The Montreal Canadiens acquired forward Kirby Dach from the Chicago Blackhawks following a pair of trades during Round 1 of the 2022 NHL Draft.The Habs sent defenseman Alexander Romanov and the 98th overall pick to the New York Islanders in exchange for the 13th overall selection. Montreal then sent the 13th and 66th overall picks to the Blackhawks.Chicago went on to snag forward Frank Nazar with the No. 13 selection.The Blackhawks were reportedly listening to offers for Dach heading into the draft. He's a pending restricted free agent, having played out the final season of a three-year deal with a $925,000 cap hit.Dach, 21, logged nine goals and 17 assists in 70 contests this season while averaging 18 minutes per game. The Blackhawks selected him with the third overall pick in 2019. Dach has 59 points in 152 career contests, all with Chicago.Romanov, 22, potted three goals and 10 assists in 79 games in 2021-22. He was fourth amongst all Canadiens blue-liners in ice time, playing just over 20 minutes a game. He led the team with 227 hits and 144 blocks.Montreal used the first overall pick in the draft to select forward Juraj Slafkovsky out of Slovakia.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils selected Simon Nemec with the second overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.Simon NemecPosition: Defenseman

The Montreal Canadiens pulled off a mild surprise by selecting Slovakian phenom Juraj Slafkovsky with the first overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.Slafkovsky was a consensus top-two pick, but many expected Montreal to take Kingston Frontenacs star Shane Wright to begin the proceedings.Juraj SlafkovskyPosition: Left wing

The Arizona Coyotes chose Logan Cooley with the third overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.Logan CooleyPosition: Center

The Chicago Blackhawks traded star winger Alex DeBrincat to the Ottawa Senators for a package of draft picks including the seventh overall selection in Thursday's draft, the teams announced.Chicago also receives a 2022 second-round selection and a 2024 third-rounder in the deal.DeBrincat was heavily rumored to be available leading up to the draft as the Blackhawks made it a priority to acquire a first-round pick this summer. Chicago dealt its 2022 first-rounder to the Columbus Blue Jackets last year to acquire defenseman Seth Jones.The Blackhawks also traded 2019 third overall pick Kirby Dach to the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.DeBrincat is one of the league's top snipers, already posting two 40-goal seasons at 24 years old. He carries a $6.4-million cap hit this season before hitting restricted free agency in 2023.

The Philadelphia Flyers selected Cutter Gauthier with the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.Cutter GauthierPosition: Left wing/Center

The Minnesota Wild re-signed veteran goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury to a two-year deal with an average annual value of $3.5 million, the team announced Thursday.Fleury could have become an unrestricted free agent on July 13 after playing out the final season of a three-year deal with a $7 million cap hit. His new deal includes a full no-movement clause, according to CapFriendly.The three-time Stanley Cup champion split the 2021-22 campaign between the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota. The Wild acquired him at the March 21 trade deadline in exchange for a 2022 second-round pick. Fleury went 28-23-5 with a 2.90 goals against average and a .908 save percentage in 56 contests this season.The 37-year-old won the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender in 2021 after putting up a .928 save percentage and 1.98 goals against average in his final season with the Vegas Golden Knights.He's made the playoffs for 16 straight seasons, which is the longest streak by a goaltender in NHL history.Fleury pitched a 3.04 goals against average and a .906 save percentage in five playoff contests with the Wild as the team was ultimately eliminated in the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs by the St. Louis Blues.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the 2022 NHL Draft set to begin Thursday night, theScore's Josh Wegman and Nick Faris are here to project all 32 first-round picks.The draft is being held in Montreal and the Canadiens own the top selection plus the 26th pick, which could make it a monumental day for the franchise.It could be another landmark night for the U.S. National Team Development Program, too. We project eight USNTDP players to go in the first round, tying the program record from the 2019 draft.Also of note, we anticipate zero goalies will be taken in Round 1 for the first time since 2018.Without further ado, here's our first-round mock.1. CanadiensShane Wright, C, Kingston (OHL)Scouts soured a bit on Wright after an underwhelming draft year; he scored fewer goals the season he turned 18 than he did the season he turned 16. Many believe Juraj Slafkovsky deserves this spot. But while Wright isn't overly flashy, he possesses tremendous smarts and a work ethic that'll help his game translate to the pros. Wright and Nick Suzuki would form a potent one-two punch at center as the Habs rebuild.2. DevilsJuraj Slafkovsky, LW, TPS (Liiga)Between the Winter Olympics and the world championships, Slafkovsky scored 10 goals and 16 points in 15 games against strong men's competition - and was named tournament MVP in Beijing. He's 6-foot-4 and physically ready for the NHL grind, plus he's a standout shooter and offensive initiator. The fact he put up a mere 10 points in Liiga won't stop New Jersey from seeking to unleash him next to Nico Hischier or Jack Hughes.3. CoyotesLogan Cooley, C, USNTDP U-18Cooley is no consolation prize: Some observers cite his niftiness with the puck to argue he's worthy of the No. 1 pick. Wright's more polished and is better defensively, but Cooley executes creative plays at high speed and has the upside to become this draft's leading scorer. Arizona needs a dynamic talent like him, though he's bound for the University of Minnesota first.4. KrakenSimon Nemec, D, HK Nitra (Slovak Extraliga)David Jiricek merits consideration, but the Kraken ultimately decide Nemec is the top defenseman they prefer. He's smart, mobile, cool under pressure, and heated up in the Extraliga playoffs (five goals and 17 points in 19 games) before shining alongside Slafkovsky at the men's worlds. Expect Nemec to munch minutes in the NHL as Seattle builds around him and Matty Beniers.5. FlyersCutter Gauthier, C/LW, USNTDP U-18 Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPhiladelphia may be tempted to take Jiricek here, but Gauthier is more likely to make an NHL impact sooner, and this Flyers management group doesn't exactly exude patience. Gauthier has the makings of an elite modern-day power forward, which would make him an instant fan favorite in the City of Brotherly Love.6. Blue Jackets (via Blackhawks)David Jiricek, D, HC Plzen (Czech Extraliga)This draft seems to have a consensus top six, so the Blue Jackets will likely take whichever one falls into their lap. They should be ecstatic it's Jiricek, though. The 6-foot-3 blue-liner has good enough mobility for his size and oozes offensive upside, making him a fitting long-term replacement for Seth Jones (who got Columbus this pick).7. SenatorsRutger McGroarty, C/LW, USNTDP U-18Choosing McGroarty here is a reach: He's widely considered a mid-to-late first-round prospect. But reaches happen in the top 10 and Ottawa's been known to diverge from public opinion, as with last year's Tyler Boucher pick. If Gauthier's gone and the Sens don’t trade this selection for immediate help, they'll gamble on the USNTDP's captain and top goal-scorer and hope McGroarty improves as a skater at the University of Michigan.8. Red Wings Matthew Savoie, C, Winnipeg (WHL)Detroit adds a gifted forward to a prospect pool already headlined by Simon Edvinsson and Sebastian Cossa. Savoie played center and wing and put up 90 points this season (the seventh-most in the WHL) while showcasing his high-end speed, agility, shot, and motor. Ice teammates attest he's strong for his 5-foot-9 frame.9. SabresJoakim Kemell, RW, JYP (Liiga)Buffalo's pipeline is deep enough that it can take the best player available, and at this point, that's Kemell, the reigning Liiga rookie of the year. The Sabres have two big centers to build around in Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens, so a small, speedy winger who scored 15 goals in Finland this season is the perfect complement.10. DucksPavel Mintyukov, D, Saginaw (OHL) Chris Tanouye / Getty Images Sport / GettyA future partner for Jamie Drysdale? Mintyukov shoots left, stands 6-foot-1, and has plenty of two-way potential. The Ducks could go in many directions, but with Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish up front, bolstering the blue line seems wise.11. SharksJonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Djurgardens IF (SHL)San Jose nabs William Eklund's SHL teammate and potential future Sharks linemate. Lekkerimaki has a precise shot and went off for 15 points in six games to lead Sweden to gold at the Under-18 world championships. That prompted numerous USNTDP players to call him their toughest opponent in the draft.12. Blue JacketsDanila Yurov, RW, Magnitogorsk (KHL)The Blue Jackets have not shied away from taking Russian prospects, selecting a Russian with one of their top two picks in four of the last five drafts. Yurov is an electrifying talent with some of the best hands in the class.13. IslandersMarco Kasper, C, Rogle BK (SHL)The Islanders bypass Brad Lambert - head coach Lane Lambert's nephew - to take the Austrian center whose 200-foot game is mature. Kasper debuted in Sweden's top pro league when he was 16, scored a respectable seven goals this season, and held his own at the men's world championships.14. JetsConor Geekie, C, Winnipeg (WHL)At 6-foot-3, Geekie's bigger than Chaz Lucius and Cole Perfetti, the centers Winnipeg recently drafted high. He's also a visionary passer who protects the puck well and could become a physical force if he adds muscle. Bonus: He grew up in Manitoba and already plays in the Jets' backyard.15. CanucksKevin Korchinski, D, Seattle (WHL) Christopher Mast / Getty Images Sport / GettyKorchinski is one of the biggest risers in this year's class after a breakout 65-point campaign with the Thunderbirds. He stands 6-foot-2 and is an excellent skater, and while there are concerns about his play in his own end, the Canucks need his type of upside in their defense pipeline.16. Sabres (via Golden Knights)Brad Lambert, C/RW, Pelicans (Liiga)This is the Sabres' second pick of the round, so they can afford to take a swing, and perhaps no prospect has more boom-or-bust potential. Once a projected top-five pick, Lambert is considered the best skater in the draft, but there are questions about his compete level.17. PredatorsDenton Mateychuk, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)Right after trading for Ryan McDonagh to bolster the left side of their defense, the Predators draft his potential successor on the second pair. Mateychuk's superb footwork makes him a capable defender at 5-foot-11, and his WHL production (13 goals and 64 points) rivaled Korchinski's this season.18. StarsLian Bichsel, D, Leksands IF (SHL)Bichsel is a towering 6-foot-5 defenseman who moves well for his size. He's also one of the most physically dominant players in the draft. There are questions about his offensive upside, but a future blue line featuring Bichsel, Miro Heiskanen, and 2019 first-rounder Thomas Harley has a lot of promise.19. Wild (via Kings)Frank Nazar, C/RW, USNTDP U-18Speed and compete level are Nazar's strengths. His splendid skating and doggedness create scoring opportunities that he's able to convert with his wrist shot. He joins Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi as the ascendant young forwards Minnesota will count on to replace Kevin Fiala.20. CapitalsIvan Miroshnichenko, LW, Omskie (VHL) RvS.Media/Robert Hradil / Getty Images Sport / GettyBased on talent and potential alone, Miroshnichenko should go much higher. The power forward was once a consensus top-five pick thanks to his well-rounded game, but he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma this winter. His treatments have gone well by all accounts, but there's still risk involved.21. PenguinsIsaac Howard, LW, USNTDP U-18Remarkably, this is just the third time the Penguins have drafted in Round 1 since 2012. They make the most of this choice and add offensive skill by selecting the USNTDP's top points producer. Howard's puckhandling ability and quickness help him generate a lot of chances.22. Ducks (via Bruins)Jiri Kulich, C, HC Karlovy Vary (Czech Extraliga)The Ducks took a defenseman with their first pick in this mock, so it's only fitting to snag a forward with their second. This isn't just a pick based on need, though - Kulich is arguably the best player on the board. The highly competitive center helped his stock at the U-18 worlds by tallying nine goals in six games as Czechia's captain.23. BluesOwen Pickering, D, Swift Current (WHL)St. Louis hasn't drafted a defenseman in Round 1 since 2012 and is overdue to change that. Enter the 6-foot-4 Pickering, who grew 9 inches in the past few years, retained his signature smooth skating stride, and happens to be Mateychuk's cousin.24. WildRyan Chesley, D, USNTDP U-18Chesley isn't flashy, but he's a reliable two-way defenseman and plays bigger than his 6-foot, 195-pound frame suggests. With Jared Spurgeon getting up there in age and Matt Dumba entering the final year of his deal, the Wild's blue line may need reinforcements on the right side soon - even after adding Brock Faber to the prospect pool.25. Maple LeafsLiam Ohgren, LW, Djurgardens IF (SHL) Chase Agnello-Dean / National Hockey League / GettyOhgren lit up the Swedish junior ranks for 33 goals in 30 games and scored twice when Sweden beat the U.S. in the U-18 final. He fills the net from distance but also battles to get to the hard areas. The Leafs will be optimistic they can help Ohgren get faster.26. Canadiens (via Flames)Nathan Gaucher, C, Quebec (QMJHL)If the Habs build around Wright and Suzuki as their top two centers, Gaucher could become the perfect No. 3 pivot behind them. While he lacks foot speed, he plays a heavy game at 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds, which could make him a valuable shutdown center. It doesn't hurt that he's from the Montreal area.27. Coyotes (via Hurricanes)Filip Bystedt, C, Linkoping HC (SHL)Arizona's strategy mirrors Montreal's: add another center to the pipeline. The 6-foot-3 Bystedt is attentive defensively and impresses as a puck carrier - an enticing combination, though the rest of his offensive game needs refinement.28. Sabres (via Panthers)Tristan Luneau, D, Gatineau (QMJHL)The Sabres already scooped up two forwards in this mock, so it's sensible to shore up their defense. With Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power manning the left side for the next decade or so, Luneau, a right-handed puck-mover, could develop into an ideal partner for one of them.29. OilersJimmy Snuggerud, RW, USNTDP U-18Snuggerud rode shotgun on a line with Cooley and Gauthier this season and has a complementary winger's skill set. He's not a great skater but does a lot well at both ends of the ice, including shoot and finish. Snuggerud could provide scoring punch in Edmonton's bottom six or ascend to Connor McDavid's flank in a pinch.30. Jets (via Rangers)Noah Ostlund, C, Djurgardens IF (SHL) Kevin Hoffman / National Hockey League / GettyOstlund is the third player from Djurgardens to go in the first round - a testament to the Swedish club's player development system. The skilled 5-foot-11 playmaker is the second center the Jets have drafted, but everyone knows there's no such thing as too much depth down the middle.31. LightningFilip Mesar, RW, HK Poprad (Slovak Extraliga)Mesar's stellar skating ability elevates him into Round 1, making this the first in the history of the draft to feature three Slovak prospects. The childhood friend of Slafkovsky and Nemec excels at handling the puck in transition. The Lightning haven't selected this high since 2019 and don't own another first-round pick until 2025, but they can be patient with Mesar's development.32. Coyotes (via Avalanche)Lane Hutson, D, USNTDP U-18Hutson is one of the most intriguing players in the entire draft. He has arguably the best hockey sense in the class, and he's awfully skilled, but he comes with obvious defensive limitations as a 5-foot-8 blue-liner. Still, with the Coyotes' third pick in the round, it's worth taking a chance on his upside.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears the Chicago Blackhawks are open for business.The club is listening to trade offers for forward Kirby Dach, reports The Athletic's Scott Powers.However, the Blackhawks would likely need a top-15 pick to get them to really consider it, Powers added.Dach was the third overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Although he's just 21 years old, the 6-foot-4 center has failed to live up to the hype so far, recording just 59 points in 152 career games.The Blackhawks already completed one major move Thursday, trading sniper Alex DeBrincat to the Ottawa Senators for a package of draft picks.Additionally, Chicago is unlikely to tender the $3.6-million qualifying offer to pending restricted free agent Dylan Strome by the July 11 deadline, which will make the 2015 No. 3 pick an unrestricted free agent, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie. The 25-year-old center recorded 22 goals and 26 assists in 69 games last season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

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Ottawa Senators goalie Matt Murray apparently could've found himself with the Buffalo Sabres if it wasn't for his no-trade clause.The Sens and Sabres were in deep trade talks about the netminder, but Buffalo is on Murray's 10-team no-trade list, and he was unwilling to waive, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.The trade would've included Ottawa swapping its seventh overall selection for Buffalo's No. 16 pick and the Sens retaining a portion of Murray's salary, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.The Pittsburgh Penguins traded Murray to the Senators in October 2020 in exchange for a second-round pick and a prospect. Two days later, he signed a four-year contract with an average annual value of $6.25 million.The 28-year-old has only appeared in 47 games across two seasons with Ottawa due to injuries and lackluster play, and he's sported a .899 save percentage in that time. The Sens signed goaltender Anton Forsberg to an extension in March and also have Filip Gustavsson in the fold, so the team appears ready to move on from Murray.The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the mix for Murray, and he would agree to a move there, according to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.The two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Penguins played his junior hockey with the Soo Greyhounds under current Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas and head coach Sheldon Keefe.The Sabres, meanwhile, have just one goalie under contract for next season in 41-year-old Craig Anderson. Buffalo also has $34 million in cap space and looks willing to use it to gain assets or, in this case, move up in the draft.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kris Letang isn't going anywhere.The Pittsburgh Penguins and their stalwart defenseman agreed to a six-year contract with an average annual value of $6.1 million.Letang would've been the top unrestricted free-agent defenseman had he decided to test the open market. The 35-year-old posted a career-high 68 points last season and finished seventh in Norris Trophy voting.It was previously reported that Letang was seeking a five-year deal with a cap hit north of $8 million, so it appears he may have taken a lower AAV in order to get extra term. His previous contract carried a cap hit of $7.25 million.Letang's new contract will keep him in Pittsburgh through his age-40 campaign. The three-time Stanley Cup champion ranks fifth in Penguins history with 650 points, trailing only Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jaromir Jagr.The Penguins now have $15.3 million in projected cap space. Their priority will now shift to re-signing Malkin, but Rickard Rakell is also a UFA, and Kasperi Kapanen and Danton Heinen are RFAs.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals are among potential destinations for pending unrestricted free-agent goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun.Fleury could also stay with the Minnesota Wild, who are reportedly still hoping to re-sign him. The Wild, though, are facing a significant cap crunch thanks to the buyouts of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, so they only have $4.9 million in projected cap space.A reunion with the Pittsburgh Penguins is "perhaps" a possibility, LeBrun adds. However, Pittsburgh just re-signed backup netminder Casey DeSmith, and starter Tristan Jarry remains signed for another year.The Colorado Avalanche were also reportedly listed as a possible destination for Fleury, but they've since traded for Alexandar Georgiev.Toronto is in need of a starter with Jack Campbell expected to depart as a UFA. Petr Mrazek is still in the fold, but the Maple Leafs may try and move him and his $3.8-million cap hit after a disastrous first year. They currently have just $6.4 million in cap space with a few RFAs needing new deals.The Capitals - Fleury's longtime rivals during his 13 years in Pittsburgh - had the unproven duo of Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek share the crease with mixed results last season, but both goaltenders are pending RFAs.Fleury will turn 38 in November, but he's coming off a respectable campaign in which he posted a .908 save percentage and 2.1 goals saved above average in 56 appearances split between the Wild and Chicago Blackhawks. The future Hall of Famer is also only one year removed from winning the Vezina Trophy.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, and Detroit Red Wings are all potential options for pending unrestricted free-agent goaltender Jack Campbell if he decides to leave the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.The Oilers would be very interested if he hits the open market, LeBrun adds. Edmonton is looking for a starter with Mikko Koskinen heading back overseas and Mike Smith undecided about his future. Youngster Stuart Skinner is in the fold, but he lacks experience.New Jersey finished with a league-worst .886 save percentage last season. MacKenzie Blackwood and Jonathan Bernier are both under contract, but the former is coming off back-to-back poor campaigns, and the latter's still recovering from hip surgery.The Red Wings have Alex Nedeljkovic signed for one more year, but they could use another goalie to pair him with as veteran Thomas Greiss is a UFA. Signing in Detroit would represent a homecoming of sorts for Campbell, who hails from Port Huron, Michigan.Washington's tandem of Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek are both RFAs. The Caps are also reportedly eyeing Marc-Andre Fleury.Campbell played a career-high 49 games last season, posting a .914 save percentage and 2.64 goals against average. He was a Vezina candidate early after a torrid start but ultimately came down to earth after injuries slowed his momentum. The 30-year-old had previously never appeared in more than 31 contests in a campaign.It's reportedly unlikely that Campbell re-signs in Toronto. The Leafs have shown interest in Fleury as a potential replacement.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2022 NHL Entry Draft is so close you can almost taste it.This week, we've already explored the markets with regards to who will be chosen atop the draft and shared some of our favorite overs and unders.Now, we're going to dive into some theScore Bet exclusives.theScore Bet special: 1+ goalies to be drafted in Round 1 (+1200)Now more than ever, there's hesitancy in the NHL to invest premium assets - and big money - into the goaltending position.There's just so much variance on a night-to-night, month-to-month, and year-to-year basis that it's tough to commit to unless you're absolutely sold on the player you're drafting.Even still, at least one goaltender has been selected in the first round in six of the last 10 drafts - including four of the last five.Jake Oettinger is the headliner of that group, considering he has already established himself as a very good NHL starter; however, the likes of Jesper Wallstedt, Yaroslav Askarov, Sebastian Cossa, and Spencer Knight undoubtedly have their teams excited about what the future may bring.That will probably help put some GMs at ease if they're seriously considering using a first-round draft pick on a goaltender.The problem is there's no perceived A-list netminder in this class. Tyler Brennan is widely considered to be the top goaltending prospect, and he's coming off a year in which he posted an .899 save percentage in the WHL. Granted, it was playing for a bad Prince George Cougars team.His ideal NHL size (6-4) and playoff performance - he posted a .954 save percentage while winning zero of four games - might pull a team into taking a chance.If anybody is going to do it, teams like the Canadiens and the Coyotes, who own a combined five of the 32 picks in Round 1, are probably the most logical options.theScore Bet special: 3+ Canadians to be drafted in top 10 (+110)There are generally a lot of Canadians selected at or near the top of the draft, especially over the last few years.In 2021, each of the top three picks was Canadian. Rewind another year, and three of the top six picks were Canadian. In 2019? Three of the top seven. The only draft class over the last five years that didn't feature at least three Canadians in the top 10 was 2018 (there were two).Relatively speaking, this year has the potential to be another lean one for Canadians at the top of the draft.Despite all the noise, Shane Wright is likely to be selected first overall by the Canadiens. If not No. 1, he won't last long. He's a can't-miss prospect.The same can't be said about any others. Matthew Savoie has the skill and production to warrant a top-10 selection, but his size (5-9) could prevent him from being picked that high.The other hopes are Kevin Korchinski and Conor Geekie. The former is a mobile 6-2 blue-liner who has risen up the charts leading up to the draft. Geekie is a 6-4 pivot who has a high motor and averaged well over a point per game in the WHL. Those players will be attractive.At least one of the three is likely chosen in the top 10. For Canada to have three prospects in the top 10, two of those players will need to be selected - which means prospects like Joakim Kemell or Jonathan Lekkerimaki would need to slip below where they are projected.Canada will surely have two in the top 10, but it will be tight whether or not a third Canadian goes that early.Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall appears confident he'll get Kris Letang signed to a new deal."I'd be surprised if we don't get Kris done," the GM told reporters Wednesday when asked if he was more confident about re-signing Letang than fellow pending unrestricted free agent Evgeni Malkin."Certainly I think (with) Kris, I'm hoping to have something done real soon here, but we've got a few details we're working through. So we'll see where it goes," Hextall added.

The Minnesota Wild and defenseman Jacob Middleton agreed on a three-year contract extension carrying an average annual value of $2.45 million Wednesday.Middleton was a pending restricted free agent. The Wild acquired him from the San Jose Sharks for goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen and a fifth-round pick on trade deadline day in March.The 26-year-old blue-liner doesn't put up big offensive numbers but he's a reliable defensive defenseman. Middleton drove possession, as the Wild controlled 50.62% of the expected goals with him on the ice at five-on-five this past season, according to Natural Stat Trick.Middleton was in his fourth campaign with the Sharks when they dealt him to Minnesota.The Wild will have about $4 million in cap space when Middleton signs his contract, per CapFriendly. They still have four more pending free agents, most notably veteran netminder Marc-Andre Fleury, who can become a UFA.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL released its 2022-23 regular-season schedule on Wednesday, with puck drop on the next campaign earmarked for October 7. The Nashville Predators will face the San Jose Sharks in Prague to open the season and battle there again one day later.October 11 will mark opening night in North America, featuring an Eastern Conference Final rematch between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden and the Los Angeles Kings playing host to the Vegas Golden Knights.The Colorado Avalanche will raise their Stanley Cup championship banner the following evening when they meet the Chicago Blackhawks as part of a six-game slate.Here are some other key dates in the upcoming season to circle on your calendars:DateMatchupSignificanceNov. 4 & 5Avalanche-Blue JacketsGlobal Series (Finland)Jan. 2Penguins-BruinsWinter Classic (Fenway Park)Feb. 2-5N/AAll-Star Weekend (Sunrise)Feb. 9Lightning-AvalancheStanley Cup Final rematch (Tampa)Feb. 18Hurricanes-CapitalsStadium Series (Carter-Finley Stadium)April 1315 gamesFinal day of regular seasonThe Avalanche and Lightning will face off again five days after their first Cup Final rematch, that time in Denver.There will also be 15 games on Nov. 23, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving in the United States.If all goes well, the 2022-23 campaign will be the first conventional NHL season since 2018-19. There was a three-week break in 2021-22. It was originally established to accommodate the Olympics, but instead allowed for a slew of COVID-19 postponements when the NHL chose not to go to the Games.The 2021 regular season began in January of that year and spanned only 56 games, while the 2019-20 campaign was postponed in March 2020 at the outbreak of the pandemic until resuming with the playoffs in August.Tap here to view the entire schedule by club.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Columbus Blue Jackets secured the services of a key young defenseman on Wednesday, signing Adam Boqvist to a three-year contract extension carrying an average annual value of $2.6 million.Boqvist was a pending restricted free agent. He established career highs with 11 goals, 22 points, 52 games played, and 17:03 of average ice time in 2021-22 - his third NHL season.The Swedish blue-liner, who'll turn 22 on Aug. 15, became only the sixth Columbus rearguard ever to notch at least 10 goals in a single campaign.The Blue Jackets acquired him from the Chicago Blackhawks in the Seth Jones trade last July.Chicago drafted Boqvist eighth overall in 2018.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Winnipeg Jets have begun to explore the trade market for captain Blake Wheeler, sources told Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.Wheeler's five-year, $41.25-million contract signed in 2018 carried a full no-movement clause until this offseason. Now, the veteran winger can submit a list of five teams he'd accept a trade to.Two seasons remain on Wheeler's contract at a cap hit of $8.25 million.Wheeler has been with the Jets since the 2010-11 season when the club was the Atlanta Thrashers. He's the franchise's all-time leader in assists (511) and points (757) and ranks second in games played (825).The 35-year-old was limited to 65 games this past season but still posted 60 points while averaging over 19 minutes per night. Wheeler's been one of the league's most consistently productive wingers since inking his current contract, totaling 262 points in 268 games over the past four campaigns.The Jets missed the playoffs for the first time since 2017 this past season and recently hired Rick Bowness as head coach to get the club back on track.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes are among the potential suitors for pending unrestricted free-agent forward Claude Giroux, reports The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.The Edmonton Oilers were previously reported to be interested in the 34-year-old.Ottawa would represent a homecoming of sorts for Giroux, who hails from Hearst, Ontario, but moved to Ottawa when he was 14. The Senators have $27 million in projected cap space, per CapFriendly, and are seeking players with pedigree to help their young team get over the hump.The Hurricanes have prioritized adding some offense this offseason and may lose both Vincent Trocheck and Nino Niederreiter to free agency, LeBrun added. Carolina projects to have $19 million in cap space with a roster of 14 players. Martin Necas and Tony DeAngelo are their most notable restricted free agents.Giroux proved in 2021-22 he still has plenty of game left, recording 65 points in 75 games split between the Philadelphia Flyers and Florida Panthers. The versatile veteran is capable of playing both center and wing effectively.Florida is trying to bring Giroux back, LeBrun notes, but the club has just $3 million in projected cap space.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks and star forward J.T. Miller remain far apart in negotiations for a contract extension, sources told Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.Miller has one season left on his current contract at $5.25 million and is expected to command a significant raise on his next deal. He's eligible to ink an extension when free agency opens on July 13.Several teams inquired about Miller's availability at this past season's trade deadline, and interest in the versatile forward remains strong heading into this week's draft in Montreal, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.Miller is coming off a career-high 99 points in 2021-22 and has been Vancouver's most dynamic offensive threat since arriving via trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019. He's racked up 217 points in 202 games with the Canucks and led the club in playoff scoring when it reached the second round of the playoffs in 2020.Miller can be deployed at wing or center, and he delivered 172 hits, 206 shots, and 56 blocks while averaging over 21 minutes per night and winning 54.1% of his draws last season.Vancouver only has 12 players signed beyond next season and also needs to ink captain Bo Horvat to a new deal by the 2023-24 campaign.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With just one day until the 2022 NHL Draft, Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion is working the phones to try to upgrade his roster, and he continues to dangle the seventh overall pick as his primary piece of trade bait."I would put it about 50-50 right now, picking seventh," Dorion told TSN 1200 on Wednesday. "We got a few irons in the fire. ... I don't think you can expect anything probably until tomorrow closer to the draft. There's always a chance of moving up, moving down, trading the pick for someone we feel could have an impact in our lineup. So that's where we're looking."Dorion said in May that he was open to trading the team's first-rounder for an "impact player" with some team control."There's been a lot of discussions about not just pick seven, but other picks that could possibly be in play," Dorion told reporters Wednesday. "It's no secret that we're trying to improve our team and bring players that have some kind of pedigree or experience into our lineup. Obviously, we've talked about pick seven as a possibility of being moved."The Senators were seen as a logical destination for star winger Kevin Fiala, whom the Minnesota Wild dealt to the Los Angeles Kings last week. Chicago Blackhawks sniper Alex DeBrincat is widely considered the best player on the trade block, and the two-time 40-goal scorer would fit the bill as a young, controllable impact player.Ottawa has made seven first-round picks in the last four years, including four in the top 10. The club is loaded with prospects and young players, but it hasn't finished better than sixth in its division since 2016-17.Aided by Tuesday's buyout of Colin White, the Senators have $27 million in projected cap space, per CapFriendly. Josh Norris, Alex Formenton, Mathieu Joseph, and Erik Brannstrom are all restricted free agents in need of new contracts, but there's ample room to make a splash if Dorion can swing a deal.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Coyotes are once again exploring potential Jakob Chychrun trades.The Central Division club is talking to the Columbus Blue Jackets about the defenseman, reports Brian Hedger of the Columbus Dispatch.The Blue Jackets hold the sixth and 12th overall picks in this week's draft. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen has said he would trade one or both of those selections for immediate help if he received a young, exciting NHL player with several years remaining on his contract.Chychrun is signed through 2024-25 at a $4.6-million cap hit, according to CapFriendly. The 24-year-old is a strong two-way blue-liner who missed 35 games due to injury this past season but still produced nearly half a point per contest with 21 in 47.The six-year veteran was one of the best players available leading up to the March 21 trade deadline before getting hurt about a week beforehand. Arizona reportedly wanted a package resembling the hefty haul the Buffalo Sabres got from the Vegas Golden Knights for Jack Eichel.The Blue Jackets were apparently one of the numerous teams interested in Chychrun at the time. Immediately after the deadline, Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong said the "pieces just weren't there" to move him.Chychrun didn't appear to oppose a move elsewhere when discussing in late April how he'd feel if Arizona chose not to deal him this offseason.

The Colorado Avalanche signed unrestricted free-agent forward Andrew Cogliano to a one-year contract, the team announced Tuesday.The financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed, but The Athletic's Peter Baugh reports the contract is worth $1.25 million.Colorado acquired Cogliano from the San Jose Sharks before this season's trade deadline for a fifth-round pick in 2024. He went on to play a key defensive role in the Avalanche's bottom six to help the club capture its first Stanley Cup in 21 years.Cogliano posted six points in 16 playoff games while averaging under 10 minutes per contest."Andrew was such a big part of our Stanley Cup championship with his leadership and veteran presence," general manager Joe Sakic said in a statement. "He battled back from various injuries throughout the playoffs and played key minutes for us when we needed it the most. He's a great teammate who works hard on and off the ice and sets a great example for the rest of the group. We're excited to have him back for another season."The 35-year-old was a first-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2005. He's also had stints with the Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars, recording 426 points in 1,140 career games.Several key UFA's remain on Colorado's book with signing season around the corner, including Darcy Kuemper, Valeri Nichushkin, Josh Manson, and Andre Burakovsky. The Avalanche have approximately $24 million in cap space.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2022 NHL Entry Draft is just a couple of days away. While much of the talk is about who will be selected atop the draft - Shane Wright or Juraj Slafkovsky? - most of the value lies a little further down the board.Let's take a look at three prospect over/unders that stand out.PLAYERODDS (O/U)Simon Nemec4.5 (+175/-220)David Jiricek5.5 (+145/-175)Cutter Gauthier6.5 (+230/-280)Joakim Kemell7.5 (-250/+200)Matthew Savoie8.5 (-125/-105)Conor Geekie11.5 (-300/+240)Kevin Korchinski11.5 (+110/-140)Pavel Mintyukov12.5 (+100/-130)Marco Kasper12.5 (+240/-300)David Jiricek over 5.5 (+145)The odds imply there's about a 40% chance of Jiricek being selected outside the top five. I think the chances are higher than that.While Jiricek is a big, strong, right-shot defender with some offensive upside, there are also concerns about his game. His lateral movement is not great and he's not the most fluid skater, which could cause him problems defensively, especially in transition.Jiricek missed a lot of hockey down the stretch due to a knee injury and his highest placement in Bob McKenzie's draft rankings at TSN was fifth.At +145, there's value in backing Jiricek to go sixth (or later). I see Wright, Slafkovsky, Logan Cooley, Simon Nemec, and Cutter Gauthier going ahead of him, which brings us to our next bet...Cutter Gauthier under 6.5 (-280)The price isn't the most appealing, but there is a very real chance Gauthier is selected in the top five. Getting the extra cushion at 6.5 is a nice bonus.Gauthier is a 6-foot-2 forward who moves well and scores goals. Players of his archetype are always highly coveted, and the versatility to play center or wing only makes him more valuable.There is some talk suggesting he could go as high as third overall to the Arizona Coyotes. The more likely scenario, though, is that the Philadelphia Flyers select him with the fifth pick.Joakim Kemell under 7.5 (+200)I love a good value play and there is plenty here with Kemell. While a total of 7.5 doesn't give us a ton of wiggle room - I'd be more comfortable with 8.5 - that is priced into the line and then some.Kemell is a dynamic offensive winger with some of the highest upside in this draft class. He was seventh in McKenzie's final draft rankings, which are based on a survey of 10 NHL scouts, so there is clearly some love for him out there.These odds imply only a 33% chance of Kemell being selected in the top seven, which feels extreme for the seventh-ranked prospect.I think Jiricek (assuming he slips) and Kemell will go in some combination to Columbus and Ottawa at sixth and seventh overall.Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators have placed forward Colin White on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a buyout, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.White had three seasons remaining on his contract at a $4.75-million cap hit.The buyout costs one-third of the total remaining value on the contract since White is under 26 years old. Here's a breakdown of Ottawa's cap savings, according to CapFriendly:SeasonBase salaryBuyout costSavings2022-23$4.75M$875K$3.875M2023-24$4.75M$875K$3.875M2024-25$6.25M$875K$5.375M2025-26$0$875K-$875K2026-27$0$875K-$875K2027-28$0$875K-$875KWhite was the 21st overall pick in 2015. He's struggled to stay healthy and produce of late, managing 28 points in 69 games over the past two seasons.

The Toronto Maple Leafs promoted Hayley Wickenheiser, Ryan Hardy, and Darryl Metcalf to assistant general managers, the team announced Tuesday.Curtis Sanford was also brought in as the club's new goaltending coach.Wickenheiser joined the Leafs in 2018 as assistant director to player development and was promoted to senior director last year. The focus of her new role will remain on Toronto's player development department.Hardy's role will be in minor league operations, while Metcalf will work in research and development.Brandon Pridham will remain the club's primary assistant general manager.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks will hire Mike Grier as general manager on Tuesday, making him the first Black GM in NHL history, ESPN's Kevin Weekes reports.Grier had a 14-year career as a player, including a three-year stint with the Sharks. After retiring, Grier worked as a scout for the Chicago Blackhawks, an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils, and most recently, a hockey operations advisor with the New York Rangers.He replaces interim general manager Joe Will, who took over for 19-year veteran Doug Wilson. Wilson temporarily stepped down for medical reasons before leaving his post for good.The Sharks have missed the playoffs three seasons in a row and recently fired head coach Bob Boughner with the draft and free agency around the corner. Before its current drought, San Jose had only missed the postseason twice since 1997.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk might stay in Beantown after all.Last week, DeBrusk's agent Rick Valette reportedly informed general manager Don Sweeney that he's rescinded his trade request and is happy to remain a Bruin moving forward, according to TSN's Ryan Rishaug.The 25-year-old winger initially made his request in November shortly after then-head coach Bruce Cassidy listed him as a healthy scratch due to his inconsistent play.DeBrusk averaged roughly 20 goals over his first three NHL seasons but struggled in 2020-21, logging 14 points in 41 games.The Edmonton native seemed doomed to repeat that same output after scoring nine goals and eight assists in his first 45 games of the 2021-22 season, but he made a major improvement in late February after getting promoted to the Bruins' top line as the March 21 trade deadline loomed.DeBrusk - who was set to become a restricted free agent this summer - signed a two-year extension with an average annual value of $4 million on deadline day as the team attempted to facilitate a trade. Boston ultimately didn't move him, and he posted 25 goals and 17 assists in 77 games.The Bruins fired Cassidy in early June, with Sweeney citing a need for a "new voice" as one of the deciding factors behind the decision. The team hired Jim Montgomery as its new head coach on July 1.Boston may start the 2022-23 season without star forward Brad Marchand, who is slated to return in late November after undergoing hip surgery in May.Meanwhile, captain Patrice Bergeron is reportedly expected to return to Boston on a one-year deal.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers are among the teams interested in unrestricted free agent forward Claude Giroux, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reports.Edmonton is doing its due diligence on the veteran winger in the event it can't re-sign fellow UFA forward Evander Kane, LeBrun adds.Giroux was traded to the Florida Panthers this past season after 15 years with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Presidents' Trophy winners were Giroux's top destination at the trade deadline, and LeBrun reports there is still mutual interest between the two sides. However, Florida has just over $3 million in cap space this offseason with a roster size of 17.Edmonton has $7.1 million available, according to Cap Friendly.Giroux is one of the biggest names on the open market this summer. The 34-year-old proved he's still an offensive threat last season with 65 points in 75 games split between the Flyers and Panthers.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kent Hughes is keeping his options open as he prepares for his first draft as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens.The Canadiens, who are hosting the event, have 14 picks in this year's draft, including at least two in the opening four rounds. The glut of selections gives Hughes the opportunity to package assets to move up or down the draft board."It's possible we'll trade up, it's possible we'll trade out. All possibilities are open," Hughes said Monday, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.Moving the first overall pick - which Montreal hasn't had since 1980 - doesn't seem likely, however."I think there's a stronger chance we'll move up with our second pick in the first round than there is we'll trade the first pick," Hughes said.Hughes said the club hasn't decided who it will select with the top pick at this point, but it's between Shane Wright, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Logan Cooley - all consensus top-five prospects.Montreal also owns the 26th overall pick, acquired from the Calgary Flames in the deal that sent Tyler Toffoli out West this past winter.The first round of the draft begins Thursday.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Newly minted Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness is confident he can erase a disappointing 2021-22 campaign and lead the club back to the postseason.The 67-year-old was officially introduced Monday after inking a two-year deal to take over behind the Jets' bench."This a really good hockey club and for whatever reason it lost its way last year, and myself and the coaching staff, when we get it all together, we're going to work very closely with everyone," Bowness told reporters, according to CBC's Bryce Hoye."We're going to get this team back in the playoffs."The Jets finished sixth in the Central Division this past season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016-17. Paul Maurice stepped down as coach in December, saying the team needed a new voice. Dave Lowry took over on an interim basis but couldn't get the club on track.There was drama within the dressing room once the season concluded as star forward Mark Scheifele questioned his future with the organization, while veteran center Paul Stastny said the players stopped caring about each other.Bowness brought the Dallas Stars to the playoffs last season and his three-year stint in Texas included a trip to the Stanley Cup Final. Bowness' extensive coaching history has featured stops with the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, and then-Phoenix Coyotes. He's also served as an assistant with the Vancouver Canucks and Tampa Bay Lightning.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL draft can be a crapshoot - even under normal circumstances. It's indisputably difficult to predict what a teenage hockey player might bring to an NHL team once he reaches his athletic prime.For proof, look no further than the large chunk of players who've blossomed into everyday NHLers despite being selected in the final few rounds of the draft or never at all.Throw in a pandemic - the ultimate curveball - and the amateur scouting landscape looks pretty fickle. Especially so in places like Ontario, where the OHL, one of the best feeder leagues, was forced to cancel its entire 2020-21 season due to government COVID-19 restrictions. Patrick Smith / Getty ImagesShane Wright, the potential first overall pick in Thursday's draft, didn't play a single major-junior game that season. The same goes for fellow projected first-rounders Luca Del Bel Belluz, Pavel Mintyukov, Owen Beck, and Ty Nelson."It sucks," Nelson said. "But for myself, I looked at it as a learning experience. You just continue going. I was in the gym every day. I was outside rollerblading, stickhandling, shooting when there was no ice available. When there was ice available, I was on the ice."To be clear, these Ontario-based players aren't unknown commodities; they had plenty of time to showcase themselves this past season. But the pandemic complicated their paths from Point A to Point B.One of those draft-eligible players, Sudbury Wolves forward Kocha Delic, traveled a long and sometimes fruitless path through the last two seasons to get himself noticed. Chris Tanouye / Getty ImagesThe World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Schools, gyms, arenas, and other public spaces across Canada were soon shuttered, with no definitive date to reopen.Delic became a second-round OHL pick by the Wolves a few weeks later. But there was nowhere to prepare as usual. Over the spring and summer months, Delic and a few neighborhood pals in Mississauga, Ontario, ran hills, lifted weights inside a two-car garage, and wheeled around in rollerblades before finally returning to the ice in small groups in August."That first time out was basically just me getting used to skating again," Delic said."That's a big step, moving from minor hockey to major-junior hockey. I was wondering to myself, 'Is this going to affect me?' I knew some guys in other places were getting in more reps than me and the guys I was around. I tried to do the best I could, stayed positive. But sometimes, honestly, it was hard."By mid-September, with the OHL on hiatus until at least December, Delic grew restless. He discussed his options with his parents, agent, and Wolves general manager Rob Papineau. Ultimately, he accepted a spot on a U20/U18 team in Karlskrona, a coastal town of 65,000 people in southern Sweden."There were no guarantees," Papineau said. "It was a pretty heavy financial commitment from the parents. And these are still kids, right? You're sending your kid halfway across the world to play a game when things aren't stable as far as the virus. It wasn't necessarily the right decision for everybody. But for people that were comfortable with the idea - like Kocha's family - why not take advantage of it." Handout / Kocha DelicDelic, then 16, flew to Sweden with Connor Punnett, a 17-year-old OHLer who was represented by the same agency. The two practiced with the Karlskrona squad in anticipation of game action, but about a week later, before their transfers had been made official, the junior leagues were paused."Here we go again," Delic thought to himself.In the meantime, Delic learned how to do his own laundry. ("You've got to tell me exactly which button to press," he said during a FaceTime call with his mom.) He and Punnett took turns in the kitchen, cooking a few hockey-player classics, including chicken and pasta. "At night," Delic said of the duo's routine, "10 grilled cheese sandwiches, throw on a movie, go to bed."Karlskrona's coaching staff soon informed its players that the Swedish junior leagues wouldn't resume until Jan. 15 at the earliest. Punnett quickly found a spot on a low-end pro team nearby, while Delic had to wait a week or so to catch on with a pro team in Varnamo, some 100 miles north of Karlskrona.Delic trained in Varnamo for a couple of weeks, flew home to visit family over the Christmas holidays, then returned to Sweden to start 2021. Within days, his new league shut down. Delic was back in limbo.Canada's COVID-19 restrictions were still strict, which meant coming home wasn't a desirable option for Delic, who was desperate to play hockey. His attention shifted instead to Belgrade, where he had relatives and connections within the small Serbian hockey scene. The 13-hour trip from Varnamo included rides on a train, bus, plane, and car.All of his belongings - stuffed inside a suitcase, backpack, and hockey bag - survived the cross-continent haul. He kept his six hockey sticks close. "Then, first practice in Serbia, stick gone," he said, laughing at the memory. "Two days later, another stick broken. It was like, 'Here we go, four sticks left!'" Handout / Kocha DelicDelic didn't appear in any games in Belgrade, but by staying at his uncle's house for a month, he was able to immerse himself in his parents' culture.In 1995, Delic's mom Svjetlana and dad Zeljko fled the war-torn region. Neither spoke English and Zeljko said the couple arrived in Canada with the equivalent of $150. They lived in Saskatoon, washing dishes and cleaning hotel rooms, before moving to Ontario so Svjetlana could attend university. In Ottawa, they built a new life."I would work 24 hours a day to stay in Canada. I did not want to go back," Zeljko said of working three jobs and Svjetlana two on top of her studying.This insatiable work ethic is evident in the younger Delic's game, and in how he interacts with teammates, coaches, and other staff in Sudbury. There's no entitlement. He's about as low-maintenance as a junior hockey player can get. "Kocha never complains, and he just wants to play," is how Papineau put it."He's relentless," the GM continued. "It's in his DNA. Whether he's chasing a puck or an opportunity to play, he doesn't know what the word 'quit' means."An old family story might help explain why."Sit in the car," Zeljko once told a seven-year-old Kocha and one of his little brothers, who'd both been lounging around the house all day. "I'm going to take you to the place where the people who did nothing ended up."The destination was a homeless shelter, and Zeljko convinced the receptionist to let them into the facility for a quick tour. "You cannot just tell them at that age. They need to see it, they need to feel it," Zeljko said."In life you're going to have to take initiative, work hard in order to be successful," Kocha said as he reflected on the story. "That experience, learning that lesson from my dad, helped me out for the rest of my life." Chris Tanouye / Getty ImagesDelic's last attempt to play in an official game in the 2020-21 season - with a Junior A team in Navan, east of Ottawa - was scuttled by slow paperwork and another COVID-19 delay.At this point, it was March 2021, a full year into the pandemic, with zero games played. The OHL season would be officially canceled a month later.Delic transitioned into an offseason mindset, putting his head down in the gym, when he caught word of a player-organized tournament in Erie, Pennsylvania. The PBHH Invitational was a two-week showcase in June aimed at helping players sidelined by pandemic restrictions. Players like Delic.He drove across the U.S. border and - for once - his plans weren't squashed."I hadn't played in 14, 15 months. I didn't know what to expect. Would I be a bit sluggish?" Delic said. "After the first game, I had my legs under me and I was able to move my feet well. Stickhandling and passing wasn't 100%, but after a bit it was pretty crisp. As the tournament went on, I just kept getting better and better."Delic can't recall exactly how many points he collected over 10 games in Erie. It didn't matter; he was pleased with his performance in front of NHL scouts. It felt like a baby step towards the draft. Handout / Kocha DelicThe start of Delic's OHL career came with a learning curve and a low ranking on NHL Central Scouting's midterm list of draft eligible skaters playing in North America. In typical Delic fashion, he used the perceived slight as motivation, setting a daily 8:15 a.m. reminder on his iPhone: "200 on Central Scouting."Delic found his groove in the second half alongside fellow draft-eligible forwards David Goyette and Evan Konyen. Lining up mostly on left wing, the 5-foot-10, 184-pounder finished with 17 goals and 29 assists for 46 points in 65 games, good for fourth on the middling Wolves. "Trying to keep up with him is a task in itself," Konyen said of Delic's motor. "He sees the ice so well. He's a really good passer. He has a good shot. He has a nose for the net."Delic and Konyen lived together and all three rookies were tight off the ice. In the snowy Sudbury winter, they built a small backyard rink to fool around on with a stick and puck. One day they taught their billet mom how to skate.Somehow, throughout his travels to and from Europe, Delic avoided COVID-19. But in November 2021, he and 11 teammates tested positive. (All 12 were either asymptomatic or experienced mild symptoms.)After Sudbury missed the playoffs, Delic was invited to compete for Team Canada at the U18 world championship in Germany. In Europe once again - following a lengthy travel delay, of course - Delic bagged a pair of goals in three games while earning a spot on the penalty kill. Central Scouting upgraded Delic to 122nd among North American skaters in its final ranking, which was released days after the tournament."He's just one of those guys who has taken every day as a gift and an opportunity, and he does everything he can with it," Papineau said.Like Delic's original trip to Sweden, there are no guarantees this week's draft will unfold in his favor. Delic could be selected in the fourth round, later, or not at all. When you're not a top prospect but own some of the traits scouts drool over - that skating, motor, and level of commitment - it's a toss-up."If it happens, I'll be grateful," Delic said. "If it doesn't, I'm going to keep working and keep progressing my game to make it to that level one day."John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (@MatiszJohn) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2022 NHL Draft is only a few days away, and there's still some uncertainty who will go first overall.Will Shane Wright hang onto the No. 1 spot he's held for the better part of three years, or are the reports true that Juraj Slafkovsky could unseat him?Let's dive into that as we look for the best path when betting who'll be selected atop the draft.PLAYERODDSShane Wright-200Juraj Slafkovsky+115Logan Cooley+2000Realistically, the Canadiens are going to select either Wright or Slafkovsky, but choosing the former isn't the consensus pick it was when the year started.Wright had a strong campaign in a general sense; he was very productive while captaining a team that finished fourth in the OHL in points percentage.He didn't have a lights-out year for a prospect expected to go first overall, though. His production was much more Nico Hischier than Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon - and Hischier wasn't exactly a unanimous pick either.Wright's good but not great outputs - as well as questions about an inconsistent work ethic and lack of aggressiveness and assertiveness with the puck - have some people down on him.Combine that disappointment with Slafkovsky's enticing combination of size, skill, and speed - and impressive body of work at the Olympics and World Hockey Championships - and it's not hard to see where the debate stems from.When all is said and done, I still expect Wright to be the guy. While his year was disappointing for somebody once considered a potential generational prospect, it was still very good when isolated from expectations. Nobody in this class has as strong of a track record as Wright, and that matters.So, too, does the fact Wright plays a premium position. If you project Slafkovsky as a solid first-line winger and Wright as an equally good first-line center, the latter wins by default. There's a reason seven of the league's 14 highest-paid players play center. It's the NHL's most valuable position and the toughest to properly address. The Canadiens would be set, with Wright joining Nick Suzuki to form a one-two punch long term.I honestly believe at least some of Wright's fall from grace, so to speak, can be attributed to fatigue. He has been the top dog for years and had all eyes on him, nitpicking his game while Slafkovsky wasn't firmly on the radar to be selected at or near the top of the draft until the calendar flipped. He still has the shine of a new toy.Although Slafkovsky narrowly edged out Wright for the top spot in Bob McKenzie's final rankings, which are based on the opinions of 10 NHL scouts, I expect the Canadiens to ignore the noise and select Wright.Bet: Shane Wright (-200)Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Lightning dealt veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh to the Nashville Predators for blue-liner Philippe Myers and forward Grant Mismash, the teams announced Sunday."It's tough," McDonagh's agent, Ben Hankinson, told The Athletic's Joe Smith. "He's been there four years, won a couple Cups, been to (the Cup Final) three years in a row. All of a sudden, to be told, 'You're not coming back, it's a business decision, we can't have you back,' it's hard for him to accept that."There's the emotional connection and the business side of it. It took what seemed like forever, only three or four days, but they wanted to move forward. He's heard from every single member of the (Lightning). Crushing."Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois met with McDonagh three days after Tampa Bay fell to the Colorado Avalanche in the final to ask if he'd be willing to waive his full no-trade clause, according to Smith. Hankinson said McDonagh had his "head spinning" when he exited the meeting."I think it took a couple days to realize what to do," the agent said. "Do you fight it and figure out a way to stay? Which he wanted to do. … It's not always by the player's choice. The good news is that Ryan is motivated and in a great spot right now. It wasn't his choice. But given the circumstances, we found a good spot."BriseBois insisted he wouldn't have dealt McDonagh if not for financial considerations."If we didn't live in a flat salary cap world, it would never have crossed my mind to ask Ryan McDonagh to waive his no-trade clause because I would have been ecstatic to know that I had him under contract for four more years," the GM said, per team reporter Chris Krenn.McDonagh, who turned 33 in June, has four years remaining on his contract at a $6.75-million cap hit.Tampa Bay exceeded the league's $82.5-million salary cap limit before signing Nick Paul to a seven-year extension earlier this week. Moving McDonagh's contract off the books could clear enough money to retain forward Ondrej Palat, who's scheduled for unrestricted free agency.The Lightning acquired McDonagh from the New York Rangers in 2018, and he played a significant role on the back end for Tampa Bay's consecutive championships in 2020 and 2021.Myers suited up in 27 games for the Predators last campaign. There were rumblings Tampa Bay could buy the 25-year-old out for additional cap savings, but BriseBois squashed the rumor."We've liked him going back to his junior days. We really like the tool box," he said, according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.Nashville drafted Mismash in the second round in 2017. The 23-year-old has yet to play an NHL game and recorded 12 points in 57 AHL contests last season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Winnipeg Jets officially hired Rick Bowness as head coach on Sunday.Bowness stepped down as Dallas Stars bench boss in May after three seasons. Peter DeBoer then took the job after being fired by the Vegas Golden Knights.Paul Maurice stepped down as Jets coach in December. Dave Lowry finished the season behind the bench on an interim basis. Winnipeg missed the playoffs for the first time since 2017 after finishing sixth in the Central Division with a 39-32-11 record.The Jets heavily pursued Barry Trotz for their head coaching vacancy, but the Winnipeg native and 2018 Stanley Cup winner informed the club he won't coach anywhere next season.Bowness has a long track record behind an NHL bench. The 67-year-old coached the original Jets before they relocated, the Stars, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, and then-Phoenix Coyotes. He's also served as an assistant with the Vancouver Canucks and Tampa Bay Lightning.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vancouver Canucks star Brock Boeser is eager to enter the 2022-23 campaign with a renewed perspective after a difficult year off the ice affected his performance.Boeser, fresh off inking a three-year extension to stick with the Canucks amid swirling trade rumors, opened up about the psychological burden he faced trying to navigate the Canucks' schedule while his late father's health rapidly deteriorated from afar."It’s crazy to say out loud. There were times where I was just mentally exhausted and mentally drained, and I felt that a lot. Just all the stress. It sounds really messed up but when I did get injured again, I’m not going to lie, it was almost (relief) because I was so mentally tired. I think it really affected me." Boeser told Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre.Boeser sustained an elbow injury in April as the Canucks pursued a playoff spot. His mind was on his dad, Duke, who died of Parkinson's disease in May."It was just a tough scenario all around," Boeser said. "I wish I could have been so much better (last season). You never know, if I score five or six more goals maybe we’re in the playoffs. I think about things like that and it eats at me for sure."Boeser finished the season with 23 goals and 23 assists in 71 games. The 25-year-old believes he's turned a corner amid his healing process and is excited to play again."I’m moving forward and taking things a day at a time but ... after everything, these last two weeks, I’ve been really thinking about hockey, shifting my focus to that," Boeser said. "I’ve been sitting here thinking: I can’t wait for the season to start. Now that this deal is done, I’m just so excited. And like I said, I know I have a lot to prove. It’s going to be a different year for me mentally and that’s exciting."Boeser was drafted 23rd overall in 2015. He's racked up 256 points in 324 career games with Vancouver.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen says an impasse in contract negotiations with restricted free agent sniper Patrik Laine won't stop the club from being active during the NHL draft next week.A new contract for Laine is Columbus' primary piece of business this offseason, but the two sides aren't close to an agreement on a multi-year deal, according to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline."Like with anything, it takes its course," Kekalainen said. "If they want to agree, we can do it quickly. If they don't, it can take time. I don't think it's going to affect anything we do at the draft."The Blue Jackets own the sixth and 12th overall picks in the draft and have over $19 million in cap space, meaning they could be one of the league's more aggressive teams at the draft. Kekalainen pieced together a blockbuster trade during last year's draft weekend when he sent star defenseman Seth Jones to the Chicago Blackhawks.Columbus has until July 11 to give Laine a one-year, $7.5-million qualifying offer to retain his rights as an RFA, but he isn't required to sign it. The 24-year-old is also eligible for arbitration this summer."There's a lot of time before the season starts," Kekalainen said. "If for some reason we can't get anything more than a year, then ... well, we gotta make some decisions again."Laine bounced back from a poor debut season with the Blue Jackets and posted 56 points in 56 games in 2021-22.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Flyers prospect Ivan Fedotov was detained in Russia on charges of intending to forgo military service, several Russian media outlets reported, according to The New York Times' David Waldstein.The 25-year-old goaltender was arrested Friday at a rink in Saint Petersburg and taken to an army enlistment office, according to the reports.Russian news outlets also said Fedotov fell ill while in custody at that facility, and an ambulance took him away, according to HockeyNews.se's Karl Mansson."At this moment, we can't say exactly how things are," Fedotov's lawyer said, according to Mansson. "He was in the hospital, at least in fact, but for some reason was not listed as other patients. Neither we nor our parents were allowed to see him. Recently, military police officers entered the hospital."He doesn't feel very well," the lawyer added. "He says that he was given some kind of injections, which he does not know, he was told that this was prescribed by a doctor. He doesn't look good."Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher acknowledged the reports in a statement and said the team is investigating the situation. An NHL spokesperson told the Times the league is also aware but declined further comment.Russian men between the ages of 18 and 27 are subject to one year of mandatory military service. The country is amid its spring conscription, one of two periods, including another in the fall. When this one began in April, the government said "conscription events are not related" to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to Al Jazeera's Sasha Petrova.Fedotov played this season for CSKA Moscow, a KHL team known for having ties to the Russian army. He led the squad to the Gagarin Cup - that league's championship - after helping the Russian Olympic Committee claim the silver medal in Beijing.The Flyers signed Fedotov to an entry-level contract in May after selecting him 188th overall in 2015. He was born in Finland but grew up in Russia.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks organization added two familiar faces to its coaching staff on Friday.Former Chicago Blackhawks skipper Jeremy Colliton has been named the head coach of Vancouver's AHL affiliate in Abbotsford, while ex-Philadelphia Flyers interim bench boss Mike Yeo will join the Canucks as an assistant coach.Colliton was head coach of the Blackhawks for parts of four seasons and was fired from his post in November after leading the team to a 1-9-2 start. Shortly after his dismissal, Colliton was named an assistant coach for Canada at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.Yeo took over in Philadelphia after the team parted ways with Alain Vigneault in December. The Flyers went 17-36-7 under his tenure for the rest of the season. Philadelphia hired John Tortorella to be their new head coach last month.Yeo has also served as the head coach of the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues. He's amassed an all-time coaching record of 263-217-62 and captured a Stanley Cup as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009."When I started the conversations with Mike Yeo, it became clear to me that he would be an excellent addition," Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Working with (general manager Patrik Allvin) to create a well-rounded staff was very important for us as we look to continue to build upon the momentum we experienced last season."Former Abbotsford head coach Trent Cull was promoted to assistant coach with Vancouver while Brad Shaw is leaving the organization to join the Flyers as an associate coach.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks and winger Brock Boeser agreed to a three-year extension worth $6.65 million per season, the team announced Friday."We're very happy to have worked out a new deal for Brock," Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said. "He is a very talented player and has been an effective goal-scorer throughout his entire career. We look forward to seeing his game progress in the years to come."Boeser was set to become a restricted free agent after playing out the final season of a three-year contract that carried a $5.875-million cap hit.His new deal includes a 10-team no-trade list in 2024-25, according to CapFriendly. The 25-year-old can reach unrestricted free agency at the end of that season.Boeser put up 23 goals and 23 assists in 71 games this season. He matched his goal total from the shortened 2020-21 campaign in 15 fewer games, but he potted three fewer points in 2021-22.The Minnesota product saw an uptick in production after Bruce Boudreau replaced Travis Green behind the bench in December.SplitGPGPP/GPATOIBoeser under Green224100.4518:30Boeser under Boudreau4919360.7318:39His 19 goals in 49 contests under Boudreau translates to a 32-goal pace over an 82-game season, which would be a career high. The closest he's come to cracking the 30-goal plateau was in 2017-18 when he lit the lamp 29 times.Drafted 23rd overall by the Canucks in 2015, Boeser was a finalist for the Calder Trophy in 2018. He has 121 goals and 135 assists in 324 career contests.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins named former Dallas Stars bench boss Jim Montgomery the 29th head coach in franchise history, the team announced Friday."Jim has a winning history, and throughout the interview process, he conveyed his ability to connect with all types of players while also demanding that his teams play with structure. We are excited for Jim to begin to make his imprint on our team," general manager Don Sweeney said.Montgomery served as an assistant coach on the St. Louis Blues' bench for the past two seasons. He was named head coach of the Stars before the 2018-19 campaign and led them to the playoffs after they failed to qualify the previous two seasons.The Stars fired him midway through the following campaign due to unprofessional conduct. Less than a month after his dismissal, Montgomery revealed that he checked into rehab for alcohol abuse.Overall, the Stars went 60-43-10 under Montgomery.Montgomery replaces Bruce Cassidy, who was fired by the Bruins after they were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs.Boston made the postseason in each of Cassidy's six seasons as head coach, but the team only advanced past the second round once. The Bruins fell to the Blues in seven games in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final.Cassidy was hired by the Vegas Golden Knights shortly after his departure from Boston. The Bruins announced that they signed Sweeney to a multi-year contract extension earlier this week.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Red Wings hired Tampa Bay Lightning assistant coach Derek Lalonde to be their next head coach.Lalonde spent the last four seasons serving on the Bolts' bench and he helped the team to three straight finals appearances as well as two consecutive Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021."I'm very pleased to announce Derek as our new head coach," Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said. "He has proven himself as an excellent coach at every level and has spent the last four seasons in the National Hockey League as part of a very successful program in Tampa Bay. We feel he is ready to take the next step in his career as the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings."Lalonde was named an assistant coach in Tampa in 2018 when Yzerman served as the team's vice president and general manager.This is Lalonde's first full-time head coaching job at the NHL level, but he was previously the head coach of the AHL's Iowa Wild from 2016-18 and of the ECHL's Toledo Walleye from 2014-16.He also briefly stepped in as head coach for the Lightning in late December when Jon Cooper was placed in COVID-19 protocol. The Bolts won two games under Lalonde's guidance.Lalonde is replacing Jeff Blashill, who parted ways with Detroit after the 2021-22 season. The rebuilding Red Wings finished in sixth place in the tough Atlantic Division with a 32-40-10 record and failed to make the playoffs for a sixth straight season.The young squad continued to make strides despite another losing campaign. Rookies Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond especially injected plenty of excitement into Hockeytown."I'm thrilled to be named head coach of the Red Wings. ... I'm ready to get to work with our group. There's a very bright future ahead in Detroit," Lalonde said.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks fired head coach Bob Boughner, the team announced Friday.Assistant coaches John Madden, John MacLean, and Dan Darrow were also let go.Boughner took over behind San Jose's bench during the 2019-20 campaign and had one year left on his contract. He posted a 67-85-23 record through 175 games with the club and never qualified for the playoffs.San Jose is also seeking a new general manager. Joe Will held the position on an interim basis this past season after 19-year veteran Doug Wilson stepped down."As we progress through our search for the next general manager of the Sharks following 19 seasons under Doug Wilson's leadership, it has become apparent that the organization is in the process of an evolution," Will said."The bottom line is we have missed the playoffs for the past three seasons, which isn't acceptable to our owner, our organization, or to our fans. As part of this evolution and evaluation, we felt it was in the best interest of the club to allow the next Sharks general manager to have full autonomy related to the makeup of the on-ice coaching staff moving ahead."The NHL's coaching carousel has been in full swing since the regular season ended, with nine clubs making changes behind the bench.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Lightning signed forward Nick Paul to a seven-year contract extension worth $3.15 million per season, the team announced Friday.Paul was set to become an unrestricted free agent July 13. The Lightning acquired him from the Ottawa Senators at this past season's trade deadline for Mathieu Joseph and a 2024 fourth-round pick.Paul was an immediate fit in Tampa, recording 14 points in 21 regular-season games. He played a key role in helping the club reach its third consecutive Stanley Cup Final, producing nine playoff points while averaging over 18 minutes per contest.His previous deal paid him $1.35 million per season.The Lightning are currently above the league's $82.5-million salary limit for next season. Paul was one of the club's key free agents this summer, along with veteran winger Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay is reportedly working on finding a trade with defenseman Ryan McDonagh to help clear some cap space.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Calgary Flames fans hoping for a quick contract agreement between the team and pending unrestricted free-agent star Johnny Gaudreau may have to wait a little longer."It is status quo in that I'm told (as of now), Johnny Gaudreau remains undecided about the offer from the Calgary Flames," TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported during Thursday's edition of "Insider Trading.""His camp has not communicated to the Flames one way or another where this is headed at this point."LeBrun reported earlier this month that the Flames didn't waste any time offering Gaudreau a deal. The winger recorded a career-best 40 goals and 115 points in 82 games this past season, a performance that earned him three first-place votes and a fourth-place finish in the Hart Trophy race.He just finished a six-year deal with a $6.75-million annual cap hit and is likely in line for a major raise. Gaudreau is projected to sign a seven-year deal with an average annual value of almost $10.9 million, according to Evolving-Hockey.The Flames have just under $27 million in projected cap space, per CapFriendly. However, forwards Andrew Mangiapane and Matthew Tkachuk are pending restricted free agents with arbitration rights, while blue-liners Nikita Zadorov and Erik Gudbranson are also pending unrestricted free agents.Assistant general manager Craig Conroy vowed to get Gaudreau signed to an extension back in February, adding that it was a "done deal."Gaudreau helped lift the Flames to a first-place finish atop the Pacific Division in 2021-22, but Calgary was eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round of the playoffs.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars signed goaltender Scott Wedgewood to a two-year extension with an average annual value of $1 million, the team announced Thursday.Dallas acquired Wedgewood from the Arizona Coyotes before the March 21 trade deadline in exchange for a conditional 2023 fourth-round pick, which became a third-rounder since the Stars qualified for the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.Wedgewood split his 2021-22 season between the New Jersey Devils, Coyotes, and Stars, authoring a .910 save percentage across 37 appearances. Arizona claimed him off waivers from New Jersey in November.The Ontario, Canada, native enjoyed his best statistical stretch of the campaign in the Lone Star State, suiting up for eight games with the Stars while posting a .913 save percentage and 3.05 goals against average.Wedgewood played last season on a one-year, $825,000 deal, and he was set to become an unrestricted free agent.The 29-year-old owns a career 23-33-14 record and a .906 save percentage in 77 appearances.Dallas entered the 2021-22 campaign with a crowded crease, but the team's situation thinned out considerably after Ben Bishop retired in December. Meanwhile, Anton Khudobin and Braden Holtby, a pending unrestricted free agent, were widely limited due to injuries.Youngster Jake Oettinger took on the bulk of the starting duties and performed admirably in the regular season with a .914 save percentage across 48 appearances. Oettinger went on to dazzle in the playoffs, putting up a .954 save percentage and 1.81 goals against average in seven games.Wedgewood will likely serve as Oettinger's backup next season, but the rising star needs a new contract as a pending restricted free agent.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Three corporations took action Tuesday in response to the ongoing scandal involving Hockey Canada's settlement of a sexual assault lawsuit.Scotiabank is pausing its sponsorship of the federation, the bank's CEO Brian Porter announced."I was appalled by the recent reports of alleged assault involving younger ambassadors of Canada's game," Porter wrote in an open letter in the Globe & Mail. "The alleged behavior in this current case is contrary to the beliefs and values that hockey is meant to embody and those that we champion at Scotiabank."Porter added: "The time for change is long overdue. We call on Hockey Canada to move with a sense of urgency in order to ensure that the game we love is held to the highest standards and can truly be hockey for all."Hockey Canada responded to the news with a statement of its own:"Hockey Canada values our relationship with Scotiabank, and we both respect and understand their decision regarding their sponsorship. As we said to the Members of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage last week, Hockey Canada is on a journey to change the culture of our sport and to make it safer and more inclusive, both at the rink and in our communities."Later on Tuesday, Canadian Tire followed Scotiabank's lead by "immediately withdrawing its sponsorship support for the upcoming world juniors" and "re-evaluating its relationship with Hockey Canada," according to a statement obtained by The Athletic's Katie Strang.Shortly thereafter, Telus told The Canadian Press' Joshua Clipperton it is pausing its sponsorship agreement with Hockey Canada and the upcoming world juniors. The telecommunications company said it plans to redirect those funds toward Canadian organizations that support women affected by sexual violence.Tim Hortons is also suspending its support for the world juniors."Hockey Canada has communicated that it is committed to changing the culture of hockey to make it safer and more inclusive for all, on and off the ice," Tim Horton's said in a statement. "We have expressed strongly that we believe Canadians are urgently seeking concrete details from Hockey Canada about how it intends to do so."Imperial Oil followed suit on Wednesday and announced in a statement that it will no longer be supporting the world juniors under the Esso brand.Meanwhile, Recipe Unlimited, the parent company that owns Swiss Chalet and The Keg, is also suspending partnership support for Hockey Canada, according to Strang."We will continue to be in contact with Hockey Canada to outline our expectations for change and to ensure the right steps are being taken to pave a safer and more inclusive future for hockey in Canada," Recipe Unlimited wrote in a statement.In a lawsuit filed in April, a woman said eight CHL players - including some members of Canada's 2018 world junior team - sexually assaulted her following a Hockey Canada event in London, Ontario, in June 2018. The plaintiff asked the judge to award $3.55 million, but the suit was settled out of court for an unknown amount in May. The allegations weren't proven in court, and none of the defendants filed a response.Hockey Canada executives testified before the House of Commons last week. The federal government announced it was freezing the organization's funding two days later.Scotiabank canceled its scheduled marketing and events for the World Junior Championship in August. The company stated that sponsorship investments will be redirected in part to the Hockey Canada Assist Fund and the Women's World Championship, and it will also donate to the Canadian Women's Foundation.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Wild have traded pending restricted free-agent forward Kevin Fiala's rights to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for their 2022 first-round pick and prospect Brock Faber, the team announced Wednesday.The Kings then signed Fiala to a seven-year pact with an average annual value of $7.875 million. The contract also includes a no-movement clause for three seasons beginning in 2023-24, per CapFriendly.Fiala is coming off a breakthrough campaign where he posted a career-high 33 goals and 85 points in 82 contests. He scored 27 goals and 67 points at even strength, which is welcome for a Kings team that ranked amongst the bottom 10 in five-on-five goals last season.However, he faded in the playoffs and mustered just three assists as the St. Louis Blues eliminated the Wild in six games during the first round.The 25-year-old winger played last season on a one-year, $5.1-million deal and is entering his ninth NHL campaign. Selected by the Nashville Predators 11th overall in 2014, Fiala has 124 goals and 159 assists in 419 career NHL games.The Wild are entering a salary-cap crunch in 2022-23 after buying out the remaining four years of Ryan Suter's and Zach Parise's contracts last summer. The pair will count for almost $13 million against the cap next season and $14.7 million in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns.Wild general manager Bill Guerin told reporters shortly after the trade that he knew there was virtually no chance Minnesota would be able to retain Fiala's services."To keep him, we'd have to trade three guys. ... It just didn't fit," he said, according to The Athletic's Michael Russo.Faber, a 19-year-old defenseman, was selected by the Kings in the second round of the 2020 draft. He scored two goals and 12 assists in 32 games for the University of Minnesota in 2021-22.The Wild now hold picks No. 19 and No. 24 in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Minnesota was in a similar situation in 2021 and took goaltender Jesper Wallstedt and blue-liner Carson Lambos with its pair of first-round selections.The young Kings enjoyed a strong 2021-22 season that included a surprise trip to the playoffs, where they took the Edmonton Oilers to seven games in the opening round.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.