The Anaheim Ducks moved up to grab defenseman Stian Solberg with the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.The Ducks dealt picks No. 31 and 58 in this year's draft to the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 23rd selection.Solberg is the second-highest-drafted Norwegian in NHL history after the Detroit Red Wings took Michael Brandsegg-Nygard 15th overall Friday. Marius Holtet was the previous highest-drafted Norwegian when the Dallas Stars selected him 42nd overall in 2002.Stian SolbergSolberg was a considerable riser on Central Scouting's international skater list, jumping from 26th on the midterm rankings to 20th on the final edition. The Norwegian blue-liner represented his country impressively at the world juniors and world championships this year, and he's set to make the jump to tougher competition with Farjestad BK in the Swedish league next season.Solberg isn't as flashy as some of the other top-rated defensive prospects this year but is highly mobile for his size and plays with plenty of physicality. His punishing, old-school style of defense should translate to the NHL whenever he gets his chance.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Utah Hockey Club drafted forward Tij Iginla with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday, the first selection in team history.Tij IginlaOnce projected to go outside the first round, Iginla's stock has been steadily rising over the past year. He wasn't an everyday player for the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds in 2022-23, mustering 18 points in 48 regular-season outings while appearing in just three playoff games during their run to the Memorial Cup final.The soon-to-be-18-year-old broke out in a big way this past campaign for the Kelowna Rockets, though. Iginla ranked seventh in the WHL in goals and second on his team with 84 points before adding nine tallies and 15 points in 11 playoff games. He also enjoyed a standout performance at this spring's World U18 Championship, where he helped Canada win gold. He jumped up two spots between NHL Central Scouting's midterm and final rankings.Tij is the son of Hall of Fame winger Jarome Iginla."I don't think it's any one thing," Tij said when asked about the biggest lesson he's learned from his dad. "It's hard to just put one thing, so many life lessons, things like that, over the years. I guess a big one would be effort. You can make mistakes, but effort's got to be there."The youngster outscored his father's production in his draft year, with Jarome putting up 33 goals and 71 points in 72 games for the WHL's Kamloops Blazers before being selected 11th overall by the Dallas Stars in 1995.After being drafted higher than Jarome, Tij conceded that "it's nice" to have some family bragging rights."He had a pretty good career," he quipped, per The Canadian Press' Joshua Clipperton. "I'll have to start trying to build my resume."What they're saying"Tij is a very talented offensive player," wrote The Athletic's Corey Pronman in May. "His stick-handling displays stand out constantly. He beats defenders one-on-one at a high rate and improvises very well with the puck. ... He gets to the inside to score as well and displays a strong effort away from the puck. ... He projects as a strong top-six wing who will score a lot of goals."Pronman also likened him to veteran forward Viktor Arvidsson and previously compared Iginla to talented Buffalo Sabres youngster JJ Peterka in his April rankings."Score, score, and score some more. That's what (Iginla) does best," Daily Faceoff's Steven Ellis wrote in April. "Iginla is a solid distributor ... but with the puck on his stick, he's a dangerous generator. He plays with good pace, and while he isn't big, he's physically strong."Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens drafted Russian winger Ivan Demidov with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday.Ivan DemidovIconic Quebec-born singer and Vegas resident Celine Dion made the selection.

The Minnesota Wild moved up one spot to select defenseman Zeev Buium 12th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday.In return, the Philadelphia Flyers receive the 13th overall pick and a 2025 third-rounder from Minnesota.Zeev BuiumBuium played an integral role in helping Denver win the national title in April. The freshman blue-liner led all defensemen in the nation in assists and points while topping all Pioneers skaters in helpers and ranking second on the club in the latter category.The San Diego-born rearguard was named to the All-Tournament team at the Frozen Four and also took home NCHC Rookie of the Year and Offensive Defenseman of the Year honors. He accomplished all of that as the second-youngest player in Division I men's hockey this season.He reeled off a 12-game point streak that ended in December, breaking Lane Hutson's mark for the longest such run by a freshman rearguard in the last 21 years.Buium helped the United States capture gold at the World Junior Championship this year, producing nearly a point per game and nearly half a goal per contest. He also notched a goal and five assists in seven games for the U.S. side that took home gold at the Under-18 World Championship in 2023.What they're saying"(Buium) was ... one of the best draft-eligible defensemen I've ever seen at (the college) level," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote in late May. "He is an extremely intelligent puck-mover who can run a power play like a top NHL player. He makes high-end plays routinely and can break shifts open with his puck-handling and passes."Pronman added that Buium's defensive skills were "good enough at the amateur level, but he isn't very physically imposing." However, he noted that Buium "breaks up enough plays to go with his great offense to be a major positive at even strength," that he has "game-breaking potential," and that he "looks like a potential star No. 1 defenseman in the NHL who will put up big numbers."Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Columbus Blue Jackets selected center Cayden Lindstrom with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.Cayden LindstromLindstrom battled injuries in the latter half of the season, but he showed enough promise at the start of the campaign to still finish third on Central Scouting's North American skaters list. He offers an NHL-ready frame, along with impressive puck skills and speed for a player of his size. Lindstrom has all the tools needed to be an impact player once he enters the league.Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said Lindstrom was the organization's top-ranked player after first overall pick Macklin Celebrini, per The Athletic's Aaron Portzline. The executive added that they had a fallback trade in place if Lindstrom wasn't available at No. 4.What they're saying"He has the quick twitch feet of a smaller forward and can get by opposing defenders," wrote The Athletic's Corey Pronman, who ranked Lindstrom 11th among this year's prospects. "He's a big, powerful center with a ton of physicality in his game. Lindstrom has good offensive skills and can score goals. His playmaking is something I've questioned at times, although he's shown good instances this season."Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils chose 6-foot-7 defenseman Anton Silayev with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.Anton SilayevSilayev impressed in his first season at Russia's highest level this past campaign. The imposing blue-liner blocked 74 shots and led his team with 98 hits. Silayev rose from second on Central Scouting's midterm rankings for international skaters to the top spot in the final edition.His 11 points may not seem like much (offense isn't his biggest strength), but he collected them as a 17-year-old against men in a professional league. That total is the most by an under-18 player in KHL history. Silayev, who turned 18 on April 11, broke the record previously set by Vladimir Tarasenko, who collected 10 points in 38 games for Novosibirsk in 2008-09.Silayev, under contract in the KHL through 2025-26, also captained Russia's Under-20 squad to punctuate his draft year. He's displayed an impressive level of physicality for such a young player, even considering his hulking stature.What they're saying"It's not often you find a 6-foot-7, 211-pound defenseman capable of moving like him with his smooth and active skating stride," NHL director of European scouting Jukka-Pekka Vuorinen told NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale in April."He seems to always be alert and able to quickly get pucks to his forwards in transition," Vuorinen added. "He can carry the puck and has a great release. His personal skills are still a bit raw, but his ceiling is high. He's looked so composed in the KHL. He seems to be ready to play in the NHL almost immediately.""He is a unique type of prospect who's easy to dream on," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote in late May. "He can play all situations and play on his off wing. Silayev ... skates very well for his size. He has excellent footwork and a smooth stride, with strong four-way mobility. He closes gaps quickly on his check, plays a very physical brand of hockey, and thus projects to be a premier shutdown type of defenseman in the NHL."Pronman compared Silayev to Zdeno Chara and added that Silayev has the potential to be a No. 1 rearguard one day.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Seattle Kraken drafted Canadian forward Berkly Catton with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday.Berkly CattonFollowing up his strong rookie campaign in the WHL with a stellar sophomore season, Catton finished with the third-most goals in the league and the fourth-most points with 116 in 2023-24. He teed up the performance with a dominant showing at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August, where he paced the tournament with eight goals and tied for the lead with 10 points in five games to lift Canada to a gold medal.Despite his lack of size, the 18-year-old has been praised for his abilities as a well-rounded center and talented skater. Catton won 53.4% of his faceoffs for the Spokane Chiefs this past season and dazzled as a key cog on their penalty kill, leading the league with seven shorthanded goals.Catton moved up one spot on NHL Central Scouting's final rankings after placing ninth on the midterm list.What they're sayingCatton makes a ton of difficult plays on the move and has a lot of pace in his game," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote in May. "He's not overly physical, but he competes. He wins pucks, gets to the net, and can kill penalties. He projects as an excellent top-six center with a chance to be a No. 1 center."Pronman also likened him to Utah youngster Logan Cooley. "On the rush, Catton can slice through opponents with ease while handling the puck as well as anyone, so he likes to beat his competition with pace. ... Catton's ability to weave through traffic makes him so difficult to contain," Daily Faceoff's Steven Ellis wrote in June.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames drafted defenseman Zayne Parekh with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday.Zayne ParekhParekh just completed one of the best offensive seasons ever by a draft-eligible OHL defenseman.His 33 goals and 96 points are the most by any OHL rearguard since 1990. Ryan Ellis is the only blue-liner to come close in that span, as he tallied 22 goals and 89 points in 56 contests in 2008-09.Parekh earned CHL Defenseman of the Year honors and finished the season by winning the Memorial Cup with the hosting Saginaw Spirit.The Nobleton, Ontario, native can look lackadaisical at times, but that's partially due to his style. He's become a bit of a pest, adding a chippy element to his game over the campaign.Parekh's defensive limitations may frustrate future coaches, but his immense offensive potential could more than make up for that.What they're saying"If he can defend at a reasonable level in the NHL ... he's got star power offensively. He won't be for every team, but I'd pick him early without much hesitation and bet on the rare skill," The Athletic's Scott Wheeler wrote."There aren't many defensemen in the game that can score goals like Parekh has shown, which makes him an especially exciting prospect and at least gives him a chance to challenge for a top-pairing role at his peak," wrote FloHockey's Chris Peters."The big issue with Parekh is his play away from the puck. He gives half-efforts at times defensively and doesn't engage physically. I've seen worse defenders, though," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators drafted defenseman Carter Yakemchuk with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday.Carter YakemchukYakemchuk dazzled with the Calgary Hitmen this season. He was a human highlight reel, often showcasing his immense skill and making opposing defenders look silly.With 30 goals, 71 points, and 120 penalty minutes, Yakemchuk's campaign resembled that of a power forward, not a rearguard. He's the first draft-eligible defenseman to hit the 30-goal mark since Ian White in 2002.Yakemchuk is on the older side of the class with a September 2005 birthday. He's an incredibly exciting talent with quality skating, a bomb of a shot, and legitimate high-end puck skills. Questions remain about how much one-on-one play he can get away with at the next level. He'll also need to improve defensively and cut down significantly on the amount of penalties he takes.What they're saying"Yakemchuk has star potential and projects to be a major minutes player in the NHL with a lot of offensive upside," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote."The dynamic elements of his game, especially in a player of his size, make him a little bit of a rarer commodity, and with a bit more development, I think the rest of his game smooths out enough for him to challenge for a top-four role," wrote FloHockey's Chris Peters."While his game in the WHL does come with some give and take, he's got pro size, a pro shot ... and an attack mentality that is complemented by an active disposition to eagerly jump off the line or into the rush," The Athletic's Scott Wheeler wrote.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Anaheim Ducks drafted Canadian forward Beckett Sennecke with the third overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday.Beckett SenneckeSennecke was clearly stunned to hear his name called so early.

