Presented with the opportunity to become hockey's next big insider, Toronto mayor John Tory chose instead not to be the bearer of bad news to his constituents.A series of emails obtained through a Freedom of Information request reveals Tory's office knew Steven Stamkos had decided against signing with the hometown Maple Leafs - choosing instead to re-up with the Tampa Bay Lightning - before the decision was made public.When a report emerged stating Tory was present at a meeting between Stamkos and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, his staff clearly wasn't sure how to respond to a series of media inquiries.From Shawn Jeffords of the Toronto Sun:

The King is still coming.New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has debunked reports suggesting he would be skipping the World Cup after suffering an injury at a charity golf tournament.He did, however, admit to being a little banged up in a recent practice."A few days ago I took a puck right to the rib cage when my equipment somehow moved," Lundqvist told Larry Brooks of the New York Post. "I did have some discomfort, and it’s sore and stiff and probably will be for a while, but I’m OK."Lundqvist has been a force for Sweden at major international tournaments over the years, winning gold and silver at two Winter Olympics and a pair of silvers from separate World Championship events.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Flyers have confirmed an injury suffered by Radko Gudas that will likely eliminate the defenseman from participating in the World Cup."Gudas sustained an upper-body injury during his offseason training and will be evaluated on a week to week basis," Flyers GM Ron Hextall said in a statement. "We are hopeful and optimistic that he will not miss any regular-season games."A report earlier Saturday stated Gudas, along with Tomas Hertl, would not be able to suit up for the Czech Republic due to injury.Gudas signed a four-year, $13.4-million contract extension with the Flyers back in June after ranking second in the NHL last season with 304 hits.Philadelphia is set to open the regular season Oct. 14 in Los Angeles.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Steve Moses isn't giving up on the promised land that is the National Hockey League.Signed to a one-year, $1-million contract by the Nashville Predators last summer after setting the KHL's single-season goals record (35) in 2014-15, Moses was assigned to the team's AHL affiliate and soon returned to Russia after being released from his deal with zero minutes played in the NHL.Moses is currently playing for SKA St. Petersburg on a contract more lucrative than the one given to him by the Predators, and while he'd like to have another crack at the NHL, he's content earning rubles for the time being."I’d like to give the NHL another shot," Moses told Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe. "But on the flip side of things, I am 27 now, and I want to be able to make as much money playing this game as I can. As you get older, that becomes more and more a driving force than the dream of playing in the NHL. So as long as they are going to pay me what they’re paying, I don’t think I’ll leave."But that being said, obviously I would still love to prove to myself and others that I can play in the NHL."What might sting a bit is the fact Artemi Panarin also signed an NHL deal last summer after finishing with 10 fewer goals and just five more points than Moses in 2014-15. He was given a big chance to prove himself with the Chicago Blackhawks, and ended up winning the Calder Trophy.That's just the way it goes sometimes, Moses says."In sports, timing can kind of be everything," he said. "Artemi and I were the two top scorers in the KHL that year. He ended up being Rookie of the Year (in the NHL). I didn’t play a single game. So, like I say, timing can be everything - it didn’t work out."When it doesn’t work out, you can be left banging your head against the wall, thinking, 'What if I’d done something different?' But I’ve come to the point where I realize in sports you never know what’s going to happen and you deal with it."Moses began the new KHL season playing on a line with Pavel Datsyuk and Ilya Kovalchuk, which is not only a decent consolation prize compared to a job in the NHL, but also a plum assignment when it comes to potentially putting up big numbers and catching the eye of general managers back in North America.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Todd McLellan may have the opportunity to name Connor McDavid as team captain twice in the span of just one month.The head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, who will double as the bench boss for Team North America at the World Cup, McLellan hasn't ruled out the possibility that McDavid could sport the "C" for both squads."The captain of the Oilers? We’ll figure that out at training camp," McLellan told Michael Traikos of Postmedia. "The captain at the World Cup? We’ll find out this week."McDavid, who was previously the captain of his junior team, the Erie Otters, brings a list of accolades to the international tournament, including three gold medal victories - most recently from the 2016 World Championship.McLellan referred to McDavid as a "tremendous player and an even more tremendous person". The budding superstar had 48 points in 45 games with the Oilers last season."Connor’s obviously a focal point,” McLellan added. "I know what type of person he is and how he can play. If he can just bring that every day, we’ll be fine."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The injury woes continue for Team Czech Republic, as winger Tomas Hertl and defenseman Radko Gudas have passed on the World Cup, reports TV NOVA Sport's Roman Jedlicka.Hertl continues to rehab a knee injury suffered during last year's playoffs, while Gudas is dealing with a wrist ailment.It's a tough blow for a Czech team that's already lost top center David Krejci, who was replaced by Czech league forward Roman Cervenka.No replacements have been named for Hertl and Gudas.The Czech Republic's first game of the World Cup comes Sept. 8 vs. Team Russia.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Las Vegas Sand Knights is a no go, says team owner Bill Foley.Foley commented Friday on the names leaked in recent weeks to Nicholas J. Cotsonika from NHL.com."It's creating a lot of excitement in Las Vegas," Foley said. "I mean, all I do is get harassed every day by people who have a name idea or, 'Use this name,' or, 'What's the name going to be?'"It's in the news all the time, so we're front of mind."Las Vegas has trademarked Silver Knights, Golden Knights, and Desert Knights, while registering domains for Red Hawks and Desert Hawks, though Foley added he's grabbed a few decoy names as a means of misdirection.Earlier this offseason, Foley secured Nighthawks as a secondary option. The first choice remains unknown, and Foley intends to keep it a secret until the team's mid-October unveiling.Still, Foley added the Sand Knights nickname, revealed earlier this week, "never was" a possibility, though his preference remains for a two-word name.As it stands, the NHL has just three two-word named teams: the Blue Jackets, Red Wings, and Maple Leafs.Foley also discussed some of the names submitted by fans."Aces is pretty good," Foley said. "We could produce some pretty interesting logos. I was kind of focused on a little different direction than Aces."A lot of people like Scorpions, but the scorpion is a defensive animal. We're not going to be defensive. So I didn't want that."While the NHL has denied gambling-related names, Aces could depict the fighter jets at Nevada's Nellis Air Force Base.From the beginning, Foley - a graduate of West Point, the U.S. Military Academy - has preferred a name that reflects his military background."My goal is to really have a culture that has a military origin to it, of loyalty, strength, perseverance," he said. "We never stop trying. We never give up. We never give in. That kind of culture."Team representatives will continue to meet with NHL officials and NHL jersey manufacturer, Adidas, in finalizing the design, color scheme, and logo.The hope remains the team will have merchandise available by the start of the regular season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Team Czech Republic has tabbed center Roman Cervenka to replace the injured David Krejci at the World Cup of Hockey.Cervenka, 30, spent the past season with the Chomutov Pirati of the Czech Republic's top hockey league. Cervenka led the team in scoring with 61 points in 49 games.Krejci will miss the tournament as he recovers from offseason hip surgery."David Krejci was supposed to be one of our key players, but his health condition makes it impossible for him to participate," Czech Republic coach Josef Jandac said in a statement.In 2012-13, Cervenka appeared in 39 games with the Calgary Flames, scoring 17 points over that stretch.Cervenka won gold with Team Czech Republic at the 2010 World Championships.