Martin Jones will be between the pipes for the San Jose Sharks when they look for revenge against the Los Angeles Kings, head coach Peter DeBoer announced Tuesday.Jones, who came to the Sharks from the Kings in the offseason, earned the nod over James Reimer for Game 1 at least. The tandem split time effectively for San Jose down the stretch.In his first full season as an NHL starter, Jones posted a record of 37-23-3 with a 2.27 GAA and .918 save percentage.Reimer, who landed in San Jose via trade from Toronto, started eight games for the Sharks and won six of them, including three shutouts.As bitter rivals, this series promises to be among the most compelling of the opening round. The two most recently met in the first round of the 2014 playoffs, when the Kings erased a 3-0 Sharks series lead and won in Game 7 en route to a Stanley Cup championship.The puck drops Thursday at 10:30 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vancouver Canucks captain Henrik Sedin missed eight games this season, but it's a wonder he didn't sit out more.Canucks president Trevor Linden revealed in a press conference Tuesday that Sedin suffered a broken finger at some point during the campaign, but played through it.

Auston Matthews has some company on USA's World Championship roster.The consensus No. 1 draft prospect, the lone player initially named to the roster, now has 12 teammates, as announced Tuesday by USA Hockey.Here's a look at the roster so far:Forwards

The St. Louis Blues are looking to buck their recent trend of first-round playoff eliminations, and the addition of David Backes to the lineup should help.The Blues captain said Tuesday he feels ready to go for Game 1 against the Chicago Blackhawks."I feel good in practice and should be just fine for a hard-fought series for a team that we've got our work cut out for us," Backes told reporters. "We've got a heck of a group here and it's our time to make a real dent in this tournament."Backes missed the final two games of the regular season with a lower-body injury, but expects to go full tilt on Wednesday night."This was my mindset from the get-go, that Game 1 I'd be full bore," he said. "You get the adrenaline running, you can play through a lot of stuff. Even with little to no adrenaline in practice today, I'm feeling well."The series gets underway Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After breaking down the West's postseason teams Monday, it's time to shift focus to the Eastern Conference.The case for and against eight entries from the Atlantic and Pacific divisions:Washington CapitalsFor: From the very outset of the season, this team has checked off all the boxes. The Capitals finished as the second-highest scoring team and were the second-stingiest in terms of goals against. They also had the fourth-best power play and fourth-best penalty kill, churning out the NHL's second-ranked combined special teams. It's really all gravy.Against: Building an argument against this team is a thankless task, but if you're looking for a start, Washington's middling possession and Braden Holtby's two substandard months through January and February is probably the launching point.Philadelphia FlyersFor: After splitting duties for most of the season, Steve Mason took on the largest workload among East goalies after Michal Neuvirth went down in early March. And was brilliant. In 17 appearances down the stretch, Mason posted the second-best save clip among those playing meaningful hockey. We also like the fact that Philadelphia has scored the most power-play goals since Shayne Gostisbehere showed up.Against: Philadelphia required career seasons from Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn, as well as the emergence of Gostisbehere and the power-play efficiency that followed to score enough goals to scrape into the playoffs. Contributions are thin after Philly's big five, which accounted for more than 50 percent of the team's goals.Pittsburgh PenguinsFor: Life is good in the post-Mike Johnston era. Since Mike Sullivan took over coaching duties, the Penguins lead the NHL with 175 goals, and the East with a plus-41 goal differential. They've also controlled shot attempts on par with the Corsi Kings. And, imagine that, Sullivan's emphasis on attacking the opposition has been the Pens' best defense. They've allowed the fifth-fewest scoring chances under his watch.Against: Pittsburgh's only constant is now its greatest concern. Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray are dealing with head and suspected head injuries, respectively, forcing the recall of the team's fourth goaltender down the depth chart, Tristan Jarry.New York RangersFor: For a second straight season, no team tallied more of those all-important even-strength goals than the Rangers, who once again failed to rule over shot attempts. This isn't an exemplary model; they just continue to score more goals in the on-ice situation that dominates playoff hockey.Against: Ryan McDonagh's absence, for however long it may be, is a massive blow to the Rangers' postseason chances. Their defense is already a major source of frustration for fans. How will that unit hold up without the captain's 30 shifts?Florida PanthersFor: The argument can be made that Florida is the NHL's best even-strength team - at the very least defensively. Outscoring the competition 159-124, the Cats will carry the best 5-on-5 goal differential into the tournament largely on the merit of their vastly underrated defense and inimitable ability to limit scoring chances. But don't forget 44-year-old Jaromir Jagr, who contributed to this ratio by finishing in a tie for third in 5-on-5 scoring.Against: So then what held the Panthers back? Special teams. They'll bring the worst combined power play and penalty kill into the playoffs.New York IslandersFor: It appears as though John Tavares saved his best for last in what's been a down season by his standards. The Islanders captain scored 10 goals and averaged a primary point per game over his last 19 starts, leading the NHL.Against: The Isles received appreciable contributions in net, placing ninth in total save percentage. It's surprising considering the loss of Jaroslav Halak and reliance on Thomas Greiss, but made downright incredible due to the fact that only the Senators, Canucks, and Avalanche allowed more total scoring chances.Tampa Bay LightningFor: He might not have a share of the NHL record at 48 wins, but Ben Bishop was the most efficient puck stopper among Eastern Conference playoff teams. He's the only goalie to place top five in wins, goals-against average, save percentage, and shutouts, and owns a dazzling .911 shorthanded save clip.Against: Under normal circumstances (you know, without having their five most important skaters banged up or worse) the Bolts would be considered by most as the class of the Atlantic bracket. But with Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman out, and if Victor Hedman, Tyler Johnson, and Nikita Kucherov (and also Ryan Callahan), are truly hampered by injuries, the Bolts will be punching up in weight, even against the Red Wings.Detroit Red WingsFor: Well for one, they can breathe again. That's 25 consecutive postseason appearances, regardless if it was gifted. This doesn't have the look of a team who can contend, but they've already accomplished something special this season. Now they have a favorable matchup, and nothing to lose.Against: The Red Wings have conceded 85 goals since Petr Mrazek's game came undone about two months ago. Over that stretch, only the Maple Leafs, Canucks, and Flames allowed more. It will be Jimmy Howard and his .906 save percentage in 33 starts in Game 1 for Detroit.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If NHL 16 is right, Alex Ovechkin will soon be hoisting the Stanley Cup.On the eve of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, EA Sports ran its annual postseason simulation, wherein the Washington Capitals defeated the San Jose Sharks in a seven-game series for the trophy.

