Alex Goligoski can't wait to get started in the desert.After being traded to the Arizona Coyotes prior to free agency, the pending UFA signed a long-term deal with the club soon after, and he believes he can provide valuable puck-moving from the blue line."I'm here to play hockey the way I know how to play it - moving the puck, playing solid defense, and helping the offense," Goligoski told the team's official site. "There's a lot of parts of my game that can help."Goligoski recently arrived in the desert, and has been participating in informal skates with some of his new teammates, including Shane Doan. He spoke highly of the Arizona captain."I'm just getting to know him in my short time here, (but) he seems like an awesome guy," Goligoski said. "He's a lot of fun out there. He obviously enjoys the game and he's out there smiling every day and that's infectious. It's good for this group."As a member of the Dallas Stars last season, Goligoski was a key contributor to the team qualifying for the playoffs and advancing to the second round. The veteran defenseman believes the Coyotes aren't far from reaching that level, and is confident in the possibility of playoff contention."I think they took a huge step last year and I think we're here to build on that and I think I can help there," Goligoski said. "From what I've seen so far, and I've talked to guys, everyone is really motivated and there's just kind of a good vibe around the team right now. It's exciting."For me, I did my homework a little bit, too, with the prospects coming up and what guys are here right now, and everything I heard and everything that I looked into, it seemed like a great fit."The Coyotes are expected to graduate prospects Dylan Strome and Christian Dvorak to the NHL this season. They'll play alongside standout sophomores Max Domi and Anthony Duclair.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Team Europe, the melting pot from non-hockey-mad nations on the other side of the pond, has more questions than answers in advance of the World Cup of Hockey's rebirth.With chemistry between players from previous stints with club and country virtually non-existent, we attempt to piece together lines, pairings, and units for Ralph Krueger's assorted roster.ForwardsWith an abundance of right wingers, Team Europe's top three centers and lefties fall into place with dominant two-way center Anze Kopitar pairing with new rival Mikkel Boedker on the top line.Marian Hossa will be a stabilizing force on the second line playing with two talented attacking players in Leon Draisaitl and Tomas Tatar, while Frans Nielsen centers two diminishing top-six players on the third unit.LWCRWMikkel BoedkerAnze KopitarMats ZuccarelloTomas TatarLeon DraisaitlMarian HossaThomas VanekFrans NielsenMarian GaborikNino NiederreiterPierre-Edouard BellemareJannik HansenTobias RiederPierre-Edouard Bellemare plays down the middle on a checking line with goal-scoring capability on the wing in Nino Niederreiter and Jannik Hansen.DefensemenWith a ratio that would cause Mike Babcock to break into cold sweats, Team Europe will carry seven left-shot defensemen and zero right-handers.Roman Josi and Mark Streit form a solid puck-moving pair, while Boston Bruins teammates Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg will punch up in a shutdown role.LDRDRoman JosiMark StreitZdeno CharaDennis SeidenbergChristian EhrhoffAndrej SekeraLuca SbisaGoaltendersIt has to be considered anyone's crease in advance to puck drop, with three solid, yet unspectacular options.Expect the open competition pre-tournament between Frederik Andersen, Jaroslav Halak, and Thomas Greiss to spill into the contest.GFrederik AndersenJaroslav HalakThomas GreissPower PlayTeam Europe shouldn't deviate far from their even-strength framework when on the man advantage. Europe's first line consists of five players who were among the league leaders in power-play time. And Nielsen joins a free-flowing and highly skilled four-man second unit anchored by Chara.UnitLWCRWLDRD1Mikkel BoedkerAnze KopitarMats ZuccarelloRoman JosiMark Streit2Tomas TatarLeon DraisaitlMarian HossaFrans NielsenZdeno CharaPenalty KillEurope has a consummate first unit, and a sound second pair of forwards, but will have to tax Josi and Chara while playing a man down as there is a dramatic fall in capability when it comes to their secondary defenders.UnitFFLDRD1Anze KopitarMarian HossaRoman JosiZdeno Chara2Pierre-Edouard BellemareJannik HansenLuca SbisaDennis SeidenbergCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Team Russia has released goaltender Semyon Varlamov's mask design for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.

Everything on Ryan Callahan's recovery schedule is going according to plan.The Tampa Bay Lightning winger underwent hip surgery in June - forcing his removal from Team USA's World Cup roster - and is "on schedule" to return by mid-November, his initial timeline, reports Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.That said, expectations at this point aren't sure fire."It's such a long estimated timetable that there's obviously variation in there," Callahan said. "Some guys come back a little bit earlier than that, some guys it's five months. If it's before then, then great."Last season, Callahan scored 10 goals and 18 assists in 73 games, chipping in four points in 16 playoff contests.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Not as undermanned.That would have to be the most appropriate way to describe many of the talented international players representing Team Europe at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey. Because while Anze Kopitar, Roman Josi, Mats Zuccarello, and others that hail from nations normally overmatched in best-on-best competition have been thrown a bone, they ought to still be considered underdogs.Here are three questions facing Team Europe:Wherein lies the motivation?For the most part, players taking part in the NHL's international showcase can glance down at the crest on their sweaters to be reminded of precisely why they're in Toronto, and not soaking up the final rays of summer.For Team Europe, though, that glance may only produce more wonder.Patriotism is what makes elite talents put forth maximal effort in competition in the absence of compensation. Can we expect players thrown together by largely arbitrary means - who don't share a flag, anthem, or impetus - to meet that same standard?Who starts in goal?Team Europe has three netminders proven capable (in spurts) of providing the elite goaltending required at best-on-best competitions, but no truly obvious candidate to run with the starter's role.Frederik Andersen and Jaroslav Halak have near-identical numbers through ebbs and flows of their last three seasons, sporting unspectacular but solid .919 and .918 save percentages, respectively.However, it's Halak's backup in New York - and the presumptive third-string goaltender for Europe - who's coming off the best statistical NHL campaign of the three options in net. Thomas Greiss' .925 save percentage was the third-highest among those with more than 40 appearances. He also backstopped the New York Islanders to their first playoff-series win in 23 years while Halak nursed a lower-body injury.Can this team gel?It won't be easy on the Southampton F.C. chair.When the well-traveled Ralph Krueger returns to coach NHL players for the first time since being fired by the Edmonton Oilers three seasons ago, he won't have the luxury of leaning on an existing rapport among members of the Team Europe roster. Of the 20 skaters who hail from 10 different countries, only Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg on the back end and Kopitar and Marian Gaborik up front have played together long enough to build lasting chemistry.With nations choosing players in the past based solely on familiarity with one another, and with little time for introductions, having virtually no existing chemistry puts Team Europe at a considerable disadvantage.