Good news for the universe: Jaromir Jagr isn't going anywhere.The 44-year-old confirmed he'll be back for another 82 in the NHL next season, according to the Miami Herald's George Richards, but he won't talk contract with the Florida Panthers until this season ends. And if Jagr gets his way, that'll be in June.Jagr's doing it and doing it well. He has 24 goals and 31 assists in 68 games, leading the first-place Panthers in scoring. He's shooting a remarkable 19.4 percent while averaging 17:09 in ice time. And he's looking forward to the playoffs.Forever on the ice, Jagr's somehow upped his workout game recently, hitting the gym at obscene hours - "If you want to be better than the opponent, you have to train when he's asleep," he wrote. It's all in preparation for the grind that is spring hockey."You know, I want to see how my body is going to react," Jagr said, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.Jagr hasn't played for the Stanley Cup since 2013, when he had 10 assists in 22 games with the Boston Bruins on their run to the Stanley Cup Final.The ageless Czech is taking nothing for granted."I don't know," Jagr said when asked about next season and the future at large. "I don't know what's going to happen - maybe a car's going to hit me tomorrow and I'm going to be dead. You're asking me questions; like I don't have the (crystal) ball to see through this."Jagr will let us know when he's done working out, and when he's done playing hockey. Until then, enjoy."I don't get tired," he told Johnston. "I never get tired."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Life is all about timing, and this isn't good timing for the Colorado Avalanche.Matt Duchene, the club's leading scorer with 56 points, will miss Friday's game against the Calgary Flames. It's the first game he'll watch this season, having played in all 71 to date. He has a knee injury, the club announced.The Avalanche hold a one-point lead in the Western Conference wild-card standings over the Minnesota Wild - both teams through 71 games - so Duchene's loss is a big one.He's day to day, according to head coach Patrick Roy, but that doesn't help in determining the 25-year-old's status for the rest of the club's road trip through Canada. The Avalanche finish the journey Sunday, March 20 in Edmonton, and are then off until Thursday, March 24.Duchene has 29 goals and 27 assists. His next marker, should it come, would make him a 30-goal scorer for the first time in his seven-season career.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Everyone associated with the Detroit Red Wings has to be crossing their fingers.Defenseman Niklas Kronwall, who suffered a right knee sprain on March 12, is feeling good and hopeful about returning to the lineup Saturday against the Florida Panthers, according to MLive.com's Ansar Khan.

President Frank Underwood will be in the building.Kevin Spacey, the star of Netflix's "House of Cards" and an unexpected source of motivation for the first-place Florida Panthers, will be in attendance at Saturday's game in Sunrise, Fla., according to the Miami Herald's George Richards.Need proof? Spacey's bag is packed.

Nashville Predators general manager David Poile is hopeful.Appearing on Sportsnet's "Hockey Central At Noon" on Friday, Poile said he's "cautiously optimistic" he'll be able to get Harvard's Jimmy Vesey's signature on a contract after his collegiate season ends, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.Vesey was drafted in the second round by the Predators in 2012 and is completing his senior season with the Crimson. He has 23 goals and 21 assists in 30 games and is a finalist for this year's Hobey Baker Award, which honors NCAA Division I's finest hockey player.The Predators hold down the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference, so if Vesey signs, his first taste of the NHL could come in the playoffs.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin will miss the next three-to-four weeks - and quite possibly the remainder of the regular season - after suffering a 15 percent cut of his Achilles tendon.The volume scorer had surgery Friday to stitch up the damaged tendon, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports.Stars GM Jim Nill said Seguin's expected to return for the start of the postseason, which is about three-and-a-half weeks away. Injuries to the Achilles, however, historically impact players beyond their return to play.Seguin is one of a handful of players contributing at a point-per-game pace this season. He's tied for third in NHL scoring, netting 33 goals and 40 assists in 72 games for the league's No. 1 offense.He and Stars captain Jamie Benn are the highest-scoring duo since his trade to Dallas, combining for 478 points in three seasons.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Stephen Johns has more reason to celebrate.Just a few hours after scoring his first NHL goal in a win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Dallas Stars announced Friday that the 23-year-old defenseman has signed a two-year contract extension.Financial terms were not disclosed, but Johns' agent told TSN's Frank Seravalli that Johns will earn $1.45 million throughout the life of the one-way deal.Dallas acquired Johns from the Chicago Blackhawks in a package that included Patrick Sharp last summer. He's spent the first five months of the season with Texas of the American Hockey League before injuries to the Stars' blue line resulted in his recall.The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder was drafted in the second round in 2010, and was scheduled to become a restricted free agent.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Reebok has produced special-edition New York Islanders sneakers, paying homage to the team's string of titles in the early 1980s, in association with New York's Extra Butter.The "Dynasty" Reebok Ventilator Supreme features some incredible detail, including Al Arbour's win total with the Islanders on the tongue, the Stanley Cup seasons on the back, and skate-inspired laces.

