Brandon Pirri signed a one-year contract with the New York Rangers worth $1.1 million, the club announced Friday.The Florida Panthers dealt the former 22-goal scorer to the Anaheim Ducks last season at the trade deadline. He totaled 11 goals and 29 points in 61 games split between the two franchises.Pirri, 25, has played 166 games in his NHL career, and has 49 goals and 31 assists to his name.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Team Sweden announced Friday that goalie Jhonas Enroth has been added its World Cup roster.Enroth, 28, replaces Buffalo Sabres' injured goalie Robin Lehner. The native of Stockholm joins fellow goalies Henrik Lundqvist and Jacob Markstrom.On Monday, Enroth made headlines when he signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs.Sabres general manager Tim Murray said in a statement, "Robin (Lehner) felt it was important to continue his rehab in Buffalo to prepare for training camp. He has been working out both on and off the ice and we look forward to seeing him on the ice with our team next month."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While the team name remains on the back burner, the NHL's newest addition is wasting no time in building up its hockey operations.Having previously hired George McPhee as general manager and David Conte as special advisor, Las Vegas added to its stable on Thursday, announcing that Scott Luce will serve as the director of amateur scouting.Luce, 47, last served as the Florida Panthers director of player personnel, having joined the franchise as the director of amateur scouting in 2002. He was relieved of his duties at the end of last season.Under Luce, the Panthers drafted many of the team's current stars, including Aaron Ekblad, Aleksander Barkov, and Jonathan Huberdeau.In addition to Luce, Las Vegas also announced the hiring of Erin Ginnell as an amateur scout. Ginnell, who will report to Luce, previously held scouting positions with the Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, and Columbus Blue Jackets.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Joe Sakic's doing things a bit differently.The Colorado Avalanche general manager settled on Jared Bednar as his club's new head coach, and Bednar, named to the position Thursday, is the first Avalanche head coach with no history with the organization, writes NHL.com's Rick Sadowski.Some good ones came before Bednar, as he'll follow Marc Crawford, Bob Hartley, Tony Granato, Joel Quenneville, Joe Sacco, and Patrick Roy.For Sakic, it was simple: Bednar's a winner. He's got a Calder Cup (AHL) and a Kelly Cup (ECHL) to his name."It's tough to win in any league," Sakic said, "and to be able to win you've got to be doing something right. Comfort-wise, I just think this is the best fit for our team and to get them to the next level. The next level is learning how to win, and I believe Jared's going to get them there."Bednar, who signed a three-year contract as head coach, has put in his time in the minor leagues, spending 14 seasons behind the bench as either an assistant or head coach."It's taken some time," Bednar said, "and all my stops along the way have helped prepare me for this. I take this very seriously, I've been preparing for this my whole career."He said he's going to put his talented group of forwards to use, and play an uptempo, aggressive brand of hockey. The NHL game is all about speed, and Bednar's on board.The timing of Roy's resignation put the Avalanche in a tough spot, but Sakic's got his man, and it's a new beginning in Denver. If Bednar's track record is any indication, he's going to put in the work.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Let no one say Cory Schneider isn't a proud American.The New Jersey Devils goaltender will wear these stars-and-stripes-themed pads when he suits up for the United States at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.

Sticks out for Harambe.Calgary Flames first-round pick Matthew Tkachuk wore a T-shirt that paid tribute to the fallen primate and Twitter meme during the London Knights' Memorial Cup victory celebration Thursday.

The Colorado Avalanche reportedly aren't done making moves Thursday.Related: Avalanche name Jared Bednar head coachThe club has added veteran forward Rene Bourque on a tryout agreement, James Mirtle of The Globe and Mail reports.Bourque registered eight points and 38 penalty minutes in 49 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets last season.The 34-year-old, who spent the last two campaigns with Columbus, has also suited up for the Anaheim Ducks, Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames, and Chicago Blackhawks.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues have officially named defenseman Alex Pietrangelo as their new captain, the team announced at a press conference on Thursday.Pietrangelo, 26, has become a mainstay on the blue line since St. Louis drafted him fourth overall in 2008, notching seven goals and 30 assists through 73 games last season.Signed through 2020, Pietrangelo has committed to the franchise long term.Blues general manager Doug Armstrong told StLouisBlues.com, "Being a top draft pick and watching him grow into an elite player in our game, Alex is the perfect age to take the leadership role for this group."Pietrangelo added, "When you look at the guys who wore the ‘C,’ those are some big shoes to fill. Not just good leaders, but good people that have represented themselves and their teammates in a great way. It’s my job now to carry on that tradition."Pietrangelo assumes the captaincy from David Backes, who joined the Boston Bruins this summer after 10 years in St. Louis. Pietrangelo becomes the 21st captain in franchise history.In addition to Pietrangelo, the team also announced that Alex Steen, Paul Stastny, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Kevin Shattenkirk will serve as alternate captains.