The Edmonton Oilers signed backup goaltender Calvin Pickard to a two-year contract extension worth $1 million per season, the club announced Friday.Pickard grabbed the Oilers' No. 2 netminding job and played well amid Jack Campbell's struggles this past season. Pickard went 12-7-1 with a .909 save percentage in 23 games (20 starts) in the regular season.The 32-year-old also played three games and started two during Edmonton's second-round series against the Vancouver Canucks, which his club won in seven. Pickard went 1-1 with a .915 save percentage in those contests, prevailing in Game 4 but losing Game 5.Pickard spent the 2022-23 campaign with the Oilers' AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. He signed a two-year, two-way pact with Edmonton in July 2022. That deal carried a cap hit of $762,500, according to CapFriendly.The journeyman puck-stopper spent time with five other organizations before landing in Edmonton. He played parts of three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, parts of one campaign apiece with the Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, and Toronto Maple Leafs, and three with the Colorado Avalanche to begin his career.Pickard suited up for a career-high 50 games with the Avalanche in 2016-17. He went 15-31-2 with a .904 save percentage that season.Colorado drafted Pickard 49th overall in 2010.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The offseason comes fast and furious this weekend, beginning with the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.Here's what you need to know before the San Jose Sharks are on the clock.When

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded forward Alexandre Texier to the St. Louis Blues for a 2025 fourth-round pick, the teams announced.Additionally, the Blues signed Texier, who was a pending restricted free agent, to a two-year contract worth $2.1 million annually.Texier set career highs in goals (12), assists (18), and games played (78) with the Blue Jackets last season. He showed plenty of promise in 2021-22, producing 11 goals and nine assists in 36 games.He didn't play in the NHL in 2022-23 at the recommendation of the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program, instead spending the season with Zurich in the Swiss league.A product of France, Texier can play center but has prominently been used on the wing. He turns 25 in September.The Blue Jackets drafted him in the second round in 2017.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils are actively looking to move defenseman John Marino, reports Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.The Devils also reportedly remain open to moving the 10th overall pick in Friday's first round.The Vancouver Canucks are among the teams in the mix for Marino, Seravalli adds. Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin confirmed that pending unrestricted free-agent defenseman Nikita Zadorov will head to the open market Monday.Allvin and Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford both know Marino well from their time with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where Marino spent the first three seasons of his career.Marino recorded 25 points in 75 games with the Devils in 2023-24 while averaging 20:57 per contest. He isn't overly big or physical, but he's routinely posted strong defensive metrics throughout his five-year NHL career.The Devils acquired Marino from the Penguins in 2022 for a third-round pick and Ty Smith.Marino, 27, has three years left on his contract with a $4.4-million cap hit.Moving Marino would create another hole on the Devils' blue line after the team traded away Kevin Bahl in the Jacob Markstrom deal.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens acquired the 21st overall pick in Friday's draft from the Los Angeles Kings for the 26th, 57th, and 198th selections, the teams announced.Montreal also holds the fifth overall pick and has eight additional choices after the second round.Los Angeles is set to make six selections this weekend.Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes hopes to add another top-10 pick and is open to moving up or down from the fifth slot, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.This will be the third consecutive year the Canadiens have held a top-five pick. They drafted Juraj Slafkovsky first overall in 2022 and landed David Reinbacher fifth overall in 2023.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois continues to work on re-signing captain Steven Stamkos, but a new deal isn't imminent despite free agency opening Monday."As we stand here right now, we haven't been able to reach an agreement yet," BriseBois said Friday, according to Bally Sports' Gabby Shirley."I don't know if we will be able to reach an agreement, but we met with Steven's agent again yesterday, and both sides are still interested in getting a deal done, but we have not been able to agree to terms that are satisfactory for both sides. I think, at this time, it's probably best if I leave my comments to that for the time being."Stamkos' agent, Don Meehan, told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun on Friday that his client will be a free agent come July 1.Stamkos' eight-year, $68-million contract signed in 2016 reached its conclusion at the end of this past campaign. The Lightning have about $5.3 million in cap space this offseason, per Cap Friendly, which likely isn't enough to retain Stamkos even on a team-friendly discount as he gets set for unrestricted free agency.Tampa Bay currently has 10 forwards and six defensemen signed for next season. While Stamkos inking a deal is uncertain, BriseBois said he's hopeful of announcing an extension for Victor Hedman, a UFA in 2025, in the coming days.The Lightning drafted Stamkos with the first overall pick in 2008. He's a two-time Stanley Cup winner and the franchise's all-time leader in games played (1,082), goals (555), and points (1,137).Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars are buying out the final year of Ryan Suter's contract, the team announced Friday.The buyout will go as follows, per PuckPedia.SeasonInitial cap hitBuyout cap hit2024-25$3.65M$783K2025-26N/A$1.43MThe Stars signed Suter to a four-year, $14.6-million contract as an unrestricted free agent in 2021.The final four years of his previous contract - a 13-year, $98-million deal - was also bought out. Suter joins Tony DeAngelo are the only two players in NHL history to be bought out twice.The 39-year-old recorded two goals and 15 assists while averaging 18:56 per contest in 2023-24. He added four more points in 19 postseason appearances.While the offense from Suter's game is mostly gone, he still posted solid defensive metrics last season.

