Brian Burke believes that Jimmy Vesey is a rare college free agent who can have an impact in the NHL.But the President of Hockey Operations for the Calgary Flames isn't as sold on other NCAA recruits."If you look at the college free agents, they have made a dramatically insignificant contribution to our league," Burke told TSN. "Tyler Bozak might be the best one. Of the 100 or 150 that have signed, most have very little impact."While Burke admitted that Vesey is not in discussions with the Flames, he believes that Vesey will be a worthwhile addition to the team he joins."I think (Vesey) is going to play and make a difference. I think he's going to be a good player," Burke said. "But if you look at that group, and the money that the league has spent on those players, and their contribution, it is a pimple on an elephant's butt."As the former general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Burke signed Bozak as an undrafted college free agent in 2009. With Toronto, Burke also signed college free agents Christian Hanson and Brayden Irwin, who combined for fewer than 50 games in the NHL.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Lightning never gave up on Jonathan Drouin.Following a leaked trade request and an initial refusal to report to the club's minor-league affiliate, it appeared that Drouin's time in Tampa had all but evaporated.Yet, the tide turned in the playoffs, when a recalled Drouin caught fire, tallying five goals and nine assists through 17 postseason matches - good for third in Lightning playoff scoring.It marked a sharp contrast from Drouin's regular-season play."Jonathan (Drouin) always had the talent, he just had to find his way through the mental aspect of the game. When he figured that (out), the sky became the limit for this kid," Lightning head coach Jon Cooper told NHL.com."One of the things about our organization and the way things have been done is, we don't give up on players. We don't come in here and say, 'Well, because a player was drafted at a certain level he's expected to do certain things.' Everybody develops at a different rate."It was certainly an adjustment for Drouin, the third overall pick in the 2013 NHL entry draft, who in his final junior season excelled to 108 points in 46 games."I have to give him a ton of credit because he looked himself in the mirror and said, 'I'm going to be a hockey player'," Cooper said. "He proved during that playoff run last season that he's a heck of a hockey player."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2016 World Cup may just be the start.According to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, this year's tournament could lay the groundwork for future international hockey competitions."We would like to do the World Cup on a regular basis, perhaps in locations throughout the world," Bettman told NHL.com. "We're looking at other competitions that we can do internationally on a regular basis."A possible itinerary could include the World Cup played every four years, a hockey version of pro golf's Ryder Cup, as well as international exhibition and regular-season games."With (the World Cup) as the foundation, you're going to see an increased international presence on a regular basis," Bettman said, "Whether it's exhibition games with NHL teams against each other, against local teams, regular-season games, clinics."And now with this as the foundation we have an opportunity to do further exploration for a sport that has the most diverse player group of any of the North American sports."The NHL last played international regular-season games as part of the 2011 NHL Premiere. That year, the Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, and New York Rangers hosted games in Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Sweden.The 2016 World Cup begins Sept. 17 in Toronto. Eight teams will participate in the event, including six nations (Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden, and the United States), as well as a European All-Star team (Team Europe) and a North American under-23 team.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Unable to acquire a top-six scorer this summer, the Philadelphia Flyers are confident that the answer may already be part of the team.The Flyers had hoped to add offensive help this offseason, but their additions have been limited to winger Dale Weise and center Boyd Gordon.Weise signed a four-year, $9.4-million deal with the Flyers on July 1. The 28-year-old split last season between the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks, combining for 14 goals.In 15 games with the Blackhawks, Weise tallied a single point. He scored a career-high 29 points with the Canadiens in 2014-15.Gordon, meanwhile, is a noted penalty killer and faceoff specialist, but can't be looked toward as a scoring threat. In 65 games with the Arizona Coyotes last season, he scored two goals. The 32-year-old has never reached double-digit goals at the NHL level."In a perfect world, you bring in a guy who's an elite scorer, but those guys don't fall off trees," Flyers general manager Ron Hextall told NHL.com. "When you can't do that, you tend to look at depth scoring, and we felt we added depth scoring for our lineup."We've got to get better from within. It's on a number of our players to be better hockey players than they were a year ago."The Flyers scored just 214 goals last season, ranking 22nd league-wide. It marked the franchise's lowest full-season goal output since 2002-03.Philadelphia will look for improved performances from its existing stable, namely wingers Brayden Schenn and Jakub Voracek.Schenn, 24, who recently signed a four-year extension with the club, notched career highs in goals (26), assists (33), and points (59) last season. The expectation is that he can reach another level."Brayden is a very good young player who has continued to get better and we hope he continues to get better," Hextall said.The team also expects more from Voracek, whose production slid a staggering 26 points, while his goal production was half that of his previous season. The Flyers signed Voracek to an eight-year, $66-million deal last July."Typically after a guy signs a big contract there's more expected of him from himself. As an organization, we signed a good hockey player and we didn't expect him to be any more than he was, (but) there's a certain burden that comes with that," Hextall said. "I'm sure there will be a lot of growth from Jake from last year."Sometimes you've got to struggle or maybe not play up to your potential to realize what you're doing to play your best. He learned some valuable lessons last year."The Flyers were eliminated in six games by the Washington Capitals in the opening round of last year's playoffs. Philadelphia has missed the postseason in two of the past four years.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Another day, another hire.The NHL's newest franchise has added David Conte to its hockey operations department, the team announced on Wednesday.Conte will serve as the special advisor to hockey operations with Las Vegas.The 68-year-old previously served as the director of amateur scouting for the New Jersey Devils until 2015. His scouting history with the Devils dates back 31 years.Conte was a part of three Stanley Cup wins in New Jersey, in 1995, 2000, and 2003.Under Conte, the Devils drafted a handful of star players, including Brendan Shanahan, Martin Brodeur, Scott Niedermayer, Patrik Elias, and Zach Parise.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A week after the resignation of head coach Patrick Roy, the Colorado Avalanche have shortened their list of candidates to fill the team's head coaching vacancy.According to the The Denver Post, Cleveland Monsters head coach Jared Bednar is believed to be the top candidate. Bednar, 44, has four years of head coaching experience at the AHL level, winning the Calder Cup with the Monsters last season. In 2009, he led the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays to the Kelly Cup.Other top candidates are believed to be Lane Lambert, an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals, New York Rangers' associate head coach Scott Arniel, and Travis Green of the AHL's Utica Comets.Lambert, 51, has coached under Capitals' head coach Barry Trotz since 2011, in both Washington and Nashville.Arniel has been with the Rangers for the past three seasons. The 53-year-old previously spent part of two seasons as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, most recently in 2012.Green, 45, is considered a highly-coveted up-and-coming coach, having coached the past six seasons in the WHL and AHL. He was a finalist for the Anaheim Ducks' head coaching vacancy.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