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pavel Datsyuk wasted little time in making the KHL's highlight reel, firing a backhand goal by Niklas Svedberg of Salavat Yulaev to open the scoring Thursday.Not bad for his first goal with SKA Saint Petersburg.The best part? Fellow former NHL superstar and new KHL teammate Ilya Kovalchuk set up the play.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dave Bolland's albatross contract now resides in Arizona, but his person doesn't necessarily have to.Shortly after acquiring Bolland along with Lawson Crouse for a pair of draft picks, Coyotes GM John Chakya confirmed that the veteran won't be ready to play for the "foreseeable future."Bolland dealt with back and ankle issues last season.For now, Arizona has inappreciable room under the salary cap, with Tobias Rieder still unsigned after the team took on another salary dump.The club will, however, gain flexibility when Bolland's shifted to long-term injured reserve.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, and Shea Weber on the roster, Hockey Canada returns the leadership core from the Sochi Olympics to the World Cup of Hockey next month - and with good reason. That Canadian team crushed the competition in their title defense, allowing an astounding three goals in six games.But while there isn't a need for change, there's also no reason to restrict the team to three sources of leadership. Canadian coach Mike Babcock indicated as much in a conference call Thursday."Everyone on our team is capable of being a captain," he said.But the familiarity Babcock shares with Crosby, Toews, and Weber made choosing his leaders quite simple."They know me, I know them, they know what's expected," Babcock said."They're great, great men who have distinguished themselves not only with their ability but with their relentless drive," he added. "For them to lead a bunch of leaders is going to be important for our group to have success."Team Canada will converge in the nation's capital for training camp at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, beginning Sept. 4.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's nothing like a late-August trade to get you amped for the coming NHL season.Arizona and Florida made music Thursday, as the Panthers sent top prospect Lawson Crouse - drafted 11th overall in 2015 - and Dave Bolland to the Coyotes for a third-round selection in 2017 and a second-round pick in 2018.Related: Panthers trade top prospect Crouse, Bolland to Coyotes for 2 picksHere are three takeaways from the deal:Panthers serious about successThe Panthers had their best-ever season in 2015-16, surpassing the century mark in points for the first time in club history with 103. The season was an unmitigated success, despite a six-game loss to the New York Islanders in the first round of the playoffs. When you've only made the postseason once since the turn of the century, you're damned right making the dance is an accomplishment worth celebrating.Florida did trade its top prospect Thursday, a tough pill to swallow for any supporter, but getting out from under Bolland's contract gives the Panthers $9.2 million and change in available cap space, according to General Fanager.Bolland will earn $5.5 million over the next three seasons, and Florida won't pay a cent. Indeed, giving up Crouse is a steep price to pay, but Florida's positioned well to add pieces at the 2017 trade deadline - or sooner.There's no telling how much Crouse would have contributed in 2016-17, especially considering the Panthers' top-six forwards all had 50 points or more last season.

Jared Bednar is the new head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, the team announced Thursday.Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic confirmed on a conference call that Bednar agreed to a three-year deal.The 44-year-old was previously the head coach of the AHL's Cleveland Monsters, winning the Calder Cup last season and finishing the regular season with a 43-22-11 record."After profiling the type of coach I wanted for our team and going through an interview process with several good candidates, I believe that Jared Bednar is the best person to lead this team behind the bench," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic told the team's official website."Jared’s track record of success as a head coach in the AHL speaks for itself and he is considered to be one of the top up-and-coming coaches in our business."Bednar added, "My family and I are thrilled to be heading to Denver to begin this new challenge. I feel ready for this role with the Avalanche and I am grateful for the trust that (Avalanche president) Josh Kroenke, Joe (Sakic) and the organization has shown me."The Avalanche kicked off their coaching search a few weeks ago following the surprising resignation of former bench boss Patrick Roy.Bednar becomes the seventh head coach in franchise history. He'll be formally introduced at a press conference next week.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There will be patches on the sweaters worn at the World Cup of Hockey, and a similar test-case with ads stitched to NBA jerseys for this upcoming season, but don't expect NHL teams to have similar branding any time soon."Doing jersey advertising for the World Cup is not in the same universe as putting advertising on NHL sweaters," Bettman said in an interview with Jonas Seigel of the Canadian Press."I've always said, you're going to have to drag us kicking and screaming," he added. "We won't be first. Obviously the NBA went first. And it would take a huge incentive for us to even consider it."TSN reported last year that the asking price for ad space on World Cup jerseys was upwards of $8 million, but negotiations with major brands failed to yield an agreement at that price.SAP, a software company that holds the naming rights to the San Jose Sharks' arena, were announced as the official jersey sponsor last week.

