Adam Mascherin is hoping to hear his name called again on draft day.
The 38th overall pick by the Florida Panthers in 2016 will re-enter the coming draft after he failed to sign an entry-level contract prior to Friday's deadline.
Mascherin has spent the past four seasons with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers, for who he contributed a team-leading 86 points in 67 games this year. Only seven players league-wide topped Mascherin's 40-goal finish.
A report by Craig Custance of The Athletic indicated that the Panthers tried to trade the rights to Mascherin before losing him for nothing, but the team was ultimately unsuccessful. A team only receives compensation from the league if it is unable to sign a first-round draft choice.
On Monday, the City of Calgary voted in favor of forming a committee that hopes to reignite discussions with the Flames regarding the construction of a new arena.
"We've sent a strong signal today that says we have a strong contingent on council that wants to have a conversation," Calgary councillor Jeff Davison told Meghan Potkins of the Calgary Herald.
Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi was among the City representatives who voted to begin negotiating again.
"I'm hopeful that the restart on our side will also be a restart on their side and that we can actually have a reasonable conversation without threats and acrimony, but actually sit down and look at what is possible," Nenshi said.
Negotiations fell apart in September, but not before both the City and the Flames released their proposals for public consumption.
The Flames have played out of the Scotiabank Saddledome since 1983, an arena NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has referred to as a "grand old building" that has become antiquated by league standards, according to Dan Dormer of CBC Sports.
"At some point, I envision without a new building there will be consequences that everybody is going to have to deal with," Bettman said in September.
The Flames haven't directly threatened relocation, with the franchise stating it will remain in its current home for as long as possible. However, Flames president Ken King has also indicated there would be no threat of relocation, and that the team would simply leave.
On Monday, the City of Calgary voted in favor of forming a committee that hopes to reignite discussions with the Flames regarding the construction of a new arena.
"We've sent a strong signal today that says we have a strong contingent on council that wants to have a conversation," Calgary councillor Jeff Davison told Meghan Potkins of the Calgary Herald.
Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi was among the City representatives who voted to begin negotiating again.
"I'm hopeful that the restart on our side will also be a restart on their side and that we can actually have a reasonable conversation without threats and acrimony, but actually sit down and look at what is possible," Nenshi said.
Negotiations fell apart in September, but not before both the City and the Flames released their proposals for public consumption.
The Flames have played out of the Scotiabank Saddledome since 1983, an arena NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has referred to as a "grand old building" that has become antiquated by league standards, according to Dan Dormer of CBC Sports.
"At some point, I envision without a new building there will be consequences that everybody is going to have to deal with," Bettman said in September.
The Flames haven't directly threatened relocation, with the franchise stating it will remain in its current home for as long as possible. However, Flames president Ken King has also indicated there would be no threat of relocation, and that the team would simply leave.
As the NHL prepared for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Capitals on Monday, commissioner Gary Bettman took time to address several questions and issues surrounding the sport at a press conference. Here are five key takeaways:
Seattle expansion
Bettman reiterated that NHL expansion into Seattle won't be formally approved at next month's Board of Governors meetings. However, the commissioner noted that owners will be provided with an update on the process, and added that a formal vote could come as early as this fall.
The hope is for Seattle to join the NHL for the 2020-21 season. In order for that to happen, one major step that needs to be completed is the renovation of the 1960-built KeyArena, the future home of a potential team.
What about Quebec City?
Perhaps not all hope is lost for hockey in Quebec's capital.
When asked about the concerns of Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs, who chairs the NHL's executive board, that Quebec City's market would struggle to support a new team, Bettman was quick to note that expansion requires approval from three-quarters of the NHL's 31 owners, and that Jacobs holds only a single vote.
Quebec City was part of the NHL's most recent expansion process along with Las Vegas. But while Sin City received the stamp of approval, Quebec City's bid was deferred due to the slumping Canadian dollar and a desire to correct the league's geographic imbalance.
Meanwhile, could the NHL consider another southern U.S. market as its next expansion opportunity? Tilman Fertitta, the new owner of the NBA's Houston Rockets, has expressed interest in bringing hockey to the Texas hub.
In a media scrum following Monday's press conference, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told TSN's Frank Seravalli that while the league has had discussions with Fertitta about placing a team in Houston, there's no sense that the potential ownership group will file an application in the near future.
Bettman on betting
Following the recent groundbreaking decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to lift the federal ban on sports gambling, Bettman made it clear that the NHL wants in on the action.
"I'm not sure I buy the term 'integrity fee.' I don't worry about the integrity of our players," Bettman said. "I think, though, if you're going to allocate for yourself to run a business on our intellectual property and on the performance of our athletes, and the platform that we put on for our games, we're entitled to be involved in that."
The Vegas story
For fans of franchises like the St. Louis Blues, who haven't had a Stanley Cup victory in their 50-year history, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, who haven't won it all since 1967, it's surely frustrating to see the Golden Knights advance to the Stanley Cup Final in their very first season.
Still, Bettman views it as a feel-good story.
"The bond is real between this city and its first-ever major league professional sports team. The connection is undeniable," he said. "This is the magic of sports. Anything can happen."
So, what happens if the Golden Knights capture Lord Stanley? Could the fans actually cheer - rather than boo, as they usually do in other cities - when Bettman hands over the Cup? "That might be interesting," he quipped, before adding that the Vegas fans booed him at the event when the team was named.
Concussions
Few talking points have been bigger in the world of hockey than head injuries, as concussions, particularly to enforcers, have seen many former players suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
The neurodegenerative disease was found in the brain tissue of several deceased NHL players, including Steve Montador and Bob Probert.
