To see a list of all transactions throughout the summer, visit theScore's NHL Offseason Tracker.The New York Islanders have come to terms on a two-year contract with restricted free-agent forward Ryan Strome, the team announced on Tuesday.The deal will pay Strome $5 million, according to Newsday's Arthur Staple.After hitting a career-high 17 goals and 50 points during the 2014-15 season, Strome saw his offensive numbers take a steep dip last season. He managed just eight goals and 28 points in 71 games.His poor play even saw him sent down to the American Hockey League, where he put up two goals and two assists in eight games with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.The 23-year-old was picked fifth overall in the 2011 draft.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If the Ottawa Senators have their way, the team will host an outdoor game at Parliament Hill.Despite past speculation linking an outdoor game to TD Place Stadium, the goal remains to play before the national capital.Planning remains in the preliminary stages, with hopes to host the game in 2017."There's really only one option we've been working on and that's to try to find a way to make that game work on Parliament Hill," team president Cyril Leeder told TSN 1200. "(TD Place) is not an option we’ve looked at, at all, in any detail and we’ve been really focused on the Hill."Senators owner Eugene Melynk likes the idea of the game played before a backdrop of Parliament Hill and the Peace Tower."That would be a fantastic way to really highlight (the Senators 25th anniversary season) and to have a national celebration of the game on Parliament Hill would be really exciting," Leeder added.Four outdoor games are slated for this season: Edmonton vs. Winnipeg at Investors Group Field, Detroit vs. Toronto at BMO Field, Chicago vs. St. Louis at Busch Stadium, and Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh at Heinz Field.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Thomas Vanek is looking to start anew with the Detroit Red Wings.Bought out this summer after signing with the Minnesota Wild in 2014, Vanek believes he can rediscover his offense with the Red Wings."I know I can still play the game and score goals," Vanek told Mike Harrington from the Buffalo News. "For me the biggest thing was Minnesota just wasn't a good fit. It is what it is. There's no rhyme or reason for it."In two seasons with the Wild, Vanek scored 52 and 41 points, respectively, while his production has slid for three straight seasons, down from 1.08 points per game in 2012-13.He was a healthy scratch on more than one occasion last season, while an upper body injury saw him miss the entire postseason."I think being back in the East is going to help me and the way Detroit plays with smaller skilled guys, I think I can get to the front of the net and go to where I'm good at," Vanek added.The 32-year-old, who debuted with the Buffalo Sabres in 2005-06, has also had stints with the New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens.A native of Austria, Vanek is competing with Team Europe at the World Cup, tallying an assist through two games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Life as a water bottle isn't easy.Buffalo Sabres rookie Alexander Nylander proved as much Monday during the NHL rookie tournament when he fired a sizzling wrist shot that sent the water bottle of the Boston Bruins netminder flying into the air.Nylander - the younger brother of Toronto Maple Leafs forward William - is fighting for a roster spot with the Sabres, and If he scores more goals like that and he'll easily be shoe-in.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is previewing each team leading up to the 2016-17 season.Short summers are the best summers.The Pittsburgh Penguins won their second Stanley Cup of the Sidney Crosby era in June, and the band's sticking together for at least another season.Here are three questions facing Mike Sullivan's squad heading into 2016-17:Why not?Only one Penguin from the Cup-clinching game is no longer with Pittsburgh: Ben Lovejoy. While the defender played 20 minutes or more in three Stanley Cup Final games, his ice time is replaceable, especially with Trevor Daley healthy and Justin Schultz re-signed.So the question isn't so much whether the Penguins can repeat - it's why not?On Jan. 1, 2016, Pittsburgh had lost 19 games - 15 in regulation and four in extra time. The Penguins proceeded to lose just two January games in regulation, four in both February and March, and one in April - the final game of the regular season, in which the club benched its best players. Pittsburgh went into the new year with 19 wins in 38 games, and finished with 48 victories. The Cup win was no fluke, as the Penguins found their game under Sullivan, and then peaked in March.The club closed the regular season in dominant fashion, winning 14 of its last 16 games, thanks to streaks of six and eight. The road got tougher in the playoffs, as it always does, but the Penguins needed only 24 games to win 16.While repeating in any sport is difficult, it's that much harder in hockey. But nothing's changed in Pittsburgh, so there's no reason to think the Penguins' dominance will, either.Forget about the Capitals - with their 56 wins and 120 points. The Penguins didn't care, needing only six games to eliminate Washington in the second round.Pittsburgh's the best team in the NHL. Anyone who says otherwise is wrong.Fleury or Murray?How do you take the net away from Matt Murray?The kid shined in the playoffs, winning 15 of 21 starts and finishing with a .923 save percentage and 2.08 goals-against average. He's in the NHL record books alongside Ron Hextall, Patrick Roy, and Cam Ward for the most wins by a rookie goaltender in one postseason year. It was a historic run.The flip side of that question - how do you take the net away from Marc-Andre Fleury? He's a lifelong Penguin, a Cup winner himself, and stood on his head while the Penguins searched - in vain - for their game early in the season.Fleury's 2015-16 splits:Month SV % Wins StartsOctober.942610November.91059December.92326January.923610February.912711March.916912Yes, the 31-year-old played his best hockey before the All-Star break, when the Penguins needed it most. But once Fleury went down with a head injury, Murray took over, and the rest is literally history.The decision will certainly be impacted by economics - we're in a salary-cap world and there's an expansion draft on the way. Fleury's signed for three more years at $5.75 million, while Murray's making just $894,000 against the cap and set to hit restricted free agency.When you think about it honestly, with emotions out of the way, the answer is easy, especially based on Murray's early play at the World Cup. He's the Penguins' goalie of the future - and the present. It's still on the Penguins to make the transition as pain-free as possible for Fleury. He's earned that respect.What's in store for Sid, Kessel, Bonino?Crosby's season mirrored Pittsburgh's. A slow start, then takeoff, then bliss. No. 87 added to his CV in the spring, winning his first Conn Smythe Trophy after a dominant two-way playoff run. Month SH%October3.3November11.4December9.8January22.9February22.9March12.3April26.7Playoffs8.7Crosby also had 19 goals and 44 points in just 33 games after the All-Star break. He finished third in league scoring with 85 points, after hot takes of his decline were being written in November. Nobody knows anything.So we'll wait and see how Sid responds after a dream season. But doubt the man at your peril.Phil Kessel and Nick Bonino are another set of players to watch.Kessel had a disappointing regular season by his standards, especially based on his supporting cast. Everyone expected more than 26 goals and 59 points, but he lifted his game in the playoffs, leading the Pens in scoring and lifted the Cup, too. Perhaps after one season, the pressure's off, and Kessel will explode.Bonino, meanwhile, finished with as many points - 18 - in the playoffs as Evgeni Malkin. You're lying if you saw that coming. The "HBK" line - Carl Hagelin, Bonino, and Kessel - will be one of the more interesting to watch in October. And for Bonino, it's a contract year.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

