There were 10 games on Monday's preseason schedule, with several teams nearing final decisions in terms of who'll be on the ice when valuable points in the standings are on the line beginning Oct. 4.Here are three major takeaways from a busy night around the NHL.1. Scheifele, Laine could be league's top duoIf the Winnipeg Jets are going to make the playoffs this season, it will be in large part to deploying arguably the NHL's top duo.That twosome would be Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele, who combined for three goals and six assists in Winnipeg's 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames. The former led the way with two goals and three assists, while the center scored once and added three helpers.Related: Laine's one-timer is in mid-season formAs an added bonus, Blake Wheeler jumped up with Laine and Scheifele on the power play, and the captain chipped in three assists on the night. Young Nikolaj Ehlers also made a bid for a top-line spot by adding an even-strength marker of his own.Scoring won't be a problem here.2. Devils, Senators trending in opposite directions?Here's something that hasn't been said too often over the years: the New Jersey Devils could be very fun to watch this season.The rebuilding team's young talent put on a show in an 8-1 win over the Ottawa Senators in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, while a few veteran additions to the squad chipped in as well.Here's a look at the damage that was done:PlayerGoalsAssistsPointsMarcus Johansson134Pavel Zacha213Drew Stafford213John Quenneville202Nico Hischier112Taylor Hall022Kyle Palmieri022Meanwhile, the Senators looked out of sorts from the get-go, and notably remain without Erik Karlsson and Derick Brassard, both of whom are out with injuries.Yes it's only the preseason, and the Senators' lineup was not what it will look like come opening night, but Ottawa can't afford to be caught sleeping when games matter, lest an upstart team like the Devils climb up and steal their playoff spot."The exhibition season is winding down and I believe you’re going to see our game ramp up,” Dion Phaneuf said after the game, per Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen. "We’ve done a lot of good things in the preseason but we’ve got some work to do. We definitely can’t just show up in this league and we saw that tonight."3. Auston Matthews picking up where he left offHeading into his second season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews looks like he easily has at least another 40 goals in him.Matthews, who turned 20 last week, recorded a hat-trick on Al Montoya and the Montreal Canadiens, kicking things off early by completely fooling everyone.

Auston Matthews makes it look so easy.The Toronto Maple Leafs forward beat Montreal Canadiens goaltender three times to pick up the hat trick in his club's 5-1 victory on Monday. Matthews tallied two goals in the first period and then used a breakaway chance early in the third period Monday - sliding a puck past Montoya - to top it all off.Matthews would later pick up an assist on William Nylander's third goal of the preseason to give him four points on the night. With the trio of goals, Matthews now has four during this exhibition season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Patrik Laine appears to be done with the preseason.The Winnipeg Jets' sophomore forward proved that he is ready to get the regular season underway by showing that his one-timer is in mid-season form. The 19-year-old hammered his second goal of the preseason midway through the first period over the blocker of Calgary Flames goalie Eddie Lack.Not done there, early into the second period he one-touched a rebound, firing a shot in the exact same spot.

Hockey is a great escape from the world of politics, at least according to Gary Bettman.Following a weekend in which a series of player protests highlighted the NFL schedule, the NHL's commissioner said he doesn't personally believe the displays would be well received in hockey."I think fans come to see the games and watch the great things our athletes do," Bettman told Sportsnet's Ken Reid. "I'm not sure they want to come for an evening of politics."But in the final analysis, I have great respect for our players. Ultimately, there are individual choices people have to make, and you respect them."Bettman's remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump stated that NFL owners should fire players who kneel during the national anthem, a comment that drew plenty more protests from players on Sunday.Related: Penguins still plan to visit White House; support rights of others to protestBettman, however, doesn't believe the issue will move into hockey."I love the fact that we play the anthems and our players have respected them," he said.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Rangers forward Andrew Desjardins has been suspended two preseason games for an illegal check to the head of New Jersey Devils forward Miles Wood, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced on Monday.The incident in question occurred in the first period of Saturday's game, during which Desjardins received a match penalty for illegal check to the head.The news is not great for Desjardins who will now miss the Rangers' final two preseason games Monday and Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 31-year-old is currently on a professional tryout with the club.Meanwhile, Wood appears to have escaped serious injury as he passed concussion protocol upon examination after the hit, he told NorthJersey.com's Andrew Gross.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens are playing with fire.Not literally, but the team dressed one goalie - Al Montoya - for Monday's preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs after scheduled starter Charlie Lindgren fell prey to a lower-body injury prior to puck drop.Carey Price didn't make the trip, leaving Jake Hildebrand as the emergency backup.Hildebrand is a 24-year-old undrafted goalie who made three appearances for the AHL's Rockford IceHogs last season. His only other professional experience came at the ECHL level following four years at Michigan State University.Godspeed, Montoya.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames are no longer contributors to NHL revenue sharing.In fact, the team will be on the receiving end this season, according to Flames president and CEO Ken King, who on Monday gave a speech on "The Future of the Flames" at the Calgary Chamber."We have now crossed the line. We are now receivers. We'll get a check this year," said King, per Robson Fletcher of CBC News. "Isn't that ridiculous, in this beautiful market?"The NHL's top-10 revenue-generating teams pay into the program, which then funnels transfer payments to the bottom-10 clubs. Middle-ranking teams neither receive nor pay into revenue sharing.King's comments come less than two weeks after the club walked away from negotiations with the city of Calgary to fund a new arena, talks which the Flames' executive classified as "spectacularly unproductive."Both sides have since released their proposals for public consumption. One added wrinkle is that Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi is up for re-election Oct. 16, and the Flames' uncertain future in the city promises to be a hot button issue when voters head to the ballot box.The Flames have played out of the Scotiabank Saddledome since 1983, the league's oldest arena behind only New York's since-renovated Madison Square Garden. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has warned the city that consequences could follow If the Flames are unable to secure a new arena.With negotiations shelved, the Flames have stated that the club will now "strive to operate, as we have for the past 34 years, in the Saddledome for as long as we believe it is feasible."King added Monday, "And anyone who mocks that statement, suggesting it's posturing or part of the negotiation, doesn't know us very well."The Flames arrived in Calgary in 1980 after relocating from Atlanta.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brian Gionta appears set to revert to the ranks of amateur hockey players.The unrestricted free agent said things are looking good when it comes to playing for Team USA at the 2018 Olympics, according to Paul Hamilton of WGR 550 in Buffalo.Gionta remains open to other opportunities, he added Monday, but the Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea appear to be his best option at this point.Earlier in September, Gionta's agent said "several teams" were interested in signing his client, but the former Sabres captain is not attending any training camps, either under contract or on a professional tryout.Gionta played at the 2006 Olympics in Italy, where Team USA finished a disappointing eighth.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL's newest franchise is literally doing a solid for its most financially committed fans.If you're a season-ticket holder for the Vegas Golden Knights, your name will soon appear on the ice surface at T-Mobile Arena.

