June is an incredibly busy month for the NHL, but that doesn't mean we can't look ahead to what's coming. Free agency begins at 12 p.m. ET on July 1, and we're ranking the top 80 unrestricted free agents in a seven-post series ahead of the madness.

We're working our way up from No. 80 to No. 1, with that, here are the 65-51 ranked UFAs heading into July 1:

65. Jay McClement (F)

Age on Oct. 1: 34
2016-17 Cap Hit: $1.2M

Jay McClement played an average of 11:23 a night and managed just eight points in 65 games with the Carolina Hurricanes this season.

He might provide great intangibles, but he'll fill out a fourth line and that's about it.

64. Tommy Wingels (F)

Age on Oct. 1: 29
2016-17 Cap Hit: $2.475M

Tommy Wingels has seen his point totals drop in each of the past three seasons and he was a healthy scratch a number of times following his deal to the Ottawa Senators in January.

He's likely heading into free agency just hoping to find work.

63. Lauri Korpikoski (F)

Age on Oct. 1: 30
2016-17 Cap Hit: $1M

There aren't a ton of things that Lauri Korpikoski does well, if we can be honest.

He posted 10 goals or more just twice since the 2011-12 season and collected 20 points in 69 games this past campaign while averaging just 12:24 of ice time. Like a lot of players on this list, he might help to fill out a bottom trio, but don't expect much outside of that.

62. Dominic Moore (F)

Age on Oct. 1: 36
2016-17 Cap Hit: $900K

Dominic Moore is entering the final years of his career.

However, he's a player that still gives his all every shift. He will slot in on a fourth line somewhere with the ability to play up and down the lineup.

61. Matt Cullen (F)

Age on Oct. 1: 40
2016-17 Cap Hit: $1M

His age is the biggest knock against him, but Matt Cullen posted a solid 13 goals and 31 points during the regular season, which is great value at $1 million.

He might hang them up at the end of the year or he might give it another go. If he re-ups for another season he might be able to give you 10 goals, and if you're OK with that for a third or fourth liner then he might be a nice depth addition.

60. P.A. Parenteau (F)

Age on Oct. 1: 34
2016-17 Cap Hit: $1.25M

P.A. Parenteau's production took a hit last season after posting 20 goals on a dismal Toronto Maple Leafs team in 2015-16. He still managed 13 goals, but was a non-factor after being acquired by the Nashville Predators.

He can still put the puck in the net here and there, but don't expect another 20-goal season, those days are dead and gone.

59. Matt Hunwick (D)

Age on Oct. 1: 31
2016-17 Cap Hit: $1.2M

His play during the regular season was forgettable, but during the postseason following Roman Polak's freak injury, Matt Hunwick appeared to really step up for the Maple Leafs.

He could slot in on a third pairing, but don't expect too much from the aging rear guard.

58. Nate Thompson (F)

Age on Oct. 1: 32
2016-17 Cap Hit: $1.6M

He's not going to give you much offensively, but on the other side of the puck Nate Thompson provides some value.

He kills penalties, throws the body, and blocks shots. He's a defensive forward who won't break the bank. Expect him to put pen to paper somewhere.

57. Kyle Quincey (D)

Age on Oct. 1: 31
2016-17 Cap Hit: $1.25M

Kyle Quincey is a steady, reliable defender. He might fly under the radar, which, for a defenseman, can be as much of a compliment as it is a criticism.

He blocks a lot of shots, can contribute occasionally on the scoreboard, and over his career has averaged over 20 minutes of ice time per game. He's a decent depth option for a strong defense corps.

56. Darcy Kuemper (G)

Age on Oct. 1: 27
2016-17 Cap Hit: $1.55M

Darcy Kuemper hasn't received much attention in terms of backup options ever since Devan Dubnyk came to Minnesota.

For a time he looked to be on track to be the next great backup turned starter, but he stumbled along the way. That being said, he's still young, has something to prove, and can be nabbed at a good price.

55. Chad Ruhwedel (D)

Age on Oct. 1: 26
2016-17 Cap Hit: $575K

You probably wouldn't know Chad Ruhwedel's name if Kris Letang was healthy.

The Pittsburgh Penguins defender has helped his club stay afloat on the back end and has been a steady contributor, collecting a solid 10 points in 34 games during the regular season.

Helping his club reach the Stanley Cup Final - despite only playing six games - might help boost his notoriety and give him some pull in the market.

54. Derek Ryan (F)

Age on Oct. 1: 30
2016-17 Cap Hit: $600K

Despite being 30-years-old, Derek Ryan just got his first real taste of the NHL this season.

He fared admirably, tallying 29 points in 67 games and was a positive possession player. He won 55.5 percent of the faceoffs he took and also contributed on the power play.

He might not have a lot of NHL experience, but with a little more ice time Ryan could prove to be a great bargain pickup.

53. Ales Hemsky (F)

Age on Oct. 1: 33
2016-17 Cap Hit: $4M

To put it lightly, Ales Hemsky's time in Dallas was not great.

