The Great One reigns supreme in yet another category.What's known to be the most pristine edition of Wayne Gretzky's O-Pee-Chee rookie card from the 1979-80 season is up for bid by Goldin Auctions, and prices have reached upwards of $200,000 - more than double the record for a modern hockey card, according to Allan Muir of Sports Illustrated."The card is the flag bearer of the hockey market," said Ken Goldin, president of Goldin Auctions. "It is the most valuable and most sought after hockey card, by far."The card could fetch $400,000, obliterating the previous record of a modern card set at $94,163 in 2011.According to card grading company PSA, this particular card is the only one of 3,727 known copies that grades a perfect score of 10.In Gretzky's rookie season, he recorded 104 points in 72 games, which, remarkably, would be his lowest total until the 1994-95 campaign.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

David Booth is still having trouble sleeping.

Chuck Fletcher is optimistic.The Minnesota Wild general manager spoke to the Star Tribune's Michael Russo about a number of topics in a piece published Friday, including negotiations with the club's only remaining restricted free agent, defenseman Matt Dumba."I don't anticipate any problems," Fletcher said. "Hopefully something gets done here pretty quickly."Dumba was tendered a qualifying offer, but it's clear both parties are looking at a long-term extension. Rumors at the draft in late June had the Wild talking trade with the Edmonton Oilers, with Dumba and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins the focus of talks.A first-round pick, seventh overall in 2012, Dumba will turn 22 on July 25. His 10 goals and 16 assists last season were both career highs, along with his 16:50 in average ice time. He had a 47.7 percent Corsi For rating, according to Puckalytics.Dumba wrapped up his entry-level deal. If he signs long term, he'll join Ryan Suter, Jonas Brodin, Marco Scandella, and Jared Spurgeon as blueliners signed through 2020.Fletcher also said that he's looking at potentially adding another forward to his group, but added that he's not in a big hurry. The GM expects some of the club's young players to challenge for spots on the big club."There's no timetable to do anything right now," Fletcher said.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

General manager Don Sweeney is getting a head start on keeping Brad Marchand in Boston.The Bruins winger is an unrestricted free agent once next season ends, but both sides have begun discussions on a potential contract extension, according to multiple reports.Sweeney made it clear in June he wants to begin negotiations sooner rather than later, calling the 28-year-old a "big part" of the team.Marchand showed his importance to the Bruins last season, reaching career highs in goals (37) and points (60).Entering the final season of his contract, Marchand carries a cap hit of $4.5 million, and based on his spike in production, it's justifiable to believe he'll be receiving a raise.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed goaltender Garret Sparks to a one-year, two-way contract Friday, the club announced.Sparks is a candidate to back up new No. 1 Frederik Andersen after Jonathan Bernier was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for a conditional draft pick.A seventh-round pick in 2011, Sparks made his NHL debut last season and was instrumental in Toronto finishing last in the league and earning the privilege to draft Auston Matthews first overall.Sparks started 17 games, finishing with a .893 save percentage and 3.02 goals-against average. His tenure began in fine fashion, with Sparks becoming the first goalie in club history to pitch a shutout in his NHL debut, but it fell apart in March and April.Month Starts Save PercentageNovember11.00December4.895February1.929March8.883April3.871Still young at 23, Sparks had a .928 save percentage in 21 games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies last season, posting three shutouts.Sparks will likely start the season on the farm, as head coach Mike Babcock admitted last week that Toronto is looking for a veteran backup to support Andersen.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears the KHL is expanding in all directions.After locking down expansion to Beijing in December, Georgi Kobylyansky, vice president of the Russian-based league, has reportedly gained permission from the British Ice Hockey Association to bring a team to London.Including the new team in China, the KHL has 29 teams, spread through seven countries in Europe and Central Asia.The United Kingdom is home to the Elite Ice Hockey League, which features 10 teams.Earning permission to expand is the preliminary stage of the process, as no further details have been released at this point.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars announced Friday that captain Jamie Benn had surgery Thursday to repair a core muscle injury."His full recovery time is expected to be six weeks, putting him on schedule to be ready for the 2016-17 season. Jamie will be re-evaluated after the six-week rehabilitation process, at which time, his availability for the World Cup of Hockey will be determined," Stars general manager Jim Nill said.It's unknown when the injury was sustained, but the 26-year-old has only missed one game over the past three seasons.Last season, Benn was a Hart Trophy finalist for the second straight season, racking up a career high 41 goals and 89 points, adding an extra 15 points in 13 playoff contests.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's Sidney Crosby's day with the Stanley Cup (and the Conn Smythe trophy), so the Pittsburgh Penguins captain opted to share his hardware with students at his hockey school in his hometown of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.