(Warning: Story contains coarse language)Winnipeg Jets captain and Plymouth, Minn., native Blake Wheeler tweeted his displeasure with President Donald Trump over the weekend and explained himself further Monday, identifying the cause as Trump's comments about NFL players and saying he'd support a teammate who protested during the national anthem."Some of the language that (Trump) used referencing NFL players, I think that was the last straw for a lot of guys, whichever way they feel about it," Wheeler told reporters.Trump called for NFL owners to fire players who protest during the national anthem, referring to such a player as a "son of a bitch" on Friday. A day later, he took back a White House invite to the NBA champion Golden State Warriors because Steph Curry said he didn't want to go; however, the team had never received an official invitation.The fact that Trump brought professional athletes into the thick of things moved Wheeler."I think crossing over into the sports world, it hits home a little more," Wheeler said. "I think a lot of people, similar to my wife and I, it has been kind of a slow boil. The rhetoric over and over, he has just kind of gone a little too far too many times. It just felt right to take a stance."When asked how he'd react if one of his teammates took a knee during the anthem, Wheeler says they would have his full support."I'm absolutely for the first amendment. I'm a big believer that that's what makes America a special place is you're allowed to stand up for what you believe in," Wheeler said. "With just cause, if somebody were electing to do that, they would 100 percent have my support."Even if I don't necessarily agree with why they do it it's their right to feel that way. It's their right to behave that way. If I didn't agree with it, I would absolutely sit down and have a coffee and talk about it, try to understand why they feel that way, and maybe you become a little more sympathetic to different people."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

Auston Matthews won't be taking a knee during "The Star-Spangled Banner" anytime soon, but he has no problem with others doing so.The American-born Toronto Maple Leafs star explained his rationale to reporters Monday."My great uncle served (and) I have friends (and) family (and other) people (who) have served," he told reporters Monday, via TSN. "(They're) men and women who have risked their lives and died for the United States, so I don't know if kneeling, sitting, (or) stretching is really something I'd look into doing because it's ... like a dishonor to the men and women (who) fight for that flag (and) fight for the U.S., so I don't think I'd be one of the people who'd take part in that."However, Matthews clarified that he believes in the right to freedom of speech."Isn't that one of the amendments? You have the right to say whatever you want, so obviously people have taken this time to send a message or make a statement and that's their opinion. They have the right to do that, so good for them," he said.On Sunday, dozens of NFL players kneeled, locked arms, and remained in the locker room during the anthem in a widespread protest of police brutality and racial inequality given new life by the president's vulgar criticism of the movement.Also on Sunday, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced their intent to visit the White House. That revelation came one day after the NBA's Golden State Warriors confirmed they won't be going and two days after Warriors guard Stephen Curry said he hoped his team wouldn't make the trip.Matthews said he understands why the Penguins would accept an invite to the White House and added that he'd consider going if the Leafs were invited."Everybody's got their own opinion on stuff (and) they have a right to do whatever they want, but obviously the Penguins made a statement (that) they're going ... it's been a tradition in the past (and) it's a pretty big honor," Matthews said."I think it's something that if we were in the position, that's the position we'd like to be in, but I think we'd probably go."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