On the Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, is back for another edition - two in two days! With the playoffs set to begin Wednesday, we continue to look back on two of the more memorable storylines of the regular season.Scoring ain't down from the backJustin Cuthbert: The NHL had a 100-point scorer and nearly twice as many 30-goal men this season over last, but league-wide scoring remained on a (slight) downward trajectory. That, however, wasn't the case among elite defensemen.Erik Karlsson, one of only two blue-liners who finished among the top 50 scorers last year, upped his peerless production to 82 points - the most by a defenseman in two decades. That point-per-game production saw him become the first D-man in three decades - and only the fifth ever - to place top five in scoring.Elsewhere, Brent Burns finished 11th in league scoring with 75 points. His 27 goals were the most by a defenseman since Mike Green's 31 in 2008-09, and only Alex Ovechkin topped Burns' video-game total of 353 shots.Factor in Kris Letang, who contributed 1.15 points per game since Christmas; Roman Josi, who minted a Predators record with 61 points; John Klingberg, who collected 48 helpers; Mark Giordano, who shattered career highs in goals and points; and of course another 20-goal season from Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and it's easy to gloss over the fractional decrease in overall scoring.The Kane and Panarin ShowSean O'Leary: Patrick Kane's been a star from the moment he was taken first overall in 2007.His vision, speed, and silky-smooth hands have made him nearly impossible to defend his entire career, but now, thanks to a linemate equally as dynamic on the opposite wing, you can only hope to contain what is officially the Chicago Blackhawks' second line.Kane, along with rookie sensation Artemi Panarin, lit the league on fire, scoring 106 and 77 points respectively. And they did it in style.Watching the duo work together perfectly, masterfully in sync, is a treat, as both share the same creativity and flair.The two consistently play on the same wavelength, carving opposing defenses with cross-ice one-timers, which they seem to have down to a science.If you need another example of how the two work in perfect harmony, feast your eyes here.Kane potted a career-high 46 goals, while Panarin crunched Chicago's salary cap by scoring 30 himself. And in case it wasn't abundantly clear from their energized celebrations, these two absolutely love scoring goals.If Kane and Panarin's chemistry doesn't bring you to the edge of your seat every time they're on the ice, get your pulse checked, because they're the NHL's most exciting duo - and they're only getting started.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It was time for a change in an effort to develop more defensive responsibility in Ottawa.That was the message espoused by Pierre Dorion as he addressed the firing of head coach Dave Cameron and his staff, a decision the new Senators general manager clearly didn't relish."This is not a great day. Not a fun day. These are human beings here," Dorion said. "They are all good people ... At the end of the day, this was my call and I feel it was the right thing to do."Related: 3 candidates to coach the SenatorsThe impetus for the decision was the team's struggles on defense and special teams.

If the New York Islanders are going to advance past the Florida Panthers, they'll have to do so without Jaroslav Halak.Head coach Jack Capuano confirmed Tuesday that Halak won't be available for the Islanders' first-round series, as he's still recovering from a groin injury suffered in March.In Halak's absence, New York started Thomas Greiss, who endured a minor injury down the stretch, as well. Greiss was solid for the Islanders this season, posting a 23-11-4 record with a 2.36 GAA and .925 save percentage.The Islanders went 9-6-2 after Halak's injury.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While the 16 qualified teams gear up for the NHL playoffs, the other 14 have begun to focus on the upcoming draft, licking their chops at an enhanced chance for a lottery pick thanks to the new field-friendly system.Auston Matthews, who has been the consensus No. 1 pick since Connor McDavid was selected first overall in last years draft, remains atop NHL Central Scouting's final rankings, leading an impressive group of European skaters.Finnish phenoms Patrick Laine and Jesse Puljujarvi rank No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, on the European list, while Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights lead the North American skaters.Projected top five picksRankPlayerPositionHeightWeightLeague1Auston MatthewsC6-1.5210Swiss2Patrick LaineRW6-4206Finland3Jesse PuljujarviRW6-3.5203Finland4Pierre-Luc DuboisLW6-3201QMJHL5Matthew TkachukLW6-0194OHL"Auston Matthews is an extraordinary prospect with NHL size, speed, and smarts combined with an exceptional work ethic and a relentless compete

The Arizona Coyotes reportedly won't get their man.After relieving Don Maloney of his general manager duties Monday, and in accordance with a desire to take a more analytics-based approach, the club reportedly expressed an interest in Toronto Maple Leafs assistant GM Kyle Dubas.It doesn't sound like he's going anywhere, though:

After only two days on the job, new Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion has made his mark on the team by firing head coach Dave Cameron and his staff.The move was made after only 138 regular-seasons games with Cameron as bench boss, with last year's first-round playoff loss to Montreal also on his resume.The club will reportedly be looking for a coach with NHL experience, allowing us to narrow the field to three top candidates:Mike YeoOne name that jumped out soon after Cameron's firing was former Minnesota Wild head coach Yeo.