Winning the Atlantic Division may not matter all that much to the Tampa Bay Lightning. But after fumbling a lead in the third period Thursday in Dallas - and dropping four points back of the Florida Panthers - the Bolts couldn't hide their prevailing distress."We're playing like a fragile team that's scared to lose and not hungry to close out a game," Steven Stamkos said, according Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "We can't let that fear of losing creep in at this time of year."Lightning coach Jon Cooper relayed a similar sentiment."Got to start winning or we won't play much longer."Less than two weeks ago, Tampa Bay surged to top ranking in the division after a ninth consecutive win.The team has one win and three points in six games since.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Injured Montreal Canadiens superstars P.K. Subban and Carey Price were on the ice - and in full gear - Friday ahead of the team's official practice.Subban, who suffered a non-serious neck injury and had to be stretchered off the ice eight days ago, performed the more strenuous drills, and looked quite sharp.

The NHL and NHLPA reportedly held an initial meeting in New York on Thursday to discuss the league's ongoing expansion process, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.A framework for the expansion draft, including the rules existing teams would have to abide by in protecting their current rosters, was presented to league executives at the GM meetings in Boca Raton, Fla., on Wednesday.Dreger notes that the rules governing the ostensibly impending expansion draft won't be negotiated until the NHL confirms whether it will add either one or two new outfits for the 2017-18 season.Teams are currently expected to be allowed to protect either seven forwards, three defensemen, and a goaltender, or eight skaters of any kind plus a goaltender.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

LOS ANGELES - Anze Kopitar scored the tying goal with 4:10 to play and tipped home the winner at 1:34 of overtime, propelling the Los Angeles Kings to a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday night.

The Dallas Stars honored former captain Brenden Morrow in style Thursday.Hours after Morrow signed a one-day contract with the Stars to retire a member of the organization that he captained for eight years, Morrow was on hand for the ceremonial puck drop and tribute by the team.Morrow finishes his career eighth in franchise scoring, and fourth with 835 games played as a member of the Stars,Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While he still collected two goals in a losing effort Thursday, Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos is in the midst of an uncharacteristic season.With 33 goals on the campaign, tied for fifth most in the league, Stamkos has actually fallen short of many people's expectations for a superstar player in his contract year.The 26-year-old is on pace to finish with 38 goals, which, besides the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season and his injury-plagued 2013-14 campaign, would be his lowest total since his rookie year.His point total has also been lacking, with 57 through 71 games. Stamkos is on pace to finish with 65 points, a far cry from the 97 he racked up in 2011-12.Regardless, Stamkos will be the NHL's hottest commodity when he hits free agency this summer, with no shortage of suitors expected to offer big bucks for his services.However, after dipping under a point-per-game pace over the last two seasons, it'll be interesting to see if some teams steer clear of offering Stamkos a long-term contract.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

DALLAS (AP) Jamie Benn scored two goals to give him a career-best 36 this season, and the Dallas Stars took sole possession of first place in the Western Conference by rallying for a 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night.Benn's winning goal 11:50 into the third period came about 2 minutes after Stephen Johns' first NHL goal as the Stars dropped the Lightning to 31-2-0 when leading after two periods.

Dustin Brown has come alive.The Los Angeles Kings captain was at it again Thursday, picking up a goal in his third straight game.The 31-year-old fought off New York Rangers defenseman Dan Boyle, before firing a seeing-eye shot over the blocking glove of goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.Prior to Brown's streak, he had gone 15 games without a goal. He now has 11 goals and 26 points on the season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sidney Crosby's two goals helped the Pittsburgh Penguins dig out of a hole and pick up their fourth straight win against the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday.Related: VIDEO: Crosby's beautiful solo effort pushes point streak to 10 gamesHis second goal of the game would hold up as the game-winner, and was just the latest out of Crosby's book of tricks, with the Penguins captain dropping to one knee.For Crosby, his goals helped him extend his current point streak to 10 games - the longest active streak in the league - while also helping his club rebound from a 2-0 first-period deficit.With the win, the Penguins have a three-point cushion over the Detroit Red Wings for the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and sit just one point behind the New York Islanders for third place in the Metropolitan Division.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NEWARK, N.J. - Devante Smith-Pelly, Mike Sislo and Adam Henrique scored two goals apiece and the New Jersey Devils had their best offensive performance of the season with a 7-4 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night.