No member of the Tampa Bay Lightning will ever don the No. 4 ever again.Vincent Lecavalier's number will be raised to the rafters at Amalie Arena on Saturday, Feb. 10, prior to a game against the Los Angeles Kings, the Lightning announced Monday.Lecavalier was chosen first overall by the Lightning in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He is the franchise's all-time leader in games played (1,038) and goals (383), and ranks second behind Martin St. Louis in both assists and points. St. Louis' No. 26 is the only other jersey the team has ever retired.The center's career year came in 2006-07 when he netted 52 goals and tallied 56 assists for 108 points, winning the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy and finishing fourth in Hart Trophy voting.Yet he made his most important contributions to the Bolts during the 2003-04 campaign. That year, he had 32 goals and 66 points during the regular season, and added nine goals and 16 points in 23 playoff games en route to a Stanley Cup.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Though the NHL won't be heading to the 2018 Olympics, there's still excitement surrounding the men's and women's ice hockey tournaments that begin in less than five months, and the IIHF announced the groups and schedules Monday.On the men's side, the teams have been split up into three groups:Group AGroup BGroup CCanadaRussiaFinlandCzech RepublicSlovakiaGermanySouth KoreaSloveniaNorwaySwitzerlandUnited StatesSwedenThe USA will open up the tournament Feb. 14 against Slovakia, while Canada gets started Feb. 15 against Switzerland. Each country will play every team in its group once during the preliminary round. The full schedule can be found here.Over on the women's side, the groups are as follows:Group AGroup BCanadaJapanFinlandSouth KoreaRussiaSwedenUnited StatesSwitzerlandConsider Group A "the group of death."The marquee matchup between Canada and the United States will take place Feb. 15 at the Kwandong Hockey Center. The full schedule can be found here.(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Of the NHL's four divisions, the Metropolitan is tracking to be the tightest this season, with as many as seven of the eight teams being in the playoff conversation.As a result, any attempt to rank these clubs should come with the caveat that while there may be some separation between the top five and the bottom three, the tight point margins could be slim enough to change a team's ranking by a spot or two either way.All of that is to underscore that this will be a very competitive division, and here's our best guess as to how it will all play out.RankingTeamLast Season1Pittsburgh Penguins22Columbus Blue Jackets33Washington Capitals14Carolina Hurricanes75New York Rangers46Philadelphia Flyers67New York Islanders58New Jersey Devils8Pittsburgh PenguinsWinners of the past two Stanley Cup championships, the Penguins lost a couple of key players (Nick Bonino and Matt Cullen), and are therefore looking to fill big holes at center.Still, a roster that boasts Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, Kris Letang and Matt Murray remains formidable, and emerging young guns up front will help keep this team rolling for the foreseeable future.Columbus Blue JacketsFew take this team seriously, and perhaps that's warranted considering the Blue Jackets have only won three playoff games in their 17-year existence, while their success last season was largely buoyed by a 16-game win streak.On paper, though, this roster is deep and talented at all skater positions, and Sergei Bobrovsky proved he's still elite with a Vezina campaign in 2016-17. The addition of Artemi Panarin gives Columbus a much-needed gamebreaker, and these Jackets will look to sting early and often.Washington CapitalsThe Capitals were forced to make some salary cap sacrifices following another disappointing early playoff exit, and while the Cup window may have closed without a win, the roster remains in good shape for the time being.Alex Ovechkin is still at the helm of a powerful offense and Braden Holtby is as solid as they come, meaning regular-season success is still in the cards.Carolina HurricanesThis southern squad was the belle of the offseason ball, adding Scott Darling in net and bringing back Justin Williams to help out an emerging group of talented young forwards.General manager Ron Francis has also assembled one of the NHL's best rosters of defensemen, and the Hurricanes are primed to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2009.New York RangersThe Rangers are quietly trending towards a younger and faster roster, and that certainly bodes well in today's NHL. The addition of Kevin Shattenkirk on defense and the ever-steady presence of Henrik Lundqvist in net will help this team's chances.The latter, however, isn't playing as much as he used to, and if the Rangers have to rely on Ondrej Pavelec for any length of time, all bets are off.Philadelphia FlyersThis team is somewhat in limbo, having amassed a wealth of young talent - particularly on defense, although Andrew MacDonald is their highest-paid defenseman - but they also feature an aging core, and are facing the same old question marks in net.Brian Elliott was supposed to be the answer in Calgary last season but faltered, and he's now expected to replace an underappreciated Steve Mason, who jetted off to Winnipeg.They'll be a playoff bubble team, but the Flyers may be a year or two away from taking a big step forward with Nolan Patrick starring up front.New York IslandersWill he stay or will he go? Until John Tavares decides one way or the other, his contract situation will hang heavy over the Islanders.There's impressive young talent up front waiting to take off, but the loss of Travis Hamonic, coupled with questions in goal, will keep this team from competing with the heavier hitters in this division.New Jersey DevilsThe Devils made impressive strides in the building process over the summer, adding Nico Hischier as the first pick at the draft and signing free agent standout defenseman Will Butcher.Any team would want Cory Schneider and Taylor Hall on its side, but the pieces here just don't fit quite yet, meaning another lottery pick is in this team's future.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Maybe Connor McDavid shouldn't be a slam dunk for the first overall pick in your fantasy draft.Before you make the easy selection and take the reigning Art Ross Trophy winner, consider the value Brad Marchand can offer in fantasy.Over the past couple of seasons, the Boston Bruins forward has truly emerged as an offensive talent, showing he can be more than just a pest.Marchand has hit career highs in goals and points in the last two seasons. In 2016, he bested his 2012 numbers (28 goals and 55 points), tallying 37 goals and 61 points. He did even better last season, finishing tied for fourth in the league in goals with 39 and tied for fifth with 85 points.Of his 39 goals, eight were game-winners, tying him for fifth among all skaters, and another three were scored shorthanded, which also placed him fifth league-wide (and just two shy of Viktor Arvidsson's league-high five).(Photo courtesy: Action Images)He's also making significant contributions on the man advantage. Last season Marchand tallied 16 more power-play points (24) than the season prior, which had previously been his career high. This is largely thanks to the Bruins' power play, which ranked seventh in the league in 2016-17 with a 21.7 percent success rate.Meanwhile, at five-on-five, Marchand had the second-most shot attempts for Boston, while his linemate Patrice Bergeron ranked No. 1. In all, he threw 226 shots at the opposition, ranking 31st among all forwards.And discovering his scoring touch hasn't made Marchand any less salty on the ice. He still led the Bruins in penalty minutes with 81, which also ranked 24th among all forwards. To put that into perspective, only two other forwards who ranked in the top 50 in scoring had more penalty minutes than Marchand: Nazem Kadri and Ryan Kesler.As crazy as it might sound, his overall strengths suggest that plucking Marchand first in your fantasy league - if you're lucky enough to have that selection - might be a smart move.He ranks in the top five in almost every offensive category in the league. On top of that, he chips in on special teams, he racks up penalty minutes, and while he doesn't sit among league leaders, he'll also hit and block shots on occasion.In most fantasy leagues, he'll get you points in nearly every category, something you can't necessarily say about usual first overall selections such as McDavid and Sidney Crosby.Taking Marchand at No. 1 might be risky, but the payoff could be worth it.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Do the crime, do the time.Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Jake Dotchin has been held out of the team's preseason action after violating an in-house rule, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.While Smith did not indicate the nature of Dotchin's rule-breaking, he added that the decision will not have an impact on the blue-liner's roster spot.Dotchin made his NHL debut with the Lightning last season, registering 11 points in 35 games. The 23-year-old is expected to fill a role among Tampa Bay's top six defensemen this year.The Lightning have played four exhibition contests thus far, posting a 2-2-0 record.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Revisionist history is apparently real.Montreal Canadiens legend Maurice 'Rocket' Richard has been credited with one more assist, nearly 72 years after he scored the point.The correction comes after the NHL's official ledger realized its omission upon reviewing the scoresheet from a Nov. 4, 1945 contest between the Canadiens and Boston Bruins. In the game, Richard picked up an assist on a goal by Toe Blake, for which he's now receiving credit.The added assist boosts Richard's career total to 966 points. He sits 93rd in all-time NHL scoring, now (an adjusted) six points behind the recently retired Shane Doan. The closest active player is Detroit Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg, who sits 107th with 904 career points.Richard, whose name is honored in the award bestowed on the NHL's top goal scorer, spent 18 seasons with the Canadiens through the 1940s and 1950s, winning eight Stanley Cups, and the Hart Trophy in 1947.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Legendary hockey commentator Don Cherry has offered up some free advice to injured Toronto Maple Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul."Joffrey shake your head," Cherry posted online Saturday. "(General manager) Lou (Lamoriello) is so straight laced as they say … Do you really think that he went to the doctor and said don't pass Lupul? … There's no way this happened."Cherry's comments come after Lupul took to Instagram to call out the Maple Leafs for a failed training camp physical, alleging the club did not issue a passing grade to potentially hide his contract from the salary cap.Lupul later removed the post from social media and issued an apology.According to Cherry, Lupul has no reason to complain."Joffrey you're getting 5 million for doing nothing," Cherry continued. "Lay on the California beach. Collect the dough. Lou might bend a few rules but he would never cheat. Word of advice, don't piss him off. Keep your mouth shut."While Lupul has not filed a grievance against the Maple Leafs, reports indicate that an independent doctor will perform a second medical exam to verify his health status.Lupul, 34, missed all of last season after he was placed on the long-term injured reserve last September. He hasn't suited up since February 2016.Lupul has one year remaining on his contract that carries a $5.25 million cap hit, but just $3.75 million in remaining salary, according to CapFriendly.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson has avoided serious injury.The club's most valuable player was forced to leave Saturday's preseason contest against the San Jose Sharks after appearing to suffer a knee injury, but upon being re-evaluated, general manager John Chayka revealed that Ekman-Larsson avoided structural damage and is considered day to day, according to NHL.com's Craig Morgan."It is good news," said Chayka. "It's a big relief."Ekman-Larsson is once again poised to be the cornerstone of the Coyotes' defense corps, which - thanks to the acquisitions of Jason Demers and Niklas Hjalmarsson - should be a tougher unit to counter this season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Who says preseason games are meaningless?Sure, results might not be the top priority, but for many players - especially those getting their first NHL tastes - preseason hockey allows players the opportunity to make an impression on coaches and management.This exhibition season has been no different. Roughly two weeks into training camp, several rookies are putting up strong numbers and have made it hard not to take notice and consider a roster spot.Here are five rookies who have turned heads this preseason:Brock Boeser - CanucksThe last two seasons haven't been fun for the Vancouver Canucks. However, if there's one bright spot in the organization it might very well be Brock Boeser.The former University of North Dakota star signed with the Canucks last season, and after a small nine-game stint at the end of the year - when he scored four goals - he's giving some hope to Canucks fans.Through three preseason games, Boeser paces the NHL with four goals and six points. The Canucks had the second-worst offense last season, so Boeser looks to be just what the doctor ordered.Clayton Keller - Coyotes(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Keller has long been on the NHL radar, and a spot on the Arizona Coyotes' roster this season was assumed, but nevertheless the 19-year-old has had an extremely productive preseason.In two games, Keller has two goals and three assists - tying him for second in preseason scoring - highlighted by a two-goal, one-assist outing in a 5-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks earlier in the week.Keep your eyes on Keller, as it looks like he could be in the running for the Calder Trophy this season.Kailer Yamamoto - OilersIt might be early, but it looks like the Edmonton Oilers may have snagged a steal in this year's draft.Yamamoto - plucked with the 22nd overall pick - is quietly making a solid impression in his first taste playing against men. In three preseason contests, Yamamoto shares the league-lead in goals (four) with Boeser, and also has an assist.He might still be a stretch to crack the Oilers' roster at just 18 years old, but he's certainly put the club on notice.Logan Brown - Senators(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Other than defenseman Thomas Chabot and arguably Colin White, the Ottawa Senators' prospect with the biggest upside is 2016 first-round pick Brown, and this preseason he's proving why.The 6-foot-6, 220-pounder has the body to be a menacing power forward and he looks to have the hands to be effective in tight. Thanks to a two-goal, one-assist performance Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens, Brown has a respectable three goals and four points in two games.Derick Brassard is out with a shoulder injury, and while his return appears to be imminent, Brown is proving he can challenge for a center spot.Tomas Hyka - Golden KnightsTyler Wong might have gotten most of the spotlight after scoring three goals and an assist in the Golden Knights first preseason contest, but Hyka has been equally impressive.In two games, Hyka has three goals and four points, with two multi-point contests.He was one of the Golden Knights' first free-agent signings in June after coming over from the Czech Republic, and unlike many rookies, has age on his side at 24 years old.Hyka has the hands and offensive awareness to jump to the NHL, and with more experience playing against older competition, he should have an edge on many other first-year players.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

