As the offseason comes to a close, the Tampa Bay Lightning could be making one final signing in former KHL forward Danis Zaripov.The Magnitogorsk Metallurg winger is now considered an unrestricted free agent, free to sign with an NHL team of his choosing following a two-year suspension from the KHL. Zaripov was exiled in July after he tested positive for pseudoephedrine, which is not included on the NHL's banned substances list.On Monday, Zaripov was deemed eligible to sign in the NHL, and the Lightning are among suitors in which he is most interested in joining, his agent Dan Millstein told Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.Millstein stressed that while Zaripov would like to sign with a top team, he will continue to consider his options. There is no immediate timeline for a decision.The 36-year-old has spent the past nine seasons in the KHL and last played in North America in 1998-99 as a junior with the WHL's Swift Current Broncos.Zaripov appeared in 56 games with Magnitogorsk last season, finishing fourth in team scoring with 16 goals and 29 assists. He is a four-time winner of the Gagarin Cup, awarded to the KHL playoff champion, last hoisting it in 2016.As Smith notes, Zaripov could easily acclimate to the Lightning, as he shares the same agent with Lightning forwards and fellow Russians Vladislav Namestnikov and Nikita Kucherov.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2016-17 season will be one tough act to follow.As we get ready to embark on a new campaign, looking back on the previous season it's quite clear to see that hockey fans were pretty spoiled. We were treated to the most epic rookie class in years, while Connor McDavid proved that he is the present and the future of the NHL.Here are five reasons the 2017 season was one to remember:Mighty rookie class(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Speaking of being spoiled, the 2016-17 rookie class was something the likes of which we haven't seen in nearly a decade - though the McDavid and Jack Eichel class the year previous to that wasn't too bad either.Headlined by Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, and Zach Werenski, many first-year players not only made immediate impacts, but ranked among the game's elite in many statistical categories.Matthews finished tied for second in goals with 40, becoming the first rookie to hit the mark since Alex Ovechkin tallied 52 in 2005-06, while Laine put up a respectable 36 himself.Of course, there was also Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Sebastian Aho, and Matt Murray to name a few more. The league is trending toward younger players and this season we were shown just how quickly that change can happen.The emergence of McDavidIt wasn't his first taste of the NHL, but after a rookie campaign that was limited to just 45 games, McDavid got his first full season under his belt and he didn't disappoint.McDavid paced the league as the only player to hit the 100-point plateau, capturing his first Art Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy, and Ted Lindsay Award. He also helped end the playoff drought in Edmonton after the Oilers went 10 years without a playoff berth.He was a non-stop highlight reel in 2016-17 and has quickly entered the race - and may be leading it - as the most talented player in the league.Smashville was a riot(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Let's face it, the city of Nashville was the story of the playoffs.Fans came out in droves during the Predators' Stanley Cup run, piling into the streets to party and cheer on their beloved team. The club brought out every country singer and their brother to sing the anthems, local celebrities made tons of appearances, and of course there were a couple catfish tossed on the ice.It was fantastic to see a market that years ago many questioned but is now thriving and the envy of many NHL cities. With a fairly young squad and arguably the strongest defense corps in the league, playoff parties in Nashville could become a regular occurrence and that's great news for hockey.Avalanche were incredibly terribleThere were tons of great team and individual performances in 2017, but in the same token, there were also some downright atrocious displays.Look no further than the Colorado Avalanche.The club finished with a record of 22-56-4 for a total of 48 points and the lowest point percentage in the shootout era. In turn, the club largely became the laughing stock of the league - warranted or not.The Avalanche are just four seasons removed from a 2013-14 campaign that saw them capture the Central Division. A couple trades might still be in order, cough, cough ... Matt Duchene, but one way or another it would be hard to replicate such a brutal display again.Penguins repeat(Photo courtesy: Action Images)For the first time since the 1997 and 1998 Detroit Red Wings, the Pittsburgh Penguins captured the Stanley Cup for the second straight season this spring.The Penguins ousted the Predators in six games, with captain Sidney Crosby leading the way, capturing his second straight Conn Smythe Trophy.The Penguins have proved to be a true dynasty and now head into the season with the prospect of becoming the first team since the New York Islanders to win three Cups in a row when they captured four straight between 1980 and 1983.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins are still waiting to hear back from the camp of restricted free-agent David Pastrnak.The club has reportedly tabled a six or seven year deal that would pay the 21-year-old an annual average of $6 million per season, but since then the Pastrnak camp has gone quiet."We haven’t really got a response on what they’re looking for," Bruins president Cam Neely said, according to Joe McDonald of the Boston Sports Journal. "Until we really see what they’re thinking, and what they’re looking for then we can start the dialogue."Neely is confident that both sides will be able to work out an agreement, but insists that until they get a response there is no sense coming down from their initial offer."An offer was made, but then there really wasn’t much dialogue after that, so it’s kind of pointless for us to still negotiate against ourselves," Neely said. "But, we feel confident we can get something done. David's expressed he loves it here and wants to play here and we want to sign him. We want him here for as long as it makes sense for us."Neely did note that on Thursday Pastrnak's agent J.P. Barry reached out to general manager Don Sweeney suggesting that both sides could continue talks on Friday.Last season Pastrnak smashed his previous career-highs, tallying 34 goals and 70 points - finishing tied for 10th in the league for goals.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Thomas Vanek hasn't taken this long to sign because of a lack of opportunities.The veteran forward said Thursday that he's mulling a few potential NHL destinations, and waiting on the Detroit Red Wings in particular, according to the Star Tribune's Michael Russo.Vanek, who began last season with the Red Wings before being traded to the Florida Panthers at the deadline, knows he needs to make a decision soon with training camps opening in a couple of weeks."I've got to make up my mind sooner than later," he said.Vanek is arguably the second-best unrestricted free agent still available after Jaromir Jagr, and the 33-year-old winger is aware he hasn't been in a situation like this before."This is something I've never been through," Vanek said, per Russo. "Usually I went early, so this is different. After the first week, I knew this would drag."His goal-scoring last season was nearly on pair with his output from 2015-16, and his point production (48 in 68 games) was better than it the previous season ago while nearly matching the 52 points he put up in 2014-15.In short, he knows he can still contribute and expects to be on a roster in the fall."I've had a good summer. I've prepared myself like I'm going to play, which most likely I am," Vanek said, according to Russo.His agent, Stephen Bartlett said earlier this week that the Vancouver Canucks are in the mix to sign his client, and last week, the same representative said talks were heating up and he was optimistic something would come through for Vanek "in the next week or two."Vanek has appeared in 12 NHL seasons, parts of nine of which with the Buffalo Sabres. He played for the New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild before landing in Detroit on July 1, 2016.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The LGBTQ community may not have the President of the United States in its corner, but it does have Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad.Though Ekblad isn't LGBTQ, he does consider himself an ally. In an interview with Boca Magazine, Ekblad had a clear message for athletes who are concerned about coming out."Don't be afraid," he said. "You'll be surprised how many people are accepting."Ekblad appeared in a Nike commercial for Pride month in June. He starred alongside basketball player Brittney Griner and skateboarders Lacey Baker and Brian Anderson, all of whom identify as LGBTQ.