Dallas Stars head coach Lindy Ruff joined elite company when he stepped behind the bench Thursday night.Taking in his 1,401 game as a coach, he passed former Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks great Patt Quinn, and tied Ron Wilson for fifth-most games coached in NHL history.During his 18-year career, Ruff has amassed a record of 694-515-192. His 694 wins also put him fifth all-time.This year he has coached his Stars to a Western Conference-best 91 points.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A change of scenery is all Devante Smith-Pelly needed.The newest member of the New Jersey Devils has been scoring at an unbelievable pace since joining the team ahead of the trade deadline, and added another two goals and an assist Thursday against the Minnesota Wild.

Generations will collide when the Florida Panthers take the ice against the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday.The game will mark the first time Maple Leafs rookie William Nylander will share the ice with Jaromir Jagr, or at least the first time in many years. Ahead of Thursday's contest, Nylander recalled the time he strapped on the goalie pads and took shots from the ageless wonder."I think I was goalie one time and he came out on the ice and was shooting on me when I was like 10 (year-old) or something," Nylander told reporters. "I think he scored, he wasn't going too hard on me, but he was able to score on me."Nylander added that following the shootout, Jagr -who had been playing on a line with his father Michael Nylander and Martin Straka - had a nice chat with him and his younger brother Alex."It will be pretty amazing playing against a guy that's going to be in the Hall of Fame, a big legend," said Nylander. "He played with my father too in New York. It's going to be fun playing against him."Things won't be easy for Nylander and the Maple Leafs, as Jagr has six points in his past five games. But at least Nylander won't be charged with stopping shots this time around.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vancouver Canucks winger Jannik Hansen will be out through the weekend - and miss at least two more games - after suffering a setback in his recovery from a rib injury, the team announced Thursday.He's been out since the beginning of March.With the benefit of spending a large portion of the season on a line with the Sedin twins, Hansen achieved the team's highest 5-on-5 scoring rate at 2.24 points per 60 minutes.He's already established a career high with 19 goals and with 32 points, and was well on his way to passing the 40-point threshold for the first time in his career.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Stars winger Patrick Sharp will be inserted back in the lineup versus the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday after missing six games with a lower-body injury.He's expected to start on the fourth unit, flanking Vernon Fiddler and Colton Sceviour.Sharp hasn't had a spectacular debut season with Dallas, but exceeded his point total last year with the Chicago Blackhawks before he went down to injury, contributing 17 goals and 47 points in 65 games.Meanwhile, John Klingberg will miss his sixth straight game with a lower-body injury.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears as though the prospective expansion team, or teams, for the 2017-18 season won't be able to pluck too many premier skaters from the other 30 outfits.A working framework of the expansion process was presented to NHL GMs at their annual meetings in Boca Raton, Fla., this week, and they were told to expect protection for between eight-to-10 skaters, based on composition.The most interesting dynamic, though, surrounds the goaltenders. As of now, teams, unlike last time, will only be able to protect one, meaning an array of quality backups, veterans, and prospects into their third seasons could be exposed.Here are five goaltenders that could anchor the NHL's next expansion team:Ben Bishop/Andrei VasilevskiyUnflinching and now with understanding, there's little doubt Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman will decide between his massive, ultra-talented netminders before exposing one to the expansion process in a little more than a year's time.But if by the odd chance Bishop and Vasilevskiy are on the same roster, or are sharing a crease with another talent elsewhere, either goalie would be a massive coup for a startup.Bishop, currently having a campaign worthy of end-of-season hardware, has been one of the NHL's best and most durable goaltenders since becoming a starter. His 106 wins over the last three seasons are tied with Braden Holtby for the most, and in the same amount of starts.That said, Vasilevskiy, who like Bishop will need a new contract at the end of next season, has long been considered the future of the position. And his performance through his first 36 appearances has exceeded the first minutes of Bishop's career.Michal NeuvirthThe Philadelphia Flyers signed the very best deals this summer in brokering a modest two-year agreement with a goaltender that had bounced around the league in the years leading up to this past summer.With 17 wins and a .925 save percentage (that slots him ahead of Petr Mrazek, Cory Schneider, Holtby, Henrik Lundqvist) in 28 starts, Neuvirth has provided greatly effective bench minutes, and with Steve Mason, helped the Flyers establish one of the very best tandems in the NHL.Though his deal, too, will expire next summer, Neuvirth could be of titanic value to an incoming general manager whether it's in a backup role or as a low-risk potential starter to pair with a capable veteran.James ReimerIt would be a roll of the dice for Las Vegas (or Quebec, we suppose), to take on the talented, but still, and even after six seasons, unproven San Jose Sharks backup.The oft-injured Reimer has a chance to stop pucks at a career-best rate (he's currently ranked fourth in 5-on-5 save percentage) while establishing a personal best for appearances. And yet, and partly because everything he's accomplished, even this season, has been at a reduced sample, his value on the open market leading up to the trade deadline was a mere fourth-round pick.He's still No. 2 on his depth chart, but Reimer has an opportunity over the final few weeks - and this summer when he actualizes free agency - to audition for an opportunity he hasn't shied away from speaking out about previously.Jimmy HowardHoward hasn't looked the part of a capable starter for the last 14 months, since suffering a groin injury, failing to return to form, and losing his job to Mrazek in a season in which he was named an All-Star. He has 16 wins in 46 appearances since, and a most-recent stretch that includes 11 consecutive spots to which the Detroit Red Wings have failed to grab two points.His departure would be as much a benefit to the Red Wings as it would a potential expansion club, as Howard's $5 million-plus cap hit is scheduled to be on the books through 2019. But for an expansion club who can house that contract and who will have to choose a veteran, there likely won't be another with a better pedigree.Howard is expected to see time in an historical stretch run for the Red Wings, whose 24-season postseason streak is at serious risk. Let's see how he does in his audition.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brenden Morrow retired Thursday as a member of the Dallas Stars, signing a one-day contract with the organization to signify the final chapter of his 15-year career.Morrow joined the Stars following their championship season in 1999 after being selected in the first round, 25th overall, in 1997. He spent 12-plus seasons in Dallas, climbing the franchise record lists with 243 goals, 528 points, and 1203 penalty minutes in 835 games.The 37-year-old, who wanted to play this season, dressed for the Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues, and reached the Stanley Cup Final last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, spending his final years chasing what proved to be an elusive championship.He won an Olympic gold medal with Canada in 2010, and also won World Championship and World Junior Championship gold.

