Another day, another Ottawa Senators first-round pick on the waiver wire.
The Senators waived defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker and forward Egor Sokolov, along with blue-liner Jacob Larsson and winger Matthew Highmore, in order to assign all four to their AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, the NHL club announced Monday night.
The Sens drafted Bernard-Docker 26th overall in 2018. He then spent three years at North Dakota. The 23-year-old has played the majority of his pro career with Belleville, collecting four goals and 11 assists in 99 games over the last two seasons. He's played briefly with Ottawa, registering a pair of helpers in 32 games across three campaigns.
Sokolov, who's also 23 years old, signed a one-year, two-way contract worth the league minimum of $775,000 at the NHL level in September. The Senators selected Sokolov 61st overall in 2020.
On Saturday, Ottawa placed defenseman Lassi Thomson on waivers, and the Anaheim Ducks claimed him Sunday. The Sens chose the 23-year-old 19th overall in 2019.
Ottawa forward Shane Pinto remains without a contract for the upcoming season. The 22-year-old is a "10.2c" player, meaning he hasn't played enough to obtain Group 2 (standard) restricted free-agent status.
Pinto - who played with Bernard-Docker for two years at North Dakota - notched 20 goals and 15 assists while playing all 82 games in his first full NHL campaign in 2022-23. Ottawa picked Pinto 32nd overall in 2019.
Just because an NHL team is good doesn't mean it's exciting to watch, and vice versa. Several clubs that made the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season wound up in the bottom 16 of this series, and there's more than one squad in the top 16 that might very well miss out on the postseason.
That's why it's important to remember the distinction between a great team and a genuinely entertaining one. This isn't like a typical power rankings that evaluates the strength of each club in relation to one another. It's entirely about how appealing the squads are and how much they make the average viewer put down what they're doing and turn on the game.
Here's who we consider the 16 most watchable NHL teams as we approach the start of the upcoming campaign:
16. Chicago Blackhawks
The rebuilding Blackhawks would have no business being in the top 16 if not for a certain No. 1 overall pick. Fans will surely tune in just to watch Connor Bedard, even if Chicago loses more often than not. He's dominated at every level - including internationally - so it won't be surprising if he justifies the hype sooner rather than later.
15. Buffalo Sabres
Looking for a team that's sure to be fun even if they don't make the playoffs? Look no further. Highly touted goaltending prospect Devon Levi is primed to take the reins behind a gifted Sabres core featuring Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, Dylan Cozens, and Calder Trophy finalist Owen Power. Buffalo may still experience some growing pains, but this squad should give hometown and out-of-state fans alike plenty to talk about.
14. New York Rangers
The Rangers boast one of the best playmaking defensemen in the NHL in Adam Fox, one of the best goaltenders in Igor Shesterkin, and a solid collection of forwards that includes Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider. That hasn't translated into much success, but there's enough talent on this team to ensure that they'll be at least moderately compelling yet again.
13. Seattle Kraken
Christopher Mast / National Hockey League / Getty
The Kraken were one of the league's best stories in 2022-23, exceeding expectations in their second season. Only three teams scored more goals than Seattle (Jared McCann's out-of-nowhere 40 certainly helped), but the club ranked 20th in shots per game, suggesting a little luck was involved. Regardless, the Kraken should be worth a gander in 2023-24 as Calder Trophy winner Matty Beniers and the rest of the squad continue to grow.
12. Boston Bruins
To say this isn't the same Bruins team that set numerous records last season would be an understatement. Boston's franchise fixtures at center - Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci - both retired this summer and the club's two big trade deadline prizes - Tyler Bertuzzi and Dmitry Orlov - signed elsewhere as free agents. David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and Charlie McAvoy are still aboard, but a sizeable drop-off in excitement is expected here.
11. Tampa Bay Lightning
There was a time when not putting the Lightning at or near the top of this list would've seemed absurd. But this Tampa Bay squad isn't on the same level as the ones that claimed the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021 and made the final in 2022. Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point, and Victor Hedman are still doing their thing, but only Point is under 30 among them - and now Andrei Vasilevskiy is out for the first two months of the season.
10. Los Angeles Kings
Landing Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Winnipeg Jets was a bit of a coup for the Kings, who were already one of the more aesthetically pleasing clubs in the NHL in terms of their style of play. Los Angeles has also successfully injected youth into the mix alongside a veteran core. The Kings were a top-10 team in scoring as well as the key underlying categories last season.
