You can put a Canadian in Texas, but sorry is forever.Tyler Seguin was given the opportunity to do some play-by-play while taking a shift during the Pacific-Central 3-on-3 match, and not only did the Dallas Stars center refer to himself as "Seggy," he used some colorful language after a failed one-time pass from behind the net.And like a good Ontario boy, he apologized the moment he was able to catch his breath.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One shift, one shot, one goal.John Scott did what he was destined to do Sunday: open the scoring for the Pacific Division at the All-Star Game. The Internet reacted accordingly:

John Scott, All-Star goal scorer.It might have been a little clumsy, but All-Star John Scott has a goal just seconds into his first shift on All-Star ice, tapping a Brent Burns pass off Pekka Rinne's pads and into the back of the net.JOHN SCOTT WITH THE TIP-IN AND SWEET CELLY 😂🙌🏻And how 'bout that celebration?Scott needs four more to match his NHL total. He just might get them.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nobody twirls like Evgeni Malkin.The Pittsburgh Penguins superstar regularly employs the spin-o-rama in regular-season games, so he was obviously going to use it at Sunday's 3-on-3 All-Star tournament.The goal gave the Metropolitan Division the lead, but it blew it, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Atlantic Division.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dylan Larkin had three assists and Ben Bishop stopped 11-of-12 shots faced as the Atlantic Division punched its ticket into the final of the NHL All-Star 3-on-3 tournament with a 4-3 win over the Metropolitan Division.Larkin set up Jaromir Jagr, (substitute Jagr) P.K Subban, and Erik Karlsson for goals, while Aaron Ekblad also scored for the Atlantic Division. Bishop tallied a second assist on Subban's eventual game-winner with a perfect stretch pass through center.Evgeni Malkin led the way for the Metropolitan Division, scoring once and adding an assist.The Atlantic All-Stars will meet the winner of the second semifinal between the Pacific and Central Division with $1 million on the line.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL paused its All-Star festivities to remind fans that some things are greater than hockey.Denna Laing - who suffered a serious spinal injury during the Outdoor Women's Classic on Dec. 30 - appeared on the jumbotron over center ice during intermission of the first 3-on-3 tournament game to talk about what hockey means to her and to offer thanks to all those who have supported her through her rehabilitation and on DennaLaing.org.Laing's family was in attendance in Nashville, and also received a heartwarming ovation from the crowd(Courtesy: NHL.com)On Saturday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced the league was donating $200,000 to help Laing in her rehabilitation.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It had to be: 43-year-old Jaromir Jagr from 19-year-old Dylan Larkin.The NHL All-Star Game's elder statesman scored in his 10th appearance at the event just before the horn sounded on the first half of the opening semifinal, freezing Braden Holtby and scoring with a gorgeous move.Jaromir Jagr Breakaway Goal ASG"He froze me pretty good. He's scored a few in his career," Holtby said. "I'm not the first goalie."Jagr, the third-oldest All-Star ever, turns 44 in two weeks.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nate Pavelski won't ever forget teaming up with his dad, Joe, as well as Brent Burns, and his son, Jagger, for a goal in the Breakaway Challenge at Saturday's Skills Competition.Because it's all on tape.Nate was equipped with a GoPro for his All-Star moment, which provided this oh-so cool footage of him and Jagger flying through the handshake line to the delight of the NHL All-Stars.

Everyone wants a moment with All-Star weekend's brightest.In advance of Sunday's 3-on-3 tournament to cap off the festivities, players from the Pacific and Atlantic Division squads are making requests to see ice time with John Scott and Jaromir Jagr.