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Two New York Islanders goaltenders could soon find themselves battling for playing time on the international stage.With Frederik Andersen possibly on the shelf with an upper-body injury and therefore in danger of missing the World Cup of Hockey, the two remaining goalies on the Team Europe roster would be Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss.Related - Report: Andersen diagnosed with upper-body injury, to be examined in TorontoThe pair split starts for the Islanders in 2015-16, with Greiss being called upon to carry the load in the playoffs after Halak went down with an injury late in the regular season.Here's a look at how they stacked up over the course of the regular season:PlayerGamesRecordSave %Greiss4123-11-4.925Halak3618-13-4.919Greiss' game didn't fall off in the postseason either, as he maintained a save percentage of .923 in 11 games.Halak began last season as the starter, and told Arthur Staple of Newsday he's fully recovered from the sports hernia surgery he underwent in May.Andersen, of course, hasn't been ruled out of the tournament, and the Maple Leafs goalie would have the inside track on the starting gig if healthy.If not, it'll be up to Greiss and Halak to prove they deserve the crease over their teammate.Sounds familiar.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Call him "Fantastic Mr. Ovechkin."A group of Russian kids thought they were playing a fun game against some mascots during an intermission of a KHL game between SKA St. Peterburg and Lada Togliatti on Friday, but it turns out they were actually on the ice with Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov.Judging by the still shot, Ovechkin appears to be dressed as a fox, Kuznetsov is wearing a raccoon tail, and Malkin is sporting cat-claw gloves.The trio are in Russia training for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.- with h/t to Russian Machine Never BreaksCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Raffi Torres believes he can make a positive contribution to an NHL team.The oft-suspended winger, who will attend Carolina Hurricanes training camp on a professional tryout offer, hears the people who say he doesn't deserve another shot at cracking an opening-night roster - but that won't stop him from taking one last crack at extending his professional hockey career."Obviously I’m very grateful to get this opportunity," Torres told Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer on Friday. "I realize it’s probably my last shot, with where I am in my career. I’m grateful, I’m thankful, and I’m excited."People are going to say what they’re going to say. I have not helped myself. You sleep in the bed you make. I accept that. I believe I had paid my dues and I have dealt with what I had to deal with. I think I can change the way I play."During a preseason game last year, Torres struck Jakob Silfverberg with a blindside hit to the head that earned him a 41-game suspension and essentially kept him off the ice for the entirety of the 2015-16 season.It was the latest incident on Torres' lengthy rap sheet, and while he's unlikely to completely reinvent his game, he believes he can help the Hurricanes, or another team should Carolina decide not to sign him."Can I score 25 goals? Probably not," Torres said. "But I could come in and give them a player with some grit, a sandpaper guy. I can get in on the forecheck and instead of putting the guy in the third row, get the puck back and then get to the net. I can play that simple game."I just have to take a step backward. The speed of the game is higher than ever and the players stronger and faster. Obviously I can’t run around out there like I used to. I need to focus on what I know I can still do."Another issue for Torres is an ACL injury that sidelined him for all of the 2014-15 season, but he says he's finally recovered and will enter training camp with a clean bill of health.Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis said this week that Torres has "served his time" and the club is willing to take a look at what he might have to offer.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sean Monahan won't play for North America at the World Cup of Hockey, Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving announced Friday.Monahan suffered a back strain during preseason training, but the team doesn't believe it's a long-term issue and he's expected to be a full participant in training camp, Treliving wrote in a statement.Florida Panthers forward Vincent Trocheck has been named to North America's World Cup roster in Monahan's absence.Monahan, who signed a big contract extension with the Flames earlier in August, says he needs rest in order to ensure full health by the start of the NHL regular season."I don’t want to hop into a practice at full speed right now," he said. "I want to take some time and make sure I’m good and make sure I don’t have anything nagging me during the season. It’s more precautionary than anything. I’m going to see our team trainers and doctors in the next couple of days to get everything sorted out. ..."I’m pretty bummed out I don’t get to experience (the tournament), but at the same time my commitment is to the Flames. That’s the bigger picture right now. I just want to be ready for the season at 100 percent."Trocheck, who won a gold medal with USA at the 2013 World Junior Championships, recorded 25 goals and 28 assists in 76 games for the Panthers last season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ben Bishop thought he was heading north of the border.The Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender and his representatives were in the process of working out a contract extension with the Calgary Flames at the NHL draft, he told told Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.That was after the Flames - then seeking an upgrade in net - received permission from the Lightning to speak to Bishop, who's entering the final year of his current deal.Calgary ultimately decided to trade for Brian Elliott, but Bishop at least appeared to have started wrapping his mind around an imminent trade."It looked like for a little bit it was going to happen," Bishop told Smith." At kind of the last minute (the Flames) went out and got Elliott. It was close, but there was never ... It wasn't that close, obviously."Bishop added, "It was a tough time. I went to Vegas for the (NHL) Awards when I found out there was a possibility I might be traded. Going to the awards and in the back of your mind worried about it. It was definitely an emotional week. In the end it didn't end up happening."Bishop, 29, is set to carry a $5.95-million cap hit in 2016-17, and will almost certainly command a raise on his next deal. The Lightning, meanwhile, signed Andrei Vasilevskiy to a three-year, $13.5-million extension that will kick in at the beginning of next season.Considering how well the young Russian played while filling in for an injured Bishop during the Eastern Conference finals, it's not much of a leap to think the Lightning would at least consider dealing Bishop, especially with an expansion draft on the horizon.For the time being, however, Bishop's focus remains on Tampa Bay."I have a job in Tampa Bay, it's still my job. That's all I'm focusing on. If something happens, it happens."First, Bishop will suit up for USA at the World Cup of Hockey.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are bringing their goalie home.Frederik Andersen was injured in a collision Friday with one of his defensemen while playing for Denmark during an Olympic qualifier in Minsk, Belarus, and is reportedly listed as having sustained an upper-body injury, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.The Maple Leafs will fly Andersen to Toronto and have him looked at by doctors, and the club isn't sure of the severity of the injury, Friedman adds.Here's the collision, which occurred against Slovenia:

Team Canada has added Anaheim Ducks winger Corey Perry to its World Cup roster.Perry replaces Los Angeles Kings winger Jeff Carter, who will miss the tournament with a reported "week-to-week" lower-body injury, according to Kings Insider's Jon Rosen.Most recently, Perry was part of the Canadian squad at the 2016 World Championship. He recorded nine points in 10 games en route to the gold.Perry has enjoyed success on the international stage, with four gold medals to his name, including two Olympic titles. He had one assist in six games in Sochi in 2014.The 31-year-old has scored 30 or more goals in each of his last three NHL seasons. He had 34 in 2015-16, and added 28 assists, finishing second on the Ducks in scoring.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Boston Bruins center David Krejci won't play in the upcoming World Cup, reports TV NOVA Sport's Roman Jedlicka.Krejci, 30, is recovering from offseason hip surgery, and the World Cup's schedule is likely too soon for his return to game action.It's a tough blow for a Czech team short on offense, heading into its tournament-opener against Russia on Sept. 8.Team captain Tomas Plekanec could now become the team's top center.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Canadians may need a replacement.Los Angeles Kings and Team Canada forward Jeff Carter is reportedly hurting ahead of the World Cup, according to Fox Sports and Kings Insider's Jon Rosen.

As Dave Bolland struggles with injuries, his road to recovery is looking like a long one.Traded to the Arizona Coyotes last week, Bolland is now dealing with a back injury that's preventing him from necessary day-to-day rehab on his ankle, agent Anton Thun told arizonasports.com's Craig Morgan. Bolland tore a tendon in his ankle in 2013, when he was with the Toronto Maple Leafs."The two issues are interconnected," Thun said.Bolland's vertebrae issue in his back has led to a pinched nerve, resulting in reduced mobility."Until his back is fully healed," Thun added, "it's difficult to rehab the ankle. There's nothing nefarious about this. It's just a long process."The Florida Panthers dealt Bolland - owed $16.5 million over three years - for salary cap relief, and there's no timeline for his return. Coyotes general manager John Chayka said last week the 30-year-old won't be healthy for the "foreseeable future."Back surgery hasn't been recommended, Thun said, so Bolland is doing what rehab he can. However, there's no guarantee he'll ever be fit enough to play at the highest level again."I don't think anybody can project that," Thun said.Bolland's a veteran of 433 NHL regular-season games, scoring 85 goals and adding 123 assists. He's saved his best for the playoffs, though, recording 43 points in 67 games, winning the Stanley Cup twice with the Chicago Blackhawks.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Team North America, comprised of the best American and Canadian hockey players age 23 and under as of Oct. 1, is set to turn heads at the World Cup of Hockey.The squad, put together by Peter Chiarelli and Stan Bowman, will fly. Head coach Todd McLellan may have the fastest team in the tournament.Here's what we project North America's lines to look like:Forwards It's a center-heavy group, led by Connor McDavid, and while a number of middlemen will have to move to the wing, there's skill up and down the lines. This is going to be a fast, fun set of forwards to watch.LW C RWBrandon SaadConnor McDavidJack EichelJohnny GaudreauSean MonahanMark ScheifeleRyan Nugent-HopkinsNathan MacKinnonJonathan DrouinAuston MatthewsSean CouturierDylan LarkinJ.T. MillerPicking a left-winger for the top line was a tough decision. Brandon Saad's a finisher, he can hang with McDavid and Jack Eichel, but so can Johnny Gaudreau. In the end, splitting up Gaudreau and Sean Monahan doesn't make sense - they make magic together. And, speaking of magic, McDavid and Eichel. That'll be something.Auston Matthews' addition to North America was a bit curious, especially since the team lacks right-wingers and right-handed shooters. A natural center, he can't play the position on this club, so he's slotted on what is essentially a checking line, anchored by all-world defensive center Sean Couturier. Perhaps a checking role is good for Matthews, considering the hype around his playing in Toronto for the first time, and the pressure that will come along with doing that.Mark Scheifele is the perfect complement to the Calgary duo, and don't sleep on that third line. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nathan MacKinnon, and Jonathan Drouin are offensive wizards.DefenseThere's skill and shutdown potential on North America's blue line.Aaron Ekblad highlights the group, while Morgan Rielly will be comfortable playing at the Air Canada Centre.LDRDShayne GostisbehereAaron EkbladRyan MurraySeth JonesMorgan RiellyColton ParaykoJacob TroubaShayne Gostisbehere burst onto the scene last season, and he's earned top-pairing minutes.Rielly could play with Seth Jones, but it makes the most sense to keep the Columbus Blue Jackets pairing together. While Rielly spent most of last season on the right side, playing with Jake Gardiner, he moves back to the left side on this team.GoaliesJohn Gibson's the undisputed No. 1 in Anaheim, and an All-Star, but Matt Murray is a Stanley Cup winner. He gets the nod.GMatt MurrayJohn GibsonConnor HellebuyckPower PlayThis is where Gaudreau gets promoted to the top line. And in order to get MacKinnon on the second unit, he's going to man the point. He's got the shot to do it.UnitLWCRWLDRD1GaudreauMcDavidEichelGostisbehereEkblad2SaadMonahanScheifeleRiellyMacKinnonPenalty KillCouturier, of course, will be relied upon heavily by McLennan shorthanded. This is where Nugent-Hopkins, on the third line at five-on-five, can contribute. And if McLennan decides Trouba fills out the bottom pairing, he'll be a mainstay at four-on-five.UnitCFLDRD1CouturierNugent-HopkinsMurrayJones2MonahanSaadRiellyParayko/TroubaCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