The Atlantic Division champion Florida Panthers haven't been to the playoffs a whole lot recently. In fact, they've only reached the postseason once in the past 15 years.Experience is often linked to playoff success, but that doesn't matter to Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant."I don't care if some guys haven't played in the playoffs yet," Gallant told George Richards of the Miami Herald. "They're young guys, so they haven't been there yet. We're a 103-point team, won our division. We're a good hockey team."Included on the list of Panthers who've yet to compete in the playoffs are Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, and Aaron Ekblad, but if you look through Florida's roster, the veterans surrounding the young core have plenty of postseason games under their belts.Ageless wonder Jaromir Jagr has won two Stanley Cups, albeit many moons ago. Roberto Luongo was one win away from a ring of his own during his time in Vancouver, while Willie Mitchell - who won't suit up but is a strong influence in the dressing room - and Shawn Thornton have each won hockey's ultimate prize twice.Panthers general manager Dale Tallon shares Gallant's sentiments in believing Florida's mixture of youth and experience will be just fine."We have a young team, a good blend with guys who have won Cups and played in a lot of playoff games," Tallon said. " We're counting on them to pass on the message to our young guys about being focused and elevating their game and their focus and all those things. We have to embrace the process. This is Game 83. We have to keep doing what we're doing, only do it better."Florida kicks off its first playoff series since 2012 on Thursday when it hosts the New York Islanders.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For only the second time in NHL history, there will be no Canadian teams competing for the Stanley Cup.Fear not, there are still plenty of reasons to remain affixed on the playoffs.Here are three for your consideration.Chase for Triple GoldHockey's Triple Gold Club is made up of players who have won Olympic gold, World Championship gold, and the Stanley Cup.Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins became the 10th member of Canada's contingent after winning WC gold in 2015, joining Patrice Bergeron, Jonathan Toews, Eric Staal, Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Brendan Shanahan, Joe Sakic, and Rob Blake.These five players have the opportunity to join the club with a Cup win this season:PlayerNHL teamOlympic goldWorld Championship goldJay BouwmeesterSt. Louis Blues20142003 / 2004Roberto LuongoFlorida Panthers2010 / 20142003 / 2004Patrick MarleauSan Jose Sharks2010 / 20142003Rick NashNew York Rangers2010 / 20142007Shea WeberNashville Predators2010 / 20142007Sweden also has nine members, meaning Canada can take the lead if one of these players gets their name on the Cup in 2016.Hockey is fun, and so are the PanthersOnce the disappointment that comes from realizing one's favorite hockey team isn't all that great fades away, we remember that hockey is a game meant to be enjoyed. In 2016, it's hard to find a team that typifies this reality more than the Florida Panthers.Roberto Luongo has long been seen as the NHL's social media gem, dropping tweets on the hockey world that are always a must-share. Jaromir Jagr's legend knows no bounds, and, at age 44, he continues to churn out zen quotes and rock a killer mullet. The Panthers also boast a plethora of young, high-end talent due to be showcased on the national stage.And, of course, there's the rats.But, as Alex Prewitt of Sports Illustrated writes, what sets this team apart is a truly unique postgame ritual that must be seen to be believed.

The Western Conference is clearly superior to the East, and it looks like it could stay that way for a while.More than a few teams in the West are set up for success beyond this season thanks to solid drafting, smart signings, and some shrewd trades.Here are three Western Conference playoff teams with solid foundations for the future.Anaheim DucksThe Ducks are already one of the most dangerous teams entering the playoffs, and general manager Bob Murray has done an admirable job stockpiling and securing young talent to ensure they stay competitive for years.Rickard Rakell ranked third on the team with 20 goals and Jakob Silfverberg is right behind him in his first season since signing a team-friendly four-year extension. They also have John Gibson who is coming into his own in goal at age 22.The blue line also has plenty of promise with the likes of Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, and Sami Vatanen, although the latter two are pending restricted free agents.Throw in defensive prospect Shea Theodore and 20-year-old forward Nick Ritchie - the 10th overall pick in 2014 - and Anaheim is well positioned for a prolonged run.Nashville PredatorsThe Predators are probably not getting Hobey Baker Award winner Jimmy Vesey, but given the foundation they already have in place, they shouldn't be too concerned.Filip Forsberg is a superstar in the making and fellow 30-goal scorer James Neal is signed for another two seasons.Ryan Johansen's production has increased since he was acquired for Seth Jones, and signing him is looking like a move the Predators could afford to make.Captain Shea Weber is under contract until 2026, but they should get four or five more solid seasons from the dominant defenseman. His partner on the blue line, Roman Josi, is emerging as a star in his own right.Nashville also has a few solid prospects, with 2014 11th-overall pick Kevin Fiala and goaltender Juuse Saros knocking on the door. Winger Viktor Arvidsson is also getting regular third-line minutes in his first full season.Dallas StarsThe Stars were built to make a deep run this spring, but there are several reasons they'll be tough to beat beyond 2016.Tyler Seguin, one of the game's best young scorers, and Jason Spezza, one of the league's best second-line centers, are both signed through 2019.General manager Jim Nill inked John Klingberg, the Stars' potential franchise cornerstone on the blue line, to a seven-year extension at a team-friendly rate of $4.25 million per season until 2021-22.Dallas goaltenders Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi are both locked in for another two seasons after 2015-16.If 21-year-old Valeri Nichushkin can develop into a top-six forward over the next few years, the Stars could have an influx of secondary scoring along with fellow first-round pick Radek Faksa.Dallas' top defensive prospect, 20-year-old Julius Honka, has more than 40 points in his second AHL season, and might be ready for the NHL sooner rather than later.Related: Superstructure: 3 Eastern playoff teams with a solid base for the futureCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A pair of Chicago Blackhawks boast the NHL's highest-selling jerseys this season.Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane rank 1-2 on the list, while young Connor McDavid cracked the top 10, despite missing a large chunk of his rookie season to injury.Here's the full list:

In the wake of missing the playoffs for the second time in three seasons, newly appointed Senators general manager Pierre Dorion made his first personnel decision, firing head coach Dave Cameron, the club announced Tuesday.Cameron became the 11th head coach in franchise history - and fourth since 2008 - in December 2014.

Jonathan Drouin, who hasn't played a home game for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2016, could end up being a difference-maker for the defending Eastern Conference champions.Suspended by the team on Jan. 20 for failing to report for an AHL game following a trade request made public, the young forward is back with the club and eager to contribute."I've got a little bit of a chip on my shoulder. I've got stuff to prove," Drouin said, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "You want to show that you deserve to be in the NHL, you deserve your shot. I have a lot to show the fans and to myself and our team this year."The 21-year-old scored two goals in two games since being recalled, providing a much-needed boost to an offense devoid of Steven Stamkos' prowess.Whether the relationship between Drouin and the Lightning can be mended remains to be seen, but even if the trade request still stands, a strong playoff run could turn out to be a win-win.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Wild appear set to take on the Dallas Stars without their leading goal scorer.Forward Zach Parise reportedly visited a specialist Monday after aggravating a back injury that's affected him since January, according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.Russo continues:

The San Jose Sharks are expected to have Marc-Edouard Vlasic back in the lineup for Game 1 against the Los Angeles Kings, as the defenseman took part in practice Monday after missing his team's last 12 games with an MCL sprain."I'm looking forward to playing," Vlasic said, according to Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area. "Took the time to heal properly, and now I'm ready to go."Vlasic and partner Justin Braun make up the Sharks' key shutdown defense pairing, which will see plenty of minutes against the likes of Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter, and Tyler Toffoli throughout the series.The 29-year-old set new career highs with eight goals and 31 assists this season in just 67 games.Forward Matt Nieto, who has also missed the team's last 12 with a broken knuckle, is also expected to be back in the lineup for Thursday's game."We've got all hands on deck," said head coach Peter DeBoer. "No issues here right now."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson is going to take some time to enjoy the offseason.Karlsson will not play for his native Sweden at the upcoming World Championship, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.The 25-year-old is coming off his first 80-point season and the first by a defenseman since Nicklas Lidstrom accomplished the feat in 2006.He paced the NHL in points by a defenseman for the third consecutive season, clearly earning some time off.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues have been knocked out of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in three straight years under head coach Ken Hitchcock. It's now or never. Problem is, the road to the second round is paved with one massive roadblock: the defending champions, the Chicago Blackhawks.Chicago's contributed to one of those three St. Louis first-round exits, in 2014, in six games.The Blues won the regular-season series 3-2, taking the last two games in extra time - March 9 in a shootout and April 7 in overtime. Three of the five meetings were decided by one goal, and the other two by two goals. It will be tight.Here's what we know: One excellent hockey team is going home after the first round. The Blues' 107 points ranked third in the NHL, and the Blackhawks' 103 fifth. It's almost a shame.Tale of the tapeBluesStatisticBlackhawks107Points1032.7 (15th)Goals per game2.9 (6th)2.4 (4th)Goals against2.5 (10th)21.5% (6th)Power play22.6% (2nd)85.1% (3rd)Penalty kill80.3% (21st)52.% (7th)Corsi50.7% (15th)7% (21st)5-on-5 SH%6.8% (26th)93.1% (5th)5-on-5 SV%92.9% (12th)Tarasenko: 74Leading scorerKane: 106Key playersCorey CrawfordCorey Crawford doesn't get enough credit for the Blackhawks' sustained success, but he's going into the playoffs as cold as it gets. A head injury - a suspected concussion - limited him to only one game after March 14, and that was Chicago's final game of the regular season. Crawford was lit up for five goals on only 25 shots.The 31-year-old had an amazing season, winning a career-high 35 games, recording a career-high seven shutouts, and posting a .924 save percentage for the second straight campaign. And .924 is apparently the magic number - that was his save percentage on his way to the Stanley Cup last year, in 20 games and 19 starts.Crawford should be fine. His career .921 save percentage in the postseason proves he plays his best when games matter most. But if the Blues can get to him early in Game 1, and perhaps plant a seed of doubt, well, that'd be something, wouldn't it?Brian ElliottIn a series that boasts offensive players like Art Ross Trophy winner Patrick Kane, Calder Trophy candidate Artemi Panarin, 40-goal sniper Vladimir Tarasenko, Alex Steen, Jonathan Toews, and Paul Stastny, it feels a little silly to be focusing on both teams' starting goalies. But, let's face it, the difference in what will be either a six- or seven-game series, will be between the pipes.While injuries limited Brian Elliott to 38 starts, he was brilliant when he played, winning 23 games and posting the best save percentage in the league. Elliott stopped a stupendous 93 percent of the 1,113 shots he faced.Jake Allen was great, too, he had to be for the Blues to get to 107 points. But it'll be Elliott in the crease in Game 1, and if the Stanley Cup Playoffs weren't difficult enough, the Blues, as noted, are facing massive pressure to win in the postseason. And goalies have enough on their minds.Elliott didn't make a start in last year's playoffs, and has a career .897 save percentage in the spring, which simply won't do. He has to be better this time around, or the Blues, for as good as they've been over the past four seasons, may have to look at other options in the crease as well as behind the bench.Here's more pressure: Elliott had an .892 save percentage in three starts against Chicago this season.ScheduleDateTime (ET)LocationNetworksWed. April 139:30 p.m.St. LouisNBCSN/SN360/TVA SportsFri. April 158 p.m.St. LouisNBCSN/Sportsnet/TVA SportsSun. April 173 p.m.ChicagoNBC/Sportsnet/TVA SportsTue. April 199:30 p.m.ChicagoNBCSN/Sportsnet/TVA SportsThu. April 21*TBDSt. LouisTBDSat. April 23*TBDChicagoTBDMon. April 25*TBDSt. LouisTBD* If necessaryCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to lock up their best, young defenseman long term as contract extension talks with 22-year-old blue-liner Morgan Rielly are underway, TSN's Darren Dreger reports."Short term seems unlikely. A longer term of five or six years seems more likely," Dreger said, adding Rielly could earn "somewhere between $4.5 million and upwards of $5.5 million per year."The only player to appear in all 82 of his team's games this season, Rielly led all Toronto defensemen with 36 points, while setting new career highs in goals (nine), assists (27), and shots on goal (167).The former fifth overall draft pick will become a restricted free agent this summer.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This year's postseason will feature a talent pool like no other.The playoffs will feature this season's top-four point producers - who have combined for 354 playoff games - as well as seven of the league's top-10 scorers.On top of that, we will also see several players get their first taste of the NHL playoffs. The 2015-16 campaign saw several rookies not only stick with their teams, but help them reach the very spot they sit in now.With that, here are five rookies to watch in the playoffs:Artemi PanarinPanarin enters his first NHL postseason after winning the rookie scoring race. He was the only first-timer to hit the 30-goal mark and built a 21-point cushion between him and second-place finisher Jack Eichel.While he is considered a rookie, the 24-year-old has a considerable age gap between himself and his fellow rookie class. He finished second in team scoring and should not only capture the Calder Trophy, but will be an integral piece of a Chicago Blackhawks team looking to repeat as champs.Dylan Larkin This postseason could quite literally see a passing of the torch.With this season's playoff installment believed to be Pavel Datsyuk's last, it would be only fitting for Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin to pick it up.The 19-year-old made his debut this season after spending a year marinating at the University of Michigan. In doing so, he became the first Red Wings rookie to hit the 20-goal plateau since Henrik Zetterberg did so in 2003, while also leading the team in that category.His 18 even-strength goals and five game-winning goals also bested his fellow Red Wings. Heading into the playoffs, very few rookies will be relied on as heavily as Larkin.Shayne GostisbehereAre you afraid of ghosts?The Washington Capitals might very well be as they have scored the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round, a team that boasts arguably the hottest defenseman down the stretch, Shayne Gostisbehere.Gostisbehere set a Flyers' rookie defenseman record with 17 goals in 64 games. He also constructed a 15-game point streak, the third longest streak by a rookie since the 1987-88 season.He has incredible speed and has already proven that he is willing to do whatever he can to help his team win. With the stakes now elevated, we should expect great things from this Calder Trophy hopeful.Colton ParaykoGostisbehere is not the only blueliner to keep an eye on.Colton Parayko seemingly came out of nowhere this season and played a reliable role on the Blues' back end. His nine goals were the second-most by a Blues' defenseman next to Kevin Shattenkirk, while his 33 points ranked third.He played heavy minutes averaging the fourth-most ice-time on the team, as a rookie. With whispers and uncertainties regarding Shattenkirk's future with the team, he could give the club some leverage moving forward.He might not be as flashy as the rest on the list, but Parayko will still be vital to any potential run by the Blues.Robby FabbriAnother member of the St. Louis Blues could shine in his first taste of playoff action.Robby Fabbri had a solid first season in the league, filling the net 18 times -good enough for third on the team - while adding 19 helpers in 72 games.Fabbri's 16 even-strength goals were good enough for second on the club, behind only Vladimir Tarasenko. Fabbri is a talented and speedy winger who has a deceptively good shot.He can slot up and down the lineup, which can be clutch when secondary scoring becomes a must-have in tight games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After watching his team finish the year with the most goals allowed in the NHL, Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving admits the goalie position needs to be solidified next season, but the poor defensive play doesn't sit solely on their netminders."You can't be 30th in goals against, and that's not just hanging out the goaltenders. That's a team stat," Treliving said Monday, per Postmedia's Wes Gilbertson.The general manager said veteran goaltenders Jonas Hiller and Niklas Backstrom will not be back in Calgary next season. Meanwhile, the other two goalies who appeared for the Flames - Karri Ramo and Joni Ortio - will also become free agents in the offseason.While Ortio's RFA status makes him likely to return, there's no guarantee the 24-year-old will be the starter in October. James Reimer and Jhonas Enroth will both hit free agency in the summer while goalies such as Michal Neuvirth, Frederik Andersen, and Jimmy Howard could be available on the trade market.Treliving added he has not yet considered a coaching change, as discussions and evaluations are just beginning.