The Philadelphia Flyers announced Friday that they will buy out the final year of Cam Atkinson's contract."When it comes to someone with the accomplishments and character of Cam, this was an exceptionally tough decision to make," general manager Daniel Briere said.Atkinson had one year remaining on his deal at a $5.875-million cap hit. The forward will be eligible to sign anywhere on July 1.He'll count for $2.36 million on Philadelphia's books this season and $1.76 million in 2025-26, according to Cap Friendly.The Flyers were reportedly exploring all options for Atkinson earlier this offseason, including trade. The San Jose Sharks were among interested clubs, but the player wasn't keen on a move to the Bay Area and had a 10-team no-trade list.Atkinson arrived in Philadelphia via trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021. He had a strong debut campaign with the Flyers but missed all of 2022-23 due to injury, then saw a huge decline in production this past season. The 35-year-old registered 28 points in 70 games and was in and out of the lineup as a healthy scratch.Atkinson has appeared in 770 NHL games over a 12-year career. His best campaign came in 2018-19 when he bagged 41 goals for the Blue Jackets.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland each announced their first six players for the 4 Nations Face-Off on Friday.Here are the core players for each country:Canada PlayerPositionTeamSidney CrosbyFPenguinsNathan MacKinnonFAvalancheBrad MarchandFBruinsConnor McDavidFOilersBrayden PointFLightningCale MakarDAvalancheUnited States PlayerPositionNHL teamJack EichelFGolden KnightsAuston MatthewsFMaple LeafsMatthew TkachukFPanthersAdam FoxDRangersQuinn HughesDCanucksCharlie McAvoyDBruinsSweden PlayerPositionNHL teamFilip ForsbergFPredatorsWilliam NylanderFMaple LeafsMika ZibanejadFRangersGustav ForslingDPanthersVictor HedmanDLightningErik KarlssonDPenguinsFinland PlayerPositionNHL teamSebastian AhoFHurricanesAleksander BarkovFPanthersMikko RantanenFAvalancheMiro HeiskanenDStarsEsa LindellDStarsJuuse SarosGPredatorsThe 4 Nations Face-Off was announced earlier this year and will take place in February 2025. The event was designed to launch a new international hockey calendar that will alternate between Olympic participation and full-scale World Cups starting in 2026.The NHL hasn't participated in any international tournaments outside the annual world championships since 2016.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals acquired forward Andrew Mangiapane from the Calgary Flames in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick, the teams announced Thursday.He's under contract for the 2024-25 season with a $5.8-million cap hit and can become an unrestricted free agent next summer. His deal includes an eight-team no-trade list, according to CapFriendly.Mangiapane chipped in with 14 goals and 40 points - including 36 at even strength - in 75 outings this past season, his seventh with the Flames. Calgary selected him in the sixth round of the 2015 NHL Draft.The 28-year-old's best statistical season came in 2021-22 when he amassed 35 tallies and 20 helpers while appearing in all 82 games. He's reached the 40-point plateau in each of the past three campaigns.Mangiapane has totaled 109 goals and 215 points in 417 career NHL contests.Calgary now has just under $29 million in cap space as a result of the move."Today's trade provides us with an increase in valuable draft capital, and we have continued to emphasize the importance of how upcoming drafts will influence the future of our franchise," Flames general manager Craig Conroy said in a statement. "Additionally, this move affords us with more salary cap and roster flexibility to make decisions after July 1."Mangiapane's agent said his camp never requested a trade but wasn't completely surprised by the deal, per Sportsnet's Eric Francis.The Capitals, meanwhile, have been focused on adding to their forward group. They acquired Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Los Angeles Kings for goaltender Darcy Kuemper last week.Washington is currently $2 million over the cap, but the team projects to have a tad over $7 million in space if Nicklas Backstrom remains on long-term injured reserve.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sweden and Finland announced the core of their respective 4 Nations Face-Off rosters Friday, each naming six players to their squads for the tournament in February.Canada and the United States will make their selections later Friday morning.Sweden PlayerPositionNHL teamFilip ForsbergFPredatorsWilliam NylanderFMaple LeafsMika ZibanejadFRangersGustav ForslingDPanthersVictor HedmanDLightningErik KarlssonDPenguinsFinland PlayerPositionNHL teamSebastian AhoFHurricanesAleksander BarkovFPanthersMikko RantanenFAvalancheMiro HeiskanenDStarsEsa LindellDStarsJuuse SarosGPredatorsThe 4 Nations Face-Off was announced earlier this year and was designed to launch a new international hockey calendar that will alternate between Olympic participation and world cups, involving more teams starting in 2026.The NHL hasn't participated in any international tournaments outside the annual world championships since 2016.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Rutger McGroarty suitors are starting to materialize for the Winnipeg Jets.The Boston Bruins have had continuous discussions with the Jets about the top prospect, while the Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, and New York Islanders have also inquired, reports the Winnipeg Free Press' Mike McIntyre.On Saturday, it was reported the Jets are likely to trade McGroarty, but that he doesn't have any animosity toward the city of Winnipeg.The Jets were apparently keen on signing the Nebraska-born University of Michigan star at the end of the college season in April, but they weren't willing to guarantee him a path to NHL playing time. McGroarty then decided to return to the Wolverines for his junior year in 2024-25.Winnipeg bolstered its forward group in preparation for a playoff run in March, adding Tyler Toffoli and Sean Monahan in separate trades. The Jets reached the postseason, but the Colorado Avalanche bounced them out of the first round in five games. Both Toffoli and Monahan are pending unrestricted free agents.McGroarty collected 16 goals and 36 assists over 36 games for Michigan this season. He notched 18 tallies and 21 across 39 contests in 2022-23. McGroarty also led the United States to the gold medal as captain at this year's World Junior Championship, posting five goals and four assists in seven games.The Jets drafted him 14th overall in 2022.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Nashville Predators and goaltender Juuse Saros agreed on an eight-year extension with an average annual value of $7.74 million, reports TSN's Chris Johnston.Saros has one season remaining on his current deal with a $5-million cap hit and is eligible to sign a new pact on Monday.The 29-year-old had a bit of a down year by his lofty standards this past season, but he still posted 35 wins - tied for the sixth most in the NHL - and a .906 save percentage.The Predators were one of the best teams after the All-Star break, closing out the season on a 21-7-3 run. Saros was key to that success, collecting a 16-5-3 record and a .912 save percentage over that span.Saros registered a .900 clip and a 2.02 goals against average in the playoffs before Nashville was eliminated by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round.The Finn made over 60 starts in each of the last three seasons - making him the league's busiest goalie during that time - and he finished within the top six in Vezina Trophy voting the past four campaigns. He was named a finalist for the hardware in 2022.Saros ranked within the top 10 among all goalies in both goals saved above average and goals saved above expected at all strengths from the 2020-21 season to the 2022-23 campaign, according to Evolving-Hockey.His reported cap hit will make him the fifth-highest-paid active netminder under contract in 2025-26, though New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin is also eligible to sign a new deal on July 1.RankPlayer2025-26 cap hit1Sergei Bobrovsky$10M2Andrei Vasilevskiy$9.5M3Connor Hellebuyck$8.5M4Ilya Sorokin$8.25M5Juuse Saros$7.74M6John Gibson$6.4MThe Predators selected Saros in the fourth round of the 2013 NHL Draft. He owns a career .917 save percentage and 182-119-32 record.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL revealed its All-Star and All-Rookie teams for the 2023-24 campaign following the league's awards show on Thursday night.1st All-Star team Michael Martin / National Hockey League / GettyPositionPlayerTeamLWArtemi PanarinNYRCNathan MacKinnonCOLRWNikita KucherovTBLDQuinn HughesVANDRoman JosiNSHGConnor HellebuyckWPGThe NHL's first All-Star team is largely highlighted by award winners.MacKinnon took home the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award, Hughes won his first career Norris Trophy, and Hellebuyck earned his second Vezina Trophy during Thursday's proceedings.Kucherov was a finalist for the Hart and Ted Lindsay after leading the league with 144 points, Josi was nominated for the Norris, and Panarin finished fifth in voting for the Hart thanks to his 120-point season.2nd All-Star team Elsa / Getty Images Sport / GettyPositionPlayerTeamLWFilip ForsbergNSHCConnor McDavidEDMRWDavid PastrnakBOSDAdam FoxNYRDCale MakarCOLGThatcher DemkoVANThe second All-Star team similarly boasts plenty of talent, though all of its members went home empty-handed on Thursday night.Makar and Demko were finalists for the Norris Trophy and Vezina Trophy, respectively, while McDavid was nominated for the Hart.Forsberg, meanwhile, posted new career highs in goals (48) and points (94) this past season. Fox was once again a workhorse for the New York Rangers and finished fourth in Norris Trophy voting as a result of his efforts. Pastrnak enjoyed a 110-point campaign and wound up in eighth place on the Hart Trophy ballot.All-Rookie team Patrick McDermott / Getty Images Sport / GettyPositionPlayerTeamFConnor BedardCHIFLogan CooleyUTAFMarco RossiMINDBrock FaberMINDLuke HughesNJDGPyotr KochetkovCARBedard took home the Calder Trophy as the league's top first-year player, and he's joined by the other two finalists - Faber and Hughes - on the All-Rookie team.Rounding out the young squad is Kochetkov, Cooley, and Rossi, who finished fourth, fifth, and sixth in voting for the hardware, respectively.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Colorado Avalanche stud Nathan MacKinnon won the Ted Lindsay Award as the league's most outstanding player in 2023-24, as voted by members of the National Hockey League Players' Association.Toronto Maple Leafs sniper Auston Matthews and Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov were the other two finalists.MacKinnon, 28, recorded a career-high 51 goals and 140 points in 82 contests. He was the first player in league history to have two 19-game point streaks in a single season.It's the first major individual award for MacKinnon. He's a three-time Hart Trophy finalist and is up for the award on Thursday. He claimed the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2014 and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2020.MacKinnon led the league in goals above replacement (36.0), per Evolving-Hockey.Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid won the Ted Lindsay Award last year. The winner of the Lindsay has also won the Hart Trophy as league MVP each season since 2019.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon took home the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player, beating out Edmonton Oilers dynamo Connor McDavid and Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov.MacKinnon claimed the Hart after previously finishing as a finalist three times.Here's how the voting broke down:

Vancouver Canucks rearguard Quinn Hughes brought home his first career Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman in 2023-24.Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi and Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar were the other two finalists. The Professional Hockey Writers Association votes on the award at the end of the regular season.Here's how the voting broke down:

Winnipeg Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck is the 2024 winner of the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender.Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko and Florida Panthers veteran Sergei Bobrovsky were the other two finalists. The general managers of all 32 NHL teams vote on the honor at the end of the regular season.Here's how the voting unfolded:

Chicago Blackhawks phenom Connor Bedard won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's best rookie in 2024.Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber and New Jersey Devils blue-liner Luke Hughes were the other two finalists. Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association vote on the honor at the end of the regular season.Here's how the voting shook out:

The Vancouver Canucks traded forward Ilya Mikheyev, the rights to forward Sam Lafferty, and a second-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for a fourth-round pick, the clubs announced Wednesday night.Both the second- and fourth-round selections come in the 2027 draft. The Canucks are also retaining 15% of Mikheyev's salary. His contract ends in 2025-26 and carries a $4.75-million cap hit, per CapFriendly. Lafferty, meanwhile, is a pending unrestricted free agent with a cap hit of $1.15 million.Mikheyev has a modified no-trade clause enabling him to submit a 12-team no-trade list, but he waived it for the trade to Chicago, according to TSN's Chris Johnston.On top of that, there was another team on Mikheyev's no-trade list that was also talking to the Canucks about acquiring him, per Johnston.The swap with the Blackhawks opens up cap space for the Canucks. Vancouver has a number of pending UFAs to re-sign, including forward Elias Lindholm, plus defensemen Nikita Zadorov and Ian Cole, not to mention backup goaltender Casey DeSmith. The Canucks' postseason hero in goal, Arturs Silovs, is a pending restricted free agent.Mikheyev is a defense-first forward who collected 11 goals and 20 assists over 78 games this past season. He was held pointless in 11 postseason contests. The 29-year-old was coming off surgery to repair a torn ACL he suffered in January 2023. Mikheyev played two seasons with the Canucks after spending his first three with the Toronto Maple Leafs.The Russian winger notched a career-best 21 goals with the Leafs in 2021-22. The Canucks signed him as a free agent in July 2022.Vancouver got Lafferty from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2024 fifth-round pick in October. The forward, who's also 29, produced 13 goals and 11 assists over 79 games this season. He suited up for parts of two seasons with the Blackhawks in 2021-22 and 2022-23. Chicago traded him to Toronto as part of the Jake McCabe deal in February 2023.Lafferty started his career playing parts of three campaigns for the Pittsburgh Penguins before they traded him to the Blackhawks for forward Alex Nylander in January 2022.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks re-signed defenseman Tyler Myers to a three-year contract with a $3-million cap hit, the team announced Thursday.Myers, 34, recorded 29 points and 77 penalty minutes in 77 games last season. He played 18:57 per contest, marking the first time in his 15-year NHL career that he averaged under 20 minutes.The veteran blue-liner played in 12 of Vancouver's 13 playoff games and managed one assist.Myers' new deal includes a no-move clause in the first two years and a 12-team no-trade clause in the final season, TSN's Darren Dreger reports.Vancouver landed Myers as an unrestricted free agent in July 2019 on a five-year contract. He had a $6-million cap hit last season.The Canucks re-signed forward Dakota Joshua on a four-year pact with a $3.25-million cap hit earlier Thursday. Ilya Mikheyev was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night, a move that cleared just over $4 million.Vancouver has $14.5 million in cap space with Tucker Poolman on long-term injured reserve, according to CapFriendly.Myers has accrued 371 points in 995 career games. He won the Calder Trophy with the Buffalo Sabres in 2009-2010.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pending unrestricted free-agent forward Elias Lindholm is going to the open market, TSN's Darren Dreger reported on Thursday's edition of "Insider Trading."The Vancouver Canucks acquired Lindholm from the Calgary Flames in late January in exchange for winger Andrei Kuzmenko, defense prospects Joni Jurmo and Hunter Brzustewicz, a 2024 first-round pick, and a 2024 fourth-round selection.Lindholm amassed six goals and 12 points in 26 regular-season games while averaging fewer than 18 minutes of ice time per contest with Vancouver. He added 10 points in 13 playoff games before the Canucks were eliminated in the second round by the Edmonton Oilers.The 29-year-old is due for a raise on his $4.85-million cap hit. Evolving-Hockey projects Lindholm to sign a seven-year pact with an average annual value of $7.962 million.Vancouver was busy Thursday, signing forward Dakota Joshua and defenseman Tyler Myers to a four-year, $13-million pact and a three-year, $9-million contract, respectively. Both players could've hit the open market as free agents July 1.The Canucks now have around $14.5 million in projected space when accounting for Tucker Poolman's $2.5-million cap hit on long-term injured reserve, per CapFriendly.Goaltender Casey DeSmith and rearguards Ian Cole and Nikita Zadorov can all become UFAs, while netminder Arturs Silovs is a pending restricted free agent.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Less than a year after the Pittsburgh Penguins signed goaltender Tristan Jarry to a five-year contract worth nearly $27 million, they're entertaining the possibility of trading him.The Penguins have let teams know Jarry is available, sources told The Athletic's Rob Rossi. However, the situation is reportedly fluid, and the club hasn't dismissed the notion of starting next season with Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic as its tandem in the crease.Jarry has the right to file a 12-team no-trade list every season, so he can do that Monday when the NHL calendar flips to 2024-25, according to Rossi.The ever-inconsistent netminder struggled this season, going 19-25-5 with a .903 save percentage in 51 games. He tied for the league lead with six shutouts. However, Nedeljkovic took his job down the stretch, as Jarry didn't appear any of the Pens' final 13 contests before they missed the playoffs for the second straight campaign.Jarry inked his current pact July 1, 2023 as an unrestricted free agent. He's on the books through 2027-28.The Penguins re-signed Nedeljkovic to a two-year deal with an average annual value of $2.5 million last Thursday. He was due to become a UFA on Monday.Jarry has spent his entire eight-year career with the Penguins, who drafted him 44th overall in 2013. The 29-year-old has a career save percentage of .912 and has twice finished seventh in Vezina Trophy voting.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers and president of hockey operations and general manager Ken Holland mutually agreed not to renew his contract, which was set to expire Sunday, the team announced Thursday.Oilers CEO of hockey operations Jeff Jackson will serve as acting GM, though he said he has no intention of holding the title permanently. Jackson added that there's no timeline for finding Holland's replacement, but he's already contacted some candidates.Multiple teams are reportedly expected to approach Holland about roles he'd consider, though the 68-year-old executive will take some time before deciding his next move.Holland said last offseason that he'd honor the final year of his contract but didn't reveal his intentions beyond 2023-24.The news comes on the heels of the Oilers losing in the Stanley Cup Final in seven games to the Florida Panthers."Over the past five seasons as general manager, Ken has not only built the Edmonton Oilers into one of the NHL's best teams, he has also established a deeply rooted foundation of success and a culture of winning that will continue well into the future," Jackson said. "Thanks in large part to Ken's outstanding work, Edmonton has become a destination city for players around the National Hockey League."Edmonton hired Holland in May 2019, and the Oilers reached the postseason in all five of his seasons. While Holland inherited most of the team's core, he drafted Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway, traded for Mattias Ekholm, and signed Zach Hyman as a free agent during his reign.However, Holland was criticized for other moves, such as Darnell Nurse's extension and Cody Ceci's signing.Holland is already a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. He famously served as the architect of the dynastic Detroit Red Wings teams that won four Stanley Cup championships under his tenure - three while he was GM and executive vice president of hockey operations and a fourth while he was still the assistant GM.The NHL draft is set to begin Friday, while free agency opens Monday.