Following Wednesday's announcement that Hockey Canada had selected blue-liner Jay Bouwmeester to replace the injured Duncan Keith, the Twitterverse was quick to offer its expertise:

Sidney Crosby, of course, will wear the "C" for Canada at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.Hockey Canada announced Thursday that Crosby was named captain of the World Cup squad, with Jonathan Toews and Shea Weber appointed as assistants.Crosby captained Canada in Sochi, helping the nation defend its Olympic crown in 2014. He also led the 2015 World Championship squad, and is a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins - his latest triumph coming this past season.Toews is a three-time Stanley Cup-winning captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Weber an assistant with the Montreal Canadiens following a six-year run as captain of the Nashville Predators.Both Toews and Weber wore the assistant patches in Sochi.Canada will open its World Cup campaign Sept. 17 versus the Czech Republic.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Braden Holtby is both honest and self-aware.While the reigning Vezina Trophy winner would love to be in the crease for Team Canada when it opens the World Cup on Sept. 17, he knows who should be there."All of us want to play, but if Carey (Price) is healthy, there's no reason not to go with him," Holtby said, according to The Washington Post's Isabelle Khurshudyan. "He has all of the experience internationally and the smart choice obviously would be that."Holtby won't sulk. He's a team-first guy, especially when representing his country, and he'll support his teammates whether he's starting or watching from the bench.And Price was the man for Canada at the Sochi Olympics in 2014. He had a .972 save percentage and 0.59 goals-against average in five games behind a formidable Canadian squad. His 2014-15 season was the best of his career, as he posted a .933 save percentage and won 44 games. Injuries robbed him of all but 12 games in 2015-16.Holtby's only international experience came with Canada's Under-18 squad in 2006-07.Canada's third goaltender for the tournament is two-time Stanley Cup winner Corey Crawford. In other words, there's no issue, regardless of who's in the crease.Holtby won a record-tying 48 games last season, as the Washington Capitals ran roughshod over the league. He's won 89 regular-season games over the past two seasons, finishing with save percentages of .923 (2014-15) and .922 (2015-16).Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Learning you've been traded is one thing. Learning you've been traded while seated in a stall next to Paul Bissonnette is quite another.In the right place at the right time Thursday morning, "BizNasty" used Mike Commodore's popular trade deadline catchphrase to embarrass Lawson Crouse moments after he was dealt to the Arizona Coyotes.

Old is new again in Orange County.Hired as Anaheim's new head coach earlier this offseason, Carlyle returns to Anaheim and the franchise that he led to its first ever Stanley Cup victory in 2007."I’ve followed this team closely for the last couple of years and am familiar with the core group," Carlyle told AnaheimDucks.com at the time of his hiring. "I believe this team can win immediately and I can’t wait to get started."Carlyle returns a sense of accountability to the club, one that has lost four straight Game 7s on home ice, including last year's poor showing in the first round against Nashville."He will hold people in the organization accountable," Ducks general manager Bob Murray told NHL.com. "And that's just not on the ice during games; he'll do it in practice, he'll do it in the weight room, he'll hold everybody accountable."In goal, the team turns to young netminder John Gibson after the departure of Frederik Andersen, who was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs in June.Gibson has spent parts of the past two seasons with the Ducks after making his NHL debut in 2013-14, when he played in only three games, winning all three.The 23-year-old played a career-high 40 games last season, posting a 21-13-3 record, alongside a 2.07 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.In the postseason, Gibson got the call but dropped the first two games, allowing six goals in the process, leading to former bench boss Bruce Boudreau shifting back to Andersen.Gibson and Andersen shared last season's William M. Jennings Trophy, awarded to the team that allows the fewest goals, so shedding a goalie with as much talent as Andersen is a risk.A risk the team hopes is negated by the addition of veteran goalie Jonathan Bernier.Bernier is another familiar face for Carlyle, as the two were previously together in Toronto - and as Carlyle returns to Anaheim, Bernier is also making a homecoming of sorts as he returns to Southern California, having previously suited up for the Los Angeles Kings.Seeing his fair share of struggles during his tenure with the Maple Leafs, the 28-year-old 'tender isn't concerned with his potential lack of playing time.As Bernier told NHL.com, "You can't think about how many games you're going to play or whether Gibson is playing more games than me or not. I've been working hard this summer, and I'm ready to go for the upcoming season."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers and Arizona Coyotes completed a trade Thursday that sends prospect Lawson Crouse and forward Dave Bolland to the desert in exchange for second- and third-round draft picks, the clubs announced.The Panthers are getting a conditional 2018 second-round selection from the Coyotes, and will get the better of Arizona's or the Detroit Red Wings' third-round pick (which Arizona acquired in June) in 2017, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman."We are very pleased to acquire Lawson," Coyotes general manager John Chayka said. "He's a big, physical, power forward who is a strong skater with good hands. Players of his caliber and profile are extremely hard to find."