St. Louis Blues forward Robby Fabbri will miss the remainder of training camp after re-injuring his surgically repaired left knee, the team announced Sunday.For Fabbri, the news is the latest in a series of injury misfortunes. Last season the 21-year-old was limited to just 51 games after injuring his left ACL on Feb. 2, which saw him shut down for the season.Before last season's injury, Fabbri had 11 goals and 29 points and was on pace to eclipse his total of 37 points from his rookie campaign. This year, Fabbri is expected to slot into the Blues' top-six.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins still intend to visit the White House as Stanley Cup champions, despite the animosity against President Donald Trump swirling in the sports world.Tensions have risen in the past couple days after Trump revoked the Golden State Warriors' invitation to visit the White House and called out NFL owners and players regarding protests during the national anthem.Related - Report: NFL players considering further protests following Trump's criticismIn June, the Penguins went on record saying they would visit the White House if they were invited. They reaffirmed that sentiment Sunday in a press release, while making sure to note they support the rights of others to "express themselves":

Connor McDavid is the consensus No. 1 pick in fantasy hockey drafts, but there's a serious case to be made for Brent Burns being worthy of the top pick, regardless of the format.Here are three of the strongest arguments for taking Burns first:Forward production from a defensemanOver the past two seasons, Burns has averaged 28 goals and 75.5 points. Those are numbers you'd get from Jets right-winger Blake Wheeler, and he's a lock to be picked in the first five rounds of fantasy drafts.That type of production from defensemen is rare. Erik Karlsson is a perennial 70-point player (though it looks like he could miss the first month of the season), and Victor Hedman joined the 70-point club last season. After those three, though, the production drops off.If a fantasy owner picks first overall, their second pick will be No. 24 in a 12-team league. With that pick, they'll still be able to snag a forward capable of playing at a point-per-game pace, but they won't be able to get a defenseman who can do so - not even close.Centers shouldn't be the center of attentionIf there's one position you can afford to wait on in fantasy hockey, it's center. Based on Yahoo's positional eligibility, here's how center depth stacks up against defense depth in terms of points from last season:CRankD10017677553691049612042505033Even the 50th-ranked center racked up 50 points, whereas the 50th-ranked defenseman only tallied 33. Unless they make up for it in other categories, a player getting you only 33 points is essentially a waste of space. This makes getting the top defenseman all the more important.Also, most standard fantasy hockey leagues require four defensemen and only two centers.Shot generation will sustain productionThere are many things that make Burns great, including his beard, but what truly separates him from the pack is his prolific shooting. He led the NHL in shots on goal last season with 320. The year prior, he racked up 353.Not only does he single-handedly provide a massive advantage in one category every week, but his willingness to put pucks on net gives him a high floor year in and year out. In fact, he finished fifth in the league in rebounds created at five-on-five a year ago, according to Natural Stat Trick.The Sharks may be trending downward, but Burns will continue to be the most productive defenseman in the NHL and the most valuable player in fantasy hockey.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The waiting is finally over.Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson resumed skating Saturday, marking the first time he has taken the ice since offseason surgery to repair torn tendons in his foot.