Brent Burns may have turned the most heads on the red carpet Saturday in Nashville, but P.K. Subban has the answer.The Montreal Canadiens star rocked a purple suit (that would bring Don Cherry to his knees) with a matching prohibition-era hat to Sunday's All-Star Game.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrew Ference was ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing hip surgery earlier this month, but he's still doing everything he can to thank his fans for their support.Ference starred in a video for CBC's "The Irrelevant Show" where he thanks and pokes fun at fans for their incredibly helpful practice of yelling, "Shoot!"Ference, who scored a career-high six goals in the 2011-12 season, didn't record a point in six games this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After the four-team NWHL dropped the puck in October as the first U.S. women's hockey league to pay its players, the other major women's hockey league in North America is planning to follow suit.The Canadian Women's Hockey League, which already pays its coaches and general managers, intends to begin paying its players a regular salary beginning next season, according to the Associated Press.Founded in 2007, the CWHL consists of four teams in Canada and one in the U.S. and players can currently receive prize money for winning a regular season or a playoff title.The announcement may move the two leagues towards a merger, and CWHL governor and Calgary Flames president Brian Burke suggests the two organizations must continue to work together moving forward."I think the more walls we put up, the longer this process is going to take," Burke said. "I'd rather have everyone sit down and figure out something that worked for both sides."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

P.K. Subban may have won the Breakaway Challenge on Saturday, but Matt Duchene had a beautiful goal of his own.Donning a cowboy hat for the Nashville fans, the Colorado Avalanche forward used one hand to get the puck between his legs and flicked it past New Jersey Devils netminder Cory Schneider.Matt Duchene goes one handed through the legs & scores during the ASG Breakaway Challenge 30/1/2016The 25-year-old, who has 23 goals and 19 assists this season, admitted he's been preparing for the Skills Competition for a long time.

With the Skills Competition in the books and the 3-on-3 tournament hours away Sunday, fans and players apparently aren't the only ones enjoying All-Star weekend.Gary Bettman has signed a new contract that will extend his term as commissioner of the NHL through 2022, Sports Illustrated's Michael Farber reports, according to sources. The 63-year-old declined comment on the situation.Bettman became commissioner in 1993, and despite presiding over three separate lockouts, has seen the league grow into a multibillion-dollar business. He last received a five-year contract extension in March of 2011.It was reported in November that Bettman made over $9.6 million in salary and benefits during the 2013-14 season, with only four players (Sidney Crosby, Zach Parise, Shea Weber, and Ryan Suter) earning more in salary.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brent Burns and Roberto Luongo are two of the most talented hockey players in the world. And they're almost as good off the ice.Burns was one of the headliners at the All-Star Skills Competition on Saturday, from the red carpet to the ice, where he lived up to his "Chewie" nickname and donned a Chewbacca mask in the Breakaway Challenge.On Friday, Burns had no idea what tricks he was going to employ when he hit the ice Saturday. But he remembered the nickname he'd been given, and he had the mask, which he purchased last year for a Christmas party, according to Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshynski."Got it online," Burns said. "Was only going to wear it once. Amazon. Pretty good website."That mask, like Burns' beard, is forever.Luongo, meanwhile, was a wall in the Shootout, stopping all nine shots he faced. Afterward, he did what he does almost as well as play goal: tweet.

P.K. Subban and Jaromir Jagr: Best friends forever.Subban put on a show worthy of an All-Star on Saturday night in Nashville, reminding fans of hockey that the game, above all else, is to be enjoyed - and that NHL personalities are and can be larger than life.

Leo Komarov used his unlikely All-Star inclusion to clear some outstanding air.The sandpapered Toronto Maple Leafs winger apparently sought out fellow All-Star Kris Letang (perhaps at Tootsies?) to apologize for an ugly hit from behind he threw on the oft-injured Pittsburgh Penguins blue-liner earlier this season.