What a game.In easily the most entertaining matchup of the World Cup so far, Russia beat an upstart North America squad 4-3 in a spirited affair.Auston Matthews kicked off the scoring on a mesmerizing rush and feed from Connor McDavid, much to the delight of a Toronto crowd looking forward to seeing the 2016 first overall draft pick in blue and white.Russia appeared somewhat listless for much of the first half of the game, even failing to record a shot on two consecutive power-play opportunities.But after sustained pressure in the North American zone, the Russians got on the board thanks to Vladislav Namestnikov, who benefited from a favorable bounce off Matt Murray's pads.Just 50 seconds later, Nikita Kucherov scored quickly off the draw to give the Russians a second-period lead. The floodgates opened for a bit at that point, as Evgeny Kuznetsov and Vladimir Tarasenko scored shortly thereafter to cap a spree of four goals in 6:14 for a 4-1 lead, chasing Murray from the net in favor of John Gibson.Morgan Rielly - who led all players with seven shots - scored with just over two minutes left in the second period to cut the lead to 4-2 after 40 minutes, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins brought his team to within one early in the third period with a power-play marker.The Under-23 squad poured it on in the remaining minutes, outshooting Russia 18-4 over the course of the final frame, including several during two separate two-man advantages.Sergei Bobrovsky played a massive part in his side hanging on for the win, stopping 43 of 46 shots.Both teams have two points with one game each left to play: North America is set to face Sweden, while Russia will play Finland.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

More has been revealed about an upper-body injury that forced Aaron Ekblad to miss North America's World Cup game against Russia on Monday.The defenseman is reportedly suffering from a "mild concussion," according to Craig Custance of ESPN.The injury was reportedly sustained on a hit from Finland's Leo Komarov in North America's first game of the tournament.Ekblad's availability going forward is yet to be determined, and North America general manager Peter Chiarelli referred to him as "day-to-day" during the second intermission of Monday's game.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jim Nill won't be losing sleep if Valeri Nichushkin signs a KHL contract.The Dallas Stars general manager said as much in responding to a report that the restricted free agent is nearing a two-year deal with CSKA Moscow."I’m not going to be surprised is he does sign there," Nill said, per Sean Shapiro of Wrong Side of the Red Line. "They know our offer, they know where we’re at. It’s his decision. I’m not going to stop that."The Stars, however, would still retain Nichushkin's rights, and Nill suggested leaving the door open for an eventual return."The good news is he’s 21 years of age, he’s going to play over there and keep developing," Nill added. "I just hope we get a more mature player when he decides to come back over. It’s not the end of the world."Nichushkin has appeared in 166 games for the Stars since being drafted 10th overall in 2013, recording 23 goals and 41 assists.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Shea Weber emerged from the dressing room following Canada's practice Monday at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto prepared to deflect questions about Team North America."Packers and Vikings. Great game. Vikings played well," the defenseman said, his wry smile demonstrating just how much pride he took in derailing the line of questioning.After the young upstarts stole headlines at the World Cup of Hockey with an undeniable performance Sunday against Finland, inquiries about Team North America are to be expected.The buzz hasn't quite infiltrated the Canadian locker room, though. Besides, everything would have to fall perfectly into place in order for Canada and North America to square off at the tournament, in a contest that would generate interest akin to the Sochi Olympic final two years ago.Maybe laterSo, while each recognized the ease with which North America dispatched one of the best national programs in the world, just one of four Canadian players polled Monday were willing to admit they even set aside time to tune in.Brad Marchand said he came away impressed with the performance, how the 23-and-unders organized themselves in the defensive zone, and backchecked with purpose. He noticed the discipline they had within their system, noted the "insane" amount of passes completed in the lead-up to Jonathan Drouin's goal, and said that, overall, he had fun watching the kids play.But he never pondered just how Canada might fare against the group."It's a ways away, so I haven't thought about it, but they are obviously a great team," Marchand told theScore. "They play with a tremendous amount of speed and skill."Alex Pietrangelo was another player who chose to watch Aaron Rodgers and Sam Bradford sling it instead of keeping his eye on Group B.The St. Louis Blues captain wasn't making inferences from the 4-1 score when touting North America's balance up and down the lineup. He's been convinced the kids would show well since the pre-tournament."They might have caught us off guard at first with how quick they were in those exhibition games, but it's no secret now," Pietrangelo told theScore. "We know what they're capable of."One at a timeIt's characteristic of a Mike Babcock-coached team to have blind focus, and not look too far ahead. What's immediately in front of the Canadians is Tuesday's clash with the United States, and a chance to not only earn a semifinal berth, but also eliminate their biggest rivals.Babcock, of course, is following that doctrine. But considering the manner in which he praised Team North America, and the idea to bring those kids together in the first place, it suggests he'd welcome the challenge of toppling the game's future stars."What a great way to showcase the NHL 10 years from now," Babcock said about the North America concept. "That to me is one of the most exciting things about this tournament."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks are set to add some Skille to their training camp.Jack Skille, that is, after the 29-year-old winger signed a professional tryout contract with the club.Originally selected seventh overall by Chicago at the 2005 NHL Draft, Skille appeared in 74 games with Colorado in last season, recording eight goals and six assists.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Valeri Nichushkin may be heading home.The restricted free agent, who remains without a new contract from the Dallas Stars with training camp set to open, is closing in on a deal with KHL club CSKA Moscow, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.Earlier Monday, Russian reporter Igor Eronko said CSKA, which acquired Nichushkin's KHL rights, was set to sign the winger to a two-year deal.For his part, Stars general manager Jim Nill said he hasn't heard anything concrete, but believes there's a KHL offer on the table.Nichushkin is free to sign a KHL deal, while the Stars would retain his rights should he return to the NHL.