The captain of the Winnipeg Jets has a bone to pick.Like many pro athletes, Blake Wheeler took to Twitter on Saturday to voice his frustration with President Donald Trump after he revoked a White House invite to the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.The invitation was pulled after Warriors point guard Steph Curry made it known he was not interested in visiting the White House, a tradition reserved for championship teams of the big four leagues.But if Curry doesn't want to come, he is no longer welcome, Trump said.That didn't sit well with Wheeler, a native of Plymouth, Minn, who prior to joining the Jets spent time in Atlanta and Boston:

The China Games in Shanghai and Beijing over the last few days have, despite low fan turnout, pushed the game of hockey across borders that had previously never breached in the 100-year history of the NHL.Cracking the massive untapped hockey market that is China will be a slow - but potentially profitable - process that won't happen overnight. But, in the long run, boosting the game in new, worldwide markets can only be good for the sport and the league.With that said, China isn't the be-all and end-all of potential international markets the league could promote the game in.Here's a look into three other international cities the NHL could visit next:Gangneung, South KoreaIn addition to already having brand new facilities like the arena in the coastal city of Gangneung, South Korea is a budding hockey market with a quality national team on the rise - South Korea qualified for the 2018 World Championship in Denmark next spring, the first time the country will be competing in a tournament of that magnitude.Not only is the country seeing its on-ice product drastically improve, but the recently built stadiums are state of the art.The rink in Gangneung will be used as one of the two sites for the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Games, and, despite the of lack of NHL Olympic involvement, South Korea is still primed to host a set of international games like the ones in China.If the infrastructure in place isn't enough to sway the NHL, maybe the population of more than 50 million people will.Belfast, Northern IrelandAlready home to the Giants of the Elite Ice Hockey League, the capital city of Northern Ireland has proven it can play host to some high-quality hockey, as Belfast hosted the 2017 IIHF Division 1 Championship in April.On top of already having a niche market interested in the sport, Belfast also boasts a 10,000-plus capacity arena in the heart of the tourist district. It's an ideal location for a stadium considering the fact that in 2012 over 7 million tourists visited the city, spending nearly half-a-billion pounds in the process, according to Belfast City Council.A place where hockey is already successful that also boasts a prime arena location seems like the ideal setting for the NHL to promote the game next.Hamar, NorwayWhile Norway's national team has tasted more success than South Korea, it also has the groundwork laid to host a successful series of NHL games.The city of Lillehammer hosted the Winter Games back in 1994, which resulted in the construction of multiple venues capable of accommodating hockey. One of those arenas is located only an hour and a half outside the capital city of Oslo in the town of Hamar.Hamar is home to the "Northern Light Hall" which can seat up to 7,000 fans.Despite being over 20 years old, the rink in Hamar could still be a suitable venue to host NHL games, as it recently underwent renovations and additions in 2016.The country's national sport may still be cross-country skiing, but winter sports - and more specifically the game of hockey - have always been popular in Norway. This is especially so of late, as NHL players like the New York Rangers' Mats Zuccarello and Montreal Canadiens' Andreas Martinsen have rekindled the nation's interest in puck.Gary Bettman and Co. would be wise to consider this northern destination. (Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NHL legend Phil Esposito, who starred for the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers through the 1960s and 1970s, feels the league missed the mark in showcasing its recent exhibition series in China.The Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks faced off for two games in the world's most populous country, with one game in Shanghai and another in Beijing. However, both games failed to fill the seats."Personally, I think the NHL blew it," Esposito told Nathan VanderKlippe of the Globe and Mail. "You have got to promote. This game tonight - I looked in the papers. There wasn't a goddamn word about it. Not one word."While attendance was low for the first game, the second game, held in Beijing, saw a closer-to-capacity crowd in the more intimate Wukesong Arena.Game Venue Attendance CapacitySept. 21Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai10 08818 000 (56%)Sept. 23Wukesong Arena in Beijing12 75914 000 (91%)The NHL remains steadfast about growing the game in China, and could consider future games in the country as part of its international growth strategy."I think we're coming away from this very encouraged with respect to the plan and the viability of the plan longer term," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com. "It certainly is our hope and intention to continue to help grow the sport in China, both at the grassroots level but also bringing the best players and best teams in the world here hopefully on a regular basis going forward."The NHL China Games was the league's first foray into Asia since the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins played a pair of games in Saitama City, Japan, in 2000.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The talk of the NHL world over the past week has surrounded the league's imposed crackdown on slashing and its new strict policing of players cheating on faceoffs.While the league insists the reinvigorated enforcement is in place to promote player safety and the integrity of the game, the players the penalties are supposed to protect are almost unanimously not in favor of them.Related: Marchand: Crackdown on faceoff violations is 'an absolute joke'Except for the best hockey player on the planet, that is. "A lot of guys that use their feet won't like it," Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby said of the new rules, according to Pens Inside Scoop."I don't, so that's why I like it."Crosby is coming off his worst season at the faceoff dot since he entered the league in 2005 - posting an average winning percentage of only 48.2 at even strength - so perhaps stricter penalties for guys cheating in the circle will lead to improved results.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson has been suspended two preseason games for his hit on St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas Friday night, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Saturday.This was George Parros' first ruling as the head of the department of player safety. His explanation for the suspension can be found here.Here's a look at the hit:

Everything's coming up Kris Letang.The star defenseman will play for the Pittsburgh Penguins in a preseason game Sunday against the St. Louis Blues, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed Saturday.It will be Letang's first game action since Feb. 21. He was limited to 41 regular-season games last season and missed the Penguins' entire Stanley Cup championship run due to a neck injury.Letang was cleared to play earlier this month.He got another piece of good news Saturday, as Sullivan also revealed the blue-liner will wear an "A" as alternate captain this season, taking over for the departed Chris Kunitz, who signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 1.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL has been enforcing slashing and faceoff infractions by the book this preseason and players have voiced their frustrations with the strictness of the calls. Even with the report that the league asked officials to dial it back a bit, that doesn't mean there won't be an increase in penalties - even if it's not as drastic as it once looked like it may be.The last time the NHL began enforcing two penalties so strictly was in the post-lockout 2005-06 season, when the league enforced hooking and holding infractions by the book. It took players a full season to adjust, leading to a crazy number of minor penalties, and a whole lot of goals.The faceoff violations - which occur when a player fails to line up properly, or plays the puck with his hand, among other small intricacies - is something players likely won't take long to which to adjust. How long exactly remains to be seen, but coaches would surely rather lose a faceoff than take a two-minute penalty for a violation.Slashing, however, could be a longer adjustment. It's in a player's nature to give an opponent a light (or sometimes vicious) whack when they get beat wide. In the past - unless it was blatant - the NHL would usually let it fly, but apparently not this year, even with the reported dial back. Slower players specifically could have some trouble with this crackdown.With that being said, it'll be on the players to adjust, and if they can't, there could be a lot of scoring.SeasonMinor Penalties/GGoals/GPPG/G2017-18 preseason13.87.082.442016-17 regular season6.95.541.142005-06 season12.96.162.06(2016-17 data courtesy: CBS; 2005-06 data courtesy: FOX)Now, expecting there to be 14 minor penalties per game for the entire regular season is ridiculous, but even if it hovers around nine or 10, there would be a precipitous rise in goals over recent years. Even a slight increase in penalties could have an effect on the NHL landscape.Which teams would benefit?Teams with plenty of speed would conceivably draw more slashing penalties, which would lead to more power plays. So many teams in today's NHL are built on speed, but some that might stand out from the pack include the Penguins, Blackhawks, Predators, Maple Leafs, and Lightning.Moreover, teams that excel on special teams would obviously benefit from more penalties. Here are last season's leaders in power-play percentage plus penalty kill percentage:TeamPP% + PK%1. Bruins107.42. Capitals106.93. Maple Leafs106.34. Blues106.15. Lightning104.7Which teams would suffer?On the contrary, the league's slower teams might find themselves killing a few more penalties. As far as the standards go, teams that would fall into the slower category include the Kings, Canadiens (specifically on the back end), and Sharks.As a result, having poor special teams wouldn't do clubs any favors if more penalties are called. Here are last season's bottom five teams in power-play percentage plus penalty kill percentage:TeamPP% + PK%30. Avalanche89.229. Canucks90.828. Stars91.827. Coyotes93.5T26. Blackhawks95.7T26. Jets95.7While most teams listed above were bottom feeders, the Blackhawks managed to finish atop the Western Conference, despite poor special teams.Lastly, for what it's worth, here are last year's league leaders in slashing minors, per ESPN:TeamSlashing minors1. Blues37Penguins373. Flames36Senators365. Jets35Blue Jackets35Capitals35Only time will tell just exactly how strict officials will call slashing and faceoff violations once the regular season gets underway, but for a league that's been seeking ways to increase scoring, calling these infractions by the book would certainly do the trick.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

That didn't take long.The NHL sent a note to its officials Friday instructing them to ease up a bit in their crackdown on slashing and faceoff infractions, Sportsnet's John Shannon reports.TVA's Renaud Lavoie later added some further detail.

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson will have a hearing Saturday for his interference hit on St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas on Friday night, NHL Player Safety announced.Here is the incident:

The Los Angeles Kings are adding some size to their lineup - for a photo op, at least.NBA Hall of Famer Yao Ming posed for a picture with Kings players (from left to right) Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, and Jonathan Quick on Saturday in Beijing at the second preseason game in China against the Vancouver Canucks.