9. Pittsburgh Penguins
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
The Penguins' status as must-see TV had dwindled in recent years, and they missed the playoffs for the first time in nearly two decades last season. But, in August, Pittsburgh's new dual executive Kyle Dubas landed Erik Karlsson in a blockbuster trade. The Pens will initially play both the reigning Norris Trophy winner and Kris Letang on PP1. As a great man once said, "Get your popcorn ready."
8. Dallas Stars
The Stars have been known for their defense for years, and they're still elite on that front. But Dallas is now one of the best offensive teams in the league as well. Superstar winger Jason Robertson, skilled center Roope Hintz, ultra-dependable rearguard Miro Heiskanen (who exploded production-wise last season after primarily dominating on the blue line in prior campaigns), and promising youngster Wyatt Johnston give this team plenty of intrigue.
7. Florida Panthers
The Panthers were exciting long before their surprising run to the Cup Final, and they haven't changed a whole lot in the offseason. Florida led the NHL in shots on goal and ranked sixth in goals. The Cats also placed in the top five in both expected goals for percentage and scoring chances for percentage at five-on-five, which shows how well they can drive play. They won't have defensemen Aaron Ekblad or Brandon Montour to start the season, but there's enough skill in Sunrise to ensure the Panthers remain one of the league's most tantalizing teams.
6. Toronto Maple Leafs
Yet another playoff disappointment led to a significant change in the Maple Leafs front office, and new general manager Brad Treliving brought in what Mitch Marner called "snot, piss, and vinegar" with the questionable signing of Ryan Reaves along with Bertuzzi and Max Domi. Toronto's Core Four will still make the club worth watching, but the new emphasis on grit may not be a recipe for additional entertainment value.
5. Vegas Golden Knights
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The defending Cup champs are obviously one of the most enticing squads in the league, but just because they won it all doesn't mean they're No. 1 in watchability. Vegas was average in terms of scoring and puck possession during the 2022-23 regular season, although they played without Mark Stone for about half of it. But the captain's supporting cast, which includes Jack Eichel, returns largely intact, so the Golden Knights should be one of the NHL's most riveting teams.
4. Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes were the league's best puck possession squad in 2022-23, authoring the top expected goals for percentage and scoring chances for percentage at five-on-five. Carolina ranked 15th in goals per game but placed third in shots, so this club likely would've lit the lamp more with better luck. Stellar forwards Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov, along with the Canes' rock-solid defensive corps, make this team dependable both in terms of the viewing experience and their play on the ice.
3. New Jersey Devils
What if one of the NHL's most enjoyable teams added a two-time 30-goal scorer? That's exactly what happened when the Devils acquired Tyler Toffoli in a trade with the Calgary Flames in late June. Toffoli - who also racked up 28 tallies over only 52 games during the abbreviated 2021 season - adds to the appeal this can't-miss club already had. Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Co. dominate possession and own an elite offense, making them an absolute blast to observe.
2. Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. It's really that simple when it comes to the Oilers. Even the most casual fans will gleefully flip over to Edmonton games just to see what the best player in the world and his superstar teammate can pull off next. But it's not just the dynamic duo: The Oilers had the best offense in the NHL last season in terms of goal-scoring, and 104-point man Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was a big reason for that.
1. Colorado Avalanche
Codie McLachlan / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Sure, the Oilers have two of the league's absolute best players, but the Avalanche have three. Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen are all game-breakers who cement Colorado as the NHL's most watchable team. This club's offensive and analytic figures were diminished by injuries last season, but the Avalanche are utterly explosive when everybody's healthy.
Devon Toews is a perennially underrated star in his own right, and the 2021-22 Stanley Cup champions made some shrewd offseason additions, too. Fans can't afford to miss out on watching Colorado when the team is firing on all cylinders and, considering the Avalanche's impressive collection of talent, that figures to be the case more often than not this season.
Connor Bedard did anything but disappoint in his first taste of the preseason, but the gifted Chicago Blackhawks rookie believes there's plenty of room for improvement.
"I think I could be a lot better," he said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Ben Pope. "I don't think I personally played great."
Bedard made several memorable plays in the Blackhawks' 2-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night.