"Hi, can I speak to Jimmy Vesey? It's Sidney Crosby."Imagine getting that phone call. It's possible young Vesey did.The prized collegiate free agent remains the talk of the hockey world during Jimmy Vesey Week, and he was reportedly contacted by the Pittsburgh Penguins' captain on behalf of the organization, according to ESPN's Joe MacDonald.The Penguins were one of seven teams Vesey met with during the week, as he decides his future. An announcement is expected Friday, or on the weekend at the latest.Related: Report: Former Capitals draft pick DiPauli to sign with PenguinsThe Crosby news is the latest in recruitment gossip, as teams have been pulling out all the stops. Patrick Kane was reportedly involved in the Chicago Blackhawks' pitch, while the New York Islanders put John Tavares to work.No pressure, Jimmy.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The KHL sent a message Thursday: Zero tolerance.Damir Ryspaev, who started a massive brawl during an exhibition game Aug. 8, has been banned for life for his actions, the league announced.The Barys Astana defenseman can't appeal the ban, the league added, but said "it may be reversed if the disciplinary committee agrees to review any statement from the individual concerned."KHL president Dmitry Chernyshenko said the following in a statement:

A trip to the "Mr. Hockey" statue in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan could soon take on a more significant meaning.The family of Gordie Howe - who was cremated after his death on June 10 - has requested the legend's ashes be interred in the base of the statue bearing his likeness outside the SaskTel Centre, according to The Canadian Press.Saskatoon city official Catherine Gryba made the following comments in a release:

Brendan Gallagher can't wait to get back to work.The 24-year-old's barely taken any time off this summer, training in British Columbia after playing for Canada at the World Championship. A week of golf, a couple of days to get over some jet lag, that's it. Otherwise, Gallagher's all about the coming season - and he's looking forward to it."I think everyone's starting to miss it," Gallagher told canadiens.com's Matt Cudzinowski. "You start to get antsy around this time of year."A superpest, Gallagher's going to have some competition as the most agitating Canadien, thanks to the addition of Andrew Shaw."Bringing in a guy like Shea Weber who has won gold medals, Shaw who has two Stanley Cups, and (Alexander) Radulov whose had a lot of success no matter where he played, getting to play with those guys is something I'm excited about."Gallagher said that after a tumultuous 2015-16 season in Montreal, it's now on the players to do their jobs."The exciting part is that everyone starts with zero points in the standings," Gallagher added. "Last year doesn't matter anymore, unless you're the Pittsburgh Penguins. Everyone starts from scratch and you go from there."The Canadiens are tied for first, in other words.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jimmy Vesey isn't the only unrestricted college free agent looking for work.Former Washington Capitals draft pick Thomas DiPauli hit the market Tuesday at midnight ET, and he's reportedly already set to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins, according to AZSports' Craig Morgan.A Notre Dame product, DiPauli had 14 goals and 18 assists in 37 games last season. He was drafted 100th overall in 2012.Nothing's official yet, according to The Washington Post's Isabelle Khurshudyan, but it certainly appears DiPauli won't be staying with the Capitals.