He failed to exceed the 40-point mark in any of his three seasons, with injuries playing a big part. Nevertheless, there is still some skill there and if healthy he has the ability to tally 40 or more points.

He will make less than his $4 million per season - that's for sure - so as a depth third line option Hemsky could add value.

52. Jordan Weal (F)

Age on Oct. 1: 25
2016-17 Cap Hit: $650K

The Philadelphia Flyers and Jordan Weal are negotiating a potential extension. And while he played a career-high of just 23 games, Weal tore up the AHL.

He could try to test the free agent market, but even with his high AHL stats, he's unlikely to command much more than his previous $650,00 deal.

51. Shane Doan (F)

Age on Oct. 1: 40
2016-17 Cap Hit: $3,876,134

Shane Doan is driving the bus here.

He might hang them up, he might return to the Coyotes, he might try to join a contender for one last chance at a Cup. Only he knows.

Whatever he chooses, he shouldn't break the bank.

Free Agent Rankings

• 80-66

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers are closing in on a deal that would make San Jose Sharks assistant Bob Boughner the club's new head coach, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports.

It will mark Boughner's first NHL head coaching position, and he'll become the 15th bench boss in Panthers history.

Boughner has been with the Sharks since 2015, and previously served as an assistant with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2010-11. However, the 46-year-old spent eight seasons as head coach of the OHL's Windsor Spitfires, winning back-to-back Memorial Cups in 2009 and 2010. He also suited up in 630 NHL games, recording 72 points and 1,382 penalty minutes as a defenseman.

The Panthers reportedly also considered former Canadiens coach Michel Therrien, Capitals assistant Todd Reirden and University of Denver's Jim Montgomery as candidates for the position.

Pending confirmation, with Boughner in the fold, Florida will seek some consistency behind the bench after a tumultuous 2016-17 campaign that endured the controversial firing of Gerard Gallant - who has since been hired to coach in Vegas - in November.

With Boughner appearing bound for Sunrise, the Buffalo Sabres are the lone NHL team with a head coaching vacancy.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story/video contains coarse language.

Maybe they should wash their mouths out with soap instead of Listerine.

The back-and-forth between P.K. Subban and Sidney Crosby near the end of Game 3 provided days of subsequent gamesmanship between the two stars and some skepticism among fans and media as to what was actually uttered, but now we can put it all to rest.

Thanks to Showtime's "All Access: Quest for the Stanley Cup" series, we can hear the actual exchange in a brief clip from Friday's episode that circulated around social media and later landed on YouTube.

Here's a transcript:

Subban: Hey, fuck you.
Crosby: Get the fuck out of here.
Subban: Hey, fuck you.
Crosby: Hey, get the fuck out of here, you fucking idiot.

It confirms what many fans already assumed: Yes, Subban was joking when he said Crosby told him he had bad breath, and yes, hockey players drop F-bombs on the ice.

Now let's all gargle, spit, and move on.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Shayne Gostisbehere became a student of the game.

The 24-year-old defenseman, who signed a six-year, $27-million extension with the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday, learned lessons that should help him live up to his newly minted contract during his third NHL season.

After notching 46 points and finishing second in Calder Trophy voting as a rookie in 2015-16, Gostisbehere took a step back in his sophomore campaign, sliding to 39 points despite playing in 12 more games.

On five occasions in that second season, coach Dave Hakstol scratched Gostisbehere - breathers that gave the young defenseman the opportunity to better understand the NHL level.

"A lot of players are handed unlimited ice time, unlimited roles, because all the way up they are the best player on their team," general manager Ron Hextall said in a conference call. "There are lessons that a lot of them have to go through as pros and 'Ghost' went through some of those last year. He's clearly going to be a better player because of it.

"Sometimes there is a little bit of tough love and Shayne got a little bit of tough love last year. I think if you asked him now he would think it's not necessarily a bad thing. Every player gets disappointed at some point in their career and you need to learn to deal with it."

Despite the down season, Gostisbehere led all Philadelphia blue-liners in scoring, while averaging 19:35 of ice time, third among Flyers' defensemen. With a new contract in hand, he now sits behind only Andrew MacDonald as the team's second-highest paid defenseman.

As far as the Flyers are concerned, it's money well spent, trusting that Gostisbehere will continue to grow as a player.

"You can't get the best of your people if a young player thinks, 'I'm in the lineup 82 games no matter what, no matter how I play,'" Hextall added. "If they've got to go through a little adversity, they've got to go through it.

"We all know his upside ... He certainly fits into our vision moving forward."

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's no need to back up the moving vans.

That's because the Calgary Flames won't load up their pucks and sticks for a relocation to La Belle province, Quebec City mayor Regis Labeaume told Eva Ferguson of the Calgary Herald.

"It's a negotiating strategy. We're used to it," Labeaume said Thursday. "Everyone is calm, the Flames will not come to Quebec."