The No. 1 pick in June's draft didn't take too long to start skating circles around his opponents.
That's the goal of this exercise, which, as always, is entirely about how watchable each squad will be, regardless of how well they actually perform. It could be a superstar or two (or more), a high-flying style of play, or a promising young core that might make you want to check out these squads.
However, we begin the countdown by looking at the lower half of the league and the teams lacking that absolute must-see quality for one reason or another.
Here are the 16 clubs we foresee being the least watchable in the upcoming season:
32. San Jose Sharks
The Sharks were a bottom-feeder in 2022-23, and then they traded Erik Karlsson for an underwhelming return in August. Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl aren't bad players, but there's really no good reason to flip over to a San Jose game now that the reigning Norris Trophy winner and potent forward Timo Meier are gone.
31. Philadelphia Flyers
John Tortorella's club hasn't been very entertaining (intentionally, anyway) since he took the reins, and we don't see that changing anytime soon. The Flyers aren't completely devoid of talent, but they're still recovering from inept former general manager Chuck Fletcher wreaking havoc on the roster. "I've got to get home to catch the Flyers tonight" isn't a phrase we expect to hear fans utter often, if at all, this season.
30. Montreal Canadiens
Cole Caufield was on a 46-goal pace before a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery ended his season 46 games in. It'll be worth watching the diminutive dynamo to see if he can pick up where he left off. But aside from that, the Canadiens are well into their rebuilding phase. Only Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky stand out as other Habs to keep tabs on.
29. Columbus Blue Jackets
Ben Jackson / National Hockey League / Getty
The Blue Jackets weren't going to be very watchable under Mike Babcock, even with Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine in the fold. Now, they're free from Babcock's clutches (and phone inspections), so they might play with a little more spirit under Pascal Vincent. Youngsters Kent Johnson and Adam Fantilli could also impress, but that won't entice throngs of casual fans to tune in regularly.
28. St. Louis Blues
The Blues clearly aren't what they once were - a perennially competitive Stanley Cup contender. St. Louis ranked 27th in expected goals for percentage and 26th in scoring chances for at five-on-five in 2022-23. The team also shipped out past core members Ryan O'Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko in February. As legendary bluesman B.B. King would say, the thrill is gone.
27. Nashville Predators
The Predators had a weird offseason, and their roster now leaves something to be desired aside from their three stars. Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, and Juuse Saros are great players, but Nashville ranked 28th in goals per game last season. And it did that with leading scorer Matt Duchene, who it replaced with Ryan O'Reilly. Granted, Forsberg and Josi missed time due to injuries, but this Preds squad won't be on too many PVRs this time around.
26. Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes uncharacteristically acquired some talent in the summer, bringing in Jason Zucker, Matt Dumba, and Sean Durzi. They also feature underrated star Clayton Keller, the NHL's 2022-23 rookie points per game leader Matias Maccelli, and promising newcomer Logan Cooley, who scored an incredible goal in his preseason debut. But this is still the Coyotes we're talking about. While there's more to like about the team now, Arizona still isn't worth planning your TV-watching schedule around on a regular basis.
25. Washington Capitals
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Alex Ovechkin's pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record is really the only reason to watch the Capitals these days. It's a decent reason, and the 38-year-old can still take over a game from time to time. However, the rest of Washington's core isn't aging as gracefully, and the Caps' days as a can't-miss club are now a thing of the past.
24. Detroit Red Wings
Alex DeBrincat was reportedly unhappy that he wasn't a first-liner in Ottawa, and it looks like he'll get that opportunity with his hometown Red Wings. Putting the two-time 41-goal scorer next to Dylan Larkin could generate some highlights, but the rest of Detroit's roster is riddled with mediocre players possessing little upside.
23. Anaheim Ducks
Trevor Zegras is a threat to produce a viral highlight at any given time - assuming the restricted free agent eventually re-signs. Troy Terry, Mason McTavish, and 2023 second overall pick Leo Carlsson are also interesting. The Ducks still need to produce more consistently, but they should be a little more compelling than last season when they finished with the NHL's worst record.
22. Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks didn't control play at five-on-five last campaign, ranking near the bottom of the NHL in xGF% in those situations. But Vancouver did have a good power play, sitting 11th in the league in that department. Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes are bona fide stars, but the Canucks won't be consistently watchable until they can roll their success with the man advantage over to even-strength play.