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If you weren't aware, yes, Jaromir Jagr is still the most interesting man alive.The Florida Panthers forward further proved as much by being the sole model for a 2017 calendar by Klenoty Aurum Jewelry, a store in his native Czech Republic.If Jagr - uh, the calendar is something you would like to get your hands on, you'll have to make the trip to the Czech Republic, as the calendar is only available in stores or online locally.Of course he, or it, is certainly worth the trip.The proceeds will benefit a local youth hockey program.- With h/t to NHL.comCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals could have a leg up on much of their competition when the 2016-17 season kicks off in October - thanks to their experience in September.Eight Capitals players and head coach Barry Trotz will take part in the World Cup next month, and as Trotz sees it, the tournament can only benefit his club."You're going to have your top players playing at the highest level against the best players, basically, in the world in the next couple of weeks, so that's only a positive," Trotz said, according to Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. "There's so many great players that greatness pushes greatness and that will be really good for our leaders and our core group that are at the World Cup of Hockey. Then, as they come back, if you go right to the finals and you have to go to a three-game final, you're going to have players that will be starting the (NHL) season and they already have 10 games under their belt, and they're your top players."So, we're going to have to manage that a little bit, but, at the same time, the standard is high, they're ready to go and, if you get the competitive people going against each other, I think it will be some fun hockey."T.J. Oshie, John Carlson, and Matt Niskanen will represent the Americans; Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Dmitry Orlov will dress for Russia; Nicklas Backstrom will play for Sweden; and goaltender Braden Holtby will be between the pipes for Canada, while Trotz serves as an assistant coach for the host nation.The Capitals were ousted in the conference finals by the Stanley Cup-winning Pittsburgh Penguins last season after capturing the Presidents' Trophy during the regular season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Zach Parise's back injury is no longer a cause for concern.Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher addressed the health of his star player at a Town Hall on Tuesday and noted that all the news surrounding the 32-year-old is positive."Really good news so far, he was just cleared by our medical staff last week," Fletcher said. "He's cleared to play."Parise's back injury forced him to miss all six of the Wild's playoff games last season, as the club bowed out to the Dallas Stars in the first round.News of his health not only bodes well for the Wild, but also for Team USA who Parise will represent at the World Cup of Hockey. Parise was fortunate enough to serve as captain for the Americans at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins added some depth at center Tuesday, announcing the signing of veteran Dominic Moore to a one-year, $900,000 contract.The 36-year-old spent last season with the New York Rangers, registering six goals and nine assists in 80 games.Along with Moore, the Bruins also announced the signings of forward Brian Ferlin, as well as defensemen Chris Casto and Alex Grant to one-year, two-way contracts.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have invited 34-year-old Jarret Stoll to a professional tryout, the team announced Tuesday.Stoll split last season between the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild, recording four goals and five assists between the two clubs.Prior to joining the Rangers in 2015-16, he spent seven seasons with the Los Angeles Kings - with whom he won two Stanley Cups - as a reliable depth centerman.The Blue Jackets aren't particularly deep at the pivot position, and ranked 24th league-wide in faceoff win percentage (49) last season. Stoll could certainly prove to valuable in that sense, as he has a career mark of 55.3 percent in the faceoff circle.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice is relishing the opportunity to watch No. 2 overall pick Patrik Laine develop into an NHL star.Laine was forced to miss development camp because of knee surgery, but Maurice said he's back at full speed, and he expects his prized prospect to transition to the NHL seamlessly."He's certainly going to be given the opportunity to excel right out of the gate," Maurice said, according to Mike Morreale of NHL.com."Patrik is going to be able to do all those things he's always been able to do. How long it takes him to do it, I don't know, but he's going to get a chance to play. He fits in to what we're trying to do as a hockey team so you'll live with some mistakes that are youth-generated, but he's a very special talent and I would not be surprised if he comes in and is able to finish and put up numbers."Laine exploded on the the scene last season after earning a gold medal with Finland at the World Junior Championships, while also scoring 33 points in 46 games in SM-liiga, followed by 15 points in 18 playoff games as an 18-year-old.Before reporting to Jets training camp, though, Laine will represent the Finn's at the World Cup of Hockey.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday they've invited veteran forward Chris Higgins to training camp on a PTO.The 33-year-old spent last season with the Vancouver Canucks and their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, registering a combined 17 points in 55 games.Higgins, a first-round pick in 2002, has also spent time with the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, and the Flames during a brief 12-game stint in 2009-10.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals want to give defenseman Dmitry Orlov an expanded role on the blue line, but first he needs a contract.Head coach Barry Trotz said Tuesday that the two sides are still talking, and Orlov has a great opportunity to play a bigger part in the Capitals' defensive corps, reports Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Mid-Atlantic.Trotz said he sees the 25-year-old taking a top-four role, paired with either Matt Niskanen or John Carlson, according to Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post.Orlov, selected 55th overall in the 2009 draft, enjoyed his most successful NHL campaign last season, suiting up in all 82 games while setting career highs in goals (eight) and assists (21).Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Void of past stars like Jaromir Jagr, Patrik Elias, and Milan Hejduk (remember Nagano?), the Czech Republic will need all hands on deck when it comes to the 2016 version of the World Cup.Team chemistry and an ability to score by committee will be major factors in the Czech Republic's chances of seeing the winner's circle. The first challenge may be piecing together the perfect lines in order for the Czechs to find that success.ForwardsA quick perusal shows that there is no Czech-version of Sidney Crosby on the roster, but there are some interesting scoring threats nonetheless.The Czech Republic is particularly strong down the middle, with four centers who are all strong defensively and with the ability to chip in offensively. On the top line, we've paired Boston forwards David Krejci and David Pastrnak, hoping they can find some of that Bruins chemistry alongside the Czech's top player, Jakub Voracek.The team will bring several left-handed right wingers, like Michal Frolik and Milan Michalek, some of who will get caught in a numbers game and assigned to their off-wing.LWCRWVoracekKrejciPastrnakHertlPlekanecFrolikPalatHanzalHemskyJaskinSobotkaM. MichalekDefensemenThere is no sugar-coating it - there is no all-star on the Czech blue-line. That being said, it's a very veteran-heavy group, and a physical one at that. Roman Polak and Zbynek Michalek are perennial league-leaders in the shot-blocking department, while Radko Gudas' physicality can be described in three words: hits to hurt.The team will bring five