The quote from the mayor came one day after Flames president of hockey operations Brian Burke said the team could leave Calgary if it doesn't get a new arena. Burke doubled down on the stance of Flames CEO Ken King, who in April stated the team wouldn't just threaten to move, but would simply leave if a new facility in Calgary didn't come to fruition.

Since 1983, the Flames have played out of Scotiabank Saddledome, which will become the NHL's oldest arena next season (1968-built Madison Square Garden underwent a $1-billion revitalization in 2013). Two years ago, the Flames launched CalgaryNEXT, an $890-million proposal that includes a new arena for the Flames and a new fieldhouse for the CFL's Stampeders. Both entities are owned by Calgary Sports and Entertainment.

Speaking before the Canadian Club of Calgary on Wednesday, Burke likened the Flames' need for a new arena to that of their rival Edmonton Oilers, who this season cut the ribbon on Rogers Place. The Oilers' arena broke ground in 2014, after owner Daryl Katz floated the possibility of moving the team to Seattle if Edmonton would not agree to build a new home for the hockey team.

The Oilers' arena cost $480 million, largely funded through public sources. The Flames have proposed a similar arrangement with the City of Calgary, with $200 million paid by the team, with additional funds generated through ticket surcharges. Public funds would cover the remainder of the project costs.

If King, and now Burke, are to be believed, the Flames could leave Calgary if the city balks at a new arena. Questioned by a luncheon attendee about where the Flames could relocate to, Burke responded, "You don't think we could find a place to go? With a straight face you're saying that? Quebec. Let's see, they have a brand new building that meets NHL standards."

The Quebec capital recently unveiled the NHL-ready Videotron Centre, a facility with 18,000-plus seats that opened its doors in 2015. The arena cost $370 million and was funded entirely by city and provincial taxpayers.

Quebecor Inc. also submitted a bid as part of the NHL's recent expansion process in hopes of landing a franchise for Quebec City, but was ultimately unsuccessful, with the league choosing to add a team in Las Vegas. Quebec City has not been home to the NHL since the Nordiques uprooted for Colorado in 1995.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vegas Golden Knights, or a friend of the Golden Knights we should say, would like to know how the Anaheim Ducks will approach the expansion draft.

The Ducks' Twitter account asked users if they had questions about the draft and a certain Golden Knights account piped up.

The Ducks, however, were keeping their mouths shut.

Not for long though. Lists of available and protected players are due to the NHL and are expected to be released on June 18.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere to a multi-year contract extension, the team announced Friday.

The 24-year-old completed his second full season with the Flyers last year, finishing with seven goals and 32 assists in 76 games.

Philadelphia selected Gostisbehere in the third round of the 2012 draft.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's been said about Sidney Crosby before, but it bears repeating: He is a movie. A very good one that only gets better.

A dominant three-assist performance in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday has folks fawning over No. 87 again, and rightfully so, as he's on the cusp of his third ring. But the truth is that we take Crosby for granted.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

And what's left to say about Sid? For the Nashville Predators to pull off a miracle, to come back and win the Stanley Cup by winning two in a row, not only must they win a game on the road, in Pekka Rinne's personal house of horrors, they must win said game on the road against Crosby. Sorry, Nashville, but that's not likely to happen.

Crosby only wins

You don't - you can't - bet against Crosby.

Looking back, it's hard to believe he lost a Stanley Cup Final. It happened, though, in 2008, despite Crosby's 27 points in 20 playoff games (tied with Henrik Zetterberg for the league lead, though the Red Wing played two more games) - and Crosby hasn't lost since.

Think about it: His first Stanley Cup in 2009, to make sure the feelings of 2008 didn't last any longer than they needed to; a gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics, thanks to his overtime goal on home soil; another Olympic gold in 2014, when Canada laughed the competition out of Sochi; some more gold at the 2015 worlds; his second Stanley Cup in 2016, and his first Conn Smythe Trophy. You know what's coming next.

And don't look now, but Crosby's only one point behind Evgeni Malkin for the playoff scoring lead. It could be back-to-back Cups and Conn Smythes for 87.

Kid no more

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

Crosby's had a downright remarkable three years. They're even more impressive when you consider the 29-year-old's head-injury history, and the fact it always feels like he's one headshot away from potentially having to call it a career.

Even if that were to happen, as devastating as it would be for Crosby, the NHL, the sport, and the planet, what a career it will have been. Sid's about to win his third Stanley Cup. Mario Lemieux won two - in an NHL that didn't have a salary cap.

Crosby's a man now, indisputably one of the greatest hockey players of all time, and you need only look at the hardware he's accumulated to realize that he's grown up before your very eyes. And, yes, it's quite the damn collection.

Appreciate what you're watching Sunday. And maybe Wednesday, too.

If the Predators force Game 7, and the Penguins win on home ice, it'll be the first of their five Stanley Cups to be won in Pittsburgh. That means Crosby's got one more thing to cross off his to-win list. And let's face it: You know he will.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.