Being all alone on the All-Star stage proved daunting for All-Star John Scott."I could barely hold my stick, I was shaking so much," Scott said of the moment right before his first whack in the Hardest Shot event.Related: Fans, players salute Scott ahead of Hardest Shot CompetitionScott's stress may have turned physical, but the unlikely All-Star appeared cool under pressure throughout what was an incredibly successful All-Star Skills Competition on Saturday night.And he was nothing but a positive influence throughout.His night began with a charming moment during the introductions when loud boos for Patrick Kane quickly turned into rowdy applause for Scott, who couldn't help but howl."I was dying," Scott said, according to Yahoo's Greg Wyshynski. "He said, 'Watch this, I'm going to get booed and you'll get (the) biggest cheers.'"Scott heard the loudest applause a little later, though. The entire building, including the 43 other All-Stars, acknowledged the pugilist when he anxiously stepped up to the blue line."I kind of had a feeling after the red carpet they were really excited to see me but that was really crazy," he said, according to Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News. "I looked over, saw my family and stuff. My heart was pumping."Hopefully we have two kids still and not four."Scott went for broke in his final chance to prove his All-Star mettle, using a showtime spin to open up Cory Schneider during the shootout relay. He wasn't able to lift the puck over the goaltender's pad, but his reaction - throwing his head up in the air - provided another endearing moment.Asked if he had another move in his repertoire Scott replied: "That's it. Bag's empty. No more tricks."Hopefully he's just being bashful.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NHL All-Stars shined in Nashville on Saturday night.Here are some of the best photos from the Skills Competition, which the Eastern Conference won over the Western Conference 29-12:A standing ovation that John Scott will never forget.Brent Burns as Chewbacca, and P.K. Subban as Jaromir Jagr. Only in the NHL.Even an empty net is afraid of Shea Weber's slap shot.Pekka Rinne made the initial save, but Subban had to score.This is what it's all about ...And this ...Defenders Dustin Byfuglien and Kris Letang in a foot race.Big Buff tees it up:Patrick Kane makes everything look easy.In the spirit of Nashville ...Taylor Hall can't look ...The John Scott spin-o-rama.Matt Duchene is country.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers' inscrutable Spacey in Space sweater was introduced to the masses Saturday at the NHL All-Star Skills Competition with Aaron Ekblad revealing the peculiar item of dress during the Hardest Shot event.#FlaPanthers Aaron Ekblad wears Spacey in space hoodie during NHL skills competitionIt didn't inspire the young defenseman like it has his team. Ekblad finished last in the competition.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Roberto Luongo was perfect at the Discover NHL Shootout at the All-Star Skills Competition, making nine saves on nine shots to anchor a runaway win for the Eastern Conference.With Luongo in net, the East saw an eight-goal swing fall in its favor, eventually winning the event with 20 goals to the West's four.

In the end, it wasn't even close, yet everybody won.The Eastern Conference put the Western Conference through the ringer Saturday night at the NHL All-Star Skills Competition, pulling away in the shootout challenge and winning the event 29-12.By winning the competition, the Eastern Conference decided to play in the first semifinal game Sunday in the 3-on-3 tournament, which will pit the Metropolitan Division against the Atlantic Division.Sunday's All-Star tournament begins at 5 p.m. ET, and will feature three 20-minute games between divisional teams, with $1 million going to the winning squad.EventEastern PointsWestern PointsFastest Skater51Breakaway Challenge10Accuracy Shooting32Skill Challenge Relay12Hardest Shot23Shootout174TOTAL2912It was a fun night in Nashville, with personalities on display, and by all accounts one of the better skills competitions in recent years.The East got off to a quick start in the fastest skater challenge, earning five of six points. Detroit Red Wings rookie phenom Dylan Larkin broke Mike Gartner's 1996 record, skating a lap in a ridiculous 13.172 seconds, earning the East an additional point, and giving it a 5-1 lead.P.K. Subban won the the Breakaway Challenge, earning another point for the East, after he brilliantly paid tribute to Jaromir Jagr.Up 6-1 heading into the third event, New York Islanders captain John Tavares kept the East going, winning the Accuracy Shooting Challenge.The West finally got on the board in the Skills Challenge, winning the event but still trailing 10-5 after four events.Shea Weber brought the West a little closer - and Nashville Predators fans to their feet - by winning the Hardest Shot Challenge. The score was 12-8 for the East heading into the final event.The East embarrassed the West in the Shootout challenge. The three-round event saw Florida Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo shut the door, and the East scored 20 goals to the West's four to clinch the 2016 All-Star Skills Competition.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Smashville has fully embraced John Scott.Before leaning into his first attempt in the Hardest Shot Competition at Saturday's skills showcase, Scott received a rousing ovation from the fans and his fellow All-Stars.