While the hockey world awaits the decision of Harvard standout Jimmy Vesey, many are speculating about how much impact the 23-year-old will have on whichever team he finally picks.Vesey, the reigning Hobey Baker winner as the NCAA's best player, is a coveted prospect for his complete game driven by offensive skill, which many believe can translate to the pro level.Though he seems like a surefire prospect at this point of his career, many college free agents over the years have failed to live up to the hype after being courted by multiple teams.Here are three examples:Justin Schultz Although he rejuvenated his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins last postseason, Schultz's breakthrough to the NHL didn't go as expected.Schultz used the same clause Vesey did in spurning the Anaheim Ducks, the team that drafted him 43rd overall in 2008, and joined the Edmonton Oilers after his final season at Wisconsin in 2012.The Oilers anticipated Schultz to be the top defenseman they had long coveted, but average offensive numbers and below average defensive play made for disaster in Edmonton.Sure, maybe he just needed a better team, but in hindsight, Schultz's initial impact was underwhelming.Drew LeBlancWho? You might ask.While LeBlanc's recruiting process to the NHL didn't garner the attention on the same level of Schultz or Vesey, the Chicago Blackhawks inked him out of St. Cloud State in 2013, coming off a 50-point season that earned him the Hobey Baker Award.Yes, the Blackhawks have a pretty tough roster to crack, but LeBlanc amassed just two games with the pro club in 2013, and spent the next two seasons with their AHL affiliate in Rockford, collecting 28 points over 117 games.Matt GilroyPerhaps the most comparable buzz to Vesey's was Gilroy's, as the Boston University product was highly courted after winning the Hobey Baker and National Championship.He ultimately chose the New York Rangers, signing a two-year, $3.5-million contract in 2009.After two seasons with the Rangers, Gilroy signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and spent time with the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers, bouncing from the AHL to NHL regularly.All told, Gilroy produced respectable defensive numbers but only contributed 48 points in 225 contests, failing to live up to the No. 1 defenseman reputation bestowed upon him as a college free agent.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There was no shortage of star power involved in a recent slew of meetings hosted by free-agent forward Jimmy Vesey and his representatives.Following a report that captain John Tavares was in attendance for the New York Islanders' pitch to the NCAA standout, Chicago Blackhawks winger and reigning Art Ross Trophy and Hart Trophy winner Patrick Kane accompanied team representatives to their meeting, according to Mark Divver of The Providence Journal.Meanwhile Vesey's agent, Peter Fish, confirmed no decision is coming Thursday."Just taking everything in from the past couple of days and trying to digest and sort through," he texted DJ Bean of WEEI.Eight teams are believed to be in the mix for Vesey's services, with the Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Toronto Maple Leafs joining the Buffalo Sabres - who held Vesey's rights up until Aug. 16 - in the pursuit.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Lagging contract negotiations won't deter a pair of young defensemen from playing in the World Cup of Hockey.Washington Capitals restricted free agent Dmitry Orlov will suit up for Russia "no matter what," his agent, Mark Gandler, told Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post.The same goes for Jacob Trouba of the Winnipeg Jets, who will represent Team North America.

The Las Vegas NHL franchise has announced the hiring of Murray Craven as senior vice president.Under his new title, Craven will be responsible for the development of a practice facility, ensuring T-Mobile Arena is NHL ready, identifying and maintaining the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, and overseeing projects delegated by general manager George McPhee.Craven, who spent 18 NHL seasons playing left wing, has served as an advisor to owner Bill Foley's Black Knight Sports & Entertainment group for the past two years.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues continue to plan for a future that includes Vladimir Sobotka.General manager Doug Armstrong said in July that Sobotka would return to Missouri, but reports in Russia have him remaining in the KHL. His agent, however, confirmed his client's return to the U.S."I spoke to the agent (Wednesday), and he said (Sobotka) will be here," Armstrong told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jeremy Rutherford.The 29-year-old has an out clause in his KHL contract, and Rutherford writes that there's a paperwork delay in having the forward's contract terminated.Sobotka spent the last two seasons in Russia, scoring 28 goals. He last played for the Blues in 2013-14, registering nine goals and 33 points in 61 games. He's under contract with the Blues for one more season, scheduled to earn $2.725 million.A fourth-round pick by the Boston Bruins in 2005, Sobotka's played 381 games in the NHL, scoring 35 goals and adding 88 assists. He has 12 points in 40 career playoff games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers have signed defenseman John Gilmour to a reported two-year deal, according to Mark Divver of the Providence Journal.

Bruce Boudreau is no longer with the Anaheim Ducks, but his legacy lives on among the coaching staff.More specifically, Boudreau left a lasting impression on Sudarshan Maharaj, who was named Anaheim's new goalie coach after serving as a consultant and working with the AHL's San Diego Gulls last season.A native of Trinidad, Maharaj says an encounter with Boudreau during the coach's playing days with the Toronto Maple Leafs permanently turned him onto the game.As it happened, Boudreau tossed a puck over the glass that was caught by Maharaj, who was attending his first NHL game as a young boy. The rest, as they say, is history."I told Bruce that story," Maharaj explained to William Douglas of The Color of Hockey. "He was shocked that I remembered. I said 'Are you crazy? That’s a life-changing moment. It was one of my greatest experiences. My very first hockey game and a Toronto Maple Leafs player dropped a puck for me.' To this day, if I ever see a young child in the stands I’ll always throw a puck."Maharaj served as the New York Islanders' goalie coach from 2003 to 2006, and goaltending consultant for the team from 2009 to 2012. He's most recently worked closely with John Gibson, who's set to take over the starting gig for the Ducks in 2016-17.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Phil Kessel isn't the only Toronto performer to take center stage in Pittsburgh.Following in the footsteps of the Penguins winger, Drake made the trip down from Canada to perform at the Consol Energy Center on Wednesday, where he received quite a gift from Alexa Lemieux, daughter of team owner and hockey legend Mario Lemieux.

Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving jumped at the chance to reunite with the man he worked under for seven years in the desert.The Flames hired Don Maloney as a pro scout Wednesday, four months after the Arizona Coyotes let him go following nine years of service as GM - seven of them spent working alongside Treliving, who served as his assistant.Approached by several teams in regards to a similar position, Maloney saw the Flames as the best fit because of his relationships with Treliving and Brian Burke, the club's president of hockey operations."My relationship with Brad is as close as anyone in hockey," Maloney said Wednesday, according to Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun. "And Brian Burke, he’s been a good friend and he’s one guy who has consistently communicated with me for months after I got let go. ..."You do appreciate those people who continually reach out and check. I just kept coming back to my relationship with Brad and my feelings about Burkie. I feel like I know this organization well, I like where they’re at as a team, and I feel like I can help."Maloney said he had no interest in watching games this season without being part of a hockey team in some capacity, and Treliving believes the front-office veteran will be a valuable asset for the club."Don has a keen mind and a keen eye," Treliving said of the hire. "I think one of his strong suits is being able to find value in players that are maybe undervalued. His experience, his work ethic, and his talent evaluation, that’s what he brings to us."Maloney will remain based in Arizona, and will be on the lookout for potential diamonds in the rough."You hope you can bring some positive ideas, thoughts, evaluations and find that hidden gem that is maybe either in the minors or struggling at the NHL level and needs a change of scenery," Maloney said.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The clock is ticking, Jimmy.As the hockey world patiently awaits what will prove to be a very drawn-out decision by Jimmy Vesey, ESPN's Joe McDonald reports that the 23-year-old Harvard product has met with all the teams on his short list.

After U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal urged NHL comissioner Gary Bettman to change his stance on the link between concussions and long-term brain damage, Bettman stands firm."Obviously the senator has his opinions and we have ours," Bettman said Wednesday, according to Jonas Siegel of The Canadian Press.Blumenthal reached out to the commissioner in June, and has since penned a letter on how the league should address the issue of concussions and possible Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in the brains of current and former players.But Bettman has repeatedly denied Blumenthal's claims, and refuses to get in a "public debate" about the matter. Bettman also said he believes "medical and scientific decisions should be made by scientists and physicians."Although both sides continue to go back and forth, Bettman doesn't believe it's worth much."It hasn't gained any traction," he said.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Joe Pavelski is your new Captain America.The San Jose Sharks forward is expected to be named Team USA's captain for the World Cup of Hockey in September, according to Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area, backed by NHL.com.In 2015-16 - his first season as Sharks captain - Pavelski scored 38 goals and 40 assists in 82 games, adding another 23 points in 24 playoff contests as San Jose appeared in its first-ever Stanley Cup Final.Internationally, Pavelski has represented the Stars and Stripes at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, earning a silver medal in Vancouver.Team USA kicks things off Sept. 17 in Toronto versus Team Europe.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The movement to streamline goalie equipment in the NHL appears to have hit a speed bump.In March, ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reported the league is "full-steam ahead" in shrinking the gear, but speaking at a World Cup of Hockey press conference Wednesday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the process isn't yet completed."It's still a work in progress," Bettman said, according to Sportsnet's Mark Spector. "I know our people in hockey operations are working very hard with the players' association. I am hopeful that we can get it in place because I think it's important."The goal was to have the equipment ready for the World Cup in September, but Spector reports the NHL and NHLPA have yet to agree on the new gear."We're supposed to have everything in play for Game 1 (of the World Cup)," Team Canada and St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. "But my belief on that stuff is, you worry about things you have control over. That's not something (he can control). Either it's going to be there or it's not; we're going to play with it or we're not."While it's unknown when the new equipment will be implemented, it's clear the transition isn't going as smooth as initially hoped.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues fell short of their ultimate goal last season, but still managed to take major strides in advancing to the Western Conference Final, an accomplishment that's eluded the club for 15 years.Now, with last season's postseason run in the rearview mirror, the Blues are looking ahead to next year with a significantly different roster.Longtime captain David Backes left for the Boston Bruins, Troy Brouwer signed with the Calgary Flames, joining former St. Louis goaltender Brian Elliott.With several key cogs now in different places, the Blues have to rely on a smaller, younger roster to contend once again, something general manager Doug Armstrong isn't particularly concerned with."It's a different group," Armstrong told Nick Cotsonika of NHL.com. "We've been a little bit on autopilot the last couple of years, just bringing back a good group year in and year out. This is the first time we've had some change, and I think everyone's excited about it."Among the youth St. Louis employs is sniper Vladimir Tarasenko, only 24-years-old, along with emerging forward Robby Fabbri, 20, and blossoming top-four defenseman Colton Parayko, 23."I think the game is getting faster, and youth is being served," Armstrong said. "I think we were going to transfer to this regardless."Much of the onus will fall on Tarasenko's shoulders, as the team's most dynamic forward, and Armstrong believes a growing role for the Russian will do him and the team well."He'll be really good, and he expects to be really good, and we need him to be really good," Armstrong said.Having eliminated division rivals Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars in the postseason, the new-look Blues will surely have targets on their backs in the mighty Central Division come October.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Matt Cullen is giving it another go.The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed the veteran forward to a one-year contract worth $1 million, the club announced Wednesday.Cullen reunited with general manager Jim Rutherford - whom he won a Cup with in Carolina in 2006 - in Pittsburgh on a one-year deal last offseason after contemplating retirement. Cullen, however, ended up becoming a key piece to the Penguins' Stanley Cup run.The 39-year-old suited up in all 82 contests last season, notching 16 goals and 16 assists, chipping in another six points in 24 playoff games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A freak accident in Sweden's second-tier pro league cost a linesman one of his fingers Tuesday.As the video shows, the official was bumped out along the boards during a game between Tingsryds and Oskarshamn, and lost a finger as a result.

