as one of the best players in the league and the best player in the league. And that’s what I work for every day."The Predators begin the regular season on Oct. 5 in Boston.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars sent R.J. Umberger on his way, but head coach Ken Hitchcock believes it's not the end of the road for the veteran forward.Umberger was released from a professional tryout with the club on Wednesday, but Hitchcock - who coached him in both Philadelphia and Columbus - sees life in his game."Sometimes you know when a guy's done," Hitchcock said, per Scott Burnside of the team's website. "And he's not done.""He looks like a guy who could have an impact in the National Hockey League," Hitchcock added.Umberger was the victim of a numbers game in Dallas, where the Stars have enough contracts on the books and youngsters looking to make the jump to fill out a competitive roster. His stated goal was to leave everything on the table, and Hitchcock affirmed Umberger's impact both on and off the ice during training camp."He got better and better as the camp went along," Hitchcock said. "He had a major impact in the last game and it's based on his quickness."The big thing with him is the young guys loved him," Hitchcock said. "Even though they were competing against him, he was helping them. That's the thing they loved the most."Umberger - who did not play at all last season - is left hoping a spot opens up somewhere else."Hopefully things sort themselves out in the next few days," he said. "I'm anxious to find out. I'll continue to stay in shape and be ready if something comes up."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

St. Louis Blues forward Robby Fabbri will miss the entire 2017-18 season after re-injuring his surgically repaired knee, the team announced Wednesday.Fabbri originally suffered the injury last February and missed the remainder of the regular season and playoffs as he rehabbed from knee surgery. He was limited to 51 games last year, in which he netted 11 goals and 18 assists.Fabbri's injury news is the latest hit to a Blues' squad which has already lost forward Alex Steen and defenseman Jay Bouwmeester to the injury bug.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As an African-Canadian player who makes a living in the U.S., Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds knows exactly what it's like to be unfairly discriminated against for the color of one's skin.On Wednesday, Simmonds was asked to share his opinion regarding players taking a knee during national anthems to protest racial inequality: "Everybody is relating to politics," Simmonds said, according to Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer."But for the people who are doing the kneeling and protesting peacefully, I think it has nothing to do with how (other) people are taking it," he said. "Some people are saying it’s a disrespect to the flag, a disrespect to the Army. That’s not the thought process behind it; it’s just the vehicle that’s being used to create a conversation about social inequality."What started out as just one football player staging a protest, has grown to encompass an entire movement throughout the sports world; a fact that Simmonds believes everyone should be aware of."In this day and age, obviously, you have to be cognizant of everything that’s going on," said Simmonds."You see the protests in the NFL, you see guys in baseball starting to kneel ... It’s a hard subject to talk about. Everybody’s on one side or the other. It’s a fine line."Simmonds may only be a hockey player, but he realizes the issues being addressed by athletes peacefully protesting are about much more than just race."I don’t think it’s black and white; at this point, it’s about what’s wrong and what’s right. It’s not just a black and white thing. It’s the LGBT community, it different ethnicity - black, brown, Asian, all that. It shouldn’t just be black and white."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As a resident of Washington, D.C., it was only a matter of time before Barry Trotz was asked about the recent protests that have engulfed the sports world.After Wednesday's morning skate, the Washington Capitals head coach indicated his team doesn't have a plan for addressing the protests, but said he'll offer his support if his players choose to demonstrate."That's the great thing about our country," Trotz said, according to Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post. "We get to speak our piece, if you will, without sometimes ramifications. In other countries, there's dire consequences if you speak up. That's the gift of living in the United States and people can express it, and I'll support anybody for that. But I do think that, me personally, we're honoring the flag. We're maybe not honoring some of the things that are going on in our country."Washington has two games left on its exhibition schedule before beginning the regular season Oct. 5.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains coarse language.If it were up to Ryan Reaves, he'd be inclined to forgo a trip to the White House if invited.It's a moot point this fall, as the Pittsburgh Penguins forward won't be attending with teammates on Oct. 10 because he was a member of the St. Louis Blues last season, but Reaves says he likely wouldn't go if he was invited."Probably not, no," he told Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday.Reaves elaborated on his rationale when asked.