The Arizona Coyotes are parting ways with a couple of veterans, waiving forward Zack Kassian and defenseman Patrik Nemeth for the purpose of buying them out, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.Kassian had one season left on the four-year, $12.8-million deal he signed with the Edmonton Oilers in January 2020. The Oilers traded him to the Coyotes last July.Arizona will now pay him $766,667 in each of the next two campaigns, with a cap hit of approximately $1.67 million next season and $766,667 in 2024-25, per CapFriendly.Kassian is a longtime grinder and enforcer who posted just two goals in 51 games in 2022-23. The 32-year-old played seven seasons with the Oilers after spending three-plus campaigns with the Vancouver Canucks and part of one with the Buffalo Sabres.Nemeth also had one year left on his contract. The New York Rangers inked him to a three-year, $7.5-million pact before Arizona acquired him in July 2022 - six days after the Kassian trade.The Coyotes will pay $1,166,667 to Nemeth for each of the next two seasons at a cap hit of $166,667 in 2023-24 and $1,166,667 in 2024-25.Nemeth collected only five assists over 75 games with the Coyotes this past campaign. The 31-year-old played for four other teams before landing with Arizona, including the Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Dallas Stars, as well as two tenures with the Colorado Avalanche.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens are bringing back Sean Monahan on a one-year, $1.985-million contract extension, the club announced Tuesday.Monahan was limited to 25 games this past campaign due to injury. He sustained a season-ending lower-body ailment against the Vancouver Canucks on Dec. 5.He'll receive a $15,000 bonus if he plays 26 contests, according to CapFriendly. The average annual value of the deal will be $2 million, but the cap hit will remain at $1.985 million.The 28-year-old collected six goals and 11 assists in 2022-23 while winning a career-high 55.1% of his faceoffs, albeit in the small sample size.Monahan played his first season with the Canadiens after the Calgary Flames traded him to Montreal along with a conditional first-round pick in 2025 for future considerations last August.The Flames drafted Monahan sixth overall in 2013. He produced 212 goals and 250 assists in 656 contests over nine campaigns with Calgary.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Flyers are ushering in a "New Era of Orange."The club revealed a new uniform set Tuesday. The black alternate is largely the same, but there are some slight changes to the orange homes and white aways. NHL.com/FlyersMost notably, the striping down the shoulders and arms has been widened, and the sleeve numbers have changed to a single-color design - a nod to the franchise's original uniforms from 1967-70.Additionally, the stripe at bottom of the jersey has been changed to black and pushed to the very bottom - reminiscent of the uniforms worn from 1982-2002. The bottom stripe used to be white on the orange uniforms and orange on the white uniforms, and it sat above the bottom of the jersey.The color has also slightly changed back to the "burnt orange" shade that was used during the '80s and '90s.

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill's coming-out party in the playoffs culminated in a Stanley Cup championship, and the pending unrestricted free agent is looking to keep the party going in Sin City."We're obviously going to give it the big college try to get him signed in Vegas," Hill's agent, Gerry Johannson, told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. "I think that's always the goal when a guy likes it in a spot."We're keeping an eye on everything else, too, but if we can make it work in Vegas, that would be the best thing, right?"Hill just played out the last season of a two-year, $4.35-million pact and is likely due for a raise after establishing himself as one of the most interesting names on the free-agent goalie market.The Golden Knights turned to Hill in Game 3 of the second round following an injury to Laurent Brossoit. The 27-year-old went 11-4 the rest of the way with a sparkling .932 save percentage and 2.17 goals against average.Hill has served as a backup goalie throughout his NHL career and posted a .915 save percentage in 27 regular-season appearances with Vegas last campaign.Youngster Logan Thompson started the lion's share of the Golden Knights' regular-season games in 2022-23 and is signed for two more years. Like Hill, veteran Jonathan Quick - who Vegas scooped up prior to the trade deadline - and Brossoit can hit the open market on July 1 as unrestricted free agents.The Golden Knights have just under $3.5 million of cap space, but that number can rise to almost $8.5 million, per CapFriendly, if netminder Robin Lehner remains on long-term injured reserve next season.Lehner's NHL future is in doubt after he missed the entire 2022-23 campaign due to a hip injury. He has two seasons remaining on his current deal.Vegas also has decisions to make up front, with forwards Ivan Barbashev, Teddy Blueger, and Phil Kessel set to hit free agency.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Connor Bedard is going to need a bigger trophy case.The projected No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft took home another award Monday, being named the inaugural IIHF Male Player of the Year."This is such a huge honor," Bedard said. "I'm not sure how to compare it to others I've received, but it's pretty incredible to receive this award with all the unbelievable players that have competed in the IIHF this season and the amazing players that were nominated for this award."The 17-year-old phenom captured 31.8% of the votes, beating out Latvian goalie Arturs Silovs (19.6%), Swiss forward Andres Ambuhl (19.2%), German defenseman Moritz Seider (14.3%), and Canadian forward Adam Fantilli (11.9%).Bedard made the most of the only IIHF event he played in this year, racking up nine goals and 14 assists in seven games at the World Junior Championship. He won a gold medal for Canada and was named tournament MVP.He became Canada's all-time leader in goals and points at the world juniors and set Canadian records for most assists and points in a single tournament. Bedard also broke the record for most points in a single tournament by a player under 18 years old, surpassing Jaromir Jagr.Bedard claimed the CHL's Top Prospect Award, Top Scorer Award, and David Branch Player of the Year Award in early June, becoming the first player to ever win all three in the same season. He tallied 143 points in 57 games with the WHL's Regina Pats this past campaign.American forward Hilary Knight was named IIHF Female Player of the Year on June 1.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2023 NHL Draft runs next Wednesday and Thursday in Nashville. We surveyed dozens of prospects in the class on various subjects, from their standout teammates and outside interests to trash-talking and goalie masks.QWhich NHL player do you model your game after?Leo Carlsson, C, Orebro (Sweden, SHL): I'm a mix between (Anze) Kopitar, (Evgeni) Malkin, and (Aleksander) Barkov. Big centermen with great hockey sense and skills.Tom Willander, D, Rogle (Sweden, J20): I really like how Miro Heiskanen plays. I feel like his two-way game is really good. Quite similar to me. He's a strong skater, and his transition game is super good. Not too flashy but very effective in the offensive zone.Gabriel Perreault, RW, USA Hockey National Team Development Program: One guy I try to look at is Trevor Zegras because of how competitive, creative, and skilled he is. And growing up in Chicago, I always watched Patrick Kane.Gabriel Perreault and Trevor Zegras. Getty ImagesBrandon Svoboda, C, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL): Alex Tuch's a big one for me. He uses his size and skating ability to take the puck to the net. He's offensively gifted, he's very responsible in the D-zone, and his game's got an edge to it.Dylan MacKinnon, D, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL): Jacob Trouba. He's a very physical guy. He isn't afraid to shed the mitts. I just absolutely love the way he plays.Adam Gajan, G, Chippewa Steel (NAHL): I like watching Andrei Vasilevskiy. He's probably the best goalie in the NHL. Just his movement and how explosive he is. He's a very confident goalie. I also like Sergei Bobrovsky.Maxim Strbak, D, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL): Mo Seider. He's more offensive, but there are some similarities between me and him. He's a very physical player, aggressive along the walls, retrieves the puck well, passes it well, and also contributes offensively.Lenni Hameenaho, RW, Assat (Finland, Liiga): I don't think there's a player who is playing the exact same way as I am playing. I like to watch (David) Pastrnak from Boston, but I don't think it's exactly the same.Jayden Perron, RW, Chicago Steel (USHL): I watch a lot of Artemi Panarin. He's a guy I try to take things from and add them to my game. You see his feet out there and the way he's able to be deceptive with his whole body.Jayden Perron and Artemi Panarin. Getty ImagesLuca Cagnoni, D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL): I really like watching Quinn Hughes. Kind of similar size. I feel like I skate well like him. His playmaking ability is really elite, too. I really like watching Jared Spurgeon, too. He's a smaller guy, but he's really good in his D-zone.Brady Cleveland, D, USNTDP: I like to watch a lot of Jaycob Megna on Seattle. He's a good comparison for me, just with his size and ability on the ice.Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL): I like to watch Nathan MacKinnon. The way he skates, he's so powerful. Also, how he shoots the puck in stride is something I'd like to emulate. I also like to watch Jonathan Toews and Patrice Bergeron for how they both play at both ends of the ice.Caden Price, D, Kelowna Rockets (WHL): There's a lot of different guys I take things from. I'd say a guy like Thomas Chabot, a two-way, rangy defenseman who's leaned on by his team. He's a leader. He skates well. He's got good puck instincts.Luca Pinelli, C, Ottawa 67's (OHL): A little bit of Mitch Marner and Brad Marchand. Marner has that very high hockey IQ. He's a skilled player. And he can find his teammates. Marchand is really competitive. He doesn't really care about who his opponent is. And he has a little bit of feistiness to his game.Carson Bjarnason, G, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL): Definitely (Carey) Price. I try to have that stoicism and poise. It's a staple of my game, and it's definitely something I picked up from him when I was younger.Carson Bjarnason and Carey Price. Getty ImagesQIf you could steal one trait from an active NHLer, what would it be?Connor Bedard, C, Regina Pats (WHL): That's pretty easy. I think (Connor) McDavid's speed would be the obvious answer. Having that would be nice, being able to do what he does at that speed.Ryan Leonard, RW, USNTDP: McDavid's speed. Who doesn't want that?Nico Myatovic, LW, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL): The physicality of Tom Wilson. I think that would complement my game really well.Jayson Shaugabay, RW, Warroad High (US high school): Jack Hughes' skating. He's just so quick and smooth, nobody can touch him on the ice.Nate Danielson, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL): (Auston) Matthews' shot. He's someone I like to watch. I'd like to have a release like him and be able to put it where he does. It's world-class.Nate Danielson. Chase Agnello-Dean / Getty ImagesPaul Fischer, D, USNTDP: (Rasmus) Dahlin's hands. He's got pretty silky mitts. They always help in tight-making plays.Cameron Allen, D, Guelph Storm (OHL): Cale Makar and his deceptiveness. The way he thinks the game, he always knows how to make defenders bite or make them think he's doing something he's not. That deceptiveness is so valuable, especially as an offensive defenseman walking the blue line.Cleveland: Brady Tkachuk's swagger and physicality.Jakub Stancl, C, Vaxjo Lakers (J20): Everyone wants to be as fast as McDavid. But probably (Mikko) Rantanen's playmaking. He sees things that other people aren't able to see. That's what's amazing about him.Hunter Brzustewicz, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL): Watching these playoffs, Radko Gudas. He's just been a prick. That's a big one for me. Just watching him and learning and seeing his mentality has opened my eyes.Ethan Miedema, LW, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL): I'm 6-foot-4, and I have pretty good skill, a good shot, and good hands. But if I want to play in the NHL, I've got to add a little bit more toughness to my game, so Matthew Tkachuk's toughness and ability and will to just get to those (dirtier) areas.Ethan Miedema. Dennis Pajot / Getty ImagesQWho's a teammate of yours in this draft class people should know about?Zach Benson, LW, Winnipeg Ice (WHL): Daniel Hauser, our goalie in Winnipeg. Phenomenal. Can't say enough good things about him. He was the backbone of our team. We would have nights where we didn't play good, and