Philadelphia Flyers center Chris VandeVelde will indeed hear from the NHL's Department of Player Safety to address the elbow he landed on the head of Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews on Wednesday.The typically squeaky-clean VandeVelde was hit with a minor penalty at the time, but it's a clear violation of Rule 48.Toews stayed in the game, and later scored.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Corey Crawford is not traveling with the Chicago Blackhawks to Winnipeg on Thursday, instead staying back to deal with an upper-body injury, the team announced.He's considered day to day.Crawford allowed all five goals in a loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday before backing up Scott Darling in Wednesday's defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers.The two-time Stanley Cup champion is having one of his best seasons on record and in the face of more shots than he's seen previously. He has 35 wins and seven shutouts with a .926 save percentage.The Blackhawks will return home for two games after meeting the Jets on Friday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Scott Wilson requires surgery to repair a lower-body injury and will be out indefinitely, the team announced Thursday.Wilson has been seen protecting what's believed to be a right ankle injury by wearing crutches and a walking boot.He suffered the knock in an awkward collision last week in a game versus the Columbus Blue Jackets.The bottom-six contributor re-upped with the Penguins this week, signing a two-year extension.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Connor Brown will be the 10th rookie to debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season.The club announced that Brown has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies on an emergency basis, and he's expected to replace Leo Komarov, who's dealing with a lower-body injury, in the lineup Thursday versus the Florida Panthers.Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock heaped praise onto the 22-year-old before his debut."He's obviously got elite hockey sense. He's going to be a good NHL player for a long period of time," said Babcock, according to TSN's Mark Masters.Brown has nine goals and 15 assists in 28 games in a second professional season that had been interrupted by a significant ankle injury.He was named to the American Hockey League's All-Rookie Team last season, contributing 21 goals and 61 points.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dennis Wideman just can't seem to stay on the ice.The Calgary Flames defenseman was hurt in the immediate aftermath of Michael Frolik's goal against the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night.Wideman collided with teammate Joe Colborne near the boards, moments after Frolik gave the Flames a 2-0 lead in the first period.The Flames later labeled Wideman's ailment an upper-body injury and announced he wouldn't return.Calgary head coach Bob Hartley passed along a vague but concerning update after the game.