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres completed a trade on the eve of the draft, the teams announced Thursday.The Sharks moved up to No. 11, sending the 14th and 42nd overall picks to the Sabres.Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said the trade gives the club more ammunition to make a deal that helps the NHL roster, according to the Buffalo News' Lance Lysowski.San Jose initially acquired the 14th pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Erik Karlsson trade and the 42nd selection from the New Jersey Devils in the Timo Meier deal.The Sharks will also pick first overall in Friday's draft and are expected to take Boston University standout Macklin Celebrini.Buffalo drafted forward Zach Benson with the No. 13 pick last year.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft, which starts Friday in Las Vegas, theScore's Kyle Cushman, Nick Faris, John Matisz, and Josh Wegman project the 32 first-round picks.No drama at No. 1. Celebrini, the youngest player ever to win the NCAA's Hobey Baker Award, immediately becomes a franchise cornerstone in San Jose. He possesses an extremely diverse skill set for an 18-year-old, doing basically everything at a high level. Bonus: Celebrini has a strong connection to Northern California. His dad, Rick, is vice president of player health and performance for the Golden State Warriors.While the idea of getting Connor Bedard a running mate up front is tantalizing, both Ivan Demidov and Cayden Lindstrom come with some question marks. Levshunov, who's spent the last two years in North America, has very few. He's a well-rounded, 6-foot-2 defenseman with an explosive skating stride and great offensive instincts. As a righty, he complements left-shooting blue-line pillars Kevin Korchinski and Alex Vlasic.The Ducks could draft a big center (Lindstrom), slippery winger (Demidov), or towering defenseman (the 6-foot-7 Silayev). Their decision will influence the next several picks. In Silayev, they get an elegant skater with shutdown potential who managed to chip in offensively in the KHL, tallying 11 points in 63 games, at a precocious age.Lindstrom barely played in the second half of the season due to hand and back injuries, but what he showed out of the gate in Medicine Hat is enough to entice the Blue Jackets. The 6-foot-3 center plays a physical game and possesses exciting speed and a lethal shot. He'll form a potent one-two punch with last year's third overall pick, Adam Fantilli, for years to come.Montreal's core lacks a dynamic, game-breaking forward, and Demidov is exactly that. The strong, 6-foot winger is considered the most skilled player in the draft class. He used his creativity and elusiveness to post 60 points in 30 games in Russia's top junior league, and he reportedly told teams that he plans on jumping to North America in 2025-26.The draft really begins to open up here. As many as seven players would be worthy candidates for this selection. General manager Bill Armstrong opts to take Dickinson - a smooth-skating, 6-foot-3 blue-liner who has "minute muncher" written all over him - with the first pick in Utah history.Immediate needs are best addressed in free agency, not the draft. That means Steve Staios, Ottawa's rookie GM, shouldn't feel compelled to use this pick on a right-handed defenseman. Evaluating all options leads the Senators to Sennecke, an exhilarating puck-handler whose dominant postseason (22 points in 16 OHL games) helped him rocket up draft rankings.The Kraken haven't drafted a defenseman in the first round in their brief history, but that changes here. Buium had one of the best freshmen seasons by an NCAA blue-liner, producing over a point per game and leading Denver to a national title. Even if he doesn't hit the same offensive heights in the NHL, his superb puck-moving ability and developing defensive game give Buium top-of-the-lineup upside.The Flames choose a franchise icon's son who also happens to be a top-10 talent. In other words, while it's impossible to ignore the familial ties, the selection's completely justifiable. Iginla's a high-compete winger with a fantastic shot and great handles. He put up 84 points in 64 WHL games, then starred for gold medal-winning Canada at the world under-18 tournament.Talented, undersized forwards often slip in the draft. The 5-foot-10 Catton is the latest example. Whether he sticks at center or moves to the wing in the pros, GM Tom Fitzgerald is glad to add another dynamic presence up front. Catton is one of just four Canadian Hockey League players since 2000 to score at least 50 goals and 115 points in his draft year, joining No. 1 picks Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, and Bedard.The move up the board from No. 14 to No. 11 pays dividends for the Sharks, who have their choice of two top-10-caliber blue-liners to address a barren cupboard of defense prospects. They debate taking Zayne Parekh but grab the 6-foot-3 Yakemchuk, who has the tools to lead dangerous rushes, snipe goals from above the faceoff circles, and play competent or disruptive defense in the NHL. He's drawn comparisons to Sharks legend Brent Burns.The Flyers simply can't pass on the best player available. Yes, they acquired Jamie Drysdale this season and drafted Oliver Bonk last year, but Parekh has legitimate star potential that's too appealing to pass on. His production in the OHL over the past two years (133 points in 116 games) was historic, and he plays with an edge that will endear him to Philadelphia fans.The Wild think long and hard about two-way center Konsta Helenius but opt to keep the defenseman train going. Solberg has top-four potential as a 6-foot-2, mobile, physical defender who can make a clean first pass. The Norwegian showed very well at the world juniors and World Championship.Helenius' mature game could help him reach the NHL sooner rather than later, especially compared to other picks in this range. That makes him an intriguing fit for the Sabres after they traded down from No. 11. Helenius was a top-six center in Finland's main pro league all season and produced at an impressive clip. He's not a home run swing, but he could become an impactful top-nine piece.Targeting a versatile player, Detroit drafts the second Norwegian of the round. Brandsegg-Nygard's effort level, defensive awareness, and pinpoint shot helped him fit in with adults in Sweden's second pro division and Norway's world championship group.The Blues need help on the back end at the NHL level and in their farm system. Jiricek - the younger brother of Blue Jackets prospect David Jiricek - is a mobile, right-shot defenseman with size. Adam garnered some top-10 buzz before a knee injury at the world juniors ended his season prematurely.Hage is one of the biggest risers in the class due to a productive second half. He's a speedy center who bagged 33 goals and added 42 assists in 54 USHL games and is off to the University of Michigan in the fall. Hage joins Ivan Miroshnichenko, Ryan Leonard, and Andrew Cristall in Washington's next wave of forwards as the club slowly transitions out of the Alex Ovechkin era.Eiserman, who entered the season as a possible top-three pick, plummets after scoring 58 goals in 57 games - the third-most in NTDP single-season history. What gives? There are concerns about his vision, hockey IQ, and compete away from the puck. But the Blackhawks would surely be thrilled to add Eiserman to an organizational forward group that lacks dynamic offensive threats outside of Bedard.The Golden Knights swapped prospects they'd drafted in Round 1 to acquire Ivan Barbashev, Jack Eichel, Tomas Hertl, and Mark Stone. Even if Luchanko becomes trade fodder, his speed, smarts, scrappiness, and promise in the dot (ranked ninth in the OHL in faceoff wins) make the 5-foot-11 center a wise pick.Greentree scored 36 goals and 90 points on a poor Spitfires team. Named an OHL captain at 17 years old, he brings top-six potential to an Islanders prospect pool that's devoid of high-end upside. An underwhelming end to the campaign at the under-18s drops his stock slightly.The Kings' prospect pool needs centers with upside and, at this point in the first round, Beaudoin's the right choice. The Ottawa native's competitiveness and sound two-way game will take him places. He's a solid bet to make the NHL. The question: can Beaudoin produce offense at the pro level?Based on talent, Connelly would be worth a top-10 pick. He's a true game-breaker offensively. But there are behavioral red flags: Connelly posted an offensive photo to Snapchat in 2022 that got him kicked off his Triple-A team. A year earlier, he was accused of directing a racial slur at an opponent. It's unknown if Predators GM Barry Trotz would be willing to look past this, but he did tell his scouts to swing for the fences.Elite fitness results at the scouting combine - where Emery won several jumping tests, crushed 12 pull-ups, and had the third-longest wingspan - enhanced the 6-foot-3 defenseman's draft stock. He becomes Toronto's first high pick at the position since Rasmus Sandin in 2018.Chernyshov is a powerful winger with finishing touch. His style could make him a textbook complementary top-six forward, and his lack of KHL production (four points in 34 games) doesn't scare the Avalanche. Demidov was the only draft-eligible player to outscore Chernyshov in Russia's junior league over the past two seasons.The Bruins, who acquired this pick in Monday's Linus Ullmark trade, are thrilled Elick's still on the board. Elick's a right-handed shutdown blue-liner who kills plays with his phenomenal skating and willingness to get physical. Put another way, he's exactly the kind of prospect Boston could use.Letourneau is one of the biggest wild cards in the draft. The 6-foot-7 center with Tage Thompson-like upside produced 61 goals and 127 points in 56 games - but he did so at a prep school facing relatively weak competition. As an organization rich with prospect depth, the Canadiens can afford to make this risky pick.Parascak isn't big or quick, but he's highly intelligent and fills the net. He ranked in the top 15 in WHL goals (43) and assists (62) as a linemate of the league's top sniper, Capitals prospect Zac Funk. Rather than lament Parascak's limitations, Carolina ventures that he'll keep lighting the lamp.Sahlin Wallenius is an excellent skater who played big minutes for Sweden at the under-18s. He's a modern two-way defenseman who would be considered much earlier in the draft if he were taller than 6-feet.The Stars love to draft out of Ontario (see: Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston, Thomas Harley) and O'Reilly's coming off a solid showing for London in the OHL playoffs and Memorial Cup. The center, who's a projected bottom-six NHL forward, gets high marks in hockey sense and motor.Boisvert boasts an intriguing combination of good size (6-foot-2) and a dangerous shot: think Sean Monahan or Josh Norris if everything goes right. The Rangers love the idea of adding a player with that potential to a prospect pipeline that's thin down the middle.The rebuilding Ducks own multiple first-round picks for the fourth time in six years. Drafting Silayev and Vanacker, the scoring leader (36 goals, 82 points) for a strong OHL team, elevates a prospect pool that's already deep and balanced.The Flyers lack centers in their system and address that with Miettinen. The Finnish pivot projects more as a shutdown forward than an offensive dynamo - his physicality and 6-foot-3 frame could make him a fit on the third line.