It happens every year.Whether it be courtesy of a coaching decision to add ice time or unexpected production in limited minutes, certain players will undoubtedly fulfill long-awaited expectations or create them seemingly out of nowhere.Here are five breakout players for the 2016-17 season. Cast your vote in a poll at the bottom of the post.John Gibson - Anaheim DucksAfter a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs that saw Frederik Andersen shipped out of town and later replaced with Jonathan Bernier, John Gibson will finally be given a chance to grab the Anaheim Ducks' starting job and fly away with it.Gibson carries only 66 regular-season appearances into 2016-17, having split crease time with Andersen after getting some reps in at the AHL level. He has, however, posted a career record of 37-21-4 and a .920 save percentage in that time, and those kind of numbers in a single season would put him among the top players at his position, similar to what Martin Jones was able to do in his breakout campaign with the San Jose Sharks.Seth Jones - Columbus Blue JacketsNo longer buried behind a bevy of talented blue-liners in Nashville, Seth Jones is finally set to create some buzz with the Blue Jackets.Jones recorded two goals and 18 assists in 41 games for Columbus after being traded straight up for center Ryan Johansen, upping his points per game average to 0.49 from 0.32 with the Predators.His ice time in all situations was up under John Tortorella, and Jones is well-positioned for career numbers across the board for the Blue Jackets after representing Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey.Morgan Rielly - Toronto Maple LeafsIn his third season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Morgan Rielly averaged over 23 minutes of ice time per game, recording career highs in goals (9), assists (27), total points (37), and shots (167).What stands to help his numbers grow is an uptick in power-play time, something he saw under head coach Mike Babcock following the departure of Dion Phaneuf.Drafted fifth overall in 2012, Rielly is emerging as a cornerstone player for the Maple Leafs, and the six-year, $30-million contract extension signed this summer could end up being a steal upon its expiry.He's now Toronto's highest-paid defenseman, and will start playing like a No. 1 option on the blue line as early as this season.Jonathan Drouin - Tampa Bay LightningSteve Yzerman's decision to remain patient amid an in-season trade request made by Jonathan Drouin already paid off for the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, wherein the 21-year-old made good on a long sought-after bump in ice time and produced on a consistent basis.In 17 playoff games, Drouin recorded five goals and nine assists, and often in the most timely of fashions. He's now expected to play a regular role in the team's top-six forward group, and will be looking to have a successful campaign with his entry-level contract set to expire next summer.Add it all up, and Drouin's poised to finally live up to the hype of a third overall draft pick.Robby Fabbri - St. Louis BluesBy allowing David Backes and Troy Brouwer to walk as unrestricted free agents, the St. Louis Blues are committing to the next wave of talent, on which Robby Fabbri is riding to stardom.Overlooked at the 2014 NHL Draft due to his diminutive frame, Fabbri bounced back from an early-season concussion and finished 10th in rookie scoring after playing only 72 games last season.It was in the playoffs, however, that he shone, with four goals and 11 assists in 20 games, and while seeing a significant increase in power-play time.Likely to begin the season on the team's second line, Fabbri will be relied upon to help fill the voids left by the departed veterans, proving wrong the 20 teams that passed him by in the first round two years ago.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The search for the next head coach of the Colorado Avalanche appears to be narrowing down.Chicago Blackhawks assistant Kevin Dineen, Washington Capitals assistant Lane Lambert, and Cleveland Monsters (AHL) head coach Jared Bednar remain "strong candidates in the field," according to Terry Frei of the Denver Post.At least one candidate has been ruled out, namely San Jose Sharks assistant coach Bob Boughner, who wasn't listed among the finalists following a series of interviews, adds Frei.Team officials did not comment on specifics, but said the search is in its final phases.An earlier report suggested a head coach is expected to be named at some point this week.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Johnny Gaudreau has thrown water on a fan's idea that his lingering contract negotiations with the Flames are a sign he's not hot on Calgary.

After snagging a forward in free agency, the Dallas Stars turn their attention back to signing one of their own.As the calendar nears September, restricted free agent Valeri Nichushkin remains without a contract.The two sides are talking, at least."(Nichushkin's) agent and I have had great dialogue," general manager Jim Nill said Wednesday after announcing the signing of Jiri Hudler, per the team's website."We look forward to getting him signed and getting him in here. It’s a big year for him to continue his growth. We have high expectations for him."The 21-year-old is coming off his entry-level contract, with mixed results over his first three NHL seasons. He impressed early with 14 goals and 34 points as a rookie, but was limited to eight games in his second year due to injury. In 2015-16, Nichushkin scored nine goals and added 20 assists, and a big jump is expected over the next few years.At this point, a low-cost bridge contract seems likely, providing Nichushkin a period of time within which to prove he's worth a bigger commitment.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill is well-aware of what Jiri Hudler can bring to an NHL club.Related: Stars sign Hudler to 1-year, $2M dealNill was part of the Red Wings brain trust that drafted the forward back in 2002, and watched as Hudler appeared in 83 playoff games for Detroit, winning a Stanley Cup in 2008 and returning to the finals in 2009."I've known (Hudler) for 17 years," Nill said Wednesday, according to the Stars' website. "He's got a winning pedigree. He's been in the playoffs, won a Stanley Cup, played at the World Championship. He's got that pedigree. It just shows we are committed to taking that next step to be a winning team."Hudler's a left-handed shot who can play right wing, and Nill sees him contributing in all situations."He can play anywhere. I project him as a top six. With our lineup, we are a top nine, top 12 some nights," said Nill. "His hockey IQ is as good as anybody in the game. I think when you look at him possibly being on our power play with the other skill guys we have, it is just another dangerous person for us as a weapon."The Stars were already the NHL's most potent squad, leading the league with 267 goals last season. Whether they can keep the puck out of their own net enough to make a deep playoff run remains to be seen.At any rate, Nill certainly sees the addition of Hudler as nothing but helpful, and he'd know better than almost anyone.