we'd win the game 1-0 or 2-1. His movement is elite. He can move from left to right pretty quickly.Koehn Ziemmer, RW, Prince George Cougars (WHL): A very underrated player is Caden Brown. He kind of went under the radar this year. I think he scored 20 goals (18 in the regular season). In the playoffs, he was one of our best players. He's a great forechecker, and he's gritty in the corners. He's a natural goal-scorer.Yager: Tanner Molendyk. I got a chance to play with him at the Hlinka (tournament) and against him throughout the last couple of years. You watch him skate, and he's so effortless. He makes a great first pass, which is very important for a D-man. He's a player who should go pretty high in the draft.Gajan: Dalibor Dvorsky. He will be maybe top five, maybe top 10 in the draft. He's a great guy in the locker room, and everybody sees what he's doing on the ice, right? He's a great leader. Of course, he has great skating, great shot, but I think his hockey IQ is special. He thinks really fast and makes great decisions on the ice.Dalibor Dvorsky. Minas Panagiotakis / Getty ImagesDanielson: Our goalie, Carson Bjarnason. He gets quite a bit of attention, and he deserves all of it. The other guy who I think is a little bit underrated is Quinn Mantei. He had a really good year, and he rose a little bit in the rankings as far as North American skaters. It's good to see that and how he's getting more credit for what he does. Just a really good player. Smart. Physical.Allen: Only one of my teammates from Guelph is draft eligible - Valentin Zhugin. He's a Russian guy. Such a skilled player and the most positive guy in the room. Such a fun guy to be around. He's underrated, for sure. As he matures and grows physically, he'll start having more of an impact as well.Svoboda: Jacob Fowler. A lot of people know about him. He won goalie of the year in the USHL. But I think he's the best goalie in the draft, and he proved in the playoffs why he should be first. He's a great guy, too - one of my best friends on the team.Perreault: For our team, one guy I always try to say is Ryan Fine. He's not the biggest guy, but he's so skilled and so smart, and I was really happy for him when he got rewarded with a top-six role at (under-18) worlds.Theo Lindstein, D, Brynas (SHL): David Edstrom. Great player, and he's underrated. He was very good at the U-18s, and he showed how good he is at center. He's a big guy, a very strong guy. He's maybe not the guy who will do those outstanding things, but he's doing everything in the right way all the time.David Edstrom. Eurasia Sport Images / Getty ImagesQWhat would you do if you weren't playing hockey?Ziemmer: Probably a hunting guide. I spent some time in the mountains hunting, so that's something that interests me. Usually, bighorn sheep and mountain goats.Brzustewicz: I'd want to be in something with sports. A sports analyst. My favorite is Stephen A. Smith. I'd like to be him, talking about basketball and football.Beckett Hendrickson, C, USNTDP: I've always been a big fan of firefighters. You see those guys, and you feel like they don't get as much credit as they deserve. And it carries over to hockey a little bit, where you're putting others ahead of yourself. Those guys do that every day. I even dressed up as a firefighter for Halloween once or twice.Carey Terrance, C, Erie Otters (OHL): I'd go lacrosse. I played a lot of lacrosse growing up. Box lacrosse, mostly. I'm a Mohawk from Akwesasne, and we created the game, the sport of lacrosse.Carey Terrance. Chris Tanouye / Getty ImagesAndrew Strathmann, D, Youngstown: Probably be a pilot.Oscar Fisker Molgaard, C, HV71 (SHL): Might have been playing soccer or doing something inside of economics. I'm pretty good at math, so maybe something like that. My mom is working with logistics, and I find that pretty interesting, too, so maybe something like that too. Who knows?Miedema: No. 1 would be something to do with business. I enjoy the business side of life. My dad has some rental properties, so just kind of learning about stocks now that I'm 18.Bjarnason: Definitely baseball. I stopped playing AAA baseball around 15. I played for a good amount of years. I don't think they take many left-handed catchers in MLB, so I figure I'd switch over. (Laughs)Kasper Halttunen, RW, HIFK (Liiga): I would be a basketball player. I just love it. I love watching the NBA, and I love playing it. Devin Booker is my favorite. I love his style off the court and on the court.Shaugabay: Golf. I'm a scratch golfer, so if I wasn't a hockey player, I'd be taking that pretty seriously.Bradly Nadeau, LW, Penticton Vees (BCHL): I'm putting everything into hockey right now and hoping it's going to work out. We have a farm back home (in New Brunswick), and my dad owns an excavation business. That might be something I'd want to take over if hockey doesn't work out.Gajan: I don't have any Plan B, so I hope hockey will work out. (Laughs)Adam Gajan. Chase Agnello-Dean / Getty ImagesQIf you were a goalie, what would you paint on your mask?Shaugabay: I'd have my dog on there somewhere. He's a mutt - a Great Dane, pit bull, mastiff, rottweiler. He's a big boy. Then probably something cool with the city where I'm playing.Larry Keenan, D, Culver Academy (US prep school): A picture of my family. Maybe three stick figures: my mom, my dad, my sister.Easton Cowan, RW, London Knights (OHL): Definitely my team's colors. Maybe something to do with my nickname, which is Cowboy. Maybe a cowboy emoji? My last name's Cowan, and I live on a farm. It works out pretty good.Gracyn Sawchyn, C, Seattle: (Long pause) I don't know. I'd probably ask my six-year-old brother and put whatever he wants on it. He'd probably want a little-kid TV show character on it or a tractor.Gracyn Sawchyn. Jonathan Kozub / Getty ImagesBrzustewicz: Maybe my three favorite athletes: Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady, and Kevin Durant.Fischer: Maybe all of my family members' names. Probably a cross, too. I'm a person of faith, so that's really big on my list. Probably the team logo and the Illinois flag.Andrew Cristall, LW, Kelowna: Mine would definitely be pretty colorful. I would have the (Kelowna) Rockets logo on it. It's pretty cool, the Ogopogo monster yelling. Maybe put my nickname on it, too. It's AC. It'd be fun to be a goalie, actually. You can customize your pads and your mask.Alex Pharand, C, Sudbury Wolves (OHL): Probably paint something that represents Canada, Northern Ontario, and Sudbury. Maybe a lake and the Big Nickel.Alex Pharand. Dennis Pajot / Getty ImagesQWhat's the best on-ice trash talk you've ever heard?Adam Fantilli, C, Michigan (NCAA): Oh, I don't think I can say that. But I'll say one I heard when I was younger that made me laugh: some guy said to another guy, 'A little less snack bar, a little more salad bar.'Shaugabay: The funniest one is when people call people pigeons. I don't know why.Hameenaho: When I was playing in the men's pro league, there were some guys chirping about, like, 'Go play young-guy games. This is for older men.' That's one thing I heard last year. But that's actually bad for those older guys, right? That they are playing there, and I am too.MacKinnon: I'm usually the one throwing them around. There were a couple in the last series of the playoffs. They were all asking me what I do for my team. But none of them would fight me. I told them I was a (younger player) and that I'd still fold them like a lawn chair. They got the memo. In that series, I think I was averaging like 10 pretty big hits a game. They all knew they weren't going to do anything about it.Dylan MacKinnon. Dennis Pajot / Getty ImagesStancl: It was in Sweden. One guy called me 'Albi.' Do you know what that is? Albino. You're as white as a wall. A bit racist, maybe, but I remember that. I just laughed it off. No reaction.Cleveland: We were playing Niagara University this year, and I said something to one guy, and he said, 'I have a son in the stands that would beat your you-know-what.' I didn't think that was a good chirp, but maybe he thought it was.Miedema: It doesn't even have to be that detailed. Some guys chirp about your sister or your mom.Sawyer Mynio, D, Seattle: Probably just that one Bowen Byram said. ... Something like, 'Buddy, you're going to work a 9-to-5 in four years, and I'm going to be making ($925,000).'Sawyer Mynio. Joe Hrycych / Getty ImagesStrathmann: I try not to listen to chirps. I just try to skate away. I heard my buddy chirping someone once, though. He said, 'Talk to me when you're tall enough to ride the roller coaster.' Our whole bench was laughing.Myatovic: Maybe just the hands one. 'Are you a digital clock? Because you've got no hands.'Pharand: Last year, someone who had a contract - I won't name any names - came by our bench and said, 'I make more money than all of you combined.' It's hard to chirp the guys who have contracts.Halttunen: In Finland, you'll get trash-talked like once in a game. Here (in North America), it's all the time. And it just keeps me going harder, like, 'Keep talking, keep talking, I will show you.' In Finland, it's not that big of a thing. Finland is the happiest country in the world, so we're all friends.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Golden Knights celebrated their first Stanley Cup victory in true Vegas fashion, parading down the strip on a Saturday night amongst a huge crowd of fans.The NHL's title celebrations typically take place during the day, but the evening start and iconic backdrop made this one truly unique and memorable.Here are the most indelible moments from a Cup parade like no other:Nic Hague was absolutely loving life while holding the hallowed trophy early in the festivities.

New Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere is eager to put his fingerprints on the team.The Flyers have already made the biggest trade of the offseason so far, completing a three-way deal with the Kings and Blue Jackets that sent Ivan Provorov to Columbus. Philadelphia acquired defenseman Sean Walker, goalie Cal Petersen, prospect Helge Grans, and three draft picks, including the 22nd overall selection, in the deal."Adding another first-round pick this year in the Provorov trade gets our amateur scouts really excited to have two cracks at it," Briere said on the "Ray and Dregs Podcast" on Friday.The Flyers, who also hold the No. 7 pick in the draft, don't appear to be done making moves."I don't know how active I'm gonna be," Briere said. "It's easy to say that, 'Yeah, I want to be active.' But you need a dancing partner - sometimes two, like in the last trade - to make things happen. We're gonna try to make things happen, but sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't."Briere hasn't been shy about sending Philadelphia into a rebuild since he was named full-time GM in May. Forwards Kevin Hayes and Scott Laughton, defenseman Tony DeAngelo, and goaltender Carter Hart are among the several Flyers players rumored to be on the trade market.Philadelphia has missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons - the longest postseason drought in franchise history since it missed it five years in a row from 1990-94.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks are paying Oliver Ekman-Larsson a hefty sum to join another team.Vancouver bought out the highly paid defenseman, the club announced Friday. He's now an unrestricted free agent.Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin acknowledged the move provides his team with a significant amount of financial freedom in the short term."Buying out Oliver gives us a lot more flexibility and cap space the next couple of years and significantly reduces his hit in the subsequent seasons," Allvin said in a statement.Ekman-Larsson's agent Kevin Epp told CHEK's Rick Dhaliwal the Canucks informed him of the decision Friday morning. He added that Ekman-Larsson's camp was surprised because it got the impression a buyout wouldn't happen after meeting with ownership and management once Vancouver's season ended.The veteran blue-liner had four years remaining on the eight-year pact he signed with the Arizona Coyotes on July 1, 2018. It carried an $8.25-million cap hit before the buyout. The Canucks will now pay him a total of around $19.3 million over the next eight years.Vancouver will save more than $8 million next season and approximately $5.6 million in 2024-25, but the club is on the hook for a portion of his deal until 2031, according to CapFriendly. The Coyotes are required to pay a portion, too, since they were retaining 12% of his contract.SeasonInitial cap hitVAN buyout cap hitARI buyout cap hit2023-24$8.25M$147K$20K2024-25$8.25M$2.347M$320K2025-26$8.25M$4.767M$650K2026-27$8.25M$4.767M$650K2027-28$0$2.127M$290K2028-29$0$2.127M$290K2029-30$0$2.127M$290K2030-31$0$2.127M$290KThe Canucks acquired Ekman-Larsson and forward Conor Garland in a July 2021 trade with the Coyotes. Vancouver sent Arizona three draft picks, including a first-rounder that Arizona used to select Dylan Guenther, plus forwards Loui Eriksson, Jay Beagle, and Antoine Roussel.Jim Benning was the Canucks' GM at the time.Ekman-Larsson's play declined sharply in recent years.