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Who says hockey won't sell in the desert?The Las Vegas franchise - who has yet to announce its official name - announced Monday that they have received deposits for all 16,000 available season tickets for the 2017-18 season."We launched a season ticket drive in February 2015 to demonstrate the long-term viability of an NHL franchise in Las Vegas and were able to surpass our initial goal within months. Since then, we have hired an outstanding general manager, assistant general manager, director of player personnel, director of amateur scouting, capologist, director of analytics, and many highly qualified scouts. Today, we are proud to announce that season tickets for the 2017 season are sold out," said majority owner Bill Foley said in a release. "This is a truly historic event for the Las Vegas community, the NHL and all of our fans. I would like to thank everyone who has supported and continues to support our efforts to make the Las Vegas NHL franchise a success."The milestone comes 18 months after the tickets first went on sale as part of a drive to see if there was enough interest in the city.Las Vegas will become the 31st franchise in the league and will begin play in the 2017-18 season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It would appear the future draftees weren't the only ones sweating buckets as names were called at this year's NHL Draft.St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk admitted he watched intently as with the never-ending trade speculation, he figured a deal involving himself was forthcoming."You're waiting for (commissioner Gary) Bettman to see if he's going to say, 'We have a trade to announce,'" Shattenkirk said, according to Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.Shattenkirk remains with the team for the time being, and as general manager Doug Armstrong hinted last month, might not be going anywhere any time soon.The 27-year-old led all Blues defenders with 44 points last season, and is entering the final year of a four-year deal that will see him make $5.2 million this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Patrick Roy's sudden departure caught the Colorado Avalanche completely by surprise.“He didn’t tell anybody," Matt Duchene told Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshynski at the World Cup of Hockey on Monday."Nobody knew until he announced it. But he’s not going to burden anybody with that secret before he announces it. I think it was pretty shocking for all of us, but you close that chapter and you move on.”Related - Duchene denies rift with Roy: 'There (were) never any problems'"It caught us off guard," goaltender Semyon Varlamov said. "We knew he had just signed a new deal for two more years, and then he resigned a couple of weeks later. I’m not going to lie. Patrick has been very helpful to me and to the whole team. I was in a good spot.”Roy resigned in August after three seasons as Avalanche head coach and vice-president of hockey operations, citing philosophical differences between he and the organization and claiming he didn't "have a say in the decisions that impact the team's performance."Colorado won the Central Division title in Roy's first season, after which he received the Jack Adams Award as the league's top coach. However, the Avalanche failed to make the playoffs in the two subsequent campaigns.Captain Gabriel Landeskog acknowledged that the players deserve some of the blame for Roy's exit.“A big part of the responsibly of us missing the playoffs for two years in a row has to be on the players,” Landeskog said. “Patrick had his strategy on how he wanted to lead the team, and he did it 100 percent. But at some point, the players have to take some responsibility and unfortunately Patrick felt he had to step down and move on. We feel like that a part of that is on us."The Avalanche named Jared Bednar the club's new head coach in late August, two weeks after Roy's resignation and mere weeks before the start of training camp."How late it was in the summer … I don’t think Patty did that to make it difficult on the Avs to hire a new coach,” defenseman Erik Johnson said.“I think he took his time with his decision. Had he stayed, he would have made it worse than him leaving the way he did. So you have to respect that decision, even if it was made close to camp.”Roy said in April that he had no plans to vacate the bench for the 2016-17 season, but wrote in his farewell statement that he "thought long and hard over the course of the summer" about how he could improve the team.Bednar became the first Avalanche head coach with no previous ties to the organization.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Unrestricted free agent Tomas Fleischmann signed a professional-tryout contract with the Minnesota Wild on Monday, the team announced.The news comes a week after Fleischmann's agent noted his client had been in serious talks with eight teams.The 32-year-old will serve under the team's new bench boss Bruce Boudreau, a man Fleischmann is certainly no stranger to.Fleischmann spent four seasons under Boudreau as a member of the Washington Capitals, scoring 56 goals and 128 points in 240 games under his direction.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is previewing each team leading up to the 2016-17 season.The Dallas Stars iced one of the most lethal squads in the league last season.The team found the back of the net a league-high 265 times - an average of 3.23 times per game - while peppering the opposition with the third-most shots per game. Up front, the team is sound and the addition of Jiri Hudler should only help.The back-end, however, remains a bit of a question mark. The team chose not to address its questionable goaltending tandem, and while Dallas added Dan Hamhuis on defense, it came on the back of three key departures.Here is how the club's depth stacks up heading into the 2016-17 season:ForwardsLW C RWJamie BennTyler SeguinPatrick SharpJiri HudlerJason SpezzaAles HemskyMattias JanmarkCody EakinValeri NichushkinAntoine RousselRadek FaksaPatrick Eaves

The Czech Republic will be without forward Radek Faksa on Monday.The Dallas Stars forward is ailing from an upper-body injury and will not suit up in his team's second contest against Team Europe, general manager Martin Rucinsky said, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.Faksa was limited to just one period of play in his team's 6-0 loss to Canada on Saturday.As for Faksa's replacement, Michal Birner served as the team's extra forward Saturday vs. Canada, but assistant Vinny Prospal admits the team could also dress Tomas Kundratek and go with seven defensemen.Faksa managed one goal through the Czechs' first three exhibition games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is previewing each team leading up to the 2016-17 season.The Dallas Stars claimed first place overall in the Western Conference last season, thanks in large part to an offense that paced the league in goal scoring.Be that as it may, the club has unfinished business after an early postseason exit.Here are three questions facing the Stars as they look to build on last season's run:Will goaltending hold the team back?It was well documented last season that the Stars' biggest flaw was between the pipes.While on paper the likes of Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi appeared to be a strong duo entering the 2015-16 season, the fact remains that at it's conclusion, both put up sub par numbers.Goalie SV% League Rank GAA League RankLehtonen.906492.7647Niemi.905512.6739*Among goalies with minimum 20 games playedDuring the offseason, Dallas general manager Jim Nill remained adamant that he was confident in his goaltending tandem, and that he would enter this season with both men in line to once again share the time in the blue paint.Despite the poor numbers, each goalie was able to compile 25 wins a piece last campaign, largely on the back of a high octane offense.Maybe the Stars' goaltending doesn't need to be good, but perhaps, just good enough.Will Nichushkin finally break out?After being selected 