This one comes as no surprise: Shea Weber's still the champ.The Nashville Predators defenseman won the Hardest Shot Competition on Saturday, his slap shot clocking in at 108.1 miles per hour.

Move over, Harvey the Hound: The Calgary Flames may soon have a new four-legged friend running around the rink.Flames captain Mark Giordano jumped on the latest NHL trend, videobombing teammate Johnny Gaudreau with a sign that might entice the young gun to pull out his best move.

New York Islanders captain John Tavares is the NHL's most accurate shooter.The sniper knocked down four of five targets in only 12.29 seconds.

Two of the NHL's best showmen didn't disappoint in the Breakaway Challenge at the All-Star Skills Competition in Nashville on Saturday night.But in the end, there could only be one winner. And it was P.K. Subban's Jagr salute edging Brent Burns' inner Chewbacca.

Brent Burns didn't need the Chewbacca mask. But he put it on anyway, and scored during the Breakaway Challenge. With a slap shot, of course.

Brent Burns is everything All-Star weekend is about.The San Jose Sharks defenseman got his son, Jagger, involved in the breakaway challenge, and not only did the little guy score, but he celebrated like an All-Star:

The NHL's best - and John Scott - are in Nashville this weekend to put their talents on display. The All-Star Skills Competition took place Saturday night, and theScore has you covered, from the red carpet to the final event.Here's a cheat sheet of the events and who's taking part.Hardest ShotShea Weber is your back-to-back champion. He blew away the field in front of his home crowd in Nashville, his hardest shot coming in at 108.1 miles per hour.

John Scott's having himself a time in Nashville.The Pacific Division captain (who, oddly, now calls Atlantic Canada home) got quite a kick out of the All-Star crowd greeting Patrick Kane with an explosion of boos Saturday night.Their disapproval quickly became boisterous applause when Scott was introduced himself.

Dylan Larkin is officially the fastest skater in the NHL.The Detroit Red Wings forward recorded a time of 12.894 seconds to win the Fastest Skater challenge at the All-Star Skills Competition on Saturday.With the victory, the 19-year-old rookie was given an opportunity to defeat Mike Gartner's fastest skater record of 13.386 seconds. Despite a stumble on the final turn, Larkin posted a time of 13.172 seconds to set a new NHL record.The Eastern Conference won three of the four races overall to take an early lead in the competition.Here are the individual results:Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin defeated Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi with a time of 12.89.Columbus Blue Jackets forward Brandon Saad defeated Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene with a time of 13.63.Edmonton Oilers forward Taylor Hall defeated Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson with a time of 13.654.Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang defeated Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien with a time of 14.81.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Roberto Luongo's done it again.The Florida Panthers netminder used an all-time infomercial to land a playful jab on his 43-year-old All-Star teammate, Jaromir Jagr.

Mike Commodore is spewing more vitriol at Mike Babcock.Upon learning that Babcock sent a message to John Scott in support of his All-Star endeavor, Commodore unleashed a series of profane tweets that suggested the Toronto Maple Leafs head coach only reached out to attract applause from the media.This is the second time he's directed aim at the "arrogant" Maple Leafs coach. Commodore previously went on a rant against Babcock during the coach's unsuccessful return to Detroit earlier this season.Babcock coached Commodore twice, both times briefly, during the defenseman's 11-year career.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NHL players hit the red carpet Saturday in Nashville ahead of the All-Star Skills Competition, and Music City never looked so good.Check out some of the best dressed:Brent Burns stole the show:Predators, represent:The blue vest was a great decision, Mr. Stamkos:John Scott, the man of the hour:Erik Karlsson, always dapper:Who wouldn't want a selfie with James Neal?It isn't All-Star weekend without P.K. Subban.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

"Who are you wearing, Brent?"San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns is an obvious winner on the All-Star red carpet in Nashville, as the NHL's All-Star festivities continue ahead of Saturday's Skills Competition.