21. New York Islanders
Mike Stobe / National Hockey League / Getty
The Islanders always seem to be a better team than they are a watchable one. The defense-first club ranked 22nd in goals per game in all situations and 20th in xGF% at five-on-five in 2022-23. That should improve with midseason trade acquisition Bo Horvat in the lineup for the balance of the upcoming campaign. Mathew Barzal is no slouch, either. But this club doesn't exactly boast a thrilling style of play, and it's been that way for years.
20. Calgary Flames
The Flames were the third-best possession team in the league last season, but having the most overtime or shootout losses in the NHL caused them to miss the playoffs by two points. Darryl Sutter's gone, but so is the team's 2022-23 leading scorer, Tyler Toffoli, who Calgary traded to the New Jersey Devils in June. While the Flames should play more freely under Ryan Huska, they won't have as much punch on offense as they did a season ago.
19. Winnipeg Jets
The Jets seem destined to be less exciting this campaign, even though they're not planning to trade Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck for now. Winnipeg ranked 21st in goals per game in 2022-23, and it's hard to see that improving after trading Pierre-Luc Dubois and buying out Blake Wheeler. Gabe Vilardi has upside, but Alex Iafallo and Rasmus Kupari are basically replacement-level players. Even if Winnipeg makes the playoffs, it likely won't be among the most electric teams in the league.
18. Minnesota Wild
The Wild are similar to the Jets in terms of being a solid defensive team that doesn't produce enough offense. Minnesota was even worse than Winnipeg in the goal-scoring department (23rd) last season but made the playoffs mostly because it allowed the sixth-fewest goals against. Kirill Kaprizov buried 40 in 67 games the previous campaign, and Matt Boldy notched 31. But that's it when it comes to thrilling members of the Wild.
17. Ottawa Senators
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The Senators are more entertaining than their record and statistics as a team have shown of late. Ottawa is just outside the upper echelon of watchable squads but has assembled a plucky core led by Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle. The Sens didn't score enough or control the possession game last season, but they generated the seventh-most shots on goal. If more of those attempts start going in, Ottawa will be higher on this list and many others next year.
The Flames appear to be making progress in securing one of their most important pending unrestricted free agents beyond the upcoming campaign.
Mikael Backlund and the Pacific Division squad have begun negotiating a contract extension and will continue to do so in the "near future," TSN's Chris Johnston said on Tuesday's edition of "Insider Trading."
"Backlund is in a position where he's willing to engage on a commitment, a longer-term commitment than he has remaining for this season," Johnston added.
Over the summer, the Swedish forward reportedly said he wasn't interested in talking about an extension and wanted to see how the season played out. But he apparently changed his mind after arriving in Calgary and seeing the team operate under new head coach Ryan Huska.
Backlund tied for third on the Flames with 56 points while playing all 82 games in 2022-23. He led the club in plus/minus at +24 and ranked second among all Calgary forwards in average ice time at 18:10. The 34-year-old also posted favorable underlying numbers and won 50.9% of his 1,386 faceoffs last season.
The veteran center has spent his entire 15-year career (including one game in 2008-09) with the Flames, who drafted him 24th overall in 2007. In June, he won the King Clancy Trophy, which recognizes the player that "best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community."
Backlund is entering the final season of a six-year, $32.1-million deal he inked with Calgary in 2018, according to CapFriendly.
Hanifin also said he didn't want to talk extension earlier in the summer, but later clarified he only meant over this offseason and is willing to consider re-signing in general.
Sidney Crosby believes Connor McDavid can ascend to even higher heights in the upcoming campaign after seeing what he did last season.
The Pittsburgh Penguins captain said he wouldn't be surprised to see the Edmonton Oilers dynamo collect more than 170 points in 2023-24, according to NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger.
"I didn't think 150 was going to be in the cards for him but he found a way to get there," Crosby said. "So, I don't think anything is out of the question for him as far as numbers are concerned.
"He just finds a way to find another level time and time again, so I would never bet against him."
McDavid led the NHL with 153 points last season, winning the Art Ross Trophy by 25 points over teammate Leon Draisaitl while posting the highest single-season point total since Mario Lemieux's 161 in 1995-96. The Oilers captain also claimed the Hart Trophy for the third time, his fourth Ted Lindsay Award, and his first "Rocket" Richard Trophy after pacing the league with 64 goals.