Timo Meier and the New Jersey Devils appear to be on the same page in their contract negotiations.Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald revealed Friday that the pending restricted free agent's camp is seeking a long-term pact, just like the team is."Timo knows since I spoke to him (on June 15)," Fitzgerald said, according to NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale. "He knows how much we want to continue this relationship, long term, and he's reiterated that to me ... this is where he wants to be."He sees himself as a Devil and has asked his agent to negotiate an eight-year deal with us," Fitzgerald continued. "It's music to my ears, and we'll continue to kind of chip away at it, but the goal is to have Timo Meier in a Devils uniform for the next eight years."On June 7, Fitzgerald said contract talks with the winger would start that week and that "we would love nothing better (than) to tie him up long term."On Thursday, the Devils reportedly filed for arbitration with Meier, who's one season away from unrestricted free agency. The two sides can still come to an agreement before the yet-to-be-scheduled hearing, which would take place this summer.He's also eligible to sign an offer sheet any time before July 5 at 5 p.m. ET.The Devils landed Meier in a swap with the San Jose Sharks five days before this past season's trade deadline. The highly coveted forward fit in well with his new club down the stretch of the regular season, notching nine goals and five assists in 21 games. But he was less effective in the playoffs, collecting two goals and two assists in 11 contests.The 26-year-old Swiss skater turns 27 on Oct. 8, around the time next season begins. Meier racked up a career-high 40 goals to go along with 26 assists combined with the Devils and Sharks in 2022-23, coming off a 35-goal, 76-point campaign with San Jose the previous season.On Thursday, New Jersey also signed forward Jesper Bratt to an eight-year contract at an average annual value of $7.875 million. The Devils have approximately $26 million in cap space but have 11 non-injured pending free agents (RFAs and UFAs) to sign.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Add Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin to the growing list of players that could get dealt this summer.All signs point to the blue-liner not wanting to sign an extension with the club, meaning a trade is likely, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.Hanifin is in the final season of his contract with a $4.95-million cap hit and can become an unrestricted free agent in 2024.The fifth overall pick in 2015, Hanifin is 6-3, skates well, and is only 26 years old, which could make him an appealing addition for several teams. He tallied 38 points this past season and a career-high 48 the campaign prior. His underlying numbers over the last three seasons have been stellar, buoyed by his excellent 2021-22 campaign. Evolving-HockeyThe Flames have several other players who can become UFAs in 2024, including Elias Lindholm, Tyler Toffoli, Mikael Backlund, Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadorov.New Calgary general manager Craig Conroy said during his introductory press conference that he doesn't want to lose pending UFAs for nothing, as the club did with Johnny Gaudreau a year ago.Pierre-Luc Dubois, Connor Hellebuyck, Alex DeBrincat, and Erik Karlsson are among other players around the league that are expected to be available for trade this offseason.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's normal for a general manager entering a new organization to hire his own coach, but that doesn't appear to be the case in Toronto.The Maple Leafs are expected to discuss a contract extension with head coach Sheldon Keefe this summer, TSN's Darren Dreger reports. New GM Brad Treliving and Keefe have already begun interviewing candidates together to replace departed assistant coach Spencer Carberry, Dreger adds.Keefe is entering the final year of his contract. He was hired by Toronto's former GM, Kyle Dubas, who was fired in May. The two had a lengthy history together, as Dubas hired Keefe to be his coach on three different occasions - with the OHL's Soo Greyhounds in 2012, the AHL's Toronto Marlies in 2015, and the Leafs in 2019.Toronto made it past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2004, but that brief moment of celebration was followed by a disappointing five-game exit at the hands of the Florida Panthers in Round 2.Keefe has guided the Leafs to a 166-71-30 record over four regular seasons. His .678 points percentage is the best in franchise history, and the third best all time among people with 100 NHL games coached. However, his playoff record is just 13-17."I think he's a really good coach," Treliving said during his introductory press conference June 1. "My view is, determining whether a guy's good, bad, or indifferent, you have to work with him. You have to get to know him. ... I'm coming in with no preconceived notions."Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2023 Stanley Cup has been awarded, and while the Vegas Golden Knights light up the strip in Sin City with what projects to be an all-time championship celebration, hockey fans are shifting their focus to the beginning of offseason transactions.The draft, free agency, and plenty of trades await before the league truly settles down for the dog days of summer, and several pertinent storylines across the NHL require answers. With that in mind, here are five lingering offseason questions to chew on before the action gets underway.Can Brad Treliving extend Auston Matthews? Mark Blinch / National Hockey League / GettyKyle Dubas' messy exit from the Toronto Maple Leafs' general manager chair and the impending hiring of Brad Treliving made major waves as the playoffs raged on, and now that the Cup has been dished out, the pressure on Treliving to lock up the face of his franchise is set to grow exponentially with each passing day.Treliving called a new Matthews deal his top priority at his introductory press conference, and it's difficult to ignore the addition of Shane Doan - an Arizona icon and one of Matthews' childhood idols - to the front office as negotiations loom. Matthews stated he's keen on signing an extension before the puck drops on the 2023-24 campaign, but mutual interest isn't nearly enough to make a deal of this magnitude a walk in the park.Treliving needs to do his best to establish a team-first culture that didn't seem to exist under the previous regime because even if Matthews signs, negotiations with William Nylander (2024 UFA) and Mitch Marner (2025 UFA) are right around the corner. Offering Matthews less than he thinks he deserves is a dicey maneuver because, in this instance, the player holds almost all of the leverage.His full no-move clause kicks in on July 1, and the Leafs can't risk Matthews walking for nothing a year from now. The 2022 MVP and two-time goal-scoring king will undoubtedly push to be near Nathan MacKinnon's league-high $12.6-million cap hit regardless of term. But the Colorado Avalanche great signed for eight years - something Matthews already decided against coming out of his entry-level contract. Theoretically, Matthews could sign a three-to-five-year deal and have one more chance to cash in around 30 years old, which is well within his rights. But if that's all Treliving can get, his tenure will be off to a rocky start in the eyes of a restless fanbase.How many blockbuster trades can we expect? Claus Andersen / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe unrestricted free-agent market this summer is underwhelming, to say the least. There's no headliner like many years past, and while the Canada Day festivities may lack fireworks, there's one pretty strong consolation prize for fans craving player movement this summer: trades.There's already been a pair of notable deals with Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson landing in Columbus, and based on all the rumors flying around, more blockbusters await. Will the San Jose Sharks cash in on Erik Karlsson's historic season? Are the Winnipeg Jets going to gouge their long-standing core? Pierre-Luc Dubois and Connor Hellebuyck have already expressed their desire to find greener pastures, and the writing could be on the wall as well for veterans Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler.The Ottawa Senators are fielding offers on two-time 40-goal winger Alex DeBrincat, same with the Washington Capitals and forward Anthony Mantha. Elsewhere, the Philadelphia Flyers are trending toward a fire sale, the Calgary Flames have a glut of key players entering the final years of their contracts, and cap-strapped teams like the Boston Bruins may need to sacrifice high earners in order to become financially compliant.Free agency may not produce much of a frenzy, but there should be no shortage of exciting transactions this summer.Who will cash in on weak free-agent market? Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyWe've already established the lack of appeal within this year's crop of UFAs, but that won't stop front offices across the league from scouring the list of available players to find some hidden value or perhaps overpay to make a splash out of desperation. While there are no superstars available, there are plenty of recognizable names that'll be putting pen to paper, including Dmitry Orlov, Ryan O'Reilly, and Vladimir Tarasenko. Veterans like Patrice Bergeron, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane are also unrestricted, but the threat of retirement and injuries loom over the future Hall of Famers.None of the players above are feasible long-term options. Even this year's most productive pending free agent - Alex Killorn, and his 64 points - carries significant red flags as a 33-year-old with a ton of extra mileage from Tampa Bay's deep playoff runs over the years. So who out there's worth buying?Below are some players we think have the best chances of walking away from the hoopla notably richer. Contract projections are courtesy of Evolving-Hockey:Player (position)Current AAVProjected termProjected AAVDmitry Orlov (D)$5.1M5 years$6.3MJ.T. Compher (F)$3.5M4 years$5.69MRyan O'Reilly (F)$7.5M3 years$5.53MTyler Bertuzzi (F)$4.75M4 years$5.52MMichael Bunting (F)$950K4 years$5.43MVladimir Tarasenko (F)$7.5M3 years$5.3MThese totals pale in comparison to some of the mega deals we've seen in recent years, but the lavish spending projects to be back on track in 2024 with an increased salary cap for a star-studded list of UFAs.Can Sabres use cap space to take next step? Ben Green / National Hockey League / GettyThe Buffalo Sabres were one of the biggest surprises this past season, finishing one point outside the playoffs while boasting one of the league's most dangerous attacks. There's no question Kevyn Adams has built a group on the upswing, and with nearly $17 million in cap space available this summer and over $49 million in 2024, the Sabres have the ammunition to ascend into contender status sooner rather than later.It's worth noting Buffalo only has nine players signed beyond next season, and a Rasmus Dahlin extension (he's eligible for one on July 1) will likely take up a significant slice of the pie. However, that shouldn't stop Adams from actively seeking improvements this summer, as defensive depth and goaltending are areas of need. Spending lavishly in a barren free-agent market shouldn't be the goal this year, but using a top-tier prospect pipeline to get better now is worth considering.A veteran goalie like Hellebuyck or John Gibson, also rumored to be on the block, would be a terrific mentor for Devon Levi and a highly serviceable stopgap until the youngster is ready to take the reins. Buffalo ranked 29th in five-on-five save percentage last season and needs to improve immediately if it's serious about making the playoffs.The Sabres have two blue-line cornerstones in Dahlin and Owen Power, but an extra reliable veteran or two on the back end could go a long way in reinforcing Buffalo's chances in a deep Atlantic Division. The Blues, Kings, and Bruins all have experienced blue-liners that may need to be offloaded this summer, and if there's no fit in the trade market, Adams could stir the pot and try his luck with an offer sheet for high-end talents like Vince Dunn or K'Andre Miller.How aggressive will Daniel Briere get? Len Redkoles / National Hockey League / GettyWhile the Sabres are among the teams on the upswing this summer, the Flyers are the headliners among squads headed in the opposite direction. Briere pulled off some tidy work in the three-team trade that sent Provorov to the Blue Jackets, and many feel the move is the tip of the offseason iceberg for the rookie GM.Travis Konecny, Carter Hart, and Scott Laughton are all rumored to be getting significant attention from potential suitors, and dealing any - or all - of them could shift the Flyers' imminent rebuild into overdrive. None of the three have trade protection, and all come with contract control to further boost their value. Konecny is under contract for two more years at $5.5 million, Laughton's deal costs a modest $3 million until 2026, and Hart is an RFA after his contract expires next season.Each player could fetch a first-round pick and a top-end prospect, at the very least. With two first-rounders in each of the next two drafts already, Briere could aggressively add to an enviable stockpile of future selections if he shops his most attractive trade chips leading up to this month's festivities in Nashville.Shipping out three talented core players in short order may be difficult for Flyers fans to swallow, but the organization has lacked a long-term vision for years, and Briere has been presented with a golden opportunity to establish a roadmap to contention within his first year in the chair.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes won't go into next season with Brett Pesce on an expiring contract.The Hurricanes want to re-sign Pesce, and talks continue between the two sides, but if a contract can't be agreed upon, Carolina will trade the blue-liner this summer, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun on Thursday's "Insider Trading."The Buffalo Sabres are among the clubs to have already reached out regarding Pesce's availability, LeBrun added.Pesce's entering the final season of a six-year contract signed in 2017. He has a $4.025-million cap hit in 2022-23 and no trade protection.The 28-year-old is one of the league's best right-shot defensive defensemen. Though he only has a career high of 30 points - set last season - Pesce has averaged over 20 minutes for seven consecutive seasons on a contending team in Carolina.Since 2018-19, Pesce ranks 26th among defensemen in goals above replacement, per Evolving-Hockey.Pesce's now represented by Judd Moldaver, a change that was announced on June 9. Moldaver's client list includes the likes of Auston Matthews, Roman Josi, and Zach Werenski.Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns are the only NHL blue-liners the Hurricanes have under contract for the 2024-25 season.Carolina enters the offseason with just over $24 million in projected cap space, per CapFriendly.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Erik Karlsson trade talks appear primed to rev up once again.The San Jose Sharks and their star defenseman are on the same page about working out a swap after his representatives met with management last week, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported Thursday on "Insider Trading."Karlsson wants to play for a contender, while the Sharks are looking to rebuild, added LeBrun.There's no guarantee a trade materializes given the Swedish veteran's hefty contract and full no-movement clause, but a few teams have reportedly inquired about his availability in recent days.Karlsson is the favorite to win what will be his third Norris Trophy for his sublime efforts on the lackluster Sharks this season. After enduring several injury-plagued campaigns, the 33-year-old racked up 25 goals and 76 assists for San Jose while suiting up for all 82 games in 2022-23.He became the oldest blue-liner ever to notch at least 100 points in a season, only the sixth rearguard to ever accomplish the feat, and the first since Brian Leetch in 1991-92.San Jose explored dealing Karlsson before the trade deadline, reportedly engaging in talks with the Edmonton Oilers at multiple junctures.The former Ottawa Senators captain is under contract for another four seasons with an $11.5-million cap hit, according to CapFriendly. The no-move clause extends for its duration.Karlsson inked his eight-year pact with the Sharks almost four years ago to the day on June 17, 2019.