Though Sunday's main event will see players sorted by division, it'll be conference versus conference Saturday at the All-Stars Skills Competition in Nashville, set to begin at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports.Here are the participants in this year's event, as well as the competition's past winners, and record-holders:Fastest SkaterEast: Dylan Larkin, Brandon Saad, Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang

As the calendar flipped to December, the Colorado Avalanche were completely and utterly lost; mired at the bottom of the NHL standings and primed for yet another discouraging season.The Avalanche entered the third month of the campaign sitting just one point up on dead last in the league. Sporting a record of 9-14-1, they were surrounded by constant speculation about the future of their head coach, and even their star players.The direction of the team moving forward was surely hanging in the balance. But that was then, this is now.Since Dec. 1, the Avalanche have put together a stunning 18-8-2 stretch - fourth best in the league over the past two months behind the Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers - to find themselves in a wild-card spot at the All-Star break.Colorado's play is even more impressive considering a 12-4-2 record against teams that currently occupy a playoff position. So how have the Avalanche vaulted themselves from a likely lottery pick to a sudden contender?Varlamov among league's best since Dec. 1The Avalanche's rise in the standings is in direct correlation to Semyon Varlamov's emergence in the crease.Since entering December with a disappointing 5-7-1 record, Varlamov has turned his season around in a big way. He has posted a 14-5-2 record - highlighted by a .934 save percentage - in his last 21 games.His last four starts in particular illustrate the team's turnaround.

The Los Angeles Kings will celebrate their 50th anniversary in style next season.Los Angeles will host the 2017 All-Star Game, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced Saturday during his state-of-the-game press conference in Nashville.It will be the third time Los Angeles hosts the All-Star festivities, which were previously held at the Great Western Forum in 1981, and the Staples Center in 2002."Today's announcement is tremendous news for our fans and for our entire club. This means so much. Hockey in Southern California continues to grow at an incredible rate and this is another opportunity for the LA Kings to help grow this great game," said Kings President of Business Operations Luc Robitaille.The game itself will take place on Jan. 29.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's a place no team wants to end up - No-man's land.It's the unfortunate position just outside of the playoffs, but too far up the standings to capture a reputable draft pick.Right now as we pause for the NHL All-Star game, the Carolina Hurricanes find themselves in that very spot. With 54 points through 51 games, the team sits just a point outside of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, while having a share of the most games played of any team in its conference.Heading into the season, expectations remained very low for a Hurricanes club that finished last season with the third-worst record in the East. Ideal, considering the a team's end game is to rebuild with high-end draft picks.The team currently boasts a prospect pool that is thin next to defensive prospects Haydn Fleury, Ryan Murphy, and Roland McKeown. So for the Hurricanes, another top-5 draft pick (Noah Hanifin was selected fifth overall last year) would do the team wonders.With that, it was expected that the club should tank. However, with the Hurricanes perceivably rolling, going 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, it might be time for general manager Ron Francis to provide the team with some aid to keep this run going.

San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres cleared waivers Saturday, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.It is expected that he will be sent down to the AHL's San Jose Barracuda.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will show off their new drags next week.The team will unveil its new logo on Feb. 2 at 9:30 pm ET during episode five of the team's all-access program "The Leaf: Blueprint."