“I don’t know. I just wouldn’t," he said. "I don’t agree with things. I don’t agree with certain things that (President Donald Trump) stands for or (things) he says.”The winger said he understands it's a collective decision, but made it clear he supports the First Amendment.“I think it’s important to make a decision as a team,” he said. “Whatever we decide, we decide. The whole country is built on freedom of speech. Everybody should have that freedom. That’s where I stand on it.”Reaves wasn't sure how - or whether - he would protest.“Obviously, a lot of people think there’s a need for change and there’s a need to show that there’s a need for change,” he said. “There’s definitely different ways of doing that. I don’t know what the best way is. I haven’t really gotten that far.”The president ignited widespread displays of unity in the NFL last weekend after he said the league should "get that son of a bitch off the field," in reference to players protesting police brutality and racial injustice by kneeling or sitting during the national anthem.The defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins said in a statement Sunday that they plan to visit the White House out of "respect (for) the institution of the Office of the President," claiming criticism of Trump's agenda can be "expressed in other ways," and insisting they respect the rights of others to express themselves as they see fit.Sidney Crosby supported the decision, telling The Associated Press that "it's a great honor for us to be invited there."Reaves, who is of African-Canadian descent, is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sidney Crosby's vocal support of the Pittsburgh Penguins taking part in a visit to the White House has been met with heavy criticism from around the hockey world.Related - Penguins still plan to visit White House; support rights of others to protestOn Wednesday, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan stood up for his captain and defended his team's decision to still make the trip to meet President Donald Trump.Related - Reaves: I'd 'probably not' visit White House if invited"The fact that people seem to think Sid needs to bear this burden of responsibility is unfair," Sullivan told reporters, according to Sam Werner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette."The guy does nothing but come to the rink, help the Penguins win championships, and be a good person every day. That's how we see it."While Crosby has taken plenty of heat in the media for siding with his team's unpopular stance on White House visits, Sullivan feels the club hasn't taken any stance at all."I think that there appears to be a perception out there that because our organization has made a decision to accept the invitation to the White House that we have taken a stance on the issue when the reality is it's just the opposite. We haven't taken any stance," Sullivan said." ... There appears to be a perception we have. It's wrong."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As he inches closer to recovery, Erik Karlsson revealed a rather unbelievable aspect of his offseason foot surgery Wednesday.

Finally healthy again and eager to contribute, Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos wants to see more from his team to close out the preseason.Though exhibition records generally don't serve as an accurate barometer of what's to come, the Lightning are currently 2-4 after Tuesday's loss to the Panthers. With such high expectations for 2017-18, Stamkos doesn't want Tampa Bay to rest on its laurels heading into October."There's urgency," Stamkos told Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "Especially when coming off the year we didn't make the playoffs. We're not sitting here thinking, 'OK, we'll just flip the switch when the season starts.' We need to get better. We need to come together."Stamkos has looked strong in his return from a torn meniscus suffered last November, earning two assists so far. At this point, though, it seems he'd rather see his team round into shape than add to his personal totals."There's only six periods left," Stamkos said. "If we've learned anything from the last couple years, we want to start the season on time, not get behind the eight ball. There's definitely some areas to improve."The Lightning conclude preseason with games on Thursday and Saturday before kicking their regular season off Oct. 6 against Florida.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As pocket-sized Edmonton Oilers rookie Kailer Yamamoto has shown, size is just a number, and not an indicator of whether a player can contribute at the highest level.Related: McLellan: Yamamoto 'deserves the opportunity' to remain with OilersDespite being only 5-foot-8 and 154 pounds, Yamamoto has impressed in his limited preseason showing, registering a league-high five goals in four exhibition games for the Oilers. However, he's still probably at least a year away from regularly gracing an NHL ice surface.Here's a look at four current NHL players who don't let their small stature impact their ability to be game-changers:Brad Marchand, Boston BruinsIf you've ever watched Marchand play, you can understand why he's earned the nickname "The Little Ball of Hate."At 5-foot-9 and 181 pounds, he's the tallest and heaviest player on this list, and he backs it up on the ice, playing with a physical edge on every shift.However, Marchand's true role is being the Bruins' top goal man and offensive playmaker. Last season was the 29-year-old's best in the NHL, as he tallied career highs in goals (39), assists (46), and points (85), leading the team in all categories.Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary FlamesTold at almost every level that he was too small, Gaudreau is a walking example of never letting someone else determine your destiny.He's one of the most exciting young players in the game, and doesn't let his 5-foot-9, 157-pound frame stop him from being an intimidating offensive force. Over his three years in the league, Johnny Hockey has racked up 204 points in 232 regular-season games.Regardless of size, Gaudreau is a big piece of the Flames' present and future.Mats Zuccarello, New York RangersStanding 5-foot-7, Zuccarello is an offensive spark plug for New York, notching 86 goals and 176 points over 383 career regular-season games. He's also been a key contributor on the Rangers' top power-play unit; since the 2013-14 season, the Norway native has 55 points on the man advantage.In addition to being an offensive catalyst during the regular season, Zuccarello has performed in the clutch, registering 31 points in 60 career playoff games for the Blue Shirts.What he lacks in size, he makes up for with his speed and goal-scoring ability.Cam Atkinson, Columbus Blue JacketsProbably the most underrated name of the group, Atkinson had a coming-out party last season with the Blue Jackets, leading the club with 35 goals.The former sixth-round pick is no stranger to being told he couldn't hang with the big boys of the NHL, as his height (5-foot-8) played a factor in his late draft selection.That hasn't slowed his production, though.Now an NHL veteran of six NHL campaigns, Atkinson has proven he can be an offensive contributor, tallying 227 points across 382 games while also chipping in on the man advantage with 27 goals.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice is a man of few words and even fewer compliments.So, when Maurice praised third-year winger Nikolaj Ehlers for how he's developed his defensive game, people paid attention."The ability to put him on the ice and not be somebody that the centerman has to take care of out there changes what we can do,” Maurice said, according to Paul Friesen of The Winnipeg Sun. "So he has surprised me. Of all the forwards, Nik Ehlers' growth right now is the one I'm most pleased with."That line is an option now, and if you'd asked me in July I'd be a bit nervous about it."If the Jets could ever figure out what's going on in their crease, their nasty group of offensive-minded forwards possess enough talent to take the team back to the postseason for the first time since 2015.In addition Ehlers, who racked up 64 points in only his second NHL season, the Jets boast super sniper Patrik Laine and the criminally underrated Mark Scheifele, both of whom registered 30-plus-goal seasons last campaign.If Maurice sticks with some of the line combinations he's been playing with in practice, Ehlers and Laine could form a potentially dangerous offensive duo on Winnipeg's top line when the puck drops on the regular season next week.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Throughout the month of September, James Bisson and a cast of editors from theScore will share their rankings of the greatest players, teams, and moments in the 100-year history of the National Hockey League. Our final list focuses on the greatest players:100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 | 40-21 | 20-1Voter List

The Central Division is always among the most compelling groups in the NHL, and it's looking like it will crown a new champion in 2017-18.That's because last season's top team appears destined to take a significant step back, while each of its three primary rivals has improved, as did another squad that's looking to become competitive again. Overall, the only real certainty should be who finishes last.Here's how we see the Central shaking out:RankingTeamLast Season1Nashville Predators42Minnesota Wild23St. Louis Blues34Dallas Stars65Chicago Blackhawks16Winnipeg Jets57Colorado Avalanche71. Nashville PredatorsThe Predators didn't truly peak until the playoffs began last season, but they're ready to carry over their success from the spring into the fall.Nashville will be without steady defenseman Ryan Ellis for several months, but this team is well suited to deal with his absence, with Roman Josi, P.K. Subban and Mattias Ekholm comprising the rest of one of the league's best top-four defensive corps.General manager David Poile brought back Scott Hartnell and added Nick Bonino to replace the retired Mike Fisher this summer, ensuring the Predators have a chance to build on their Stanley Cup Final appearance by being the class of the division in the upcoming season.2. Minnesota WildOnly the Washington Capitals had a better goal differential than the Wild last season, and not much has changed for Minnesota.Gone are Marco Scandella and Jason Pominville, but like the Predators, the Wild are strong enough on the back end to withstand Scandella's departure, and their forward group is still very deep.Minnesota's bottom six is better now, and the Wild still boast an elite goaltender in Devan Dubnyk, so the team should finish respectably, with a shot at claiming the division