When the New Jersey Devils selected forward Nico Hischier with the first overall draft pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, it signified an end of an era in the swamp.Gone are the days of the trap, Scott Stevens, Martin Brodeur, and low-scoring games, as a new offensive age of Devils hockey is being ushered in on the back of their rookie phenom.The Devils have built a reputation as a boring, defensive-minded club prone to tight-checking games. That wasn't always a big box-office attraction, but they took home nine division titles, five conference championships, and three Stanley Cups between 1995 and 2012. However, now they aren't succeeding with that style - New Jersey's failed to qualify for the playoffs the last five years.Between its struggles in the standings and the lack of a marquee name, the club's attendance has also languished. The Devils have barely hit an average of 15,000 fans per game over the last five seasons.Hischier's No. 1 overall draft pick status should help put people in the seats, but it's his ability to put the puck in the net that really makes him the player the Devils have been waiting for.The speedy forward registered stellar offensive numbers during his only campaign of North American hockey. In just 57 regular-season games for the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads, Hischier racked up 86 points last season while finishing with a plus-minus rating of plus-20.That compares pretty favorably to another former Moosehead who went first overall. Nathan MacKinnon had 78 points across 58 regular-season games with Halifax during the 2011-12 season and went on to star for the Colorado Avalanche, scoring 50-plus points in three of his four NHL seasons - and he's just getting warmed up.Hischier's already had a promising showing with New Jersey, although two preseason games are nothing to get overly hyped up about. Still, he's scored two goals and played nearly 16 minutes a night while showing off a slick pair of mitts, leaving Devils fans to salivate over the potential future face of the franchise.And the supporting cast gives them even more reason to be excited. In addition to Hischier, New Jersey boasts some solid top-six forwards, including Taylor Hall, Marcus Johansson, and Kyle Palmieri. With Hischier in the mix, that unit's vastly improved compared to seasons past (although there's no telling how soon he'll become a regular NHL presence).The Swiss native's offensive upside may be obvious, but it's not all he brings to the table. Hischier also has the potential to develop into the leader the club's sorely lacked since Scott Niedermayer left the team in 2005.Current Ottawa Senators gaffer Guy Boucher coached Hischier during his time with SC Bern of the Swiss National League and praised his maturity."He manages the game like an adult, like a man," Boucher said, according to Guillaume Lepage of NHL.com. "Great vision, great poise, but he's always in the right place defensively too, which puts him ahead of a lot of young guys. They rarely have both sides of the ice figured out, especially at that age."His junior teammates praised his ability to set an example. Benoit-Olivier Groulx described him as "mentally strong" and added, "I've learned a lot from him on the ice and off. He's already a professional."It's early to predict that an 18-year-old rookie with zero NHL regular-season experience will be rocking the "C" in Jersey, but there are signs that he has the type of mentality that will earn the respect of his coaches and teammates.On the ice, in the dressing room, and away from the rink, Hischier seems to be the complete package that the Devils have been missing to drive the franchise for the foreseeable future.While Stevens and Brodeur had their own way of leading New Jersey, it's time for Hischier and the boys to blaze their own path in the league.One goal at a time.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Marian Hossa situation appears close to being resolved.NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed Friday night that the Chicago Blackhawks forward was examined recently, and that the league will soon determine whether he can be placed on long-term injured reserve.‘‘Marian Hossa underwent an independent medical evaluation several days ago,’’ Daly wrote in an email to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times. ‘‘We are waiting for the report. Once we have that, we should be in a position to determine his proper status.’’Daily said in July that the Blackhawks didn't wish to put Hossa on LTIR until the start of the season. The NHL was originally expected to decide on his eligibility for that designation by July 1.Hossa and the Blackhawks revealed in June that the 38-year-old will miss the 2017-18 campaign due to a skin disorder.The Blackhawks would clearly prefer to see his $5.275-million cap hit come off the books, which is what will happen if the league deems the veteran eligible for LTIR placement.Chicago is in the red, cap-wise, at the moment, but teams are allowed to go over the cap as long as they get under by opening night.Hossa is one of two NHL players going through the process of independent medical review along with Joffrey Lupul, who's embroiled in an injury dispute with the Toronto Maple Leafs.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid are the consensus top two picks in fantasy hockey league drafts that consist of the following standard scoring setup: Goals, Assists, Plus/Minus, Penalty Minutes, Power-play points, Shots on goal.Two of theScore's NHL News Editors, Josh Wegman and Sean O'Leary, will state their case for who they think should be taken with the first overall pick in fantasy hockey leagues.Wegman: McDavid is the easy choice for me. He led the league with 100 points last year, and no one else even recorded 90. That gap sets him apart from every player in the league - even Crosby.O'Leary: While McDavid reached the century mark, Crosby ranked second league-wide with 89 points despite playing in only 75 games. Staying healthy is certainly no guarantee for either player, but if both Crosby and McDavid suit up for 82 contests, the gap in production should shrink.Reaching 100 points in today's NHL is an outstanding feat, and there's no reason to think McDavid can't repeat, or top his Hart-winning season. However, Crosby's averaged a ridiculous 1.31 points per game over his entire career, and has hardly showed any signs of slowing down.Wegman: I'm giving McDavid a leg up is because his ceiling is higher. At 20 years old, he still has plenty of room for improvement, while Crosby has seemingly peaked (although, peaking as one of the best players of all time is certainly not a bad thing).McDavid only scored three power-play goals last season. A player with his skill set is obviously capable of more. In fact, he only registered 34 shots on the power play all year. If he opts to be a bit more selfish this time around (something Crosby learned as his career went on) it could result in a 40-goal season, which would further cement his value as the league's top fantasy player.O'Leary: If you're looking at power-play totals, Crosby holds incredible value. In 2016-17, Sid had 14 goals on the man advantage - good for the third-highest total in the NHL - to go with 25 helpers as the Penguins scored at a 23.1 percent clip for the season while up a man.That, too, was with Evgeni Malkin missing 20 regular-season games. If Crosby and his partner are available all season, matching, and/or exceeding last season's power-play totals is a virtual guarantee.Wegman: Sure, Crosby is a much more established player on the man advantage, but McDavid was able to collect 100 points without tearing it up on the power play. His potential is unmatched. Which brings me to my next point.McDavid's ceiling is higher not only because he's a decade younger, but he'll come into 2017-18 much fresher than Crosby. With back-to-back Stanley Cups, Crosby has played 48 playoff games over the last two years. While I can't question his durability or toughness, he is human, and that workload could take it's toll not only on Crosby, but on the Penguins as a whole.McDavid is coming into the season hungry for a championship from the get-go, and it will show in the video game numbers he's about to put up.O'Leary: Age has yet to play a factor in Crosby's production or his desire to win championships. Sid is coming off a year in which he earned the Rocket Richard and Conn Smythe, and anyone that's ever seen Crosby play hockey knows he's planning on doing it again.McDavid's ceiling may be higher at this juncture, but Crosby's consistently been the best player in the game since he was 18 years old. If it's a keeper league, sure, McDavid at No. 1 is a no-brainer, but presently, Crosby is equally capable of generating gaudy offensive numbers, and should warrant equal consideration as the top overall pick.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Yes, it's only the preseason, but Friday's game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators offered a rare splash of significance in the exhibition slate.That's because Steven Stamkos was on the ice, captaining the Lightning for the first time since suffering a knee injury last Nov. 15 that kept him out for the remainder of the season.If his debut is any indication, you can expect big things from Tampa Bay's superstar in 2017-18.No signs of rustStamkos, of course, is most recognized for his ability to create offense, and that he did.It took only 33 seconds for him to find the score sheet, as he recorded the primary assist on Victor Hedman's first-period marker. He added another primary helper to his name with a feed to Nikita Kucherov later in the opening frame.In the 17 games he played last season, Stamkos recorded 20 points, and he looks determined to pick up where he left off.The dynamic duo(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Stamkos and Kucherov notched two points apiece in the 3-1 win, and their early chemistry should immediately put the rest of the league on notice.If they both stay healthy, Stamkos and Kucherov have potential to be the most productive duo in the NHL this season, no questions asked. The Lightning have a chance to deploy two 40-goal scorers on one line. Let that sink in for a minute.He's finally fully healthyStamkos has endured numerous injuries on top of his torn meniscus in the past, including a blood clot and a broken tibia. Now, though, the 27-year-old is fully reset.Perhaps the most encouraging sign of Stamkos' performance is he played 19:05, which led all Lightning forwards.

