It's not all bad news for the Tampa Bay Lightning on the injury front.After TSN's Bob McKenzie reported Thursday that Steven Stamkos is likely to miss at least four months with a meniscus tear, head coach Jon Cooper confirmed that forward Jonathan Drouin will return to the lineup when the club takes on the Buffalo Sabres, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.Related: Lightning can manage in Stamkos' absence, for however long it isDrouin had missed the past seven games with what the team deemed an upper-body injury.The 21-year-old should help alleviate some of the offense lost in Stamkos' absence, as the club's captain sits just a single point behind Mark Scheifele and teammate Nikita Kucherov for the league lead.That being said, Drouin will enter the lineup having gone pointless in six of his last seven games after starting the season with a three-game point streak.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Shayne Gostisbehere is likely feeling a whirlwind of emotions Thursday.After the Philadelphia Flyers defenseman was named the Philadelphia Pro Athlete of the Year by the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association, the 23-year-old learned that he'll be a healthy scratch Thursday night when his club takes on the Winnipeg Jets.Head coach Dave Hakstol broke the news in the morning, suggesting the decision is simply to help his growth."He'll be out of the lineup tonight," said Hakstol, according to Adam Kimelman of NHL.com. "That's a part of growth and development and part of our group in terms of accountability in our play overall. So yeah ... people can't make too much out of it. It's not a small thing to have Shayne out of our lineup, yet it's a good thing for him in his growth and his development and a few things we're asking him to concentrate on."After finishing second to Artemi Panarin in Calder Trophy voting last season, the sophomore defenseman, who has three goals and 10 points through 17 games (tied for fourth on the Flyers), was thankful for the consolation prize he received earlier in the day."Just to be associated with the award is something special to me and my family as well," Gostisbehere said, according to Philly.com's Sam Carchidi. "It's a tremendous honor.""I didn't think I was going to come in and make the impact I did," he added. "But I came in wanting to contribute to the team and help the team along the way. That's what stuck with me all the way: Just put the individual stuff to the side and keep your teammates always with you."The Flyers enter Thursday's game having dropped four of their last five.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wayne Gretzky will add another achievement to his outstretched resume this December.The Great One will star in an episode of The Simpsons, according to Sportsnet's Dave Zarum. In doing so, he'll join a long list of fellow sports icons who've made guest appearances, including Dan Marino, Roger Clemens, LeBron James, and Tom Brady.Show producer Joel Cohen told Zarum that while working with Gretzky was an honor, he's also a longtime Calgary Flames fan, which opened the door for lots of chirping on set."I’m a Calgary native and consequent Oiler-hater so 99 and I had a lot to talk about, and even more to trash-talk about - Semenko, Fuhr, Steve Smith bouncing the puck off Fuhr," Cohen said."Through it all, he was as classy and generous as you hope an icon can be. It was almost enough for me to forgive him for repeatedly demolishing my Flames’ playoff hopes. Not quite, but almost."The episode is set to air on Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Steven Stamkos just can't catch a break.The Tampa Bay Lightning forward is expected to have surgery to repair a meniscus tear Thursday, and his best-case recovery timeline is four months, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports.Stamkos will head to Vail, Colo., where he is scheduled to undergo the arthroscopic knee procedure, according to the report.Typical rehab time for the surgery is four-to-six months, but his precise recovery time is yet to be determined.Stamkos sustained the injury Tuesday night against the Detroit Red Wings.Last April, Stamkos was diagnosed with a blood clot in his arm, which led to him missing the rest of the regular season and most of the Lightning's playoff run, until returning for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final.A broken leg limited him to 37 games in 2013-14.The 26-year-old signed an eight-year, $68-million deal to remain with the Lightning over the summer.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Thursday, November 17:Triple Threat

Joel Eriksson Ek's first NHL season will be an abbreviated one.The Minnesota Wild assigned the 19-year-old forward to Farjestad BK in the Swedish Elite League, the club announced Thursday.Eriksson Ek scored two goals and added three assists in nine games this season with the Wild, who drafted him 20th overall in 2015.He played his first two pro seasons with Farjestad from 2014-16.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

â–² A more humane form of Capital punishmentAmid the post-election fallout in D.C. and beyond, Washington's NHL club is quietly starting to hit its stride.The Capitals dismantled the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins 7-1 on Wednesday night, hours after the Penguins' social media staff roasted that of the Capitals.

Michael Ferland has demonstrated to the hockey world what a devastating yet clean body check looks like.The Calgary Flames forward lowered the boom on Oliver Ekman-Larsson along the boards, forcing the Arizona Coyotes defenseman to skate off the ice and down the tunnel.A serious injury would be problematic, to say the least.