right-handed shots to the tournament, with Michal Jordan and Michal Kempny as the lone lefties. That means someone needs to play his off side (we went with Michalek). As for Kempny, the tournament will mark a nice entry into North America for him. The 25-year-old KHL free agent recently signed with the Chicago Blackhawks.LDRDZ. MichalekPolakJordanSustrKempnyGudasNakladalGoaltendersPetr Mrazek was not only Detroit's best goalie last season, but one of the best netminders league-wide. As a second-year NHLer, Mrazek became the No. 1 in Hockeytown, stealing the job from veteran Jimmy Howard.Should the 24-year-old Mrazek falter on the big stage, the Czech Republic has some decent second choices in Winnipeg's Ondrej Pavelec and Philadelphia's Michal Neuvirth.GMrazekPavelecNeuvirthPowerplayMuch like the forward lines, the powerplay units breed familiarity, with the top unit featuring two Bruins in Krejci and Pastrnak. On the second group, we've paired Arizona center Martin Hanzal with Ales Hemsky, who have lined up in past tournaments. The Czech Republic would be wise to steal a page from Arizona's playbook, utilizing Hanzal's massive size at the net with the man advantage.Meanwhile, the blueline can't be noted for its puck-moving ability, though Polak and Michalek both offer heavy point shots. Considering the teams bevy of scoring wingers, it may be worthwhile to trial a winger on the point.UnitLWCRWLDRD1VoracekKrejciPastrnakKempnyPolak2HertlHanzalHemskyJordanMichalekPenalty KillWhile the Czechs are unlikely to score their way out of trouble, the team can put together a half-decent penalty killing unit, particularly at forward. The team boasts several pivots who are excellent when down a man, particularly Montreal's Tomas Plekanec, one of the NHL's best shorthanded players. Meanwhile, Frolik finished last season with four short-handed points, good for fourth league-wide. On the blueline - despite all four being righties - it offers up four veterans with size who play an old school, stay-at-home style on the penalty kill.Unit F F LD RD1KrejciFrolikMichalekPolak2PlekanecPalatGudasSustrCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes signed general manager and executive vice president Ron Francis to a contract extension through the 2018-19 season, owner Peter Karmanos announced Tuesday.Francis is entering his 11th season in Hurricanes management, and third as GM."Ron has rebuilt our organization the right way, stocking our team and system with young players who will help this franchise compete for the Stanley Cup year in and year out," Karmanos said. "I'm thrilled that he will continue to see the job through. The future is very bright for the Hurricanes in Carolina."Carolina has built a promising pool of prospects that includes Noah Hanifin, Teuvo Teravainen, Sebastian Aho, and 2016 13th overall pick Jake Bean.The 53-year-old Francis spent 16 seasons of his Hall of Fame playing career with the Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers franchise.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Add Mark Giordano to the list of people patiently waiting for Johnny Gaudreau to put pen to paper with the Calgary Flames.Gaudreau is a restricted free agent, and is due a major raise after leading the Flames with 78 points in 79 games last season. Negotiations have stalled, but general manager Brad Treliving, linemate Sean Monahan, and now captain Giordano have spoken out on the matter, iterating they want the dynamic winger around for the long haul.Related: Treliving: Flames will 'continue to work away' on Gaudreau extensionGiordano knows first-hand the struggles of negotiating, as he left the Flames for the KHL in 2007 after failing to reach a deal as an RFA. He's confident Gaudreau won't have to resort to leaving, though."As a friend of Johnny's, as a teammate, I'm confident he'll be done," Giordano told Scott Cruickshank of the Calgary Herald. "There still is that time. Sometimes the back and forth (negotiating), it gets dragged out a little bit, but I'm sure it'll get done before the season starts."Obviously, as camp gets closer and closer, it'll get the ball rolling more and more."Gaudreau is part of Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey starting Sept. 17, and previously said he won't add to the pressure by negotiating during the tournament."You know what? At the end of the day, there's always a little bit of anxiety," Girodano said. "We know what he is. Everyone knows what Johnny means to our team. We know what type of guy he is. Being optimistic, you hope as a teammate that it'll all work out."Gaudreau is the only player on the Flames roster without a contract, and after Monahan signed a seven-year, $44.6-million extension in early August, it's easy to believe a new contract for the 23-year-old will take up a significant portion of the Flames' $8.5 million in cap space.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After skyrocketing up the draft rankings, Pierre-Luc Dubois was drafted third overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in June, and he now has his sights set on becoming the NHL's top rookie.Dubois, a 6-foot-3 left winger, was the seventh-ranked North American skater on Central Scouting's midseason list, but thanks to a 99-point campaign with the QMJHL's Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, he entered the draft ranked No. 1.Now, with training camp around the corner, Dubois believes if he can play his way onto Columbus' roster, he could win the Calder Trophy."We'll see, but, I mean, if I'm in Columbus, I might have a shot for that," Dubois told Mike Morreale of NHL.com. "It's a different level, but if I am in there I think I have a good shot at it. When you are in (the NHL) you don't really think about it. You just want to play and help your team win. If you win an award like that, it is an honor."Columbus surprised many by selecting Dubois with the third pick, as Jesse Puljujarvi - who wound up being taken one later - was slotted in behind Auston Matthews (No. 1) and Patrik Laine (No. 2) for much of the season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While no longer the dominant hockey nation it once was, featuring the likes of Jaromir Jagr, Patrick Elias, and Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek, there is no denying that the Czech Republic still brings skill to the international table.The Czech Republic has put together an interesting mix of talent young and old as its World Cup entry, from Ales Hemsky of the Dallas Stars to Tomas Hertl of the San Jose Sharks. But, with no dominant scorer among the group, team unity will be a major requirement as the Czechs take on a scoring-by-committee approach to find success at the tournament.With the World Cup kicking off Sept. 17, we've highlighted three Czech players worth keeping an eye on.Jakub VoracekThe offensive catalyst of the Czech team, Philadelphia Flyers winger Jakub Voracek will be looked upon to drive the offense for his native country. He'll have the opportunity to do so surrounded by the likes of Tomas Plekanec, David Krejci, and Ondrej Palat, among others.Voracek, 27, had a down season last year, as his goal totals reduced by half, while his production dropped to 55 points, a three-year low, and down from a career-high 81 points in the previous campaign. A strong performance at the World Cup would not only serve the Czech team well, but would be a nice ramp up for Voracek heading into Philadelphia's training camp come October.Vladimir SobotkaVladimir Sobotka has spent the past two seasons with Omsk of the KHL. Over that time, the versatile pivot has scored 28 goals and 44 assists, good for 72 points in 97 games.The 29-year-old has been a frequent participant with the Czech at international tournaments, most recently at the the 2015 World Championship, where he scored four times. At the previous year's tournament, Sobotka notched two goals and four assists through nine games, finishing third in team scoring.Should Sobotka have a strong showing at the World Cup, it may influence whether he returns to the NHL. Despite the will-he-or-won't-he saga involving his potential return to the St. Louis Blues, the Blues hold his rights for one season, before he can become an unrestricted free agent.Petr MrazekAll eyes will be on Petr Mrazek, the 24-year-old netminder who stole the crease in Detroit last year from veteran keeper Jimmy Howard.In just his second full-time season, Mrazek appeared in 54 games, posting a 27-16-6 record. He was particularly strong in the first half of the season, and was a major reason why the Red Wings' playoff streak reached 25 straight seasons.At the World Cup, Mrazek is the likely starter for the Czech Republic ahead of Winnipeg's Ondrej Pavelec and Philadelphia's Michal Neuvirth. He'll need to be on his toes too, as the Czech defense leaves much to be desired. Headlined by the likes of Arizona's Zbynek Michalek and Toronto's Roman Polak, there is no Top 4 defender among the group, let alone a top pairing blue-liner. Mrazek will surely have his work cut out for him.