10th overall in 2013 by the Stars, followed up by a commendable rookie campaign in 2014, it appeared Valeri Nichushkin was set to become one of the premiere young talents in the game.However, two years later and the Stars are still waiting for him to become the elite player they envisioned.Of course during the 2014-15 season Nichushkin was limited to just eight games after undergoing hip surgery, which isn't to be overlooked.After receiving reduced ice-time at points last season, Nichushkin admitted to a Russian news outlet that he didn't feel trusted by head coach Lindy Ruff.However, those feelings appear to be in the rear-view mirror as his agent asserted in March that his client loves it in Dallas.Nill has also made it public that Nichushkin is an important part of the club, though he still remains unsigned.How will the team's defense hold up?Going hand-in-hand with the team's goaltending, the Stars' biggest question this season will be whether they can limit the amount of pucks ending up in their own net.The team was able to land veteran blueliner Dan Hamhuis in free agency, providing a solid, calming presence on the back end.However, in turn the club said goodbye to Alex Goligoski, whose rights were traded to the Arizona Coyotes, where the veteran ultimately signed. Jason Demers joined the Florida Panthers, and Kris Russell, who had been acquired at the trade deadline, was left to walk.So while the club will add Hamhuis, they will - unless moves are made prior to the beginning of the season - also rely more heavily on their young defensive depth.The likes of Jamie Oleksiak, Stephen Johns, and Patrik Nemeth could all see a heavy work load on the back-end after all spending time in the AHL last season.Will that contingent be able to stand up in the league's toughest division?Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If Sunday night was any indication, Auston Matthews is ready for showtime. At least Team North America head coach Todd McLellan thinks so. And that's music to the ears of Toronto hockey fans."My eye was on him because I thought he was going to have a (heck) of a game, and he did," McLellan said, according to NHL.com's Tim Campbell.Matthews was on the young guns' top line with Connor McDavid and Mark Scheifele. He was thrown right into the mix, and he responded by showing off his speed and hands in setting up Jack Eichel's opening goal against Finland."There was no fear at all of playing him," McLellan said. "He belongs where he is right now. He fits where he is. There's no, 'Hey, let's babysit him and make sure we're protecting him.' Let him play. He's got all the skills and he's playing the right way. You can't ask any more of him."Maple Leafs fans probably will, but that's still a little while away.Matthews, who turned 19 on Saturday, said he wasn't nervous - despite playing in Toronto for the first time - so much as he was anxious to get his World Cup going with his teammates."It's a pretty good feeling to go out there and contribute," he said."He was great," Scheifele said. "He was great with the puck. He made some great plays."Matthews and his squad will try to keep it going Monday night against Russia at 8 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mikko Rantanen's quest to make the opening-night roster has hit a bump in the road.The Colorado Avalanche forward injured his ankle during a rookie-tournament game and is expected to be out two-to-four weeks, thereby missing a good chunk of training camp.The 19-year-old, drafted 10th overall in 2015, recorded 24 goals and 36 assists in 52 AHL games last season, his first in North America. He was, however, held pointless in his first nine NHL appearances.Rantanen is considered to be an important piece of Colorado's future - if not its present - and a speedy recovery would benefit both parties.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is previewing each team leading up to the 2016-17 season.The Tampa Bay Lightning came within one win of a return trip to the Stanley Cup Final last season, and head into the 2016-17 campaign with a roster loaded with enough talent to finish the job this time around.Here's a look at the projected depth chart for 2016-17.ForwardsLWCRWAlex KillornSteven StamkosJonathan DrouinOndrej PalatTyler JohnsonNikita KucherovVladislav NamestnikovValtteri FilppulaRyan CallahanCedric PaquetteBrian BoyleJ.T. Brown

Auston Matthews is in for a wild ride, and his Air Canada Centre debut at the World Cup is just the beginning.So says North American linemate Connor McDavid, who knows a thing or three about being a much-hyped rookie stepping into a hockey-crazed market."There was a bunch of pressure, (but Auston's) probably going to have it worse here in Toronto than I did in Edmonton," McDavid said Sunday, per Mark Masters of TSN. "He’s going to go though a lot, but he’s ready for it. He’s a good player with a good head on his shoulders."In fairness, McDavid didn't get to play through a full season with the Oilers after suffering a serious shoulder injury back in November that forced him out of half the campaign.Had he played in all 82 games and been in the running for, say, a scoring title and playoff spot, then perhaps the pressure would have been ramped up a little higher.Nevertheless, Toronto is a special animal in the hockey landscape, and Matthews is seen as the strongest building block for a Maple Leafs team looking to return to competitiveness.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After a trade request that was made, not met, and later rescinded, New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic is looking forward to a fresh start.Hamonic went to training camp last season with a desire to be closer to his home of Winnipeg, Manitoba because of a family issue, and let it be known to general manager Garth Snow that he wanted to be dealt.Unable to find a suitable trade partner, Snow held on to a defenseman deemed important to the long-term success of the club. Looking back, Hamonic is content remaining with the Islanders, especially now that the family issue is behind him."Reflecting on it during the summer, I was really appreciative of everyone’s respect, letting me deal with what was going on," Hamonic said upon arriving at this season's camp, per Arthur Staple of Newsday."Things solidified themselves in that situation and I’m excited to head into camp with a clear head, clear heart, and ready to rock. Just keep moving forward. I’m happy as hell to be here."The 26-year-old remains under contract for four more seasons at a very team-friendly $3,857,142 cap hit, meaning Snow's likely just as happy to have been able to put this situation in the past.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is previewing each team leading up to the 2016-17 season.A Stanley Cup Final loss at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2014-15; a Game 7 Eastern Conference Final loss to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015-16.So what does 2016-17 have in store for the Tampa Bay Lightning?Here are three question facing one of the NHL's most legitimate contenders:Is Ben Bishop a goner?Heading into the final year of his contract and facing unrestricted free agency next summer, Ben Bishop's future is one of the biggest question marks hanging over the Lightning.Related - Bishop: Trade to Flames was 'close,' discussed extensionGeneral manager Steve Yzerman is on record as taking a strong "maybe, maybe not" stance in regards to whether he'll be forced to trade one of his goalies prior to the 2017 trade deadline, but the reality is only one can be protected in advance of an expansion draft, and the team has already re-upped with Andrei Vasilevskiy on a three-year, $10.5-million contract that kicks in at the beginning of next season.As good as Bishop has been for Tampa Bay - and make no mistake, he's been as important as anyone to the team's