To see a list of all transactions throughout the summer, visit theScore's NHL Offseason Tracker.The Minnesota Wild have signed winger Ryan Carter to a professional tryout offer, reports Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.An unrestricted free agent, Carter will come to training camp hoping to secure a contract with the club.The 33-year-old has spent the past two seasons with Minnesota, scoring seven goals with five assists through 60 games last season.Drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in 2006, the well-traveled Carter has 473 career games on his NHL resume, with stops in Minnesota, Anaheim, New Jersey, Florida, and Carolina.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

To see a list of all transactions throughout the summer, visit theScore's NHL Offseason Tracker.David Rundblad likes Switzerland.The defenseman was loaned to the Zurich Lions by the Chicago Blackhawks in January and will reportedly stay in the Swiss League after signing a deal to remain with the team, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.Rundblad and the Blackhawks mutually agreed to terminate his contract in late July. Originally set to earn $1.1 million in 2016-17, Rundblad won't account for any money against the Blackhawks' salary cap this coming season, according to General Fanager.A former first-round pick of the St. Louis Blues, the 25-year-old played nine games with Chicago in 2015-16, recording two assists. He has four goals and 21 assists in 113 NHL games.The Blackhawks reportedly paid $100,000 against the cap as a condition for loaning Rundblad out last season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former New York Rangers captain Chris Drury has been named the team's new assistant general manager, the Rangers announced Friday.Drury, 40, suited up for the Rangers from 2007-2011, serving as captain for his last three years with the club. He previously served as the team's director of player development.

The World Cup of Hockey begins Sept. 17. It's coming.While high-caliber international hockey tournaments are always a treat, the return of the World Cup features two teams we've never seen before: Team Europe and Team North America.The North American squad features Canadian and American players age 23 and under as of Oct. 1. In other words, the future of the NHL.Here are three to watch:Connor McDavidObviously.Let's face it: Connor McDavid could easily be on Team Canada. But he's not, and it's going to be fascinating to watch him lead this young team against the field.Born in Richmond Hill, Ontario, 45 minutes north of Toronto, McDavid's playing at home - something he wasn't able to do during his stellar rookie season. While he did light up the Maple Leafs - he had five points, the best game of his young career - it happened in Edmonton.McDavid's the next one. Should he be named captain of the North American squad, it'll be a nice test run for his eventual wearing of the "C" with the Oilers.The best players in the world will take to the ice in September. McDavid's already one of them, and he'll prove it at this tournament.Auston MatthewsObviously. Again.But, let's be real, the focus on North America may be more on young Auston Matthews than McDavid, simply because the future of the Maple Leafs - the No. 1 center the team hasn't had since the glory days of Mats Sundin - will take to the ice for the first time in Toronto at the World Cup.The competition will be stiff, and the pressure heavy. Matthews will be put to the test immediately, and how he responds - both on the ice and off - will be interesting.Matthews is only 18. Remember that, Leafs fans. It's important.Jonathan DrouinIt's remarkable what an injury to Steven Stamkos and a productive playoff run will do for you.Only a few months ago, Jonathan Drouin was on the outs not only with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but even its farm team, the Syracuse Crunch. One heartfelt apology and 14 points in 17 playoff games later, the 21-year-old will suit up with the best of his generation.Drouin doesn't make the team if he doesn't shine in the postseason, and not only did he perform, he was spoken of in glowing terms by his head coach, Jon Cooper, and his teammates. What will be interesting to watch will be the role the youngster's given on this team, and, if it's not as crucial as he likes, how he responds.The kid's got game. That's clear. But has he matured, and learned lessons? Can he also be the ultimate teammate, willing to make sacrifices to win? Those are the big questions.Honorable mentions