crown.3. St. Louis BluesMuch like the Wild, the Blues are hoping continuity leads to improvement come playoff time.Much of last season's team remains intact, and it also added Brayden Schenn, who's a big upgrade over the departed Jori Lehtera. That draft-night trade helped St. Louis up front, and it looms particularly large in light of preseason injuries to Alex Steen and Robby Fabbri.St. Louis failed to make it out of the second round last season, but the club that still features Vladimir Tarasenko, Alex Pietrangelo, Colton Parayko, and Jake Allen should be a threat to advance to the Western Conference Final.4. Dallas StarsThe Stars improved the most on paper of any team in the division over the summer, but the actual impact of their free-agent additions remains to be seen.Alex Radulov, Martin Hanzal, Marc Methot, and Ben Bishop will certainly help Dallas exceed the 79-point, sixth-place finish of a season ago, but it'll be tough for the Stars to crack the top three, given how stiff the competition is.5. Chicago BlackhawksIt's going to be a disappointing season in the Windy City.The Blackhawks are the defending Central Division champs, but after being swept out of the first round by the Predators in the spring, they're now without dynamic winger Artemi Panarin (traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Brandon Saad) and Marian Hossa (out for the season due to a skin disorder).Chicago also has an aging top pairing on defense, as Duncan Keith turned 34 in July, and Brent Seabrook celebrated his 32nd birthday in April.The Blackhawks do have some promising young forwards and will still rely on the experience of their veteran core, but they're in danger of falling into a period of decline.6. Winnipeg JetsThere are reasons for optimism in Manitoba, but the Jets aren't quite ready to take off.While there's some exciting, young talent on this roster and more coming down the pipeline, this team likely still needs some time to develop before it can challenge for a playoff spot.Even a wild-card berth seems questionable. The forward group has plenty of question marks beyond the top line, and while Steve Mason is better than Ondrej Pavelec, goaltending will still be a concern.Patrik Laine should make Winnipeg games worth watching, but that won't be enough to propel the Jets into the postseason.7. Colorado AvalancheIt's entirely possible that the Avalanche, who set the salary-cap era record for futility last season, could be even worse in 2017-18.Colorado is in the midst of its own youth movement with the likes of Mikko Rantanen, Tyson Jost, and Nikita Zadorov expected to take on larger roles this fall, but when (if?) Matt Duchene eventually gets traded, that will only make it more likely that the Avalanche once again finish in the basement of the Central Division with one of the league's worst records.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vegas Golden Knights hosted their first hockey game on Monday, inviting the Los Angeles Kings into the friendly confines of T-Mobile Arena for a preseason tilt.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will reportedly visit the White House on Oct. 10 to celebrate its 2017 Stanley Cup win, according to Adam Smeltz of the Post-Gazette.The team announced the acceptance of an invitation from the White House on Sept. 24, and it was later confirmed via Twitter by President Donald Trump amid a bevy of protests taking place around the NFL.

Michael Rasmussen could be on the fast track to the NHL.The Detroit Red Wings' top pick in this summer's draft - selected ninth overall - has impressed through the early goings of training camp. So much so that he could find himself suiting up in the winged wheel as early as this fall.Through three preseason contests, Rasmussen has picked up a pair of goals, and his strong performance hasn't been lost on Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill."I'm excited about him as a prospect," Blashill told Ansar Khan of MLive.com. "He's big, he's smooth, he's got good hands, he's got good offensive sense."With a franchise that typically slow roasts its prospects, Rasmussen's early success has come as a surprise, but times may be changing in Detroit as the team reluctantly enters a rebuild.Only three months earlier, the Red Wings took some heat over Rasmussen's apparent early selection ahead of projected top-10 picks in Owen Tippett and Gabriel Vilardi, but the young Canadian is already turning heads.The preseason has been a continuation of Rasmussen's play from 2016-17, when he tallied 55 points in 50 games with the WHL's Tri-City Americans. But whether he returns to the junior ranks will be determined in the coming days. As of Tuesday, Rasmussen is one of 47 players remaining at Red Wings camp.Adding to the intrigue is that roster regular and fellow forward Andreas Athanasiou is still unsigned and threatening to continue his career in the KHL. His absence could create at least one more opening for Rasmussen."I want to be here and I want to play here," Rasmussen said. "I'm definitely trying to make it hard on them."