The New York Rangers are keeping busy this offseason.Shortly after signing defenseman Dylan McIlrath to a one-year contract, the Blueshirts struck a deal with unrestricted free-agent forward Josh Jooris, the team announced Friday.Terms of the deal weren't disclosed.Last season, Jooris, 26, recorded four goals and nine assists in 59 games with the Calgary Flames, but he never received a qualifying offer, thus making him a free agent.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers have signed restricted free-agent defenseman Dylan McIlrath to a one-year contract, the team announced Friday.Terms of the deal weren't disclosed, but General Fanager reports it to be worth $800,000.Both sides now avoid arbitration, as McIlrath had a hearing scheduled for July 21.Last season, the 24-year-old played 34 games for the Rangers, registering four points and 64 penalty minutes.McIlrath joins forward J.T. Miller - who signed a two-year contract Wednesday - as the second Ranger to avoid arbitration, with forwards Kevin Hayes and Chris Kreider awaiting deals as RFA's.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Marcus Johansson and the Washington Capitals are heading down a familiar path.Last offseason, the 25-year-old forward filed for arbitration, ultimately coming away with a one-year, $3.75-million contract. This year, Johansson filed again, in hopes of securing a long-term deal, but the sides are struggling to find common ground."(General manager Brian MacLellan) and I have tried quite a few times to see if we can talk about something longer term," Johansson's agent, J.P. Barry, told Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post. "We really haven't been successful on any attempts of sort of a longer-term negotiation. It could just be the cap and different views of what's going on. So then obviously, we have to turn around and deal with our arbitration case."Johansson's hearing is scheduled for July 20, and the Capitals have just over $8 million in cap space with defenseman Dmitry Orlov the only other unsigned player on the roster, according to General Fanager.Last season, Johansson suited up in 74 games, notching 46 points, one shy of his career-high set the season prior.Although his production is steady, a second consecutive arbitration hearing is around the corner."We definitely have a gap on how we see free agency," Barry said. "We don't really agree on sort of the valuations or the comparables out there for free agency. I don't know how far apart we are on the arbitration. We'll probably start grinding on that now, because with the arbitration process both sides are preparing a case. I think the next step will be to just talk about the one-year deal."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Flyers signed forward Pascal Laberge to a three-year entry-level contract on Thursday, the team announced.The 18-year-old had a career-high 23 goals and 68 points in 56 games for the Victoriaville Tigres of the QMJHL last season.He also added five points in five playoff games and had two goals and an assist during his team's 3-2 victory in the CHL Top Prospects game.Laberge was selected in the second round, 36th overall at this year's draft.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed former first-round pick Ryan Murphy to a two-year, $1.575-million contract.The blue-liner split last season between the Hurricanes and the team's American Hockey League affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. He went goalless with 10 assists in 35 games with the big club, while contributing seven goals and 24 points in 32 AHL contests."Ryan is still a young player at 23, and has shown he can contribute offensively from the blue line," general manager Ron Francis said in a release. "He has developed through our system and we look forward to seeing his game continue to grow."With the signing the Hurricanes have now inked all of their restricted free agents.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jack Riley, the first general manager in the history of the Pittsburgh Penguins, died Wednesday at the age of 97."We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jack Riley," the club said in a statement Thursday."Jack served as the Pittsburgh Penguins’ first general manager in 1967 and played an important trailblazing role in the club’s history. He occupied a regular seat in the press box until just a few years ago, was a proud and beloved member of the Penguins alumni association, and is fondly remembered by former players, coaches, scouts, office staff, arena workers, and fans."As the Penguins approach our 50th anniversary season, we are humbled to know that the franchise was built on the shoulders of hard-working people like Jack. We send out condolences to his family and many friends, both in Pittsburgh and throughout the hockey community. Jack Riley will be missed."Riley guided the Penguins from 1967 to 1970 and then again from 1972 to 1974. He served as interim president and executive director between his tenures as GM.He became commissioner of the Southern Hockey League in 1975, and served as president of the International Hockey League from 1979 to 1983.Riley got his start in pro hockey management as GM of the AHL's Rochester Americans, a post he occupied for five years.The Penguins named him their honorary GM for the 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Red Wings signed defenseman Filip Hronek to a three-year entry-level contract on Thursday.Hronek was selected with the club's second-round pick in this year's draft after recording four assists and 22 penalty minutes in 40 games with Hradec Kralove of the Czech National League.The signing is somewhat intriguing considering the Red Wings elected to sign their second-round selection before fellow defenseman Dennis Cholowski, who was plucked in the first round.However, Cholowski told Brandon Folsom of the Detroit Free Press on Tuesday he expects to spend at least the next three seasons with St. Cloud State, so the team could merely be saving valuable years.