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes have extended a professional tryout offer to veteran winger Raffi Torres, reports TSN's Aaron Ward.Torres, 34, last played in the NHL in the 2013-14 season with the San Jose Sharks. He missed the entire 2014-15 campaign with a knee injury.The agitating winger was then handed a 41-game ban following a vicious head check to Anaheim's Jakob Silfverberg in a preseason game last year. It marked the longest suspension in league history.Upon his return, Torres suited up for six games with the Sharks' AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, before being dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs in February as part of a salary cap move to acquire defenseman Roman Polak.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf is excited about the new faces who joined the team this summer.Speaking with TSN 1200 Radio on Monday, Phaneuf noted many positives in the Senators' offseason makeover.Phaneuf, 31, highlighted the team's veteran additions, particularly center Derick Brassard."I’m very optimistic. I think you look at the moves that (general manager) Pierre (Dorion) made," Phaneuf said. "He brings in Brassard. Obviously Mika (Zibanejad) was a very talented young player, but you bring in Brassard."He’s a little bit older. A little bit more experienced. He produces. Look at the numbers that he puts up. So that was a very big addition."Brassard, 28, scored 27 goals and 31 assists last season while with the New York Rangers.Meanwhile, Phaneuf also highlighted the Senators' addition of experienced pivot Chris Kelly. The 35-year-old previously spent six seasons with the club, most recently in 2011."(Kelly) is an experienced guy. He’s won. He’s very good defensively. He can kill penalties. So we definitely had a real good summer in additions," Phaneuf added.The big blue-liner spoke glowingly of Ottawa's new head coach, Guy Boucher."He loves the game. He’s very detailed in his systems and his structure of the way that he has his teams play," Phaneuf said. "He’s going to come in for day 1 of camp and that’s what he’s going to demand. So it’s our job to learn those systems and play to his structure."Phaneuf is familiar with making such adjustments. After all, just last season he was dealt to Ottawa from the rival Toronto Maple Leafs."It was a real good transition for me, but I’m excited about having a full season in Ottawa and starting right from day 1 from training camp," Phaneuf said."When you come in and you get traded midseason, there’s a lot that happens. You’re moving your house. You’re moving everything into a new city, so there’s a lot of things that are new to you."Phaneuf finished last season with 32 points in 71 games, tallying eight points in 20 games with the Senators.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A leg injury sustained in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final cut Ben Bishop's postseason short, and the World Cup of Hockey is having the same effect on his offseason, but the Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender is ready to go."I feel good," Bishop told Chuck Gormley of ESPN."I've been doing rehab all summer, and I'm stronger this summer than I was last summer going into camp as far as test results. That's a good thing."Bishop will be representing Team USA in September's tournament, beginning with an exhibition game Sept. 9 versus Team Canada in Columbus, quite a stiffer test than the exhibition games he's used to."It's going to be a little different than NHL exhibition games," Bishop said."Canada-U.S.? I don't think that's going to be an ease-in process. Exhibition games are going to be a little more intense, especially for goalies who like to slowly get into it. My first game could be against Team Canada, but after practicing for a week and some intrasquad scrimmages, I'm sure I'll be ready."Bishop will do battle with Cory Schneider of the New Jersey Devils and Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings to determine who mans the crease for the Stars and Stripes.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cleveland Monsters, AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, named former NHLer John Madden their new head coach, the team announced Monday.He'll replace Jared Bednar, who coached the Monsters to a Calder Cup title last season before leaving to fill the Colorado Avalanche's head coaching vacancy.Madden has spent the last three seasons as an assistant with the Florida Panthers, and played in the NHL for 12 seasons, most notably with the New Jersey Devils, with whom he won three Stanley Cups and a Selke Award."John Madden has a winning pedigree," Blue Jackets assistant general manager Bill Zito said, "having been a part of three Stanley Cup championships and a collegiate national championship as a player and being a part of the coaching staff that helped the Florida Panthers become one of the NHL's most improved clubs over the past three seasons. He is a smart, energetic young coach who we believe to be the best person to lead our prospects in Cleveland."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Heading into the first installment of the World Cup of Hockey since 2004, Canada enters as the odds-on favorite. Take one quick glance at the country's arsenal - even after Jamie Benn was forced to back out - and there's little question as to why that's the case.But it's one thing to have the talent, and another to make it jell, and the nation's coaches will work tirelessly to find player combinations that can maximize the team's potential.Here's how Canada's lines could shape up when the tournament kicks off:ForwardsCanada's forward contingent is arguably the strongest in the tournament. The team boasts two former Rocket Richard Trophy winners and two Art Ross Trophy winners (Benn would have made it three).If there's one possible downside to the forward crop, it's that 12 of the 13 skaters are centermen, meaning several players will be forced to play slightly outside their element.LWCRWTavaresCrosbyStamkosDucheneToewsSeguinMarchandBergeronGirouxCoutureGetzlaf/ ThorntonCarterWith an abundance of centers, it's important to slot the most dependable and stronger faceoff men down the middle. Also, as was largely done in Sochi, players should slot in on the right and left sides depending on their shooting hand.DefenseCanada's defense core includes three duos from Western Conference clubs that will likely play together. During the Sochi Olympics, head coach Mike Babcock - who reprises his role as coach this time around - did his best to slot players on the side matching their shooting hand. A similar game plan can be expected this time.LDRDVlasicBurnsMuzzinDoughtyBouwmeesterPietrangeloWeberWith likely six spots available, one of the above is likely to take a seat. Muzzin or Bouwmeester would be the consensus decisions, but with each being left-handed shots, a switch might come from the right side.Tough decisions loom for Babcock.GoaliesIn Carey Price and Braden Holtby, Canada possesses the last two Vezina Trophy winners.There was early speculation as to whether Price would be healthy enough to man the crease after