The Philadelphia Flyers are certainly peaking at the right time.Radko Gudas scored the winner midway through the third period as the Flyers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Wednesday night.The Flyers leapfrogged the idle Detroit Red Wings and moved into the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot with the victory. Philadelphia dispatched Detroit 4-3 on Tuesday and still has a game in hand.The Flyers won their second straight game Wednesday and picked up their eighth victory in the last 10 contests. Their most recent wins haven't been against bottom-feeders, either.The Blackhawks lost their fourth consecutive game and fifth in their last six.Philadelphia hosts the Pittsburgh Penguins in an interstate matchup on Saturday before embarking on a four-game road trip, while the Blackhawks travel to Winnipeg to face the Jets on Friday night.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After dropping a scrappy game against the Montreal Canadiens in overtime Wednesday, Buffalo Sabres goalie Robin Lehner had some harsh words for opposing netminder Ben Scrivens, who challenged him to a fight from his own blue line, late in the second period."Scrivens had about 30 seconds to come and do something but he didn't. He stood up there," Lehner explained to reporters before issuing a challenge of his own to the Montreal goalie. "Next year, if he wants to go, I'm right here."Related: VIDEO: Officials prevent Robin Lehner-Ben Scrivens goalie fightThe two goalies engaged in a lengthy staredown after a scrum ensued in front of the Sabres' net which saw Lehner get tangled up with Canadiens forward Michael McCarron, with the pair eventually being pulled apart by officials. This brought Scrivens out to his own blue line, but no further."If he won't stand up for their guys, come and join," Lehner added, according to Bill Hoppe of the Times Herald. The Swede attempted to skate toward Scrivens, but was again restrained by a referee.Scrivens, meanwhile, described his opponent as a "bit of a psycho" during his postgame interview. He added that though he knows Lehner off the ice, he would've stepped in if his teammates need him to, according to Joe Yerdon of NHL.com.The Sabres will have some time to cool down after Wednesday's heated game, where both teams combined for 100 penalty minutes, before visiting the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wednesday's game between the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres was a spirited tilt considering both teams are well out of playoff contention.The Atlantic Division rivals combined for 66 penalty minutes in the first two periods, and after a large scrum ensued in front of the Sabres' net, there was nearly a goalie fight - though officials intervened.Canadiens netminder Ben Scrivens skated to his own blue line to see if Sabres goalie Robin Lehner - who's no stranger to fighting - would take him on. The pair stared each other down, but as Lehner went to skate toward Scrivens, an official held him back.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Chris VandeVelde caught Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews with a headshot Wednesday night.VandeVelde received a two-minute minor for elbowing with 30 seconds left in the first period, and the league reportedly wasted little time looking into it.