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens didn't agree with their former analytics consultant when it came to evaluating P.K. Subban and Shea Weber before the blockbuster trade was consummated with the Nashville Predators.Matt Pfeffer - whose contract wasn't renewed by the Canadiens this week - confirmed the difference in opinion Thursday, but said he didn't meet with the team face to face."Prior to the trade, I submitted a report comparing both players," he told Sportsnet's Eric Engels. "I made a passionate case in favor of P.K. Subban. There was never a meeting with management."Engels originally reported Wednesday night that Pfeffer had presented his case to Canadiens management.“Ultimately, this is the nature of this kind of work," Pfeffer said Thursday. "Management makes their decision based on a variety of criteria. Their evaluation may have been different in this case, but there was consensus on other decisions through my time with the team.”Despite the differing opinions on Subban and Weber, Pfeffer concluded his statement offering praise for the club."The Canadiens treated me with the utmost respect," he said. "They are a world-class organization. I understand that they desired to go in a different direction. I was thankful to be a part of their team."Montreal responded to Engels' earlier reports insisting they will bolster their analytics staff and are considering their options.Pfeffer was hired by the Canadiens in the summer of 2015. He previously consulted for the San Jose Sharks, Hockey Canada, and the OHL's Ottawa 67's.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Sabres will have at least another season of Marcus Foligno's services.The club signed the winger to a one-year contract extension Thursday.Foligno received a qualifying offer from the Sabres on June 27.The 24-year-old set career highs with 10 goals and 23 points in 75 games in 2015-16.It's unlikely that he'll crack Buffalo's top-six, but he should continue to provide depth on the third and fourth lines next season.Buffalo made Foligno a fourth-round pick in 2009.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Playing near lightning is bound to get you burned.Detroit Red Wings fan Zander - or @NyquistSnipe on Twitter - came up with a playful but ill-conceived description of Tampa Bay Lightning supporters Wednesday:

The Winnipeg Jets made a pair of moves Thursday, signing forwards Joel Armia and Adam Lowry to two-year contracts, the club announced.Armia's deal carries and AAV of $925,000, while Lowry's is worth $1.125 million annually. Both players are 23 years old.Armia - drafted 16th overall in 2011 by the Buffalo Sabres - has yet to make his mark in the NHL, but suited up in a career-high 43 games for the Jets last season, recording 10 points.Lowry endured a slight decline is production last season, registering 17 points in 74 games compared to a career-high 23 points in 2014-15.Both players should slot into the Jets' bottom six, behind a heavily talented core at the top.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Analytics consultant Matt Pfeffer may have lost his job for trying to talk the Montreal Canadiens out of trading P.K. Subban.Pfeffer made a passionate presentation to the club's brass in an effort to convince them not to make the deal that sent the star defenseman to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber, a source told Sportsnet's Eric Engels on Wednesday.The longtime analytics specialist, who formerly assisted the San Jose Sharks and Hockey Canada, was reportedly informed Wednesday that his contract with the Canadiens would not be renewed.Pfeffer's insistence on the subject might have led to his dismissal, the source said, adding that when general manager Marc Bergevin ignored Pfeffer's advice, it reinforced the idea that the GM was using other criteria to judge the players.Canadiens senior management reached out Thursday to Engels to say they are "very committed to analytics" and will be bolstering that department, reiterating the club's response to his initial report of the club parting ways with Pfeffer.The club told Engels on Thursday it's in the process of figuring out who to add to the analytics department.Many advanced statistics experts have criticized the Canadiens for making the trade, which looks lopsided when Subban and Weber are compared side-by-side.(Courtesy: ownthepuck.blogspot.ca)Bergevin insisted over the weekend that he's moved on, but questions about the deal haven't dissipated and the reported circumstances of Pfeffer's departure will likely only lead to further queries.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Red Wings continue to secure their depth, signing forward Luke Glendening to a four-year contract extension, the club announced Thursday..Terms of the deal have not been disclosed by the team, but General Fanager reports the contract carries an AAV of $1.8 million.The 27-year-old pivot has spent the last three seasons with the Red Wings, notching a career-high 21 points in 81 games last season.Detroit also inked Darren Helm, 29, to a five-year extension this offseason.Before extending Glendening's contract, Detroit had just over $3 million in cap space, with restricted free agents Danny Dekeyser and Petr Mrazek still to be signed.Additionally, youngsters Tomas Tatar, Tomas Jurco and Andreas Athanasiou are all RFA's next year.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Joe Morrow to a one-year contract worth $800,000, and also confirmed Wednesday's report of reaching a two-year, $2-million deal with blue-liner Colin Miller, the club announced Thursday.Morrow appeared in 33 games for the Bruins last season, registering one goal and six assists.Miller, meanwhile, was a restricted free agent and signed a one-way deal, likely meaning increased ice time for the 23-year-old.In 42 games with Boston, Miller recorded three goals and 13 assists.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sidney Crosby continues to rack up the hardware.The Pittsburgh Penguins captain was named Best NHL Player at the ESPYS on Wednesday.