Johnny Gaudreau will be heading to Toronto to play hockey, and nothing more.The restricted free agent, who will play for Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey, has not yet signed a new contract with the Calgary Flames. The winger is reportedly unwilling to keep talking while wearing the international jersey.From Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet:

The future is now for hockey.The NHL held a press conference Wednesday to discuss the upcoming World Cup of Hockey, including the introduction of brand new technology.Related: World Cup of Hockey jerseys will feature SAP as sponsorIt was unveiled that both pucks and player jerseys will feature computer chips that track player speed, distance between players, shot direction, time on ice, and more. The tracking will be used during broadcasts.

Noah Syndergaard's latest pitch didn't come from the mound.The New York Mets pitcher took to Twitter Wednesday, trying to persuade free-agent forward Jimmy Vesey to join the New York Rangers.

Jerseys at the World Cup of Hockey will indeed include advertisements.Multinational software company SAP will be the official sponsor of each country's home and away jerseys, which will feature the SAP logo, the NHL announced Wednesday.

In the end, Dale Weise chose the better deal over the opportunity to return to the Montreal Canadiens.Hopeful of making a return to the bleu, blanc, et rouge as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, the 28-year-old ended up signing a four-year, $9.4-million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers after not liking what he saw in Montreal's offer."When the negotiation period opened up, we put a call into (Montreal) because we figured they’d have some interest," Weise told Stu Cowan of Hockey Inside/Out. "We didn’t talk all week long until the morning of July 1, and then they made an offer. But it wasn’t really a substantial one and that was kind of the only one they made and we said: 'OK, that’s not going to work.' And that was kind of the extent of it."It was a three-year deal, but it was nowhere near what I was getting paid in Philly," added Weise. "So I said: 'You guys are going to have to come up a lot more.' I’m not going to take less money to play there."A Canadiens fan growing up, Weise played 152 games over parts of three seasons with Montreal before being traded to Chicago prior to the 2016 trade deadline.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Islanders are hoping their star center can help them land their next star winger.Captain John Tavares is in Boston along with the Islanders' brass, supporting the club's attempt to recruit unrestricted free agent Jimmy Vesey, according to the Globe and Mail's James Mirtle.Related: Red Wings pitch Vesey, told he wants to be 'closer to home'The Islanders were reportedly among the handful of teams who pitched Vesey on Tuesday, while it's believed the New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Boston Bruins will hold meetings with the 23-year-old on Wednesday.Tavares is surely not the first player asked to be part of a team's pitch to Vesey, as it was reported that 2016 first-overall pick Auston Matthews was in attendance when the Toronto Maple Leafs spoke with Vesey on Tuesday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jimmy Vesey isn't the only college player attracting attention on the free-agent market.Notre Dame forward Thomas DiPauli, who was unable to come to terms on an entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals, is receiving interest from at least six teams, according to Mark Divver of The Providence Journal.Drafted in the fourth round (100th overall) by the Capitals in 2012, DiPauli recorded 14 goals and 18 assists in 37 games for Notre Dame last season, and averaged 0.54 points per game over his four NCAA seasons.DiPauli shares an agent with Vesey, meaning the representatives for both players are among the busiest people in hockey this week.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While the world's best summer athletes continue to captivate the world in Rio, the thought of doing the very same in 2018 is already on John Tavares' mind.Related: Tavares committed to winning Cup with IslandersThe New York Islanders' forward had the luxury of capturing gold with Team Canada at the 2014 Olympics, and while the NHL's participation in the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea remains uncertain, Tavares is adamant he would like to attend."For sure. I would love to go. I’d love another opportunity," Tavares told Sportsnet.ca. "I think it’s great for the game. As players, we love to represent our country. We don’t see best-on-best very much. It’s great the World Cup of Hockey is coming back, but at the same time the Olympic Games is something special."As a hockey player, winning the Stanley Cup is the ultimate achievement. But as an athlete, participating in the Olympics is something specially regarded. Representing your country there is something we’d love to do again. There’s hurdles that need to be overcome, but it’s a lot of fun."Related: Bettman: NHL participation in 2018 Olympics not a current priorityWhile Tavares did receive a medal in 2014, a knee injury forced him to miss the final two games of the tournament, so being able to to get the full experience would mean a lot to the 25-year-old."I’d love a little redemption, to be part of that, to play in those games, those intense moments," said Tavares. "I missed being in the locker room between periods or even skating warmup before the game, being in the battles on the ice. Those are things that are special. You want to have an impact out there. I’m looking forward to having that opportunity this time around."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bobby Orr has a solution to curb injuries and increase creativity in today's NHL: bring back the two-line offside pass rule."I think we have to put the center red line (passing rule) back ... (to prevent) injuries and because the game is being played the same now," Orr told Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun."You can pass from your zone all the way to the other line, deflect it in, go get it and shoot it out. Back and forth. If you have to carry that puck out of your end and make a pass, skate with it, it makes it different."Removed from the rule book following the lost 2004-05 NHL season with a view to creating a faster and more exciting game, the two-line pass rule forced a stoppage in play if a pass originating from inside a team's defensive zone was completed on the opposite side of the center red line, unless the puck crossed the line before the player.In Orr's view, however, the rule change is no longer accomplishing its goal."I don’t think (removing the line) has increased the offence, nor has the trapezoid," he added. "It’s made it a dangerous game, guys flying out of their end, looking for that long stretch pass and bang, they’re being hit. These guys are so much bigger and faster than when I played."The topic was broached at the 2012 NHL general managers meeting, but was put on the back burner for the time being.Maybe the game's greatest defenseman and current player agent will be able to put the discussion back on the table.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jimmy Vesey sweepstakes will continue in earnest Wednesday with a trio of meetings.The college standout and his agents are expected to meet with the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and Boston Bruins, according to Mark Divver of The Providence Journal.The Bruins, who will reportedly be pitching last, are set to show off their new digs as part of the meeting:

Radim Vrbata is back with the team he never wanted to leave.After signing a one-year deal with the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday, Vrbata is thrilled to return to where he previously spent six seasons, with his most recent stint coming in 2014."We never really wanted to leave," Vrbata told Arizona Sports. "We love living in Arizona. Every time I was a free agent, I always wanted to get it done with Phoenix and for some reason it didn't happen so we had to go with different options."Vrbata fills a major need for the Coyotes, who have a number of up-and-coming wingers but are thin on the right side. The Czech winger will likely play a top-nine role alongside captain Shane Doan and third-year pro Anthony Duclair.His production slipped to just 27 points last season, but the Coyotes are confident he can rediscover his form in Arizona, where he's had his best seasons.Vrbata's most impressive season with the Coyotes came in 2011-12, when he finished with 35 goals and 62 points while lining up with countryman Martin Hanzal.Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett envisions a similar role for Vrbata, who could reunite with Hanzal or pair with rookie center Dylan Strome."It's logical to think he might go back beside Hanzal because he had some success there," Tippett said, "But Duclair had success there, too, and one of the kids may come up and have success, too."(Vrbata) is a smart player that adapts to situations. Positionally, he is a good fit for us as a right-handed skill shot, but I think he's got to play on a line that has the ability to control the puck so that they get shots."Vrbata will certainly have some extra motivation, as his one-year pact comes with performance bonuses totaling $3.25 million. After being paid a $1-million base, the veteran winger can earn $500,000 for playing 30 games, another half-million for totaling either 20 goals or 40 points, and another $1.25 million in playoff-related bonuses.The 35-year-old Vrbata originally came to the Coyotes following a 2007 trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, playing one season with the club before signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Just over a year later, he was dealt back to the Coyotes, with whom he spent the next five seasons.Over six seasons with the team, he's scored 137 goals - 11th-most in franchise history.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Daniel Alfredsson's crowning moment as the Ottawa Senators' franchise benchmark player will come Dec. 29, as the club announced Tuesday his iconic No. 11 will be retired against the Detroit Red Wings."Alfie," who spent 17 seasons with the club, setting team records in goals (426), assists (682), and points (1,108), was moved by the Senators' decision."I'm extremely humbled," Alfredsson said Tuesday, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. "It sounds really good when Mr. Melnyk and (master of ceremonies) Gord (Wilson) talk about what I achieved with all the goals and points ... I played for a long time so you have to get old to do that."Alfredsson thanked his former teammates, coaches, staff, family and friends, and everyone along the journey that got him to this point."That's what makes this special: I'm extremely honored and humbled," he said.Although he's looking forward to the ceremony, Alfredsson admitted he isn't quite sure what to expect."I don't think I understand what it means yet to be honest."Guaranteed to receive a riveting standing ovation from the home crowd, Alfredsson is well aware holding back his emotions won't be an easy task."It's going to be pretty emotional I'm sure," he said. "My retirement night was emotional. I'm not afraid to cry. If I do, I'm fine with it."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While the hockey world is focused on Nashville's newest prize in P.K. Subban, Predators GM David Poile was quick to remind it of Ryan Johansen.Acquired in a January blockbuster deal from the Columbus Blue Jackets, Johansen fit in well during his short time in the Music City, filling a long-time need at center for the Predators."I think Ryan is going to have his best year ever (in the NHL)," Poile told SiriusXM NHL on Monday. "I mean, that's probably a lot of pressure and I guess a challenge. But he is a No. 1 center and I would say, with all due respect, he had an off-year last year and this year his conditioning is terrific."His off-season has been really good. He's going to be in Nashville at the end of this week in preparation for the season and I expect him to have the best year of his career."In 42 games with Nashville last season, the 24-year-old Johansen scored eight goals and added 26 assists. He continued to find the net in the playoffs, managing eight points in 14 games, and contributing to the Predators' third playoff series win in franchise history.Nashville has taken on a new look under head coach Peter Laviolette, with the Preds now seen as a team that pushes the pace in the offensive zone."We think we're going in the right direction," Poile added. "Last year was a good step in that process by beating Anaheim in the first round and taking San Jose to the seventh game in the second round."So hope springs eternal here that we feel we're certainly in the mix as a good team, and a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup next year. That's what the plan is."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators announced Tuesday they will retire former captain Daniel Alfredsson's No. 11 before a Dec. 29 game next season against the Detroit Red Wings.Alfredsson was selected by the newly formed Senators Player Honouring Committee and will join Frank Finnigan as just the second Senators player to have their number retired."Daniel is an iconic figure in the history of our franchise. We are very excited to announce that the Senators Player Honouring Committee has unanimously decided that as we embark on the Ottawa Senators 25th season in the NHL, this would be the perfect time to have Daniel’s number 11 raised to the rafters of Canadian Tire Centre," Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said in a release. "Daniel has consistently demonstrated class and excellence throughout his NHL career so it is only fitting his jersey number be retired to hang alongside the number 8 of legendary Frank Finnigan."