It's been a good week for Rogie Vachon.The three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Montreal Canadiens and legendary Los Angeles Kings netminder celebrated his Hockey Hall of Fame induction Monday night with a hole-in-one on the golf course 48 hours later.

The defending Stanley Cup champions have been brought down a peg or two, for one night at least.The Pittsburgh Penguins dropped a 7-1 decision to the rival Washington Capitals on Wednesday, and head coach Mike Sullivan hopes it's a teachable moment, in a manner of speaking.

The Verizon Center crowd performed its civic duty Wednesday, filling in for Washington Capitals anthem singer Caleb Green when his mic cut out as he readied to sing the "Star Spangled Banner."It's not uncommon for crowds to belt out anthems, but you can almost hear the patrons realize in unison they were required, each stepping in.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For most teams, it would be the death knell.Team captain and leading goal scorer Steven Stamkos has been ruled out of the Tampa Bay Lightning lineup indefinitely, and could potentially miss a majority chunk of the season with a meniscus tear suffered in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings.It's a massive hit for Stamkos, who will miss significant time in three of the last four seasons, his unplanned absences costing him both a spot on Canada's Olympic team and the Stanley Cup Playoffs last spring.But while Tampa Bay wouldn't have 10 wins from 17 games and a top-three spot in the Atlantic Division standing without Stamkos' start - which had him on pace to threaten his career-best point totals - this isn't a team that will wilt in his absence.For all its top-end talent, Tampa Bay's strength is its depth. The Lightning offset injuries to Stamkos, top-pairing defender Anton Stralman, and No. 1 goaltender Ben Bishop on the path to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final last season, because the next man up doesn't present a significant drop-off in Steve Yzerman's organizational structure.Jonathan Drouin's close to returning from injury, and like last spring when he showcased at the height of his career to date, he'll take Stamkos' spot in the Lightning front nine. Head coach Jon Cooper will have to incorporate the blender to accommodate the personnel shift, and saturate the center ice position, but the Bolts remain high skilled and fully capable of cruising to a postseason spot in their post-Stamkos configuration.This luxury is twofold, because the process of healing a meniscus injury can involve certain strategy. Whether it's surgery or stringent physical rehabilitation, the Lightning can exercise patience, and choose the healing method best for Stamkos' long-term health and performance.After a season of slumps, scorn, and sickness, Stamkos was off to one of his best starts, and offering value on the $68-million discounted contract he signed in the summer.For this reason, his absence is extraordinarily disappointing. But it's one the Lightning have proven they can handle.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Evgeni Malkin's display of aggression proved to be costly.The Pittsburgh Penguins' star center decided to mix it up with Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner near the end of the first period Wednesday, but in the process inadvertently knocked Matt Murray's mask off his head.To add insult to injury, Malkin's stick then spun around and caught Murray right in the face.

The Florida Panthers and Anaheim Ducks flipped depth forwards Wednesday, with Logan Shaw heading to Orange County in exchange for Michael Sgarbossa, the clubs have confirmed.Shaw was chosen by Florida in the third round, 76th overall in 2011. He has appeared in 53 games at the NHL level, scoring five goals and seven points.The undrafted Sgarbossa joined the Ducks last season after entering the league with the Colorado Avalanche. He has three assists in 19 career games.Sgarbossa will report to the Panthers' minor-league affiliate in Springfield.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins' social media team evidently had this one circled on the calendar.Ahead of their second clash of the season with the division rival Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh's Twitter team totally burned the reigning Metropolitan Division champions Wednesday.

In the subconscious of even the most measured hockey observer, the comparison is still drawn.As No. 2 overall draft selection Patrik Laine rockets out to a 54-goal pace (that, if maintained, would see him mentioned in the same breath as "Rocket" Richard), Auston Matthews, the other super rookie chosen one rung ahead, is mired in a 10-game goalless drought.It's fodder for Winnipeg Jets fans, who are feeling more than satisfied with the club's selection, and the formidable top line Laine's formed with emerging star Mark Scheifele and darting winger Nikolaj Ehlers. Conversely, it's forced fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs to appreciate the details in Matthews' game that completely validate his start.And, of course, it has trolls trolling for Twitter impressions; because accepting the fact two teams filled their precise needs with players proving they can be dominant in distinct, unmistakably different roles within their team's structure is simply too much to ask.Laine's start can't be spun; he's been magnificent. The Finn's scoring two goals for every three starts 18 games into his career in the top flight, trailing just Sidney Crosby and David Pastrnak. Overall, his production comes in at just below a point per game, and he's been well over that since hooking up with Scheifele. He has five power-play goals and seven points, helping restore last season's last-place unit back to respectability.Laine's inflated shooting percentage (a go-to detail for Matthews' backers) can't last, but there's actually more reason to suggest there's room to evolve into a more dangerous, well-rounded attacking player. He's targeted just 25 shots at even strength, and produced a half scoring chance per game under that condition. His 1.86 even-strength points rate is sandwiched between Derek Dorsett and Matthews, who sits fractionally ahead.The antithesis in terms of role and rate, Matthews' production has nose-dived since his record four-goal debut. His shot and chance creation rates, however, have remained. He leads the NHL in even-strength shots and scoring chances, and is tied for third in both categories when factoring in all situations. His 53 shots at 5-on-5 is more than double Laine's, and he's out-chanced the Jets sniper 26-6 at evens in two fewer games.All this with the responsibilities of center ice, and rookies on his wings.When the trends we've seen through the season's first six weeks level out, Matthews and Laine will continue to lift their franchises. Matthews will start to fill the net, while Laine will be more and more dangerous without the benefit of specialty teams. Laine will continue to score with a greater percentage of his shots in relation to the league average, while Matthews' impact on underlying team data will keep the Maple Leafs above the NHL standard.More importantly, both teams can make legitimate runs at the postseason with their rookies driving positive results.But because no league does contrived rivalries quite like the NHL, regardless of province, division, or conference, the peaks and valleys in their rookie seasons will be perceived as combinations thrown in their Calder Trophy fight.The hardest shot landed so far was Laine's overtime winner and first career hat trick secured immediately after a Matthews breakaway miss in their only head-to-head meeting so far this season.But there's no doubt his back will be off the ropes soon.(Advanced statistics courtesy Corsica.hockey)The Ten10) Russell Wilson - Thank you, Russell, for seeing that conference asymmetry is a problem in the NHL. The Seattle Seahawks quarterback announced he's partnered with Sonics Arena Group to help bring the NBA and NHL to the Pacific Northwest.9) James van Riemsdyk - Scored his first hat trick with the Maple Leafs in his fifth season Tuesday versus Nashville.8) Jacob Trouba - After a long holdout and rescinded trade request, Trouba is all in with Winnipeg. Or at least as close as possible, giving his willingness to block a Duncan Keith slap shot with his head.7) NBC - McDavid vs. Matthews II has been added to the national broadcast schedule. Smart.6) Morgan Rielly - With a four-point career night versus the Flyers, Rielly hit the century mark for points.5) Vladimir Tarasenko - With a goal and seven points this week, Tarasenko has rejoined the top tier of NHL scorers after a postponed launch.4) New Jersey Devils - Two wins over the Sabres and another over the Stars pushed New Jersey's win streak to five games, breaking into the top three in the Metro.3) Nikita Kucherov - A league-leading four goals this week and a humiliating dig at the Islanders after the Lightning's win on Long Island. Or Brooklyn.2) Connor Hellebuyck - The competition appears to have been won. Hellebuyck made 77 saves on 81 shots across three wins this week, including a shutout over Chicago.1) The 2016 Hall of Fame Class - The wait was far too long, for all of them.More Takes1) Would Ben Bishop make the Jets a legitimate contender in the Western Conference? He hasn't been his typically brilliant self, and as we mentioned Hellebuyck is starting to find a rhythm in Winnipeg, but when considering the Jets' surplus of assets, there are worse gambles.2) When's the last time more than one goaltender was nominated for the Hart Trophy? It's hard to pinpoint a skater that's been more valuable than Carey Price, Tuukka Rask, Corey Crawford, or even Sergei Bobrovsky this season.3) Surely the NHLPA will pass on the softball Bettman apparently underhanded in. What would compel the large majority of players affected most by escrow to agree to the same structure so the players who make the most money can hit the Olympics?Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be without Steven Stamkos for an indefinite period of time after he suffered a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee, general manager Steve Yzerman announced Wednesday.The injury was suffered during Tuesday's game in Detroit, after which Stamkos flew home for tests."Our understanding is that this issue can be repaired and he can get back to full speed. It just takes some time," Yzerman said, per Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "Obviously he's disappointed. He's going to work his rear end off and he'll be back as good as ever."

The NHL will welcome Las Vegas next June, and see an expansion draft that will help the 31st franchise form its initial roster.As part of the expansion protocol, the team will select one player from each of the league's 30 current squads.Teams can protect a group of players from the expansion pool - either seven forwards, three defensemen, and a goalie, or any combination of eight skaters plus a goalie - and those with no-movement clauses are exempt.Related: NHL finalizes list of players protected from expansion draftWith that in mind, here are five players who could be available next June, and would make great picks for the inaugural season in Sin City:Marc-Andre FleuryThe Pittsburgh Penguins goalie has a no-movement clause, but it may be in his best interest to waive it and join the expansion pool, given that the Penguins see netminder Matt Murray as their goaltender of the future. Accepting a move to Las Vegas guarantees Fleury a starting job, and it's not like the market doesn't have much else to offer.Fleury has been a key cog in the Penguins' recent success, with two Stanley Cup rings to show for it. Though he wasn't a factor in last year's win - seeing just two games in the playoffs - he still won 35 games in the regular season. He's signed for the next two seasons, carrying a $5.75-million AAV.Dustin BrownThe divorce is already in the making between the Los Angeles Kings and Dustin Brown, who was stripped of his captaincy in favor of Anze Kopitar.Brown could provide the Las Vegas (something) Knights with veteran leadership and a winning pedigree, having led the Kings to Lord Stanley in 2012 and 2014. Still, there's no hiding that the 32-year-old is in decline, having averaged 28 points the past four seasons after regularly chipping in 50-plus. The Kings may have to sweeten the pot for Las Vegas to claim Brown and his hefty contract - he's signed for the next five seasons at a $5.875-million AAV.Nail YakupovThe St. Louis Blues will face a numbers game when it comes to protecting their key forwards from expansion, and that could make the enigmatic Nail Yakupov the odd man out.The former first overall pick of the Edmonton Oilers had a strong debut with the Blues, scoring four points in six games, but has more recently been a frequent scratch by St. Louis coach Ken Hitchcock. Could Las Vegas take a shot at unlocking the potential of the former top pick? (Las Vegas is also guaranteed a top-six pick at the 2017 draft, so the possibility exists the team could make a first overall pick of its own.)Jack JohnsonThe Columbus Blue Jackets need two things: roster space and cap room. That's bad news for Jack Johnson, but good news for Las Vegas, which may roll the dice on the former third overall pick.The 29-year-old Johnson has had a whirlwind career. Drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes, he made his NHL debut with the Kings in 2006. He's still looking to break out, and could be afforded that opportunity with Las Vegas. A smooth skating defender who plays a physical game and boasts offensive acumen, the tools are there for him to realize his potential. Johnson is signed for one more year, carrying a $4.357-million AAV.Jimmy HowardTwo big-ticket goalies? It's possible, particularly considering the NHL's propensity for back-to-back games, in which goaltending becomes even more crucial. When selecting its group of players, Las Vegas must reach at least 60 percent of the 2015-16 salary cap ($73 million), as well. Howard's $5.292-million AAV is a big help in that regard.After a rough 2015-16, Howard, who's signed for the next two seasons, appears to have bounced back, showcasing a .943 save percentage through eight games. He's performed well, but there's no doubting that the Detroit Red Wings want to move forward with young netminder Petr Mrazek.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL's most outspoken agent isn't fond of the league's latest offer to the players.Allan Walsh lashed out against the league for offering to extend the CBA in exchange for the players' participation in the 2018 Olympic Games.Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Wednesday that the NHL tabled the offer on the same day officials from the league, the union, the IIHF, and several international hockey federations met in New York to discuss Olympic participation.Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has said multiple times that he plans to play in South Korea regardless of whether the NHL officially participates.Walsh represents about 30 NHL players including Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin, Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, and New York Islanders netminder Jaroslav Halak.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Jersey Devils forward Taylor Hall will miss three-to-four weeks with a left knee injury, the team announced after he underwent surgery Wednesday.The 25-year-old has appeared in 14 games this season, scoring five goals and seven assists. He is tied with defenseman Damon Severson for the team lead in scoring.The Devils sit third place in the Metropolitan Division with a 9-3-3 record through 15 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHLPA reportedly has an offer on the table from the league that, if accepted, could confirm their participation in the 2018 Olympics.In exchange for the league's blessing, the players' union would agree to extend the NHL's collective bargaining agreement, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports.NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr did not deny the report, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli, adding that he's already started talking to players about the offer, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.Both parties met with the IIHF and several hockey federations Wednesday in New York to discuss Olympic participation.Related: Bettman has inquired if NHL can skip 2018 Olympics, return in 2022Despite the offer, IIHF president Rene Fasel said he's not leaving the meeting optimistic.The current CBA expires Sept. 15, 2022, with a potential opt-out in 2020 that would have to be submitted by Sept. 1, 2019.A similar scenario played out before the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan, the first time NHL players took part in the Games. The two sides agreed to extend that CBA to ensure participation and labor peace through the tournament.Another CBA extension took place when expansion teams in Atlanta, Columbus, Minnesota, and Nashville were entering the league, because the NHL didn't want to disrupt their arrival.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

James Reimer is going to play against the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time in his career.The Florida Panthers backup goaltender will start versus his former club Thursday night at the Air Canada Centre, Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant told reporters, including ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.Roberto Luongo got the start last month when the Panthers made their first visit to Toronto this season, and the Leafs chose not to honor Reimer in his return to the city.Reimer played parts of six seasons with the Leafs starting in 2010-11. He was dealt to the San Jose Sharks before the 2016 trade deadline and signed with the Panthers as a free agent July 1.The 28-year-old has the second-highest save percentage in Leafs' franchise history and ranks 10th all time in career wins among Toronto netminders.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are sick of losing.Since joining the NHL in 2000, the one-time expansion franchise has qualified for the postseason just twice in 15 seasons, leaving it with the appearance of that of a laughingstock.The team's current regime, led by GM Jarmo Kekalainen, with the team since 2013, and coach John Tortorella, joining in 2015, is set on changing that viewpoint."I think there is a different attitude in the room. Our whole thought process going into camp was just trying to take it each day at a time and not talk about anything except just trying to gain some respect in this league, and you do that by doing it one day at a time," Tortorella told reporters following the team's 2-1 overtime win over the Washington Capitals.Related: Coach Tortorella: 'We practice too much'"It's an identity win. It's a step in the right direction for your culture. We're always analytic about our team, but tonight's a good win for (our players). They should feel really good about themselves."Already with five wins in November, including a 10-0 stomping of the Montreal Canadiens, the Blue Jackets have an 8-4-2 record through 14 games, and sit just two points shy of a playoff position. The team will look to continue its winning ways Friday against the New York Rangers.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames received more bad news Wednesday, as the team announced that forward Johnny Gaudreau has suffered a fractured finger that will require surgery.Gaudreau suffered the injury Tuesday versus the Minnesota Wild. He will undergo surgery on Wednesday. The team will provide a timeline on his recovery in the coming days, while Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman believes Gaudreau will be sidelined for four-to-six weeks.Gaudreau has appeared in all 17 games and is the team's leading scorer with 11 points.The Flames sit fifth place in the Pacific Division with a 6-10-1 record and have won just two of seven games in November.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Steven Stamkos is returning to Tampa Bay on Wednesday to get more information on the injury he suffered Tuesday night, the Lightning announced.The star forward sustained an apparent knee injury that the club classified as a "lower-body" ailment following a collision along the boards with Detroit Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist.Related: Stamkos exits with injury after awkward fallThe Lightning will be in Buffalo for Thursday night's game against the Sabres, then in Philadelphia on Saturday to meet the Flyers, before concluding their five-game road trip in Nashville on Monday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sitting last in the Eastern Conference with just five wins in 16 games, fans of the New York Islanders are calling for the firing of coach Jack Capuano.But that's not the stance of general manager Garth Snow.Asked whether that could mean a change behind the bench, Snow told TSN's Frank Seravalli, "Jack is an excellent coach. We have good players. I love our coaching staff. In fact, last time I checked, he coached in the World Cup and there were some pretty good coaching staffs."The NHL's fourth-longest tenured coach, Capuano has posted a 215-183-59 record since joining the club in 2010, leading the Islanders to the postseason three times in six seasons. Last year, the Islanders won their first playoff series since 1993.Earlier this month, Capuano pointed to the team's offseason changes as means for the team's sagging offensive support."We took 134 points out of our lineup (in free agency) and we need to find a way to get some offense," Capuano told Newsday's Arthur Staple.Among those summer changes was Andrew Ladd, who landed a seven-year pact with the Islanders, paying a $5.5 million AAV. The veteran forward has just three points on the season, and was without a goal through the first 12 games.As for Snow, it doesn't appear he's looking to make a coaching change. Rather, he wants more from his players."I see some guys just lacking in confidence. I have a lot of confidence in our players. We have a good team. I have a lot of confidence in our coaching staff," Snow added. "We're coming off two 100-point seasons. I think that speaks for itself for how good of a staff we have. It's an 82-game marathon, not a sprint. We'll keep trying to get better every day."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.Fantasy owners can often focus far too much on the positives of a player with elite production in a single category. They'll look at the nightly box scores to see a player produced a high level yet again, only to be left in shock come Sunday when realizing they're about to lose their weekly matchup.The issue with a lot of these players is they'll produce at a high level, but in only the one category. Without contributions of any consistent type in other areas, they can often do more harm than good with a regular spot in a lineup.Trading their elite production in one specialized category for a more well-balanced player who can contribute something in several different areas is a strategy beneficial to long-term success. Here are the players you should be trying to move:C Alexander Wennberg, Columbus Blue JacketsWennberg's 13 assists are just one back of Edmonton Oilers C Connor McDavid for the league lead. Wennberg has two goals to McDavid's five, but has registered just 15 shots on goal, while McDavid has 46. With 17 hits through 14 games played, Wennberg has 14 more than McDavid in three fewer contests.Additionally, just three of Wennberg's assists have come at 5v5. Of those three, just one was a primary assist, while six of his eight assists on the power play have been of the secondary variety, per Corsica.Hockey. The power-play points have been a nice bonus in leagues where those are counted but such a lopsided influx is not sustainable.LW Matt Moulson, Buffalo SabresMoulson has six goals and two assists on the season but five of the goals and both assists have come while on the power play. His subpar play at 5v5 has led to a minus-5 rating and he has just 10 hits in 16 games. He has only one minor penalty.Both of his power-play assists were primary, and he should remain featured on a special teams unit but with the Sabres drawing a pedestrian three power plays per game, he won't have enough opportunities to sustain his early production.D Ryan McDonagh, New York RangersRepresentative of his entire team, McDonagh carries the most name value in any potential trade. Five of the top-10 skaters in plus/minus rating play for the Rangers. The Rangers lead the league with 72 total goals in 17 games played, 16 more than the Montreal Canadiens in the same amount of games.The Rangers have a team shooting percentage of 13.07 percent at 5v5. Only one other team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, has a success rate over 10 percent. The Rangers led the league last season with a percentage of 9.01.Plus/minus is inherently highly variable. With the Rangers already facing drastic regression in their goal scoring, look to sell any player not contributing in multiple categories.LW Matt Martin, Toronto Maple LeafsOnly a true commodity in banger leagues, Martin has routinely ranked among the league leaders in hits for several seasons. Unlike previous seasons when he was able to also provide some level of offense, he has just one assist through his first 16 games with the Maple Leafs. He is averaging one shot on goal per game and playing a career-low 10:19.Unlikely to fetch anything in a trade, Martin can be dropped in favor of someone with a similar hit count but who is also bringing production elsewhere. Only one other player - Ottawa Senators D Mark Borowiecki - has 50 or more hits and fewer points than Martin.RW Derek Dorsett, Vancouver CanucksDorsett ranks fifth in the league with 33 penalty minutes through 13 games. Unlike Dallas Stars W Antoine Roussel and Maple Leafs C Nazem Kadri ahead of him, he hasn't provided much offense. Dorsett has just one goal and three assists on the season, while averaging less than two SOG per gameHe is a minus-6 on the season, failing to register a plus-rating in any one game. If owners in banger leagues are routinely rolling him out whenever the Canucks are playing, they are doing more harm than good to their team. He can freely be dropped.G Cam Talbot, Edmonton OilersTalbot is two back of the league lead with eight wins on the season. The Oilers 2.71 goals per game of support have largely kept him afloat. Talbot's 2.66 goals against average ranks 24th among qualified goaltenders while his .914 save percentage ranks 18th.He does have two shutouts on the season, but owners should be trying to flip him for a goalie like Robin Lehner of the Buffalo Sabres, who has better stats, but just four wins due to a lack of goal support.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils are going streaking.On the strength of Adam Henrique's overtime winner, the Devils have won five straight contests - the longest active streak in the league.New Jersey has allowed two goals or fewer in each of the wins, and ranks sixth in the NHL in shots per game, averaging 31.6.The strong play has paid dividends in the standings, too, as the Devils supplanted Washington for third place in the Metropolitan Division following Tuesday's results, and sit 9-3-3 on the season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mitch Marner is drawing rave reviews.As one of the Toronto Maple Leafs' many dynamic rookies, he's grabbed the spotlight lately, assuming the team lead in points with 15 after Tuesday's win over the Nashville Predators, tied with linemate James van Riemsdyk.To get there, Marner's recorded nine points in his last six contests, and head coach Mike Babcock has taken notice of the 19-year-old's all-around impact."He's that competitive, he's on the puck, he's smart, he's easy to talk to, enjoys the game, wants to get better," Babcock said postgame."I've never coached a kid that young, that good just because we've never been in that situation before."The 2015 fourth overall pick appears to have transferred his full arsenal to the NHL level, and the Leafs are 6-2 this season when Marner records a point.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Connor Hellebuyck is flying high.With a 4-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, the Winnipeg Jets goaltender has put together a string of four straight victories, with impressive numbers to boot.OpponentResultSavesSv%StarsW 8-228.933CoyotesW 3-223.920KingsW 3-2 (SO)27.931BlackhawksW 4-0271.000The win over Chicago propelled the Jets to second place in the Central Division - four points back of the Blackhawks - and the shutout helped raise the team's goal differential from even to plus-four.In the bigger picture, Hellebuyck has now posted a record of 7-4-0 on the season and appears to be putting some distance between himself and Michael Hutchinson in the battle for the starting job in Winnipeg.There's two factors helping Hellebuyck's cause as of late.Forward potential realizedFor starters, Hellebuyck is but one of a plethora of promising young players on the roster stepping up amid a bevy of injuries to the club's veteran core.In the win over the Blackhawks, for example, super-rookie Patrik Laine recorded his league-leading 12th goal of the season while forward Nic Petan scored his first goal of the season, with more sure to come.And, of course, Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers can't be overlooked, with recent call-up Marko Dano fitting into the lineup well.Stability on defenseOn top of that, the return of Jacob Trouba has been a boon for the Jets' defense. When Tyler Myers returns from a day-to-day injury - and with Dustin Byfuglien and Toby Enstrom also patrolling the blue line - Hellebuyck should only continue to find his groove in the crease.2013 first-round pick Josh Morrissey scored his first career goal in the win over Chicago, and he's also quickly becoming a key piece of the team's defensive corps.In other words, the decision to send Ondrej Pavelec to the AHL prior to the start of the season appears to have been a portend: the Jets are trending younger, faster, and ultimately up. As such, look for Hellebuyck to be the goalie of record more often than not as the season progresses.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It was the slowest shot of the game that cracked Carey Price's impenetrable armor.The broken stick of Aaron Ekblad's overtime slap shot sealed the deal for the Panthers on Tuesday, shattering Price's - and the Canadiens' - attempt to make history.Price entered the contest with a 10-0-0 record, one win shy of matching a Habs' record for consecutive wins.Meanwhile, Montreal fell one win shy of joining the 1963-64 Chicago Black Hawks as the only team to win its first 11 home games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Oh right, not all Toronto Maple Leafs are highly touted rookies.Veteran winger James van Riemsdyk made his presence felt in Tuesday's win over the Nashville Predators, recording the second hat trick of his career.The trio of Van Riemsdyk, Mitch Marner, and Tyler Bozak proved to be a highly effective unit in the 6-2 win:PlayerGoalsAssistsJames van Riemsdyk31Mitch Marner12Tyler Bozak03For Van Riemsdyk, the four points marked a single-game career high.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be hoping for the best after Steven Stamkos exited Tuesday's game in Detroit with an apparent knee injury.Stamkos fell awkwardly after an innocent-looking collision along the boards, and could be seen clutching his right knee.After Stamkos did not return to the bench for the second period, the Lightning announced that he exited with what they referred to as a "lower-body injury."Stamkos had recorded his ninth goal of the season earlier in the game, moving into a tie for first in the NHL with 20 points.Teammate Nikita Kucherov's three-point game put him one ahead of Stamkos by the end of the night.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Count this as the final installment of the November tradition that is the Chicago Bulls' and Blackhawks' so-called "Circus Trip."For several years, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has been moving into the United Center at this time of year, forcing the Bulls and Blackhawks into fortnight-long road trips. That apparently ends now, as the arena will cease their contract with "The Greatest Show on Earth.""The reason we're doing this is twofold. One is that in future years the Bulls and Blackhawks no longer have to endure two two-week road trips, and a subset of that is that those trips had resulted in a compression of our home schedules," United Center vice-president of operations Terry Savarise told the Chicago Tribune's Chris Kuc. "There were times when you'd have four home games in a one-week period, which fans didn't like."The Blackhawks are on a seven-game western road trip, while the Bulls head west as well for five games before a stop in Philadelphia.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Stopping the puck from behind the net is difficult. Petr Mrazek knows that now.The Red Wings' netminder coughed up a brutal turnover to the red-hot Nikita Kucherov to open the scoring Tuesday.Kucherov registered a goal and an assist Monday versus the Islanders, and is now up to 20 points on the season.(Video Courtesy: NHL.com)Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL implemented some much-needed excitement into extra time by introducing 3-on-3 overtime last season, and now changes to the shootout process could be on the horizon.During the general manager meetings in Toronto on Tuesday, Doug Armstrong of the St. Louis Blues suggested the NHL look into switching to international shootout rules, reports ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.IIHF rules permit a team to cycle through any player they wish after their first three shooters, a la T.J. Oshie scoring four times on six attempts for Team USA at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, which Armstrong used as an example for his pitch, says LeBrun.The NHL doesn't permit a player to record multiple attempts until every skater gets a chance, and this idea could allow more time for the league's superstars in the spotlight, ideally making shootouts shorter and more exciting.The discussion will pick up again when general managers reconvene in March, according to LeBrun.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mike Babcock is expecting something nice under the tree this year.After reflecting upon the first 15 games of Auston Matthews' NHL career, the Toronto Maple Leafs head coach is expecting the 19-year-old to be a top player at his position before the calendar turns to 2017."We need him to be a dominant, dominant center for us (and) we think he's going to be by Christmastime," Babcock said Tuesday, per TSN. "We think he's a very good player already, but we think he can be lights out both with and without the puck."Babcock's statement comes as Matthews is mired in a nine-game scoring drought, albeit with 22 shots on goal in six November games, suggesting a breakout is coming.Babcock said he showed Matthews clips of Sidney Crosby and Henrik Zetterberg, and believes Matthews can handle the rigors of starting out in the middle as opposed to transitioning from the wing, where life can be easier for rookies.Matthews likes to have the puck, Babcock noted, and is already showing signs of the kind of dominant possession game that comes with both handling and tracking the puck.The 2016 first overall pick sits in a tie for second among rookies in points with 12, and, according to Babcock, is just getting started.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The owner could not stay silent.In the wake of a decision from the Canadian government that will keep the Ottawa Senators from realizing the dream of hosting a game on Parliament Hill, the suggestion has been made that the club should look to the city's football stadium as an alternative.On Tuesday, in fact, an Ottawa Citizen editorial outright stated Senators owner Eugene Melnyk should endorse an outdoor game at TD Place, asserting, "an outdoor game in Ottawa that celebrates the 100th anniversary of the first NHL game played here, and of the league itself, is simply too good an opportunity to pass up."Melnyk decided to write an editorial of his own in response, taking exception to the claim that he would be foregoing his title as a "smart business man" by passing on a "cash cow" that is an outdoor game.Melnyk cited his ability to bring world-class events and facilities to the city since taking over as owner, as well as his current bid to bring "a new, multipurpose major event centre" to the downtown area.He then stated an outdoor game is not a cash cow for the team, wrapping things up with the following:

Players on the Columbus Blue Jackets will soon have a little extra rest, thanks to a new measure put in place by head coach John Tortorella.On an experimental basis, the fiery bench boss has dropped the long-standing tradition of the morning skate. Tortorella believes it will keep his players mentally and physically ready."When I can, I want to start trying to keep the team away from the morning. We bring them in here one time a day during practice days, but on game days we bring them in twice," Tortorella said. "It doesn't make any sense. With our schedule coming up the way it is, we are trying to get our guys out of the building as much as we can."The Blue Jackets have seven games in the next 12 days, beginning Tuesday versus the Washington Capitals. Columbus has posted a 7-4-2 record through 13 games and sits just three points shy of a playoff spot."These guys are creatures of habit and routine, but that routine in our league I think is wrong, as far as these pre-game skates and all of the over-coaching that goes on," Tortorella added. "They can come in and just play the game."Tortorella said he's tried this method during a previous coaching stint."But then the players end up getting their back up because of that routine that was brought in, who knows when in this game," Tortorella said. "This part of the schedule lends itself to us to do this because we have some practice days before games. I just want (the players) as fresh as possible."When we get (the schedule) in July, I look for days off, not to see how many days we can practice. I do not want to practice two days in a row at all this year. We practice too much, we coach too much. If we don't have them here, then we don't have to coach them."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Red Wings unveiled their alumni roster Tuesday, a group which includes the likes of former stars Brendan Shanahan and Nicklas Lidstrom.The team will take on the alumni of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Dec. 31 at BMO Field in Toronto. The full alumni roster includes:ForwardsDoug BrownDino CiccarelliMathieu DandenaultKris DraperSergei FedorovTomas HolmstromSlava KozlovMartin LapointeIgor LarionovKirk MaltbyDarren McCartyMickey RedmondBrendan ShanahanDefensemanChris CheliosPaul CoffeyJiri FischerJoe KocurNicklas LidstromLarry MurphyGoaltendersKevin HodsonManny LegaceRelated: Gilmour, Sundin highlight Leafs' alumni rosterCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have called on their greats to take part in the team's upcoming alumni game versus the Detroit Red Wings.Mats Sundin, the franchise's all-time leading scorer, is among the past Maple Leafs who were named to the alumni roster Tuesday.Here is the full roster:ForwardsDave AndreychukWendel ClarkTie DomiDoug GilmourGary LeemanLanny McDonaldGary RobertsDarryl SittlerMats SundinSteve ThomasDarcy TuckerRick VaiveTiger WilliamsDefensemanDave EllettAl IafrateTomas KaberleBryan McCabeBob McGillBorje SalmingDmitri YushkevichGoaltendersCurtis JosephMike PalmateerFelix PotvinRelated: Red Wings' alumni roster includes Lidstrom, ShanahanThe game takes place Dec. 31 at BMO Field in Toronto.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Zach Parise will return to the lineup Tuesday as the Minnesota Wild take on the Calgary Flames, reports Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.The Wild forward has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury.Parise has scored six points in eight games this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.