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins added another college star Monday, announcing the signing of Denver Pioneers forward Danton Heinen to a three-year, entry-level contract beginning next season.A fourth-round pick of the Bruins in 2014, Heinen led the Pioneers to the NCAA Frozen Four with a team-best 20 goals and 48 points in 41 games this past year.He will report to the AHL's Providence Bruins for the remainder of the 2015-16 season.He is the fourth college player to sign with Boston in recent weeks, joining forward Sean Kuraly and defensemen Rob O'Gara and Matt Grzelcyk.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After Frederik Andersen's season-ending shutout Sunday clinched the William Jennings Trophy for himself and fellow goalie John Gibson - Bruce Boudreau joked he may have to flip a coin to decide which netminder takes the starting job for their series against the Nashville Predators."We're blessed at this stage to have two really good goalies," Boudreau said Monday. His goaltenders combined to allow 192 goals for the season, one less than the team they blanked in their final game, the Washington Capitals.Both men enter the postseason in impressive form, with Gibson recording a save percentage above .920 since the beginning of March, while Andersen has suffered just one regulation loss since Jan. 1.Season StatsName GP Record GAA Sv% SOAndersen4322-9-72.30.9193Gibson4021-13-42.07.9204Boudreau said both goalies will likely appear during the postseason, but not necessarily in the opening round, according to Greg Beacham of the Associated Press, making it clear the Ducks have a lengthy playoff run on their minds.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid will don the red and white for the second time in 16 months.The 19-year-old was one of the first 18 players to be named to Canada's World Championship team Monday. McDavid will look to add another championship to his resume after capturing gold at the World Juniors in 2015.Here is how the team stacks up so far:ForwardsPlayerNHL TeamMax DomiCoyotesMatt DucheneAvalancheBrendan GallagherCanadiensTaylor HallOilersBoone JennerBlue JacketsBrad MarchandBruinsConnor McDavidOilersRyan O'ReillySabresSam ReinhartSabresMark ScheifeleJetsMark StoneSenatorsDefensePlayer NHL TeamCody CeciSenatorsBen HuttonCanucksRyan MurrayBlue JacketsMorgan RiellyMaple LeafsChris TanevCanucksGoaliesPlayer NHL TeamCalvin PickardAvalancheCam TalbotOilersCanada will look to match the success of last year's contingent, one that captured gold in the Czech Republic.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On the Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, continues. Before we get to the playoffs, we're looking back on the regular season that was and some of our favorite storylines from a wild seven months.The John Scott SagaCraig Hagerman: What began as a mockery became a storybook ending.When John Scott - and his five career goals - was voted by fans to captain the Pacific Division All-Stars, many - including the NHL - looked at it as a joke and pleaded with him to turn down the honor and not attend the league's annual showcase.However, after citing his family as the main reason he would not only go to Nashville but play in the All-Star Game, Scott took to the ice and made history.The enforcer became the feel-good story of the weekend. He took part in the hardest-shot competition at the Skills Competition and scored on his first shift of the 3-on-3 tournament, 47 seconds into the Pacific's first game. He finished with two goals, was named tournament MVP, and was hoisted on the shoulders of his fellow All-Stars.Scott captured the hearts of the hockey world, doing every interview possible with a smile on his face, not uttering a single sour word to those who detested his participation at the festivities. And for the first time in years, Scott brought excitement back to the NHL All-Star Game.Washington's Most Dangerous RussianIan McLaren: A Russian forward led the Washington Capitals in scoring this season, like everyone expected.The thing is, his name isn't Alex Ovechkin.With 77 points in 82 games, 23-year-old Evgeny Kuznetsov finished six points ahead of Ovechkin in team scoring. His 57 assists - often delivered in spectacular fashion - were good for fourth in the league, behind only Erik Karlsson (66), Joe Thornton (63), and Patrick Kane (60).Kuznetsov's emergence helped the Capitals to an NHL-best 120 points, and his high-end offensive game, together with Washington's added depth up front, could very well be the X-factor that helps the team win when it matters most.Floundering, Flourishing DucksBen Whyte: The Anaheim Ducks somehow went from definite Stanley Cup contender to worst team in the Pacific Division to legitimate Cup favorite all in the span of one season.In December, it appeared Bruce Boudreau's coaching tenure with Anaheim was over, his team well out of a playoff position. But general manager Bob Murray showed remarkable patience and restraint, hanging on to the Jack Adams winner, and the Ducks rebounded.Frederik Andersen and John Gibson provided exceptional goaltending and Anaheim went from the lowest-scoring team before the All-Star break to the second-highest scoring team after it. The Ducks' 3.35 goals-per-game average from Feb. 2 onward trailed only the Pittsburgh Penguins.Now boasting another Pacific title, Anaheim's fourth straight, the Ducks begin their Cup quest against Nashville. The Predators won two of three against Anaheim, but all three games were played before Boudreau's squad turned its season around.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After sitting out the entire 2015-16 season due to a blood clot issue, Buffalo Sabres forward Cody McCormick will be forced to retire, general manager Tim Murray told reporters during a season-ending press conference.Murray did indicate that though his playing career is over, the 32-year-old may have a role within the organization, according to Paul Hamilton of WGR.McCormick played parts of five seasons with the Sabres. Over his 10-year career, he recorded 21 goals and 44 assists in 405 career games.He still has one year remaining on his contract.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The departure of Arizona Coyotes general manager Don Maloney appears to have no baring on the future of defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.Related: Coyotes relieve Don Maloney of GM dutiesFollowing the announcement that the club relieved Maloney of his duties, president and CEO Anthony LeBlanc went on record to once again put to bed any trade rumours involving the club's top D-man.According to LeBlanc, "there is absolutely no potential" that Ekman-Larsson will be dealt for a draft pick.With that, Ekman-Larsson can be expected back with the club next season as well as captain Shane Doan, who will be welcomed back if that's what the 39-year-old wants."If Shane Doan wants to come back, we're thrilled," LeBlanc said, according to NHL.com's Dave Vest. "We're going to let him dictate the time frame on that."With the team not expected to make a significant run at moving up in the draft, LeBlanc also went on record suggesting the team will push hard in free agency."I do anticipate we're going to be active (in free agency)," LeBlanc said, according to ABC 15 Sports. "We're just not going to spend money for the sake of spending money, that's for sure."Arizona should enter free agency with a lot of money to spend, with roughly $40 million in cap space at their disposal, according to capfriendly.com.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Coyotes have relieved Don Maloney of his duties as general manager."On behalf of our ownership group and the entire Arizona Coyotes organization, I would like to sincerely thank Don for all of his hard work and the many contributions he made to our organization during his tenure," said Coyotes President and CEO Anthony LeBlanc."The Coyotes had some success with Don, but we believe a change in leadership is needed in order to move our franchise forward in a new direction."The search for a new GM will begin immediately, with assistants John Chayka and Chris O’Hearn taking care of hockey operations in the interim.