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Kings traded forward Carl Grundstrom to the San Jose Sharks for defenseman Kyle Burroughs, the teams announced Thursday.Grundstrom recorded eight goals and four assists in 50 games last season while playing a fourth-line role. The 26-year-old is a high-energy, physical winger with limited offensive ability. He's a pending restricted free agent and is eligible for a $1.3-million qualifying offer.Burrough tallied eight points and a minus-42 rating in 73 games with the Sharks last season while logging 19:09 per contest. The right-handed blue-liner is best served in a bottom-pairing role. The 28-year-old has two years left on his contract with a $1.1-million cap hit.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks signed forward Dakota Joshua to a four-year contract with a $3.25-million cap hit, the team announced Thursday.Joshua, 28, tallied a career-high 18 goals and 32 points in 63 games last season. He added four goals and eight points in 13 playoff games. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent Monday.Vancouver added Joshua as a free agent in 2022 on a two-year contract with a cap hit of $825,000.Before signing with the Canucks, Joshua had played just 42 NHL games and accrued nine total points. He established himself as an NHL regular in 2022-23 with 23 points in 79 contests before his breakout campaign this past year.Joshua led Vancouver with 245 hits last season. His 21.4% shooting percentage was also the highest on the team among regulars.His signing comes after the Canucks shipped Ilya Mikheyev to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. Vancouver retained 15% of Mikheyev's salary but still cleared just over $4 million.The Canucks have $17.5 million of cap space with Tucker Poolman's cap hit on long-term injured reserve, according to CapFriendly.The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Joshua 128th overall in 2014.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers asked Jacob Trouba's camp for the 15 teams on his no-trade list, reports The Athletic's Arthur Staple.Trouba's contract changes from a full no-movement clause to a 15-team no-trade list Monday when the new league year begins.Obtaining the no-trade list can be standard practice, but there's been speculation that Trouba, 30, could be moved this offseason. The Rangers captain has two seasons left on his deal and carries an $8-million cap hit.The Rangers have a pair of younger, restricted free-agent defensemen in Ryan Lindgren and Braden Schneider needing new contracts. Trouba found himself on the third pairing at times during the postseason in favor of Schneider. Trouba's ice time dropped from 21:15 in the regular season to 20:59 in the playoffs, while Schneider's rose from 15:54 to 17:32.Core players Igor Shesterkin, Alexis Lafreniere, and K'Andre Miller are also eligible to sign extensions July 1.Trouba recorded 22 points in 69 games this past season. While he's known for his punishing, physical style of play, his underlying numbers were poor. He posted a minus-3.2 offensive goals above replacement and minus-2.3 defensive goals above replacement, per Evolving-Hockey.The Rangers acquired Trouba in a 2019 trade with the Winnipeg Jets and promptly signed him to a seven-year, $56-million contract.Trouba won the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2023-24.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2024 NHL Draft gets underway Friday, only four days after the Panthers hoisted the Stanley Cup.Boston University's Macklin Celebrini is already penciled in as the Sharks' choice with the first overall pick. Sportsbooks aren't even offering odds on what seems to be a lock.But the draft gets interesting after Celebrini's name is called with the Blackhawks at No. 2.2nd overall pickPlayerOddsArtyom Levshunov-250Ivan Demidov+185Cayden Lindstrom+3000Anton Silayev+4000All odds via theScore BetOddsmakers believe Chicago is leaning toward picking Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov to bolster its blue line rather than taking a forward to complement Connor Bedard.Levshunov played one season for the Spartans, recording 34 points in 38 games. If he goes second to the Blackhawks, Levshunov would become the first Belarusian selected inside the top five in the draft.3rd overall pickPlayerOddsAnton Silayev+135Artyom Levshunov+300Beckett Sennecke+500Ivan Demidov+550Cayden Lindstrom+1400Sam Dickinson+1800The Ducks could go anywhere with this pick, according to oddsmakers, who've priced four players below +600.Anton Silayev is the favorite at +135, while Levshunov is at +300. With two defensemen as the top favorites, oddsmakers believe the Ducks will take the best blue-liner available.Additionally, Ivan Demidov, who's +185 to go second overall, is +550 to end Friday evening as a Duck. The discrepancy in odds suggests Anaheim will likely take a defenseman over the Russian forward.4th overall pickPlayerOddsCayden Lindstrom-185Ivan Demidov+350Beckett Sennecke+700Anton Silayev+850The Blue Jackets will likely take a forward with the fourth overall pick, according to the odds. Cayden Lindstrom is a big -185 favorite to land in Columbus after recording 46 points in 32 games for the Medicine Hat Tigers last season.5th overall pickPlayerOddsIvan Demidov+175Cayden Lindstrom+225Beckett Sennecke+260Anton Silayev+1400Zeev Buium+1800The Canadiens hold the fifth pick and also appear likely to take a forward early. Oddsmakers have priced three forwards close to each other, signaling how evenly scouts view Demidov, Lindstrom, and Beckett Sennecke while suggesting Montreal hasn't provided any hints as to whom it prefers.The draft starts at 7 p.m. ET from The Sphere in Las Vegas.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving knows he can't make a rash decision regarding star forward Mitch Marner despite constant talk about the player's future."I'd caution us to not pay too much attention to some of the noise," Treliving told reporters, according to TSN's Chris Johnston. "We can't react to all of the noise. ... Mitch knows how I feel about him as a player."Marner has been involved in rampant rumors since the Maple Leafs' first-round exit at the hands of the Boston Bruins. After years of unwavering support, president Brendan Shanahan said the team will "look at everything this summer and consider everything this summer" at Toronto's year-end press conference.The 27-year-old is eligible for a contract extension on July 1 and is set to become an unrestricted free agent after next season.Marner struggled to produce in the first round after accumulating 85 points in 69 regular-season contests. He managed only one goal and three points in the seven-game series.Treliving admitted there is "a lot of work to do this summer," according to Johnston. In addition to Marner's undetermined future, Toronto has notable free agents in Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi as well as significant question marks on defense and in the crease.Talks with the team's free-agent defensemen are ongoing, Treliving said, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun. That group includes veterans TJ Brodie and Mark Giordano, plus trade-deadline pickups Joel Edmundson and Ilya Lyubushkin.Treliving noted the Maple Leafs are likely to keep the 23rd overall pick in this week's draft, according to The Athletic's Joshua Kloke.The first round of the draft is Friday in Las Vegas, while unrestricted free agency opens on Monday.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks signed forward Teddy Blueger to a two-year contract with a $1.8-million cap hit, the team announced Wednesday.Blueger, 29, tallied six goals and 28 points in 68 regular-season games to match his career high in scoring. He played all 13 of Vancouver's contests in the playoffs, recording two assists."Teddy was a key addition to our team last year, and we are really excited to have him back for a couple more seasons," general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement. "His versatility and experience really helped our group in both the regular season and playoffs. He is a strong leader and someone we will count on a lot more moving forward."Blueger won 53.1% of his faceoffs last year. He was also a key part of the Canucks' penalty kill, as he led all Vancouver forwards in shorthanded minutes in the playoffs, according to Natural Stat Trick.Vancouver signed Blueger to a one-year contract worth $1.9 million last summer as an unrestricted free agent.The Latvian has 41 goals and 126 points in 336 NHL games. He played the first five seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins before being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2022-23, where he won the Stanley Cup.Vancouver has just over $14 million in cap space after the signing, according to CapFriendly.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL is adopting four new changes to its rules for 2024-25, the league announced Wednesday.The board of governors, general managers, and competition committee unanimously approved the changes.Here are the adjustments:Rule 38.2 (Situations Subject to Coach's Challenge)