Shane Doan retired from the NHL on Wednesday after 21 seasons with one team.The longtime Arizona Coyotes captain began his career with the organization in 1995, however, in June the team announced it was parting ways with Doan in order to turn its attention to the team's younger players.Knowing he wouldn't be returning to the Coyotes, four teams quickly reached out to the unrestricted free agent, and at least one more club did so later on.Among those clubs were the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports, a move which would have marked a homecoming for the Halkirk, Alberta native. The Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, and New York Rangers also expressed interest.Upon his retirement, the 40-year-old Doan wraps up his NHL career with the fourth-most games played with one franchise, coming in at 1,540 contests. He trails only Detroit Red Wings legends Alex Delvecchio (1,549), Nicklas Lidstrom (1,564), and Gordie Howe (1,687).Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Not all superheroes wear capes.Shane Doan, the longtime captain of the Arizona Coyotes who made his NHL debut with the original Winnipeg Jets in 1995, was more than a leader to his team. On Wednesday, he announced his retirement from the NHL, doing so after 21 seasons with a single franchise.On-ice achievements aside, Doan's desire to remain with the only club he had ever known may have been the biggest factor in why the Coyotes have remained in the desert after years of uncertainty and instability."If Shane all of a sudden jumped for greener pastures five, six, seven, eight years ago, I'm not quite sure this franchise would still be here as we sit here today," former Coyotes general manager Don Maloney told Jonas Siegel of The Canadian Press. "When you think of loyal, tough, strong, leader, character, teammate, all those words come to mind when you think of Shane."Maloney, now vice-president of hockey operations with the Calgary Flames, speaks from experience. He and Doan were critical pieces in keeping things afloat in the desert through his nine-year run as GM.Four of those years included the Coyotes being under league ownership after former franchise holder Jerry Moyes placed the team into bankruptcy in 2009. The ensuing years brought a string of potential suitors, finally resulting in the 2013 sale to IceArizona, a group led by Calgary businessman George Gosbee.But amidst ownership instability, relocation speculation, shoestring budgets, city council battles, and arena woes, Doan was the one constant. Not even Maloney, who built a Coyotes team which advanced to the 2012 Western Conference Finals, could withstand it all, as he was fired in 2016.Still, Doan remained. The fourth captain in Coyotes' history hangs up his skates as franchise leader in games played, goals, assists, and points."I think it's such a credit to who he is as a person that through thick and thin, through some very difficult times, he stood up and said, 'I'm not going anywhere. This works here. This is a great franchise. This is a great place to live. We can make it work here,'' Maloney added."(Shane's) first thought in anything that was done - off the ice, on the ice - is how does it affect this team, how does it my teammates and then - well down the line - how does it affect me? And I think that's what you want in a captain, to be constantly thinking of team and how to make things better."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

David Booth is giving it another go.The former NHL forward will attend Detroit Red Wings training camp on a professional tryout, general manger Ken Holland told Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.Booth, 32, has spent the past two seasons in the KHL, where he netted a combined 24 points in 42 games. His last NHL season came in 2014-15, when he registered 13 points in 59 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs.Booth's NHL career also included stops with the Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers. He has recorded 231 points in 502 career games.Holland noted the request to join the Red Wings' training camp was initiated by Booth, a Detroit native. It marks the third pro tryout for Booth, who attended Anaheim Ducks camp a year ago after linking up with the Panthers in 2015.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The National Hockey League and the players' association have donated $200,000 to the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity for flood relief efforts in Houston as a result of Hurricane Harvey.Hurricane Harvey is the first Category 3 or stronger hurricane to make landfall in the United States since 2005, and has caused catastrophic flooding in the fourth-largest American city. Flooding has displaced more than 30,000 people and has damaged hundreds of thousands of homes.While there is no NHL team in Houston, the league and its players still have ties to the city, most notably Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tyler Myers, a native Houstonian.The sport also has a history in the city. While no NHL club has called Houston home, the city was home to hockey with the former Aeros who competed in World Hockey Association from 1972-78, and an American Hockey League squad of the same name from 1994 to 2013.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Shane Doan had more than a few teammates over his 21-year NHL career.That was never more evident than on Wednesday, when the longtime Arizona Coyotes captain announced his retirement, and an outpouring of support followed on social media from teammates old and new:

The Stanley Cup: beautiful, majestic, and notoriously hard to win.Even qualifying for the playoffs in today's fast-paced NHL continues to get more difficult with each passing year, leading to a growing trend of teams making the postseason one year, only to miss out the very next one - to wit: seven teams that qualified for the 2016 playoffs failed to do so in 2017.Next campaign will be much of the same.Here are three postseason teams from last year that won't be competing in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.Boston Bruins An Eastern Conference powerhouse for most of the last decade, the Bruins have seen a steady drop in the standings over the past three seasons, impacting their ability to be a legitimate playoff threat.Sure, Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak are two young studs who have the capability to be the faces of the franchise for years to come, and the club managed to claw its way into the 2017 postseason.However, that doesn't change the fact that Boston lacks offensive depth, touts an injury-prone 30-year-old No. 1 goalie, and has an unproven blue line.While Pastrnak and McAvoy have the potential to be cornerstone pieces for years to come, the team will still be hard pressed to qualify for this season's playoffs.Especially when you consider some of the other talented Eastern Conference teams that will be vastly improved when the puck drops on the 2017-18 season. Toronto, Carolina, and Buffalo (yes, Buffalo) will all be stiff competition for Boston in search of the seventh or eighth playoff seed.Simply put, the East has drastically improved around them, while the Bruins are still waiting for their youth movement to pay off. No matter how you slice it, the conference is no longer full of teams the Bruins can steamroll.Expect them to be on the outside looking in come April.San Jose Sharks Since entering the league in 1991, the Sharks have failed to qualify for the postseason only six times, so calling for them to miss the playoffs this season may be a bit of a bold prediction.But, after analyzing some of the other Western Conference bubble teams, predicting the Sharks will miss out on the postseason isn't actually that audacious.Los Angeles, Dallas, and Arizona missed out on spring hockey last year and will be breathing down San Jose's neck for one of the final playoff spots this year as all three stand to ice much-improved rosters in 2017-18.Meanwhile, the Sharks will throw out almost the exact same lineup as last year - minus franchise-leading goal scorer Patrick Marleau, of course.Losing a 37-year-old veteran nearing the end of his career doesn't usually signify the end to a team's playoff reign, but the Sharks already lacked the elite scoring punch needed to hang with the big boys in the West, so Marleau's lost production will be amplified.Of course, Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton possess the offense to lead a successful group, but after that, the Sharks' forwards leave a lot to be