success in recent years - Vasilevskiy is younger, and proved he's up for the task of taking the starting job when pressed into action for an injured Bishop during the playoffs.The Lightning could very well win the Cup this season, but with Vasilevskiy serving as the goalie of record.Is the Drouin saga really over?If we look at Jonathan Drouin's performance in the playoffs, it'd be logical to assume the five goals and nine assists recorded in 17 games were a natural and fitting conclusion to a breakout season for the third overall pick in 2013.Not so, as Drouin's season was marked by a demotion to the AHL, a public trade request, a team suspension for failing to report to a game, and, ultimately, a reunion made necessary by Steven Stamkos' absence in the postseason due to a blood clot.The 21-year-old can indeed be a big-game player when put in position to succeed, and while the two sides appear to have hugged it out, questions remain as to how head coach Jon Cooper will use Drouin in the context of a fully healthy lineup, and whether player and team can come to an agreement on his next contract once Drouin hits restricted free-agent status next summer.How long can the band stay together?Yzerman drew praise for inking Stamkos and Victor Hedman to reasonable long-term extensions during the offseason, but there remain a few murky contract situations that could prove difficult to resolve.With the World Cup set to begin, star winger Nikita Kucherov remains without a contract for 2016-17, and he's arguably the most important forward in Tampa Bay apart from Stamkos.On top of that, Drouin, Tyler Johnson, and Ondrej Palat are all set to become restricted free agents at season's end, and all three will command and deserve significant raises.Even if Bishop is sacrificed on the altar of cap space, Yzerman will need to shed another contract or two (Ryan Callahan, Valtteri Filppula, and Jason Garrison come to mind) in order to keep all these core pieces.Godspeed, Stevie Y.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Anaheim Ducks forward Rickard Rakell will be off skates for at least two weeks.The club announced the 23-year-old underwent surgery to remove scar tissue relating to his appendectomy in the spring.Related - Season Preview: Ducks depth chartRakell was replaced on Sweden's World Cup roster by Patrik Berglund earlier in the week, after he was hospitalized with a stomach virus.A first-round pick in 2011, Rakell scored 20 goals - a career high - in 72 games last season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Happy 31st birthday, Alex Ovechkin!Here are eight great facts about the Washington Capitals' superstar winger.1. Athletic heritageOvechkin's mother, Tatyana Ovechkina, won a pair of Olympic gold medals in women's basketball, as well as a World Championship, and six European Championships.She currently runs Russia's women's national basketball program.His father, Mikhail Ovechkin, is also a former professional soccer player.2. Hockey discovered earlyFrom Peter Baker of the Washington Post:

theScore is previewing each team leading up to the 2016-17 season.The Islanders aren't as deep as they were last season, but they're well positioned to make another playoff push in 2016-17.New York won its first postseason series since 1993 last spring, but lost Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen and a trio of grinders to free agency, bringing in Andrew Ladd and P.A. Parenteau - solid replacements, but inferior to their predecessors,That offseason turnover should create opportunities for a couple of promising young players.ForwardsLWCRWAndrew LaddJohn TavaresP.A. ParenteauAnders LeeBrock NelsonRyan StromeNikolay KuleminMathew BarzalJosh BaileyJason ChimeraCasey CizikasCal Clutterbuck

Tyler Seguin's injury situation appears more dire than first believed.The Dallas Stars center, who was forced out of the World Cup with what was said at the time to be an ankle injury, has been diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his heel, general manager Jim Nill announced Saturday.The injury occurred during Canada's pre-tournament game against the United States on Sept. 9 and was revealed following an MRI.Seguin's status for training camp will be re-evaluated in one week, Nill adds.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Fans of any of the NHL's 30 teams will have at least one player to keep an eye on once the puck drops at the World Cup of Hockey on Saturday.As the following graphic demonstrates, the Tampa Bay Lightning lead the way with 12 participants, while the Ottawa Senators will be represented by one player, albeit by one of the best defenseman in the world, Erik Karlsson.

Just prior to a season that will begin under far different circumstances than his incredible breakout campaign one year ago, we caught up with Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere.theScore: You obviously had a tremendous year, breaking onto the scene with Philadelphia, helping the club return to the postseason, being nominated for the Calder Trophy, and making Team North America. Looking back on this time last year, what were your realistic expectations?Gostisbehere: I was coming off a major injury, I didn't play seriously in my first year of pro, so I was just trying to gain experience. I knew I was going to be in the (American Hockey League), and wasn't going to be right in the NHL at the beginning. I was just trying to get games in and get the pro experience, but I was called up 14 games in. I tried to make a difference up there, contribute to my team, and it materialized more and more.theScore: What was your greatest uncertainty coming in; that you would be able to contribute at the NHL level, or that you would get the chance in the first place?Gostisbehere: That's the thing about Mr. (Ron) Hextall. He's cut and dry. He told me that when you're ready, you're going to get the chance. So that was in my mind. But he said you're going to have to work for it. That's another thing that really stuck with me. I had to really work for it, and that's what I did all summer. I worked hard. I finished my rehab. I played in the minors, did my shift there, and got the call.theScore: You're a South Florida native. Is it a challenge to find suitable competition out there in summer training?Gostisbehere: I don't really train in Florida. I've been up north. I've been in Philly the last three summers and Boston the three summers before that. But there is a lot of training down there. I've been thinking about going back down there. I know Jacob Trouba works out down there, so there's a good group of guys. I'm never worried about finding ice, or guys to train with.theScore: A quarterback like yourself must relish every opportunity on the power play, but how much fun is it to run point on this team?Gostisbehere: It's fun on this team right now when you're putting it into the hands of Johnny Gaudreau, Jack Eichel, Connor McDavid, Mark Scheifele - the names go on and on. Coach (Todd MacLellan) said that it's a privilege to be on the power play - he could throw eight different units out there - so we have to keep working at it, and polish some things. And we're going to keep going.theScore: Last question for you, has the 2013 world junior tournament (where the United States beat Canada 5-1 in the semifinal before going on to win gold) been brought up in the room?Gostisbehere: No, it hasn't, surprisingly. I think we have seven of us here. It was a fun time.theScore: Maybe it's better that way?Gostisbehere: Yeah, probably. We'll keep (that) on the down-low.