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Matthew Tkachuk says he did what he could under the circumstances while playing hurt during the Stanley Cup Final.The Florida Panthers star missed Game 5 - which the Vegas Golden Knights won to claim the title Tuesday - after sustaining a broken sternum in Game 3 on a hit from Keegan Kolesar. Tkachuk returned to that contest and scored to tie the Panthers' eventual overtime victory late in the third, then played the Game 4 loss before sitting out the season-ending defeat."I'm happy that I was able to attempt and play that (Game 4), but I knew I wasn't myself," Tkachuk said Thursday, according to NHL.com's Alain Poupart. "There were 12 better options than me for forwards basically at that point. I knew (I) wasn't myself, but I tried to give everything. I can hold my head high knowing that I did everything possible to try to play."Tkachuk confirmed he couldn't dress himself for Game 4 and that his brother Brady, the Ottawa Senators captain, had to help him get to the rink."The next few days (after Game 3) were pretty tough," the Panthers winger said. "Just getting in and out of bed. Needed help getting onto a table here to get treatment, but everybody played a huge part in getting me to play that game."I mean, my brother was staying with me and had to get me out of bed and get me dressed to come to the rink, and I had guys tie my skates and putting on my jersey and just helping me with everything."The Hart Trophy finalist added Thursday that he hadn't experienced an injury like this before."(Stinks) that it had to happen, especially at that time, but most guys were playing through stuff," he said. "It's just the way playoffs are and (a) long season. We've been playing for 10 months or 100 games, so guys have dealt with stuff all year, but yeah, this one is new for me."Tkachuk was instrumental in helping Florida reach the Cup Final for the first time since 1996. He ranked among the league leaders in scoring while posting exceptional underlying numbers during the regular season, then led the Panthers with 24 points in 20 playoff games.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils filed for team-elected salary arbitration with restricted free-agent forward Timo Meier, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.The Devils had until 5 p.m. ET on Thursday to elect arbitration.Meier was due a $10-million qualifying offer to retain his RFA rights by June 30. The minimum award he can receive in team-elected arbitration is 85% of his previous season's pay, which would be $8.5 million.The two sides can still negotiate a long-term extension prior to the hearing. The arbitration period typically begins in late July. Meier remains eligible to sign an offer sheet prior to July 5 at 5 p.m.A one-year contract would take him to unrestricted free agency in 2024.New Jersey acquired Meier from the San Jose Sharks prior to the trade deadline in a blockbuster deal that involved eight players and four draft picks. The Swiss international tallied 40 goals and 66 points in 78 total games last season, though his scoring rate dipped upon joining the Devils.Meier only recorded two goals and four points in 11 playoff contests. He went without a point in New Jersey's first-round series against the New York Rangers. Despite the lack of production, Meier led the team in high-danger chances in the postseason and was second to Jack Hughes in shots on goal, per Natural Stat Trick.The Devils signed fellow restricted free agent Jesper Bratt to an eight-year, $63-million contract extension earlier Thursday.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Calgary Flames legend Jarome Iginla is joining the club's front office as a special adviser to new general manager Craig Conroy, the team announced Thursday."Dating as far back as our playing days with the Flames, Jarome and I have always talked about one day working together in the NHL," Conroy said. "That day has finally come and I'm happy to welcome him back to Calgary. Jarome provides a creative approach and smart hockey mind to our team blended with a passion for the game, and a desire to win the Stanley Cup."Iginla and Conroy were Flames teammates from 2001-04, then again from 2007-11 after the latter's brief stint with the Los Angeles Kings. The pair played key roles in helping Calgary reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2004, where they fell short against the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games."I am grateful to the Flames ownership and (Conroy) for this opportunity to transition my career back to the NHL," Iginla said. "It's a very well-earned acknowledgment for Conny as general manager and I am looking forward to supporting him and the team in a more engaged capacity."The Hockey Hall of Famer will advise Conroy in all aspects of hockey operations, but will keep his coaching responsibilities with RINK Hockey Academy in Kelowna, British Columbia, next season. Iginla's son Tij, a 2024 NHL draft prospect, was traded to the WHL's Kelowna Rockets earlier in June.Iginla is the Flames' all-time leader in games played (1,209), goals (525), and points (1,095). Calgary retired his No. 12 in 2019, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the class of 2020.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ethan Bear is expected to miss six months after undergoing shoulder surgery, the team announced Thursday.Bear suffered the injury while representing Canada at the IIHF World Championship this spring.The Canucks acquired Bear from the Carolina Hurricanes in October. He notched 16 points in 61 appearances this season and averaged more than 18 minutes per contest.The 25-year-old is an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent this summer.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The party continues in Las Vegas as the Golden Knights celebrate their owner's expansion proclamation that they could win the Stanley Cup within six years.But unlike the NBA, where oddsmakers relented and made the Denver Nuggets the favorites for 2024, Vegas isn't the favorite heading into this offseason. Whenever the defending champion isn't the top choice for the title, that suggests there's a ton of uncertainty in the market. At this time last year, Denver had a different parade in the works, and the Avalanche were a pretty significant favorite to repeat at shorter than 5-1 odds. The best thing you can do at this way-too-early stage is shop for the best price for the team you're interested in backing.2024 Stanley Cup odds TEAMODDSOilers+800Bruins+800Avalanche+800Maple Leafs+900Hurricanes+1200Devils+1200Golden Knights+1500Stars+1600Rangers+1600Lightning+1600Panthers+2000Flames+2500Kings+2500Wild+3000Penguins+3500Sabres+4000Kraken+4000Islanders+5000Senators+5000Jets+5000Predators+6000Capitals+6000Blues+7500Canucks+7500Red Wings+10000Canadiens+20000Ducks+25000Coyotes+25000Blue Jackets+25000Blackhawks+25000Flyers+25000Sharks+25000According to theScore Bet, three teams share the honor of being Stanley Cup co-favorites - but if you have three favorites for a championship, you don't really have one.The Oilers are expected to be back in contention for a simple reason - they still have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. However, this also presumes that Edmonton can find adequate goaltending. Last year's No. 1, Stuart Skinner, had a minus-6.97 goals saved above expected (GSAx), which was actually a step back from the last two playoffs with Mike Smith.The Bruins' historic regular season was undermined by a first-round exit. Between that and some projected key losses to their leadership core, Boston's been lumped in with the other contenders rather than being placed in a higher tier. Speaking of first-round upsets - and even more upsetting player news - the Avalanche lost to the Kraken and learned that their captain, Gabriel Landeskog, needs another year to make a comeback.Never far from market favoritism, the Maple Leafs (+900) are right behind the top three and getting more credit than the Golden Knights, who are 15-1. Betting markets often don't care much about whether you recently won a single series or all four. The good news for Vegas - a place that's into lucky signs and good omens - is that the Golden Knights were the same price at this time last year.Further down the oddsboard, the Stanley Cup runner-ups are at 20-1. That's not an unfair price for the Panthers, who won the President's Trophy in 2021-22, were fourth on the board last June, and then optimized themselves for the playoffs before knocking off the three top teams in the East.Will this offseason feature another big move similar to Florida's trade for Matthew Tkachuk? Those deals don't grow on trees. If you want to place a Stanley Cup bet this early in the offseason, you should look for a team with untapped potential that can put together a good regular season, and then grab it at a price you're convinced will improve by mid-April.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils signed restricted free-agent forward Jesper Bratt to an eight-year contract carrying an average annual value of $7.875 million, the team announced Thursday.He signed a pair of bridge deals after his entry-level contract before landing a long-term pact. His previous contract was a one-year agreement worth $5.45 million, and he's now the Devils' third-highest-paid player behind Dougie Hamilton ($9 million AAV) and Jack Hughes ($8 million).Bratt has produced back-to-back 73-point campaigns and recorded a career-high 32 goals in 2022-23. He was a central figure as New Jersey made the playoffs for the first time since 2018 this past season."It was always a priority to keep Jesper Bratt here long term and both parties are thrilled that a deal was completed," general manager Tom Fitzgerald said in a statement. "I value and commend the commitment Jesper made to this organization. We believe that he is a special player and a key member of our core group of talent who will contribute towards the team's long-term success and organizational goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to New Jersey."The Devils drafted the Sweden native 162nd overall in 2016.New Jersey has more than $26 million in cap space after Bratt's new deal, according to CapFriendly. However, the Devils only have 13 players signed for next season. Prized trade-deadline acquisition Timo Meier headlines a list of key RFAs that also includes Michael McLeod, Yegor Sharangovich, Jesper Boqvist, and Mackenzie Blackwood.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad is unlikely to be ready for the start of training camp in September due to a slew of injuries he sustained during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he confirmed Thursday to Panthers reporter Colby Guy.Ekblad broke his foot in Game 2 of the opening round against the Boston Bruins, then dislocated his shoulder in the Eastern Conference Final versus the Carolina Hurricanes. The 27-year-old only missed one game and ultimately notched eight points across 20 postseason contests while averaging nearly 24 minutes per game.Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said following Tuesday's Game 5 loss that Ekblad also tore his oblique.Ekblad wasn't the only Panthers defenseman who battled significant injuries, as Maurice revealed Radko Gudas suffered a high-ankle sprain that normally would have required six weeks of rehab. The gritty blue-liner ultimately missed a single period as Florida fell three wins short of capturing the Stanley Cup.Panthers superstar Matthew Tkachuk was held out of Game 5 due to a broken sternum, and Eetu Luostarinen missed the entire final due to a broken tibia.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators opted to take restricted free-agent forward Alex DeBrincat to arbitration, sources told Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.The deadline for the first window of club-elected arbitration is Thursday at 5 p.m. DeBrincat is not interested in signing an extension with the Senators, according to Garrioch, and the franchise is reportedly exploring the trade market for the two-time 40-goal scorer.DeBrincat had a base salary of $9 million last season. Players cannot be awarded less than 85% of their previous salary in the first window of arbitration, according to Cap Friendly, meaning the Senators could get a slight discount next season if a trade doesn't materialize.A one-year deal for DeBrincat in arbitration would send him to unrestricted free agency in 2024.Ottawa acquired DeBrincat from the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2022 draft for a first-, second-, and third-round pick. The 25-year-old produced 27 goals and 39 assists while averaging 19 minutes per contest during his debut season in Canada's capital.The Senators are projected to hold just over $17 million in cap space this summer but only have 11 player signed to the active roster.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

BUFFALO – Oliver Bonk finished his NHL Scouting Combine fitness testing at the LECOM Harborcenter on Saturday and walked up to a group of assembled media sporting a hairstyle that's all too familiar in his family: the mullet.Bonk is a chip off the old block. His father, Radek, a 14-year NHL veteran and the third overall pick in 1994, was a fan favorite in his playing days during the 1990s and 2000s thanks to his infamous mullet. There's still a popular parody Twitter account in honor of Radek's luscious locks.Oliver, pictured above (No. 42), says his mullet was an "emergency haircut" right before he left for the combine."It was either shave it all off and go to a fresh cut like you have right now," Bonk said, gesturing to my fade. "Or go back to the mullet like my dad had, so I definitely wanted to pay homage to him."Radek wasn't exactly pleased with his son's tribute, though."I came home and he was like, 'Oh my god, what did you do?' My mom wasn't very happy about it, either," Oliver said, laughing.Oliver was born in 2005, so he's too young to remember the last few years of Radek's NHL life, which wrapped in 2009. But Oliver does have fond memories of watching Radek's career end in the Czech league from 2009-14."He's been a big mentor for me," Oliver said. "A lot of emotional support this year. He was my coach growing up but he's not my coach anymore, so a lot of emotional support, a lot of good pointers."Bonk, born in Ottawa, spent this past season with the OHL's London Knights. A 6-foot-2 right-handed defenseman, he has a strong chance of being selected in the first round of the NHL draft on June 28.And he's one of a number of players in the 2023 class with rich NHL bloodlines.Ethan Gauthier skating during a practice for the CHL Top Prospects Game / Dennis Pajot / Getty Images Sport / GettyEthan Gauthier, like Bonk, is another projected first-round pick. He's the son of Denis Gauthier - a hard-nosed defenseman who played 10 seasons in the NHL from 1997-2009 - and the cousin of Ottawa Senators winger Julien Gauthier.Ethan, a winger listed at 5-11, 183 pounds, lacks the size of his 6-foot-2, 225-pound father and his 6-foot-4, 224-pound cousin. But that doesn't stop him from playing the game with his old man's bulldog mentality."Obviously, my dad was a defenseman, but maybe I took that physicality from him. I grew up watching his tribute videos of him just hitting people," Ethan said, getting a laugh from the assembled media. "Obviously I always wanted to be like that as well."I kind of realized in my first game with contact that maybe I had that aspect in me, that advantage on other guys. I just want to keep that advantage for myself and just keep working around that