Though retired NHLer Sean Avery drew the ire of many throughout his 11-year playing career, no one seemed more bothered by his antics than his last NHL head coach, John Tortorella.Avery criticized the current Columbus Blue Jackets bench boss in an interview with ESPN's Dan Marrazza after complimenting Mike Babcock, who coached him in the minors. Avery said Babcock has a "manipulative personality" that makes him effective at his job, then contrasted him with Tortorella."John Tortorella has no manipulation in him whatsoever," Avery said. "He only has one gear, and that's to scream at people and thinks that that's manipulation or motivation. But it's not. It doesn't work on rich players."They can say, 'F--- you. We're going somewhere else.' Or 'We'll get rid of you' - and we will."Though Tortorella outlasted the forward on Broadway, Avery got the last laugh in 2013, telling the New York Post he "had a huge smile" on his face after learning the Rangers fired the coach after they bowed out in the second round of the playoffs.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Call it what you will, but Gary Bettman says NHL clubs aren't intentionally losing."Our teams don't tank," the commissioner told the National Post's Michael Traikos at the general managers meetings Wednesday."If you're a team that knows it's not going to make the playoffs and you want to start focusing on the rebuild, you're going to do certain things unrelated to the draft that are going to give you assets that are going to help you develop for the future."The NHL's old system gave the highest odds of winning the draft lottery and the right to draft first overall to the league's worst team, but the new format involves a separate lottery for each of the top three picks."The beauty of a weighted lottery is there's no incentive to doing anything other than win," Bettman said. "We have a system that we think works."One general manager agrees."There’s no incentive to lose now," said Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray. "The odds are no longer in your favor. The Toronto Maple Leafs, if they happen to be that team (that finishes last), have a 20 percent chance of winning (the lottery). Any guy that questions it now is wrong."Bettman has no issues with the way the Leafs are rebuilding."I think they've decided that they need to regroup and … they're developing the young kids and they're building for the future," he said. "I'm not an expert in putting teams together, but it's clear that they have a plan and they're sticking to it. And that's the most important thing."The Buffalo Sabres finished dead last in both of the past two seasons, but were awarded the second overall pick (Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel, respectively) in 2014 and 2015.The new three-tiered lottery doesn't fully discourage what general managers do, but Sabres GM Tim Murray says it might help how their work is perceived."Does that change how we do business? Probably not," Murray said. "Does it change the perception of what we're doing? Maybe it does."Arizona Coyotes GM Don Maloney admitted in February that his attitude last season was, "If we were going to be bad ... let's be real bad," and that he "did not do much" to help the team in the last two months, when the opportunity to draft Connor McDavid was within reach.The Coyotes were ultimately awarded the third overall selection, drafting Dylan Strome, while the Edmonton Oilers won the lottery and chose McDavid, giving them a fourth first overall pick in six years.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If only once, the Detroit Red Wings have been here before.With just one win in six games, and four left in the lockout-shortened 2013 season, the Red Wings trailed the Columbus Blue Jackets by three points, and their 21-year consecutive playoff appearance streak hung in the balance.Legend has it that Henrik Zetterberg stood before the room, at one point, and delivered a passionate speech that included the words: "(It's) not going to happen on my watch."The Red Wings went on to outscore the competition 15-3 over their final four games, nabbing all eight available points and earning their 22nd consecutive postseason berth with 56 points to Columbus' 55.In those waning nights, it was the first time in 20 years that the odds weren't in the Red Wings' favor. Three seasons later, the captain, his team, and his timepiece are being tested again.After Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, the Red Wings, though still in wild-card position, saw their postseason odds drop to 43 percent, as tabulated by Sports Club Stats.They no longer have complete control of their fate, but they have 12 games left. So it's not quite time to set the nuclear option (though Anthony Mantha's arrival may be considered that) in motion. But if Tuesday's loss to the only team ostensibly capable of ending their historical run is any indication, the Red Wings might be plum out of resolve.Everyone and their mother knew how important that game was; passionate speeches, strings of championship banners, or the reminder that a win would inch the franchise toward a quarter-century's worth of playoff appearances would have been superfluous. The pressure was there, and still, they were flat - as they've been all season.Only six teams - four of which are locked