Mike Babcock made it crystal clear: Zach Hyman will continue to flank Auston Matthews on the Maple Leafs' top line. End of story.Upon acquiring veteran winger Patrick Marleau this summer, Toronto supporters salivated at the idea of putting the 500-goal man alongside Matthews and William Nylander to create, on paper, one of the most dangerous lines in the league.But Babcock promptly squashed the pundits' dreams, ensuring he'll do it his way. "Here's what I'm going to do, I'm going to coach the team and you guys are going to write the articles," Babcock said Thursday.Roger that.Babcock's assertion may not please all Leafs fans, but changing anything up at this point may not be the right call. Here are three reasons why:It makes the roster deeperLet's assume Toronto's forward depth chart looks something like this come the regular season opener on Oct. 4:LW C RWZach HymanAuston MatthewsWilliam NylanderJames van RiemsdykTyler BozakMitch MarnerPatrick MarleauNazem KadriConnor BrownMatt MartinDominic MooreLeo KomarovBy keeping Hyman up top, it allows more balance across all four lines. Marleau can, hypothetically, line up beside Kadri and take on tougher matchups while offering more offensive punch than Hyman or Brown would in the bottom six.There's no sense in stacking one line in favor of deploying three that can create offense. It was Babcock's strategy last season, and it will be again.It ain't broke, so don't fix it(Photo courtesy: USA Today Sports)Sure, Hyman only had 28 points to Matthews' 69 and Nylander's 61, but there's no denying the effectiveness of the young trio.Hyman certainly isn't the poster boy for offensive skill, but he's relentless on the forecheck, and excels at retrieving pucks. Defensemen know they're going to be pressured each and every time they go fetch a puck in their own end, but it's up to the forechecker to make the proper read and win possession back any way he can.Who won a battle behind the net to set up Matthews' first NHL goal? Hyman. Who was in first to win the puck and set up the tying goal in Game 3 versus the Capitals? Hyman.There are countless other examples of little things he does in the offensive zone that makes Toronto's top line one of the most effective in the NHL. And besides, do you think Babcock would prefer Hyman retrieving pucks for Matthews and Nylander, or Matt Martin and Dominic Moore?There's untapped potentialFor someone who frequents the front of the net as often as Hyman does, it's incredible to think he converted just 6.4 percent of his shots in 2016-17.Shooting percentages that low rarely carry over for consecutive seasons, so it's reasonable to think Hyman can up his production if he continues to occupy high-danger areas of the ice.(Chart courtesy: hockeyviz.com)As you can see, the majority of Hyman's five-on-five shots come from within the goalmouth and slot. Alongside two high-volume shooters in Matthews and Nylander, Hyman should see plenty of opportunities to bang in loose pucks and convert chances close to the goal, ultimately boosting his offensive value.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's that time of year, folks.When bold predictions and bets run rampant with who we think will be the last teams standing in this year's edition of the NHL.While odds for who is favored to win the Stanley Cup have already been revealed by Vegas handicappers, today, numbers for division winners were released.Here are the odds for top team by division, according to Bodog.TeamOdds to win Atlantic DivisionTampa Bay Lightning11/5Toronto Maple Leafs13/5Montreal Canadiens17/4Boston Bruins7/1Ottawa Senators7/1Buffalo Sabres10/1Florida Panthers10/1Detroit Red Wings25/1If Steven Stamkos can remain healthy atop Tampa's lineup, the Lightning will be a very dangerous team and a legitimate contender coming out of the Eastern Conference.Anchored on the back end by No. 1 D-man Victor Hedman and starting goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, the Lightning are most definitely bona fide favorites to win the Atlantic Division.TeamOdds to win Metropolitan DivisionPittsburgh Penguins2/1Washington Capitals5/2New York Rangers7/2Columbus Blue Jackets6/1New York Islanders12/1Philadelphia Flyers12/1Carolina Hurricanes14/1New Jersey Devils25/1Pittsburgh is the obvious pick in the Metropolitan following back-to-back convincing Cup victories. But, the Penguins would be wise to not rest on their laurels, as the Capitals, Rangers, and Blue Jackets are three teams to consider sprinkling a wager on.Team Odds to win Pacific Division Edmonton Oilers9/5Anaheim Ducks13/5Los Angeles Kings4/1San Jose Sharks17/4Calgary Flames6/1Arizona Coyotes33/1Vancouver Canucks33/1Vegas Golden Knights33/1With Connor McDavid leading the charge for the Oilers, laying a bit of loot on them to be the team lifting Lord Stanley's Mug come June becomes a very intriguing option.Edmonton will face stiff competition for the division crown from the Ducks and the revamped Kings, but expect McJesus and the boys to be the toast of the Pacific Division.Team Odds to win Central DivisionChicago Blackhawks11/4Minnesota Wild11/4Dallas Stars13/4Nashville Predators13/4St. Louis Blues13/2Winnipeg Jets12/1Colorado Avalanche25/1While Chicago and Minnesota are pegged as the odds-on favorites, this is probably the most wide-open division in the NHL today, with predicting the winner of the Central being no easy task - so tread lightly.Despite there being obvious value in betting on two perennial playoff threats in the Nashville and St. Louis, the Dallas Stars look to be the most juicy play on this board. With the additions of starting netminder Ben Bishop and top-line winger Alexander Radulov, the Stars have quickly gone from pretenders to contenders.Plan your bets accordingly.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

When you're in northern China and have an off day, you visit the Great Wall.That's what members of the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings did, at least, between their preseason matchups in 2017 NHL China Games.While the teams arrived at the same time, they traveled on separate buses from Beijing to the Great Wall, and took in the sights as individual groups."It's something you don't want to miss," Canucks head coach Travis Green said, according to Nick Cotsonika of NHL.com. "It's an experience worth missing a practice, for sure."

Steven Stamkos is officially back.The Tampa Bay Lightning captain will make his preseason debut Friday against the Nashville Predators, marking his first appearance since tearing the lateral meniscus in his right knee back on Nov. 15, 2016.He said he's felt good in training camp, but game action will be the true test."It's just getting in the flow of things where you're reacting out there, not thinking," Stamkos said, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "When you get injured the tendency is your mind is telling your body to protect that certain area that's injured."It's a natural reaction to an injured area. And really when you're over it is when you're not thinking about it. You're just going out there responding to the play, you're letting the game come to you. That's what I'm hoping for tonight."It's not Stamkos' first comeback following a serious leg injury, seeing as he broke his leg early in 2013-14.But prior to last season's setback, he registered nine goals and 11 assists in 17 games, and is confident he can get back to that high level of play."Listen, I snapped my leg in half and came back and was playing the best hockey of my career," Stamkos said. "So this is another hurdle. I'm confident that when you put in the work, you're going to find ways. It may be different ways. You may have to adjust certain parts of your game. But we'll handle that when I see how it feels in a game situation. We'll know more tonight."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Is Jeff Skinner the Carolina Hurricanes' next captain?Head coach Bill Peters is looking to fill that vacancy, one left open since the departure of Eric Staal in early 2015. As such, he's spoken extensively to team staff in the offseason, and a common theme emerged."(Skinner's) name came up in the conversation quite a bit, and they bring up that type of stuff, the way he looks after himself and the way he prepares," Peters said, according to Dan Rosen of NHL.com. "He's passionate about it and he's hungry to win.""He's a passionate guy and he's a passionate player," he added. "He's a real good pro in the fact that he looks after himself, he trains properly, and the guys have unreal respect for the way he looks after his body. The maturity he shows. I know guys bring it up quite a bit."Skinner is entering his eighth season with the club, and only Cam Ward has been around longer. The 2011 Calder Trophy winner has rebounded from a series of concussions suffered early in his career, developing into one of the most important players in Carolina, both on and off the ice.If the "C" were to be given to him, he'd gladly accept it."You want to be counted on by your teammates, by your coaches," Skinner said, according to Rosen. "That's obviously what a captain is supposed to do. They're supposed to lead and be the guy that people can count on."I want to be counted on."A formal announcement is expected to be made following training camp, and while there are other candidates, including Jordan Staal, Skinner seems to be the likely choice.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Barry Trotz has been on Alex Ovechkin's case about discipline before, but it's become a renewed concern amid the NHL's crackdown on slashing infractions.The Washington Capitals head coach expressed some frustration Wednesday night with his team as a whole, and particularly with his captain's penchant for hacking opponents."Too many slashing penalties," Trotz told reporters following a 4-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, according to The Washington Post's Isabelle Khurshudyan. "Ovi took two. We've got to get that out of his game."The league has made a concerted effort to call more slashing penalties in the preseason, in addition to enforcing faceoff violation rules."I hope it's not going to be like that in the regular year," Ovechkin said Wednesday night.He had the second-most minor penalties on the team last season (25), and nearly half of them (10) were slashing calls.Trotz called out Ovechkin last December after the physical forward took a handful of minors in a three-game stretch.- With h/t to NBC Pro Hockey TalkCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.