desired.The Joes can score, Brent Burns - beard aside - is a perennial Norris Trophy threat, and Martin Jones has shown flashes of brilliance. But that doesn't change the fact that San Jose's roster is filled with holes up and down the lineup, a fact that will lead them to miss the playoffs this season. Montreal Canadiens Before we get too ahead of ourselves, take in the forward lineup the Canadiens are prepared to play with this season:Left WingCenterRight Wing Max PaciorettyPhillip DanaultJonathan DrouinAlex GalchenyukTomas PlekanecArtturi LehkonenPaul ByronAndrew ShawBrendan GallagherCharles HudonTorey MitchellAles HemskyRegardless of how you spin it, Montreal will struggle to score goals, as not a single one of their centermen has surpassed 29 tallies in a single season. As for the rest of the group? Well, let's just say Carey Price better have another Hart-caliber year in his back pocket.Galchenyuk, Pacioretty, and Drouin are all elite forwards, but the Habs can't expect to rely on a single line and hope to make the playoffs.General manager Marc Bergevin continues to take heat for his lack of offseason moves. Despite bringing in Drouin, Hemsky, and defenseman Karl Alzner, Bergevin has come up short of providing his club with the talent needed to ensure a deep playoff run.Following another up-and-down season and subsequent turbulent offseason, the Canadiens will be in tough to qualify for the playoffs in 2017-18. Don't forget, as was the case with the Bruins and Sharks, the teams around them have drastically upped their games.Montreal would be wise to do the same.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Flyers are committed to Nolan Patrick for the long haul.Just because the club used their second overall pick on the 6-foot-2 center doesn't necessarily mean he's a lock to make the team out of training camp. That's despite the fact that general manager Ron Hextall said Patrick's 100 percent healthy after undergoing his second abdominal surgery in a year less than two weeks before June's draft, Sam Carchidi of Philly.com reports."He's cleared and good to go," Hextall said earlier in the week.Hextall was up-front with reporters when asked whether he'd be disappointed if Patrick didn't make the Flyers and was sent back to the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League for another year."Absolutely not. If he needs time, he needs time," Hextall said. "We're going to have Nolan Patrick for the next 10, 15 years, not one day or one month or two months. We're looking at the next 15 years and what’s best for Nolan Patrick. If it’s best to go back to Brandon, then he'll go back to Brandon. If it's best to stay here, he'll stay here."Patrick was limited to just 33 games last year with the Wheat Kings, scoring 20 goals and adding 26 assists. Had injuries not been a concern, he very well could have been chosen first overall."Again, he's got to come in and prove it. I will not be disappointed if he doesn't make our team. I don't have any expectations on whether he will or he won't. He's got to come in and show us he makes us a better team," Hextall added.Patrick's first chance at impressing Hextall first-hand will come Sept. 11, when all Flyers rookies will hit the ice.The most recent second overall pick to not play a single game in their first eligible NHL season was defenseman Ryan Murray, who was selected with the second pick by Columbus in 2012.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Coyotes apparently want to put their awkward split from Shane Doan behind them."On behalf of the entire Arizona Coyotes organization, our fans and our corporate partners, we would like to thank Shane for everything that he's done for our franchise over the past 21 years," the club said in a statement following Doan's retirement Wednesday."Shane had an incredible career on the ice and we are very proud of everything that he accomplished in a Coyotes uniform," the team added."He will be remembered as one of the greatest captains in NHL history. Off the ice, Shane was a great ambassador for growing the game of hockey in Arizona and his contributions to the community are immeasurable. Shane will be a Coyote for life. Thank you, Captain!"Coyotes owner Andrew Barroway revealed back in mid-June that his club would not be offering its longtime captain a contract for the upcoming season, saying the following at the time:"The time has come for us to move on and to focus on our young, talented group of players and our very bright future. This was a very difficult decision given what Shane has done for the Coyotes and his unparalleled importance to the organization. With that said, this is necessary to move us forward as a franchise."Barroway followed that up by insisting that not offering the veteran of 21 seasons a new deal was "the right hockey decision," and Doan responded saying he wasn't expecting the team to let him walk as a free agent, before making it clear that it was the owner's call to move on.But the Coyotes were in full gratitude mode after the 40-year-old's retirement announcement Wednesday, sharing a video tribute and adding a simple "thank you" message in a follow-up tweet.

Shane Doan's most prominent fan is wishing him well in retirement.Auston Matthews replied to an NHL tweet - which shared Doan's decision Wednesday - and reaffirmed the former Arizona Coyotes captain's status as his hero.

As rumors around his potential departure continue to swirl, John Tavares and the New York Islanders are seemingly no closer to a new contract than they were when the regular season concluded in April.According to TSN's Darren Dreger, the two sides have yet to even discuss financial specifics for any new potential deal.While Tavares is New York's captain and the face of the franchise, the cloud of doubt continues to grow over whether he and the Islanders will ever get a contract done.The 26-year-old center recently stirred the pot of rumors when he said he was in no rush to get an extension signed, and that he was still trying to determine what was best for his future.Tavares has registered 537 points in 587 career regular-season games for New York, and becomes an unrestricted free agent in July 2018.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Shane Doan's place in Arizona Coyotes (and original Winnipeg Jets) history is undisputed, but is he worthy of enshrinement in hockey's hallowed hall?The 40-year-old, who retired Tuesday after a 21-year NHL career spent entirely with the aforementioned franchise, leaves the organization as its all-time leader in goals, assists, points, games played, game-winning goals, and power-play markers.While his production and longevity were impressive, Doan's place in league lore is a little more debatable. His 402 goals have him tied for 91st on the all-time list, equalling 2017 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Paul Kariya, but he needed 551 more games.His 972 points put him 92nd on the all-time list, one behind Hall of Famer Andy Bathgate and seven more than Maurice "Rocket" Richard. But again, Doan required 471 more games than Bathgate and 562 more than the Montreal Canadiens legend.So given the context, does Doan warrant a plaque alongside the game's most legendary players?Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Longtime Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan announced his retirement Wednesday in a farewell letter published in the Arizona Republic.Here is an excerpt from Doan's statement:

Max Domi is setting a high bar.The Arizona Coyotes winger will enter his third NHL season this October, and he's aiming for bigger and better things after two years of playoff misses."You watch a team like Chicago, and the confidence that a team like that has. They know they're going to win every night. Pittsburgh, same thing," Domi told TSN 1050 on Tuesday. "You go in, you're a little nervous to play against a team like that because of the confidence they walk around with, the swagger they have on the ice, the plays, the preparation they've had."That's an elite franchise. We can be that. There's no question about it. We have the personnel to do that. We've just got to find a way to get there."Domi, 22, saw a step back in his second season, putting up just 38 points after tallying 52 the year prior. But the scoring winger now has some reinforcements on board to help push Arizona's offense, particularly veteran center Derek Stepan, added in a blockbuster deal with the New York Rangers. Highly-touted rookie forward Clayton Keller is also expected to slot into the Coyotes' ranks up front.As far as other offseason changes in Arizona, the most important may have come behind the bench. Domi sees the addition of head coach Rick Tocchet as a positive, and he's encouraged that his new bench boss will urge the Coyotes' young talent to show its offensive creativity."To bring a guy like 'Tocch' in is exciting for a player like myself and the kind of guys we have on our team," Domi told TSN 1040. "He plays a fast game. He's won three Cups himself - two as a coach and one as a player. You can't really ask for more from a coach than that."Domi and Keller aside, Tocchet will have plenty of young hands to call upon this season, including center Christian Dvorak and wingers Brendan Perlini and Anthony Duclair, among others. It is this core that will be looked to lead Arizona forward, pushing the franchise to join the NHL's elite.The first step? Qualifying for the postseason, as an absence this spring would mark six-straight playoff misses in the desert.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Fans of the Arizona Coyotes can breathe a sigh of relief.General manager John Chayka provided an update on the status of defenseman Jakob Chychrun on Tuesday, offering that the blue-liner will not miss the entire year due to a knee injury he sustained earlier this offseason."It's definitely not season-ending," Chayka told Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports. "He's progressing really well, rehabbing with top people. It's really about how his body responds but the things he's doing right now in his rehab are pretty amazing."Related - Tocchet: 'Beast' Chychrun won't miss entire season with knee injuryChayka noted Chychrun is unlikely to be in the lineup when the Coyotes open their season Oct. 5 against the Anaheim Ducks.Selected with the 16th pick in the 2016 draft, the Florida native made the immediate jump to the NHL last season, picking up seven goals and 13 assists in 68 contests.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Thomas Vanek's next stop could be Vancouver, as the Canucks are among the teams interested in the unrestricted free agent, his agent Brian Bartlett told Rick Dhaliwal of News 1130 Sports on Tuesday.Vanek, 33, spent much of last season with the Detroit Red Wings, where he netted 38 points in 48 games. He then added another 10 points in 20 contests following a trade to the Florida Panthers.A move to Vancouver would mark Vanek's fourth stop in three seasons, after he spent the 2015-16 campaign with the Minnesota Wild.The native of Austria has tallied 333 goals and 364 assists in 885 career games. Vanek's best season came in 2006-07, when he put up 84 points while with the Buffalo Sabres.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jared Cowen believes his road back to the NHL runs through Colorado, as he's agreed to a pro tryout with the Avalanche.Cowen is hoping to return after sitting out last season with a hip injury. While the 26-year-old did not take to the ice in 2016-17, he still made waves in a contract grievance against the Toronto Maple Leafs, his former team.In June 2016, the Maple Leafs attempted to buy out the final year of Cowen's contract, in which he was due $4.5 million. Cowen filed a grievance against the club, claiming his injury nullified the buyout and that he was owed his full salary. An arbitrator dismissed the case in December, as the buyout was deemed within the rules.Cowen originally came to Toronto in the February 2016 trade that sent former captain Dion Phaneuf to the Ottawa Senators.The Saskatchewan native last skated in the NHL with Ottawa during the 2015-16 campaign, when he netted four points in 37 contests in his fourth full season with the club. The Senators selected Cowen with the ninth overall pick in the 2009 draft.As for the road ahead, Cowen should have good odds at finding a spot with the Avalanche, as the club currently has just three defensemen under contract.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Clayton Keller is set for his first full season in the NHL, and while many rookies usually hope to merely stick with a team, the Arizona Coyotes center is hoping to make his mark immediately."Definitely, there's no other option for me. I'm going to play with the big club," Keller said, according to NHL.com's Dave McCarthy. "That's what I worked for all summer, I just have to go out there now and do what I do. I want to have an impact right away. I don't want to just be there to be there. I want to have an impact right away, so that's one of my goals."Keller got a small taste of the NHL last season when after concluding his first season at Boston University - where he tallied 21 goals and 45 points in 31 contests - he played three games with the Coyotes at the end of the year, chipping in two assists.While a small sample size, it was valuable for the youngster to get some reps in before the upcoming campaign."It was awesome," Keller said. "It was great to play those few games, it really helped me and showed me how hard I had to work this summer. I'm really looking forward to the season."Keller was drafted seventh overall in 2016 largely because of his incredible offensive prowess. It is for that reason the 19-year-old has been putting a strong focus on the defensive side of his game."I think everyone hopes to get faster and stronger," Keller said. "My defensive side of the game, I'm a skilled guy but I need to keep that responsibility up and know that taking care of both sides of the puck is important."The Coyotes finished with the third-worst record in the Western Conference last season, so having rookies such as Keller providing an immediate impact will be necessary if they hope to challenge for a playoff spot next year.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brad Treliving and company have been busy this offseason. The team has retooled and repatched their roster and the moves have given captain Mark Giordano a sense of urgency heading into the 2018 season."We're excited. Every team's going to tell you the same thing. It's that fresh feeling every time you come into camp," Giordano said, according to George Johnson of CalgaryFlames.com. "But for sure, there's an urgency this year. As players, we have to push harder because our management, our coaches, our entire organization, have put us in a great position."Giordano is confident the team should be able to rebound from a poor finish last season which saw them swept in the first round by the Anaheim Ducks, and that starts with a stronger end to the regular season."If you look, 100 points gets you into the playoffs for sure," he said. "That's gotta be our goal. Ninety-something is usually the cut-off. But 100 gets you in."We know that. Now we've gotta get there. That's got to be our mindset. Not to just want to sneak in. We want to be a solid team the whole way."The Flames finished with 94 points a year ago, and considering at one time in the season they were 24-24-3, 100 points doesn't seem too far-fetched.There's no denying that Calgary went home as one of the offseason's biggest winners. Not only did the Flames address their goaltending issue by acquiring veteran Mike Smith from the Coyotes, they also bolstered their blue line by adding shutdown defenseman Travis Hamonic.With Giordano, Dougie Hamilton, and T.J. Brodie already in the fold, Hamonic gives the Flames one of the best top-four defense units in the entire league. Not unlike the group that just carried the Nashville Predators all the way to the Stanley Cup Final as the 16th seed."(Hamonic) comes in and that element, the edge, is huge for us,'' Giordano said. "But let's not take away from the other parts of his game - he can really skate, move the puck and contribute."Given that Giordano spent most of last season paired with Hamilton, it is expected that Hamonic will be partnered up with the smooth-skating Brodie."I just think him and Brods, if they start together, are a good fit. Again, the league's sorta gone to the leftie-rightie pairings," Giordano said. "They get together in camp, hopefully, and jell and go from there. I just think you're putting two great hockey players together so it should work out."The Flames project to be a tough team to score on given their stellar blue line, but with the expected growth of some of their younger forwards - such as Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk, and Sam Bennett - they could also have a potent offense.That's a recipe for a 100-point team.