Attention, poolies: The NHL's fan-friendly bracket is now available for your filling needs.So to help, up first is the case for and against the eight postseason teams that will make up the Western Conference gauntlet.Dallas StarsFor: Some 2,600 shots for an NHL-best 265 goals, 12 double-digit goal-scorers, 15 players with at least 20 points, and the most efficient point producer over the last two years. The Stars can outscore any team on any night, much like they've done more often than not all season. It will take a tremendous defensive effort to mute this team.Against: Unfortunately, the Stars' colossal output isn't without similar intake. They'll enter having swallowed more goals than any team in the tournament, and with a rotten .904 overall save percentage that has them exclusively in the company of lottery hopefuls. To that end, the choice in net comes down to a flip of the coin, as Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen own similarly inadequate numbers.Minnesota WildFor: Devan Dubnyk hasn't been the saving-grace stopper of last season, but does give his team an all-important edge in goal heading into the first round's greatest mismatch. That is, at least on paper. The Wild can hang tough should he travel back to March, when he went 10-2-1 with a .927 save rate, and the Wild maintain their marked discipline.Against: It's hard to believe that an average even-strength team with horrific special teams, which fired its head coach in-season and lost its final five games could qualify out West, but the Wild accomplished just that.St. Louis BluesFor: Scoring hasn't ever really been an issue for the Blues; their 695 goals over the last three 100-plus-point seasons ranks ninth. But as they head into the postseason for a fifth straight time, the Blues have perhaps never been so potent. Before clicking into cruise control over the weekend, they had totaled 64 goals in 17 games (or 3.76 per), and hadn't lost a game in which they scored more than four times.Against: Having the defending champions waiting ominously in the queue is a harsh reality for a 107-point team. But despite the Blackhawks earning at least one point in each clash this season - and of course defeating the Blues in six games in 2014 - St. Louis actually fared well in recent years. Instead, its foremost concern should center around perhaps its greatest strength - an ultra-talented, persistently banged-up goaltending tandem that will enter the playoffs on the limp.Chicago Blackhawks For: How do you game plan for a team with near-flawless construction and a title pedigree? Sure, the Blackhawks haven't commanded their 82-game schedule after a 105-game championship season with an iron fist. But trust that teams aren't lining up around the corner to meet Coach Q and Co. When all things are equal, and in many cases when the ice is tilted against them, Chicago's mystique will help it maintain a competitive advantage, being a menacing, more experienced entity.Against: For the first time in its seven-year proliferation of Cups, Chicago will carry a negative even-strength goal differential into the tournament. The club has still outscored the competitive by a wide margin, of course, thanks in part to the second-best power play in the league. This dependency, however, is troubling heading into the playoffs when called infractions tend to decline.Anaheim DucksFor: For a time there, the Ducks, and not the Warriors, were the hottest team in California. There's so much to like about a team that took 73 points from 49 games after Christmas and overcame a 16-point deficit over the final three months to clinch its fourth straight division title, but we'll keep it to a few. Anaheim is the highest-scoring playoff team in the West since finalizing its roster at the deadline, has the NHL's best goal differential over the last 12 weeks, and finished with the best power play and penalty kill.Against: The last three months worth of data suggests the Ducks solved their scoring woes, but this team was no offensive juggernaut. Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf have to capitalize on what few opportunities they may have against a stingy Predators team with Rickard Rakell out and Ryan Kesler's line shifting to shutdown mode.Nashville PredatorsFor: Nashville has allowed the fifth-fewest shots at even strength, but its greatest success was limiting quality looks from the opposition. The Predators allowed fewer scoring chances than any Western Conference team and the fewest high-danger opportunities league-wide - a trend that continued even after the Seth Jones trade.Against: It turns out that a collective clampdown was critical, as Pekka Rinne had a career-worst season despite being sheltered. He finished with a .908 save percentage (which ranked outside the top 50), dragging down the team's overall rate into the bottom third along with him.Los Angeles KingsFor: The Kings controlled possession better than any other team for a fourth straight year, as their heavy, downhill shot-suppression style once again yielded a postseason berth. More importantly, though, Los Angeles allowed the fewest even-strength goals, produced the second-most per-game shots, and has a more talented top six than in years past with the addition of Milan Lucic and continuing emergence of Tyler Toffoli.Against: Los Angeles' defense has held up, but beyond all-world defender Drew Doughty and Jake Muzzin, it's a heavy, plodding, almost rag-tag group that won't succeed if the opposition is successful in taking their brand to the Kings.San Jose SharksFor: After a down season, the Sharks' enduring core proved it remains in the discussion as one of the most talented attacking units in the league. No team produced more high-danger scoring chances than the Sharks (also allowing the fourth fewest), who finished as the second-highest-scoring team in the West.Against: Martin Jones will carry near-identical numbers into a matchup against the Kings' Jonathan Quick after a largely successful first season as a starter. But most pundits would view the goaltending comparison as a mismatch. How Jones handles, or fails to handle, the magnitude of the situation will go a long way in determining San Jose's fate.- stats courtesy war-on-ice.com, stats.hockeyanalysis.com.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vancouver Canucks fans will have to wait a bit longer for the services of Brock Boeser.Fresh off winning a national championship, Boeser announced he will return to the Fighting Hawks for his sophomore season.