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wayne Simmonds has experienced racism in the NHL first-hand in the past, and according to the Philadelphia Flyers forward, it's still an issue in the league."I don't want to say it's completely gone - racism in the game - because I believe it's not," Simmonds told Joey Vendetta of Sportsnet 590 on Wednesday. "I've had situations arise where I've had things said to me or done to me, but I think for myself it's kind of a motivator."Simmonds grew up in Toronto, and played junior in the OHL with the Owen Sound Attack and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, but having played his entire pro career in the United States with the Los Angeles Kings and Flyers, he's noticed a difference between the two countries."Growing up in Canada, I think it was a little bit different. Obviously hockey is life in Canada. So you grow up as a young black kid and everyone is playing hockey around you, so it's easy to get into," Simmonds said."But I think it's just easier in Canada. I think the States is kind of, as it's going now - I don't want to say it's segregated, but I think you feel it a little bit more. You feel it a little bit more in the States, whereas in Canada it's - especially in Toronto, it's a melting pot. You've got every single culture. You've got everything here under the sun. It's like a rainbow. You just don't feel it as much when you're growing up in Canada. And I moved to the States I started to notice it a little bit more, but I'm always around good people so it doesn't have an effect on me."Simmonds generally let's his play do the talking, and lately, his performance has spoken volumes, setting a career high in goals last season with 32.- With h/t to Today's SlapshotCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Arizona Coyotes have hired Dawn Braid as skating coach and say she is believed to be the first full-time female coach in NHL history.Braid has a long association with the NHL.She worked part-time for the Coyotes last year and has served as a skating consultant with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, and Calgary Flames.Braid also spent seven years with the Athletes Training Center as director of skating development. Among the skaters she worked with there is New York Islanders center John Tavares.The hiring is the latest in a series of breakthroughs for women in men's sports.Last year, the Buffalo Bills made Kathryn Smith the NFL's first full-time assistant coach. Smith is the team's quality control coach.The NBA has had two female assistant coaches - Becky Hammon of the San Antonio Spurs and Nancy Lieberman of the Sacramento Kings.A year ago, the Arizona Cardinals made Jen Welter the first woman to hold a coaching position of any kind in the NFL when she served as an intern in the preseason.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Roberto Luongo is hopeful he won't miss any regular-season action after undergoing hip surgery back in late May to repair an issue that bothered him throughout last season, albeit not enough to hinder what was an outstanding overall performance by the veteran goaltender.The procedure carried an expected recovery time of five months, meaning Luongo was initially projected to miss at least a handful of Florida Panthers games at the beginning of next season. But after returning to the ice Aug. 5, it seems as though he could indeed be manning the crease when the club opens 2016-17 on Oct. 13 against New Jersey."I'm excited, hopeful to be where I want to be when everything gets going," Luongo told George Richards of the Miami Herald on Wednesday."I'm not 100 percent; it's a five-month rehab. But I'm feeling better than I thought I would. I thought it would be a slower progression, especially on the ice. It has gone fairly quickly and I'm happy about that. If the season were to start tomorrow, I probably wouldn't be able to go. But I feel good where I'm at and I'm excited about it."The Panthers added both James Reimer and Reto Berra to the roster during the offseason, with the former expected to garner a fair share of starts in order to ensure Luongo is fresh for the postseason, or even step in as the starter in the event of another injury.At this point in his career, the added rest isn't something Luongo will complain about."I'm mature enough now to see that at 37, it's tough to play 60 games especially with the travel and all that. To me, it's all about the success of the team here. With Reimer backing me up and playing some games, it should put us in a good position where we want to be come playoff time and that's what it is all about."For now, however, it's all systems go with a view to starting strong once the puck drops on a new season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Canada had to make another amendment to its World Cup of Hockey roster Wednesday, replacing Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith with Jay Bouwmeester of the St. Louis Blues.Keith is continuing to recover from a knee injury suffered last season."We believe it is in his best interests to focus on getting stronger and not risk further injury." the Blackhawks announced via press release.Bouwmeester, who most importantly meets the left-shot void left by Keith, has a decorated history with the Canadian national team. He won an Olympic gold medal in Sochi, owns three World Championship medals, played for the world junior team three times, and represented Canada at the last World Cup in 2004."Our management team and coaching staff felt it was critical to ensure continuity between the number of left- and right-handed defensemen on our roster," Blues and Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong said via press release."And Jay's experience with what it takes to be successful in these short tournaments can’t be undervalued."P.K. Subban, Kris Letang, and fellow left-shot defender Mark Giordano are a few of the elite blue-liners not included on the 23-man roster.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Jurco had minor surgery on his back last week after a workout injury and will miss four-to-six weeks, general manager Ken Holland said, according to MLive.com's Ansar Khan. The recovery time means Jurco's chances of being healthy for the start of the season could be in jeopardy.The 23-year-old split last season between the big club and the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, with whom he posted five goals and nine points in just five games.Holland also shed some light on defenseman Niklas Kronwall, who earlier in the day it was announced won't play for Sweden at the World Cup of Hockey due to a knee injury. Holland noted that Kronwall is feeling better, but that his decision to pull out of the tournament was due to him still not feeling 100 percent.The Red Wings GM wasn't done there, as he also announced that 2015 third-round draft pick Vili Saarijarvi will miss three months after having wrist surgery.