The Arizona Coyotes officially signed forward Radim Vrbata to a one-year contract Tuesday, the team announced.Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but ESPN's Craig Custance reported Monday that both parties agreed on a contract worth $1 million in base salary, along with bonuses."We are very pleased to sign Radim to a one-year contract," general manager John Chayka said in a statement. "He's a proven goal-scorer who will add skill and smarts to our lineup. We look forward to having him back in a Coyotes uniform this season."Now 35, Vrbata played 428 games over six years with the organization from 2007-14. During that tenure, he amassed 137 goals and 288 points."I'm very excited to rejoin the Coyotes," said Vrbata. "My family and I love living in Arizona and I'm really looking forward to helping this team win."After posting career highs in both goals and points - 31 and 63, respectively - as a Vancouver Canuck during the 2014-15 season, Vrbata's production tapered off. He only managed 13 goals and 27 points in 63 contests last season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jimmy Vesey's hometown club will get the last chance to wow the free-agent forward.Related: On the Fly: Predicting where Jimmy Vesey signsThe Boston Bruins will be the final team that talks to Vesey and his camp Wednesday, sources told Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com.The Bruins could have an edge on signing the 2016 Hobey Baker Award winner after Vesey told the Detroit Red Wings he wouldn't sign with them, citing a desire to play closer to home.Vesey will reportedly meet with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jimmy Vesey appears to have given the axe to at least one club vying for his services.The Detroit Red Wings made a pitch for the 23-year-old free agent, but were told the Hobey Baker Winner would like to remain closer to his hometown of Boston."We did our best," Red Wings assistant general manager Ryan Martin said, according to MLive.com's Ansar Khan. "We spoke to his agent about depth and opportunity. He said he preferred to play closer to home."Vesey's assertion could serve as good news for his hometown Boston Bruins, the New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, or New York Rangers, but may cause concern for the likes of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks. Each of the teams have shown considerable interest in Vesey.Earlier in the day, it was reported Vesey was scheduled to meet Tuesday with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Maple Leafs, Islanders, and Devils, according to Mark Divver of the Providence Journal.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carey Price may be Canada's man between the pipes when the World Cup of Hockey kicks off next month.The Montreal Canadiens netminder missed the majority of last season with a MCL sprain, but is now healthy and will join Team Canada in training camp."He’s been training. He’s 100 percent and he’s ready to go," Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong said, according to Sportsnet's Mark Spector. "Now, he’ll have to shake off some of the rust because he hasn’t played in a game situation in a long time. But he will come into (training camp) and be ready to go for Game 1."While there was initial doubt as to whether Price would be healthy enough to participate when the team was first named, Armstrong insists the plan all along was to have the 2014-15 Hart Trophy winner involved in some capacity."When we picked our initial roster he wasn’t playing, but we wanted him as part of the process," Armstrong said. "He is, by his stature the past couple of years and what he did in Sochi, maybe the best goalie on the planet, and we wanted to make sure he was comfortable with everything. We’ve stayed in touch with him over his rehab."Price told reporters in June he feels 100 percent. Good news for Team Canada who will enter the tournament with the past two Vezina Trophy winners in Price and Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Colorado Avalanche made a depth signing Tuesday, inking forward Ben Smith to a one-year contract.Smith spent last season split between the San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs, after joining the Leafs as part of the deal that sent goaltender James Reimer to the Sharks.The 28-year-old combined for two goals and six points in 22 NHL contests as well as 12 goals and 16 points in 19 American Hockey League games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Last season's biggest free-agency story apparently didn't hold much drama for Jon Cooper.The Tampa Bay Lightning head coach says that despite endless questions and speculation regarding where Steven Stamkos would sign his next contract, Cooper never felt the star forward would leave."In my heart there wasn't one ounce of me that thought anybody was leaving," Cooper told NHL.com's Dan Rosen. "When we have this group, and as close as we are, I never leapt into the thought that we were losing some guys. Deep down inside, I never had a doubt."While the 26-year-old didn't make his decision until close to the last minute - Stamkos agreed to an eight-year contract two days before he would have become an unrestricted free agent - Cooper thinks the former 60-goal scorer earned the right to gauge the market."I truly believe that players have earned their right to be unrestricted free agents," said Cooper. "Steven Stamkos earned his right to offer himself up and make himself available to all 30 teams."I just truly believe that in his heart he never wanted to leave. In saying that, he earned the right to be able to see what else was out there, but whether he signed last July 1 or this July 1, he still re-signed and we never went a day without Steven Stamkos."And the Lightning may not go a day without him for quite a while. Stamkos' deal expires at the end of the 2023-24 season, when he'll be 34 years old.