game. Obviously my cousin (Julien) is more like a power forward. My cousin is a big guy. Obviously, I'm not 6-4 like him, but just that power-forward game, driving the net, all that stuff is definitely what I look up to."Gauthier brings more than scrappiness to the table. He has plenty of offensive ability, too, putting him in the mold of players like Brad Marchand, Brendan Gallagher, and Brandon Tanev. Gauthier finished third on the QMJHL's Sherbrooke Phoenix with 30 goals and 69 points in 66 games this past season.Aaron Pionk performing pull-ups at the NHL scouting combine / Joe Hrycych / National Hockey League / GettyAaron Pionk doesn't have the same hype as Bonk or Gauthier, but that's business as usual in his family. Aaron's the younger brother of Winnipeg Jets blue-liner Neal Pionk, who despite being undrafted has developed into a legitimate top-four NHL defenseman.Being drafted isn't a sure thing for Aaron, either, who's ranked 117th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, and who's one of the oldest in the class at 20."I know (going undrafted) definitely put a chip on (Neal's) shoulder, so I think it would put a chip on my shoulder, as well," Aaron said. "I've battled my whole life to get where I am. Obviously being one of the oldest guys here, I battled that way just to get here. It was a hard fight. If I go undrafted, I think it'll just be more of a fight."Aaron and Neal are eight years apart, so they never played on the same team growing up, but the chance of doing so in the NHL would be special."That would be crazy," Aaron said. "I've never, ever had the chance because the age difference is so big, so I think the only way that would happen is professional hockey. So, if that ever did happen, it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity. It would be so crazy, it would be awesome."Gabriel Perreault in action during the U18 World Championship / Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe 2023 draft class also features Gabriel Perreault, the son of 14-year NHL veteran Yanic Perreault and brother of 2020 Anaheim Ducks first-rounder Jacob Perreault.Yanic was best known as a faceoff maestro during his 1993-2008 NHL career. He owns a career 62.86% faceoff winning percentage - the best in NHL history since it's been tracked in 2005-06 (minimum 500 attempts). Even though Gabriel's a winger, his prowess in the faceoff dot was passed down to him from his father."We worked on that quite a bit," Gabriel said. "Obviously I'm not a center but I take faceoffs on the power play in the (offensive) zone sometimes, so he's helped with that."Perreault was part of dominant top line with the U.S. National Team Development Program alongside projected top-five pick Will Smith and potential top-10 selection Ryan Leonard. Perreault's a near lock to go in the first round after racking up a team-leading 132 points in 63 games - the most in a single season in program history.Meanwhile, Ottawa 67's forward Luca Pinelli isn't expecting to hear his name called on Day 1 of the draft like Perreault, but he believes he had an advantage at the combine and through the draft process thanks to his older brother. Francesco Pinelli went through it all before him, albeit under different circumstances, ahead of being selected in the second round by the Los Angeles Kings in 2021."He did Zoom calls with teams because it was the COVID year, so I sort of just listened in to his interviews," Luca said. "My main thing is just be yourself and enjoy the moment because it's only a once in a lifetime opportunity."Bloodlines run deep in 2023; several other players with NHL family ties are eligible to be drafted in late June. Among them are: Cole Knuble (Mike's son), Luke Mittelstadt (Casey's brother), David Klee (Ken's son), Riley Mercer (Dawson's brother), Beckett Hendrickson (Darby's son), and Florian Xhekaj (Arber's brother).The NHL is always changing, but familiar names from the past remain a constant.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vegas is shutting down the strip for the Stanley Cup.The Golden Knights' championship parade will take place Saturday night on Las Vegas Boulevard, the team announced Wednesday.The parade route will start at Flamingo Road at 7 p.m. PT and extend to Tropicana Boulevard, with both sides of Las Vegas Boulevard closed for the festivities. The event will conclude with a rally at Toshiba Plaza in front of T-Mobile Arena approximately two hours later.Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's champagne and cognac company, Sire Spirits, will be a co-sponsor of the parade. The Golden Knights entered into a multi-year partnership with the brand earlier Wednesday.The Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup for the first time in their sixth season when they vanquished the Florida Panthers with a 9-3 rout in Game 5 on Tuesday night.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens don't appear satisfied with their position in the first round of the upcoming draft.The Canadiens are doing whatever they can to move up from fifth overall, reports The Athletic's Arpon Basu. Montreal is reportedly trying to trade places with the San Jose Sharks at No. 4 and has reached out to the Anaheim Ducks about the cost of moving up to No. 2.The likelihood of a swap isn't high, but Montreal is definitely making an effort, Basu adds.While the Chicago Blackhawks are virtual locks to select Connor Bedard with the No. 1 overall pick, the Ducks are almost as likely to take Adam Fantilli second. The reigning Hobey Baker Award winner is the consensus second-best player in this draft, and he'd be the projected first pick in most other years.The Canadiens could end up with a promising player at No. 5, like Winnipeg Ice standout Zach Benson or KHL phenom Matvei Michkov. But moving up would give them a chance at an even more tantalizing prospect, like USNTDP star Will Smith or even the likes of Fantilli or Swedish center Leo Carlsson.Montreal - led by general manager Kent Hughes and executive vice president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton - chose Slovak forward Juraj Slafkovsky first overall last year.The 2023 draft is scheduled for June 28 and 29 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jack Eichel waited eight years to get his first taste of the NHL playoffs - and he definitely made the most of it.After hoisting the Stanley Cup on home ice on Wednesday night, the Vegas Golden Knights superstar admitted there were times in his career when he had a difficult time envisioning himself reaching hockey's summit."I think it's only human nature to have some doubt creep in when you don't make it to (the) playoffs for an extended period of time," Eichel said following the Game 5 victory, per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "You're wondering if it will ever happen. So many people go through their whole career without having the opportunity to hoist the Stanley Cup. It's the hardest thing in the world (to win)."The Buffalo Sabres selected Eichel second overall in 2015 and, during his tenure, the club never finished higher than sixth in its division. After landing with the Golden Knights via blockbuster trade in 2021, Vegas proceeded to miss the playoffs for the first and only time in its six-year history.Eichel was the 2023 playoffs' leading scorer with 26 points in 22 games - including eight assists in the Stanley Cup Final. He placed second in Conn Smythe voting as a result of his efforts.Vegas winger Jonathan Marchessault, this year's playoff MVP, believes Eichel was equally deserving of the title."Honestly, ever since he came here, we were just a different team," Marchessault said. "He's a game-changer for the group. And this trophy could have definitely went to him. I could never have that without him."Marchessault added: "First playoff and first (Stanley Cup) win for him, right? That's a pretty good average."Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins hired Jason Spezza as assistant general manager, the team announced Wednesday.Spezza reunites with new Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas. Spezza stepped down from his role in the Toronto Maple Leafs' front office shortly after Dubas was fired in May."After a decorated playing career, Jason fully immersed himself on the management side of the game learning all facets of hockey operations this past season while with Toronto," Dubas said in a statement."He showed tremendous work ethic, curiosity, and ability to build relationships throughout all departments at the team facility. His move from the roster to the front office staff also helped make the hockey operations department, coaching staff, and playing roster a more cohesive and collaborative unit. We are thrilled to have Jason join the Pittsburgh Penguins today as he will add a great perspective to our club, and we are excited to watch him reach his potential in management."Spezza retired from a 19-year playing career in 2022 and immediately became a special assistant to Dubas in Toronto. He will assist Penguins management in all hockey operations departments in his new role.The Penguins haven't named a full-time general manager since they cleaned house after missing the playoffs. Dubas is serving in the role on an interim basis.Pittsburgh has roughly $20.2 million in cap space this offseason and a roster size of 15, per CapFriendly. The club's most critical decision is what to do with goaltender Tristan Jarry, who is an unrestricted free agent July 1.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As the game clock ticked down to 10 seconds and a 9-3 demolition of the Florida Panthers neared its conclusion Tuesday night inside T-Mobile Arena, William Karlsson and Keegan Kolesar began jumping in their skates.The Golden Knights forwards, circling the top of Vegas' zone with the kind of anxious energy reserved only for soon-to-be champions, caught serious air. Seemingly 3 feet high, their limbs flailed in every direction, pure elation.A few seconds later, despite the final buzzer not yet sounding on Game 5, the Vegas bench spilled onto the ice to join Karlsson and Kolesar in a moment that won't ever be replicated. The Golden Knights, the NHL's boldest franchise, are first-time Stanley Cup champions after defeating the shorthanded Panthers in five games by a cumulative score of 26-12.The glitziest and most glamorous trophy in North American pro sports now belongs to those who call the continent's flashiest city home. What a world."Listen to this right now. It's unbelievable," captain Mark Stone, wowed by the 19,058-person crowd, told Sportsnet as the celebration raged on around him. Ethan Miller / Getty ImagesStone, as is tradition, was the first player to hoist the Cup. Reilly Smith, Jonathan Marchessault, Karlsson, Brayden McNabb, Shea Theodore, and William Carrier followed, which was fitting. The six of them have been around since the beginning. The original Golden Knights - the so-called Golden Misfits - rule the franchise record books in virtually every category and were integral to claiming the 16 wins required to be the last team standing in June.Marchessault, the undrafted sniper, was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for bagging 13 goals, three of them game-winners, and recording 12 assists. Nobody on Vegas was locked in quite like Marchessault, whom the Golden Knights selected alongside Karlsson, McNabb, and Carrier in the 2017 expansion draft. (Theodore and Smith both arrived via trade on the same day.)Bill Foley, the club's cowboy owner, predicted a playoff debut in Year 3 and a Cup win in Year 6. His managers, coaches, and players destroyed the first milestone in Year 1 by not only securing a playoff berth but also winning three series. And now, with an almost entirely revamped roster, they've nailed the ambitious second milestone. Over a half-decade, the plucky Cinderella crew of 2017-18 evolved into the stacked, bullying championship outfit of 2022-23. Dave Sandford / Getty ImagesVegas' playoff run was ultra convincing, too. The Western Conference's No. 1 seed went games without a hitch, almost always in full control. Automatic, surgical, dominating, overwhelming - feel free to choose your own adjective.Also taking down the Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, and Dallas Stars, the Golden Knights posted a 9-0 record when leading after the first period. They outscored the opposition 34-11 in the second, often rendering the final frame moot. Overall, in 1,084 minutes of five-on-five action across 22 games, the Golden Knights finished an absurd plus-33 (66 goals for, 33 goals against).Vegas excelled in all three zones under Bruce Cassidy, who was hired as the franchise's third head coach one year ago Wednesday. Defensive structure insulated the goalies extremely well, speed helped Vegas attack through the neutral zone, and scoring chances were turned into goals through precision passing and shooting, whether it be off the rush, cycle, forecheck, or rebound."I'm in the club, and they can't kick you out," Cassidy, who lost in the 2019 Cup Final while coaching the Boston Bruins, told TNT. (Yes, he was grinning.) Christian Petersen / Getty ImagesPresident George McPhee and general manager Kelly McCrimmon laid the foundation for a Cup winner with a killer performance at the expansion draft. Then, with Foley's blessing, the front-office duo shuffled coaches and upgraded the roster through aggressive, sometimes cutthroat moves. Amazingly, 19 of the 24 players to appear in the playoffs were acquired via trade, free agency, or waivers. Nic Hague was the lone homegrown draft pick.At several points along the way, critics warned McPhee and McCrimmon that the wheeling and dealing would catch up to them; that swapping out fan favorites Marc-Andre Fleury and Max Pacioretty, as well as a handful of first-rounders, would come back to haunt them; that the dangerous dances with the salary cap and team chemistry would eventually bite them in the ass.Going "all-in" doesn't always work in Sin City. It ultimately did for them.Among those traded for: former Buffalo Sabre Jack Eichel, who in his first postseason racked up a league-high 26 points, plus countless compliments for strong defensive play. Former Ottawa Senator Stone, Vegas' best all-around player, contributed 24 points, including three huge goals in the clincher. Both recently underwent major surgery - Eichel on his neck, Stone on his back, twice - and came out the other side arguably better than ever."It's the best feeling in the world," a nearly speechless Eichel said of winning. Dave Sandford / Getty ImagesGoalie Adin Hill, a 27-year-old journeyman fighting for playing time to start the season, was a rock, maintaining a .932 save percentage in 16 games. Marchessault deservedly won MVP, but Vegas doesn't climb the top of the mountain without Eichel, Stone, and Hill all playing at MVP levels. Those drivers were surrounded by enviable depth, from Alex Pietrangelo, Theodore, and Zach Whitecloud to Karlsson, Chandler Stephenson, and Ivan Barbashev.The Golden Knights' short yet storied history now reads: lost in the Cup Final in Year 1; lost in the opening round in Year 2; lost in the conference final in Year 3; lost in the conference final in Year 4; missed the playoffs entirely in Year 5; and won the Cup in Year 6.Most franchises would kill for results like that over a 30-year timeline. Yet, only a few would even consider adopting Vegas' aggressive mindset. Did Foley, McPhee, and McCrimmon benefit from relaxed expansion draft rules? Absolutely. What ultimately led them to glory, however, was the laser focus on winning, at all costs. They had a vision. They were given the resources. They were impatient. They weren't afraid to make mistakes or hurt feelings.Now there's a Cup parade coming to the Strip."I might not go to bed for a few days here," Marchessault quipped.Viva Las Vegas.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (@MatiszJohn) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Florida Panthers superstar Matthew Tkachuk was held out of Tuesday's season-ending Game 5 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights due to a fractured sternum, head coach Paul Maurice announced.