Michel Therrien is getting a chance to turn things around in Montreal.At the end of a disappointing season marred by an injury to star goaltender Carey Price, Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin confirmed the head coach's retention at a press conference Monday."Michel (Therrien) will be behind the bench on opening night," he declared.On top of that, Bergevin will not be looking to trade P.K. Subban this summer.

For the third year in a row, the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers will meet in the Stanley Cup playoffs.The Rangers took the last two series' en route to two deep playoff runs, while the Penguins we're the NHL's hottest team to close out the regular season, winning 15 of their final 16 games.Related: Panthers-Islanders, Stars-Wild, Red Wings-Lightning, Capitals-FlyersPittsburgh won the season series 3-1, and looks to make it past the first round for the first time since 2013, and only the second time since they won it all in 2009. New York, meanwhile, will look to recapture the magic that won them a Presidents' Trophy a year ago, after a season of regression.Tale of the tapePenguinsStatisticRangers104Points1012.94 (3rd)Goals per game2.84 (7th)2.43 (6th)Goals against2.62 (15th)18.4% (16th)Power play18.6 (14th)84.4% (5th)Penalty kill78.2% (26th)53.1% (4th)Corsi48.1% (21st)7.5% (16th)5-on-5 SH%9% (1st)93.1% (4th)5-on-5 SV%93.5 (1st)Crosby: 85Leading scorerZuccarello: 61Key playersSidney CrosbyThis is an obvious one.Crosby emphatically silenced naysayers after a slow start to the season. He finished third in league scoring with 85 points while captaining the Penguins on a second-half tear, which clinched home ice for at least the first round.As always, Crosby will be the center of attention, and it will be up to an ailing Rangers blue line to slow him down. Crosby closed out the regular season with 11 points in his final 10 games, nine of which were wins. Despite what critics say, "Sid the Kid" has put up 118 points in 100 career playoff contests, and will be the key to the Penguins success with Evgeni Malkin on the shelf for the time being.Rick NashRangers winger Nash endured a difficult season. The 31-year-old only suited up for 60 games, recording 36 points - a career low. Nash will need to find his scoring touch in the playoffs, something that hasn't boded well for him in the past, with only 10 goals in 60 career postseason games.Nash said he's happy with his defensive game, but now, more than ever, he needs to reverse his playoff misfortunes and produce offensively if the Rangers want to go deep again.The Rangers' acquisition of Eric Staal hasn't gone to plan so far, and New York will need depth scoring to ease Henrik Lundqvist's workload, and ultimately advance.Keith YandleThe Rangers will need to suppress Pittsburgh's potent offense to be successful, and that starts with Yandle.With captain Ryan McDonagh out of the lineup, look for Yandle to step up on both ends of the ice. While fellow blue-liner Dan Girardi - if healthy - will be tasked with shot-blocking and physical play, Yandle, as usual, will quarterback the Rangers' breakouts and powerplays.A pending free agent, Yandle is not only playing for a chance at the Cup, but also his future, and he'll look to shine brightest with plenty of teams watching.ScheduleDateTime (ET)LocationNetworksWed. April 138 p.m.PittsburghUSA/Sportsnet/TVASat. April 163 p.m.PittsburghUSA/Sportsnet/TVATue. April 197 p.m.New YorkUSA/Sportsnet/TVAThu. April 21TBDNew YorkSportsnet/TVASat. April 23*TBDPittsburghTBDMon. April 25*TBDNew YorkTBDWed. April 27*TBDPittsburghTBD* If necessaryCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Marc-Andre Fleury has taken a positive step toward being ready for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, practicing with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday.Fleury has been out since March 31 with his second concussion of the season. The Penguins begin their first-round playoff series with the New York Rangers on Wednesday."One day at a time," he told reporters about his progress. "This was my first practice, so we'll see how it goes."Fleury is coming off a fantastic regular season in which he posted a record of 35-17-6, with a .921 save percentage and two shutouts.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks have signed goalie Mantas Armalis of the Swedish Hockey League to a three-year entry-level contract, the club announced on Monday.Armalis' name had recently surfaced as a result of multiple NHL teams reportedly interested in his services, but the Sharks ultimately won the sweepstakes."Mantas had a number of NHL suitors and we are excited that he chose San Jose," Sharks GM Doug Wilson said. "We've been following his progression up the ranks in Sweden over the last few seasons and he has consistently performed at every level. He has a history of playing above his age group internationally, and we're looking forward to him joining our organization."The 23-year-old posted a record of 16-13-3-2 this season with Djurgardens of the SHL, recording a goals against average of 2.42 and a .918 save percentage.Current San Jose starter Martin Jones is under contract for another two years, while deadline acquisition James Reimer will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pavel Datsyuk is tapping the brakes on an imminent departure from the Motor City.A day after he announced he would be returning to Russia at the end of the postseason for family reasons through an interview with the Detroit Free Press, the Red Wings center met with reporters Monday and said nothing is set in stone.Related - Agent: Red Wings won't try to dump Datsyuk's contract