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On the Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, returns for a summer edition about Jimmy Vesey, who hit the free-agent market Tuesday at midnight ET. Our editors pull out their crystal balls and predict where the college standout will end up.Chicago BlackhawksCraig Hagerman: Just like they seemingly do every trade deadline, the Blackhawks will find a way to nab the biggest fish left on the market this offseason.While the club is usually up against the salary cap ceiling, at present Chicago has roughly $2.4 million in available funds - more than enough to ink Vesey to an entry-level contract, barring bonuses.The Blackhawks, as we all know, are stacked up front. But their one possible weakness appears to be on the left side, and wouldn't you know it, that's the side Vesey plays.Besides Artemi Panarin - who will remain with Patrick Kane and Artem Anisimov - the club boasts the likes of Richard Panik and Andrew Desjardins on the left wing. Neither possess the offensive skill that Vesey does. It's possible the Blackhawks could sell Vesey on a top-six role, playing alongside Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.The two veterans would be great mentors for the up-and-coming prospect, and Vesey will be hard pressed to find more skilled linemates if he's to venture elsewhere.With the Blackhawks, Vesey would join a team built to win, with a solid core, great coaching, and get the top-six role he seeks. The Blackhawks are the complete package.New Jersey DevilsCory Wilkins: Vesey's headed to beautiful Newark, New Jersey.While the rebuilding Devils are not a Stanley Cup contender like other interested suitors in the Blackhawks or New York Rangers, New Jersey general mangaer Ray Shero can offer Vesey the biggest individual opportunity.The Devils finished dead last in goals last season, scoring just 184 times, and there's an obvious need for more offense beyond the offseason addition of Taylor Hall. In New Jersey, Vesey can immediately slot into the Devils' top-six forwards, surrounded by the likes of Hall, Adam Henrique, and Kyle Palmieri.Beyond that, according to his agent, Vesey prefers to fly under the radar, and that's not a viable option in his hometown of Boston or in the hockey bubble of Toronto. The New York-New Jersey area offers nine pro sports teams, and the Devils may have the smallest microscope among them. It could be the perfect situation for Vesey to kickstart his NHL career.Toronto Maple LeafsNavin Vaswani: Jimmy's heading north.Vesey is the next part of the "Shanaplan," and he will join his brother Nolan and father Jim in the Toronto organization.Family first.While Toronto isn't the most logical destination for a player wanting to fly a bit under the radar, he'll be sheltered by general manager Lou Lamoriello and head coach Mike Babcock. And, let's face it, the spotlight in Toronto next season will firmly be on Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner. They're the three most recent top-10 draft picks - Matthews is the first No. 1 selection in club history since Wendel Clark in 1985 - and the undisputed future of the club.Morgan Rielly and Nazem Kadri are going to be out to prove their long-term, big-money contract extensions were the right decision, and Frederik Andersen is starting life in Toronto, where goaltenders go to die. Let's be honest: If Vesey didn't want the attention, he'd have signed with the Nashville Predators or Buffalo Sabres, the two teams to previously own his NHL rights.The Maple Leafs are a rebuilding team clearly on the rise, and Vesey can be offered a top-six role, much like in Chicago and New Jersey. At 23, he'll practically be a veteran on the team, especially after Brooks Laich, Milan Michalek, and Colin Greening - all playing on expiring contracts - are traded for draft picks. With Tyler Bozak, Leo Komarov, and James van Riemsdyk's contracts set to expire in July 2018, Vesey can be as much a part of the solution as Matthews, Nylander, or Marner.Vesey played hockey at Harvard. He's about to graduate to the Maple Leafs. Makes sense.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tuesday will be a busy day for Jimmy Vesey.The unrestricted free agent will meet with the Pittsburgh Penguins - as first reported by TSN's Darren Dreger - as well as the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New Jersey Devils, and the New York Islanders, according to Mark Divver of the Providence Journal.Related: Report: Leafs to likely use No. 1 pick Matthews in pitch to VeseyThe Penguins are the latest team to confirm their interest in the Hobey Baker Award winner after it was reported Monday that the New York Rangers and the Islanders will meet with the 23-year-old early in the week.Financially, inking Vesey would be no simple task for either the Leafs or Penguins. Toronto has approximately $56,000 in cap space, while the Penguins are roughly $2.3 million over the salary cap, according to General Fanager.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.