missing almost the entire NHL season with a knee injury. He has since made numerous claims that he's 100 percent, and if that's the case, it's likely - given his performance in Sochi - he'll be the team's No. 1.That being said, Holtby could certainly carry some of the load.GPriceHoltbyCrawfordPower playThe Canadians could put together a successful power-play line by simply drawing names out of a hat. However, the majority of the club's top six - as constructed above - likely gives the team the best pure scoring punch.In each case, the wingers have swapped sides, giving each - especially Stamkos - the ability to strike with the one-timer.In the first group, the defense duo of Weber, who has a cannon from the point, and Doughty returns after providing a ton of offense in Sochi.Meanwhile, Burns has the ability to get pucks through, while Giroux reprises his role at the point as he does with his Philadelphia Flyers on the second line.Thornton makes sense to slot in on the right side on Line 2. He can quarterback the half wall, and thread a pass through most seams - as his 21 power-play assists from this past season suggest.UnitLWCRWD1StamkosCrosbyTavaresWeber/Doughty2SeguinToewsThorntonGiroux/BurnsPenalty KillThe Bruins duo is an easy choice for penalty-killing situations, with Bergeron's fantastic faceoff skills and defensive upside and Marchand always a constant shorthanded threat.Meanwhile, Toews and Carter provide another duo capable of defending, with the ability to strike if an opportunity presents itself. Not to mention Carter's huge wingspan is ideal for getting his stick in passing lanes.As for the defensive lines, they're pretty straightforward.UnitLW/RWCD1MarchandBergeronVlasic/Doughty2CarterToewsBouwmeester/PietrangeloCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The hand injury that Phil Kessel hid during the Pittsburgh Penguins' march to the Stanley Cup may keep him out of the lineup for the beginning of this season.The Penguins aren't positive Kessel will be available early on, but it "will be close," according to Josh Yohe of DKPittsburghSports.com.General manager Jim Rutherford reiterated that Kessel's recovery is going well, and that if he does miss time, it won't be much."At this point, based on where he’s tracking, yes (Kessel would be OK to start the season)," Rutherford said, according to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "But with surgery like that, you can’t say 100 percent for sure. Even if it’s not for the start of the season, it wouldn’t be that much time."Kessel hasn't missed a regular season contest since 2009-10, and suited up for all 24 Penguins playoff games. He underwent surgery in July, after reportedly suffering the injury in the first round versus the New York Rangers.In his first season with the Penguins, Kessel amassed an underwhelming 59 points in 82 games, but was a force in the playoffs, recording 10 goals and 12 assists as Pittsburgh claimed the Stanley Cup.Pittsburgh begins its preseason Sept. 27, while their regular campaign kicks off Oct. 13 versus the Washington Capitals.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Another international hockey display is about to get underway, which means the pressure will once again be on Team Canada to reign supreme.The host nation enters as the odds-on favorite to capture the first installment of the first World Cup of Hockey in 12 years. However, that doesn't mean the team is immune to questions and concerns that must be addressed if they plan to prove once again that they own hockey.Here are a few to consider:Will Crosby finally dominate?Sidney Crosby's flare for the dramatic has overshadowed mediocre play in his last two Olympic appearances.He scored dramatic goals in the gold-medal games of both Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, but has otherwise failed to produce consistently on the world stage.In his first taste of Olympic action in 2010, he lit the hockey world ablaze with his iconic "Golden Goal" against the United States, but otherwise enjoyed a fairly quiet tournament.He did finish with seven points in seven games, but three of those came in the club's 8-0 shelling of Norway in their opening game. Crosby failed to record a point in both the quarterfinals and semifinals.Fast-forward to 2014, and his lack of production was once again a cause for concern. This time around, Crosby managed just three points in six games for the red and white en route to another gold medal. He scored in the final game on a great breakaway effort, but again was held pointless in the quarters and semis.Captain Canada has since represented his country at the World Championship last year, where he contributed 11 points in nine games as Canada claimed first prize, but the tournament rarely features every country's top talent.This time around, he should be surrounded by a strong core of players (he won't be forced to play alongside Chris Kunitz again), and while the 29-year-old will once again don the "C," whether he'll lead the team on the scoreboard is another matter.Will omissions of Hall, Perry, and Subban hurt?There were rumblings after the initial roster was named about why Canada excluded the likes of Taylor Hall, Corey Perry, and P.K. Subban.News last week that both Jamie Benn and Duncan Keith won't be participating in the tournament as they continue to deal with offseason ailments only increased the chatter, as once again the trio was glanced over in favor of successors Logan Couture and Jay Bouwmeester.Smart move or strange omission? Let's take a closer look at each player:PerryAs far as his career numbers go, Perry has seen a decline in production the past two seasons, but he's still managed 33- and 34-goal campaigns, respectively. Factor in his suiting up for Canada at the past two Olympics, and in three World Championships, and it's quite surprising he was overlooked.Perry has scored more goals from the right wing than anyone since the 2012-13 season, and he could have helped balance a roster that's very center-heavy.HallHall hasn't had the chance to represent his country at the Olympics, but has done so admirably at the World Championships.The 24-year-old has dressed for Canada at the past two installments of the tournament, combining for 13 goals and 21 points in 20 games while capturing gold both times.Over the last four seasons, only Benn and Alex Oveckin have more points than Hall among left-wingers in the NHL.SubbanAfter it was announced Keith would miss the tournament and be replaced by Bouwmeester, many wondered why P.K. Subban wasn't slotted in.Of course, it appears Babcock and company have elected to construct their defense lines with a left and right shot each, so switching out Keith (a left-handed shot) for Subban (a right-handed shot) didn't make sense.That aside, over the last three seasons, only Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns have more points from the back end than Subban. The 27-year-old was part of the Sochi gold-medal-winning team, but was used sparingly, only dressing in a single game.Even so, a former Norris Trophy candidate with a booming shot from the back end like Subban would be no weakness to the team.Will Canada's offense wake up?While Canada did manage to go undefeated in Sochi just over two years ago, fans will remember it certainly wasn't thanks to their scorching offense.In fact, the club managed just 17 goals in the six games they played, with six of those goals coming against a weak Austrian team.Along the way, Canada also managed just three goals against Norway and had a slim 2-1 victory over the Latvians, whose best finish in international competition has been seventh.This time around, Canada doesn't have the luxury of playing more inferior squads, and with the firepower at each team's disposal, relying too heavily on defense and goaltending is unlikely to be a winning strategy.Canada had just three players in the top 32 in scoring in Sochi, with two of them being defensemen in Shea Weber and Drew Doughty (the other was Jeff Carter), and, as discussed earlier, Crosby was nearly silent.The team is fortunate enough, however, that Steven Stamkos is healthy, John Tavares will be good to go for the entire tournament, and players such as Tyler Seguin have established themselves as elite goal-scorers.Defense wins championships, but a lack of offense loses them.