Most of the NHL's official honors have already been awarded and, now that the 2023-24 campaign has officially wrapped up, we're going to dish out some superlative ones to reflect on the season that was.Best fit with new team Nominees: Gabe Vilardi (Jets), Jake Guentzel (Hurricanes), Gustav Nyquist (Predators)Vilardi, the centerpiece of the deal that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to Los Angeles, proved to be a terrific acquisition for the Jets. Although he battled injury, the 24-year-old notched 36 points in 47 games. Guentzel was the big fish on this season's trade deadline board, and he delivered exceptionally well in his brief tenure in Carolina. Nyquist had more points than any player who changed teams for 2023-24, quietly posting 75 points at 34 years old.And the winner is: Guentzel. The Hurricanes and Guentzel seemed like a match made in heaven from the start - and they were. The former Penguin put up 25 points in 17 regular-season games, then added nine in 11 postseason contests. Guentzel brought the goal-scoring punch Carolina has been seeking for years and, although it didn't translate to a championship like the Canes hoped, the rest of the Metropolitan Division should be thankful a cap crunch in Raleigh will likely cause Guentzel to find another new home.Worst fit with new team Jaylynn Nash / Getty Images Sport / GettyNominees: Pierre-Luc Dubois (Kings), Tomas Tatar (Avalanche), John Klingberg (Maple Leafs)Dubois dropped from 63 to 40 points after finally getting his wish to leave Winnipeg, and his ice time fell below 16 minutes per game in his debut campaign with Los Angeles. Tatar scored one goal in 27 games before Colorado shipped him to Seattle, and Klingberg was minus-7 in 14 appearances with the Maple Leafs before being shut down for the season due to injury.And the winner is: Dubois. Getting traded after the first season of an eight-year deal is not normal. While Vilardi provided everything the Jets could have hoped for and more, Dubois had the opposite effect for the Kings. He didn't live up to the hype, and general manager Rob Blake moved Dubois to the Washington Capitals after denying rumors of a potential buyout. We'll leave a spot open for Dubois on this list next year in case D.C. is another bad fit.Funnest trade Nominees: Cutter Gauthier to Ducks, Tomas Hertl to Golden Knights, Erik Karlsson to PenguinsGauthier, one of the Flyers' top prospects, was suddenly dealt to the Ducks for Jamie Drysdale in January, and it was quickly revealed that Gauthier didn't want to play in Philly. Second on the ballot, the Golden Knights shocked the hockey world on deadline day by landing Hertl - even with no cap space. Lastly, the winding Karlsson trade saga saw him land in Pittsburgh to team up with Sidney Crosby and Co.And the winner is: Gauthier. It's extremely rare to see a player work his way out of an organization before ever playing a game there, let alone one as highly touted as Gauthier. The internet went berserk when the announcement dropped, and Philly fans were incensed about the 20-year-old's decision. Rumors about Gauthier's request out of the City of Brotherly Love became so farfetched that Flyers head coach John Tortorella lashed out at a reporter - and refused to answer his questions going forward - after he asked the bench boss about the validity of one of the stories circulating the hockeysphere. It was all top-notch entertainment.Player most likely to regress Eliot J. Schechter / National Hockey League / GettyNominees: Sam Reinhart (Panthers), Zach Hyman (Oilers), NyquistAll three of these players had monstrous, unpredictable offensive seasons. Reinhart and Hyman finished second and third, respectively, in the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy race by breaking the 50-goal plateau, while Nyquist scored a career-high 75 points in his 12th NHL campaign. Surely this trio is bound to come back to earth in 2024-25, right?And the winner is: Nyquist. Reinhart and Hyman may not be 50-goal guys again next year, but both play huge minutes on strong teams. They should be able to produce again. Nyquist, on the other hand, only hit 60 points once in his career before this year's outburst. Maybe he found a perfect role on Nashville's top line, but Nyquist is unlikely to have much leeway as a prominent player in the Predators' attack if he cools off at any point next season.Most disappointing team Nominees: Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Buffalo SabresThe Penguins overhauled their front office, spent lavishly in free agency, and pulled off the biggest trade of the calendar year by landing Karlsson. But they still missed the playoffs and boasted an inexplicably terrible power play despite having three guaranteed Hall of Famers on it. The Senators and Sabres were popular picks to upheave the Eastern Conference playoff race, but both squads regressed in the standings and saw their lengthy postseason droughts live on for another year.And the winner is: Pittsburgh. The Karlsson trade was supposed to turn back the clock for the Penguins, but it instead raised concerns about the future of the franchise as they battled for a wild-card spot all season.Best online discourse Andrea Cardin / National Hockey League / GettyNominees: Ridly Greig's empty-net slapper, Golden Knights LTIR shenanigans, RempemaniaHockey fans love to react on the internet in the wake of the sport's most viral events - and there was no shortage of them this year. Our first nominee rattled the league's biggest fanbase to its core, while Vegas caught so much flack for putting captain Mark Stone on long-term injured reserve that general manager Kelly McCrimmon had to come out and say his team isn't cheating. Lastly, Matt Rempe broke onto the scene in February with some enthralling fights, but his appeal quickly turned to angst among fans after a long list of dangerous hits.And the winner is: Greig - and it's not close. When the Senators' forward ripped a slap shot in the open cage to seal an ultimately meaningless victory over the Maple Leafs in February, social media caught fire (and so did Morgan Rielly's temper). Toronto's defenseman drilled Greig in the face with a cross-check, which drew a five-game suspension. Leafs fans were incensed at player safety's verdict, and many pearl-clutchers believed Greig had it coming for breaking a chapter of the sport's unspoken "code." It was an unprecedented time of hot takes, and it reignited a Battle of Ontario that's gone mostly stale over the past several seasons.Best platform year Nominees: Sam Reinhart (Panthers), Jeremy Swayman (Bruins), Seth Jarvis (Hurricanes)This hardware is for the player who set himself up for a handsome pay raise in a contract year. As mentioned above, Reinhart hit a new level with 57 goals this season, while Swayman established himself as the Bruins' clear No. 1 option in net with a strong regular season and a dominant playoff performance. Jarvis emerged as one of the Hurricanes' most important forwards with a career-high 33 goals and 67 points this season.And the winner is: Reinhart. Swayman and Jarvis are both restricted free agents, while Reinhart has a ton of leverage against a cap-strapped Panthers squad or in the open market. The two sides seem to be keen on an extension, though the Cats can kiss Reinhart's team-friendly $6.5-million cap hit goodbye. No state tax will likely benefit Florida, though it'll be interesting to see where Reinhart ends up on the Panthers' hierarchy if a deal is struck. Captain Aleksander Barkov leads the squad at $10 million per season, while Matthew Tkachuk sits second at $9.5 million.Worst Utah team name suggestion Nominees: Squall, Powder, IceWe get it, there's winter in Utah. Thankfully the league's newest club seems to be going in a different direction.And the winner is: Powder. Back to Arizona if this was the choice.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leon Draisaitl is set to enter the final year of his contract before he can become an unrestricted free agent in 2025, and he's eligible to sign an extension Monday.This will undoubtedly loom over the Edmonton Oilers until it's resolved, but Draisaitl said Wednesday that he intends to take some time to formulate a plan."I'm gonna give you the most boring answer here," Draisaitl said. "I'm obviously gonna sit down with my agents here and talk to the Oilers and see what their plan is, see what our plan is, and just go from there."Draisaitl is set to receive a sizeable raise from his current $8.5-million cap hit after producing his fifth 100-point season in the last six years. His next contract could potentially make him the NHL's highest-paid player - a distinction currently held by Auston Matthews and his $13.25-million cap hit."Obviously I haven't had any time to really think about it, it wasn't on my mind a lot lately," said Draisaitl, who was occupied with trying to help the Oilers win the Stanley Cup. "It's just something that's gonna take a little bit of time to figure out what I want, what the Oilers want, what everyone wants."He added: "I love being an Oiler more than anything."Draisaitl, the 2020 Hart Trophy winner, recorded 41 goals and 65 assists in 81 games in 2023-24. Though he was limited to zero goals and three assists in the Stanley Cup Final, he still finished the postseason with 31 points in 25 games while playing through rib and hand injuries.Edmonton drafted Draisaitl third overall in 2014. He ranks sixth on the franchise's all-time points list with 850.The Oilers will have immediate business to take care of, though, as they have several notable pending UFAs, including Warren Foegele, Adam Henrique, Connor Brown, Mattias Janmark, Corey Perry, and Vincent Desharnais. Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg are restricted free agents.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Anaheim Ducks unveiled the team's new logo and jerseys on Wednesday.The rebranding sees Anaheim lean into its location in Orange County and bring back the iconic Mighty Duck logo with updated colors.

The Los Angeles Kings unveiled their new primary uniforms Wednesday.Here's a look at the black home threads: Los Angeles KingsAnd here are the white away getups: Los Angeles KingsThe uniform and logo designs are inspired by Los Angeles' uniforms worn from 1988-98, which includes the era in which Wayne Gretzky suited up for the Kings.