After admitting that he always envisioned playing for the Montreal Canadiens in part 1 of his sit-down interview with Sportsnet's Eric Engels, P.K. Subban continued to dive into the deal that sent him to the Nashville Predators in part 2.Related: Subban speaks: 'I never envisioned myself playing for any other team'Subban reflected on the trade itself and his final moments with the team - spent on a stretcher - and why he felt that his beloved Canadiens ultimately traded him away. Through it all, the 27-year-old appeared to still be unsure as to why he was shipped out."I did everything that I could to help the team win every night, I gave everything tried to represent the Canadiens the best way I could, but at the end of the day I don't hold the cards and make those decisions," Subban said. "I just wish I could have won a Stanley Cup for that organization and this city, I just don't have that opportunity to do that now so I have to focus on Nashville."During his time with the Canadiens, the media clung to the notion that Subban might not have had the best rapport with his teammates, especially given multiple episodes of fights in practice, but Subban remained firm on the assertion that such claims are false."I would have to disagree with that. With the guys that I'm with every day that I travel with, that I play with, we're all different," said Subban. "At the end of the day I'd like to hope these guys respect me and I respect them and that's really what it's been built on."Of course Subban's trade comes at a very monumental time in the United States. The country is currently amid daily protests for social change following recent extreme acts of gun violence and the #BlackLivesMatter campaign.Subban - being Canadian - noted it wasn't necessarily his place to comment on another country's politics, but that he shares the same sentiment of others in hoping that there will hopefully be a peaceful resolution."Obviously there is a lot of different things going on around the world all we can hope is that one day all the violence can stop," said Subban. "When it comes to the world in general, I do hope that the violence can stop and we don't have to read about that stuff anymore."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Islanders ownership group is standing behind general manager Garth Snow and head coach Jack Capuano, but with an important caveat: This past season's success must be the new norm in Brooklyn.Co-owner John Ledecky says he and Scott Malkin support the "hockey folks" within the organization 100 percent, but reiterated Wednesday the goal remains winning, especially after the club advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs during the last season of Charles Wang's tenure as majority owner."They have to keep performing, and we define performing as progressing," Ledecky said, according to Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post. "We won our first playoff series in 23 years, we made it to the second round. If the puck bounced a couple ways differently, we would have made it to the semifinals. But we’re eighth in the league in points over the last two years, we made the final eight, and that’s the standard now."They have to progress. You have accountability. There is accountability for performance. The fans demand that."While Snow has added free agents Andrew Ladd and P.A. Parenteau this offseason, the club allowed Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen to hit the open market and sign elsewhere.Still, the Islanders have a franchise center in John Tavares and a solid defense corps to build around, with several of Snow's draft picks set to begin making more of an impact at the NHL level.The Metropolitan is one of the most competitive of the NHL's four divisions, and Snow, while endorsed by the new owners, will need to ensure his club keeps pace in order to remain one of the longest-tenured general managersCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins have reportedly re-signed a young defenseman.Colin Miller has inked a new two-year, $2-million contract with the club, according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA.The 23-year-old entered the offseason as a restricted free agent and the new deal is believed to be one-way in nature, meaning he'll be in line for an increased role on the Bruins' blue line in 2016-17.Miller, who was acquired as part of a trade involving Milan Lucic, appeared in 42 games with Boston last season, netting three goals and 13 assists to his credit. In 20 games with Boston's AHL affiliate, he scored four goals and added eight assists.Miller won both the hardest shot and fastest skater competitions at the 2015 AHL All-Star Game, giving evidence to the skill set he brings to the table.