The prospect of becoming an unrestricted free agent and signing a sizable contract can be an enticing thought, but it's not one Brad Marchand currently has on his mind.The Boston Bruins forward is coming off a career year that saw him amass 37 goals and 60 points in 77 games. So - as he enters the final year in a four-year contract - it was no surprise when this past July Bruins general manager Don Sweeney confirmed that both sides had begun talks on a new contract.However, with the World Cup of Hockey approaching, Marchand admits his impending contract status is not something that he's been losing sleep over."I don't know, I've never really been in that situation and I haven't really thought about it," Marchand said, according to Matt Kalman of NHL.com. "It's a whole year away. A lot of things can happen in a year's time. If it ever gets down to that then we'll worry about that then. But right now I have too many things that I need to focus on to even worry about that. I've always been the kind of guy to take it day by day with not a whole lot of worries."Right now I'm focusing on the World Cup. Then I'll focus on the season and whatever has to be dealt with that will be dealt with."Marchand will represent Canada on the game's biggest stage, an opportunity he's extremely grateful for. However, after enjoying his best statistical season he understands that entering the tournament it is important not to get wrapped up in trying to hit certain offensive goals."The main thing is to not try to chase it," he said. "I think when you chase something like that then things will go wrong and you stop playing the game the right way. I'm not so much focused on hitting that number as I am playing a good game and being a good player for the team, being strong defensively and playing my role the way they want me to do it. I'm sure if I didn't get back there, as long as I played well and did the right things, then they'll still be happy with my game. So it's more about being the right player for the team than it is hitting a certain number because when you do that, you may start to cheat and play the wrong way and that can ultimately affect the team."Marchand last represented Canada at this year's World Championship where he helped the team capture their second straight title.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils are in the process of terminating 22-year-old prospect Ben Johnson's contract after he was found guilty of sexual assault in a Windsor, Ontario courtroom Thursday.The Devils released the following statement:

Connor McDavid is already playing a big part in shaping the history of Rogers Place.The Edmonton Oilers' star center became the first player to take to the ice at the club's new downtown arena Thursday, skating half a lap before being joined by local minor hockey players and a handful of teammates.

To see a list of all transactions throughout the summer, visit theScore's NHL Offseason Tracker.The Buffalo Sabres signed restricted free-agent forward Zemgus Girgensons to a one-year contract on Thursday, the team announced.

Team Europe. Team North America. Team Buyout?That's what has been suggested by David Booth - whose deal was bought out by the Vancouver Canucks back in 2014 - in advance of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

The World Cup of Hockey, where teammates become enemies.That is exactly the case for Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie, who starting next week will be hoping to put pucks past teammate Braden Holtby.Oshie will be suiting up for Team USA while Holtby will be looking to man the crease for Canada and ahead of the tournament Oshie is already trying to get an edge on last season's Vezina Trophy winner on the chance the two meet in a shootout."I actually just brought a couple new ones (moves) out here today," Oshie told NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "I've got to try to get in his head just in case."It's safe to say that if Team USA is forced to go to a shootout Oshie will be called upon, especially after his dazzling shootout display against Russia at the Sochi Olympics."That was one of the more special moments of my career for sure, but hopefully I can be remembered for more than just a shootout when it comes to USA Hockey," Oshie said. "I was kind of playing in more of a grinder, support, penalty-kill role in Sochi. I didn't get too much ice time, so hopefully I can have a good camp here and get some more (ice time) and show some of my offensive abilities as well."Meanwhile, after setting a career high with 26 goals in his first season with the Capitals, Oshie is hoping his proven knack for scoring will land him more ice time this time around."I think it should play a little bit of a factor (with Team USA) because I had more success offensively, especially scoring goals, this past year," Oshie said. "So hopefully that can translate into more ice time."As for the growing rivalry with Holtby, Oshie can put his mind tricks to the test when Canada and the USA go head-to-head in two exhibition games Sept. 9 and 10.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Only one year ago, the Calgary Flames were among hockey's hottest teams.A second round loss to the Anaheim Ducks - Calgary's first playoff appearance since 2009 - was viewed as a learning curve for a team made up of budding stars like Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan.The Flames pushed the needle that offseason, bolstering their blue line with young defenseman Dougie Hamilton, fresh off a 42-point campaign with the Boston Bruins.But the good times in Calgary took a turn for the worst, as the Flames won 10 fewer games than the year before.Veteran winger Jiri Hudler, now 32, tailed off after a career-best 76 points. Between the pipes, the Flames allowed nearly 50 more goals, as netminders Karri Ramo, Joni Ortio, and Jonas Hiller posted some of the NHL's worst numbers.The Flames hope to reverse that trend this season, following their acquisition of goalie Brian Elliott from the St. Louis Blues.New head coach Glen Gulutzan, who brings a fresh voice behind the bench, is sure to heavily rely on Elliott. The former Blues goalie was among the league leaders last season, posting a 2.07 goals-against average and .930 save percentage.Meanwhile, Flames center Matt Stajan is among the returning players looking to shake off last season's memory. The 32-year-old has posted back-to-back career lows of 17 points, and realizes he must pick up his own game in order for the team to improve."I think we have something to prove as a team that two years ago wasn’t a fluke," Stajan told the team's official site. "I think we want to bounce back from last season because it didn’t go the way we wanted it to."We’ve had some nice additions coming in that are going to want to make a difference and that’ll be great for our hockey club."The Flames open their season Oct. 12 vs. the rival Edmonton Oilers.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jay Rosehill got a pretty harsh welcome from the Elite Ice Hockey League.The veteran forward, who signed with the Scottish club Braehead Clan in July following stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers, suffered a broken palate and three lost teeth over the weekend after taking a slap shot to the face in a preseason friendly.Thirty stitches later, this is what Rosehill looks like:

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray is the likely starter for the World Cup's Under-23 squad, according to general manager Peter Chiarelli."Just based on his body of work, what he's done, you can't ignore that," Chiarelli said. "He's the lead dog right now."Last year's playoff hero, Murray led the Penguins to a Stanley Cup victory, posting a 15-6 record, 2.08 goals-against average, and .923 save percentage in the postseason.Anaheim's John Gibson and Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck will join Murray as the goaltenders competing for Team North America.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins 2015-16 season ended in triumph, but before the peak, the team was stuck in a deep valley.Sidney Crosby, himself, wasn't immune to struggling, enduring the worst offensive slump of his career from October until December - leading many around the NHL to predict his demise.In a self-written article posted to SportsIllustrated.com Thursday, the Penguins captain revealed his emotions from the roller coaster campaign.From the article:

Ready for an encore presentation of the World Juniors? Hockey fans hope that's the case with Team Finland, which will roll out World Junior stars Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes and Patrik Laine of the Winnipeg Jets as the two look to recreate that magic at the World Cup.But the Finns aren't all offense. The team also features much of the NHL's next wave of defensemen, including Rasmus Ristolainen and Sami Vatanen, both strong puck-moving defenders who patrol the blue line with poise and precision. In putting together the lines, the challenge may be balancing out the attack.ForwardsHeadlined by Laine and Aho, the Finns will also bring a nice mix of secondary scoring and strong defensive forwards to the World Cup. Carolina's Teuvo Teravainen will get an opportunity to showcase his offensive skill set, while Valtteri Filppula and captain Mikko Koivu will provide an invaluable veteran presence.Meanwhile, Panthers forwards Aleksander Barkov and Jussi Jokinen are threats at both ends of the ice, capable of potting goals but also worthwhile pieces in defending their own end. Also up front, Toronto's Leo Komarov will have the opportunity to kick-start his rambunctious style in front of the home fans.LWCRWSebastian AhoMikko KoivuPatrik LaineJussi JokinenAleksander BarkovTeuvo TeravainenValtteri FilppulaJori LehteraLeo KomarovMikael GranlundErik HaulaJoonas DonskoiLauri KorpikoskiDefensemenFinland's blue line boasts an impressive list of young talent, frontloaded with the likes of Ristolainen, Vatanen, and newly minted Stanley Cup champion Olli Matta of the Pittsburgh Penguins.More impressively, it's a group of defensemen largely considered among the "new breed" - all capable of moving the puck out of their zone and up the ice to make a play. There are no lumbering, slow-footed defenders among the group, though that could also be seen as a weakness, particularly in close-scoring games in a short tournament.LDRDOlli MaattaRasmus RistolainenEsa LindellSami VatanenJyrki JokipakkaVille PokkaSami LepistoGoaltendersThe starting goaltender for Team Finland could come down to a coin flip, given that it has two franchise goalies to choose between: Pekka Rinne and Tuukka Rask.While Rinne is the tenured veteran with a history of consistency (save for a down season in 2015-16), Rask is no slouch. He has playoff credentials and a Stanley Cup ring to his name, though he earned that in a backup role to Tim Thomas. Still, he came close to getting a ring himself two years later, falling two wins short of a second Cup.GPekka RinneTuukka RaskMikko KoskinenPower PlayFrom skill up front to heavy shots and puck-moving ability on the back end, Finland has firepower when it comes to the man advantage - and a perfect opportunity to roll out the World Junior duo of Aho and Laine.On the back end, Ristolainen brings a lot to the table, particularly his tremendous size and excellent point shot. Vatanen and Maatta are not only some of Finland's best puck movers, but they're also among the NHL's top rearguards.Unit LW C RW LD RD1AhoBarkovLaineMaattaRistolainen2JokinenLehteraTeravainenLindellVatanenPenalty KillUnit F F LD RD1JokinenBarkovMaattaRistolainen2FilppulaKoivuLindellPokkaWhether balanced or top-heavy, Team Finland can put together some impressive penalty-killing units, with captain Koivu a key cog among them. Florida's Jokinen and Barkov play a similar role in Sunrise, so it's natural for them to duplicate it at the World Cup.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek is paying tribute to the storied history of the club with a brand new mask for the upcoming season.

