The Montreal Canadiens are moving on from one of their statistics experts.
Analytics specialist Matt Pfeffer has been let go, a source told Sportsnet's Eric Engels on Wednesday.
Pfeffer's one-year contract was not renewed, but the Canadiens told Engels they'll be "pursuing other options" regarding analytics hires.
He was hired as a consultant last July, although he wasn't technically a team employee. Before joining the Canadiens, he worked with the San Jose Sharks, Hockey Canada, and the OHL's Ottawa 67's.
The reported move could be another sign that Montreal is prioritizing physicality over puck possession and speed after a disastrous season caused chiefly by a long-term injury to Hart Trophy winner Carey Price.
Two days before the start of free agency, the Canadiens traded beloved blue-liner - and possession darling - P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber.
A day before that, the Canadiens signed forward Andrew Shaw to a six-year contract after acquiring him from the Chicago Blackhawks on draft night.
That same night, Montreal traded Lars Eller, a solid possession player, to the Washington Capitals for a pair of second-round picks.
General manager Marc Bergevin doesn't want to talk about the Subban trade any more, but this is just another in a series of moves that will keep the questions coming.
The Edmonton Oilers have locked up first-round draft pick Jesse Puljujarvi to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Wednesday.
Puljujarvi was selected fourth overall in June's draft after recording 28 points in 50 games in the Finnish Elite League, as well as earning a gold medal at the World Junior Chmapionship in January.
The 18-year-old winger was left out of Oilers development camp to rehab a knee injury, but is expected to crack Edmonton's lineup come October.
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) July 13, 2016
The only players left to "catch" for the Red Wings are defenseman Danny DeKeyser and goaltender Petr Mrazek, but Detroit only has about $3.3 million in cap space.
They may take a step back next season, but at least they won the internet for a day.
Wearing No. 4 in New Jersey wasn't an option for Hall, as the number is retired within the organization, honoring Hall of Fame defenseman and former team captain Scott Stevens.
However, Hall was after something new anyway.
"Obviously. the number four was retired here," Hall told Julie Robenhymer of Devils.NHL.com. "But even if it wasn't retired, I'm not sure that I would have kept the number four. In choosing number nine, I'm looking for a fresh start."
The annals of NHL history has a long list of legendary No. 9s - Gordie Howe, Maurice Richard, and Mike Modano to name a few - which played a role in Hall's decision.
"There have been a lot of great players that have worn the number nine and I want to add to that list," Hall said. "I think in sports you can get too caught up in trying to prove people wrong or that you deserve something and it ends up taking away from the player that you are. I'm not trying to change anything in that way, but I'm looking forward to a fresh start and an exciting opportunity in New Jersey."
The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed the 26-year-old defenseman to a one-year contract worth $1.4 million, the club announced Wednesday.
Schultz was dealt to Pittsburgh from the Edmonton Oilers in February, and although he spent time as a scratch, he emerged as an effective blue-liner for the Penguins on their march to the Cup, especially after Trevor Daley was injured.
In 18 regular-season contests with Pittsburgh last season, Schultz recorded eight points, adding four more in 15 playoff games.
Last season's race for the Calder Trophy had everything.
A battle between "The Next One," a player many deemed too old to be a rookie, and a college defenseman that seemingly jumped onto the scene out of nowhere.
However, as the NHL has been subject to time and time again, at least a handful of rookie sensations are likely to fall victim to the ever-daunting sophomore slump.
Of course, a statistical regression in one season is not the be-all, end-all of one's career. Players can be the victims of their own demise simply for having such incredible first seasons.
With that in mind, here are three players who could see a regression next season, and the plausible reasons why:
Shayne Gostisbehere
Gostisbehere came, saw, and conquered last season.
After beginning the season with a strong 10 points in 14 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League, Gostisbehere was called up by the Philadelphia Flyers in mid-November and never went back.
Gostisbehere put up 17 goals and 46 points in 64 games, which would give him 58 points when averaged over a full 82-game season and would have placed him tied for fifth among all defensemen in scoring.
The 23-year-old's play was nothing short of spectacular, and the biggest knock and likely reason for a drop in production is simply because he was so outstanding during his first taste of NHL action, it may be hard for him to uphold that.
Gostisbehere had the second-highest shooting percentage of all defensemen - New York Rangers' Kevin Klein ranked first - with an incredible 11.2 percent success rate this past season, which is likely unsustainable.