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Islanders' biggest question might be where they ultimately end up playing, but the organization has a few more immediate matters when it comes to the on-ice product.It was a disappointing summer for general manager Garth Snow, who watched productive winger and longtime Islander Kyle Okposo sign a seven-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres on July 1.Frans Nielsen also bolted on the opening day of free agency, signing a six-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings.After a season in which New York won its first playoff series in 23 years but failed once again to make a deep postseason run, several concerns remain.Here are three questions facing the Islanders as they head into the 2016-17 campaign:Can the new arrivals offset the departures?The Islanders will have a new-look top line this season, and it will likely feature Andrew Ladd and P.A. Parenteau on either side of captain John Tavares.New York got older when it signed 30-year-old Ladd and 33-year-old Parenteau, and while the team certainly could have done worse, it will be tough to replicate the steady production provided by Okposo and Nielsen.Ladd scored 25 goals in a season split between the Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks, but he had his worst non-lockout campaign points-wise in six years. Parenteau led the Toronto Maple Leafs in scoring -- with 20 goals.The Islanders also added 37-year-old forward Jason Chimera, who scored 20 of his own with the high-octane Washington Capitals last season, but how much he has left in the tank remains to be seen.Can Halak finally figure out how to stay healthy?If the last few years of Jaroslav Halak's career are any indication, the chances of him staying off injured reserve don't look good. The starting goaltender's health, however, will once again be integral to New York's success.Halak played only 36 games in 2015-16, missing the entire postseason with a nagging groin injury suffered in March.Thomas Greiss is one of the best backup netminders in the league, but the Islanders need a healthy Halak if they want to play in June.What will they get from Ryan Strome?The 2011 fifth overall pick took a significant step backward in his sophomore season, managing only eight goals and 28 points in 71 games.New York had high hopes for Strome, who posted 17 goals and 50 points in his first full campaign with the Islanders two seasons ago.The 23-year-old was a healthy scratch multiple times in both the regular season and the playoffs, and he was even sent down to the AHL for an eight-game stint.Strome, a restricted free agent, is still without a contract as the preseason looms. Assuming he signs and reports to camp, he'll need to rediscover the form that he showed for the Islanders in 2014-15 and for the OHL's Niagara IceDogs, with whom he authored three straight 30-plus-goal seasons.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears Stephane Robidas' playing days are over.The Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman won't be suiting up this season after failing his physical, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton.Robidas didn't play a single game in 2015-16. He was reportedly suffering from knee and groin injuries that kept him from starting last season with the club, but not much was heard about him after early October.The 39-year-old will be utilized by Toronto, though:

It didn't take long for Nikita Scherbak to start turning heads in camp.The Montreal Canadiens prospect scored a jaw-dropping goal in the club's rookie tournament opener Friday night.Scherbak received a pass in his own end and carried the puck into the offensive zone. He went between his legs on the backhand, switched to the forehand, and scored on the Pittsburgh Penguins to give Montreal an 8-3 lead.The 20-year-old Russian winger and 2014 first-round pick finished with three points.(Video courtesy: NHL.com)Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Johnny Gaudreau says his unresolved contract negotiations have taken a toll, but the World Cup of Hockey has been a welcome distraction."Throughout the whole summer and contract situation it's been so painful because every day it's something that's on my mind,” the Calgary Flames star and Team North America forward told Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun on Thursday."So this tourney has helped me not worry about that," Gaudreau said. "I can just play hockey, have fun, be part of the team, and hang out with teammates. It's been the easiest part of my summer without the contract situation there."The 23-year-old forward reportedly put talks on hold until the conclusion of the tournament, which could run until Oct. 1. The restricted free agent is apparently seeking $8 million per season, while the Flames are hoping to pay him no more than $6.75 million.Gaudreau's representative is still free to negotiate on his behalf, though."I haven't even spoken to my agent in, like, a week and a half - I'll let him do whatever he thinks is best during the tournament."He considered sitting out of the World Cup until he had a new agreement with Calgary, but couldn't pass up the chance to play in the tourney."I know we had a few discussions about me not playing if I didn't have a contract but you don't get many chances to play in the World Cup," he said."I was like, 'let's gets some insurance because I really want to play in this tournament.' Since I've been here I haven't worried about the contact at all - I've just had fun and forgot about the other things."Gaudreau notched 30 goals and 78 points in his second full season with the Flames.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Golden Jet will not be flying to Manitoba this fall.Bobby Hull turned down an invitation to attend the inaugural Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame induction ceremony in October for personal reasons, the club announced Friday."It's a true honor to be inducted into the Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame alongside my former linemates, and friends, Anders Hedberg, and Ulf Nilsson," Hull said in a a statement."While I will not be in attendance for the celebration, I want to thank the Jets for the special recognition and the wonderful fans of Winnipeg for all of their support throughout the years.”The Jets expressed their disappointment in a statement of their own."The Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame was created to acknowledge the rich history of our team which began with the World Hockey Association and quickly reached international significance through the achievements of the Hotline," the club said."Accordingly, we are deeply disappointed that Mr. Hull has declined our invitation to join his teammates, Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson when we honor their collective accomplishments on October 19th and 20th."Hull spent parts of eight seasons with the original Jets franchise (now the Arizona Coyotes) in the WHA and NHL from 1972-73 to 1979-80, scoring 307 goals with the club including three 50-plus-goal campaigns and a 77-goal season in 1974-75.He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mats Zuccarello knows it's nothing personal, but that doesn't make it any easier.The New York Rangers forward had his tongue firmly in-cheek when he was asked about the team's moves over the last two years."Don't be friends with me or else you might be traded," Zuccarello quipped to Larry Brooks of the New York Post.Zuccarello's two best friends on the club, Carl Hagelin and Derick Brassard, were dealt in successive seasons. Hagelin was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in 2015 and then to the rival Pittsburgh Penguins in January.In July, the Rangers shipped Brassard to the Ottawa Senators along with a seventh-round pick for Mika Zibanejad and a second-rounder.Zuccarello is still coping with their departures, regardless of the motivation behind the deals."I know it's the business, I understand that," the forward said. "Management is doing what they think is best for the team to make us better. But as a human being and a friend, I don't appreciate it. I've lost my two best friends, and in that way I don't think about hockey. Personally, I'm really sad to lose them."The Norweigan winger led the Rangers with 61 points last season, trailing only Brassard, his regular linemate, for the team lead in goals. Despite the changes, he's looking forward to playing in the new-look lineup."Management was looking to add speed to our core. It might be a little different for me. I don't know who I'm going to be with, but I'm really excited to see what it's going to be all about."