into lottery seeding - have averaged less goals per outing than the Red Wings, who have possessed a negative goal differential for large portions of the season. Petr Mrazek, who stopped pucks at a Vezina-like rate for the first four months, owns a substandard .906 save percentage since Feb. 1. And Zetterberg, who delivered the perhaps record-prolonging speech, needs a goal next time out to avoid going a full month without scoring.It will indeed be on Zetterberg's watch if the Red Wings fail to pick themselves up off the mat this week, and outperform the Flyers (or Pittsburgh Penguins) down the stretch. But despite his scoring woes, it won't be his failure. It won't be Pavel Datsyuk's or Jeff Blashill's, or Ken Holland's, either. And it certainly won't be due to the absence of Mike Babcock.It's been a culmination of cosmic factors that have gone into one of the greatest franchises in history achieving one of the more remarkable streaks in sports. And when it comes to an end, whether it's this season, next, or decades down the line, it won't be any different.Only the speeches, banners, and the weight of a quarter-century might have the adverse effect on a team that simply might not be good enough.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As another disappointing season for the Columbus Blue Jackets winds down, the team's fans could get a close-up look at one of their top prospects as soon as Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings.General manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced Tuesday that forward Oliver Bjorkstrand was recalled from the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters, along with forward Michael Chaput and defenseman John Ramage.Bjorkstrand, a third-round draft pick in 2013, will become the 11th Denmark-born player to skate in the NHL. The 20-year-old has 25 points in 46 AHL games this season, one year removed from being named the 2014-15 WHL Player of the Year after a 118-point campaign with the Portland Winterhawks.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With many NHL executives currently involved with clubs for the highly anticipated World Cup of Hockey in September, Hockey Canada has turned to a pair of veteran executives to select their squad for the upcoming IIHF World Championships in May.Brad Treliving and George McPhee have been named co-general managers of the Canadian team, according to multiple reports, that will head to Russia and look to defend last year's gold medal win.Treliving was named general manager of the Calgary Flames in April 2014 after spending over 10 years as an assistant general manager with the then-Phoenix Coyotes.McPhee currently serves as a special advisor to the general manager with the New York Islanders, following a 17-year stint as the GM of the Washington Capitals that ended in 2014.Last year's first-place performance in Prague ended a five-year absence from the podium for Canada, and a long gold medal drought dating back to 2007, the last time the tournament took place in Russia.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With his Chicago Blackhawks winless in their last three games, scoring just four goals in that span, head coach Joel Quenneville has shaken up his forward lines in hopes of sparking his offense in time for Tuesday's meeting with the Philadelphia Flyers.League-leading scorer Patrick Kane, who has just one point in his last five games, has been removed from the wing beside Artem Anisimov and Artemi Panarin, and will team up with captain Jonathan Toews on the top line. Trade-deadline addition Tomas Fleischmann will skate on the left side."The one line's been together all year and there was probably never a need to change it," Quenneville said, according to CSN Chicago. "But I feel right now that a different look can help everyone and give us more balance throughout the lineup."Marian Hossa will join Kane's former linemates on the second unit, while Andrew Ladd moves down to help form an impressive third line with Teuvo Teravainen and Andrew Shaw.Left WingCenterRight WingFleischmannToewsKanePanarinAnisimovHossaLaddTeravainenShawMashinterDesjardinsWeiseQuenneville will hope the more balanced attack will be enough to take two points from the red-hot Flyers, as his Blackhawks now trail the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars by three points in the Central.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Emotions got the best of Dalton Prout on Sunday in a loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but you wouldn't know it by his sober self-reflection.The Columbus Blue Jackets defender provided a truly composed assessment of his sucker punch on Nikita Kucherov, essentially explaining that he's good with the one-game suspension he received for the heavy hand."I think the league did a good job. I'm going to serve my punishment. It's fair," Prout said, according to Todd Jones of the Columbus Dispatch."You never have any regrets about trying to play the game hard and within the rules. Sometimes you step over the line. Sometimes in that situation you react too much on emotion or adrenaline. You don't always do the right thing."That's certainly a refreshing take, but we have to ask, what sort of adrenaline spike was happening on this one?Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

You can almost smell the playoffs. Mass movement in this week's rankings. Let's go.1. Washington Capitals

TORONTO - Growing up in St. Louis, Ben Bishop never envisioned the career that would unfold before him."I remember just going to Blues games as a kid at the old arena there," he said. "When I was 4 years old, I was like, 'I want to do that.' So they got me skates, got me skating lessons, and I just went from there."Bishop's hockey heroes at the time were Curtis Joseph, Brett Hull, and Brendan Shanahan, all Blues in the early '90s. Bishop was involved in multiple sports, but began to focus on hockey when he was forced to play goal, as many skaters are from time to time."I have no idea why I wanted to be a goalie," the 29-year-old said. "As a kid, we all took turns playing goalie and I was somewhat good at it and I enjoyed playing the whole game so I just had fun with it. I never in a million years thought that I was going to go this far. It's funny how things work. I just had fun with it as a kid and things kind of worked the way they are right now."Where he stacks up, where he's goingBishop's now in his third season as the Tampa Bay Lightning's starting goalie, and his save percentage continues to rise. At .928, he's tied for second in the NHL. His career .920 save percentage is impressive, and is one of the reasons he was named to the United States' World Cup roster, along with Jonathan Quick and Cory Schneider. Quick's won Stanley Cups, and Bishop and Schneider share a similar track record, though Schneider's .925 career save percentage stands apart.At 6-foot-7, Bishop is the league's tallest goalie, which helps him cover a lot of real estate. With one more season at $5.95 million left on his contract, and the most wins of any goalie since 2013 (he's tied with Braden Holtby), it's natural for Bishop to be thinking about his future. Based on comparables, Bishop could be in line for a healthy raise that would make him one of the game's highest-paid goaltenders.Bishop made his first All-Star appearance this season, joining Lightning captain Steven Stamkos - who said his goalie is "having a Vezina-caliber season" - in Nashville. Stamkos, of course, is the premier free agent heading into the summer, and his future could very well factor into Bishop's.Considering goalies are deemed expendable outside of the few elite 'keepers, and the length of general manager Steve Yzerman's to-do list, it's not a surprise Bishop and the Lightning haven't agreed on an extension.But Bishop matters. Especially to the Lightning. If you compare him to the previous generation of American goaltenders, Bishop's definitely up there. But with many big American goaltenders now emerging in the NHL, Bishop is more representative of the evolution of his position.Smaller equipment for the biggest goalieIt's "full steam ahead" on streamlined goalie equipment, according to comments Tuesday from the general managers meetings in Florida. While Bishop understands scoring is down and accepts that equipment will change, he doesn't expect the changes to yield the glut of scoring the league is hoping for."It's really not that big of a difference. I don't think you will be able to even tell the difference (when you see it) on most of the guys," Bishop, who had a sneak peak at the equipment during All-Star weekend, said. "They're trying to make the game better and we're all for it. I think us goalies just want to make sure we're protected, but I think it's kind of minimal. You're not going to see 100 more goals next year."Goalies are interesting creatures. Some are easy going and can handle slight changes, while others are superstitious and need equipment and routine to be fine-tuned to allow for optimal performance.Bishop doesn't foresee any change in his performance and cites the evolution of the athlete in the goaltending position over the years."If you look at the last lockout, it wasn't drastic changes. They took an inch off each pad, they took an inch off the blocker and glove and scoring didn't go up at all," Bishop said. "It's one of those things where I don't know if they are looking for excuses for not as many goals. But goalies are just pretty good these days. They're athletic and they're big. Hopefully this is good for the game and maybe a couple of more goals go in, but I don't think you're going to see change."At the moment, Bishop's equipment is smaller than the maximum size allowed, as he prefers a little bit of room for mobility. Whatever he's using, one thing's clear: It's working.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award - NCAA Division I hockey's highest individual honor - have been presented with distinctive Michigan flair.Here are the finalists, including coach Red Berenson's entire top line with the Wolverines.

William Nylander's staying with the Toronto Maple Leafs.The 19-year-old prospect and future of the club will play in his 10th game Thursday against the Florida Panthers, head coach Mike Babcock confirmed. By playing more than nine games, the first year of Nylander's entry-level contract will be burned.The youngster will also likely stay at center ice, even when Tyler Bozak - who practiced Wednesday for the first time in six weeks after suffering a concussion - returns, Babcock added, according to The Globe and Mail's James Mirtle.Nylander has two goals in nine games, averaging slightly under 16 minutes of ice time per game in his first taste of NHL action. He'll be headed back down to the AHL at the conclusion of the Maple Leafs' season, as the Toronto Marlies are set to compete for the Calder Cup.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Attention poolies and Roberto Luongo fans alike: Strombone wants "some."The Florida Panthers netminder - and noted fantasy football wiz - sent an open invitation to his March Madness bracket challenge into the Twittersphere on Wednesday.

Tyler Bozak skated with the new-look Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time Wednesday, taking part in an official practice after a near month-and-a-half long absence with a concussion.The top-line contributor, who at the time of the injury was on pace to surpass his career-best point total and playing some of the best hockey of his career, was injured Feb. 6 versus the Ottawa Senators.Bozak was cleared for contact Tuesday. And though he's eager to get back into the lineup, there's no timetable for his return after an 18-game layoff.He has 10 goals and 21 assists on the season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson is scheduled to undergo surgery on his injured shoulder and miss the balance of the season, the team has announced.He last played Feb. 25, but is said to have been dealing with the injury prior to his last appearance. In choosing to undergo the procedure now as opposed to the summer, Johnson plans to be fully prepared for the start of next season."On the bright side of it, I'm not going to lose my summer training, so I can come into camp next year 100 percent ready to go," Johnson said, according to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch. "You got to find a silver lining in this. I anticipate I'll have a normal summer of training and working out."Johnson has six goals and 14 points and led the Blue Jackets in average ice time before being taken out of the lineup. He still has two years remaining on his deal at $4.5 million annual cap hit.Seth Jones has seen, and will continue to see, a major workload increase in the absence of the 29-year-old top-pairing defender.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.