Crosby's praise for McDavid is nothing new, as the future Hall of Famer has called the Oilers center the NHL's best player since 2018. But no one has reached the 170-point plateau since Lemieux racked up 199 in 1988-89. Crosby hasn't changed his opinion on who's best right now, though.
"Yeah, I think it's (still) hard to argue that one," Crosby said. "I mean, you've got Nate (MacKinnon) and Leon and some other guys who are right there, but I think (McDavid has) proven that."
Crosby and McDavid could finally get to play together for Canada if the NHL and NHLPA follow through on their plan to hold a best-on-best international tournament in February 2025.
"The chance to play with Connor and, for that matter, some other guys would be cool," Crosby said. "It's a pretty amazing honor to play for Team Canada and to be with the best players in the world competing. Just seeing that level of hockey, it's impressive, and it's fun, and it's hockey at its finest.
"Hopefully, we get that opportunity."
As for playing against each other, Crosby and McDavid won't face off this season until March 3, followed by a rematch between the Penguins and Oilers seven days later. That means the first time the two superstars meet in 2023-24 could be in early February at the All-Star festivities in Toronto.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson doesn't seem bothered that he's not viewed the same way he used to be in terms of his potential.
"I know my name isn't what it used to be. I don't give a fuck," Robertson told The Athletic's Joshua Kloke with a smile.
Despite enduring numerous injuries and watching the club overhaul its depth chart, the 22-year-old still thinks he can stick in the NHL.
"I believe. I believe in anything," he said.
Robertson became the Maple Leafs' best prospect soon after they drafted him 53rd overall in 2019. He racked up 55 goals and 31 assists over 46 games with the OHL's Peterborough Petes the following season, then debuted with the Leafs in the bubble, scoring a goal in four playoff games.
However, he hurt his knee during his regular-season debut in the abbreviated 2021 campaign, tore his adductor with the AHL's Toronto Marlies later that season, broke his fibula with the farm team early in 2021-22, and then injured his shoulder when Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy hit him in December 2022.
Robertson opted for surgery on the latter ailment, which ended his season. He's been limited to 31 regular-season contests in the NHL over three campaigns, mustering just three goals and four assists.
Matthew Knies has since usurped Robertson as the Maple Leafs' most tantalizing young forward. The Hobey Baker Award finalist, who'll turn 21 in October, collected an assist in three regular-season games with Toronto last season before adding a goal and three assists in seven playoff appearances.
Knies is expected to play a larger role with the club in 2023-24. He departed the University of Minnesota to sign an entry-level deal with Toronto in April.
Robertson is now fully recovered from his shoulder surgery, and he'll have plenty to prove as he enters the final year of his own entry-level pact.
"In the long run, I know this is an important year for me," he said. "I didn't want to miss training camp. It was a tough decision for me. It really was. But it was something I had to be mature about."
So far in camp, Robertson has played on a line with players like Pontus Holmberg and Nick Abruzzese, who aren't locks to make the team. Robertson is still exempt from waivers, so he can be sent down to the AHL without the risk of being claimed by other NHL squads.
Clayton Keller couldn't think of a more incredible goal he's witnessed than the one teammate Logan Cooley scored during the Arizona Coyotes' preseason win over the Los Angeles Kings in Australia on Saturday.
"That was one of the best moves I've ever seen," Keller said postgame, according to team reporter Patrick Brown. "The spin-o-rama was one thing, but then to have the patience to pull it to your forehand and then finish it, it's definitely the best I've ever seen."
Cooley flew into the Kings' defensive zone, pulled off the spin-o-rama, and then buried it while falling down, embarrassing multiple L.A. players in the process during the second period in Melbourne.
The 19-year-old forward committed a turnover that led to the Kings' first goal of the game moments before getting redemption. He also didn't realize he scored until he noticed his teammates celebrating.
"After that pizza I threw up the middle, I thought I had to do something," Cooley said with a laugh, according to Brown. "It was just a hockey play, I thought I had some space, and I thought I missed the net, actually, but I saw the guys put their arms up.
"It definitely felt good to get that one, and it was an awesome game to play in."
Cooley was making his preseason debut. His show-stopping tally brought over 13,000 fans at Rod Laver Arena to their feet, but the rookie acknowledged that neither the goal nor the 5-3 victory were regular-season accomplishments.