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For most 18-year-olds, a trip to Las Vegas consists of awkward family photos, a visit to the Grand Canyon, and a lot of time spent by the pool. But for Vegas Golden Knights 2017 first-round draft pick Cody Glass, his next trip will be strictly business.That's because the Knights are set to host Glass and a crop of other young prospects at their first-ever rookie camp next week in Vegas. So, we thought it was a good time to find out a little bit more about the Knights' first-ever draft pick, and to see how much he knows about Sin City.Glass sat down with theScore at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase on Monday for a quick quiz on Las Vegas-related trivia; the results were somewhat mixed:Flip Livingstone: First of all, Cody, thank you for doing this.Cody Glass: No problem. Anytime.FL: OK, so, I'm going to hit you with a quick Las Vegas quiz, test your knowledge a little bit.CG: Let's do it.FL: Aside from the Golden Knights, can you name one of the Las Vegas pro sports teams?CG: Um, pretty sure they had the Tri-City Storm was there, I know that for a fact.FL: We'll give you that one. We would have also accepted: The Wranglers of the East Coast Hockey League or the Outlaws of the Arena Football League.CG: Oh, yeah. The Wranglers.FL: Which popular Vegas hotel just had its 50th anniversary celebration?CG: I know a bunch of them, but, I don't know which one it was. I know there’s the Excalibur, but, I don't know if that was it.FL: It's actually Caesar's Palace.CG: Oh, really?FL: OK, so, this one might be a little more up your alley. What artist is currently headlining Planet Hollywood?CG: Calvin Harris?FL: It's Britney Spears. Not your favorite?CG: Not exactly my first choice ...FL: Here's another sports-related question. Which Chicago Cubs superstar hails from Las Vegas?CG: What’s his name? ... Wasn’t he just there? … I have his face, but, I can't really remember his name.FL: Think famous Los Angeles Lakers ...CG: Bryant. ... Kris Bryant.FL: Now you're getting it, I'm not even helping at all.CG: *laughs*FL: Which Vegas hotel is best known for its beautiful fountains?CG: Is it the Mirage? No ... Bellagio!FL: Nice, it is the Bellagio. OK, only a few more. In what movie did Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and group of thieves successfully rob the fictional "Bank Hotel and Casino" in Vegas?CG: Oh yeah. Is it Ocean’s Eleven?FL: That's close, but ... .CG: Ah, it’s one of them. Ocean’s Twelve or something.FL: Ocean's Thirteen.CG: Ocean's Thirteen! I actually watched that not too long ago.FL: Can you name four of your Golden Knights teammates?CG: Yes. I actually know all the Winnipeg guys, Brendan Leipsic, Cody Eakin, Calvin Pickard, there’s only three of them. But, one of the others would be James Neal.FL: Nice. I was expecting you to nail that one, and you did. But, here it is, final question. On what date do your hometown Winnipeg Jets play their first game in Vegas?CG: Is it in March?FL: The answer is Nov. 10.CG: Nov. 10th? When do they go to Winnipeg? I know they go to Winnipeg.FL: Well, you're all brushed up on your Vegas trivia. You didn't do too bad, I think we'll call it three out of eight?CG: I'll take it.Glass may not exactly be an expert on the city of Las Vegas, but that doesn't change the fact that the Golden Knights are expecting the teenage centerman to be a big piece of their future.For Glass, he's just focusing on the next task at hand: cracking the Vegas roster out of training camp.While the Winnipeg native took the quiz in stride, he also fielded the more serious questions like a pro. Here is what Glass had to say in response to some actual hockey-related queries:On making the Knights out of training camp:"Going into training camp, I really want to make the team and make a good first impression. Going to go in there and try and make it, if I don’t, I’ll have another good year in junior."On trying to follow last year’s rookie class (Specifically Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine):"Yeah, kind of. Those guys are franchise players, just following in their footsteps is something that's kind of hard, obviously, with those two players. But, I want to create my own way. I am just going to play to the best of my capability and see how it goes."How he elevated his game last year with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL:"The opportunity I was given, just playing power-play and penalty kill and getting every chance possible. Once you get every opportunity you get more confidence and you start to build, and I think that’s where a lot of my offence came from was just the confidence part of it."On the other Knights 2017 draft picks:“For moving forward, in three or four years from now, it's going to be a lot easier, especially having talent like that. With (Erik) Brannstrom and (Nick) Suzuki, they bring a lot of different stuff to the table and I think we had a really good draft class this year."On preparation for this training camp as opposed to others:"Not really, but, I know It’s going to a be step up going from Portland camp to Vegas camp. But, I'm just going to try and take it all in and play the best I can. I know the way I can play, and they drafted me for a reason, so, I’m just going to play like they want me to. I’m really looking forward to it right now."Glass may be a year away from being an everyday NHLer. But, that doesn't mean he can't start turning heads in the Vegas front office a lot sooner than that.The Golden Knights host their inaugural rookie camp on Sept. 7, with their full camp slated to kick off the following week.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto's Air Canada Centre will be renamed Scotiabank Arena beginning July 1, 2018 after the Canadian bank struck a 20-year agreement with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment worth a reported $800 million (CAD), MLSE announced Tuesday. The news was first reported by TSN's Rick Westhead.Air Canada - Canada's largest airliner - paid roughly $4 million annually under the previous agreement, according to Westhead."To be honest, it wasn’t that difficult to find interested suitors," MLSE chief commercial officer David Hopkinson told Westhead. "This is already firmly established as Canada’s premier entertainment venue. ... We felt we had a very good sense about what the market would bear and Scotia and ourselves have agreed on what that number should look like."The Air Canada Centre is home to the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, NBA's Toronto Raptors, and NLL's Toronto Rock.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers will have an old face in this year's training camp.Forward Brandon Pirri, who played 122 games with the Cats from 2014-16, will attend training camp on a professional tryout, the team announced Tuesday.Pirri's played his best hockey in the Sunshine State - he potted a career-high 22 goals in 49 games during the 2014-15 season.A second-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2009, Pirri spent last season with the New York Rangers and struggled to find his groove, recording just 18 points in 60 games while averaging 12:17 minutes per night.With a strong camp, it's possible Pirri could earn a spot in Florida's top-nine forward group and provide an offensive spark for a team that struggled in that department a year ago. The Panthers finished with the eighth-fewest goals in the league.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya are getting the respect they deserve.The Anaheim Ducks will honor one of the most dynamic duos the NHL has ever seen in a ceremony before their Nov. 19 game against the Florida Panthers, the team announced Tuesday. The ceremony will fall less than a week after the tandem's induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Nov. 13.Selanne and Kariya played in 308 games together for the Ducks back when they were Mighty, tallying a combined 783 points (2.54 points per game).Selanne's No. 8 already hangs in the Honda Center rafters. He's the franchise's all-time leader in games played (966), goals (457), and points (988), and was an integral part of the organization's only Stanley Cup victory back in 2007.Kariya, who was the first superstar in the club's existence, ranks first in team history in goals per game (0.49) and points per game (1.10).Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears Alex Ovechkin is very motivated for the upcoming season.Ovechkin was on the ice Tuesday morning in Washington for an informal skate, even though official training camp doesn't begin until mid-September. Stephen Whyno, who covers the Capitals for the Associated Press, can't remember the last time Ovechkin returned to D.C. to skate this early.