The Vegas Golden Knights dominated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Tuesday's Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final to capture the franchise's first championship.Vegas jumped out to a 2-0 advantage on first-period goals from Mark Stone and Nicolas Hague.Aaron Ekblad's tally 2:15 into the second period gave the Panthers hope before the Golden Knights poured it on to put the game out of reach. Alec Martinez and Reilly Smith scored 1:45 apart, with Stone and Michael Amadio padding the lead to close out the middle frame.Stone scored an empty-netter in the third period to complete the first hat trick in a Stanley Cup-winning game in over 100 years and the first in the Stanley Cup Final at all since Peter Forsberg in 1996.Breakout sensation Adin Hill made 30 saves for Vegas in the victory."I thought we earned every step of the way," Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy told Sportsnet. "The series we won, I thought we played as the better team, so good for us.""The look in my teammates' eyes when I got (the Stanley Cup), one of the craziest feelings I've ever had," Stone said, according to The Associated Press. "I can't even describe the feelings in my stomach right now. It's everything you can imagine. The grind of an 82-game season, four playoff rounds. You grind, and you grind, and you grind.""This is what everyone dreams of," Jack Eichel said. "You come to an organization like this, and the expectation is to win this thing. It's a special place to play. I can't give everyone enough credit for putting us in this position."They call 'em the misfits. Those are the guys; they built this. They built this culture. So proud to be a part of it."Jonathan Marchessault - one of those misfits as an original member of the Golden Knights - won the Conn Smythe Trophy as postseason MVP. He tallied 13 goals and 25 points in 22 playoff contests."(Vegas) earned it," Panthers bench boss Paul Maurice said, according to The Athletic's Michael Russo. "They were outstanding, and we didn't have an answer for it."The Golden Knights' nine goals are the most ever in a Stanley Cup-clinching victory, surpassing the previous record of eight set by the 1985 Edmonton Oilers and 1991 Pittsburgh Penguins.Superstar forward Matthew Tkachuk didn't suit up Tuesday for Florida due to an injury.Vegas had four players reach the 10-goal mark in the postseason, a feat only previously done by the Oilers in 1985, 1988, and 1990.Martinez, Phil Kessel, and Jonathan Quick became three-time Stanley Cup champions in the win. Martinez was the only player of the trio to play in this year's finals.Vegas entered the NHL in 2017-18 as an expansion team. The inaugural edition of the Golden Knights went on a Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final, losing to the Washington Capitals in five games.The championship is the first for a major men's professional team based in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Aces won the WNBA title in 2022.The Golden Knights are also the first franchise to win a Stanley Cup in a club's first six NHL seasons since the 1984 Oilers, though the team existed for seven years in the WHA before joining the league in 1979."Playoffs in three, Cup in six," team owner Bill Foley said in 2016. "No excuses. That's the standard. I consider that being very patient."Mission accomplished.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vegas Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault was voted the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as MVP of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Tuesday night.Marchessault ranked second among all skaters this spring with 25 points in 22 games - trailing only teammate Jack Eichel - while his 13 goals tied Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl for the league lead.The 32-year-old ended the postseason on a 10-game point streak. He scored eight goals and 15 points over that span."This year, I've never had so much fun in my life, honestly," Marchessault said after taking home the hardware, per Sportsnet. "All the guys in the locker room, everybody stepped in at the right time. I'd say it's the most proud group I've ever had, and I'm so happy with what we've done this year."An original Golden Knight, Marchessault was part of the inaugural 2017-18 team that fell to the Washington Capitals in five games during the Stanley Cup Final.Marchessault rebounded from that defeat Tuesday, beating the Florida Panthers - his former team - in a dominant 9-3 victory to lift the Stanley Cup for the first time in his career. Vegas selected Marchessault from the Panthers during the 2017 expansion draft."It's just a surreal feeling. ... All of us, we're winners," Marchessault said. "(The Conn Smythe) is great, but to get here and get the Stanley Cup, you need the whole organization to be great."It could've went to any one of those guys. Just happy to be a part of it."Marchessault is the Golden Knights' all-time leader in goals (150), assists (198), and points (348) in the regular season.He's the first undrafted player since Wayne Gretzky to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers signed veteran forward Derek Ryan to a two-year contract worth $900,000 annually, the team announced Tuesday.Ryan was due for unrestricted free agency July 1. Nick Bjugstad, Mattias Janmark, and Devin Shore are the remaining pending UFAs on Edmonton's roster.The Oilers have approximately $5 million in cap space after inking Ryan, according to CapFriendly. Re-signing restricted free-agent defenseman Evan Bouchard is the club's top in-house priority this offseason.Ryan, 36, appeared in 80 games this season, collecting 13 goals and seven assists while averaging 11:10 per contest. The forward won at least 50% of his draws for the eighth consecutive campaign.He's been with the Oilers for the past two years following stints with the Carolina Hurricanes and Calgary Flames.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers have hired Peter Laviolette as their new head coach, the team announced Tuesday.Laviolette and the Washington Capitals agreed to part ways in April after the club failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2013-14. He spent three seasons behind the bench in D.C., amassing a 115-78-27 record.Long-term injuries to key players decimated Washington this campaign, with the team finishing sixth in the Metropolitan Division and 12 points out of a playoff spot with a 35-37-10 record. Tom Wilson, Nicklas Backstrom, and John Carlson all played less than half of the season.The Capitals never advanced past the first round during Laviolette's tenure.Laviolette will succeed Gerard Gallant in the Big Apple. Gallant coached the Rangers for two seasons, piloting them to the Eastern Conference Final in his first campaign behind the bench."We are thrilled that Peter will be the next head coach of the New York Rangers," general manager Chris Drury said. "With Peter's extensive experience as a head coach in the National Hockey League, as well as the success his teams have had at several levels throughout his career, we are excited about what the future holds with him leading our team."New York announced Gallant's departure shortly after the team was eliminated by the New Jersey Devils in the first round this spring.Gallant and Drury reportedly had a heated exchange following the Rangers' Game 4 loss to the Devils that tied the series.Laviolette's 752 wins in 1,430 games as a head coach ranks eighth on the NHL's all-time list. In addition to the Capitals, he's served as bench boss of the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, and Nashville Predators.The 58-year-old won the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006 and led the Flyers and Predators to Stanley Cup Final appearances.The Capitals replaced Laviolette with former Toronto Maple Leafs assistant coach Spencer Carbery.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Sharp is joining the Philadelphia Flyers' front office as a special adviser to hockey operations, the team announced Tuesday.Sharp will report directly to general manager Daniel Briere and be involved in all aspects of the team's hockey operations, but he'll especially focus on player development with Flyers prospects."Patrick is a well-established veteran on-and-off the ice and his incomparable hockey knowledge will be a valuable asset to our organization and young prospects," Briere said.Sharp's 15-year NHL career began in Philadelphia for parts of three seasons. He truly established himself after being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2005, posting four 30-goal campaigns and becoming a key cog in the team's dynasty. Sharp led the Blackhawks in goals during their championship runs in 2010 and 2013.The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native also won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics.Sharp became an analyst for NBC after his playing career ended in 2018, making him the second person to move from broadcasting to the Flyers' current front office after Keith Jones was named president of hockey operations in May."In adding Patrick Sharp to our group, we are gaining an individual who has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to building an environment of winning at all levels," Jones said. "Patrick knows what it takes to win, he understands how to convey that to our players and is a relationship maker. He will be a vital component as we continue to build the foundation of the Philadelphia Flyers."Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Saddled with debt and careening toward bankruptcy, the Ottawa Senators failed to pay their players as scheduled on New Year's Day 2003.The next night, the Sens thumped the Atlanta Thrashers 8-1, their most emphatic victory in a Presidents' Trophy season. On the ice, the players' motivation to win didn't wither. Off it, there was "more than a chance" the cash-strapped franchise would be sold and relocated to an American market, club owner Rod Bryden warned.The team the late Eugene Melnyk bought from Bryden for a pittance two decades ago is about to sell for $950 million, according to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.The Senators will stay put - moving out of Ottawa wasn't an option this time - and be governed by Michael Andlauer, the transportation magnate who'll divest his minority stake in the Montreal Canadiens to close the purchase. Andlauer, who also owns the Ontario Hockey League's Brantford Bulldogs, will assume control of the Sens once the NHL approves the agreement.

It's now or never for the Panthers. Trailing 3-1 in the series, their backs are squarely against the wall as they enter the "Fortress" in hopes of clawing their way back into the series.Can they bring it back home for a Game 6, or will the Golden Knights prove too much to slow down? Let's take a closer look.Panthers (+150) @ Golden Knights (-175)Let's call a spade a spade: The Golden Knights are the far superior team.They have outscored the Panthers 17-9 through four games and been full value for it. The Golden Knights have controlled a 57% share of the expected goals at five-on-five and scored six goals in just 28 minutes on the power play.That latter stat equates to 12.79 goals per 60 on the man advantage, closely aligning to the clip that a historically great Oilers power play clicked at during the regular season.Mark Stone, Jack Eichel, Chandler Stephenson, Jonathan Marchessault, and the Golden Knights' litany of fantastic two-way forwards have caused the Panthers problems at both ends of the ice during full-strength play. Florida has not been able to make up that ground on special teams.With the Golden Knights being the much better side at five-on-five and the power play firing on all cylinders, the Panthers need Sergei Bobrovsky to be the great equalizer. He hasn't been.While he's only had one truly bad game in this series, he has only been adequate over the other three. Adequate is not good enough.The Golden Knights possess edges all across the board. They're at home playing in one of the loudest buildings in the sport. The Panthers have key players - most notably Matthew Tkachuk - at far less than 100%. And the list goes on.Everything points toward the Golden Knights claiming their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. I expect they'll get it Tuesday and without the need for additional time.Bet: Golden Knights in regulation (-115)Aleksander Barkov over 2.5 shots (-140)Volume is king in the shot world, and Barkov certainly has it. He has piled up 27 shot attempts through four games, good for an average of nearly seven per contest.He has attempted at least five in three of four games thus far. That has been the sweet spot for Barkov all season long. The star pivot has gone over his shot total in 38 of 44 games he has amassed at least five attempts, which equates to a whopping 86% success rate.Barkov leads all Panthers in expected goals for percentage in this series. More so than anyone else, the Panthers are outplaying the Golden Knights with Barkov on the ice.With the Panthers controlling play when Barkov's out there and the captain set to chew up all the ice he can handle in a do-or-die affair, he's worth backing in Game 5.Chandler Stephenson over 1.5 shots (-131)Stephenson has quietly been an efficient shooter in this series. He has attempted 18 shots (4.5 per game) and registered 12 on target (3.0) through the first four games. Those are very solid numbers for a player with such a low total.What I love about Stephenson's volume is that a lot of it is coming at five-on-five. In fact, a team-leading 10 of his 12 shots have been recorded in that game state.This series has featured an awful lot of special teams play. With the Stanley Cup on the line and elimination a real possibility for the Panthers, I believe the refs will be a little looser with the whistle. They're not going to want these teams parading to the box and special teams deciding a winner.I expect a lot of five-on-five play, and that's where Stephenson has done a lot of his damage. Look for him to clear this line for the fourth consecutive game.Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto billionaire Michael Andlauer has reached a deal to become the new majority owner of the Ottawa Senators, the team announced Tuesday.The agreement in principle is worth $950 million, according to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch, and is pending approval from commissioner Gary Bettman as well as the NHL's executive board."My family and I are very excited to be a part of the Ottawa Senators hockey club. I believe that the Senators' fan base is one of the most passionate in the league and I'm excited to take the franchise's success both on and off the ice to the next level," Andlauer said in a statement."The short and long-term future of the team is incredibly bright, and I look forward to getting to know the team, the fan base, and the community."Andlauer is a minority shareholder of the Montreal Canadiens and a member of the NHL's board of governors. However, he'll have to sell his stake in the Habs for the deal to go through.The protracted sale of the Senators was reportedly down to Andlauer and Jeffrey and Michael Kimel of Harlo Capital, a group that also included Canadian singer The Weeknd as of last week.Four groups made bids by the May 15 deadline.The NHL was pleased with Andlauer's long-term vision for the franchise, and he supports the idea of a new downtown arena, sources told Garrioch. The Senators signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Capital Commission (NCC) for a new rink at LeBreton Flats last year.The Senators went up for sale in November. The only stipulation in the deal was to keep the club in Ottawa. Anna and Olivia Melnyk, daughters of late Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, will keep a 10% stake in the team.