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the St. Louis Blues and Jaden Schwartz, the clock is ticking.The two sides have one week to figure out a contract or end up in arbitration. But even as a third-party opinion looms, general manager Doug Armstrong remains unfazed."There’s not a lot of concern," Armstrong said, according to Chris Pinkert of Blues.NHL.com. "Schwartz is a restricted free agent for three more years, we know he’s going to be a Blue for three more years. If we could have gotten (his contract) done on a long-term deal before free agency started, I would know exactly what we could have spent (in free agency), but that hasn’t happened."Armstrong headed into the offseason stating that getting Schwartz locked up would be his priority. Of course that has yet to be done, but even so, he feels Schwartz's value to the team is as high as anyone's."I think he fits right in with (Vladimir) Tarasenko, with (Robby) Fabbri, with (Colton) Parayko, with Alex Pietrangelo, and Jake Allen," Armstrong said. "These are guys you’ve drafted and developed so you would like to keep them here."Schwartz is coming off a two-year contract that paid him an annual average of $2.35 million. During that time he has combined for 36 goals and 85 points in 108 games, while also contributing 17 points in 26 playoff games.However things play out between Schwartz and the team, fans should rest assured that Armstrong is confident in one thing:"I know (he’ll be) under contract," said Armstrong. "I know this isn’t going to go into September."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL's Las Vegas expansion franchise is in good hands.Hiring George McPhee as the first general manager in the history of the yet-to-be named team, owner Bill Foley added an employee with over two decades of front-office experience.Related: Las Vegas franchise names George McPhee GMMcPhee began his career as an executive with the Vancouver Canucks, serving as vice president and director of hockey operations from 1992-97. He was then hired as GM of the Washington Capitals - a post he held from 1997-2014 - and, most recently, acted as a special adviser to New York Islanders GM Garth Snow.Here are three reasons why McPhee is a safe bet to build a competitive roster in Sin City.Building the CapitalsFired by the Capitals two years ago, the 2016 Presidents' Trophy winners were largely built by McPhee, beginning with a massive fire sale during the 2003-04 season.In the years to follow, McPhee called the following names at the NHL Draft, all of whom remain significant contributors to a Washington roster with legitimate Stanley Cup hopes in the next year or two:

Two obstacles are standing in the way of Las Vegas' NHL franchise and its quest to find a name.The amount of nicknames that have already been trademarked and the league's insistence on not using gambling references have kept the team's owner, Bill Foley, from approving a moniker for the new club."I didn't realize how complicated it was, and it is complicated," Foley said Wednesday at a press conference introducing general manager George McPhee, according to Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshynski. "We have a lot of names in mind, but they're trademarked."Related: Las Vegas franchise names George McPhee GM"(There are) various athletic teams and entities that may have a name that we're interested in," Foley said, adding that Las Vegas is working with Adidas and the NHL to resolve the trademark issues."Our goal is to have a logo and a team name ASAP. But we've got to do it properly. And we have to make sure that we have the right trademark."There's also the betting issue."The league has made it very clear that the name really should not be associated with gambling and so on," Foley said.That essentially rules out any playing card-related names like Aces or Black Aces, while the trademark issues would explain why the franchise hasn't been able to secure the rights to "Black Knights," Foley's preferred choice.That's the name used by the U.S. Army, which would require negotiating with the government.Foley also confirmed Wednesday that there won't be a name-the-team contest, because it would take too long and he's eager to move forward.'We need a name," he said. "We need to get this done, and we need to get it behind us."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Cory Conacher to a one-year contract worth $575,000.The 26-year-old appeared in 48 games with Bern SC of the Swiss-A league in the 2015-16 season, recording a team-high 22 goals and 52 points.Conacher began his NHL career with the Lightning in 2013 after a successful stint with the team's then-AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals. He scored nine goals and added 15 assists for Tampa before being traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for goaltender Ben Bishop.He later spent time with the Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders before being assigned to the AHL, and eventually heading over to Europe.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Islanders have re-signed forward Alan Quine to a two-year contract, the team announced Wednesday.The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Newsday Sports' Arthur Staple reports the deal carries an average annual worth $612,500.After playing just two regular season games for the Islanders this past season, Quine suited up in 10 postseason contests, finishing with one goal and five points. His double-overtime winner in Game 5 of the Islanders' first-round matchup against the Florida Panthers was a turning point for the team, who took the series in six.Quine spent the rest of the season in the American Hockey League, where he managed 19 goals and 48 points in 56 games with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues have signed forward Ty Rattie to a one-year contract worth $650,000.The 23-year-old appeared in 62 games with the Blues' AHL team last season, recording 17 goals and 29 assists. He scored four goals and added two assists in 13 games with the Blues.Rattie was drafted 32nd overall by the Blues in 2011, and that the new deal is one-way in nature suggests he'll be counted on to make a meaningful contribution at the NHL level in 2016-17.Type your content...Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers and J.T. Miller avoided arbitration by coming to terms on a new contract, the team announced Wednesday.While the terms were not disclosed, Miller's agent Scott Bartlett confirmed that the deal holds an annual average of $2.75 million over two years.After managing just 15 goals and 33 points during his first three years in the league, Miller broke out this season scoring 22 goals and 43 points in 82 games.The 23-year-old was scheduled to have an arbitration hearing Aug. 2.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Las Vegas' NHL franchise named longtime Washington Capitals executive George McPhee the club's first general manager Wednesday."I was looking for a guy who was going to (have a) dedicated, take-no-prisoners, want-to-win attitude," said owner Bill Foley during a press conference, according to Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "This has been an exhaustive process. George had all the components I was looking for."McPhee steps into the job after serving as general manager of the Capitals from 1997-2014. He helped Washington capture the Southeast Division seven times, while also making a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season.He most recently spent time with the New York Islanders, with whom he served as a special advisor to general manager Garth Snow.While his team will be constructed from scratch via an expansion draft, McPhee is already setting high expectations."Our mission is clear, we're going to build a team Las Vegas can be proud of. Our goal is simple - to win the Stanley Cup," McPhee said. "We'll do our homework, scout everybody, and select the right players."I want to win now, too. We may have an opportunity other expansion teams haven't had before to put a successful team on the ice."McPhee's first piece of business will be to fill out the rest of his staff, a process he says will begin next week. As for the team's coach, that decision will be a more lengthy process."We can take our time with that," he said.Las Vegas will join league play in the 2017-18 season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens are moving on from one of their statistics experts.Analytics specialist Matt Pfeffer has been let go, a source told Sportsnet's Eric Engels on Wednesday.Pfeffer's one-year contract was not renewed, but the Canadiens told Engels they'll be "pursuing other options" regarding analytics hires.He was hired as a consultant last July, although he wasn't technically a team employee. Before joining the Canadiens, he worked with the San Jose Sharks, Hockey Canada, and the OHL's Ottawa 67's.The reported move could be another sign Montreal is prioritizing physicality over puck possession and speed after a disastrous season caused chiefly by a long-term injury to Hart Trophy winner Carey Price.Two days before the start of free agency, the Canadiens traded beloved blue-liner - and possession darling - P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber.A day before that, the Canadiens signed forward Andrew Shaw to a six-year contract after acquiring him from the Chicago Blackhawks on draft night.That same night, Montreal traded Lars Eller, a solid possession player, to the Washington Capitals for a pair of second-round picks.General manager Marc Bergevin doesn't want to talk about the Subban trade anymore, but this is just another in a series of moves that will keep the questions coming.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers have locked up first-round draft pick Jesse Puljujarvi to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Wednesday.Puljujarvi was selected fourth overall in June's draft after recording 28 points in 50 games in the Finnish Elite League, as well as earning a gold medal at the World Junior Chmapionship in January.The 18-year-old winger was left out of Oilers development camp to rehab a knee injury, but is expected to crack Edmonton's lineup come October.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Gotta sign 'em all.The Detroit Red Wings became the latest pro sports team to get in on the Pokemon GO craze, announcing they'd caught one of their very own.Related: Sacramento Kings hosting Pokemon GO meetupThe Red Wings signed forward Teemu Pulkkinen to a new deal Wednesday, and this is how they revealed it.

No. 4, no more.Taylor Hall, acquired by the New Jersey Devils in a blockbuster trade that sent Adam Larsson to the Edmonton Oilers, is ready to switch things up, opting to wear No. 9 when his career in Newark begins next season.The Devils equipment manager, Rich Matthews, tweeted a video Wednesday morning unveiling Hall's new digs.

The Detroit Red Wings have re-signed restricted free-agent forward Teemu Pulkkinen to a one-year contract, the team announced Wednesday.The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports the contract carries an AAV of $812,500.Pulkkinen was limited to 36 games last season, and is expected to miss four-to-six months after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier in July.The 24-year-old accumulated six goals and six assists last season.With Pulkkinen signed, the Red Wings are down to two restricted free agents: defenseman Danny Dekeyser and goaltender Petr Mrazek.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Justin Schultz is staying put.The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed the 26-year-old defenseman to a one-year contract worth $1.4 million, the club announced Wednesday.Schultz was dealt to Pittsburgh from the Edmonton Oilers in February, and although he spent time as a scratch, he emerged as an effective blue-liner for the Penguins on their march to the Cup, especially after Trevor Daley was injured.In 18 regular-season contests with Pittsburgh last season, Schultz recorded eight points, adding four more in 15 playoff games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Last season's race for the Calder Trophy had everything.A battle between "The Next One," a player many deemed too old to be a rookie, and a college defenseman that seemingly jumped onto the scene out of nowhere.Connor McDavid, Artemi Panarin, and Shayne Gostisbehere all made seamless transitions into the league, and appear on their way to sustainable NHL careers.However, as the NHL has been subject to time and time again, at least a handful of rookie sensations are likely to fall victim to the ever-daunting sophomore slump.Of course, a statistical regression in one season is not the be-all, end-all of one's career. Players can be the victims of their own demise simply for having such incredible first seasons.With that in mind, here are three players who could see a regression next season, and the plausible reasons why:Shayne GostisbehereGostisbehere came, saw, and conquered last season.After beginning the season with a strong 10 points in 14 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League, Gostisbehere was called up by the Philadelphia Flyers in mid-November and never went back.Gostisbehere put up 17 goals and 46 points in 64 games, which would give him 58 points when averaged over a full 82-game season and would have placed him tied for fifth among all defensemen in scoring.The 23-year-old's play was nothing short of spectacular, and the biggest knock and likely reason for a drop in production is simply because he was so outstanding during his first taste of NHL action, it may be hard for him to uphold that.Gostisbehere had the second-highest shooting percentage of all defensemen - New York Rangers' Kevin Klein ranked first - with an incredible 11.2 percent success rate this past season, which is likely unsustainable.He is an extreme talent, but if his numbers even-out or teams start to zero-in on him, Gostisbehere can expect to see at least a slight decline in production next season.John GibsonThe Anaheim Ducks brain trust clearly has confidence in John Gibson.The club dealt Frederik Andersen to the Toronto Maple Leafs, in turn handing the reigns over to Gibson.The 22-year-old is coming off his first full-season in the league boasting incredible numbers, with a .920 save percentage and a 2.07 goals-against average in 40 games.However, as he gets ready to take the ice as a No. 1 for the first time in his career, he will be dealt a different set of cards. He will likely see a lot more games this time around, even with former Maple Leafs No. 1 Jonathan Bernier as his second-in-command.With a lot more action faced, and with increased pressure, we can expect his numbers to falter - even if slightly. Gibson struggled this postseason before giving way for Andersen. This time around, he might not have such a luxury.Artemi PanarinThe reigning Calder Trophy-winner needed no feeling-out period shifting from the KHL to the NHL.Panarin set the league ablaze, becoming the first rookie to hit the 70-point plateau since his linemate Patrick Kane did so in 2008. He tallied the most points by a rookie since Evgeni Malkin put up 85 points in 2007.Alongside Kane and Artem Anisimov, the 24-year-old helped complete arguably the league's most lethal trio this season - one that combined for 96 goals and 225 points.All things are looking up for Panarin, but his numbers could slip if one constant doesn't remain - that constant being Kane. The 27-year-old had by far his best season in the league, becoming the first American-born player to lead the league in scoring en route to capturing the Hart Trophy with 46 goals and 106 points.Kane had a large stake in Panarin's production, factoring in on 72.7 percent of his points. So suffice it to say, if Kane's numbers slip a bit next season, so too will Panarin's.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

P.K. Subban is back in Montreal, but he won't be staying for long. Nashville's home now.The former Canadiens defenseman spoke for the first time since he was dealt to the Predators for Shea Weber in an exclusive interview with Sportsnet's Eric Engels, and said that he's most sad about the fact he won't fulfill his promise to bring a Stanley Cup - No. 25 - back to Montreal."The feeling being back in Montreal, it'll never change," Subban said. "It's always going to be like that for me. Montreal's going to be home because of the relationships that I've built here. I love Montreal. I've always loved the city. When it really comes down to it, I never envisioned myself playing for any other team other than the Montreal Canadiens."Subban called his relationship with Canadiens fans "unspeakable," and said it's the reason why he'll always feel connected to the city and the province of Quebec.While the 27-year-old was a lightning rod for criticism, especially last season during the Canadiens' fantastic collapse, he said he was always treated well by the fans and that it was a dream come true to play in the bleu, blanc, et rouge."This is a business," Subban added. "I can't forget that."Subban also recounted a story from his childhood, when he was gifted a Canadiens jersey with his name on the back. He treasured that sweater as a kid, and said that being able to wear a Montreal sweater in the NHL makes him feel luckier than every other player in the NHL. But it's Boxing Day now, Subban added, Christmas is over, and it's time to move on."I just wanted to make my dad proud," Subban said. "I knew he was a huge Habs fan."Subban also discussed his $10-million donation to Montreal's Children Hospital during the interview, and some of the criticism - that he was motivated by political reasons - that came with it."I don't feel that I need to define my reasons for wanting to help people," Subban said. "Like, people should want to help people."Part two of the Sportsnet exclusive will air Wednesday night.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Las Vegas' NHL expansion team doesn't yet have a name, but its front office is coming together.Former Washington Capitals executive George McPhee will be named general manager of the club by owner Bill Foley, according to multiple reports. The announcement will be made Wednesday at a 4 p.m. ET press conference at T-Mobile Arena."I can't comment right now," McPhee said Tuesday, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Steve Carp.McPhee turned 58 on July 2 and made his mark with the Capitals. He was general manager in D.C. from 1997 through 2014, winning seven division titles and making one Stanley Cup Final appearance. He served as a special advisor to New York Islanders GM Garth Snow in 2015-16.In McPhee, Foley gets an experienced executive and general manager who over the years certainly made strong relationships throughout the league. The Vegas franchise will begin play in the 2017-18 season, and McPhee will now be tasked with putting together his club through what will undoubtedly be a fascinating expansion draft."I'd go to Iceland to (be a general manager again)," McPhee said after his time in Washington concluded, according to Carp. "Doesn't matter where it is."Even better than Iceland: Las Vegas.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Unfinished business is precisely why Shane Doan has decided to return to the desert.Related: Coyotes sign Doan to 1-year contractThe 39-year-old agreed to a one-year contract to remain with the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday, and wants to set straight the doubters who have questioned why he continues to remain with the franchise that drafted him."I get asked often about the loyalty I feel towards this organization," Doan said. "I get asked why I've turned down other opportunities so that I can keep playing hockey in what some people characterize as not an ideal situation. I've already given plenty of examples of why I love it here, but on a basic level, my biggest reason for wanting to stick around all these years is simple: This organization drafted me to win a Stanley Cup, and I still plan to deliver on my end of the bargain."During Doan's 20 years in the league he has managed to make the postseason just nine times, including his first season with the franchise when they were known as the Winnipeg Jets.But it was only in the 2011-2012 season, when the Coyotes lost in the Western Conference Finals to the Los Angeles Kings, that his team managed to make it past the first round of the playoffs.With the improved roster general manager John Chayka has been assembling in the offseason, it will be interesting to see how Doan and company fare in their quest for Lord Stanley next season.

The Arizona Coyotes signed captain Shane Doan to a one-year contract on Tuesday.The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Craig Morgan of arizonasports.com reported Monday that the deal will pay Doan a base salary of $2.5 million, but with a deferred signing bonus and incentives the 39-year-old will make roughly $5 million next season."We are thrilled to have Shane back for another year," general manager John Chayka said in a release. "No one has done more for this franchise than Shane. He’s one of the best captains in the NHL and we are lucky to have him."

Buffalo Sabres development camp invitee Michael Campoli appears to have avoided serious injury.Related: Sabres invitee Campoli stretchered off after hard hit at development campThe 18-year-old, who was stretchered off the ice after a hit from William Carrier during the team's 3-on-3 tournament, has since been released from hospital and is doing well, the team announced.Campoli - who is committed to Boston College next season - was awake, moving his extremities, and joking around prior to being taken to a nearby hospital.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils have named former player Ryan Clowe as the team's newest assistant coach.Clowe will join the likes of Geoff Ward, Alain Nasreddine, and goaltending coach Chris Terreri behind head coach John Hynes."We are looking forward to Ryan joining our staff," Hynes said in a release. "His character, expertise as a player, knowledge of the game, and passion to coach will be a benefit for our players and the Devils’ organization."While Clowe has not officially retired, the 33-year-old made the decision to stop playing last September after dealing with several concussions. He instead spent the 2015-2016 season working alongside the club's coaching and operations staff.He is currently sitting on the long-term injured reserve, with two years remaining on his five-year, $24.25-million contract. The deal holds a cap hit of $4.85 million.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars re-signed defenseman Jamie Oleksiak to a one-year contract, the team announced on Tuesday.The 23-year-old spent part of last season with the Stars, dressing in 19 games and contributing two assists. He also suited up in eight games for the Texas Stars of the American Hockey league where he added another two assists."Jamie brings size and a physical element to our backend," general manager Jim Nill said in a release. "We're expecting him to have a solid summer of training and development and look forward to him competing for a regular spot in our lineup."With Oleksiak now locked up, the club has just one restricted free agent to contend with, forward Valeri Nichushkin.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Islanders signed defenseman Scott Mayfield to a two-year, one-way contract extension Tuesday.The deal is worth $575,000 in the first year and $675,000 in the second season, according to Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post.Mayfield spent most of 2015-16 with the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers, collecting 12 points and racking up 80 penalty minutes in 54 games.He registered one assist in six games with the Islanders this season.The 23-year-old has appeared in 11 regular-season contests and five playoff games with New York over three seasons.He was a restricted free agent before the Islanders extended him a qualifying offer last month.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.