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Jose Sharks forward Joel Ward isn't closing the door on joining fellow professional athletes in taking a knee during the national anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality."It’s definitely something I wouldn’t cross out," Ward said when asked by the Mercury News whether he’d consider taking a knee during the national anthem at an upcoming Sharks game."I’ve experienced a lot of racism myself in hockey and on a day-to-day occurrence. I haven’t really sat down to think about it too much yet, but I definitely wouldn’t say no to it."Ward, a Canadian born to Barbadian immigrants, wears No. 42 in tribute to Jackie Robinson, and has been prey to racial profiling and slurs on both sides of the border throughout his life. Notably, he was subject to a barrage of racially-charged tweets after scoring a Game 7 overtime goal against the Boston Bruins in 2012.As such, he deeply relates to the protest spurred by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick."I’ve had a few things that have happened to me that you could say are not the norm," he said. "I’ve been singled out at different events. I’ve been pulled over. I’ve dealt with racism right to my face."It’s just been part of life that you always have to deal with, so when people get into Kaepernick and some of these other guys, saying that they’re disrespecting the flag, it’s not about just that. It’s about creating awareness about what people, like myself, go through on a day-to-day basis, whether it’s going to the mall or whatever."If Ward were to decide to kneel, he'd have the support of Sharks head coach Pete DeBoer."I went to law school. I’m a big freedom of speech guy. Everyone has the right to message how they want to," said DeBoer."That’s what makes our countries great, Canada and the U.S., is the freedom to able to express yourself if you feel like you’ve been wronged or there’s an injustice."The Sharks open their regular season on Oct. 4 at home to Philadelphia.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Islanders training camp has featured a good old-fashioned fight for the starting goaltender gig.Thomas Greiss made his first start of the preseason Monday, and recorded a shutout against a New Jersey Devils split-squad lineup. He's now played the same amount of time as Jaroslav Halak, and both have been solid.Player# of periodsShots againstSavesSave %Halak55756.982Greiss54342.977"Our goaltenders have led the charge in training camp," head coach Doug Weight said Monday. "I'm pretty excited about that part of the game."It's certainly an encouraging sign for a team that finished 17th with a .909 overall save percentage last season and fell just short of a playoff spot.For Halak in particular, it's been a return to the form he displayed last spring after being recalled from an AHL stint of almost three months. That came after he was placed on waivers and went unclaimed in January, but Halak subsequently found his game with Bridgeport and almost helped the club clinch a late postseason berth.It remains to be seen who will emerge as the top option in New York this season, but as Pittsburgh demonstrated in 2016-17, it doesn't hurt to have multiple starters around.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rival teams are willing to bet on a blue-liner from the Vegas Golden Knights."I've just started returning calls to clubs yesterday that expressed some interest in obtaining a defenseman," general manager George McPhee told Hockey Central at Noon. "I wanted to take some time - four games - to get to know them a little bit better, and we've got another three games to evaluate."The Golden Knights have impressed through the exhibition schedule, coming up with three wins in four games. But as the regular season draws closer, McPhee realizes he will need to unload at least one of his excess defensemen."We're starting to have those discussions and there is interest in moving probably one defenseman at this point," McPhee added.When a deal could occur remains unknown, but sooner rather than later seems to be a safe bet with the Golden Knights' final 23-man roster due Oct. 3.Vegas currently has 11 defensemen signed through this season, according to CapFriendly:DefensemanShootsAgeCap HitJason GarrisonL32$4.6MLuca SbisaL27$3.6MClayton StonerL32$3.25MNate SchmidtL26$2.225MBrayden McNabbL26$1.7MJon MerrillL25$1.138MColin MillerR24$1MDeryk EngellandR35$1MShea TheodoreL22$863KGriffin ReinhartL23$800KBrad HuntL29$650KDealing a defenseman would mark the Golden Knights' fifth trade involving a blue-liner since the expansion draft, after the team sent David Schlemko to the Montreal Canadiens, Trevor van Riemsdyk to the Carolina Hurricanes, Marc Methot to the Dallas Stars, and Alexei Emelin to the Nashville Predators.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The kid is turning heads.18-year-old Kailer Yamamoto scored his fifth goal in four preseason games for the Edmonton Oilers in a loss to Carolina on Monday, and is making a very strong case to make the team out of training camp."It's been impressive watching him," head coach Todd McLellan said after the game. "When he continues to open your eyes, he deserves the opportunity."Expected to have a cup of coffee with the big club before being sent back to junior, the 22nd overall pick from the 2017 NHL Draft is belying his age and 5-foot-8 frame to make an undeniable impression.At the very least, it appears as though he'll get a nine-game look before the team has to decide whether to burn a year off his entry-level deal or send him back to the WHL's Spokane Chiefs."I don't care who plays on our team," McLellan added. "We need 23 guys to wear jerseys, whether he's 18 or 38, we want to win. It doesn't matter to me what their names are or how big they are, if they can get the job done then they should play."As noted by Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal, Yamamoto is likely competing with highly-touted prospect Jesse Puljujarvi for the forward spot, and has a clear skate up on the fourth pick of the 2016 Draft.