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If old habits die hard, banter is everlasting.James van Riemsdyk chopped down former Toronto Maple Leafs teammate Dion Phaneuf by punching in the perfect comment to his latest Instagram post.(Courtesy: @dionphaneuf/Instagram)- with h/t to Steve DangleCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues will make a major announcement on Thursday, naming defenseman Alex Pietrangelo the club's 21st captain, according to Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.Pietrangelo will take over the role that David Backes had served since the beginning of the 2011-12 season. After spending the first 10 seasons of his career with St. Louis, Backes hit free agency this past July, promptly signing a five-year, $30-million contract with the Boston Bruins.As for Pietrangelo, he's set to enter his seventh season with the Blues after being selected fourth overall at the 2008 draft. At just 26 years of age, Pietrangelo already ranks fifth all-time in franchise scoring by defensemen.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Signing with the Edmonton Oilers was no easy choice for Milan Lucic.Related: McDavid fully on board with Oilers' addition of LucicThe 28-year-old joined TSN 1040 on Wednesday, claiming that when it came down to it, almost 10 teams were bidding for his services."There were close to 10 teams that reached out and were really serious about me joining their team," said Lucic. "It was humbling that that many teams reached out and wanted me on their team. I’m not going to lie ... it was a pretty cool feeling to have that many teams wanting you on their team."But also, it made things a lot (more) difficult. Especially talking to a lot of GMs and seeing what they had to offer and what they were proposing."Ultimately, Lucic decided to sign a seven-year, $42-million deal with the Oilers, citing the opportunity to play with Connor McDavid, the chance to win, and his loyalty to Peter Chiarelli - who was acting general manager of the Boston Bruins when Lucic was a member of the team.Related: Lucic hopes to bring swagger to Oilers and play with McDavid"I just kind of went with my heart and what was right for me and my career to be the best that I could be moving forward, and give myself an opportunity to win," said Lucic. "That’s why I went with my heart and my loyalty to Peter and chose the Edmonton Oilers."- With h/t to Today's SlapshotCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While much of the attention in Nashville has focused on recent acquisition P.K. Subban, fellow blue-liner Mattias Ekholm has also emerged as a defensive force.Ekholm, 26, broke out last season, reaching career highs in goals (eight), assists (27), and points (35). His plus-14 rating also paced all Nashville blue-liners.The Swede rounds out an an impressive Nashville defensive core, which also features Subban, Roman Josi, and Ryan Ellis."I think he is developing really well. He (almost) doubled his offensive output from last year," Predators assistant coach Phil Housley told NashvillePredators.com. "Each year, he makes strides in his game in being one of those top four guys."I think (Ekholm's) skating is second to none. He’s got quickness, he’s got speed, he can close as well and he has a great stick."If anyone knows defense, Housley is a safe bet. The former NHLer scored 1,232 points from the blue line during a playing career that spanned nearly 1,500 games.Moving forward, Ekholm's future with the team is secure, having agreed to a six-year extension with the Predators last October."He’s got to continue to be consistent. Sometimes he had some ups and downs this year, but I think that with experience and age that’s going to get better," Housley added. "I think the future looks great for him as well."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL is a copycat league. The success of one champion is often the model for the next.This summer, the popular trend was to build with speed, a style of play which crowned the Pittsburgh Penguins as last season's Stanley Cup winner.Yet, Los Angeles Kings general manager Dean Lombardi sees it differently. He's interested in winning his own way, and continuing to build on the Kings' black-and-blue reputation."I'm not into flavor of the month," Lombardi told Curtis Zupke of NHL.com. "We're going to get there a different way, but I don't see us changing our values and our identity."It's hard to argue with a blueprint that led Los Angeles to two Stanley Cup wins in three years, capturing victory in 2012 and 2014.The present challenge is getting back to the team's winning ways.Los Angeles saw early elimination from last year's postseason, winning just one game before being brushed aside by in-state rival San Jose."We really got exposed in the playoffs," Lombardi said. "I also think we had some mental issues in terms of having dealt with success, and a good punch in the nose like we got in the playoffs hopefully woke us all up."Part of that wake-up call will come with new captain Anze Kopitar, who takes on the captaincy from Dustin Brown.Recently signing an eight-year, $80-million extension, Kopitar is obviously a primary piece of the Kings' core, alongside top blue-liner Drew Doughty and star goalie Jonathan Quick.But Kopitar's extension aside, it was a quiet offseason for Los Angeles - that's to be expected from a club with less than $30,000 in cap space.However, the team did manage to sign free agent winger Teddy Purcell to a one-year, $1.6-million deal. The 30-year-old tallied 43 points last season, split between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers.Meanwhile, the team lost winger Milan Lucic, who signed with the Oilers - a tough loss for the Kings, who coughed up a first-rounder, goalie Martin Jones, and young defenseman Colin Miller for Lucic only a year earlier.Going forward, the Kings will look to their core players and youth to rediscover their winning ways.Los Angeles is counting on some of its young talent, namely Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli, both 24 years old, to play a big role in the team's next wave of success."I think that one of the problems that we've had with our success is that thing I said four years ago," Lombardi said. "Whenever you've won, it's not recapturing the feeling, it's re-inventing the feeling."And that requires these guys now to establish their own identity, their own basis to lead and their own basis to get to the same place that Dustin (Brown) took us."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Team Sweden has called on Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm to replace injured Detroit Red Wings blue-liner Niklas Kronwall at the World Cup.