Lou Lamoriello is settled in.On the precipice of starting his second full season with the club, the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager says he's fully transitioned into his new role after 28 years as the boss of the New Jersey Devils."Once you make that decision, you go forward and you're fully invested. If you're not, you shouldn't be here," Lamoriello told Tom Gulitti of NHL.com."That's not saying I don't have a tremendous fondness for the years that I was in New Jersey and the respect that I have for the players and the people that I was associated with and the fans. You'll never lose that. That's totally special. That never goes away."But I am fully invested, fully committed and I wear blue."Since Lamoriello was hired by Leafs' President Brendan Shanahan, the team has undergone a massive overhaul, and is setting foot on the next chapter of their rebuild with a revamped, exciting look for October."We did what we had to do last year," Lamoriello said. "We did end up 30th, by the way, just to remind you of that, so I don't want to get off track from that. But what we were able to do after the season, whether it be the (2016 NHL Draft) or the people that we acquired or the growth of the people that were there and the young people and the core that will still be there, it was a stepping stone."The reward for a 30th place finish was first-overall pick Auston Matthews, who will lead the charge of the Leafs' youth movement, along with William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and others. Lamoriello also swung a deal to land legitimate No.1 goaltender Frederik Andersen from the Anaheim Ducks, while also adding some grit by bringing in bruising winger Matt Martin on July 1.While expectations remain sky-high for many Toronto fans, Lamoriello, as he's always done, is approaching the matter with patience."All we have to do is keep doing the things that we're doing and not rushing things. Do them for the building of a foundation and then the end result will take care of itself whatever that might be," he said.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Calgary Flames forward Mikael Backlund will replace Henrik Zetterberg on Sweden's World Cup of Hockey team, due to injury."Henrik Zetterberg feels that he can't go 100 per cent at the time of the World Cup and has to turn down the spot on our team," Team Sweden head coach Rikard Gronborg said in a statement."We feel that with Mikael Backlund we will get an internationally experienced player that is very versatile and responsible. His second half of the season with the Flames was very strong, where he showed that he is a premier all around player in the NHL."Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said that Zetterberg injured his knee in offseason training, according to NHL.com.Zetterberg, 35, was originally selected to serve as Sweden's captain at the World Cup. The veteran winger left the 2014 Sochi Olympics early due to a back injury, and has dealt with related issues in recent years.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As part of hockey's "Big 6" nations, Finland has emerged as a major talent producer in recent years. That was particularly highlighted by the likes of Patik Laine and Jesse Puljujarvi, who dominated last year's World Junior Championship and went second and fourth overall, respectively, in this summer's entry draft.Modelling the success of its World Junior team, Finland's World Cup squad brings a young, up-and-coming team to the tournament, full of offensive potential. Just three players on the Finnish roster stand older than 32, including captain Mikko Koivu of the Minnesota Wild, as well as Nashville Predators' goalie Pekka Rinne.The young legs will be put to work early, as Finland's first game comes Sept. 18 against the Team North America under-23 squad. Here are three players worthy of your attention once the tournament opens.Patrik LaineLaine is talented, he's cocky, and he was the best player in last year's draft, if you were to ask his opinion. As Finland's answer to hockey superstar Alex Ovechkin, this Finnish sniper broke out last season, rising up the draft rankings to be taken second overall by the Winnipeg Jets.Featured alongside Puljujarvi and World Cup teammate Sebastian Aho at the World Juniors, the trio dominated. Laine finished the tournament with 13 points through seven games. Held in Helsinki, Laine was a major contributor in leading the Finnish juniors to their second gold medal in three years. At the World Cup, he'll get a chance to repeat that performance, and an opportunity to do so live to a North American audience.Teuvo TeravainenA year ago, Teuvo Teravainen was the talk of the hockey world, the next young talent ready to step into Chicago's winner circle. Though he put up decent production, posting 35 points through 78 games, things didn't quite go as planned. As it happened, Teravainen was sacrificed to Carolina, a move which allowed the Blackhawks to do away with the salary cap burden of Bryan Bickell.Regardless, Teravainen will get a chance to redeem himself, not only with the Hurricanes, but he will also be looked upon to provide part of the offensive spark for Finland. He'll do so surrounded by the likes of the aforementioned Laine, as well as other key pieces like Florida's Aleksander Barkov and St. Louis' Jori Lehtera.Pekka RinneNashville's franchise goaltender had a rare down season last year. Though Rinne still posted a respectable 34-21-9 record through 66 games, his save percentage saw a major dip, down to .908, the second-lowest showing of his NHL career. Things didn't get better in the playoffs - his save percentage actually fell to .906 - and more than a dozen goalies showed a better postseason performance.But there's no doubt the veteran goalie can bounce back. Surely you don't end up part of the annual discussion surrounding the Vezina Trophy by accident. But, if things do go astray, Finland has a nice, overqualified second-stringer in Boston's Tuukka Rask, who brings playoff success and a Stanley Cup ring to the table.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Scott Gomez is calling it a career.The veteran forward announced his intention to hang up his skates after 16 seasons in the NHL on Wednesday, telling Doyle Woody of the Alaska Dispatch News."This has been my life,'' Gomez said. "It's so weird to think I'm never going to play hockey again."People say, 'You'll find something.' But saying that, there will never be that feeling again, of even playing a preseason NHL game. You're playing at the highest level there is."But I'm done. I'm done.''Gomez started his career with the New Jersey Devils where he won a pair of Stanley Cups and the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year in the 1999-2000 season. He'd go on to play for the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, and Ottawa Senators, as well as a second stint with the Devils.The last few years saw Gomez battling for a roster spot and he split time between the Blues, Senators, and Hershey Bears of the AHL during the 2015-16 season.Gomez, who was a member of the 2006 U.S. Olympic team and a two-time All-Star, finishes with 181 goals and 756 points over 1,079 career games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jared Bednar has some catching up to do.Hired by the Colorado Avalanche two weeks after the abrupt resignation of former head coach Patrick Roy, the new bench boss is getting straight to work following his formal introduction in Denver on Wednesday.First up will be watching video with a view to uncovering what he needs to address in training camp to get the most out of the team's core players."There's going to be definite changes and I want to know what (the players) are used to so if things are going on on the ice maybe they're in habits that they're used to and I want it done a different way," Bednar said, according to Rick Sadowski of NHL.com. "And just to familiarize myself with players in certain situations, specialty teams and whatnot."The possession game is one area that's clearly in need of improvement, as evidenced by Colorado's 29th-ranked cumulative Corsi For rating of 44.74 in five-on-five play over the past three seasons, according to Corsica Hockey."The biggest thing for me is working as a group of five," Bednar said. "One of the big keys for me to being a good possession team is you've got to touch the puck first. I think there's times when you're arriving in your (defensive) zone where you have an opportunity to go and touch the puck first and put it in an area where your team knows it's going, and you can all be on the same page and there's a plan there that our coaches put in place so we can exit our zone."A similar "touch first" philosophy in the offensive zone (in the event of a dump-in) and better organization through the neutral zone in order to move the puck up the ice quickly and effectively were among the other keys Bednar cited to becoming a positive possession team.It's late in the offseason to be starting his tasks, but Bednar appears to have a level-headed approach to a whirlwind August. While he's achieved his goal of becoming a head coach at the NHL level, the career minor-leaguer coach acknowledged he hasn't arrived at the ultimate destination quite yet."To me, this is just another step. Coaching the Avalanche isn't the be-all and the end-all for me. It's the success that I want to have, and I want our team to have here in Denver. That's the ultimate goal. I think that getting here is certainly achieving something, but it's what you do when you're here that's more important."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The torch has officially been passed.Former Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd took to Twitter on Wednesday to congratulate Blake Wheeler on being named his successor.