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sidney Crosby's decision to visit the White House is already drawing some heavy criticism.Georges Laraque, a former teammate of Crosby's, called Pittsburgh's decision to visit the White House 'an embarrassment', and now Crosby is hearing it from his home province of Nova Scotia."It's an act of moral cowardice," El Jones, a poet, professor, and activist in Halifax told Metro News. "I think that he can still fix this and maybe with pressure he will."Crosby's decision to have his team visit the White House comes in the wake of President Donald Trump scolding NFL players who kneel during the anthem, and revoking his White House invite to Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors."Sidney is a superstar. He's not some rookie that doesn't have a voice in the locker room," Jones said. "If he didn't want to go, as captain and as the biggest superstar in the league he could've made a serious point about not going. He has a lot of power here."Crosby, a native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, is undoubtedly the most prominent athlete the province has produced. Jones believes this decision could tarnish his image."A lot of people who play hockey in this province who are Black and who admire Sidney Crosby are now facing the idea that Sidney Crosby has no interest in standing up for them or seeing them or thinking that they're worth speaking for," Jones said.Despite the decision, Jones believes there's still time for Crosby to make things right."I hope that he sees this and realizes how greatly disappointing this is to Canadians and particularly to Black Canadians," Jones said. "He has a chance to reconsider. I'm not saying he's a terrible person, but he made a terrible choice."- With h/t to Pittsburgh Post-GazetteCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Boston University researchers claim to have developed a method that could lead to diagnosing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in living patients, TSN's Rick Westhead reports.CTE is a degenerative brain disease that's been found to be caused by repetitive blows to the head.Researchers studied the brains of 23 former football players as well as non-athletes and patients with Alzheimer's, and found that the football players had an increased level of CCL11, a biomarker, Westhead reports."The findings of this study are the early steps toward identifying CTE during life," author Ann McKee, a director at Boston University's CTE Center, said in a release, per Westhead."Not only did this research show the potential for CTE diagnosis during life, but it also offers a possible mechanism for distinguishing between CTE and other diseases," Boston University postdoctoral fellow Jonathan Cherry added.Former NFL players Junior Seau, Ken Stabler, and Aaron Hernandez are among those who have been diagnosed with CTE after their brains were examined posthumously.Boston University - considered a leader in research into the disease - houses an independent academic research center established in 1996.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

MONTREAL (AP) Former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque says it is ''an embarrassment'' that the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins are willing to visit President Donald Trump at the White House.Laraque, who was a black player in a predominantly white league, told The Canadian Press that even though hockey is more conservative than other sports ''this time it's just wrong.'' Laraque added that he's surprised the NHL didn't take a stand and said when the Penguins go to the White House ''it's not going to look good.''After Trump tweeted that the NBA champion Golden State Warriors were uninvited, the Penguins said over the weekend they'd honor the tradition of title-winning teams visiting the White House. Captain and playoff MVP Sidney Crosby, who's Canadian, said he supported the decision.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The agonizingly long wait is almost over.Colors start to change, the days get shorter, and the boys of winter get back to doing what they do best.And, while the 2016-17 campaign was surely one to remember, the 2017-18 season is primed to be even better. Here's five reasons to look forward to the upcoming year.Eichel will solidify himself as a superstarIf you haven't had the pleasure of visiting the lovely city of Buffalo, N.Y., over the past year, you may have missed out on the latest fever that's sweeping the town. Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Eichel is quickly becoming, if he isn't already, the face of the franchise in the Queen City.And for good reason.Aside from being a homegrown American boy, Eichel can produce with the best of them, racking up 113 points across 142 regular-season games during his first two seasons in the league.Factor in his top draft-pick status (yes, he was second overall but remember who went No. 1), seemingly limitless offensive potential, and that last year's numbers were slowed by recovery from a high ankle sprain, and you start to understand why folks in Buffalo have bought into Eichel-mania.Battle of Alberta could produce a Cup winnerHockey fans in the "Sunshine Province" have been waiting at least a decade for a Cup contender, and now they have two, as both the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers have legitimate shots at taking home the league's most-coveted piece of hardware.Both teams qualified for the playoffs last season for the first time since 2006, but, it's their respective offseasons that should have fans most excited.The Flames shored up their back end with the addition of veteran Mike Smith and bolstered their already stellar D-core with the acquisition of top-four rearguard Travis Hamonic. Meanwhile, the Oilers added depth up front with the additions of Jussi Jokinen and Ryan Strome - although, Edmonton's major offseason victories were the long-term signings of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.Regardless, Calgary boasts one of the best defensive units in the league while Edmonton employs one of the most potent offensive attacks, setting up what is sure to be a very competitive season in Alberta.Stamkos will remind everyone how nasty he isA healthy Steven Stamkos is worth the price of admission, as few players in the league today can light the lamp like he can. Sure, the 27-year-old Tampa Bay Lightning pivot has only played in one full season since the start of the 2013-14 campaign, but that doesn't change the fact that he's a premier goal scorer with a bullet for a shot.Across 586 career regular-season games, Stammer has racked up solid numbers, registering 321 goals and 261 assists while displaying a true nose for the net and wicked-fast release.With Stamkos back at 100 percent, expect a lot of excitement - and success - to surround the Lightning this season. The Maple Leafs are for realThe rest of Canada may not be ready to admit it just yet, but, the Toronto Maple Leafs are indeed a team to look out for in the revamped Eastern Conference.Aside from the obvious talent of their top three forwards in Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner, the Leafs still ice a deep offensive team that also boasts the likes of Patrick Marleau, Nazem Kadri, and James van Riemsdyk.Since the rest of the East has improved around them, with Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Buffalo all set to take major steps forward, Toronto will be in tough to replicate last season's 95-point performance.However, thanks to the players already mentioned, the Maple Leafs should still be in the mix for one of the final two playoffs seeds.Smashville will be even crazier Nashville truly was the feel-good story of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, putting the league on notice with its quality hockey team and rabid in-game atmosphere.Related: 10 best photos from the craziness that was Nashville's 1st Cup Final gameRaucous crowds, massive street parties, and an all-around fun approach to the game has quickly turned the city into a hockey market on the rise. But, keep in mind the team is returning almost the identical lineup that it played with last year, so expect the craziness to be ratcheted up a notch.If you weren't able to witness the madness that was the Predators' postseason run, don't fret, as Nashville stands to be another club in serious contention to take home Lord Stanley's Mug come June.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This is a standard scoring, head-to-head league made up of the following categories:SkaterGoalieGoalsWinsAssistsGoals against averagePlus/MinusSave percentagePenalty minutesShutoutsPower play pointsShots on goalThe roster positions go as follows: C, C, LW, LW, RW, RW, D, D, D, D, G, G, BN, BN, BN, BN, IR, IRDraft Participants:

On the ice, Roberto Luongo is known as one of the greatest goaltenders of this generation. Off the ice, he's known to be one of the NHL's funniest and most charismatic players, as he's seemingly perfected the art of self-deprecating humor.So when Luongo discussed his offeason battle while recovering from a hip injury, it was almost strange to hear the 38-year-old talk in a more serious manner."For a good two- to three-month period it was a battle mentally to just figure out if I could be able to ever come back," Luongo told NHL.com's Kevin Woodley. "I didn't feel like I was getting better and it was constantly bothering me, so it was as much a mental grind as a physical from March until almost June if I could ever fully recover and feel good on the ice."Luongo had surgery to repair a torn hip labrum in May 2016, but that same hip started giving him problems during the 2016-17 campaign, ending his season prematurely.However, Luongo made his preseason debut a week ago against the Predators and felt no limitations, stopping all eight shots that came his way."If you have in the back of your mind 'If I do this is it going to hurt me?' that is going to affect your game," Luongo said. "The main thing is you don't want to be playing a game and worry about what you can or cannot do and I was able to do that."This news is certainly music to the ears of all hockey fans, as the league would simply not be the same without him.- With h/t to Pro Hockey TalkCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Throughout the month of September, James Bisson and a cast of editors from theScore will share their rankings of the greatest players, teams, and moments in the 100-year history of the National Hockey League. Our final list focuses on the greatest players (Note: "All-Star" refers to end-of-season All-Star team voting and not to appearances in the All-Star Game):100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 | 40-21 | 20-1Voter List