The Dallas Stars signed forward Jiri Hudler to a one-year, $2-million contract on Wednesday, the team announced.After hitting career highs of 31 goals and 76 points as a member of the Calgary Flames during the 2014-15 season, Hudler regressed last season. The 32-year-old managed only 16 goals and 46 points in 72 games split between the Flames and the Florida Panthers in 2015-16, while also putting up just a single assist in six playoff games.Despite the step back, general manager Jim Nill feels Hudler still holds significant value, and expects him to slot into the club's top six. He also foresees Hudler making a strong addition to the team's power play."Jiri brings a combination of detail, discipline and skill," Nill said in a release."He has a championship pedigree and adding him to our group of forwards solidifies our depth up front, giving our coaching staff a number of options and versatility."The veteran is a solid depth option for a club that already led the league in scoring last season, averaging 3.23 goals per game. If he can rekindle the scoring touch he had the season before last, there's no doubt he'll be one of the biggest bargains of the offseason.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's not often that a team finishes a season first in their respective division, only to rebuild its blue line over the summer.But that's just the case with the Florida Panthers, who brought in three new defensemen this offseason, signing free agents Keith Yandle and Jason Demers to big-ticket deals, and flipping Dmitry Kulikov to the Buffalo Sabres for fellow blue-liner Mark Pysyk.As part of the shake up, the Panthers also said goodbye to former first-rounder Erik Gudbranson, who was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks for winger Jared McCann, while puck mover Brian Campbell signed with his former club, the Chicago Blackhawks. As well, veteran defenseman and team captain Willie Mitchell remains a free agent and is not expected to return."I thought our defense did a real good job last year, but for us to get better, we had to get a little bit more talent, a little bit more speed," Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant told NHL.com. "I think we increased our talent level, our speed, (and) puck movement from the back end."Yandle signed on for seven seasons with Florida, while Demers put pen to paper for five years. The offseason additions join several other new teammates who have committed to the Panthers long term.They join young blue-liner Aaron Ekblad, who signed an 8-year, $60-million pact with the team on July 1, as well as forwards Aleksander Barkov, Vincent Trocheck, Nick Bjugstad, and Reilly Smith, plus goaltenders Roberto Luongo and new acquisition James Reimer, all of whom have signed for the next five seasons."As a head coach, that's what you like to see. They've got a great future," Gallant said. "We've got a great team there and to get those players all signed to long-term contracts, that's huge for our fan base and that's huge for our hockey team because they're all good hockey players."In addition to the second division title in club history, the Panthers finished with a franchise-best 103 points last season. This year, the club looks to take the next step, winning their first playoff series since 1996.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Evgeni Malkin's summer has been cut short, and he couldn't be happier.The Pittsburgh Penguins forward is dealing with the best problem a hockey player could have, with his season being extended by a deep run in the playoffs that saw him capture his second Stanley Cup, and the impending World Cup of Hockey just a few weeks away."These have all been very positive emotions, so they do not interfere," Malkin said, according to NHL.com. "Every player can only dream of a short summer like mine. When you win the Stanley Cup, you just don't have any regrets, you enjoy every single day. You only feel positive emotions, and those are the ultimate pleasures. (The) short summer did not hurt me. I think, I am in pretty good shape."Malkin will help spearhead a strong Russian contingent at the World Cup, where he'll look to add another international championship to his name after collecting World Championships in 2012 and 2014, and a World Under-18 Championship in 2004."Each victory slowly fills this void," Malkin said. "Every time you get a chance to defend the colors of your national team in any international tournament, whether it's the World championship, the Olympic Games, or the World Cup, it's a great honor."Russia's first test of the tournament comes Sept. 18, when they open against Sweden.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Lil B's blessing of the Brampton Beast is giving the club a sudden boost of confidence.The Montreal Canadiens' ECHL affiliate is all but planning the parade after receiving a blessing from the "BasedGod," inviting its opponents to forfeit now that the rapper notorious for placing curses on athletes has spared the organization."The 'blessing' may very well mean a Kelly Cup Championship is in the cards for the Beast for the upcoming 2016-17 season," the team wrote in a release Tuesday."The Beast would like to offer our ECHL competitors the opportunity to forfeit their scheduled contests against the Beast organization in an effort get a head start on the 2017-18 ECHL season."The release includes a form opponents can submit to formally admit defeat:(Courtesy: Brampton Beast)The Lil B/Beast connection began when the team was followed on Twitter by the rapper, whose social media brand almost exclusively involves putting hexes on - or sparing - the likes of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and even the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto FC.This could always backfire and become bulletin-board material for the Beast's rivals, but it's a bold move for a club that is clearly savoring the moment.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Given the choice, Jamie Benn ultimately decided to make sure he's fully ready to go when the puck drops on a new NHL season.The Dallas Stars captain announced Tuesday he's pulling himself off Canada's World Cup roster in light of offseason core muscle surgery. While the six-week recovery timeline suggested he could indeed suit up for the tournament, Benn prioritized his NHL commitment over the national team.Related: Sharks' Couture named to Team Canada, will replace Stars' Benn"Giving everything I have to this organization is my main job, and I want to be ready to go when the season starts," Benn told Mike Heika Of The Dallas News."I'm 100 percent committed to the Stars. That's why we made the decision."Still, the decision wasn't an easy one, as Benn would have had not only an opportunity to add another international win to his resume following a strong showing at the Olympics in 2014, but a chance to play with linemate Tyler Seguin for the first time in a Canada jersey."It's what you dream of growing up," Benn said of playing for his country. "It was a really tough decision."At the end of the day, it's success with the Stars - in the regular season and especially the playoffs - that takes precedence over the World Cup, and Benn is indeed expected to be 100 percent for opening night on Oct. 13.The 27-year-old signed an eight-year, $76-million contract extension on July 15 on the strength of a career-high 41 goals and 89 points this past season, and one year after winning the Art Ross Trophy as the league's highest scorer.