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Montreal Canadiens forward Tomas Plekanec will captain Czech Republic at September's World Cup of Hockey, the Czech Ice Hockey Association announced Monday in a release.Plekanec, 33, captained the Czechs at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, as well as the 2012 and 2016 IIHF World Championships.Last season with the Canadiens, with whom he serves as one of the team's alternate captains, he registered 14 goals and 40 assists in 82 contests.Czech Republic's tournament gets underway Sept. 17, when they'll take on Team Canada.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pascal Dupuis' playing days are over, but he remains a valued member of the Pittsburgh Penguins organization.Forced off the ice while undergoing treatment for blood clots, Dupuis remained with the club through to the end of the season and was able to participate in the team's Stanley Cup celebration.With one year left on his contract, Dupuis will continue to work for the club in some capacity, according to general manager Jim Rutherford."He's going to do some scouting out of (Quebec) and possibly a little bit of development work," Rutherford said, according to Bill West of TribLive. "I think it's one of those things where he's still under his player's contract, and he'll just kind of feel his way a little bit."For his part, Dupuis is happy to spend more time with his family, and says he'll always remain loyal to the Penguins, especially if he chooses to keep working in the game."If I do something with a team in the NHL, it's 100 percent going to be with the Penguins," he said. "I was treated right, and I feel like if I'm on the other side as part of management or staff, I would want to treat people the same way I was treated. Their philosophy is something that I really respect."For now, both sides are taking things one day at a time."There's no pressure (on Dupuis to work)," said assistant GM Bill Guerin. "We're on his time. ... Whether it's this year or 10 years from now, he's always going to be one of those guys that wants to give back."We're lucky to still have him around."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kari Lehtonen has given a lot of thought to the three goals on eight shots he allowed in the first period of a Game 7 loss at the hands of the St. Louis Blues this past postseason, and he still has no answer as to why it happened."That's how goaltending is, and that's why you have to stay as even-keel as you can," he told Mike Heika of the Dallas News. "That's why I'm not concentrating on that. I'm moving forward, and I feel good. That's all I can really tell you."What's even more confounding is the meltdown came on the heels of an impressive Game 6 performance, where Lehtonen made 35 saves on 37 shots in order to force the series-deciding game.The up and down nature of one's game is hard to explain, and Lehtonen is intent on making sure he's mentally prepared for whatever comes next."The mental part of the game is huge for goalies, so I work on that all of the time," Lehtonen said. "It's hard to explain, it's not something that is easy to describe or show what you do. But you talk about it and you think about it, and you hope that makes you better."General manager Jim Nill has said he's prepared to enter a new season with Lehtonen and Antti Niemi splitting duties in net, but he likely won't hesitate to upgrade at the position if the opportunity should present itself.For the time being, Lehtonen is comfortable with the job share, especially after having gone through a whole season under those circumstances."I thought we were better (than Dallas' goaltending the year before), and I think we will be even better this year," Lehtonen said. "I think we're more comfortable, and there's less unknown. It's more consistent."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Red Wings' top defenseman assured the team he would do everything he could to be ready for training camp, even if it meant missing the World Cup.In light of knee issues that plagued his 2015-16 season, Niklas Kronwall won't play for Sweden at the upcoming international tournament, focusing instead on getting back to form in time for a new NHL season.And in so doing, he's keeping his word, according to head coach Jeff Blashill."I've got great respect for our players having that opportunity to represent their country," Blashill said Sunday, according to Taylor DesOrmeau of MLive. "But (Kronwall) also promised us that he was going to put the Red Wings first. If he didn't feel like he was 100 percent because of the early start of the World Cup, he wasn't going to play, and ultimately that's what he chose to do."Blashill added, "His focus right now is being ready for camp. I expect him to be ready for camp. It's a day-to-day business and we'll see where that brings us."Hampus Lindholm has been given Kronwall's spot on Sweden's roster. Detroit's training camp is set to convene Sept. 17.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Credit the Arizona Coyotes for being creative with their salary cap situation, and taking advantage of a loophole that remains well within the structure of the collective bargaining agreement struck between the NHL and its players.That's how the league is viewing Arizona taking on the salaries of Chris Pronger, Pavel Datsyuk and Dave Bolland. The cap hits amount to almost $18 million but result in less than $2 million in actual salary paid out by the club, while simultaneously allowing it to reach the cap floor."I would say that it’s a matter that we monitor, like all other areas of the CBA, and if we believe it starts to be abused in a way that is inconsistent with how the system is designed to work, at that point, we would try to correct it in collective bargaining with the union," deputy commissioner Bill Daly told Craig Morgan of Today's Slapshot."I would say we aren’t at that point on this issue - we do not view it as the loophole that‎ some describe it as."Arizona is on the hook for $575,00 for Pronger's salary, while his contract carries a cap hit of $4,941,429. Datsyuk's cap hit is $7.5 million, but the Coyotes won't pay him a cent because he decided to play in Russia this season.In Bolland's case, the Coyotes are expected to put him on long-term injured reserve at the beginning of the regular season as the veteran center continues to deal with a series of injury issues. Arizona, then, would only be responsible for 20 percent of his salary - or $3.3 million over the final three years of his deal - with insurance covering the rest.Daly, however, doesn't slot Bolland in the same situation as Pronger and Datsyuk."First of all, I would say that perhaps unlike Pronger (and maybe even Datsyuk), I’m not sure you can fairly characterize Bolland’s contract as dead cap space," Daly said. "It’s my understanding the player still wants to play and continues to strive to get to a point physically where he can resume his career. So, I start from the perspective of having a problem with the premise."Should Bolland indeed be cleared to play, Arizona could be forced into unwanted expenditures, but the deal with the Florida Panthers was further sweetened by the acquisition of prospect Lawson Crouse. In the same way, the Datsyuk "trade" allowed the team to move from 20th to 16th in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft, using the pick to select defenseman Jakob Chychrun.The Coyotes, then, are using cap space as an asset, forcing other teams to pay a premium to shed dead weight.Up until now, it's not being seen as a problem in the eyes of the NHL, but it may be addressed when the CBA exprires in 2022.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The King has his new crown.New York Rangers and Team Sweden netminder Henrik Lundqvist unveiled his masks for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey on Sunday, and they're fancy.

Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin didn't capture a Stanley Cup ring this spring, but the Russian superstar did pick up another piece of jewelry this offseason.The captain of the Capitals took to Twitter on Sunday, announcing his marriage to Russian model Anastasia Shubskaya.Ovechkin's Russian tweet translates to "This is happiness".

Calgary Flames defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka, recovering from offseason hip surgery, looks to be fully healed in time for next month's World Cup."Everything looks good," Flames general manger Brad Treliving told the team's official site. "He’s been training. He’s been skating. I think there are a couple final checks to do, but everything is looking positive."Jokipakka was named to his native Finland's World Cup roster earlier this year. The 25-year-old has represented Finland twice in the past, at the 2011 World Junior Championship, and the 2015 World Championship."It’s a great opportunity for him,” Treliving added. "He’s just starting to cut his teeth in the league. It’ll be a great opportunity and a great experience for him."Three other Flames will participate in the tournament, including forwards Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau with Team North America, plus winger Michal Frolik with the Czech Republic.Jokipakka joined the Flames at last year's trade deadline, following a trade from the Dallas Stars. He tallied two goals and 10 assists in 68 games last season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alex Galchenyuk is glad his days of playing against Shea Weber are over.The 22-year-old played only six games against the Nashville Predators before his Montreal Canadiens acquired Weber in exchange for P.K. Subban, but one in particular certainly left an impression."I remember last year (Weber) hit me close to the boards and I couldn't feel my legs for like three days," Galchenyuk said Saturday, per Sean Farrell of NHL.com. "And when he's teeing up for a slap shot, you don't want to be in that lane to block a shot."If you really think about it, who's one of the toughest guys to play against, he'd definitely be first on my list," Galchenyuk added. "To be able to play with him on the same team, you just can't wait. And he also has that offensive upside. He scored 20 goals last year, and to see a defenseman that can put up those numbers, it also helps."Galchenyuk recorded the first 30-goal season of his career in 2015-16, while tying a career high in assists with 26. With a player of Weber's ilk now in the mix, he's excited to get back on the ice and prove the Canadiens are still a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference."You want to win, you want to win for the fans, and to be honest personally I've never been this excited before a year," he said. "I'm super excited, as is everyone on the team. It's always exciting to come back and know that there's something to prove, and you know everybody's been training and we have a lot of things to prove and prove people wrong."He'll be able to put his full attention on getting ready for the regular season after not being selected for the North American squad for the World Cup.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It wasn't Roberto Luongo.The Florida Panthers goaltender took to Twitter on Saturday to make it known that he wasn't the robber dressed in full goalie gear who stole two cases of beer from a Manitoba convenience store.

Ovechkin. Tarasenko. Kucherov. Malkin. Datsyuk.Those are the familiar names that hockey fans are expecting to put on a show at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.It might be time to add Evgeny Dadonov to that list following this incredible goal scored for SKA St. Petersburgh in KHL action Saturday.Dadonov was a third round pick of the Florida Panthers in 2007, but appeared in only 55 games, notching 10 goals and 10 assists before heading back to Russia.The 27-year-old scored 23 goals last season, and is set to remind NHL clubs what they're missing when he suits up for Russia at the best-on-best tournament.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers have signed right-handed defenseman Matthew Benning to a two-year, entry-level contract.Benning spent the past four years playing at Northeastern University, where he recorded nine goals and 47 assists in 110 games.

Josh Ho-Sang just wants to play hockey.The New York Islanders prospect, drafted 28th overall in 2014, has made headlines for all the wrong reasons during his development, most notably showing up late to the first day of training camp last season, drawing the ire of general manager Garth Snow.But with a new season's camp around the corner, Ho-Sang is channeling everything he's learned from previous mistakes toward becoming a full-time NHLer.Training at BioSteel Camp in Toronto, Ho-Sang says he's picked the brains of longtime friend Connor McDavid, along with Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin."I feel comfortable asking him (McDavid) questions," Ho-Sang told Luke Fox of Sporsnet. I found that when we played together, we do a lot of things similar. He thinks the game the way I do, but faster obviously. What he’s learned can be beneficial to me. I want to be as good as him or better.""But it’s not just Connor. Tyler Seguin - I talk to him, ask him questions," Ho-Sang added. "It comes from a place of wanting to learn, to take what they know and become more effective. I’m picking apart the mind of one of the best goal-scorers in the world."Ho-Sang recorded 82 points in 66 games with the OHL's Niagara Ice Dogs last season, tacking on 26 more points in 17 playoff contests. Despite those gaudy totals, he's aware it will take more than point production to patch his damaged relationship with the team that drafted him."Right now I’m like the girlfriend who cheated on them," Ho-Sang said. "I’ve got to earn their trust back. I feel I have to do that every day. Keep getting better. Keep showing them what I’m willing to do. There’s no day off. There’s not a practice I leave early. There’s not an optional skate I don’t skate at. It’s optional, but not for me.""I believe I have the ability to make the team. I have to play well, and it’s not easy, man," he added.Through all the off-ice controversy, Ho-Sang's says simply lacing up the skates is enough to block it all out."I love it. I need it. It’s my fix, my clarity. When I’m on the ice, I don’t think about anything," he said.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The search for a nickname for the Las Vegas NHL franchise appears to have another serious candidate.Owner Bill Foley has confirmed the registration of domain names that include "Desert Knights," according to Amber Dixon of NBC Las Vegas.A report from DetroitHockey.net on Thursday stated the domains lasvegasdesertknights.com, vegasdesertknights.com and desertknightshockey.com were privately registered to Moniker Privacy Services, the same company that registered the domain name NHL.com.It's important to note Foley isn't saying "Desert Knights" is indeed the team's nickname, and it's entirely possible the domain registrations are merely a contingency plan in the event that options higher on the list fall through.Earlier in August, Foley confirmed he was considering three "hawks" variations for the team nickname, with "Nighthawks" believed to still be in the mix as of Aug. 12.A nickname is expected to be announced prior to the start of the 2016-17 regular season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Players aren't the only World Cup participants forced to bow out due to injury.Veteran referee Chris Rooney ruptured his Achilles while running and will be out three-to-five months following surgery, according to John Buccigross of ESPN.He will also miss a large part of the NHL regular season.Rooney has been officiating games at the NHL level since 2000, including main events such as the 2010 Winter Classic in Boston and the 2012 and 2013 Stanley Cup Finals.