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For Ben Bishop, the future doesn't have to unfold in secret.In a sport where information is policed, and the truth often denied, the Tampa Bay Lightning netminder, entering a contract year at the height of his career this season with his future with the organization cast in doubt, instead offers marked transparency.As someone obviously understanding of the Lightning's financial situation and the capabilities of his backup Andrei Vasilevskiy, Bishop spoke about the openness to which he's willing to discuss the brief negotiations that the Lightning and his representatives held with the Calgary Flames prior to the NHL draft."I don't think it's a big deal one way or the other. I think everybody realizes there's a business side to it. That happened, and it's over with and done with," Bishop told theScore in Toronto at the World Cup."I don't think there was any reason to hide it or deny it. I think we're all old, and mature, and can handle it. It wasn't like we got right to the end there and it didn't work out. We never got that close."Until Bishop's traded, re-signed, or reaches unrestricted free agency, his status will exist as a fascinating subplot for the Lightning season, not unlike the Steven Stamkos saga of one year ago. Because this is a goaltender talented enough to make every NHL team better, and one that will unquestionably be on the radar for Las Vegas.That said, his focus is on Tampa Bay, and an organization he would prefer to stick with for the remainder of his career."That's what my goal is," Bishop said. "I'm not really thinking about what might happen, I'm just worried about Game No. 1. The rest will take care of itself."The two-time Vezina Trophy finalist, who has racked up more or as many wins as any other netminder in his three seasons with the Lightning, will back up Jonathan Quick on Saturday as Team USA opens its World Cup bid versus Team Europe.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brent Burns excites, well, easily.Mere mention of the word "adventure" prompts a rush of fond memories. His eyes light up, a big smile appears from the bushy beard he swears is regularly maintained, and the NHL's most interesting, off-the-wall personality starts regaling with stories of his cross-country summer travels.But like an eager kid rushing to get the words out, Burns gets momentarily hung up on the minutiae."We spent a little over two months in the RV," he began, in conversation with theScore. "Grand Canyon was amazing. The two-to-three days spent in the Rockies were unreal, driving through the mountains. I learned that you have to take air out of every tire. We had an air mattress; air sac blew going over the mountains. So you learn a few things. I brought a bunch of bags of chips from Canada back. All blew up over the Rockies. It sucked. Still rattled about that. My ketchup chips, my all-dressed chips."I'm going to have to reload while I'm here."Burns' lesson in barometric pressure does well to encapsulate his refreshing spirit. Everything is fun. Everything is a worthwhile experience. Everything, and everyone, is fascinating. There is always something to learn, and a story to pass along.And as Burns explains, his time in Toronto for the World Cup of Hockey - as a member of Team Canada - offers an environment just as stimulating as his voyages, along with the people, places, and things discovered along the way."One of the really cool things about getting to do these things is experiencing different coaches, different ways they look at hockey, and playing with different guys that you've played against. That's always one of my highlights," he said.The inquisitive San Jose Sharks defenseman has taken a particular interest in Team Canada head coach Mike Babcock."His passion for hockey and exuberance at the rink is great," Burns said. "I like his little speeches before games, how he gets the boys going. I always thought he was more of a tactician, but there's so much more to him than that. He's cognizant about getting you to play loose, and playing your game within the details of his. He's been great."Of course, there's much more to discover in the Canadian room, so Burns has been sourcing information from other elite talents, and the temporary teammates he'll soon compete with again on a nightly basis in the NHL.Burns mentioned picking the brain of Jonathan Toews, the normally guarded Chicago Blackhawks captain who's recently opened up about the eccentricities of his lifestyle, and the holistic, evangelical training that goes into achieving "total human optimization." No wonder Toews has piqued Burns' interest.But learning isn't limited to his conversations. Always the observer, Burns acquires information through different means, and with Team Canada, he's picking up nuances that make the greatest hockey players so uniquely special."Sid is the best player in the world and it's for a reason," Burns said. "You see Doughts (Drew Doughty), he's another elite defenseman. There aren't many better than him, if any. You get to watch a guy like him, how he prepares, and what he does at practice."You take things from everybody. Go down the list."The reptile-farming, loud suit-wearing, beard oil-applying, military historian, and jiu jitsu practitioner - who got his first tattoo at age 11 - doesn't hide the fact that he's different. But at the crux of it, Burns is just like the other 22 players on Team Canada, and across the various rosters in Toronto for the World Cup.He understands that everyone has their likes, dislikes, curiosities, profound interests, and eagerness to learn about things others find mundane. And like all professionals, Burns requires an avenue to escape every now and then."Some guys play guitar, some guys meditate, some guys do yoga. Whatever it is they do, they get away from the game and enjoy life," he said."I just have a couple different things I like to do."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators signed defenseman Matt Bartkowski to a professional tryout contract on Friday, the team announced.The 28-year-old spent last season with the Vancouver Canucks, where he produced six goals and 18 points from the backend while playing a career-high 80 games.Prior to last season he had spent his career with the Boston Bruins organization after being drafted by the Florida Panthers in 2008. In 211 career games he has six goals and 42 points.