The dawn of the 2017-18 NHL season is upon us, and now is the time to venture our guesses on how things will play out. Today, we take a look at the Atlantic Division, which is poised to be tightly contested.Here's how we reckon things will look at the end of the season:RankingTeamLast Season1Tampa Bay Lightning52Toronto Maple Leafs43Montreal Canadiens14Boston Bruins35Ottawa Senators26Buffalo Sabres87Florida Panthers68Detroit Red Wings7Tampa Bay LightningEven after going completely off the rails midway through the 2016-17 season, the Lightning showed enough unified resolve to claw back into the race and miss the playoffs by a single point.Nikita Kucherov is terrifying, and so is Victor Hedman. Captain Steven Stamkos will be back, and they acquired one of the top defensive prospects in the game in Mikhail Sergachev to complement the D-corps. The Lightning should be armed and ready to avenge their recent lost campaign, and put together another march toward a Stanley Cup.Toronto Maple LeafsExpectations are sky-high for the Maple Leafs entering year two of the Auston Matthews era, and more than a few eyes will be watching to see how it plays out.Though Toronto faces the pressure of improving upon last season's wild-card berth as naysayers harp on the inevitable "sophomore slump," the Maple Leafs own one of the deepest forward groups in the NHL, a reliable starting goaltender, and a top-flight coach. That's a quality recipe for sustained success in a relatively open division.Montreal CanadiensThe Habs' ceiling can get as high as Carey Price can push it (which is very, very high), but Montreal needs a little more than that to defend its division title from a season ago.Playoffs are a realistic expectation for this team, but to ensure that comes to fruition, head coach Claude Julien needs to implement an improved attack plan for his forwards while finding a way to get the most out of a not-so-mobile defensive group.The most intriguing aspect of this Canadiens season will be Jonathan Drouin's first season in his home province. If he's everything the organization believes he is, Montreal has increased potential to make some noise.Boston BruinsThe Bruins will end up much closer to the top of the division than this prediction if Bruce Cassidy's first full season is as successful as his 27-game debut stint. After taking over for Julien on Feb. 7, Cassidy commanded the Bruins to an 18-8-1 record, essentially resuscitating the club's playoff hopes.However, this Bruins roster has some question marks, mainly in goal. Since capturing the Vezina in 2013-14, Tuukka Rask's save percentage has dipped immensely. The 30-year-old registered a .915 clip in each of the past two seasons, and his backup, Anton Khudobin, offers little help - he produced a troublesome .904 save percentage in 16 starts in 2016-17.Elsewhere, Boston lacks the offensive depth to properly complement its top trio of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak, which could leave the Bruins battling for a wild-card spot rather than a division title.Ottawa SenatorsRight out of the gate, the Senators will be faced with an uphill battle to repeat last season's success, as Erik Karlsson's injury timeline looms large.Ottawa is also faced with injuries up front to Derick Brassard, Colin White, and Clarke MacArthur, so staying afloat through October will be priority No. 1 for Guy Boucher's group.Speaking of Boucher, though he led Tampa Bay to the Conference Finals in his only other NHL coaching gig in 2011, his trap system failed after year one. Senators fans are surely hoping history doesn't repeat itself.Buffalo SabresA full season of Jack Eichel essentially guarantees improvement for the up-and-coming Sabres, who did well this offseason.Buffalo brought in a new head coach and general manager, and addressed its biggest weakness - defense - by acquiring Marco Scandella and Nathan Beaulieu. Playoffs might be a stretch, but the Sabres don't look like pushovers anymore.Florida PanthersFour of Florida's top seven scorers from a season ago are no longer with the team, making it hard to imagine the Panthers being seriously competitive.Even with Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau healthy, the Panthers face numerous questions throughout the organization. Can Bob Boughner succeed in his first NHL head coaching gig? Will KHL star Evgeny Dadanov make enough of an impact? Can Dale Tallon get the team to play the way he wants them to?Until the Panthers prove us wrong on any of these fronts, it's tough to consider them among the contenders in the Atlantic.Detroit Red WingsDetroit is best suited to begin selling its assets and commit to a full-scale rebuild - even if general manager Ken Holland doesn't want to.The Red Wings' roster doesn't have enough talent to make any noise in the East, and Holland has dug himself into the depths of salary-cap hell by dishing out so many constricting contracts in years past.On the bright side, Detroit should have a serious chance at winning the rights to draft stud defensive prospect Rasmus Dahlin.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.