The Ottawa Senators, along with the rest of the NHL's Canadian teams, will be watching the Stanley Cup playoffs from home.Senators forward Curtis Lazar, however, will be looking for a different activity to occupy his spring."I don't feel I deserve to watch them," Lazar said, according to Wayne Scanlan of the Ottawa Citizen.The Senators failed to qualify for the postseason for the second time in three years, thanks in large part to poor defending, as Ottawa ranked 26th with 2.94 goals against per game.Lazar scored 20 points in 76 games in his second NHL season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A trio of dynamic forwards took home the NHL's three stars honors for the final week of the regular season.New York Islanders center John Tavares, Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane, and Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin earned the awards, the league announced Monday.Tavares put the Islanders on his back when they needed it the most, scoring nine points (four goals, five assists) in four games to clinch New York a playoff spot.Kane iced the Art Ross trophy in the final week, expanding the lead he's held nearly all season to become the first American-born player to win the scoring race. Kane scored three goals and three assists in a trio of games as the Blackhawks locked up another playoff position.Ovechkin closed out his season in style, scoring a hat trick in the season finale against the St. Louis Blues to record the seventh 50-goal season of his career. Only Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy have surpassed that feat. Ovechkin also captured his fourth consecutive "Rocket" Richard Trophy, and his sixth in total.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A big piece of the Winnipeg Jets' future is officially locked in.Kyle Connor, a first-round selection of Winnipeg in 2015, signed his three-year entry-level contract on Monday.

The Philadelphia Flyers will be doing all they can to make the late Ed Snider's dream come true.Snider, the team's founder, died Monday at age 83, two days after the Flyers clinched a playoff spot, and for forward Wayne Simmonds, the goal is to make good on the opportunity before them."Mr. Snider was all about hockey, this is what we wanted. (I'm) so glad we got into the playoffs for him," Simmonds told reporters. "Although we will be playing with a heavy heart there's nothing we'd want more than to win him another Stanley Cup."Simmonds later took to Twitter to offer some words of condolence:

There's a lot on the line in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Winning 16 high-intensity games after a grueling 82-game season is far from easy.For some players in the playoffs, even more will be on the line than a last name eternally inscribed on the Stanley Cup. A number of playoff participants are playing for new contracts.Here are three players who would benefit most from a dominant spring.Kyle OkposoOkposo, a lifelong New York Islander, is set for unrestricted free agency at only 27. A seventh overall pick in 2006, he's a three-time 20-goal scorer and has recorded three straight fifty-point seasons, finishing second on the club in scoring each time. His 64 points in 2015-16 were only five off his career high. Playing with John Tavares has its benefits.The St. Paul native may not be playing in Brooklyn next season, though, thanks to some long-term contracts that aren't looking so good for the Islanders. Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolay Kulemin are not worth their salary cap hits of $5 million and $4.188 million based on their production.While Okposo made $4.5 million this season, his salary against the cap was only $2.8 million. He signed a five-year, $14-million contract in 2011 that certainly paid off for New York. He's in line for a massive raise, based on his age and production.He's a solid possession player with five goals and two assists in 13 career playoff games. Should he help fuel a deep Islanders postseason run, he's going to cash in even more than after the second-best regular season of his NHL career.Keith YandleKeith Yandle's going to get paid this summer. We know that. But he can guarantee a few more riches with a big spring in Manhattan.Yandle will be 29 on July 1, when he can take offers from the highest bidders. He'll turn 30 on Sept. 29, which means he's in for a multi-year extension at very big money. Think Brent Seabrook, who signed an eight-year extension worth close to $55 million, with a cap number of $6.875 million.Seabrook has three 40-point seasons, his 49 this campaign a career high. Yandle's scored 40 or more points six times, and 50 or more three times. And Yandle's a positive possession player on a New York Rangers team that doesn't often have the puck.Teams know what Yandle can do, and he's performed well in the playoffs, with 30 points in 46 career games. The Rangers are looking to go deep again, and always have a chance to do so thanks to Henrik Lundqvist. A big playoff run from Yandle could make him the seventh defenseman in history to carry a cap hit of over $7 million.DefensemanCap HitP.K. Subban$9MShea Weber$7.857MRyan Suter$7.538MKris Letang$7.25MBrian Campbell*$7.14MDrew Doughty$7M* Campbell will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.David BackesSt. Louis Blues captain David Backes is one of the more intriguing players set to hit the open market.He can do it all. A center, he's a six-time 20-goal scorer, hitting 30 or more twice. He hit the 20 mark for the third straight season in 2015-16 after a nightmare lockout-shortened 2013, when he scored only six goals in 48 games. He's a two-way forward who plays with sandpaper, a perennial Selke candidate, a possession beast, and he produces - Backes has five 50-point seasons and one 60-point season to his name.Problem is, the Blues have been bounced from the playoffs in the first round in three straight years. Backes has two goals and four assists in 16 playoff games over that time, and only five goals and eight assists in 29 career postseason games.Jobs are on the line in St. Louis; the Blues need a big postseason. And so does Backes, who turns 32 on May 1. Backes' last contract paid him $22.5 million over five years. A successful spring could bank him $30 million over five years, maybe more.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The sun has set on Don Maloney's time in the desert.The Arizona Coyotes have parted ways with the general manager, according to multiple reports.Arizona missed out on the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, but the firing comes at a peculiar time as the draft approaches, and the Coyotes have a decent shot at a lottery pick.There was an "ongoing power struggle" within Coyotes management, TSN's Darren Dreger reports.Maloney faced the tough task of cultivating hockey in Arizona, as the franchise has been rumored to be on the outs for years, and has endured problems surrounding their financial situation, arena lease, and fan support.The 57-year-old has a strong relationship with head coach Dave Tippett, who's future with the team is unclear.Maloney took over as Coyotes GM in 2007, and won GM of the year in 2010.With multiple young stars, and more on the way, Arizona looks poised to begin a climb up the Western Conference ranks, albeit without the architect of the plan.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Boston Bruins center David Krejci will undergo offseason hip surgery, the team announced Monday.Krejci admitted the issue bothered him for the final quarter of the season, and is related to what limited him to 47 games in 2014-15.Although he felt he was in good enough shape to help the team down the stretch in hopes of qualifying for the playoffs, he's looking forward to the opportunity to return to full health and maximum his effectiveness.

Since the day Max Pacioretty was named captain of the Montreal Canadiens, rumors of an alleged rift with P.K. Subban have abounded.The star defenseman, who was perceived to have been slighted by not receiving the honor, threw cold water on that in hilarious fashion as the team gathered for exit meetings Monday."Do I have to make out with (Pacioretty) to prove I like him?" he asked reporters.