After seven seasons in Washington, Marcus Johansson is excited to begin his new opportunity in New Jersey.While the 26-year-old is leaving a top team in the Capitals to join an up-and-coming Devils squad, the Swedish forward is nonetheless enthusiastic about what lies ahead for his new club."It's a good group, a group of young guys, (a) team and organization that's heading in the right direction," Johansson told Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. "It feels like coming there now you're part of that almost from the start. I'm feeling really good about this. It's going to be a fun year."Related: Johansson embraces new role with 'underdog' DevilsJohansson is coming off of a career year with the Capitals, in which he posted 24 goals and 34 assists. He believes he'll have the opportunity to build on those totals with the Devils."That's a chance to take the next step as well as a player. I'm excited for new opportunities and new challenges," Johansson added. "You get there and you don't really know anything, I don't know anyone, which is kind of fun too."Johansson's addition wasn't the only move by the Devils this offseason. The club also added veteran center Brian Boyle in free agency, just days after selecting forward Nico Hischier with the top pick in the draft.On Sunday, the Devils made one more summer signing, agreeing to terms with University of Denver free-agent blue-liner Will Butcher, the 2017 Hobey Baker winner.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Danis Zaripov is free to move to the NHL.The 36-year-old became available following a two-year ban issued by the International Ice Hockey Federation last month after he tested positive for a banned substance.While Zaripov is ineligible to continue in the KHL this season, the door appears to be open for him to take his talents to North America.Bill Daly, the NHL's deputy commissioner, said in a statement Monday: "Mr. Zaripov has appealed the IIHF suspension to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and his appeal remains pending. In addition to filing such appeal, Mr. Zaripov also applied to the NHL for a separate determination as to his eligibility for play in the NHL, and with regard to what effect, if any, the League was prepared to accord the IIHF Suspension."Following due consideration of all of the available evidence, it has been determined that Mr. Zaripov is hereby deemed eligible to sign and play professional hockey in the NHL, effective immediately, and without imposition of any NHL-imposed suspension or penalty."Daly added that the key to Zaripov's acceptance into the NHL is that the banned substance - pseudoephedrine - is not included on the league's prohibited substances list.Zaripov spent the past four seasons with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL, which has won two of the past four Gagarin Cups, awarded to the playoff champion. He appeared in 56 games in 2016-17, finishing fourth in team scoring with 45 points.Zaripov has never played in the NHL, and last skated in North America during the 1998-99 season as a junior with the WHL's Swift Current Broncos.Zaripov later released a statement through the NHLPA: "I look forward to continuing my professional hockey playing career in North America, and today I am very grateful to the senior management of the NHL for its decision, which provides me the opportunity to do so. Even though I now have a chance to play in the best league in the world, I plan to continue my appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport to prove my case and clear my name."According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the New York Rangers and Vegas Golden Knights are expected to be in the running to sign Zaripov, who is now considered an unrestricted free agent by the NHL.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Will Butcher says he can contribute to the New Jersey Devils right away."I think my game is NHL-ready," he told reporters Monday. "I like to play an up-tempo game."Devils head coach John Hynes apparently put the club over the top in the Butcher sweepstakes."I hit it off with (head) coach Hynes," the 22-year-old defenseman said. "He’s a strong hockey mind and a strong coach.”The Hobey Baker Award winner's revelation came after he was asked what the tipping point was in his decision, according to The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno.Butcher also confirmed Monday that the Devils, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, and Vegas Golden Knights were the four finalists for his services, and said he envisions himself with the Devils for the long term, not just for the length of the two-year, entry-level deal he agreed to on Sunday.He notched 37 points in 43 games before leading the University of Denver to the national championship this past spring.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Earlier in August, Tampa Bay's trio of professional sports franchises - the Lightning, Rays, and Buccaneers - released a joint statement to announce they'll dedicate funds to assist in the removal of a Confederate monument in the city after the race based protests in Charlottesville, Va.Lightning forward J.T. Brown, in particular, made sure to be involved, donating $1,500 to the cause without fear of being scolded for his decision."Stick to sports? I've heard it," Brown told Emily Kaplan of ESPN. "I heard it last year. I've heard it now after this. I'm not afraid of backlash. Everybody has their opinion on what people should say and when they should say it. But if everybody stuck to what they're supposed to do, we wouldn't have made the strides we made to get to where we are."Brown made headlines last year after he responded to John Tortorella saying he'd bench players who sat for the national anthem in the wake of Colin Kaepernick's protests.

No Philadelphia Flyer will wear No. 88 ever again.The Flyers will retire Eric Lindros' jersey on Jan. 18, 2018 prior to a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team announced Monday.One of the most physically dominant players in NHL history, Lindros tallied 659 points in 486 career games with the Flyers, winning the Hart Trophy in the 1994-95 season, and carrying the team all the way to the 1997 Stanley Cup Final. The Big E was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the 2016 class.The jersey retirement may seem like a long time coming, but the organization historically waits until a player is inducted into the Hall of Fame before retiring his jersey, according to Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post.Lindros, of course, was touched by the decision."I am deeply humbled and honored that the Flyers are going to retire my jersey," said Lindros. "I am so thankful to the entire organization for this incredible recognition. I look forward to sharing this moment with my family, friends, teammates, and of course Flyers fans, who mean so much to me."Lindros will join exclusive company as only the sixth Flyer to have his jersey retired. His No. 88 will join the numbers of Bernie Parent, Mark Howe, Barry Ashebee, Bill Barber, and Bobby Clarke in the Wells Fargo Center rafters."Eric has made an incredible and lasting impact on the Flyers organization, our fans, and the game of hockey as a whole," Flyers President Paul Holmgren said. "We could not be more proud to raise his number 88 to the rafters. We look forward to what is anticipated to be a historic night for the Flyers."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Will Butcher might be in for a frosty reception in his unofficial debut with the New Jersey Devils.The 22-year-old defenseman, who decided Sunday to join the Devils on an entry-level contract, plans on playing for New Jersey in the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo next month, according to NHL.com's Mike Morreale.Butcher reportedly spoke with the Buffalo Sabres, along with several other clubs, before making his decision.The Sabres were spurned by a high-profile college free agent for the second straight year, following Jimmy Vesey's decision last summer to sign with the New York Rangers rather than join Buffalo, which acquired his negotiating rights in a trade with the Nashville Predators.The third annual Prospects Challenge will run Sept. 8-11 at Buffalo's HarborCenter and will feature young players from the Sabres, Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Not every NHL player is bound to make progress in the upcoming season.A trio of forwards in particular won't improve upon the career highs they set in 2016-17.Here are three players who won't be on the scoresheet as often this season after breakout campaigns a year ago:Nazem KadriThe forgotten youngster after the big three in Toronto - Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner - the Maple Leafs center made a name for himself in 2016-17 as he came up with 32 goals on the season.It marked a career high for Kadri, whose previous best came when he potted 20 goals during the 2013-14 season - the only other season in which he has cracked the 20-goal plateau.Look for reduced production from Kadri this year, whose unlikely to repeat last season's success. One reason is that Matthews is expected to take on a bigger role up the middle, alleviating Kadri of some of those minutes. Matthews took on more responsibility as last season progressed and will grab the top center duties out of the gate in October.T.J. OshieA lot of things went right for Oshie last season. On a Presidents' Trophy-winning Capitals squad, the Washington forward was surrounded by elite talents in Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Evgeny Kuznetsov, among others.While those three will return alongside Oshie next season, other factors are not as likely to repeat. Most of all, the 30-year-old winger is no longer on the verge of free agency with the chance to cash in.With big money on the line, Oshie came up with a career-high 33 goals in 2016-17, doing so in just 68 games. That production came with the help of a 23 percent shooting percentage - nine points higher than his previous best. In the end, the performance landed Oshie a $46-million extension through 2025, which will pay him when his prime years have become a thing of the past.Patrick EavesIt was an interesting season for Eaves, who netted 21 goals in 59 games with the Dallas Stars, then finishing his season with the Anaheim Ducks following a trade deadline deal that sent him to Orange County.Surprisingly, Eaves' production did not slow down upon his arrival in Anaheim - in fact, it only continued to climb, as he potted 11 goals and added three assists through 20 contests with the Ducks. All in all, he wrapped the season with 79 games played and 32 goals to his credit.It marked Eaves' best goal-scoring output since he tallied 20 in his debut season with the Ottawa Senators more than a decade ago. It's not often you have a career year at 33, and it's even less likely Eaves will build on that success this coming season.