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jonathan Huberdeau had a disappointing first season in Calgary, but new Flames head coach Ryan Huska is confident he'll get more out of the forward in 2023-24."He is an excellent hockey player. You don't get to the level of play that he's achieved by accident," Huska told TSN's Salim Valji shortly after his introductory presser Monday. "He's going to come back this year, and I think he's going to be really reenergized. We're gonna see - I don't necessarily want to see a different version of Jonathan, but one that I feel is going to be a lot more comfortable."When you take all the moving out of the equation - new teammates, new style of playing, new city - that's hard on a guy. But now all those distractions are out of the way, and that's one of the reasons why we'll see a different Jonathan Huberdeau this year."The Flames acquired Huberdeau as part of last summer's blockbuster trade that sent Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers.Expectations were high with Huberdeau coming off a 115-point season, and he signed an eight-year, $84-million extension with his new team before the 2022-23 campaign began.But the Flames didn't get the same Huberdeau who finished second in the Art Ross Trophy race just one season prior.SeasonGPGAPP/GP2021-228030851151.442022-23791540550.70Huberdeau struggled to adjust to his new surroundings and revealed in early May that he and former Flames bench boss Darryl Sutter "really didn't click.""There were a lot of factors. There was a big difference in points between my last two years," he said at the time. "And the style of play he wanted to play, it didn't fit my style."Huberdeau added that a new coach would help him rediscover his game and confidence.The Flames fired Sutter this spring after finishing two points out of a playoff spot. Sutter won the 2022 Jack Adams Award as the league's best head coach after leading Calgary to a first-place finish in the Pacific Division.Huska spent the last five seasons as an assistant on the Flames' coaching staff before earning a promotion.After announcing his hiring, general manager Craig Conroy hailed Huska as "a clear communicator who builds trust with his players."Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mark Stone's season, and perhaps even his career, could've been in significant jeopardy when he underwent a second back surgery in less than nine months this February.Now one win away from hoisting the Stanley Cup, the Vegas Golden Knights captain discussed his unlikely recovery, saying he was determined to return."I was going to do whatever it took to get back for the playoffs," Stone said, per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "I wasn't sure if it was going to be in Game 1 or Game 5 or Game 10. I was going to do whatever it took to get back."Stone added, "You talk to a lot of guys, they don't usually just get one back surgery. They usually get two, because as much as you think you know the problem, sometimes you don't."And unfortunately, (surgery) didn't work the first time, but (I) saw a different surgeon … (and had) minor things done. And I feel great."Stone was limited to 37 games in the 2021-22 campaign due to back issues. He underwent his first procedure in May 2022. He returned to the lineup to start the current campaign but was sidelined on Jan. 12 after re-injuring himself.The Golden Knights shut him down indefinitely with no firm timeline for a return but were still able to secure the top spot in the Western Conference."We were in first place when I got hurt," Stone said. "I knew we had a good team, and I wanted to be part of it. Especially when the team kept winning. I wanted to be back there with the guys. Long, hard days. But you just put your head down, and you get going."Stone returned for Vegas' playoff opener against the Winnipeg Jets and has 21 points in 21 contests this spring. He's been a force in the Stanley Cup Final, registering six points in four games against the Florida Panthers.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames promoted assistant coach Ryan Huska to the top job, the team announced Monday.The 47-year-old spent the previous five seasons as an assistant on the Flames' coaching staff. This is Huska's first NHL head coaching opportunity, but he guided Calgary's AHL affiliate for four seasons before joining the big club. He also led the WHL's Kelowna Rockets to a Memorial Cup berth in 2009."While continuity and familiarity are a benefit, we have witnessed firsthand Ryan's work ethic," general manager Craig Conroy said. "He is a clear communicator who builds trust with his players, and he's a critical thinker with a plan."Huska most recently oversaw the Flames' penalty kill, which ranked sixth in the league this past season.Calgary fired Darryl Sutter on May 1. The Flames missed the playoffs in two of Sutter's three campaigns behind the bench in his second tenure with the team. Calgary won the Pacific Division but bowed out in the second round of the postseason in 2021-22.Former New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant was reportedly a prime candidate for the job.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vegas Golden Knights are doing their best to keep cool leading up to Tuesday night's Game 5 but know it'll be easier said than done with an opportunity to win the Stanley Cup on home ice looming."Everybody knows what's going to be there," forward Chandler Stephenson said, per The Athletic's Jesse Granger."It's different. It's a different game than the other ones. There's a lot more emotion, a lot more everything."Vegas took a 3-1 series lead over the Florida Panthers with a narrow victory Saturday. With two full days between games, the Golden Knights are embracing the opportunity to win the organization's first championship instead of letting nerves distract them."You can't not (think about it)," Adin Hill said. "It's the ultimate goal in hockey, so there's no way you can shut that off in your mind. You're thinking about that. At the same time, it's about staying in the moment, focusing on the next play or the next shift."Added head coach Bruce Cassidy: "They understand what's at stake."They understand (Sunday) is a day off to clear your mind. If that means discussing certain things with family members, about the Stanley Cup, or whatever you want to talk about, then that's OK. That's what we're playing for. I don't think there's any taboos with that. You just can't bring that to the rink on Monday at practice or Tuesday when it's time to play."Only one team in NHL history has erased a 3-1 series deficit in the Stanley Cup Final: the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the Panthers can rely on recent experience to pull off a miraculous comeback after digging themselves out of the same hole in Round 1 against the league-leading Boston Bruins.The Golden Knights capitalized on both series-clinching opportunities in Rounds 1 and 2 but took three tries to eliminate the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final after jumping out to a 3-0 lead.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 3-2 on Saturday night in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. While teams leading 3-1 in the Final are 36-1 all time, the Panthers are capable of mounting an unlikely comeback, having erased a 3-1 deficit versus the Boston Bruins in the opening round. Here's the road map to Vegas taming Florida in Tuesday's Game 5 - then raising the Cup.Zero in on Florida's stars Eliot J. Schechter / Getty ImagesHeading into the Final, there was a case to be made that the teams' top three forward lines and top two defense pairings were equally talented. However, Vegas' overqualified fourth line of Nicolas Roy between William Carrier and Keegan Kolesar and the burgeoning third pair of Nicolas Hague and Zach Whitecloud is what tipped the scales in Vegas' favor as far as depth and head-to-head matchups.Fast-forward four games, and Florida's usually productive third line has been minimized due to the absence of Eetu Luostarinen, who's out with an undisclosed injury. Alongside fill-in Ryan Lomberg, Anton Lundell and Sam Reinhart haven't generated nearly as many scoring chances off the cycle and forecheck as we've come to expect during this playoff run.It may seem wacky to suggest that losing a depth piece like Luostarinen has tilted the series. Yet, the Lomberg-Lundell-Reinhart trio has generated virtually nothing of substance through 21 five-on-five minutes (zero goals, two high-danger shot attempts, according to Natural Stat Trick). Lomberg's old line has somehow accomplished less (zero goals, one high-danger attempt).An ineffective bottom six means Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, and Brandon Montour have to be even bigger catalysts than they've already been. The club's play-driving stars have combined for eight points in four games, which is alright but not good enough. A glimmer of hope for Panther fans: The greater the moment throughout the postseason, the better their leaders have played.Barkov, in particular, must put forth another monstrous performance. The captain looked terrific at both ends of the ice during Florida's home games, putting the clamps on Jack Eichel in Game 3 and then bagging a goal and a primary assist in Game 4. His 55.7% expected goals rate leads the team.Tkachuk had two glorious chances in the first 10 minutes of Saturday's contest before failing to convert on a point-blank opportunity with the net empty and time running out in the third period. The Hart Trophy finalist was noticeably less physical along the boards and in the corners, and he skated for only 4:03 in the third and 16:40 total. Obviously hurt, Tkachuk's Game 5 status is up in the air.The math is simple for Vegas at this point: The more difficult life is made on Tkachuk, Barkov, and Montour, the more likely they are to hoist the Cup.Dominate the neutral zone Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesTo the eye, the transition battle in this series has been completely one-sided. Most notably, Vegas has executed on the majority of stretch passes, while Florida's quick-strike tries have tended to yield icings and, thus, longer shifts.It feels like Chandler Stephenson alone has flown through the neutral zone with the puck on his stick more times than the entire Panthers skater group. Both of the center's Game 4 goals were the byproduct of smart neutral-zone decisions. Whitecloud fed Stephenson a perfect pass for a zone entry ahead of his first goal, and Stephenson chipped the puck to a streaking Mark Stone for an entry moments before he scored his second off a one-timer.Stone put on a clinic to start the second period Saturday - forechecking like a maniac, winning multiple puck battles, tipping several shots, and drawing a penalty over just a few shifts. He's been a rock star for the entirety of a 21-game postseason, with his 21 points failing to do his full body of work justice.Led by Stone's dogged puck pursuit and puck-stripping abilities, the Golden Knights are pressuring Florida skaters into mistakes all over the rink. The Panthers have fumbled exits out of the defensive zone, leading to sustained zone time for Vegas. They've also fired pucks into shin pads, leading to a comical blocked shots counter of 99-54 for Vegas, the team that's almost always had the puck.Adin Hill and his stellar work in the Golden Knights' crease can't be glossed over. He's been equal parts steady and stunning en route to a .925 save percentage off 120 total Florida shots. Hill's desperation paddle save on Nick Cousins in Game 1, with the score tied 1-1, was the series' first crossroads moment. If Cousins scores, would the Panthers be up 3-1?Eyes on the ultimate prize Patrick Smith / Getty ImagesWhen a team's 60 good minutes away from sipping from the Cup, simply staying focused on the task at hand can become difficult. It isn't easy when everybody around you - in and outside of the organization - is making plans for the celebration. It's even harder in a chaotic party city like Las Vegas.All of that said, the Bruce Cassidy-led Golden Knights have left no doubt that they can keep their eyes on the prize. The roster is filled with veterans, and the on-ice product has evolved into an organized, precise operation.Florida will be throwing everything at Vegas in Game 5. The physicality will ramp up. The nastiness will ramp up. The number of risky plays will ramp up. The officiating, which hasn't been kind to the Panthers, could swing the other way. Surely, Florida's 0-for-13 power play will convert sometime soon.The Panthers are a resilient and clutch bunch, as evidenced by a perfect 7-0 record in overtime games in these playoffs. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky could easily have another dynamite performance in him. TTechnically, this series isn't over. But if Vegas sticks to the road map, they'll be fine - Cup champion-level fine.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (@MatiszJohn) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck isn't interested in signing an extension with the Winnipeg Jets, according to The Athletic.Hellebuyck has one season remaining on his current contract at $6.16 million and is eligible to ink a new deal with Winnipeg as of July 1. He's widely considered to be a top trade candidate this summer.Jets star center and restricted free agent Pierre-Luc Dubois also reportedly informed the franchise recently that he isn't willing to sign an extension and is seeking a move elsewhere.Hellebuyck is coming off a dominant 2022-23 campaign, posting a .920 save percentage and 31.1 goals saved above average across a league-leading 64 starts. His efforts earned him a Vezina Trophy nomination for the third time in the last six seasons.The Jets drafted Hellebuyck in the fifth round in 2012, and the 30-year-old has been the club's primary netminder since 2016-17. He owns a career 238-154-37 record along with a .916 save percentage and has helped guide Winnipeg to the postseason in five of the past six years.The Vegas Golden Knights eliminated the Jets in the first round this spring. Between trade rumors surrounding its top players and a current roster size of 15 players, Winnipeg is expected to undergo significant changes before the 2023-24 season.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vegas Golden Knights are one win away from hoisting the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history after holding off the Florida Panthers 3-2 in Game 4 on Saturday night.Chandler Stephenson led the way for Sin City with a two-goal performance, his second of these playoffs. He set the tone by besting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky off a sweet feed from Vegas defenseman Zach Whitecloud just 1:39 into the contest.William Karlsson scored for Vegas in the second period to give the Golden Knights a 3-0 lead, putting an end to his three-game goalless drought.However, the Cardiac Cats didn't go down without a fight.Panthers blue-liner Brandon Montour got Florida on the board in the middle frame after his shot went off the skates of Golden Knights defensemen Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore before squeaking past netminder Adin Hill.Florida captain Aleksander Barkov netted his first tally of the series early in the third period to make it a one-goal game, but that's as close as the Panthers would get.There was no shortage of fireworks after the final horn sounded.

