Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold is still not over his team's first-round defeat to the St. Louis Blues.After finishing the regular season with the second-best record in the Western Conference and the fifth best league-wide, the Wild were easily dispatched of by the Blues made quick work of the Wild in their first-round playoff matchup. And while Leipold watches the conference finals from afar, he can't help but think that his team should be there."'I'm envious of four teams right now, and (the Nashville Predators) are one of them," Leipold said, according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune. "I was terribly disappointed (by our finish). I'm not over it. Not over it. I watch these games now and go, 'That could be us.'"After just barely reaching the postseason last year with 87 points and the final wild-card spot in the West, the Wild saw a 19-point improvement during the regular season, but ultimately played one fewer playoff game compared to last season after losing in five.The finish has Leipold curious about where to go from here."I'm not satisfied where we are," Leipold said. "In my feeling with the playoffs, we took a step back, and we never expected that. We didn't think that was going to happen, so it's causing us to think, 'What do we need to do?'"But I'm still … I like our team, I like the way it's built. Sure, there's some issues that we need to address, and we will. But I'm not disappointed with our team. I’m disappointed with how we ended the season."Despite the disappointment, Leipold did assure that general manager Chuck Fletcher's job was safe, though he did admit that in hindsight he now wishes the team hadn't made the Martin Hanzal trade - a deal he fully supported at the time.All that and it seems this offseason could be an interesting one in Minnesota.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Even at one win apiece, the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins are set to do battle in Game 3 on Wednesday night at Canadian Tire Centre.While the Penguins took Game 2 in dramatic fashion, they enter Canada's capital missing Justin Schultz and Bryan Rust from the starting lineup, while Patric Hornqvist will miss his second consecutive game.With that in mind, the Senators have a chance to capitalize on a thin Penguins roster, and here are a few ways they can do so:Get back on the forecheckThe loss of Schultz could be a major problem for a Penguins D corps that's already missing Kris Letang and likely Trevor Daley, who will be a game-time decision Wednesday night.With three top defenseman potentially out of the picture, Ottawa will need to find a way to apply pressure on the forecheck, much like in Game 1.Leading up to his series-opening goal, Senators forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau pressured Penguins rearguard Brian Dumoulin behind the Penguins' net, ultimately resulting in a turnover.Using strong puck support, winger Bobby Ryan was able to scoop up the loose puck, feed Pageau, and capitalize on an opportunity created by speed in the offensive zone.The Sens will need more of the same on home ice to force the Penguins' hand.(Images Courtesy: NHL.com)Trap, trap, trapMuch has been made of the Senators' 1-3-1 neutral-zone trap - in that it's boring to watch from a fan's perspective - but with the Penguins missing multiple top puck-moving defenseman, now is the time to clog the middle of the ice.Creating uncomfortable passing lanes through center ice is the goal of Guy Boucher's trap, and forcing turnovers can create offense in transition.In addition to the loss of Schultz, the absence of Hornqvist and Rust on Pittsburgh's wings should allow more focus on the big guns as outlets. Sidney Crosby has been held pointless through two games, and while Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel combined to break the trap in Game 2 for the contest's only goal, it didn't come without frustration.The trap has gotten Ottawa this far, and there's no reason to change it now.Let Karlsson roam free(Photo Courtesy: Action Images)This is an obvious one, but if you're looking to push a softened defensive unit on its heels, let Erik Karlsson lead the charge.By his own otherworldly standards, Karlsson has been quiet so far versus the Penguins, unable to register a point just yet. However, whether it's via stretch pass or an awe-inducing rush, No. 65 has the ability to create space for teammates, or to finish the play himself.Like he did versus the Bruins and Rangers, Karlsson has a golden opportunity to make an emphatic mark on the series beginning in Game 3.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leon Draisaitl is in line for a hefty raise, and he certainly deserves it.The 21-year-old broke out in a big way this season, helping the Edmonton Oilers make the playoffs for the first time in 11 years, then shining in the postseason.Draisaitl is a pending restricted free agent, having just completed the third year of his entry-level deal.The Oilers will have the right to match if another team decides to file an offer sheet, but general manager Peter Chiarelli said Tuesday that getting Draisaitl signed is one of the club's top priorities this summer.Here's a look at the factors at play in his looming negotiations:The body of workDraisaitl has taken steps forward in each of his three NHL seasons, finishing second on Edmonton with 29 goals and 77 points while playing every game in 2016-17.He posted six goals and 16 points in 13 playoff contests this spring, including a five-point explosion in a Game 6 blowout of the Anaheim Ducks.The 2014 third overall pick notched 19 goals and 51 points in 72 games last season.He doesn't have a permanent position at the moment, but there's no doubt he provides a valuable blend of size and skill up front.The comparablesDraisaitl is likely looking at a new deal with a starting point in the $6 million per season range, based on contract extensions recently signed by other players of his ilk.There are several previous long-term pacts that could be used to set the bar for his next contract:PlayerTeamLength (Yrs)Value ($M)AAVJohnny GaudreauFlames640.56.75Mark ScheifeleJets8496.125Filip ForsbergPredators6366Aleksander BarkovPanthers635.45.9Gaudreau is on the high end here, and while he doesn't align with Draisaitl in terms of size or preferred position, his deal is still useful as a reference point.Forsberg signed his deal last June after leading the Nashville Predators in scoring with 33 goals and 64 points.Barkov has plenty in common with Draisaitl, as a left-shooting center over six feet tall who weighs over 210 pounds.His extension came in January 2016, so his cap hit is lower than the other deals because of a lower cap and the natural escalation of salaries since then, but he was in the midst of a 28-goal, 59-point campaign at the time.That Connor guyChiarelli wants to get Draisaitl's deal done, but he has a bigger fish to fry first.The Oilers GM said Tuesday that he wants to sign Connor McDavid to an extension beforehand, which is understandable even though the Hart Trophy finalist and soon-to-be Art Ross Trophy recipient won't be an RFA until after next season.McDavid is probably going to cost the Oilers at least $10 million per season, but they should still have room to reward Draisaitl for his steady development.One likely concern for the Draisaitl camp, though, is that their client's production this season was largely tied to McDavid, who he flanked on the right wing for the majority of the campaign.The counterpoint will surely be that Draisaitl showed he can succeed without McDavid, too.The German forward produced when head coach Todd McLellan separated him from McDavid and used him as a center late in the Oilers' playoff run, but it remains to be seen whether the long-term plan puts him back on the wing or down the middle.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Corey Hirsch is a former NHL goaltender who spent parts of seven seasons with the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, and Dallas Stars.Wayne Gretzky was once asked who his goaltender would be if he had to put everything on the line for one game. He answered, without hesitation: Grant Fuhr.So if I had to put everything on the line for one game, who would I choose out of the remaining goaltenders in this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs? Here are my selections in descending order:4. John Gibson, Anaheim DucksPhysical game - His unorthodox style keeps shooters guessing. I have yet to see a goaltender in this year's playoffs move better laterally than Gibson. He has powerful pushes, and his ability to read the play is a huge reason why Anaheim is still in the playoffs.Mental game - Gibson at times can lose focus, and will let in a soft goal. His team has bailed him out on a few occasions, and this is due to experience and age. As he gets older, his mental game will get better.But when playing for a Stanley Cup, soft goals can't happen, and focus is paramount. Thus, he sits at No. 4.3. Craig Anderson, Ottawa SenatorsPhysical game - Anderson is an excellent athletic goaltender. I've seen him make some amazing saves he appeared to have no chance of making. He fights to see pucks in traffic and battles every night to give his team a chance.Mental game - With what he's been through, or should I say what his wife has been through, I applaud what he has been able to do. To perform at that high of a level while dealing with his wife's cancer diagnosis is remarkable. Kudos to Anderson and his family.His team does play a very defensive style, which benefits him on most nights. Is this his fault? No, but it's a benefit to him, and that's why he sits at No. 3.2. Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh PenguinsPhysical game - I'm not sure he's ever been the most athletic goalie in the NHL. Sometimes I watch him and wonder how he stops the puck. But he gets it done. He fights for his teammates, and never quits on a puck.Mental game - Fleury has been criticized in the past for not being strong enough in this department, but who else could take a back seat to Murray in last year's playoffs and then do what he's done this season? That takes some major strength and maturity.Fleury has two Stanley Cup rings, while the other three goalies on this list have zero. That earns mucho respect from me, and it's why he's at No. 2.1. Pekka Rinne, Nashville PredatorsPhysical game - 6-foot-7 and athletic? Sign me up. I've watched Rinne practice on numerous occasions, and I dare anyone to find a harder-working goalie than this guy. He's big, he's mobile, and he works his tail off.Mental game - I have yet to see Rinne crumble in any situation. His teams haven't been the best over the years, and in some years he was the only reason the Predators reached the postseason. If he wasn't playing well, you would never know it. He looks and acts like he always has it together.Rinne has long been one of the NHL's best, and finally has a good team with depth in front of him. He's also hungry for a Cup. That's a lethal combination for any team trying to beat him, and why he's my choice at No. 1.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be down at least three bodies Wednesday night.Justin Schultz, Patric Hornqvist, and Bryan Rust have all been ruled out of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Ottawa Senators, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed after the morning skate.All three players are considered day to day with their respective ailments.Schultz suffered an apparent shoulder injury early in Game 2 on Monday night, and Rust was leveled by Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf on a monstrous but clean hit earlier in the opening period. Neither player returned.Hornqvist missed the game with what the Penguins only called an "upper-body" malady. He was replaced by Carl Hagelin.Schultz came into Monday's contest leading the Penguins in average ice time, and his significant contributions have been critical for a club already playing without Kris Letang and Trevor Daley.Daley and Mark Streit will be game-time decisions Wednesday.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Phil Kessel: Stanley Cup champion, inspiration for baby names.Kessel Ryan Hillman was born Mother's Day in Pittsburgh to parents Nicole and Adam, who opted to name their son after the Penguins' popular winger, according to WTAE Pittsburgh."The perfect name for our son," Adam Hillman said.Just over 24 hours after Kessel's birth, his namesake scored the game-winning goal for Pittsburgh in Game 2 of its conference final versus the Ottawa Senators.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Edmonton Oilers head coach Ralph Krueger says he turned down a pair of job offers from NHL clubs and is focused on his role as chairman of Premier League soccer side Southampton."It was nice and honorable that I was offered two NHL jobs postseason and I was happy they didn't forget about me but I turned them down," Krueger told NBC Pro Soccer Talk's Joe Prince-Wright in an interview published Tuesday."It just feels like we've only just got started here (in England) and especially with the management re-organization we just did, there is kind of like there's something here where we are going to take it to another level."Krueger guided Team Europe's unexpected run to the World Cup of Hockey final last fall, and that performance was expected to earn him interest from NHL teams.ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reported Tuesday that new Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill wants to talk to Krueger, who's still keeping tabs on hockey despite his soccer commitments."I still love the game and I have lots of friends still in the playoffs, I am keeping a close eye on them," he said. My son is playing at the World Ice Hockey Championships for Germany right now in Germany and all of that ... but it is Southampton. At the moment this is doing it. I don't think you ever close the door on anything in your life but I love being here."Southampton is seeking its fourth straight top-eight finish, sitting in eighth place in the EPL table through 36 matches. Krueger joined the Saints as director in January 2014 and was promoted to chairman about two months later.He lasted only one season as Oilers head coach, compiling a 19-22-7 record in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign.- With h/t to Puck DaddyCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs took the first steps toward improving their flawed blue line Tuesday, signing Swedish defensemen Calle Rosen and Andreas Borgman to two-year, entry-level contracts.The acquisitions are likely just the beginning of general manager Lou Lamoriello's offseason plans. Here are three things to know about the newest Maple Leafs.1. The profilesHere's how both defensemen stack up:PlayerAgeHeightWeight (lbs) ShootsRosen236-0185LeftBorgman216-0210LeftRosen participated in 41 games for Vaxjo of the Swedish Hockey League last season, recording six goals and 19 points. The undrafted rearguard was reportedly linked to the Maple Leafs and Blackhawks for weeks before putting pen to paper with Toronto, according to The Athletic's David Alter and Scott Powers.Borgman, who also went undrafted, participated in his first SHL season in 2016-17, notching five goals and 10 assists with HV71 Jonkoping. The 21-year-old earned Rookie of the Year honors for his impressive debut season, joining previous winning defensemen including Mattias Ekholm, Victor Hedman, Toby Enstrom, and former Leafs first-round pick Kenny Jonsson.2. They'll get opportunitiesWhile both players need to prove their worth to earn an NHL roster spot come October, the Leafs didn't bring them overseas for nothing."They'll get every opportunity, they have the ability," Lamoriello said, according to Kevin McGran of The Toronto Star. "Whether it's right away, or whether it's in a month, we'll have to wait and see. No pressure on anyone. We're delighted they've chosen us, they were highly recruited."The Leafs brought in Nikita Zaitsev from the KHL immediately into their top four last season, and though he's older and came from a stronger league, Toronto's brass is likely hoping Rosen and/or Borgman follows a similar development curve.3. Much-needed depthToronto's still in the market to acquire blue-line help via free agency or trade this offseason, but adding two young defensemen addresses the Leafs' biggest roster problem.Toronto's top three of Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner, and Zaitsev is set in stone, but the subsequent spots are surely up for grabs. Roman Polak suffered a brutal leg injury in the playoffs and is scheduled for unrestricted free agency, as is Matt Hunwick, who rounded out the Leafs' top six last season.Connor Carrick is likely to stick around, while one of Alexey Marchenko or Martin Marincin - who each have one year remaining on their current contracts - could very well be exposed for Vegas.Whether Rosen and Borgman are with the Maple Leafs or the Marlies, Toronto's gained two promising pieces for its program.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Randy Carlyle should spend less time nitpicking about the accuracy of the shot counter and more time focusing on the fact that his team is being outplayed.The Anaheim Ducks head coach took aim at a statistician following a 2-1 loss to the Nashville Predators in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final on Tuesday night - a game in which the Ducks were outshot 40-20.Related: Josi scores late winner as Preds dominate Ducks in Game 3"Well, I think the shots against tonight, I just have one tidbit that at one point it was 9-8 for us. And on one flurry it went to 14. So I don't know who is counting the shots," he told reporters postgame.

The Nashville Predators have reached new heights.While the club still needs two more wins to secure a trip to the Stanley Cup Final, much of the hockey world has become enamored with the Preds during their first-ever run beyond the second round of the playoffs.It's tough not to be aboard the Nashville bandwagon, but if you aren't, here are three reasons why the Predators' run - no matter where it ends up - has been terrific for the sport.1. Smashville Before Tuesday night, Nashville had never hosted a conference final game, and boy, were they ready.Whether it was the flight of a giant catfish, numerous deafening chants, or the local football team chugging beers to ramp up the crowd, one thing has been clear: Nashville loves its Predators.The mustard-toned raucous crowd has been non-stop, and it gives their players the boost required to gain an edge in the playoffs - it's no coincidence that Nashville has won 10 consecutive home games in the postseason.

With the offseason underway for a number of teams, with the remainder to join them in a few weeks, we're looking at what's in store for each club in the coming months.2016-17 Grade: C+In the end, the 2016-17 Carolina Hurricanes were what we thought they would be: a non-playoff team that appears to be trending upward.Sure, the Hurricanes finished with a single point more in the standings than they did the previous season, but a promising group of talented young forwards and defensemen now have another year under their belts, with steps taken in the right direction under head coach Bill Peters.It was near the end of the season that the Hurricanes put the rest of the NHL on notice, amassing the fourth-highest point total (28) from March 1 onward, thanks to a record of 11-6-6 in 23 games down the stretch.More of that, and these Hurricanes will be upgraded a category or two sooner than later.Free Agents(Photo courtesy: Action Images)The Hurricanes have a handful of players who need contracts come July 1, with Teuvo Teravainen standing out from the bunch:Player (Position)2017-18 StatusAge2016-17 Cap Hit'16-17 PointsJay McClement (F)UFA34$1.2M8Teuvo Teraivanen (F)RFA22$89416742Brock McGinn (F)RFA23$81166716Derek Ryan (F)UFA30$60000029Matt Tennyson (D)UFA27$67500062017 Draft PicksThe Hurricanes have 10 picks over seven rounds in the coming draft.RoundPicks1123 (Own + Rangers + Penguins)32 (Own + Devils)4151 (Bruins)6171Summer priorities1. Center of attention: One of the worst kept secrets in hockey is the Hurricanes' need for a top-line center, an acquisition that is most likely to be made possible by dealing from a position of strength, namely defense.General manager Ron Francis, to his credit, has done an amazing job stockpiling impressive talent on the blue line, and while there's also some nice pieces to build around up front, a high-end pivot is an absolute necessity if this team hopes to return to the ranks of the relevant.2. Clear out the crease: The Hurricanes already took care of a huge piece of business by trading for and subsequently signing goaltender Scott Darling to a four-year, $16.6-million contract. Darling has the look of a backup ready for a starting gig, and he's certainly being compensated as such before really proving he can do it.The offshoot to that is Cam Ward ($3.3 million) and Eddie Lack ($2.75 million) are still on the books for 2017-18, and Francis will certainly be looking to move one - presumably the more expensive Ward - to clear the goalie glut and free up some cap space in the process.3. Complement blue line with experience: The age range of the Hurricanes' defensemen under contract for next season is 20 to 25. There's obviously no need to break the bank here, as Francis has some star potential and heavyweight depth already at the position.Some veteran savvy would be nice, however, and the addition of an older, serviceable, and affordable free agent at this position could go a long way toward not asking too much, too soon of this young core.2017-18 OutlookThe Hurricanes have not qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2009, and that drought needs to end as soon as possible. As mentioned above, Carolina made a late push to jump into the postseason conversation, but ultimately fell short by eight points.Darling should bring an immediate boost to a team that registered a 26th-ranked .902 save percentage last season. Conversely, the Hurricanes ranked third with a Corsi For rating of 57.25 in all situations, meaning even average goaltending should give this team a much better chance to pick up some points on any given night.Francis has done a solid job of setting up a foundation for success since taking over the job in 2014, stockpiling assets and clearing cap space. Few deny he's doing it right, but what he does next - beginning this summer - will determine where Carolina goes over the next few seasons.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nashville was the place to be Tuesday night.Bridgestone Arena, in particular, where playoff hockey is alive and well, and where the Predators took a 2-1 decision over the Anaheim Ducks to lead the Western Conference Final by the same score.The atmosphere in Nashville was by all accounts incredible, and below are some of the best photos from a raucous Game 3:Gnash knows how to make a first-time-in-the-Western-Conference-Final entrance.The Tennessee Titans were in the house, and they were quite glad to be there.Nashville took the "go hard to the net" game plan to another level Tuesday. The Preds had two goals disallowed in the third period after John Gibson was ruled to have been interfered with.Simple, yet effective.These teams hate each other, and it's just fantastic.Filip Forsberg has three goals in three games. Sorry, Capitals fans.Viktor Arvidsson is playoff emotion personified.You knew a Predators defenseman was going to bag the winner. It was Roman Josi's turn.A late penalty in the offensive zone in a tie game in the playoffs always ends in agony.Cam Fowler's long skate back to the bench.Count the Preds.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the upcoming NHL Entry Draft on June 23, forwards will likely make up the majority of the top picks. Viewers at home may wonder why more defensemen aren't being chosen higher, especially those who have watched the Nashville Predators run through the Stanley Cup Playoffs on the foundation of a strong blue line.This is simply because defensemen take much longer to develop than forwards. It's a much more difficult position to play. A general manager's rationale may be "why take a defenseman who will be on his third contract by the time he enters his prime when I may not even be here to see it?"It's an understandable thought process, but for Predators architect David Poile, drafting defensemen - and being willing to show patience with their development - is paying off in a big way right now. Specifically, with 26-year-old Ryan Ellis.Ellis, the 11th overall pick in the 2009 draft, enjoyed a breakout year in his sixth NHL season. Take a look at his progression:PPG = Points per game

The Predators sure love playing in "Smashville."With their win in Game 3 against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, the club pushed their home winning streak in the playoffs to 10 games, the highest mark by an NHL team in 20 years, according to Adam Vingan of the Tennessean.The streak dates back to the fist round of last season against - you guessed it - the Anaheim Ducks. The Predators last dropped a playoff game at home on April 21, 2016 in Game 4 against these same Ducks. In fact, the Ducks won Games 3 and 4 of that first-round series in Nashville after the Preds took the first two games in Anaheim.Nashville can push that streak to 11 with a win in Game 4 on Thursday night.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It was a just result in the end.The Nashville Predators were down 1-0 heading into the third period against the Anaheim Ducks, but rallied for two goals to the delight of a rocking home crowd, taking Game 3 by a 2-1 score after Roman Josi's late power-play winner.The Preds overcame two disallowed goals in the third period, too, and ended up outshooting the Ducks 40-20. Anaheim managed only 11 shots in the final 40 minutes. The final shot attempts were 75-38 in Nashville's favor, and 60-30 at even strength. Domination.Nashville leads the series 2-1. Game 4 is Thursday at 8 p.m ET.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Some people can find humor in the littlest of things.Take Jared Boll for instance who couldn't help but laugh after Corey Perry opened the scoring in Game 3 against the Nashville Predators on a power play his Anaheim Ducks received after Cody McLeod was assessed an instigator penalty during a scrap.McLeod received a five-minute major for fighting, a two-minute minor for instigating, and a misconduct for the fight with Boll.As for Boll, he received a five-minute major and the satisfaction of knowing that there is a need for fighting in hockey after all - to get his team a lead.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The fans in Nashville were already excited to see the Predators take on the Anaheim Ducks in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final, but the Tennessee Titans put them over the top Tuesday night.Decked out in custom jerseys, the Titans offensive line was on hand to get things started by pumping up the crowd with a little pregame drink, while quarterback Marcus Mariota was excited just being able to stand on two feet again after a season-ending fibula fracture in December.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Edmonton Oilers' Peter Chiarelli, Ottawa Senators' Pierre Dorion, and Nashville Predators' David Poile were named finalists for the General Manager of the Year Award on Tuesday, the league announced.Chiarelli earned his nomination after leading the Oilers to their first playoff appearance in 11 years. The team impressed in its first postseason outing in over a decade, bowing out in Game 7 of the second round to the Anaheim Ducks.The veteran GM's biggest move was the seemingly controversial trade that sent Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Adam Larsson. And while the deal appeared puzzling at the time, it looks to have paid off for the club.Factor in the signing of Milan Lucic and the under-the-radar signing of Kris Russell and it's easy to see how Chiarelli has helped quickly turn the franchise around.As for Dorion, he helped get his club back into the postseason after missing out a season ago. Unlike Chiarelli or Poile, Dorion had fewer blockbuster moves, but instead made many smaller deals.The team acquired Derick Brassard, Alex Burrows, and Mike Condon - the latter of which proved to be the team's savior in 2016-17 with Craig Anderson missing a lot of time to be with his wife during her battle with cancer.Dorion can also be credited with hiring head coach Guy Boucher - who has helped shape the team into a potential Stanley Cup contender.Poile earned his nomination after pulling off the trade that shook the hockey world last June.The Predators' GM dealt captain Shea Weber to the Montreal Canadiens in a one-for-one deal for P.K. Subban. The deal has paid immediate dividends for the club, which now boasts arguably the strongest defense core in the league.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Current and former Nashville Predators goaltenders are doing some incredible things these days.While Pekka Rinne is shining for the Preds in the Stanley Cup playoffs, Mike Dunham, who tended goal in the Music City from 1998-2002, has advanced to U.S. Open sectional qualifying after shooting a 70 at Newport Country Club in local qualifying.If Dunham plays well enough at the 36-hole sectional qualifier, he will play in the 117th U.S. Open in Erin Hills, Wis., in mid-June.Dunham isn't the only former pro athlete attempting to qualify for the U.S. Open, as former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo's try came up just short earlier this month.If Dunham were to qualify for the U.S. Open, success certainly shouldn't be ruled out. At the 2016 U.S. Open, Andrew Landry, who qualified via a similar route to Dunham, shot a 4-under 66 in the first round to lead the tournament by a stroke. He ended up placing T15.Dunham won 141 games during his NHL career, sporting a career 2.74 GAA and a .908 save percentage with the Predators, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, and Atlanta Thrashers. He earned a silver medal with the United States at the 2002 Winter Olympics.His playing career ended in 2007 at the age of 34, so he's had plenty of time to hone his craft on the links.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers received some crushing news on Tuesday.The team learned that defensemen Andrej Sekera will be out the next six-to-nine months due to a torn ACL suffered in the team's second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks.Related: Oilers' Sekera out 6-9 months with torn ACLAt the short end, Sekera might be out until November, meaning he would miss the first month of the 2017-18 campaign. However, the veteran missing nine months means he would be out until at least February.With that unpredictable timeline, it might make sense for the Oilers to dip into free agency this summer to try to find someone who can help ease the blow of a Sekera-less blue line.Before we dive into three potential candidates, it should be noted that players likely seeking long-term deals will not be considered. Sekera still has three years left on his contract after next season, and at a $5.5-million annual cap hit, so his return could cause some issues.The team would ideally nab someone on a short-term deal to fill the void almost solely for the duration of Sekera's injury.Ron HainseyRon Hainsey has been a welcome addition to the Pittsburgh Penguins since coming over from the Carolina Hurricanes, mostly because he has been one of the few blue-liners to actually remain healthy.He's played in all 14 of the Penguins' postseason contests this year, and is averaging the second-most ice time on the team. He's not an incredibly offensive defenseman, but he can still chip in once in a while.He would be a nice replacement for Sekera, as he can help fill the void left on the Oilers' penalty kill. He averaged 3:01 of shorthanded ice time per game between both the Penguins and the Hurricanes, good enough for a share of 10th league-wide. He also has good speed and is a solid puck-mover.At 36 years of age he won't receive a long-term deal, which is ideal for the Oilers, but he can still be very serviceable.Brian CampbellIt's a role that Brian Campbell has become quite accustomed to over the years. Serving as insurance behind a steady defensive corps, as he did with the Chicago Blackhawks.While Campbell is certainly in his final years in the league, he remains a very mobile option. He can play in all situations, still has speed, and can contribute offensively when needed.Meanwhile, on a team that is still quite young, he'd serve as a great veteran presence and help to iron out some wrinkles with the team's young defenders.He might be better served to play on the third pairing, but he would still be a solid option for the club.Trevor DaleyTrevor Daley appears to be more of a hybrid of the two names mentioned above.He averaged the fifth-most ice time on the Penguins this season, but the third-most while shorthanded. He contributed on the power play, and despite being limited to just 56 games during the regular season, he still managed a respectable 19 points.Like Sekera, Daley is a solid left-hander who can provide a veteran presence on the back end. And with a Stanley Cup to his name (won last year with the Penguins), he has more than just on-ice value.He's 33 years old and is not likely to attract much term or a higher dollar figure - two important conditions for the Oilers.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defensemen Calle Rosen and Andreas Borgman to two-year, entry-level contracts on Tuesday, the team announced.The 23-year-old Rosen is coming off his second full season in the Swedish Hockey League where he set career highs in both goals (six) and points (19) while playing in 41 games.As for Borgman, he is coming off his first season in the SHL where he amassed five goals and 15 points in 45 games en route to capturing Rookie of the Year honors. The 21-year-old also chipped in two goals and eight assists in 14 playoff games, tied for the most among all defensemen.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here's something you don't hear every day: Pekka Rinne needs to play better.The Nashville Predators goalie, normally a brick wall between the pipes, needs to improve on his Game 2 showing if the Preds want to retake the lead in the Western Conference Final.Rinne has arguably been Nashville's best player in the playoffs and is one of the main reasons why Nashville is among the final four.His playoff numbers are downright nasty - .942 save percentage, 1.62 goals against - but he was uncharacteristically shaky, at best, in Game 2, allowing more goals than he did during the entire first round. The backbone of Peter Laviolette's group looked uncomfortable while allowing four goals on 26 shots.Nick Ritchie's game-winner was particularly ugly.

The Vegas Golden Knights are one step closer to looking like a real NHL franchise, announcing Tuesday a multi-year affiliation with the AHL's Chicago Wolves.The St. Louis Blues had been previously affiliated with the Wolves. Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said in a statement later Tuesday that St. Louis would not renew its primary agreement with Chicago beyond this season, but would "associate with the Vegas Golden Knights and supply players to the Golden Knights' AHL affiliate next season."The bulk of Vegas' front-office work will take place between now and the June 21 expansion draft.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Coyotes continued their youth movement in the front office with the hiring of Jake Goldberg.Goldberg, who was formerly the assistant general manager of the OHL's London Knights, will become the Coyotes' director of hockey operations, working hand in hand with GM John Chayka, the Knights announced Tuesday.Chayka himself turned heads last year with his new position, becoming the youngest GM in NHL history at age 27. The addition of Goldberg continues a trend in professional sports of front-office executives becoming younger.The Coyotes will take all the help they can get, as the club just finished two points away from the second-worst record in the league.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mike Yeo is getting his own staff.The St. Louis Blues head coach will have a quartet of new assistants next season, as the club will not bring back Ray Bennett, Steve Thomas, Rick Wilson, and Ty Conklin.Bennett spent 10 seasons on the team's coaching staff, while Thomas and Wilson were hired last summer.Conklin was named the Blues' goalie development coach in July 2013.Yeo was promoted to head coach in midseason, replacing the fired Ken Hitchcock.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Peter Chiarelli made it clear Tuesday that unrestricted free-agent defenseman Kris Russell is a player he wants on his roster.Although Russell only managed one goal and 13 points in a poor 2016-17 campaign, the Oilers general manager complimented the veteran."I want to have Kris back. I thought he was really good for our team ... his poise, his skating," Chiarelli said.It was also announced Tuesday that Oilers defenseman Andrej Sekera has a torn ACL and will be out six-to-nine months.After Adam Larsson and Oscar Klefbom, Edmonton's back end relies heavily on Sekera, and his injury makes the prospect of retaining Russell more appealing.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ryan Kesler is embracing an all-too-familiar role.The Anaheim Ducks pest said he shrugged off Ryan Johansen's remarks about him following Game 2 on Sunday night."I laughed," Kesler told reporters Tuesday via Sportsnet. "Got a lot of texts from my friends and family saying they're still cheering me on. He can say whatever he wants, though. I'm not going to change my game."The Ducks forward said winning in his only goal."I'm here for one reason and one reason only, and that's to win some games here, and to ultimately win the series," Kesler continued. "So he can say whatever he wants to say."Kesler isn't too concerned about his relationship with Johansen, either."He's not my friend. He's not going to be my friend, and he can say whatever he wants. It seemed like he was a bit rattled, so I'm just going to go out and play my game like I always do."Johansen ripped Kesler after the Ducks forward slashed him repeatedly and caught him with a vicious elbow in Game 2, saying he doesn't know how Kesler's family and friends "can cheer for a guy like that."Game 3 goes Tuesday night in Nashville with the series tied 1-1.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here's what happened on Day 12 of the World Hockey Championship in Paris, France and Cologne, Germany.Canada 5, Finland 2

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrej Sekera has a torn ACL and will be out for six-to-nine months, general manager Peter Chiarelli announced Tuesday.Sekera was injured in the Oilers' second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks after taking a hit from Ryan Getzlaf in Game 5. The Oilers went on to lose the series in seven games, and Sekera's absence was a factor.Before bowing out in Game 5, Sekera had blocked the third-most shots per game among all Oilers players, and was logging an average of 21:10 of ice time, fifth most on the team.The veteran rearguard also had a solid regular-season showing in the 2016-17 campaign, finishing with 35 points and a plus-14 rating.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers are making a few changes after a second-round playoff exit.Assistant general manager Chris Drury has been elevated to GM of the club's AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, while fellow assistant GM Jim Schoenfeld will step aside from that role to focus on his duties with the NHL team, the Rangers announced Tuesday.In an additional move, New York GM Jeff Gorton announced that Wolf Pack head coach Ken Gernander was fired.Drury was a candidate for the Buffalo Sabres' GM position following the firing of Tim Murray, but the Rangers reportedly blocked Buffalo from talking to him during the interview process.He was promoted to assistant GM of the Rangers in September after spending one season as their director of player development.Gernander served as head coach of the Wolf Pack for the last 10 seasons.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Nashville Predators' regular anthem singer isn't happy that he's been bumped for big-name acts in the playoffs.Dennis K. Morgan voiced his displeasure with the Predators, who've had hugely successful country performers such as Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" before games at Bridgestone Arena in the postseason."I'm not going to hide my disappointment and I told the Predators that I have been asked the same question over and over and it's just really getting old," Morgan told Mike Organ of The Tennessean."Everywhere I go - obviously at my day job (as a healthcare IT recruiting manager) and at the arena as well as everywhere else I go to church, grocery stores, on the street, in meetings and in restaurants - people want to know how I feel."Morgan was particularly bitter about Underwood - who's married to Mike Fisher - replacing him before Game 3 of Nashville's first-round series against the Chicago Blackhawks."They came to me and said the captain's wife asked to sing the anthem that night," Morgan said. "It was presented to me as a one night only kind of thing and I agreed to it. Then they continued to bring in these other singers and touted them as 'A-listers,' which kind of hurt me."He wasn't done there."I don't blame Carrie Underwood or Luke Bryan or any of the other acts who have performed," Morgan said. "I've been as good-natured as I can be. With my closest friends, I've certainly shared my disappointment. But most of the time I'll toe the company line and say, 'Why am I not singing? Because I don't have seven Grammys, I'm not married to the captain, she's a whole lot prettier than me,' that kind of thing and try to leave it at that."The Predators explained their rationale in a statement of their own.“We have always valued Dennis K. Morgan’s performance of the national anthem at Predators home games," the team wrote."Our arrangement with him has always allowed for nationally and internationally renowned musical artists to perform when available to further enhance our game experience while paying respect to our country through their respective awe-inspiring renditions of the national anthem."The reaction from our fans in Bridgestone Arena as well as from around the country to seeing and hearing world class performers such as Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Vince Gill and his daughters, Little Big Town and Lady Antebellum during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs has been overwhelmingly positive, bringing national and international exposure to our community while continuing to set our game experience and atmosphere apart from others in professional sports.”Morgan said he'll have to do "some soul-searching" over the summer because he feels insulted by what's transpired, adding that he'd love to sing at Predators games for two more seasons because that would give him 25 in the NHL.After these comments, though, he may have to do more than soul-searching to avoid being replaced for good.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Monday's Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final was dominated by the play of Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf.The pair of Toronto Maple Leafs castoffs are clicking with their new clubs in the 2017 postseason - Kessel with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Phaneuf with the Ottawa Senators - after becoming casualties of Toronto president Brendan Shanahan's rebuild movement.Kessel was shipped out in the summer of 2015 for a package that included a first-round pick and Kasperi Kapanen, while Phaneuf was moved in a nine-player swap with Ottawa in February 2016.Related: 5 takeaways from a spirited Pens-Sens Game 2Take this in for minute: Two major trades involving three different teams and 15 different players actually panned out for all sides involved. That rarely happens in pro sports, and few expected Phaneuf or Kessel to excel like they have with their new franchises.Of course, playing behind superstars - Erik Karlsson in Ottawa and Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin in Pittsburgh - has taken the pressure off Phaneuf and Kessel, and is a positive factor that neither enjoyed while members of the Maple Leafs.The duo were chastised in Toronto for, among other things, lacking passion, leadership, and the will to win. It's safe to say that after Monday's gritty performance from both men, neither will be questioned about their character for the foreseeable future.Phaneuf nearly ended Bryan Rust's life, Kessel scored the game-winning goal, and each player was easily their respective team's best skater in Pittsburgh's Game 2 shutout victory.Their strong play is more of the same after gutsy performances in the previous two rounds.PlayerGPGoalsAssistsPlus/MinusAverage ice timeKessel1468+1017:56Phaneuf1414-123:47With checkered pasts behind them and the Cup looming, both former All-Stars and whipping boys will continue to be counted on heavily by their respective coaches - as their ice time already suggests.Goals have been at a premium in this tight-checking series, so expect more of the same Wednesday night in Game 3, with puck drop set for 8 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

2016-17 Grade: D The plight of the Los Angeles Kings' 2016-17 season began on opening night, when workhorse netminder Jonathan Quick went down with a groin injury that kept him out four months.Despite quality replacement goaltending from Peter Budaj for much of the season, a dreadful offense pushed Los Angeles outside the playoff cut line for the second time in three seasons, consequently leading to the firing of Dean Lombardi and Darryl Sutter as general manager and head coach.The Kings' forwards underachieved greatly. They couldn't keep up with the upstart Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames in the Pacific Division, and failed to achieve the dominant team persona that yielded Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014.Free AgentsPlayer (Position)2017-18 StatusAge2016-17 Cap Hit16-17 PointsTyler Toffoli (F)RFA25$3.25M34Jarome Iginla (F)UFA39$2.66M*27 (9 with Kings)Nick Shore (F)RFA24$600K17Andy Andreoff (F)RFA25$587.5K2Kevin Gravel (D)RFA25$667.5K7*Avalanche retained salary in tradeAfter locking down Tanner Pearson to a team-friendly deal, Tyler Toffoli becomes priority No. 1 for new GM Rob Blake.2017 Draft PicksRoundPicks11 (11th)213142 (Own + MTL)52 (Own + TB)6170Summer Priorities1. Find scoringWhether it requires resuscitating the stagnant offensive life in Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik, or bringing in a new talent, the Kings desperately need to improve their attack.Possessing the puck isn't a problem - Los Angeles is quite good at that - but Jeff Carter and Tanner Pearson were the only players to crack the 20-goal plateau as the Kings ranked 25th in total tallies last season (199).2. Shed contractsIdeally, the Vegas Golden Knights take one of either Dustin Brown's or Gaborik's ugly long-term contracts off the Kings' books, but that doesn't seem likely.Thus, Blake will have to orchestrate a deal or two to free up some room, especially considering Toffoli needs a new deal.Trevor Lewis and Kyle Clifford, who make $2 million and $1.6 million, respectively, through 2020, could certainly be candidates.3. Adapt to new regimeOut with the old, in with the new.Stevens rode shotgun to Sutter on Los Angeles' bench, but he'll need to instill some speed and fire in a team that looked slow and out of place down the stretch.Stuck between win-now mode and a rebuild, Stevens will have to work quick to incorporate a new system for the Kings, but as evidenced throughout the NHL this season, a new coach can do wonders for a struggling team. Perhaps it will be the same in Hollywood.2017-18 OutlookKings brass likely expects a return to the postseason next season, and it's definitely possible.No one predicted a 22-point drop-off for Kopitar, and a full season of Quick in goal would definitely make matters easier. Although their roster is aging, the Kings still have the talent to compete in the West, and rediscovering their mojo under new management may be enough to return them to relevance.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Eastern Conference Final between Pittsburgh and Ottawa is tied 1-1 heading to the Canadian capital after a 1-0 Penguins win in Game 2.Only one goal was scored, but Game 2 was far superior to Game 1. Here are five takeaways after an emotional tilt:Clean hit(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Let's get this one out of the way: Dion Phaneuf's monster hit on Bryan Rust in the first period - which knocked Rust out of the game - was clean. It's about as clean as a hit can get in this era of head injuries and increased concussion awareness.Related - Watch: Phaneuf levels Rust with devastating open-ice hitRust had his head down as he was cutting to the middle of the ice, and Phaneuf obliterated him, but kept his skates on the ice and led with his shoulder and not his elbow. Unless hits like Phaneuf's are outlawed for simply being unnecessary, they will forever remain part of the game.That's not to say Rust deserved what he got - of course not. Phaneuf did make contact with his head, but that's because the defender is 6-foot-3, while Rust comes in at 5-foot-11. What's Phaneuf supposed to do?There was no penalty on the play, and that was the right call.Phaneuf laid out Jake Guentzel later in the game with almost the exact same hit, and no penalty was called on that play, either. Guentzel is 5-foot-10 and Phaneuf again kept his skates on the ice and led with his shoulder. There was unfortunate contact with Guentzel's head simply because of Phaneuf's height.Clean. Both of 'em. That's hockey. Especially playoff hockey.Kessel lives for the playoffsThe "Phil Kessel doesn't care" narrative is lazy and, frankly, bull-you-know-what. Look at his track record. Look at his Stanley Cup ring. Read his Twitter bio (emphasis ours):"Nice guy, tries hard, loves the game."Kessel had a night Monday, though, as he went off at the Pens' bench in the second period, frustrated because the Penguins couldn't buy a goal despite dominating the game. He was particularly upset with Evgeni Malkin, his center, and the playoffs' leading scorer.But all's well that ends well. Fittingly, Kessel scored the winner with 6:55 to play, with Malkin picking up the primary assist.Related: Watch - Kessel channels anger, scores Game 2 winnerThe pair have been and will remain instrumental to Pittsburgh's success, and will be the rest of the way:

A little emotion is good for a team's psyche, according to Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan.Phil Kessel was the story in Game 2 on Monday night. After going off on a few of his teammates on the bench during the second period, the sniper stole the show in the third, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 Penguins win.Related - Watch: Kessel channels anger, scores Game 2 winnerAs for Sullivan, he likes to see that kind of emotion from his star player and he feels his team does as well."He's all in. He wants to win. Quite honestly, I think the rest of our team gets a kick out of him," Sullivan said postgame. "It's emotional. They're heated for all the right reasons - because they're invested ... We call it a man's argument."

After the Ottawa Senators stole Game 1 with a 2-1 overtime victory, Clarke MacArthur wasn't overly surprised that his club dropped Game 2 against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night.Following the 1-0 defeat, MacArthur admitted the Senators knew they weren't going to sweep the defending Stanley Cup champs."We’re hockey players but we’re not that dumb, we knew we weren’t going to get four in a row," MacArthur said, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.Through two games, the Senators have outshot the Penguins 58-57, showing that their 2-1 regular-season record against Pittsburgh wasn't a fluke.So, while they won't win four games in a row, taking the series isn't out of the question for MacArthur's team.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Phil Kessel can take a breath now.After going on a series of rants on the Pittsburgh Penguins bench - with some of the heat directed toward Evgeni Malkin - during the second period, the sniper scored the game's lone goal to give the Penguins a 1-0 victory in Monday's Game 2.Related - Watch: Frustrated Kessel loses it at Penguins' benchKessel received a pass from Malkin - who else - and after having his initial shot blocked, fired the rebound past an out-of-position Craig Anderson.With the win, the Penguins evened the series at 1-1 as the action now shifts to Ottawa for Games 3 and 4.The goal was Kessel's sixth of the playoffs, giving him 14 points in 14 games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Phil Kessel was having a Monday.With the Pittsburgh Penguins dominating possession in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final yet still unable to score, frustrations boiled over for Kessel in the second period, as he was visibly upset after basically every shift he took.And he wasn't too happy with Evgeni Malkin for not moving the puck on one of those shifts.Malkin wasn't happy, either, as only Chris Kunitz separated him from Kessel on the bench, so he heard the rant, whatever it was. The exchange led to head coach Mike Sullivan having a word with Malkin:

Repeating as Stanley Cup champions is hard enough. Doing it without key contributors makes it even harder.The Pittsburgh Penguins were dealt another couple of injury blows Monday, as Justin Schultz was lost to an apparent shoulder injury. Here's how it happened:The incident occurred after Ottawa Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf obliterated forward Bryan Rust with a devastating - but clean - hit on a Penguins rush.Rust went to the room, and neither he or Schultz returned to the game. Head coach Mike Sullivan offered no update on their condition - or Patric Hornqvist's - after the game.The Penguins are already missing Kris Letang and Trevor Daley on defense, so Schultz's loss for any period of time will be a huge one.Schultz went into Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final averaging 21:10 of ice time in the playoffs - tops on the team. He played only 3:40 before being hurt, and Sullivan had no choice but to lean on his five remaining defenders.Here's how the ice time broke down after a 1-0 Pens win:DefensemanIce TimeAvg Playoffs Ice Time*Ian Cole20:2019:00Brian Dumoulin26:0820:57Ron Hainsey24:4920:41Olli Maatta22:3320:07Chad Ruhwedel21:2514:41*Not including Monday's game.Sullivan's done a great job of spreading the ice time around on the back end throughout the postseason, but he was forced to ride Dumoulin, Hainsey, and Ruhwedel on Monday, and they delivered.Ruhwedel finished with a 72.41 percent Corsi For rating, tops among all Pittsburgh defensemen.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dion Phaneuf was up to his old tricks Monday night.The Ottawa Senators defenseman caught Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust with a crushing open-ice hit just over five minutes into the first period of Game 2.Rust was clearly shaken up on the play, and after taking a few minutes on the bench to collect himself, he walked back to the team's dressing room. He didn't return to the game, and there was no update on his condition after Pittsburgh's 1-0 win.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brian MacLellan will let us know when he's ready to talk.The Washington Capitals general manager is undergoing a "thorough evaluation" of his team after its third straight second-round exit from the playoffs - each after a 100-or-more-points season, and twice at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins - writes The Washington Post's Isabelle Khurshudyan.Said evaluation includes the future of head coach Barry Trotz, who has been behind the bench since 2014-15, and whose contract includes one more season. MacLellan got the GM job in May 2014, making Trotz the only Capitals head coach he knows.Khurshudyan writes that MacLellan had season-ending interviews with players Friday, and is meeting with each member of the coaching staff this week.It'll be a week Wednesday since the Capitals were eliminated, turning in a dud at home in Game 7, a 2-0 loss. Another Presidents' Trophy-winning season down the drain, just like that. Washington remains unable to make it to the third round in the Alex Ovechkin era, which is remarkable.(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Change is on the way. T.J. Oshie, Justin Williams, Daniel Winnik, Karl Alzner, and Kevin Shattenkirk are all unrestricted free agents. Shattenkirk was a rental, acquired stealthily by McLellan ahead of the trade deadline, as the Caps went all in on their team.It's hard to argue Trotz is the issue. This season, Washington ranked first in goals against, third in goals for, third on the power play, and seventh on the penalty kill.However, those results didn't translate into the playoffs. Washington didn't play tight defense, and Braden Holtby suffered as a result. The Caps' playoff run ended with the team sporting a .904 save percentage, lowest among all clubs that advanced to the second round.Like Ovechkin, Trotz has never made it past the second round in his lengthy coaching career, as Khurshudyan writes. The 54-year-old has a 20-19 record in the postseason with the Capitals, and is a career 39-50 in the playoffs.Trotz won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year last season. But in Washington, the first 82 games don't really matter much anymore. Only the ones that come after do.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vegas Golden Knights were not ready to take a gamble on Ben Bishop.The newest member of the Dallas Stars joined Sportsnet's Hockey Central at Noon on Monday, where he admitted that while a deal was never close, there were some minor talks between his camp and the Golden Knights prior to inking a long-term deal with the Stars."There was some talk of it," Bishop said, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "From what I heard, they were thinking younger and a different direction. They’re going to be a competitive team."I definitely would’ve thought of the option if it was there."After acquiring his rights from the Los Angeles Kings, the Stars and Bishop agreed to a six-year, $29.5-million deal Friday.At 30, Bishop wouldn't be terribly old as far as proven netminders in the league are concerned, so Vegas could be eyeing someone currently toiling as a backup or hoping to strike gold on the next big up-and-comer.One thing is for sure - Bishop will be playing his next six years in Dallas, and the Stars are thrilled about that.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The president of the organizing committee for the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea is holding out hope that the NHL takes part."I don't think they made the final decision so far," Lee Hee-beom said Monday at a news conference in Paris, according to Jerome Pugmire of The Associated Press. "(There's) still room to discuss and negotiate."Last month, the NHL announced its intent to forgo the 2018 Games, saying the overwhelming majority of its clubs are adamantly opposed to interrupting the season to go.Lee met with IIHF president Rene Fasel at the World Championship on Monday."I had a very useful breakfast meeting with Rene Fasel this morning and I also met many ice hockey leaders in Europe," Lee said. "We totally agreed between IIHF and Pyeongchang organizing committee that we are in the same boat. We will cooperate with the IIHF to further develop the Olympic (hockey) venues."He is prepared to resume discussions with the NHL, despite the league's stance."I'm ready to meet with their delegations wherever it is they say to do so," Lee said. "Very recently I met their delegation in Pyeongchang, not only the athletes' side, but also the labor union side. Not only in Pyeongchang, but also in New York. Nothing is concluded until the final conclusion is made."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Great question.And to be fair, it's one that more than a few hockey fans were asking after Game 2 of the Western Conference Final.Ondrej Kase was the 205th overall draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks from the seventh round of the 2014 draft. So yeah, he's been a bit of a bargain. Especially after Game 2 Sunday night when he buried a massive game-tying goal halfway through the second period, knotting the game against the Nashville Predators at 3-3.The goal was the 21-year-old's first career playoff tally in only his fifth NHL postseason game. His progression from hockey obscurity (Czech Extraliga) to the third round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is staggering.In 53 regular-season contests for the Ducks during the 2016-17 campaign, Kase managed a respectable five goals and 10 assists in 53 games. He's also spent some time developing in the AHL.Over the past two seasons for the San Diego Gulls - Anaheim's AHL affiliate - Kase registered 14 goals and 12 assists across 39 regular-season games while adding five points in 12 playoff games.His scoring caliber aside, Kase has been contributing in other areas, as well, owning a Corsi For rating of 61.29 percent in Game 2. However, according to Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle, Kase's speed and tempo are what make him effective." ... The one thing that’s been consistent with him, he’s been a type of Energizer bunny, can play with pace, can make plays in small areas, can create space for himself, and he’s not afraid to go into those areas," Carlyle said, according to Helene Elliot of the L.A. Times.That's some high praise from a man known to be hard on his young players. If the rookie winger can maintain a consistent role in Carlyle's lineup, we should be learning a lot more about the Czech native in the coming days.Following Kase's lead, the Ducks head to Nashville with the series all square at 1-1 with Game 3 set for Tuesday night from Bridgestone Arena.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

No lead is safe against Anaheim in these playoffs.The Ducks pulled off their fourth multi-goal comeback of the postseason Sunday night, overcoming an early 2-0 hole and then erasing a 3-2 deficit en route to a 5-3 victory over the Nashville Predators to even up the Western Conference Final at a game apiece.Anaheim is approaching the all-time record for the most multi-goal comebacks to win a game in a single postseason:Multi-goal comeback winsTeamYear5Philadelphia Flyers19874Anaheim Ducks20174Los Angeles Kings20144Montreal Canadiens19794Montreal Canadiens19734St. Louis Blues1986It was the 14th multi-goal rally among all teams in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, one shy of the record set in 2014.Two of the Ducks' big comebacks came against the Oilers in the second round.Anaheim snuffed out a 2-0 deficit in Game 4 against Edmonton, taking a 3-2 advantage on pair of goals from Ryan Getzlaf and one by Rickard Rakell. After Oilers forward Drake Caggiula tied it late in the third, Jakob Silfverberg potted the winner 45 seconds into overtime.The Ducks then gave up three second-period goals in Game 5 to fall behind 3-0, but Getzlaf, Cam Fowler, and Rakell tallied late in the third, before Corey Perry notched the double-overtime winner.Anaheim's first-round sweep of the Calgary Flames also featured a multi-goal comeback, as the Ducks overcame a 4-1 deficit in Game 3 with four unanswered tallies, including an overtime winner by Perry.Technically, the Ducks actually have five multi-goal comebacks in the 2017 playoffs, although the fifth didn't result in a victory. They erased a 3-1 Oilers lead in Game 1 of their second-round matchup, tying the contest before Adam Larsson's late goal and Leon Draisaitl's empty-netter gave Edmonton the win.The lesson for the Ducks' opponents here? Don't park the bus.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here's what happened on Day 11 of the World Hockey Championship in Paris, France.Canada 5, Norway 0

This is not how Italy wanted to end its stay at the World Hockey Championship.Alexander Egger scored one of the most embarrassing own goals you'll ever see Monday, tripping immediately after taking a pass in front of his own empty net and sending the puck trickling into the cage.Denmark held on for a 2-0 victory over Italy, which ended its tournament in last place in Group A with a record of 0-0-1-6.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jakob Silfverberg is having a postseason to remember.In 13 games played so far, the underappreciated Anaheim Ducks winger is yet again producing when it matters most, racking up nine goals and four assists. His nine tallies ties him for the playoff lead with Pittsburgh Penguins rookie Jake Guentzel.With the Cup only seven victories away, Anaheim will obviously take all it can get from the Swedish national. But the more Silfverberg produces, the more unlikely it becomes that he will be unprotected when the expansion draft kicks off in mid-June.Anaheim, just like every other NHL franchise, has two options for protecting its players for the upcoming expansion draft:Option one; protect seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie. Or, option two; protect eight skaters total (both forwards and D-men) and one goalie.Either way you slice it, Silfverberg is making Anaheim's protection selection that much more complex. But how can you let a player like that walk away, especially when he does some of his best work in the spring?Playoff SeasonGamesGoalsAssists '13-141320'14-1516414'15-16705'16-171394Silfverberg was acquired in 2013 from the Ottawa Senators along with Stefan Noesen and a first-round pick in exchange for Bobby Ryan. At the time, the Ducks were roasted in NHL circles for giving up a bona fide 30-goal scorer in Ryan for two relative unknowns and a pick.The Senators have recently begun reaping the benefits of Ryan's impact. The Ducks, on the other hand, have been benefiting from Silfverberg's since the 2015 playoffs when he was arguably the Ducks' best player - this postseason has been much of the same.