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Colorado Avalanche are on the verge of naming Patrick Roy's successor, and they might do it in the next 24 hours.The Avalanche wrapped up interviews Monday and will name their new head coach this week, possibly as early as Wednesday, the club told Mike Chambers of The Denver Post.Chambers and colleague Terry Frei reported Monday that Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach Kevin Dineen and San Jose Sharks assistant coach Bob Boughner have emerged as major candidates for the vacant Colorado job.Other candidates reportedly include New York Rangers associate coach Scott Arniel, Washington Capitals assistant Lane Lambert, and a pair of AHL bench bosses - Jared Bednar of the Cleveland Monsters and Travis Green of the Utica Comets.Roy announced his resignation from his dual role as Avalanche head coach and vice-president of hockey operations earlier this month after three seasons with the team.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Katie Ledecky's Olympic dominance made a big impact on an NHL team with a family connection.The Rio 2016 quintuple medalist and niece of New York Islanders new majority owner Jon Ledecky inspired her uncle's club."One of the players texted me, 'Katie's got her gold medals, now we have to get us a Stanley Cup,'" the elder Ledecky told Cristina Ledra of NHL.com.The Islanders co-owner made the trip to Brazil to watch Katie race and was shown on NBC enthusiastically cheering on his niece during the 200m freestyle final."We are lucky to have great owners that are extremely passionate about the team," Islanders forward Anders Lee said."I've seen (co-owner) Charles (Wang) celebrate after we score a goal as if he's sitting in the seats with the die-hards. Now, witnessing Jon's passion for Katie during her races, and then his excitement after she won was great to see, and I look forward to seeing him do the same when we score goals this season."Lee wasn't the only Islanders player to take notice of her performance."It's inspiring to see any athlete dominate their sport as Katie Ledecky did at the Olympics," defenseman Nick Leddy said. "The fact that she is American and we have a small connection with her because of our owner Jon, made it even more fun to watch."The swimmer, who grew up in Maryland rooting for the Washington Capitals, will toss out the ceremonial first pitch before the Nationals host the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brandon Prust is going to try to make a dream come true.His own, that is, after signing a professional tryout offer with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday."Growing up a Leafs fan, I know that's kind of where my heart is," Prust, who grew up and played junior hockey nearby London, Ont, told Dave Stubbs of NHL.com. "I've always wanted to play for the Leafs. I figure this will be a great opportunity for me."Prust appeared in only 35 games for the Vancouver Canucks last season, and was shut down in March due to a nagging ankle injury that required surgery.Despite his desire to stick with the Maple Leafs out of camp, he's hopeful a good showing will boost his stock if Toronto decided to go a different way."Every team wants to see that my ankle and my foot speed are good before I get a contract," he said. "That's one of the reasons nobody was willing to give me a contract outright - nobody was really sure how my recovery was or how I'd bounce back from last season."I just have to earn it now, prove that I'm back to 100 percent."Prust has appeared in 486 career regular-season games - including three seasons with the rival Montreal Canadiens - and has 115 points and 1,036 penalty minutes to his credit.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Raffi Torres appears ready to retire from professional hockey if he doesn't land an NHL contract for the upcoming season.The rugged 34-year-old winger has not played since the 2015 preseason, where he was suspended 41 games for a hit on Jakob Silfverberg of the Anaheim Ducks, but he is hoping to get an invitation to a training camp this season.Supplementary discipline and various injuries - most recently knee surgery - have limited him to 44 regular-season games since the 2013 season, and Torres says he'll likely hang up his skates if he can't land a job with one of the NHL's 30 clubs."To be honest, I’ve never been one for Plan B’s," Torres, who was under contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs before becoming an unrestricted free agent on July 1, told John Matisz of Postmedia. "I’ve been telling everybody (who asks about my future), it’s probably going to be The Show or no."Torres added he's been training heavily for the past several months in order to test his knee, which he admits may not hold up under the rigors of an 82-game schedule.That may be a tough sell. If he does choose to retire, his career would be capped at 635 games, 137 goals, and 497 penalty minutes.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nearly three months after Logan Couture called out Sidney Crosby for cheating in the faceoff circle during the Stanley Cup final, the San Jose Sharks forward is singing a different tune.Couture was added to Team Canada's World Cup of Hockey roster on Tuesday - in the wake of Jamie Benn's surgery and continued recovery - and admits he won't complain about Crosby's faceoff antics or preferential treatment from refs now that the two are teammates."He's on my team now, so he can do it as much as he wants," Couture said, according to Ryan Pyette of the London Press Press.If you can't beat them, join them.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators signed defenseman Cody Ceci to a two-year, $5.6-million contract on Tuesday, the team announced.Ceci - who had been a restricted free-agent - will make $2.25 million this upcoming season and see a $1.1-million raise for the 2017-18 campaign.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs great and NHL Hall of Famer Darryl Sittler was named Tuesday as one of the 2016 inductees into Canada's Walk of Fame.