But there have been no new developments, according to Bettman.
"I'm not going to start another news cycle," he said. "There's nothing new on the subject."
Daly, also on hand for the press conference, added: "This is not the commissioner's view, but follows science."
Put away your checkbooks, prospective owners. The Ottawa Senators aren't for sale.
That was the indication from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who addressed the issue as part of his "state of the game" press conference on Monday prior to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Capitals.
"(Current owner) Eugene Melnyk is committed to the Senators and he's passionate about them," Bettman told reporters, per Sporting News Canada.
The question came after a report stated that former Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson and Ottawa mayor Jim Watson both hope to see a change in team ownership.
It was a hectic 2017-18 season for Melnyk and the Senators, as the outspoken owner floated the possibility of the franchise relocating if crowds stopped turning out. He later walked back his comments, stating that it's "his privilege" to own the Senators.
Put away your checkbooks, prospective owners. The Ottawa Senators aren't for sale.
That was the indication from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who addressed the issue as part of his "state of the game" press conference on Monday prior to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Capitals.
"(Current owner) Eugene Melnyk is committed to the Senators and he's passionate about them," Bettman told reporters, per Sporting News Canada.
The question came after a report stated that former Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson and Ottawa mayor Jim Watson both hope to see a change in team ownership.
It was a hectic 2017-18 season for Melnyk and the Senators, as the outspoken owner floated the possibility of the franchise relocating if crowds stopped turning out. He later walked back his comments, stating that it's "his privilege" to own the Senators.
The former 10th overall pick of the Dallas Stars, who has spent the past two seasons in his native Russia, hopes to spend the coming campaign in the NHL.
"Val very much wants to come back," Mark Gandler, who represents Nichushkin, told Sean Shapiro of The Athletic. "Dallas wants him back and we are just very hopeful we'll be able to take care of this very soon."
Nichushkin made the immediate jump to the NHL after the Stars used a high pick for his selection in the 2013 draft. That season, he finished with 34 points, tied with fellow freshmen Sean Monahan and Mark Scheifele.
In all, Nichushkin lasted just three seasons in Dallas, counting 166 games plus a stint with the Stars' AHL affiliate, before taking his game to the KHL. Reports indicated that a rift with bench boss Lindy Ruff were among the reasons why Nichushkin headed home.
But Ruff is long gone from the Stars, and first-year coach Jim Montgomery is set to manage the bench in the coming campaign.
As for Nichushkin, he scored 27 points in 50 games with CSKA Moscow last season, a level of production that has both he and his agent feeling satisfied.
"Goals and points is very difficult to find on the big ice surface. Particularly in that league, and it's a very tight-checking league," Gandler added. "So points and goals are difficult to come by, but considering all that, I think it was a very good season."
Should Nichushkin return to Texas, he'll first need to put pen to paper, as he remains property of the Stars as an unsigned, restricted free agent.
Bob Hartley is back in the professional coaching ranks.
The former NHL bench boss was named head coach of the KHL's Avangard Omsk on Sunday, just days after he led Team Latvia to a 3-1-2-2 showing at the World Championship.
Hartley coached Latvia at the last two worlds, and he also served as a consultant for the country's entry at the 2016-17 world juniors.
Hartley hasn't coached in the NHL since 2015-16, when he wrapped up a four-year run with the Calgary Flames. But there's no denying his credentials. The 57-year-old has won wherever he's coached, collecting championships in the QMJHL, AHL, Swiss League, and a Stanley Cup win with the Colorado Avalanche.
Hartley was also given the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's coach of the year following the 2014-15 campaign. He owns a 463-361-120 record across 944 NHL games.
While it's unknown if Hartley is aiming for a return to an NHL bench, his path through Russia isn't unorthodox. Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice led the KHL's Magnitogorsk Metallurg in 2012-13 before heading to Manitoba the following season.
Few things go better together than the Stanley Cup Playoffs and beards.
Whether superstition or simply a break from taking out the razor, the postseason offers an opportunity for some of the NHL's best to show off their beard game. And it hasn't gone unnoticed:
Ryan Ellis
It wasn't the banner year for the Nashville Predators like many pundits predicted, but there was still plenty to appreciate. Like Ryan Ellis' facial follicles. The bearded blue-liner had an injury-shortened season, but didn't miss a moment of playoff action, as he appeared in all 13 of Nashville's playoff games.
Nikita Kucherov
Call him a complete player. When Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov isn't challenging the likes of superstar Connor McDavid for the NHL scoring lead, he's rocking the stubble look around the clock. And not only did he up his offensive game in the playoffs, he also let the face flow run wild.
Patrik Laine
Simply magnificent. It's difficult to find better words to describe the beard game of Winnipeg Jets superstar Patrik Laine. As fans in the Manitoba capital dressed for their iconic white out during the Jets' playoff run, one final touch was deemed necessary: some fake facial hair that mimicked Laine's look.
James Neal
First a trip to the Stanley Cup Final, and now a spot on the "5 best beards" list. After making the trip a year ago while with the Predators, the veteran winger is set to make his second straight Finals appearance, and he's bringing a familiar look: The NHL's best ginger beard. Too bad another redhead rules Sin City.
Alex Ovechkin
If the Capitals captain is superstitious, all doubt was removed when he readily embraced the Prince of Wales Trophy. The award recognizes Washington as the Eastern Conference champions, just as Ovi's burly, brown beard means that his age is only starting to show up top.