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Questions in regards to Vladimir Sobotka's planned return to the St. Louis Blues continue to be raised.A recent report out of Russia quoted Avangard Omsk's general manager as saying Sobotka would be joining the KHL club as soon as he's ready to play, adding "Forget about St. Louises and other nonsense."According to Blues GM Doug Armstrong, however, all indications are Sobotka will indeed be returning to the Blues following the World Cup."I've talked to Petr Svoboda (Sobotka's agent) daily over the last few weeks and nothing has changed," Armstrong said Thursday, per Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "(Sobotka) is getting ready for the World Cup. He's planning on staying here when that's over and coming back to our franchise. He's excited about it."Sobotka has been playing in Omsk for the past two seasons after walking away from a one-year contract handed down in arbitration. Playing out that deal with the Blues is necessary in order for him to continue on with his NHL career, be it on an extension in St. Louis or elsewhere.Armstrong admits there will be a measure of uncertainty until Sobotka is seen again in a St. Louis jersey."It's one of those ones where I understand everyone's nervousness because he's not here," Armstrong said. "But he's not going to be here until after the World Cup, so I think the questions are going to persist until he gets off the plane at Lambert (Airport) and comes into the (arena). When he does that, this will finally be behind us."Sobotka is set to play for the Czech Republic at the international tournament in Toronto in September.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the dog days of the NHL offseason, a celebration of man's best friend is only fitting.A slew of NHL and AHL players shared pictures and video of their canine companions as part of National Dog Day on Friday.

The Anaheim Ducks have signed Max Jones, their first-round draft selection in 2016, to his three-year entry-level contract, the club announced Friday.Financial terms were not disclosed.The 6-foot-2, 206-pound Jones was a member of the Memorial Cup-winning London Knights last year. He scored 54 points in 69 games in the regular season and playoffs combined, but was suspended for most of the club's championship run due to a headshot he delivered to Justin Brack of the Owen Sound Attack.It's expected that Jones, a native of Orion, Mich., will return to London next season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland is not interested in a traditional, drawn out rebuild.Simply put, that may be too much of a knee jerk reaction to the team's recent slump, which has seen three consecutive first-round playoff losses.While Holland admits that the Red Wings are "probably not" a Stanley Cup contender, he isn't prepared to throw in the towel. The long-time GM believes his team has several young players ready to take on larger roles this coming season."As we sit today, we don't have a superstar in his prime. We have lots of good players. I think we have lots of really good players," Holland said. "How far can they grow? I don't know."Pavel Datsyuk came over and scored 11 goals and 12 goals in his first two seasons in the NHL. I don't think we have any Datsyuks, but it's an example that people can grow."A quick glance through the Red Wings roster will draw attention to Gustav Nyquist (26), Tomas Tatar (25), Riley Sheahan (24), and Teemu Pulkkinen (24). And that's not to forget rookie sensation Dylan Larkin, who recently turned 20 and will likely shift to center this season.There are also some interesting youngsters on the way, namely Anthony Mantha, Andreas Anthansiou, and Evgeny Svechnikov.If there are no blue chips left in the prospect pool, it could just be a result of the Red Wings' constant success finally catching up to them. High draft picks and cheap talent are the lifeblood of the salary cap NHL, and the Red Wings have not drafted in the top 10 since 1991.Detroit will look to its young core, plus its offseason additions, to push the scoring pace, after netting just 211 goals last season, ranking 23rd league-wide. It marked the fewest goals Detroit has scored since 1976-77, when that 16-win squad was limited to 183 goals.The team hopes new faces Frans Nielsen and Thomas Vanek will help spark the offense. The 32-year-old Nielsen, who signed on for six years, scored 52 points with the New York Islanders last season, while Vanek, also 32, was brought in as a reclamation project after a buyout by the Minnesota Wild.Following the loss of Datsyuk, who left for the KHL, the Red Wings will surely take on a scoring-by-committee approach this year.Larkin and Tatar were the only two Red Wings to surpass the 20-goal mark, with 24 and 21 respectively. It was a down season for Tatar, who saw his goal tally drop from 29 the previous campaign, while fellow winger Nyquist also slipped to 17 goals, after reaching 27 and 28 tallies in his previous two seasons."Now (Tatar and Nyquist) have three or four years of experience, you factor in their age and experience, you'd like to think they're in the ideal time frame in their career to max out," Holland said.For a franchise that has qualified for the postseason 25 straight years - winning 4 Stanley Cups over that time - the hope remains that the Winged Wheel can keep the good times rolling.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Oh, Canada.File this one in the "You can't make this up" department. The RCMP in Russell, Manitoba, are looking for a burglar who robbed a convenience store of two cases of beer while ... wait for it ... dressed in full goalie gear.It was Budweiser, in case you were wondering, according to Yahoo Sports, citing the Winnipeg Free Press.Here's how the robbery was described in the local newspaper:

Alexander Steen will miss the World Cup of Hockey, but he's doing fine.The St. Louis Blues forward took to Twitter on Friday afternoon to give the world an update after he was replaced on Team Sweden by Rickard Rakell.

The New York Islanders have named Chris Lamoriello as director of player personnel, the team announced Friday.Lamoriello, 44, previously served with the New Jersey Devils, beginning his tenure as a scout in 1996 and, until his resignation in 2015, as senior vice-president of hockey operations, as well as general manager of the club's AHL team."Chris brings a tremendous amount of knowledge to our organization," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "He has more than 20 years of experience in the industry and we are thrilled to have him on board."Lamoriello is the son of Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.