The NHL All-Star Game is not like any other game, especially to Detroit Red Wings rookie Dylan Larkin.Larkin, participating in this weekend's All-Star festivities, is feeling the pressure of being on such a big stage in just his first season in the league."I feel more nervous than I would for an actual game," Larkin said, according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen. "I don't really know many guys and I don't really know what's going on."The 19-year-old leads the Red Wings with 15 goals and shares the team scoring lead with captain Henrik Zetterberg with 33 points. Despite a few butterflies, Larkin remains ecstatic about his All-Star selection and is learning a lot from observing the game's top talent."Just to be here is awesome, especially as a young guy to see all these guys, how they handle themselves with the media and how they represent themselves in public," Larkin said. "It's just really cool, special to me to be a part of this. I grew up watching most of these guys."However, eyes will shift his way come Saturday night when Larkin competes in the Fastest Skater event at the All-Star Skills Competition.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop believes that if the NHL wants to see more goals there is only one real solution.While the league continues to shrink the size of goalie equipment with an eye towards increased goal scoring, Bishop believes smaller goalie equipment won't change anything and that the only way to truly see a change is to increase the size of the nets.Bishop and some of the other netminders attending this weekend's NHL All-Star Game had the opportunity to check out a prototype of some newly resized pads and didn't notice much of a difference to what is currently being used."It's more about contouring. Not too much different," Bishop said, according to Sports Illustrated's Alex Prewitt.

There's no shortage of young talent in the NHL today, with a host of noteworthy prospects waiting in the wings, eager to make an impact in the world's premier hockey league.While some come and go without ever living up to the hype, others arrive on the scene seemingly out of the blue to blow away the competition.Few, however, can lay claim to representing the future of the NHL.These three can confidently be penciled in for that distinction, with very little standing in the way along their respective paths to greatness.Connor McDavidRemember him?The 2015 first overall pick likely lost his shot at winning his first piece of NHL hardware when his rookie season was cut short by a broken clavicle, but 19-year-old Connor McDavid very much remains on track to be the face of the NHL for years to come.His name was in the hockey lexicon years prior to falling into the hands of the Edmonton Oilers, especially while averaging 1.72 points per game as a member of the OHL's Erie Otters, and after leading Canada to World Juniors gold in 2015.That he recorded 12 points in his first 13 games as a pro belies his true potential, as one gets the sense he was only warming up prior to falling prey to the shoulder injury.When it's all said and done, it won't be Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov, Todd McLellan, Peter Chiarelli, or - dare we suggest it - Auston Matthews who finally leads the Oilers not only back to relevance but deep into the promised land.No, it will be McDavid, the team's soon-to-be captain, and hockey's true next great one.Jack EichelEven though Matthews' arrival is indeed looming on the horizon, thereby giving the hockey world its first U.S.-born player to be drafted first overall since Patrick Kane, the next American superstar is already in our midst, and in one of the NHL's most loyal and boisterous hockey markets to boot.That would be Jack Eichel of the Buffalo Sabres, who, after a relatively slow start, rode a torrid pace into the All-Star break, and appears on the verge of truly breaking out.Eichel recorded 20 points over the course of his past 18 games, proving to the fans of Buffalo - who continued to fill the arena over the course of the past two historically bad seasons - that he's no McDavid consolation prize.Even at the tender age of 19, Eichel's passing and shooting abilities are matched by few, and he could well be the impetus behind the Sabres' first ever Cup victory, shifting the balance of power in the Eastern Conference and justifying Buffalo's standing as the league's hottest hockey market.Aleksander BarkovWhen the Florida Panthers signed 20-year-old Aleksander Barkov to a six-year, $34.5-million contract extension on Jan. 25, the early consensus was that the club was: a) paying for potential, and b) getting a steal.That's because even though Barkov has recorded only 37 goals in his first 164 games, he - along with standout defenseman Aaron Ekblad - are clearly spearheading the progress of the first-place Panthers.

John Scott still mostly can't believe it.The enforcer was the talk of the town at All-Star media day in Nashville on Friday, even taking a photo of the throng of reporters who wanted to speak with him. After a tumultuous couple of days that saw him go public with the NHL's desire to keep him out of its annual showcase even though he was voted in by the fans, Scott's officially an All-Star. And that's "very cool," he said, according to the Chicago Tribune's Chris Kuc.Scott even met with commissioner Gary Bettman, who said the 33-year-old journeyman was "welcome to be" at All-Star Weekend, and that the league's happy he is."We just had a quick talk because I think he was worried about me not feeling welcome here and me just kind of being uncomfortable with this whole situation," Scott said.Bettman told Scott the league wanted him to be in Nashville, supports him, and wants him to enjoy the experience; to have fun."It was nice to hear that coming from him because there was a time when I was not really sure how the league felt," Scott said. "But he kind of put those thoughts to rest."Scott's fellow All-Stars have been incredibly supportive of the big man taking part in the weekend festivities. He's felt the love. And now that he can focus on enjoying the weekend, a weight of sorts has been lifted off his shoulders. He's in Nashville, he's going to take part - the debate can finally be put to rest."It’s nice everyone has put (the debate) aside and just realized it’s going to happen and let’s ... make the best of it and have a good time," he said."It has been difficult," Scott added, "being traded and sent down and back and forth and then with my family - my wife is pregnant (with twins) and expecting in a week or so. (But it’s) nice (now) to enjoy the fruits of all the hardship we dealt with. ..."(The All-Star Game) is neat. I'm not used to all this (media) scrum and stuff. I'm going to enjoy it and then go back to the real world."For one weekend, Scott is the furthest from the minor leagues. After what he's been through, it's hard to argue he doesn't deserve it.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

William Nylander is back.The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect made his return to the AHL's Toronto Marlies on Friday after being out of game action since suffering a head injury at the World Junior Championship on Dec. 26.Nylander drew the primary assist on a goal by defenseman T.J. Brennan and recorded two shots on goal in a 4-2 win over Grand Rapids.This after revealing earlier in the day that his return from the concussion was delayed by another ailment."Once I got back on the ice, a week or so once I came home ... I had (appendicitis) and I was out for a couple more days," Nylander told Leafs TV.Nylander, the eighth overall pick at the 2014 NHL Draft, has now recorded 35 points in 28 games for the Marlies this season, and was the AHL's points leader before heading off to the World Juniors.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

When in Nashville ...Toronto Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov is embracing the Music City during NHL All-Star Weekend, in which he will participate as a member of the Atlantic Division squad.Before the puck drops, however, he had some shopping to do.First came the cowboy boots.

Guy Carbonneau knows what it's like to fall short of expectations in Montreal.The former Canadiens bench boss, who was let go late in the 2008-09 season, now works as an analyst for RDS and empathizes with calls for current head coach Michel Therrien to be fired as the club drops further down the NHL standings.For Carbonneau, however, the fault lies more with management than coaching."I just find it odd that they haven’t made any move to get this team better," Carbonneau told Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette. "I know it's a little late now and I can understand. But if they thought in September that they had the team go to the Stanley Cup ... I don't know."Even through the first few weeks of the season, Montreal looked like a legitimate contender, putting together an early record of 19-4-3. Since then, their performance has been nothing short of disastrous.

Jaromir Jagr had better things to do.The Florida Panthers winger will turn 44 on Feb. 15, and he's been open about wishing he didn't have to attend All-Star weekend in Nashville, even though he was voted in by the fans as captain of the Atlantic Division."I have to be here," Jagr said. "I don't want to be suspended."Jagr wasn't hoping to get to the beach for a few days, or looking to sit back and read a book. He has work to do."I was planning to work a little bit harder, because during the hockey season you don't really have much time to practice," he said, according to NHL.com's Arpon Basu. "So I was hoping in these 10 days ... to do a lot more to get better on the ice and to get stronger. I didn't have a chance, but that's OK. I'm not complaining."