"It felt good to get that one under my belt, but we'll wait for the real one to be that happy about it," he said.
Puck drop for the second game between the two Western Conference clubs in Australia is scheduled for 12:05 a.m. ET on Sunday. Saturday's tilt was the NHL's first game in the southern hemisphere.
The Chicago Blackhawks won't have anyone wearing the "C" in the upcoming campaign, general manager Kyle Davidson said Tuesday, according to NBC Sports Chicago's Charlie Roumeliotis.
The club will instead use three yet-to-be-named alternate captains to complete the leadership group, the GM added.
Jonathan Toews was the Blackhawks' captain for 14 seasons, but they chose not to re-sign him in April when he was on the verge of unrestricted free agency. Last month, the still unsigned 35-year-old said he's not retiring but will be taking time away from the game in 2023-24.
The Blackhawks also went without a captain during the abbreviated 2021 campaign, which Toews missed in its entirety due to chronic immune response syndrome and long COVID symptoms.
Chicago defenseman Seth Jones said last week he's always wanted to be a captain and that "it would be pretty special" to earn the opportunity with the Blackhawks. The 29-year-old cited his experience learning from veterans like Shea Weber, Blackhawks offseason acquisition Nick Foligno, and Toews himself.
However, it's fairly common for rebuilding teams to go without a captain. Chicago tied for the NHL's second-worst record last season and is expected to be among the league's bottom-feeders in 2023-24 despite landing uber-prospect Connor Bedard with the No. 1 overall pick in June's draft.
Columbus Blue Jackets majority owner John McConnell isn't planning to punish the club's front-office staff for the Mike Babcock debacle - at least not right now.
"Our ownership group is deeply frustrated and disappointed by the events of the past week," McConnell said in a statement Monday. "We have been in contact with (president of hockey operations) John Davidson, (general manager) Jarmo Kekalainen, and our management team throughout this process and were in full agreement with Mike Babcock stepping down and Pascal Vincent leading our team as head coach.
"We had candid conversations with our leadership after last season about our goals and expectations for growth and progress on the ice in 2023-24. Those expectations are still in place and can still be achieved, so we do not anticipate further changes to our hockey leadership team at this time. Additional disruptions would be detrimental to our players and coaches as they prepare for the opening of training camp in two days. We will continue to have regular communications with our hockey leadership and are looking forward to an exciting season."
Kekalainen and Davidson addressed reporters shortly thereafter, and the latter executive admitted they erred in hiring Babcock.
Davidson said those who were critical of the Babcock hiring from the beginning may have been justified, per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.
Kekalainen took responsibility individually for the decision.
"I believe that Mike Babcock deserved another opportunity to coach. Obviously, that was a mistake, and that responsibility's mine," the GM said, according to The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno.
Kekalainen confirmed some of the Blue Jackets' players weren't comfortable with Babcock's methods, before adding the ex-head coach asked him for his phone as well.
"Personally, I had no problem with it, but I can see how it might put someone in an uncomfortable situation," Kekalainen said. The GM also mentioned that he apologized to the team Monday for the hiring.
Kekalainen and Davidson are now under the microscope after Babcock resigned Sunday amid an NHLPA investigation into allegations that he forced players - including Jackets captain Boone Jenner - to hand over their phones, scrolled through their camera rolls, and AirPlayed photos onto a larger screen.
The Blue Jackets issued denials from Babcock and Jenner shortly after podcast host Paul Bissonnette cited the allegations made to him by an unnamed player Tuesday. The NHL and NHLPA then began looking into the matter, as representatives from the latter organization travelled to Columbus to investigate.
The NHLPA was reportedly initially satisfied with explanations from Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau, but later changed course after hearing some of Columbus' younger players were uncomfortable with Babcock's actions.
Kekalainen has been the Blue Jackets' GM since February 2013, when Columbus made him the first European-born individual to occupy the role in NHL history. He's now the third-longest tenured current GM in the league despite the fact that the Jackets have won only one playoff series in his 10 full seasons at the helm.
Davidson hired Kekalainen in 2013. The former goaltender resigned as team president in May 2019 to take the same job with the New York Rangers and then returned to Columbus in his current capacity after the Blueshirts fired him in the spring of 2021.