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While Shawn Horcoff is hanging up his skates, he won't be out of work.The former Anaheim Ducks forward is the Detroit Red Wings' new director of player development, the Red Wings confirmed Friday.Horcoff contributed six goals and 15 points in 59 games with the Ducks last season. He concludes his NHL career with 186 goals and 511 points in 1,008 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore caught up with Blake Wheeler at World Cup Media Day to discuss his leadership influences, and his new role as captain of the Winnipeg Jets.theScore: In your unveiling as captain, you touched on learning from two great leaders in your career. Have you spoken to Zdeno Chara or Andrew Ladd since the announcement?Wheeler: Yeah, I talked to Laddy. I was actually out at his place right after I found out. But not much had to be said. We've had a lot of conversations over the last few years, so I knew where he stood on things. He was a great mentor the whole time.theScore: Will you change anything from the way he ran the room?Wheeler: Pretty much all the advice I've gotten from everyone is to just be yourself. I'll continue to do what I do, try to set an example on the ice. I'll let guys like this (motions toward Dustin Byfuglien) be vocal in the room. I think we have a good mix.theScore: How did Chara and Ladd contrast in their styles, and what were you able to pick up from each?Wheeler: They were pretty similar. Preparation was a huge part of what they did. They are two of the hardest working guys I've ever played with. That's what comes with the territory. You have to be one of the hardest working guys, if not the hardest working guy every day. That reflected on what they did on a daily basis, in practice and in games.theScore: Did you watch Chara with the expectation that you may be in those shoes one day, or was being attentive just sort of the smart thing to do as a young guy breaking into the league?Wheeler: You look up to him in a lot of ways - literally and figuratively. He was such a commanding presence. The way he worked every day rubbed off on everyone. That was the example, and if you fell short of that, then he was going to make you look bad by how hard he worked. He brought everyone to his level (that way).theScore: You were traded from Boston to Atlanta during a season in which the Bruins went on to win the Stanley Cup. What sort of perspective did you gain from that?Wheeler: Just how close you came to it. It was a special group, obviously, and now you aspire to get back to that level.theScore: Finally, what is the most important trait in a captain?Wheeler: It's being the hardest working guy on your team. There are going to be days where it's tough to do that, but that's the most important thing. You have to (set) the example every single day, even (during) the tough days when you're not feeling so great. You're still consistent.(Note: Interview was condensed and edited for clarity.)Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is previewing each team leading up to the 2016-17 season.The Anaheim Ducks have won four consecutive Pacific Division titles, but the club still enters the 2016-17 campaign under enormous pressure to take the next step.With essentially the same roster, and a new coach in Randy Carlyle, the Ducks are likely to be in the thick of contention in the Western Conference once again next season.Here's a projected depth chart for Anaheim next season:ForwardsLWCRWNick RitchieRyan GetzlafCorey PerryAndrew CoglianoRyan KeslerJakob SilfverbergMason RaymondRickard RakellChris WagnerStefan NoesenAntoine VermetteJared Boll

Stiffer competition between the pipes for the Pittsburgh Penguins certainly doesn't have Marc-Andre Fleury running for the hills.The 2016-17 season could provide a scenario, the likes of which Fleury has not endured in nearly 10 years, as the emergence of Matt Murray has put his starting job in question.However, while Fleury understands he could see less playing time this season, he is not ready to ask for a trade."No. No. No. I've always said this is like my home," Fleury said, according to Jonathan Bombulie of Triblive.com. "I wish I could play here my whole career. I try to do my best for the team and for the organization."Of course there is the chance that both Fleury and Murray will share the goaltending duties 50-50, which though not ideal, the veteran understands."I'm sure Matty is in the same boat, too," Fleury said. "We'd like to play games. But if that's what it is, that's what it is. You deal with it and try my best when I'm in there."In the end it's all about winning games and as Fleury sees it, both goaltenders give the Penguins a great chance to do just that."Me and Matty playing gives us a chance to win games, and bottom line, that's what matters," Fleury said. "It doesn't matter who's in the net."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On the Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, continues with another World Cup of Hockey installment. In the latest edition, our editors debate whether Connor McDavid could have made Team Canada - were he eligible.Gold-Smith: McDavid would have a strong case for inclusion on the Canadian roster in a tournament without a 23-and-under Team North America.He might have had to play out of position for this Canadian squad, though, unless one of the country's five elite centers - Crosby, Toews, Bergeron, Getzlaf, and Thornton - were left off.Thornton is in the twilight of his career, and while he's still an effective player, few would argue if the Edmonton star was picked over him. McDavid is arguably more valuable - even at this stage - than the aging Thornton, Jeff Carter, or even Carter's replacement on the right wing, Corey Perry.

Another member of the Montreal Canadiens' blue line could soon be on the move.The defenseman currently in question is Nathan Beaulieu, and while the team is not actively shopping him, they are fielding offers for the 23-year-old, general manager Marc Bergevin told Francois Gagnon of RDS, with translation from Sportsnet's Eric Engels:

The Anaheim Ducks, perennial juggernauts in the mighty Western Conference, enter the 2016-17 in need of something new.The Ducks have won four consecutive Pacific Division titles, but it has translated into no success when it really counts: The postseason.While Anaheim gears up for another year in the hunt for the Stanley Cup, here are three questions facing a team under enormous pressure to take their play to the next level.Can they erase haunting playoff memories?Four consecutive seasons, four consecutive blown Game 7s on home ice.In the last four series in which Anaheim has been eliminated from the playoffs, they've relinquished a 3-2 series lead, and the latest instance cost former head coach Bruce Boudreau his job.It truly is tough to pinpoint why the Ducks can't make the leap, but general manager Bob Murray made it abundantly clear that Anaheim's core players need to be held responsible for the team's most recent postseason blunder: An unexpected elimination at the hands of the wildcard-seeded Nashville Predators.It's evident a refresh is in order, and perhaps Anaheim would be wise to take a page out of the San Jose Sharks' book, a team that brought in a new coach to help erase the memory of recent failures, and wound up two wins shy of the Stanley Cup.Is Randy Carlyle the answer?Murray appointed Boudreau - a man who accumulated a record of 208-104-40 in four seasons - the team's sacrificial lamb after Anaheim's latest Game 7 failure, resulting in the return of Randy Carlyle.Carlyle's last gig - bench boss of the Toronto Maple Leafs - ended in turmoil, but the Ducks are optimistic the man who delivered the franchise's lone Stanley Cup (2007) can bring them back to the promised land.He inherits a team that ranked first league-wide in goals against per game (2.29), power-play efficiency (23.1%), and penalty kill (87.1%).The building blocks to contend are there, and it's up to Carlyle to extrapolate all he can out of franchise linchpins Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry while their window among the NHL's elite is still open.Will John Gibson deliver in his first chance as No. 1?At last, John Gibson is alone in the Ducks' crease.The 23-year-old All-Star has battled injuries in his brief tenure with Anaheim, as well as sharing starting duties with Frederik Andersen and Jonas Hiller in years' past.Last season, Gibson and the departed Andersen split the William M. Jennings Trophy for fewest goals allowed. Individually, Gibson was strong, posting a 21-13-4 record with a 2.07 goals against average and .920 save percentage.He has a sturdy defense in front of him, and numbers suggest he'll be more than capable to succeed in his first stint as a full-time starter.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.