Even after coaching his team to a Memorial Cup championship, Patrick Roy knows NHL teams might have some reservations about bringing him back into the league."It's hard for me to get a job because of the way I left Colorado," Roy told NHL.com's Dave Stubbs on Thursday."I know I made some bad choices," Roy said. "I know the way I left, everything I did, could have an effect on today's perspective on myself. I have to live with that. I know that I've learned from my mistakes. The past is the past but sometimes, you have to live with your past. I understand the situation."Roy abruptly resigned from his dual role as Avalanche head coach and vice president of hockey operations in the summer of 2016."I understand now, better than ever, that you can't be in management and coach a team at the same time," the legendary former goaltender said Thursday. "If you're the coach, you coach. If you're GM, that's what you do."Roy coached the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts for eight seasons before rejoining the Avalanche in a non-player capacity. Joe Sakic, who was the club's general manager and executive vice president of hockey operations, named Roy - his former teammate - head coach and VP of hockey ops in May 2013.After Roy left the Avalanche, he took some time off before resurfacing as Remparts head coach in 2018-19. They blanked the Seattle Thunderbirds 5-0 in the Memorial Cup final last Sunday to claim the ultimate CHL prize.Roy's unexpected departure from Colorado was the second time he abruptly created a rift with an NHL team following his unceremonious exit from the Montreal Canadiens in 1995.He infamously told then-Habs president Ronald Corey he'd played his final game for the team while coming off the ice after head coach Mario Tremblay removed him from a game in which he allowed nine goals. Four days later, Montreal traded him to Colorado.The 57-year-old said Sunday's championship victory was his final act with the Remparts."There's no better ending than that, that's for sure," he said Thursday.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pierre-Luc Dubois is likely on his way out of Winnipeg. His agent Pat Brisson reportedly wants to work with the Jets on trading Dubois to another team, as his client isn't interested in signing an extension with the club.Dubois is a pending restricted free agent, but he could accept his $6-million qualifying offer this offseason and walk to unrestricted free agency in 2024. In other words, if Winnipeg doesn't trade him, it'll risk losing him for nothing a year from now.Players like Dubois are rarely made available. He's a 24-year-old 6-foot-2 center with the pedigree of a third overall pick. He also tallied a career-high 63 points this season.There should be no shortage of suitors lining up for the power forward, but Dubois holds all the cards. The Jets can maximize a return for Dubois by trading him to a team he's willing to commit to long term. While it's unknown which teams Dubois is open to, we've taken our best shot at projecting clubs that would be a sensible fit.Below, we outline five logical landing spots for Dubois, listed in alphabetical order.Boston Bruins Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe fit for the Bruins is simple. Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci might retire, leaving two gaping holes down the middle of Boston's lineup. Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle are capable of helping fill the void. However, adding Dubois would allow Zacha and Coyle to slot into more suitable spots centering the second and third lines.From Dubois' perspective, he'd get to join the reigning Presidents' Trophy winners. Even without Bergeron and Krejci, the Bruins are poised to remain competitive moving forward with franchise cornerstones David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy locked up.The only hang-up might be from a compensation standpoint. The Bruins' prospect pool is already quite bare, and they traded multiple high draft picks in their deadline shopping spree to acquire Dmitry Orlov, Tyler Bertuzzi, and others. But it still wouldn't be impossible.Fabian Lysell, a 2021 first-rounder, would be awfully enticing for the Jets. If Winnipeg is keener on getting immediate young help, forward Trent Frederic and goaltender Jeremy Swayman are intriguing options. After all, Boston has Vezina Trophy favorite Linus Ullmark under contract for the next two seasons. And the Jets could be looking for a goalie if they opt to trade Connor Hellebuyck, making Swayman, an RFA set for a raise, a logical inclusion in a potential Dubois deal.Carolina Hurricanes Joel Auerbach / Getty Images Sport / GettyA lack of scoring punch ultimately led to the demise of the Hurricanes in each of the five seasons of the Rod Brind'Amour era. They could use one more weapon offensively to help them get over the hump. Could Dubois be that guy? He'd look pretty great as the second-line center behind Sebastian Aho.Dubois hasn't shown a willingness to commit to small markets in Columbus and Winnipeg. Would it be any different in Carolina? Possibly not. But a warmer climate and a strong culture built by Brind'Amour and Co. are in the Hurricanes' favor.Carolina has lots of pressing business to take care of this summer, as Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, Martin Necas, and Seth Jarvis are all eligible for extensions on July 1. But the Canes possess plenty of long-term cap flexibility. Since they haven't been aggressive buyers during their competitive run, they have a solid farm system and a stocked cupboard of draft picks to swing a deal.One player in particular who could be of interest to the Jets is Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Winnipeg has struggled to keep players long term, and the 22-year-old is signed for seven more years with a $4.82-million cap hit. Kotkaniemi hasn't progressed offensively the way the Canes probably hoped, so they may be willing to pay the price to upgrade in the form of Dubois.Colorado Avalanche Michael Martin / National Hockey League / GettyOne of the biggest strengths of the Avalanche's Cup-winning team from 2022 was its 1-2 punch down the middle of the ice with Nathan MacKinnon and Nazem Kadri. J.T. Compher did an admirable job filling in for Kadri as the second-line center this season, but there's no guarantee he'll return as a pending UFA.But Dubois would be an excellent fit as the 2C behind MacKinnon. And why wouldn't Dubois want to join a team with one of the best cores in the league?The Jets may be hesitant to deal Dubois within the Central Division. However, they'd be foolish not to consider it if the market is bare and Colorado makes the best offer.The Avs don't have the strongest prospect pool, but they own all of their first-round picks and could potentially dangle defenseman Sam Girard in Dubois trade talks. A 25-year-old top-four blue-liner under contract for four more seasons with a fair $5-million cap hit should be appealing for the Jets. And with Bowen Byram needing a new deal this year and Devon Toews requiring one in 2024, Colorado likely doesn't want three left-shot defensemen making big money.The club also has over $20 million in projected cap space this summer - including captain Gabriel Landeskog's LTIR placement, as he's been ruled out for the 2023-24 campaign with a knee injury. The Avalanche need a lot of help up front, and getting Dubois is a great place to start.Detroit Red Wings Jeff Vinnick / National Hockey League / GettyThe Red Wings sold off key assets Filip Hronek and Tyler Bertuzzi at the deadline, but don't think for a second this team is content taking a step back. If anything, those moves gave general manager Steve Yzerman more ammunition and cap flexibility to pull off a major deal this offseason to help get his squad back in the right direction.Yzerman knows the importance of center depth. While a combination of Dylan Larkin and Dubois wouldn't come close to replicating the legendary Yzerman-Sergei Fedorov duo, it would still be pretty good.The Red Wings possess one of the deepest farm systems in the league. If Yzerman can sell Dubois on Detroit becoming a contender in a few years' time, it could be an intriguing fit. It's certainly one of the biggest long shots on this list, but never count Yzerman out.Montreal Canadiens Vitor Munhoz / National Hockey League / GettyThis is by far the most likely landing spot for Dubois. He was born about an hour outside Montreal in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec, but grew up in Rimouski.Dubois' agent also said last summer that "Montreal is a place, a city he'd like to play in." Dubois later said that his agent's comments were blown out of proportion, but it still sheds light on his desires.It makes sense from a hockey perspective, too. The Habs aren't quite ready to compete for a playoff spot yet, but they should get there soon with a young core featuring Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Montreal also has ample draft picks, prospects, young players, and cap flexibility to facilitate a trade and lucrative extension for Dubois.The Canadiens already reached out to the Jets about Dubois as soon as Winnipeg's season ended and will be one of the team's in the mix for his services, reports The Athletic's Arpon Basu and Marc Antoine Godin.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are adding Arizona Coyotes great Shane Doan to their front office as a special adviser to general manager Brad Treliving, the team announced Friday.Doan served as the Coyotes' chief hockey development officer in 2021, but he took a step back from the role in 2022."I'm very excited to welcome Shane to the Toronto Maple Leafs," Treliving said in a statement. "Through his more than 1,500 NHL games played, his management roles, being an NHL team captain for more than a decade, and being just a wonderful human being, Shane has touched all the aspects of the game which make him a terrific fit with the Maple Leafs organization, its staff, and players."Treliving and Doan have a shared history in the desert. Treliving served as the Coyotes' assistant general manager from 2007-14 - overlapping with Doan's playing days - before joining the Calgary Flames as general manager.As a player, Doan spent his entire 1,540-game career with the Coyotes franchise, putting up 402 goals and 570 assists over 21 seasons before retiring in 2017."I am honored to join the Toronto Maple Leafs in this role. The Maple Leafs have a such deep history and a passionate fan base, and I'm excited to contribute in any way I can in the organization's pursuit of their ultimate goal," Doan said. "I'm also thrilled to once again work alongside Brad Treliving and continue a working relationship that began during Brad's time with the Coyotes."Shortly after hanging up his skates, Doan joined the NHL's hockey operations department.On the international stage, Doan was general manager for Canada's men's Olympic team at the 2022 Beijing Games and won gold as an assistant general manager at the 2021 IIHF World Championship.Arizona native and star sniper Auston Matthews has previously pointed to Doan as a childhood idol.

Once the favorite to purchase the Ottawa Senators, Toronto billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos has bowed out of the bidding process, reports Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.Apostolopoulos reportedly submitted the most lucrative bid for the team at over $1 billion. He's the second bidder to withdraw from the process out of frustration stemming from lengthy negotiations with the estate of Eugene Melnyk and Galatioto Sports Partners, which is facilitating the sale.GSP could try to draw Apostolopoulos back into the process, but such a move would be highly doubtful, Garrioch added.Actor Ryan Reynolds and the Remington Group were once viewed as possible favorites, but they reportedly withdrew in May after the estate and GSP declined to grant them a window to finalize a deal.Jeffrey and Michael Kimel of Harlo Capital and Toronto businessman Michael Andlauer are reportedly the two remaining front-runners to purchase the franchise. Neither party has submitted a bid for $1 billion.Andlauer, who's a part owner of the Montreal Canadiens, is in talks to add new investors to bring in more money to help raise his bid, Garrioch reports.The Kimels, meanwhile, are joined by Canadian singer Abel Tesfaye - best known by his stage name The Weeknd.Los Angeles-based producer Neko Sparks, who's teamed up with rapper Snoop Dogg, remains in the running, but sources told Garrioch that their bid is underfunded and doesn't stand much chance of winning.Toronto billionaire Jamie Salter submitted a new figure to GSP over the weekend, Garrioch adds. May 15 was reportedly set as the deadline for binding bids.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Spoiler alert for July 1: The 2023 unrestricted free-agent class doesn't have a headliner.There's no Johnny Gaudreau of 2022, Dougie Hamilton of 2021, Alex Pietrangelo of 2020, or Artemi Panarin of 2019. There are plenty of household names available, sure, but most are past their prime and thus less desirable.This year's crop is, in a word, underwhelming. However, that doesn't mean it's boring, especially with the upper limit of the salary cap likely rising once again by only $1 million for the 2023-24 season (to $83.5 million). With so little additional cap space available, some players are going to get squeezed. Claus Andersen / Getty Images"Is it the top-tier guys since there's no real big name in the class? Is it the guys in the middle? Or is it some of the lower-end, lower-lineup guys?" Kyle Stich, president of AFP Analytics, wondered aloud during a recent interview.Will teams eat a "bad" cap hit for this coming season in order to sign a player they really like for multiple seasons, then feel better about it once the upper limit jumps? Or, with teams and players eyeing that big increase over the next couple of years, will there be more short-term deals than usual this summer?With the help of Stich and AFP Analytics - which recently released contract projections for hundreds of free agents - let's take a look at three particularly intriguing UFAs. Jeff Bottari / NHL / Getty ImagesAdin Hill (AFP projection: 2 years, $3.34-million cap hit)AFP's projections were finalized after the regular season, so, as Stich puts it, the 27-year-old Hill "might have earned himself another year or two and another couple of million each year" by posting a .934 save percentage in 14 playoff games. Winning the Stanley Cup would be the icing on the cake.Hill's stellar play in the Vegas crease this spring has moved him into Jordan Binnington and Scott Darling territory. Binnington signed for two years at $4.4 million per year in 2019 (5.4% of upper limit at signing time), while Darling signed for four years at $4.15 million per year in 2017 (5.7% of upper limit).Hill's NHL sample size is small (115 total games), which could be viewed as a plus or a minus, depending on the front office. "If you're a team that wants to buy into what you've seen so far, you can talk yourself into him," Stich said. "If you're a team that wants to steer away, you can talk yourself out of him."Michael Bunting (AFP projection: 5 years, $5.26-million cap hit)Bunting's suspension in the first round of the playoffs may not have left a favorable impression on prospective future employers. But there's no denying the 27-year-old winger can slot into any top six. In Toronto, he showed he can play the heel alongside play-drivers Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.AFP envisions Bunting's next deal ending up in the same ballpark as Blake Coleman's deal with Calgary (six years, $4.9 million per, 6% of upper limit at signing) and Zach Hyman's deal with Edmonton (seven years, $5.5 million per, 6.8% of limit). Jonathan Marchessault, who, like Bunting, took a while to break through in the NHL, is another data point (six years, $5 million per, 6.7%).Bunting's just one of many useful UFA wingers, such as Tyler Bertuzzi, Alex Killorn, and Ivan Barbashev. "Does he get signed first, get a high-dollar amount and term, and then the market dries out for somebody else?" Stitch wondered. Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyDmitry Orlov (AFP projection: 5 years, $6.27-million cap hit)Orlov must have been smiling ear to ear Friday as he learned of the sign-and-trade between New Jersey and Columbus. That deal took Damon Severson, Orlov's stiffest competition among UFA defensemen, off the market entirely.Suddenly, the demand for Orlov, which was presumably already fairly high, is even higher. The 31-year-old Russian recorded a career-high 36 points this past season while splitting his time between Washington and Boston after a midseason trade. Orlov's ability to break the puck out, intimidate physically, and help out on the power play makes him an enticing, top-pairing package.Two relevant contracts: Jeff Petry's deal with Montreal and Mattias Ekholm's deal with Nashville. Both defensemen, now playing for other teams, signed in their early 30s for four years, $6.25 million per season, and 7.7% of the upper limit at the time.2003 draft, 20 years laterJune 21 marks two decades since Cape Breton Screaming Eagles goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was selected first overall in the 2003 draft. A historically strong class, 130 picks have played at least one NHL game, including all 30 first-rounders, ranging from Hugh Jessiman (two games) to Eric Staal (1,365).The depth doesn't stop there: 48 of 292 total draftees, or a whopping 16.4% of the class, have appeared in 500 or more games. And 16 have reached the 1,000-game milestone, with the 38-year-old Fleury not far behind (985) heading into the second season of a two-year deal with the Minnesota Wild. Elsa / Getty ImagesThe top-five picks from draft day: