There are few things to complain about when you're getting ready to play in the Stanley Cup Final.Case in point, Pittsburgh Penguins leading playoff scorer Phil Kessel is taking a rather level-headed approach to the baffling decision not to include him in Team USA's World Cup roster.Related: John Scott wants to form World Cup team with Phil Kessel, other snubs"You're always disappointed, but it is what it is, Kessel told reporters Sunday. "I think I’ve had a pretty good playoffs and I’ve always done pretty good for them when I’ve played (for Team USA). But we are in the Stanley Cup Final, so I can't be that disappointed."He wasn't the only one surprised by the omission.

The stage has been set for the 2016 Stanley Cup Final, with the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks beginning their series Monday at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh.Who will take home the Cup this year?Watch on as the Penguins and Sharks battle it out in an NHL 94 simulation of the final. (Hint: it's a sweep.)Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Trevor Daley is keeping the door ever-so-slightly open on a return during the Stanley Cup Final.The Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman suffered an ankle injury on May 21 that effectively ended his postseason, and while Daley admitted Sunday the expected timeline of recovery is four-to-eight weeks, he's not ready to rule himself out completely.

Madison Bowey of the Hershey Bears will not face further discipline following a questionable hit and possible homophobic slur directed at Toronto Marlies forward Kasperi Kapanen in Game 4 of the American Hockey League's Eastern Conference Final on Friday nightThe Washington Capitals defensive prospect was cleared Saturday of any wrongdoing in regards to the alleged slur, and will not be suspended for the this hit delivered to Kapanen prior to that incident, according to Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun.

Call them the people's champions.Following Friday's World Cup roster announcements, NHL All-Star MVP John Scott took to Instagram to address the exclusion of Phil Kessel from Team USA.Scott's proposal, framed around a grainy photo of an infamous preseason stick-swinging incident back in 2013, is to enter his own team along with Kessel and others who have been overlooked.

St. Louis Blues forward Scottie Upshall played the second and third round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a dislocated and broken right thumb.The injury was suffered in a Game 7, first-round win over the Chicago Blackhawks, and clearly limited his ability to contribute from that point."I felt it pop out," he revealed Saturday, according to Tom Timmerman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "They taped it up, and here we go.""I was starting to become a passer," he added, admitting the injury is what kept him out of three games against the San Jose Sharks. "It was my top hand, so it restricted me a bit. Obviously I didn't feel my best puck handling but I got through it. It didn't get any worse, which is good."Upshall is scheduled to have an MRI to assess the damage, but may not be able to fill out the required forms on his own."It's what makes us human, what we're able to do with our thumbs," he said. "I can't write any more."Upshall finished the playoffs with one goal, two assists, and 14 shots in 17 games played.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For a team with so much playoff experience, it's hard to fathom this will be the San Jose Sharks' first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. After making the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons, the Sharks underwent a head-to-toe makeover last offseason. With a new coach, a new captain, and a new goalie, at last San Jose has taken that extra step.A lot has to go right to reach hockey's finale, and a lot has for the Sharks. They erased the ghosts of their playoff past by crushing the Los Angeles Kings, then followed up with a massive Game 7 win on home ice over the pesky Nashville Predators. After topping the St. Louis Blues in six games, the Sharks made history, and sit four wins away from the ultimate prize.Above all else, it takes team chemistry to get to this point of the season, and San Jose oozes it throughout its lineup. Here are three combinations that can close it out against the Pittsburgh Penguins.Hertl - Thornton - Pavelski It's no secret Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski are the key to San Jose's offense, but the addition of Tomas Hertl to the Sharks' top line has made it nearly unstoppable. While Thornton and Pavelski rightfully earn power-play minutes, Hertl has produced best at even strength, where he's scored nine of his 10 postseason points.PlayerGamesGoalsAssistsPointsPowerplay PointsJoe Pavelski18139229Joe Thornton18315189Tomas Hertl1855101The trio works near flawlessly in unison, as each player has a role on the top line. Hertl's the retriever, Thronton is the distributor, while Pavelski is the finisher.Marleau - Couture - DonskoiIt would be unfair to praise the Sharks' offense without crediting the play of Logan Couture. The 27-year-old leads the playoffs in points with 24, and has anchored San Jose's lethal second line.Alongside Couture is Patrick Marleau, the longest serving Shark. Marleau has contributed 12 points in 18 games, and it's hard to imagine anything but him relishing his first opportunity at Lord Stanley's chalice.Joonas Donskoi has been a pleasant surprise in San Jose's top six as well. In his first Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Finn has notched nine points, and pushes the pace of the team's second line. Much like the line ahead of them, these three can all score, and have been a nightmare to contain thus far.Vlasic - BraunPittsburgh's depth is arguably its greatest asset, and while Brent Burns and Paul Martin will face the brunt of their minutes versus Sidney Crosby, it will largely be up to Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Justin Braun to neutralize the rest of the Penguins' dangerous lineup.Quietly, Vlasic has become one of the most steady defensemen in the league. He doesn't garner much exposure, but the Stanley Cup Final should deservedly shine some light on his abilities.He scored 39 points in the regular season, and has notched one goal and 10 assists in the playoffs while averaging over 23 minutes per game.Meanwhile, Braun has turned into the perfect complementary defenseman to round out the Sharks' top four. Much like Vlasic, the 29-year-old isn't flashy, but consistently makes smart decisions with the puck.He doesn't possess the offensive upside of Vlasic, only recording four assists in 18 games, but Braun is a plus-seven in the postseason, and has blocked 37 shots. Given Vlasic's power-play time, Braun averages slightly less ice-time, but at even strength, the duo thrives together.Vlasic and Braun will be facing the likes of Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, and the "HBK" line, and if Pittsburgh's depth is held in check, San Jose should be in great shape to win it all.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Phil Kessel struggled to find words following a Game 7 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.In less than a year, one of the game's top goal-scorers has traveled from under the microscope in Toronto to near the top of the hockey world, helping the Pittsburgh Penguins come within four victories of a Stanley Cup championship.And while his exclusion from Team USA's World Cup roster has raised questions about his character and conditioning, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan explains how important Kessel has become to the team both on and off the ice."I'm thrilled for Phil," Sullivan said Saturday, according to Wes Crosby of NHL.com. "I think he's a big reason why we're playing today. His contribution to this team, over the last four months or so, has been tremendous. I think he's really enjoying the team. I think he's enjoying this whole process."I think, what we're all seeing, is how competitive he is and how badly he wants to win. To see him express that to his teammates is exciting. I think his teammates are enjoying it as well. Phil's a reserved guy. To see him let loose a little bit and show his emotions, I think it's great for his teammates and I think it's great for him."Through 18 playoff games, it's Kessel and not Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin who leads the Penguins in scoring, with nine goals and nine assists. For his career, he's averaging almost a point per game in the postseason, having scored 22 goals and 17 assists in 40 appearances.Should the Penguins defeat the San Jose Sharks in the Final, Kessel will in the running for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, and it would be a well-deserved honor for a guy's who's fallen into the open arms of the Penguins after being pushed out the door by his previous club.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Not much can phase P.K. Subban.The charismatic Montreal Canadiens defenseman was left off Team Canada's World Cup roster for September, but Subban, often a lightning rod for media speculation, is taking the decision gracefully.The 27-year-old won gold for Canada at the Sochi Olympics, but his omission from September's tournament didn't come as a surprise."No, I'm not surprised," Subban told Sportsnet on Saturday. "It's a selection process. So, either you get selected or you don't. All you can do is be a model citizen. I'm Canadian so I support my country and I support my team just like everybody else."Subban registered 51 points in 68 games throughout a rocky season in Montreal, but Canada added Brent Burns, Jake Muzzin, and Alex Pietrangelo to its final roster Friday.Although he won't be apart of it, he'll be content with seeing his countrymen take home gold."I mean everybody wants to make the team, right?" Subban said." And there's a bunch of guys that I'm sure wanted to be on the team. But that's the way it goes. ... When I was speaking to (general manager) Doug Armstrong, my No. 1 thing was I just want to see Canada win gold. So I'll be there cheering just like everybody else."The tournament gets underway Sept. 17 in Toronto.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Only one series remains in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and with the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins set out to do battle for hockey supremacy, the path to this year's final was incredibly unpredictable - finally.The postseason started with three new division winners in the Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, and Washington Capitals, and for the first time in 46 years, no Canadian teams were in the running. Although it started unfamiliar, now that a maximum of only seven games remain, hockey fans should take solace in the fact that for the first time in four years, commissioner Gary Bettman will be handing the Stanley Cup to someone other than Jonathan Toews or Dustin Brown.Recently, parity in the NHL has vanished, but the Sharks and Penguins - two teams riddled with compelling storylines - offer something new.Sure, the Penguins won it all in 2009, but only five players from that playoff roster remain with the club. And who remembers a 21-year-old Sidney Crosby anyway?This is a reborn Penguins team, taking on a Sharks team with an ageless core that's finally reached new heights; ultimately providing one of the more interesting narratives the final has seen in years.Both teams are incredibly similar, driven by blazing speed and reliable depth. But also having overcome much adversity to reach this point. The Sharks got a new coach, added pieces, and transitioned in the offseason, while Pittsburgh retooled themselves on the fly, starting with the hiring of head coach Mike Sullivan in December.Whether it's Joe Thornton's (or Brent Burns') beard, the oft-ridiculed Phil Kessel overcome with joy about reaching this point, or two goaltenders shining in their first taste of the playoffs, there's something in this series for everybody.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears Alex Chiasson's days as a member of the Ottawa Senators are over.According to a report by Dhiren Mahiban of The Hockey News, Chiassion's agent, Kent Hughes, confirmed the 25-year-old is expected to be dealt ahead of June's draft."I think that's a potential scenario, but I don't know if you ever really know if anything materializes until it happens," Hughes said. "But yeah, (a trade) wouldn't surprise me."Chiasson went to the Senators from the Dallas Stars as a part of the Jason Spezza trade, and is a pending restricted free agent. He scored only 14 points in 77 games this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers have to be very pleased with the progress made by their top prospects this season.London Knights forward and Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Mitch Marner has been named the Canadian Hockey League player of the year Saturday, while Brandon Wheat Kings defenseman and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Ivan Provorov earned defenseman of the year honors.Including the OHL playoffs, Marner recorded 55 goals and 160 points in 75 games this past season, while Provorov scored 24 goals and totaled 86 points in 83 games on Brandon's blue line.WHL goalie Carter Hart and OHL forward Alex Nylander - both of whom are draft eligible - earned goalie and rookie of the year awards, respectively.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's not hyperbole to suggest the fate of the Tampa Bay Lightning's future lies in the hands of general manager Steve Yzerman.Fresh off two consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference finals and a Stanley Cup appearance a year ago, the club faces a period during which its core players will be seeking new contracts.With the NHL's salary cap set to remain stagnant, the challenge will be keeping the band together for a few more cracks at creating the ultimate hit record."The next two summers will kind of define our team the next seven or eight years," Yzerman said Friday. "I have an idea of what we want to do. And we're doing our best to get everyone to buy in to what we're trying to do and keep it together."Here's a look at the most significant contractual challenges that lie ahead:PlayerPositionCurrent cap hitFree agent statusSteven StamkosF$7.5MUFA - 2016Nikita KucherovF$711666RFA - 2016Alex KillornF$2.55MRFA - 2016Victor HedmanD$4MUFA - 2017Ben BishopG$5.95MUFA - 2017Tyler JohnsonF$3.33MRFA - 2017Ondrej PalatF$3.33MRFA - 2017Andre VasilevskiyG$925000RFA - 2017(Courtesy: General Fanager)Gulp.The Steven Stamkos situation will be a significant marker on this journey. Whether a huge amount of money is sent his way by the Lightning will largely dictate what the team is able to do with the rest of the high-end talent on the roster.That the club was able to push the Pittsburgh Penguins to seven games largely without the services of Stamkos and starting goaltender Ben Bishop may lend credence to the idea of building around the likes of Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Johnson, Victor Hedman and Andrei Vasilevskiy while filtering the money saved to complementary players.How it all plays out is anyone's guess, and how Yzerman proceeds will not only define the Lightning, but his abilities as a general manager.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The captain has no desire to jump ship.After helping the St. Louis Blues come close to the Stanley Cup, David Backes doesn't appear set on testing the open market as an unrestricted free agent come July 1, preferring instead to re-sign with the club.

P.K. Subban is making the most of summer.The Montreal Canadiens defenseman is spending some time in his hometown of Toronto, and took part in Blue Jays batting practice Saturday, clad in full uniform complete with a No. 76 'Subbanator' jersey.

Marc-Edouard Vlasic is keeping it classy.After helping defeat the St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference Finals, the San Jose Sharks defenseman made a donation to Athletes for Animals, a charity kick started by David Backes and his wife Kelly.

The Los Angeles Kings aren't tossing cold water on a report suggesting a new captain will soon be named.When the puck drops on the new season, it's believed someone other than Dustin Brown will be wearing the 'C', as the club wants to go in a "different direction" with their captaincy following two straight early playoff exits, TSN's Frank Seravalli reported Friday.The report was not refuted by the club, writes Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times:

Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau will make their first appearances in the Stanley Cup Final in the city where it all began.The veteran centers, who will try to help give their San Jose Sharks a Game 1 win over the Penguins on Monday, were selected first and second overall at the NHL Draft in Pittsburgh back in 1997.

Debate abounds whenever a Canadian roster is assembled for a major international tournament, with outcries over egregious omissions and claims the Great White North could field multiple teams and win all the medals.The same was true Friday as the 2016 World Cup squad was named, and even though significant talent is being funneled towards the gimmicky North American team - made up of both Canadian and American players who will be 23 years old or younger as of Oct. 1 - there still remains a bevy of options when it comes to naming a "B" roster.Here's a 23-man team that would hold its own against any other in Toronto when the puck drops on the World Cup in September, with a couple notes for each position.GoaliesMarc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins

The fact that a Pittsburgh Penguins team built around Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin is appearing in its first Stanley Cup Final in seven years speaks to the level of depth and amount of good fortune needed to succeed in today's NHL.Thanks to some impressive on-the-fly retooling by second-year general manager Jim Rutherford, the Penguins have been able to roll out four effective forward lines through the playoffs. And while the defense has seen its share of issues, it's a new-look bottom pair that might prove to be the difference in a series against the San Jose Sharks.Here's a look at three line combinations that will decide the Penguins' fate in the Stanley Cup Final.'HBK'One of the big stories of the playoffs so far has been Pittsburgh's 'HBK' line, and not simply because of the tie-in with former WWE superstar Shawn Michaels.The trio of Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino, and Phil Kessel is technically listed as the Penguins' third line, but they've played like a top unit for weeks now, outscoring all teammates not named Crosby or Malkin.PlayerGamesGoalsAssistsPointsPhil Kessel189918Evgeni Malkin1741115Sidney Crosby186915Nick Bonino1831215Carl Hagelin185712The line was created in light of an injury suffered by Malkin late in the regular season, and the chemistry developed coupled with the Russian center's return has given head coach Mike Sullivan the ability to deploy three legitimate scoring lines.The opposition can only keep so many weapons from firing, and with attention duly paid to Pittsburgh's two elite centers, the HBK line will need to keep dropping sweet chin music in order for the Penguins to achieve their ultimate goal.Kunitz - Malkin - RustIn Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Bryan Rust drove to the net like a car fresh off the lot, scoring both of his team's goals - with several other golden opportunities along the way - in the series-clinching victory.The young right winger has found himself on a line with Malkin and Chris Kunitz, a makeshift second line created upon the center's return from injury, and a combination that Sullivan did well to stick with despite some ineffective play early in its tenure.As the following chart displays, Kunitz led all players in terms of possession over the course of the Eastern Conference Final, with Rust and Malkin not far behind.

San Jose Sharks forward Matt Nieto will use the off-days leading up to the Stanley Cup Final to get back into game shape, as he "absolutely" expects to be an option versus the Pittsburgh Penguins.Nieto's been out of action since Game 6 against the Nashville Predators when he suffered an upper-body injury after colliding with the goal post, but says his recovery's on schedule for a return soon."It's progressed well," Nieto said, according to Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area. "I felt really good out there today and people were roughing it up, so it was good."He added, "I've been shooting the puck fine, and passing and moving great, so to take that next step was a good feeling."Before the injury, Nieto was on the Sharks' third line with Chris Tierney and Joel Ward. He's scored three points in 11 postseason games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In his selection to represent Canada at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey, Brad Marchand cracked the most competitive, formidable roster the sport can offer.And now he's out to show why.Shortly after he was officially tabbed Friday, Marchand said he was incredibly honored to have been chosen to wear the red and white - and, on a more personal level, acknowledged the opportunity he has to show hockey circles that he's matured in his profession and really is among the game's elite."It's something that I think we all take a lot of pride in, and something that is - it's not an easy accomplishment," Marchand said, according to CSN's Joe Haggerty.He added, "I think being part of a team like this is on a different level, and people may give a little more respect to that fact and may look at more of the kind of player I am, other than just the stuff they've seen in the past, with the hits and being a pest and stuff like that. Maybe those people will realize that I'm an OK hockey player, and I do play the game as well."Though he might still feel stigmatized for his previous transgressions - which include suspensions, dives, and myriad cheap shots - Marchand's latest stat sheet should be validation enough. He scored the second-most goals among Canadians this season and emerged as a truly dominant defensive winger at even strength, as well as on the penalty kill in tandem with fellow national Patrice Bergeron.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In a feverish fifteen-minute stretch Friday evening, roster submissions from those responsible for the North American entries at the World Cup of Hockey's rebirth were announced within just moments of one another.That chaos quickly became confusion for many, as a handful of elite talents - some still competing, and others who move the needle for the league - weren't selected to represent their national teams at the NHL-branded commercial showcase.Now, with our bearings, we present the first and second all-snub rosters.First TeamTaylor Hall - One of the league's premier left wingers and the second-highest scorer at his position among countrymen last season, Hall wasn't rewarded for his prominent role in back-to-back wins at the World Championship for Hockey Canada.Tyler Johnson - Small man, big-game contributor. Johnson's outrageous 20-goal, 40-point output in 43 playoff games over the last two seasons is 10 more points than any player named to a North American roster.Phil Kessel - Pittsburgh's leading scorer and his country's top producer at the last best-on-best international competition - the 2014 Sochi Olympics - Kessel, by virtue of his performance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, might be the biggest snub on the board. Kessel's racked up 55 points since his former teammate and USA selection James van Riemsdyk last found the back of the net.Kris Letang - No defender's had a greater impact on his team than Letang since Mike Sullivan took the reins in Pittsburgh in the middle of December. Only Crosby, Thornton, Kane, and Kopitar have more regular-season points than Letang since that mark. And, oh yeah, he's the only headliner on a no-name defense set to drop the puck on the Stanley Cup Final.P.K. Subban - One of the NHL's greatest personalities and with the talent to match, Subban's apparently fallen out of favor with Hockey Canada despite being one of just four at his position with over 200 points over the last four seasons. Like Letang, he's at a disadvantage as a right-shooting defender.Second TeamAlex Galchenyuk - Only the greatest goal-scorer of a generation, Alex Ovechkin, found the back of the net more once teams reconvened after the All-Star break.Ryan O'Reilly - One of the more well-rounded players in the NHL, he's an asset to even the most talented of rosters. He led Buffalo in scoring in his first season, but his finest work might have been in the defensive zone, helping rescue a penalty-killing unit that jumped 22 slots in the overall performance standing.Corey Perry - He checked off all the boxes: a premier NHL goal-scorer with contrasting skills, existing chemistry with a previously chosen player, and a history of coming through for his country. It was Perry - not Getzlaf - who was producing when Anaheim struggled for the first two-and-a-half months.Mark Giordano - Considered to have an advantage because of the direction his blade takes, Giordano might have been denied due to something else out of his control: He doesn't share the ice with one of the league's greatest. It's hard to imagine Jake Muzzin making Canada's top seven if he didn't have regular reps with Drew Doughty.Justin Faulk - An Olympian two seasons ago and still up-and-coming, Faulk is one of his country's more talented defenders - period.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Team Canada filled out its World Cup roster Friday, announcing the additions of Joe Thornton and Brent Burns of the newly-crowned Western Conference champion San Jose Sharks, along with five others to their final 23-man roster.Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux, Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene, and Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand round out the forwards, while Alex Pietrangelo and Jake Muzzin complete Canada's blue line.Here is the full roster:GoaltendersCorey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks

USA hockey announced the additions of St. Louis Blues forward David Backes and Toronto Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk to their final 23-man roster for the World Cup of Hockey.Surprisingly, during a red-hot playoff run, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Phil Kessel was left off the list, even after making the last two USA Olympic teams.Also added to the team are Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan and Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen.Here's the full team:GoaltendersBen Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning

Auston Matthews will have an appropriately unique introduction to the NHL brand.The projected No. 1 overall draft pick has been tabbed as one of the final selections for North America's roster at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey, meaning his first strides at Air Canada Centre will not be made with a Maple Leafs (or Jets) logo on his chest.Here's the complete Team North America roster, with Friday's seven added selections in bold:GoaltendersJohn Gibson, Anaheim Ducks

Miroslav Satan has assembled his melting pot.Team Europe's 23-man roster for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey was finalized Friday, with Marian Gaborik leading a group of seven additions to the culturally diverse roster.Here's a look at the squad:GoaltendersFrederik Andersen, Anaheim Ducks (Denmark)

It was not the greatest week for Nyquist - horse or hockey player.A few days after Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist was declared out of the Belmont Stakes due to a fever, Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist was not chosen by Sweden on Friday to play in the World Cup of Hockey.Nyquist was named for the Detroit player by the colt's owner, J. Paul Reddam, a Red Wings fan who grew up across the border in Windsor, Ontario.Nyquist finished third in the Preakness on May 21, ending any chance for a Triple Crown the year following American Pharoah's first sweep of the Derby, Preakness and Belmont since 1978.He developed a fever and an elevated white blood cell count earlier this week, but was recovering well at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Trainer Doug O'Neill says he's hoping Nyquist can be shipped home to Santa Anita on June 5.Nyquist, the hockey player, recently returned from playing for his country in the ice hockey world championships in Russia.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Ben Bishop damaged multiple ligaments around his ankle in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final versus the Pittsburgh Penguins, he revealed Friday afternoon.He was, however, inching closer and closer to form, telling Erik Erlendsson that his targeted return was Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final - had the Lightning made it that far.The Vezina Trophy nominee lauded the work of backup Andrei Vasilevskiy, who kept the Lightning in a series in which they were severely outshot when he entered in relief."You need two goalies to win," Bishop said, according to the team's official Twitter feed. "Right now we have that. I'm a full supporter of (Vasilevskiy) and he supports me. We complement each other well."The Lightning crease will remain a talking point through the summer, and as the threat of expansion looms. Bishop's scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent next summer.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Steven Stamkos has a big decision to make.The megastar captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning shockingly opted to play in Game 7 - a decision he's proud of - but to no avail, as the Pittsburgh Penguins earned a berth in the Stanley Cup Final.Now that Tampa Bay's season is in the books, the focus shifts to Stamkos' future. The pending unrestricted free agent will obviously have plenty of suitors but it comes down to him, and if he still sees the Lightning as a good fit.

If one thing was for certain when the NHL announced it would mobilize an international tournament on its own ice, it's that the league would at some point clash with the Russian Hockey Federation.Well, here we are.In response to an ESPN report Friday morning that suggested the NHL would work to block former Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov from participating in the showcase event, Russian coach Oleg Znarok has fired back.Znarok stated, as translated by Russian reporter Igor Eronko and retrieved by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman:"Only we, I mean our coaching staff and Hockey Russia, can determine who's going to play and who's not. World Cup is an international tournament, it's not just (the NHL's). So I don't think there should be any questions regarding Voynov."Voynov received an indefinite suspension from the NHL in October 2014 after he was arrested on domestic violence charges. He returned to Russia after serving a 90-day jail sentence, and played 23 games for SKA St. Petersburg this past season.He was one of seven Russian players added to the World Cup final roster.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After a roller coaster of a season, it appears Jonathan Drouin is part of the Tampa Bay Lightning's long-term plans after all.Speaking with the media Friday following his team's Game 7 loss, general manager Steve Yzerman said there was "no reason to believe" the 21-year-old forward would not be back with the Lightning next season, according to WFLA's Paul Ryan.

Let the free-agent frenzy begin.Following the elimination of the Tampa Bay Lightning from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, attention has quickly turned to Steven Stamkos, who's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.On the cover of an upcoming issue of The Hockey News, the superstar forward - who'll be the hottest commodity on the open market if he doesn't re-sign with the Lightning - is depicted wearing the jersey of several potential suitors.

The Detroit Red Wings and center Tomas Nosek have agreed to a two-year contract extension.The deal is reportedly worth $1.225 million over the two years.The undrafted 23-year-old has made six career appearances with the Red Wings and is still searching for his first NHL point.In 125 games at the AHL level, Nosek has recorded 26 goals and 38 assists.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After a disappointing first-round playoff exit, the Los Angeles Kings may be looking to shake up their leadership group.Dustin Brown has reportedly been told he will no longer wear the "C," according to TSN's Frank Seravalli, with the team wanting to go in a "different direction" with their captaincy. The Kings, meanwhile, declined to comment on the report, according to Curtis Zupke of the Los Angeles Times.The 31-year-old forward was named captain of the Kings in 2008 and helped lead his team to the franchise's first two Stanley Cup victories in 2012 and 2014. His leadership was commended after his second Cup win, as he received the Mark Messier Leadership Award for that season.Brown's play has been in decline recently, failing to hit the 30-point mark for the fourth straight season after a five-year run of recording no less than 53 points.Though he is no longer captain, Brown is still under contract with the Kings until 2022, and is still owed over $35 million ($5.875 million per year) over that time.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils signed defenseman Yohann Auvitu to a one-year entry-level contract, general manager Ray Shero announced Friday.TSN's Darren Dreger reported earlier this month that at least five NHL teams were interested in the 26-year-old's services. Last season, Auvitu was named the best defenseman in Finland's SM-Liiga, after recording 21 points and a plus-22 rating in 48 games.The blue-liner recently represented France at the IIHF World Championship, where he had three assists in seven games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Coyotes and Shane Doan appear to be on the verge of reaching an agreement on his future with the club.General manager John Chayka recently met with Doan's agent, Terry Bross, and both sides are focused on a one-year deal, with a view of keeping the door open for as long as both sides see fit."We've discussed both a multi-year deal and a one-year deal, but at this time we're progressing toward a year-to-year approach which is respectful to both sides," Chayka said, according to Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports. "The idea is after every year, he takes the chance to discuss it with his family."It's all positive and it's just a matter of time before we get it done."Doan, who can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, has stated he has no desire to play for another organization.His previous contract carried a cap hit of $5.3 million and, at age 39, he could be looking at a more team-friendly valuation, despite his strong 2015-16.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Forwards Patric Hornqvist and Carl Hagelin booked tickets to the Stanley Cup Final with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, and on Friday, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association announced the pair will be added to their final 23-man roster for the World Cup of Hockey.Also making the team is Nashville Predators blue-liner Mattias Ekholm who beat out John Klingberg of the Dallas Stars and Hampus Lindholm of the Anaheim Ducks for the seventh spot on defense.Here's a look at the complete squad:GoaltendersRobin Lehner, Buffalo Sabres *

The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs will be keeping a close eye on this year's Stanley Cup Final.Both teams possess first-round draft picks originally owned by the participating clubs - namely the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins - with the final order of the 2016 draft set to be determined by the outcome of the Final.(Courtesy: NHL.com)The Bruins came into possession of San Jose's pick courtesy of a trade that sent goalie Martin Jones back to California, while Toronto's selection came by way of the Phil Kessel deal.In another interesting twist, the Bruins also traded Joe Thornton to San Jose over a decade ago, meaning he and Kessel will have a direct impact on the draft order for their former clubs.This will, of course, be the furthest thing from the players' minds when the puck drops Monday in Pittsburgh, but it could impact the rooting interests for fans in both Toronto and Boston.Whether one is Team Joe or Team Phil, you can't really go wrong either way.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time is an emotional experience.Following the Pittsburgh Penguins' win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, a giddy Phil Kessel couldn't find the words to say, yet his attempt to describe his feelings following Game 7 is as delightful as it gets.

Former Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov was named to Team Russia's final roster for September's World Cup of Hockey, but it's unlikely the 26-year-old will compete in Toronto.According to ESPN, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly released a statement saying: "We will obviously have to review (Voynov's) status with the Players' Association prior to the start of the tournament in September. It is not my current expectation that this player will be deemed eligible to play in the World Cup of Hockey."Voynov was suspended indefinitely by the NHL in October 2014 after being arrested on domestic violence charges, and hasn't played in the league since. He was eventually sentenced to 90 days in jail, and returned to Russia to play for SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL this past season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Max Talbot is off to Russia.The veteran free-agent forward has signed a one-year contract with KHL club HC Lokomotiv, the club announced Friday.Talbot, 32, appeared in 38 games for the Boston Bruins this past season, and played an additional 26 games for the team's AHL affiliate.In 704 career games, Talbot has recorded 91 goals, 113 assists, and 496 penalty minutes.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears Erik Gudbranson didn't reject a longer contract offer from the Florida Panthers before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks after all.A report emerged Thursday saying the defenseman had turned down a four-year, $18-million contract with the Panthers prior to signing a one-year, $3.5-million deal he's carrying with him to Vancouver.The report has since been refuted by both the Panthers and Gudbranson's agent, according to George Richards of the Miami Herald.The 24-year-old blue-liner will be a restricted free agent at the conclusion of 2016-17, with the ability to become unrestricted in 2018.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Czech Ice Hockey Association has announced its final 23-man roster for the World Cup of Hockey.The final seven additions are all NHL players, with the most notable one being Dallas Stars center Radek Faksa, who emerged late in the season and impressed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Fellow Dallas forward Ales Hemsky was also named to the team, while Milan Michalek will get a chance to impress his new fans in Toronto.Here's a look at the complete squad:GoaltendersPetr Mrazek, Detroit Red Wings

The Finnish Ice Hockey Federation announced Thursday its final 23-man roster for the World Cup of Hockey.Patrik Laine, who's expected to be drafted second overall in June, highlights the seven players added to the initial roster. The 18-year-old impressed at the recent World Championship, recording seven goals and 12 assists while helping Finland earn a silver medal.Here's a look at the rest of the roster:GoaltendersMikko Koskinen, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) *

Strong performances for Russia's bronze medal-winning squad at the IIHF World Championship has earned a number of players a roster spot on the country's final 23-man World Cup roster, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation announced Friday.Tournament leading scorer Vadim Shipachyov and linemate Evgeny Dadonov join the Russian squad after dominating on a line with Artemi Panarin of the Chicago Blackhawks. Meanwhile, future Toronto Maple Leafsblue-liner Nikita Zaitsev made the team after being named a tournament All-Star.Here's a look at the rest of the roster.GoaltendersSergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets

Steven Stamkos didn't do much in the Tampa Bay Lightning's Game 7 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he has no regrets about playing."Extremely proud. It was special for me to get back on the ice with these guys. With this group," the captain said after Tampa Bay's 2-1 defeat in the Eastern Conference Final on Thursday night, according to Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo Sports."Such a tight group .. such a team that has gone through a lot this year. Different types of adversity. And we've come through with flying colors, but it just didn't happen tonight."Stamkos saw his first action in exactly eight weeks after having surgery to treat a blood clot condition.He played only 11:55 in the elimination game, registering two shots on goal, and he had trouble driving puck possession.Stamkos posted a Corsi For percentage of only 36.36 at even strength, and wasn't much better in all situations, in which he controlled possession at a 46.15 percent clip."These are usually the kind(s) of moments when things go well because of the things that you endure as a group," Stamkos said postgame. "But for whatever reason, we're going to have to learn from this and come back stronger."Stamkos was hardly the only Lightning player to struggle Thursday. Tampa Bay was outshot 39-17, and only Nikita Kucherov drove possession at 50 percent or more in all situations.Lightning forward Brian Boyle appreciated Stamkos' presence in the lineup even in a losing effort."It was great for us," Boyle said. "He's our leader. We love him."Stamkos' future is uncertain - both from a health standpoint and in terms of his contract - and stands to be the biggest NHL storyline this summer.(Analytics courtesy: HockeyStats.ca)Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Lightning fell in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final on Thursday, thanks in large part to special teams, according to Lightning head coach Jon Cooper."In the end, penalties hurt us," Cooper said, according to Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski. "It's not on the scoreboard, but it sucked the momentum out of us."While the Lightning penalty kill was perfect in fending off five Pittsburgh Penguins power plays, the Lightning took six penalties, compared to Pittsburgh's three, including four in the second period."I don't know if we had 20 minutes of power play in this series, and I guarantee they had well over 40," Cooper said in a press conference. "When you're killing that much, it's just momentum killers for you, and that hurt us in the second period for sure."The penalties also hurt as they kept Lightning captain Steven Stamkos off the ice. The 26-year-old - who returned from an eight-week absence - saw zero minutes of penalty kill time.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bryan Rust has a sense of timing.The rookie provided all of the offense for the Pittsburgh Penguins' 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final, and Thursday wasn't his first time scoring twice this spring.