Back in Montreal on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of his $10-million fundraising commitment to the city's children's hospital, P.K. Subban reiterated he has every intention of visiting regularly now that he's a Nashville Predator.Even if he's able to accomplish a level of success that eluded the Canadiens during his tenure with the club.One of the kids in attendance asked Subban what he would do if the Predators won the Stanley Cup this season.His answer?"If I win a Stanley Cup this year, there is no doubt it's coming back here."To date, Subban has helped raise $1.4 million for the hospital. He admitted he wasn't sure he'd be able to keep up the momentum following the trade.He's found the opposite is true."When I got traded, my bond with the community and people in the community only grew stronger," Subban said, according to Arpon Basu of NHL.com. "It was like everybody kind of rallied around me rather than ran away. It speaks volumes of the city of Montreal and the province of Quebec and the people here."Throughout the trade I think a lot of people forgot what this was all about. It's about the kids and the families and nothing else."While donations continue to pour in, Subban hopes some extra silver - raised over his head - will also appear at the Montreal Children's Hospital in the future.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Gordie Howe's final resting place has been determined.An official from Saskatoon confirmed permission has been received from the province of Saskatchewan to inter the cremated remains of Howe and his wife, Colleen, at the base of a statue that honors him, according to The Canadian Press.A request had been made by the Howe family, and the city was then required to make an application to have the statue and a small surrounding area declared a cemetery. There, the ashes will be encased in a special concrete vessel with a commemorative plaque on top to protect them.Some of Howe's ashes will also be spread in Michigan's Bear Lake, where the family spent time during the hockey legend's days with the Detroit Red Wings.Howe, who sits second on the NHL's all-time goals list, was born in Floral, Saskatchewan, but his family moved to and settled in Saskatoon less than two weeks after his birth.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Taylor Hall doesn't see a return to Edmonton in his future.Traded to the New Jersey Devils earlier this summer, Hall has four years remaining on his current contract, but doesn't see a reunion with the Oilers upon becoming an unrestricted free agent.At least that was his response when TSN 1260's Jason Gregor asked him in about it Tuesday."No, I don’t think I would," Hall said. "Right now, my focus is Jersey and playing my four years there. But I don’t think I would come back."He added, "I think that I gave it a good run and I don’t have any regrets about what happened. I certainly think that I’m focused on what I can do in Jersey. It’s so far away, but I don’t think - maybe something comes up and I’ll change my mind, but ... I did my time there, and it’s time to move on."The 24-year-old can become an unrestricted free agent in 2020, and will likely be paid more than his current $6-million salary if he continues to be one of the most productive wingers in the game.- With h/t to Today's SlapshotCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Good news, Philadelphia Flyers - and Team Canada - fans, Claude Giroux revealed Wednesday he's 100 percent recovered from the hip surgery he underwent in May, according to Adam Kimelman of NHL.com."I don't feel like I have a 60-year-old hip anymore," Giroux said. "That's pretty exciting,"Exciting, indeed, with Flyers training camp and the World Cup of Hockey a part of Giroux's upcoming schedule.Last season, Giroux led the Flyers with 67 points in 78 points, and will represent Canada for the third time in his pro career in September's tournament.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Paul Byron is motivated to win.Finding a home with the Montreal Canadiens last season after being placed on waivers by the Calgary Flames, the diminutive winger had a breakout season, reaching a career-high 11 goals, which earned him a three-year extension.Byron has since settled in Montreal, after previous stops in Calgary and Buffalo, and stints between the NHL and AHL over the past few seasons."It was a little weird watching free agency on July 1 and not worrying about it or panicking," Byron told the team's official site. "My whole life, my whole story has been about perseverance and fighting through tough situations."Entering the season, Bryon looks to continue last year's early success. He highlighted Montreal's core as one that stacks up against any competitor."With our core group, we can beat any team in the league," Byron said. "We can compete for the Stanley Cup."I think last year it was just a start for me. I really feel like I fit into the style of play here. I think I‘m just going to continue getting better."Byron observed the highs and lows of last season, from the Habs' 9-0 start, to the early knee injury that caused goalie Carey Price to miss most of the year.Still, Byron is confident the Canadiens can get back to the winning ways they showed early last season."We had a taste of (winning) at the start of the year. I think everyone’s excited to get back to that," Byron said. "The fans have the expectation for us to win, and that's the expectation that I have personally, too."No one really picked Pittsburgh to win it last year. You watch what they did in the playoffs, and that could be us this time around. That’s my motivating factor, for sure."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Blake Wheeler is the new captain of the Winnipeg Jets, the team announced Wednesday.Wheeler assumes the captaincy from Andrew Ladd, who was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks at last year's trade deadline.The 30-year-old winger, signed through the next three seasons, led the Jets in scoring last year with 78 points in 82 games.The team also named Dustin Byfuglien and Mark Scheifele as alternate captains."For me, this is obviously a huge honor," Wheeler said. "I really look forward to being the leader of this team. It's not just going to be us three, we have a great group of men in our room."Wheeler becomes the second team captain since the franchise's relocation from Atlanta in 2011.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Flyers are really embracing their Golden Anniversary.