New York Rangers senior adviser Glen Sather announced his retirement Wednesday.Sather's NHL front-office career spanned over four decades, beginning as head coach and vice president of hockey operations with the Edmonton Oilers in 1979-80. He won five Stanley Cups with the Oilers - four as head coach, general manager, and president - and one more while holding the latter two titles."Slats" joined the Rangers organization in 2000-01, serving as president and GM until 2014-15. He oversaw two division titles and one Stanley Cup Final appearance over that time. He stayed on as president for three more years with Jeff Gorton as GM before transitioning into an advisory role in 2019-20."Having the opportunity to be associated with the National Hockey League, and specifically the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers, has been one of the great privileges of my life," Sather said.Sather played 10 NHL seasons from 1966-76 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a builder in 1997.The National Hockey League congratulates Glen Sather on his retirement and salutes him for his legendary career," commissioner Gary Bettman said. "Whether with the dynastic Edmonton Oilers teams of the 1980s, the contending New York Rangers clubs of recent years, or various iterations of Team Canada, Sather always showed a keen eye for elite talent and a deft touch for bringing out its best."As important, he cared deeply about his players as people, sought to develop them as men and supported them through any off-ice challenges."Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The decisive contest in the Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup Final victory over the Edmonton Oilers averaged 16.3 million viewers across North America, according to the NHL.The Panthers' 2-1 Game 7 win, which clinched the franchise's first title Monday night, was the second-most watched NHL matchup across the continent since the league began tracking the data in 2004.The series as a whole averaged 8.8 million viewers in North America, making it the continent's most-watched Cup Final since 2013.CBC, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports carried the games in Canada, while ABC and ESPN+ aired them in the United States.The matchup reached an average audience of 7.55 million on Sportsnet with a total reach of 15 million, making it the network's most-watched broadcast ever.Game 7 averaged 7.7 million viewers on ABC in the U.S., making it the country's most-viewed NHL contest since the last Cup Final Game 7, which came in 2019 and ended with the St. Louis Blues defeating the Boston Bruins.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With seven minutes left in the third period of Monday's epic Game 7, Evan Bouchard feathered a pass to the doorstep of the Florida Panthers' net.The pass wasn't to just anyone. Somehow, someway, in a winner-takes-all game for the ages, the best hockey player of his generation found open ice in front of the crease: Connor McDavid was all alone with the Edmonton Oilers down 2-1.No. 97 corralled the puck, made a quick move from backhand to forehand and tried to sneak it past a sprawling Sergei Bobrovsky. No dice. The puck popped out to Zach Hyman, who had his stick tied up by Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour at the perfect moment. Nope. A scramble ensued, Bobrovsky pounced on the puck, and that was it. Florida played lock-down defense until sticks, helmets, gloves, and plastic rats rained down.Game over, historic collapse avoided, reputations salvaged and cemented: Florida, the NHL's southernmost team and a laughingstock for stretches of its 30-season existence, has captured its elusive first Stanley Cup. "There was no question we were going to win this one," Montour told Sportsnet moments after hoisting the Cup. Elsa / Getty ImagesLast June, the Panthers were walloped 9-3 in the fifth and final game of a lopsided Cup Final; the cumulative score was 26-12 in favor of the Vegas Golden Knights. This year, they jumped out to a 3-0 series lead, lost three straight close-out games, one of them by seven goals, one on home ice, before finally finishing the job in a season and final that felt never-ending.Long doesn't mean boring. No, the hockey world might have just witnessed the most memorable final in NHL history - a deep team outdueled the Wayne Gretzky of its era, but only barely. It took seven thrilling games, and McDavid - who was otherworldly throughout the playoffs and especially in the Final, where he posted 11 of his 42 points - still earned the Conn Smythe Trophy.Fittingly, Florida's most clutch player, Carter Verhaeghe, scored the opening goal Monday, and its top sniper, 57-goal scorer Sam Reinhart, nailed the winner. The Panthers won as a unit but ultimately needed their best to be the best."I've never hugged so many sweaty men in my life," Panthers head coach Paul Maurice told Sportsnet from ice level at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida."They always say you can't fucking get the words out, man," added blue-liner Aaron Ekblad, a 10-year Panther. "That's incredible. This is amazing. Sorry for swearing, but this is the best moment of my life so far. Nothing tops it." Elsa / Getty Images Eliot J. Schechter / Getty ImagesThis Florida team should be remembered for its ability to limit offensive dynamos. Round 1's top priority was Nikita Kucherov, and the Tampa Bay superstar managed only three five-on-five points in five games. Round 2's target was Boston's David Pastrnak, who had two five-on-five points in six games. Round 3: New York's Artemi Panarin, who also could only muster two five-on-five points in six games.McDavid broke through, collecting six five-on-five points, but he's McDavid. However, he inflicted damage only when Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was on the bench. The score when the two centers were on the ice together at five-on-five: 1-1.If there are people in your life who remain skeptical about Barkov's ability to fill Patrice Bergeron's role as the preeminent defensive forward in the sport, now and for the next decade, show them the statistic above. With the stakes impossibly high, Barkov drew even with McDavid in 44 head-to-head minutes.Barkov, the longest-serving Panther, also bagged four game-winners on the run. Verhaeghe had three, while Reinhart and heart-and-soul winger Matthew Tkachuk pitched in two apiece. Rising star Gustav Forsling secured his place among the league's upper echelon of defensemen with superb defensive play. Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, solidified his Hockey Hall of Fame case with a Conn Smythe-caliber run and first Cup. Forwards Evan Rodrigues (seven goals, including four against Edmonton), Anton Lundell (17 points, plus flashes of Barkov-esque defensive play), and Eetu Luostarinen (Mr. Reliable every single night) all count as standouts further down the lineup. Dave Sandford / Getty ImagesAs is tradition, Barkov accepted the Cup from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. He hoisted it, then gave it to Bobrovsky, who passed it to fourth-line winger, 17-year vet, and trade-deadline addition Kyle Okposo."I wanted to put myself in the best position to win this year and made a hard decision three and a half months ago," Okposo said of moving from Buffalo - where he was captain - to Florida. "I thought that this was the best team. I said it from the first day that I got here: I wanted to be a spoke in the wheel."Like Okposo, Maurice waited a long time for this. The former bench boss of the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes (twice), Toronto Maple Leafs, and Winnipeg Jets trails only Scotty Bowman in career NHL games coached. He looked directly into the broadcast camera as a champion and thanked his family for 30 years of support. "Hey Dad," he said in typical Maurice fashion, "your name is going up with your heroes. Beliveau. Richard. Howe. Lindsay. Maurice."Another notable addition to sports' most stunning trophy: Tkachuk, whose father Keith had a storied career but never reached the mountaintop. Icon Sportswire / Getty Images Bruce Bennett / Getty ImagesThe Panthers made the Cup Final in 1996, the club's third year of existence, but then struggled for a long time, from 1997-2021. They made the playoffs six times but failed to win a series in those 24 seasons. The past three years have been an entirely different story, with general manager Bill Zito, hired in September 2020, constructing a championship team largely through free agency and trades: Presidents' Trophy in 2021-22, Cup runner-up in 2022-23, Cup winner in 2023-24.In July 2022, Zito famously acquired Tkachuk for longtime Cat Jonathan Huberdeau, and the trade's aged fantastically. Same goes for Zito's work from early April to late July 2021: Montour, Sam Bennett, and Reinhart all brought in via trade. Overall, 17 of the 21 players to appear in at least one game during Florida's playoff run were acquired via trade (eight) or free agency (nine). Zito made 15 of those transactions, while former GM Dale Tallon pulled off two.That leaves four players: Forsling, Barkov, Ekblad, and Lundell. Forsling was claimed off waivers, while the others were drafted in the first round.In other words, above all else, the Panthers are exceptional at evaluating players on other NHL teams. Again and again, the front office - whether it's Zito himself, his assistants, scouts, or analytics people - has identified the right player at the right time, and then folded him neatly into Maurice's lineup. Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesThe 2023-24 Panthers were versatile on offense, structured on defense, and disciplined relative to the chaos they caused during play and between whistles. The majority of the roster was deserving of the "defensively sound" label, and there's no denying some cues were taken from captain Barkov.All pro athletes are highly competitive, but Florida had what seemed and felt like a disproportionate number of ultra-competitive players up and down its lineup; like those players wouldn't (eventually) be denied. It showed most in puck battles, on the forecheck and cycle, and along the boards in all three zones. And in the connectivity and love between linemates, teammates, and coaches."I got off the phone with them the summer I took the job and I kept telling my wife: 'These guys are different,'" Maurice told ESPN of the club's core pieces."It's the way they treat each other. They love each other. It starts with Barkov and it filters down. We have nine new guys this year, and then we brought in Okposo and (Vladimir) Tarasenko, and you can't tell they haven't been here for 10 years. It's got nothing to do with the coaches - nothing to do with us. That room has been special since Day 1."He added later about the journey: "We needed to lose three in the Final to learn how to win four. And the fact that it was so hard makes it so special."John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (@MatiszJohn) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.