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils are getting defensive.Set to begin his third season as general manager, Ray Shero made a late-summer splash by winning the Will Butcher sweepstakes, signing the standout college defenseman to an entry-level contract.Who's Will Butcher?As a refresher, Butcher was drafted in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche, and spent the past four years patrolling the blue line at the University of Denver.Most recently, Butcher - who averaged 0.65 points per game in the NCAA - captained the Pioneers to a national championship, and was named the top player in college hockey as the 2017 Hobey Baker Award winner.He ultimately decided not to sign with the Avalanche, and was free to sign his ELC with any of the league's other 30 teams, inking a deal with the Devils after being tempted by several others.Related: Will Butcher signs 2-year deal with Devils"We are extremely excited to have Will and his family join our organization," Shero said Sunday, per the team's Twitter account. "This continues to represent what we want to do: bring in talented individuals, invest in their talent, and develop them as we progress."Where does he fit?In New Jersey, Butcher joins an impressive crop of prospects accumulated under Shero's watch, most notably Nico Hischier, Michael McLeod, Pavel Zacha, Nathan Bastian, and Blake Speers.You may notice those five players are all forwards, with Shero having added defensive prospects in later rounds or as undrafted free agents. That group - led by Igor Rykov and Vojtech Mozik - is likely a year or two away from contributing at the NHL level, and that's perhaps being optimistic.This lack of youth on the blue line was exacerbated by the entirely understandable decision to trade Adam Larsson for Taylor Hall, leaving Damon Severson (who remains an unsigned restricted free agent), Steve Santini, and the recently-acquired duo of Mirco Mueller and Yaroslav Dyblenko as the under-25 defensive building blocks who could be on the opening night roster.No need to apologize for asking "who?" when reading those names.Butcher, then, is a great addition for the Devils. The 22-year-old will be given every opportunity to translate his NCAA success into a steady career as a professional, with plenty of young weapons up front to feed the puck to.He's set to earn heavy ice time in New Jersey, with plenty of power-play opportunities mixed in as head coach John Hynes looks to boost an unimpressive offense from the back end.Expectations will remain low for the Devils in 2017-18, and Butcher can fly somewhat under-the-radar after being in the spotlight during the last vestiges of free agency.Pursuing Butcher was the right play for the Devils, and signing with New Jersey ensures the defenseman will be a factor on the blue line right away.Talk about a win-win.(Images courtesy: Getty)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's no secret that the NHL has become a young man's game, built on fast feet and even quicker minds.And while some players make an immediate impact, others take a little more time to develop. Here are five youngsters set for the next step after making it through the feeling-out phase:Sam Bennett, Calgary FlamesIn a way, it's nearly make-or-break time for Bennett, the Calgary Flames forward who's spent two seasons in the NHL but hasn't yet lived up to his billing as the fourth overall draft pick in 2014.Bennett appeared in all but one game with the Flames last season, but finished with just 26 points - a double-digit slide from a year earlier, when he also skated in four fewer contests.The good news is that Bennett was one of Calgary's brightest lights during the team's quick postseason exit against the Anaheim Ducks. In four playoff games, Bennett notched two goals, which ranked second on the team behind Sean Monahan.Kyle Connor, Winnipeg JetsAfter starting the season with the big club, Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor got more time to work on his game with the AHL's Manitoba Moose.Connor didn't disappoint in the minors, recording 25 goals and 19 assists in 52 games. That offensive outburst laid the foundation for the upcoming season, as the 20-year-old is again expected to begin the campaign in Winnipeg.With the Jets, Connor has the potential to take his scoring impact to the next level, as he should share a line with center Bryan Little and winger Blake Wheeler, who combined for 121 points last season. Drafted 17th overall in 2015, Connor's selection looks like another savvy move by the Jets.Brendan Perlini, Arizona CoyotesA first-round pick in 2014, Perlini made his pro debut last season and began the year with the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners, where he netted 14 goals in 17 games.After scoring at just below a goal-per-game pace in the minors, Perlini was called up by the Arizona Coyotes, where he kept up the hot stick by pocketing 14 goals in 57 contests.Now that he's gotten a taste of the NHL, Perlini will begin the 2017-18 campaign with the Coyotes where he should figure into the club's top-six forwards, likely alongside fellow freshman Christian Dvorak.Jesse Puljujarvi, Edmonton OilersThe 2016-17 season was undoubtedly frustrating for Puljujarvi, as he kicked things off with the Edmonton Oilers but struggled while notching just one goal and seven assists in 28 games.In early January, the Oilers decided more seasoning was in order, sending Puljujarvi to the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL - a demotion that came just weeks after he could have been loaned to Team Finland to suit up at the world juniors.But after a disastrous early run in Edmonton, Puljujarvi found his game in Bakersfield, tallying 12 goals and 16 assists in 39 games. The expectation is he'll be able to translate that production to the NHL ranks this season.Josh Ho-Sang, New York IslandersA late first-round pick in 2014, Ho-Sang is set to take off for the New York Islanders after the franchise put in plenty of patience.In his first pro season, the Islanders winger spent much of the year in the minors, skating in 50 games with the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers, where he produced 36 points before getting called up to the big club.Islanders fans then got a preview of Ho-Sang's scoring abilities during a 21-game run at the end of last season, a stretch in which he produced almost a half-point per game with four goals and six assists. Ho-Sang could certainly build on those numbers to become a Calder Trophy candidate this season.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A Toronto Maple Leafs scout has been arrested and charged following an alcohol-induced joyride involving a golf cart, according to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.Lindsay Hofford, the Maple Leafs' director of eastern area scouting, was charged Saturday following a chain of events at Darien Lake, the upstate New York theme park, in which an intoxicated Hofford stole a golf cart and later hit another vehicle, and then left the scene of the incident.According to Stephen T. Watson of The Buffalo News, Hofford, 53, is charged with driving while intoxicated, unauthorized use of a vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, conducting an unsafe lane change, and for his refusal to perform a breathalyzer test.Hofford is scheduled to appear in Darien Town Court on Sept. 21.Hofford joined the Maple Leafs in 2015-16 as an amateur scout after serving as the director of amateur scouting for five seasons with the OHL's London Knights.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils have signed University of Denver free-agent defenseman Will Butcher to a two-year, entry-level deal, the team announced Sunday.A fifth-round pick by the Colorado Avalanche in 2013, Butcher spent the past four seasons with the University of Denver, wrapping up the 2016-17 campaign with 37 points in 43 games.The season ended on a high note for Butcher, as he captained Denver to its first national championship since 2005. He also won the Hobey Baker Award, presented to the NCAA's top player.Butcher's signing comes three days after former Devils draft pick Alexander Kerfoot signed a deal with the Avalanche after he failed to come to terms with New Jersey.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Kings are reportedly looking overseas to shore up their blue line.KHL defenseman Chris Lee will attend the Kings' training camp on a professional tryout offer, according to John Hoven of Mayors Manor.The 37-year-old Canadian - who's never appeared in the NHL - spent the past four seasons playing for Metallurg Magnitogorsk, averaging 0.79 points per game and winning a pair of KHL championships.Last season, he was good for 14 goals and 51 assists in 60 games, adding a goal and 20 assists in 18 postseason appearances.Lee also won silver with Canada at the 2017 World Championship and will be in the running for a spot on the 2018 Olympic roster should he not land an NHL deal.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The puck appears to be in David Pastrnak's corner.The Boston Bruins have reportedly offered the restricted free agent a long-term contract worth $6 million per season, according to Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe.Dupont adds:

Make sure you pay close attention this season because it might be the last time we ever see some of the league's greats suit up.As is always the case, Father Time finally catches up to some players while younger players look to take their spots. In the end, older players have to come to terms that their time in the league is over, and this year is no exception.With that, here are five players who could retire at the end of the 2017-18 season:Joe ThorntonThornton signed a hefty one-year, $8-million deal in July, which will likely be his last with the San Jose Sharks.The 38-year-old tallied a respectable 50 points last season, but just seven goals - three of which were into empty nets. His speed - which has never been his strongest asset - is starting to go and the Sharks are beginning to transition into a younger team.His future could depend on whether he's able to rebound from last season, but given his age that seems unlikely.Joel WardAfter a 2015-16 season that saw him tally his second 20-goal campaign, Ward's follow-up year with the Sharks had him amass just 10 goals and 29 points in 78 games.Ward will turn 37 in December and has just one year left on his three-year, $9.825-million deal. The right-winger took 33 fewer shots than the previous season and also played fewer minutes per game.Much like Thornton, a future contract past this season will likely depend on this year's production.Kevin BieksaWith one year remaining on his contract, his age, and the Anaheim Ducks abundance of talented you defensemen, Bieksa's days are likely numbered.The club has the likes of Hampus Lindholm, Josh Manson, and Brandon Montour quickly becoming important cogs on the Ducks' blue line, leaving Bieksa likely on the third pairing. Additionally, the team has offered Francois Beauchemin a professional tryout.Bieksa still has some value, but he's slipping down the depth chart and that can only happen for so long before one must call it quits for good.Zdeno CharaChara isn't any shorter, but he's taken a smaller role on the Boston Bruins blue line.The 40-year-old is no longer the dominant force on the back end that helped him earned him a Norris Trophy back in 2009. Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand are quickly becoming the faces of the franchise and young defenders are quickly coming up the pipeline.Torey Krug, Brandon Carlo, and Charlie McAvoy are poised to lead the Bruins' defense corps, and it might be time for Chara to hand over the reigns and ride off into the sunset.Daniel and Henrik SedinOk, technically this list has six players. But if one Sedin twin hangs up the skates, then you know the other one will follow suit.Henrik and Daniel are entering the final year of their respective four-year, $28-million contracts. The 2016-17 season was the first campaign since 2006 that neither of them led the Vancouver Canucks in scoring.The two have seen their point totals dip for two straight years and in the past have hinted at finishing their careers in Vancouver. Given the team's supposed new direction - as it rebuilds for the future - it's hard to envision two 36-year-olds being a part of that.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Change is inevitable.In today's NHL, it's incredibly rare for a player to remain with one team for the entirety of his career.There's been no shortage of roster shuffling this summer, providing us with three players in particular who are going to look really weird in their new jerseys.Marc-Andre FleuryLet's be honest - it will be odd to see any player take to the ice wearing a Vegas Golden Knights jersey.There will be many firsts for the NHL's 31st franchise, and it's likely the first win will be earned by Marc-Andre Fleury, who's only ever played for the Pittsburgh Penguins after being selected first overall in 2003.Here's another look at Pittsburgh's all-time leader in wins (375) and save percentage (.912)."Flower" has already given a preview of his new mask. Now bring on the skates and full gear.Patrick MarleauDrafted second overall in 1997 (after future teammate Joe Thornton), Patrick Marleau basically wrote the San Jose Sharks' record books over the past 19 seasons.TotalRankGames14931Goals5081Assists5742Points10821Shots37981While Thornton decided to re-sign with the club with a view to finally getting over that Cup hurdle, Marleau surprisingly went his own way, choosing instead to sign with the upstart Toronto Maple Leafs, who could contend as early as this season.Marleau recently gave San Jose a peek at his new threads before moving North.

The fight of the century finally concluded on Saturday night.Related: Mayweather scores 10th-round TKO on McGregor after spirited boutFloyd Mayweather improved to 50-0 with a 10th round TKO over Connor McGregor in a heated bout that had the entire sports community glued to their TVs.Of course that includes NHLers, as many were clearly dialed in, providing commentary and their opinions on the historic fight.Anthony Stewart noticed some similarities between the lucrative bout and a rather embarrassing Alexander Semin fight.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Connor Brown to a three-year contract extension worth $6.3 million, the team announced.Brown, Toronto's last remaining restricted free agent, will therefore carry an average annual valuation of $2.1 million against the salary cap.In his first full season with the Maple Leafs, Brown registered 20 goals (17 at even strength) and 16 assists, finishing fifth on the team in goals and eighth in points.Brown will once again be a restricted free agent at the end of this new deal, per Cap Friendly.The Maple Leafs now have 23 players under contract with less than a month to go until training camp.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Winnipeg Jets signed rugged winger Matt Hendricks to a one-year contract worth $700,000, the team announced Saturday.Hendricks spent the past three-and-a-half seasons as a member of the Edmonton Oilers, proving to be proficient in the faceoff circle and on the penalty kill while recording 20 goals, 18 assists, and 245 penalty minutes in 214 games with the team.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are actively looking for someone to play behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.With Jay McClement - a training camp invite - and Carter Rowney as the most viable options on the depth chart below the superstar pair, general manager Jim Rutherford remains involved in trade talks for a third-line center, according to Jason Mackey of the Post-Gazette.He won't, however, rush to make a move."We'll continue to work on it," Rutherford said. "There’s a few options there. We’ll see what happens here in the next little while. But, again, it’s what I said all along. If there’s somebody that we feel fits what we’re looking for, we’ll do it. If not, we’re going to wait until that time comes."The Penguins have holes to fill at the position thanks to the departures of Matt Cullen (Minnesota) and Nick Bonino (Nashville) in free agency.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jay McClement isn't being brought in to fill out the training camp roster.The veteran center signed a tryout contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, and general manager Jim Rutherford expects McClement to be in the mix for the opening night lineup."He’s had good success killing penalties and winning faceoffs," Rutherford told the Post-Gazette's Jason Mackey. "With what we’re looking for in the way of depth at that position, he’s going to be given a good chance to make the team."McClement is coming off a poor season with the Carolina Hurricanes where he averaged a career-low 11:23 of ice time, won only 48.2 percent of his faceoffs, and was a negative possession player with a Corsi rating of 45.36 during even strength play.He was dealing with a knee issue, though, and believes he can help the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions."I’ve been feeling really good this summer physically," McClement said. "I got my body back. With the injury, it took a while to get my body back in balance. I’ve been feeling really good. For me, it’s finding that niche with some of the things that I’ve done over my career. Hopefully that can meld into a good team."Rutherford added he looked at McClement's body of work as opposed to focusing on one season, saying "you hope that he has a good camp and shows what he’s done over his career."The Penguins will play their first preseason game on Sept. 19.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.