He is an extreme talent, but if his numbers even-out or teams start to zero-in on him, Gostisbehere can expect to see at least a slight decline in production next season.
The 22-year-old is coming off his first full-season in the league boasting incredible numbers, with a .920 save percentage and a 2.07 goals-against average in 40 games.
However, as he gets ready to take the ice as a No. 1 for the first time in his career, he will be dealt a different set of cards. He will likely see a lot more games this time around, even with former Maple Leafs No. 1 Jonathan Bernier as his second-in-command.
With a lot more action faced, and with increased pressure, we can expect his numbers to falter - even if slightly. Gibson struggled this postseason before giving way for Andersen. This time around, he might not have such a luxury.
Artemi Panarin
The reigning Calder Trophy-winner needed no feeling-out period shifting from the KHL to the NHL.
Panarin set the league ablaze, becoming the first rookie to hit the 70-point plateau since his linemate Patrick Kane did so in 2008. He tallied the most points by a rookie since Evgeni Malkin put up 85 points in 2007.
Alongside Kane and Artem Anisimov, the 24-year-old helped complete arguably the league's most lethal trio this season - one that combined for 96 goals and 225 points.
All things are looking up for Panarin, but his numbers could slip if one constant doesn't remain - that constant being Kane. The 27-year-old had by far his best season in the league, becoming the first American-born player to lead the league in scoring en route to capturing the Hart Trophy with 46 goals and 106 points.
Kane had a large stake in Panarin's production, factoring in on 72.7 percent of his points. So suffice it to say, if Kane's numbers slip a bit next season, so too will Panarin's.
Last season's race for the Calder Trophy had everything.
A battle between "The Next One," a player many deemed too old to be a rookie, and a college defenseman that seemingly jumped onto the scene out of nowhere.
However, as the NHL has been subject to time and time again, at least a handful of rookie sensations are likely to fall victim to the ever-daunting sophomore slump.
Of course, a statistical regression in one season is not the be-all, end-all of one's career. Players can be the victims of their own demise simply for having such incredible first seasons.
With that in mind, here are three players who could see a regression next season, and the plausible reasons why:
Shayne Gostisbehere
Gostisbehere came, saw, and conquered last season.
After beginning the season with a strong 10 points in 14 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League, Gostisbehere was called up by the Philadelphia Flyers in mid-November and never went back.
Gostisbehere put up 17 goals and 46 points in 64 games, which would give him 58 points when averaged over a full 82-game season and would have placed him tied for fifth among all defensemen in scoring.
The 23-year-old's play was nothing short of spectacular, and the biggest knock and likely reason for a drop in production is simply because he was so outstanding during his first taste of NHL action, it may be hard for him to uphold that.
Gostisbehere had the second-highest shooting percentage of all defensemen - New York Rangers' Kevin Klein ranked first - with an incredible 11.2 percent success rate this past season, which is likely unsustainable.
He is an extreme talent, but if his numbers even-out or teams start to zero-in on him, Gostisbehere can expect to see at least a slight decline in production next season.
The 22-year-old is coming off his first full-season in the league boasting incredible numbers, with a .920 save percentage and a 2.07 goals-against average in 40 games.
However, as he gets ready to take the ice as a No. 1 for the first time in his career, he will be dealt a different set of cards. He will likely see a lot more games this time around, even with former Maple Leafs No. 1 Jonathan Bernier as his second-in-command.
With a lot more action faced, and with increased pressure, we can expect his numbers to falter - even if slightly. Gibson struggled this postseason before giving way for Andersen. This time around, he might not have such a luxury.
Artemi Panarin
The reigning Calder Trophy-winner needed no feeling-out period shifting from the KHL to the NHL.
Panarin set the league ablaze, becoming the first rookie to hit the 70-point plateau since his linemate Patrick Kane did so in 2008. He tallied the most points by a rookie since Evgeni Malkin put up 85 points in 2007.
Alongside Kane and Artem Anisimov, the 24-year-old helped complete arguably the league's most lethal trio this season - one that combined for 96 goals and 225 points.
All things are looking up for Panarin, but his numbers could slip if one constant doesn't remain - that constant being Kane. The 27-year-old had by far his best season in the league, becoming the first American-born player to lead the league in scoring en route to capturing the Hart Trophy with 46 goals and 106 points.
Kane had a large stake in Panarin's production, factoring in on 72.7 percent of his points. So suffice it to say, if Kane's numbers slip a bit next season, so too will Panarin's.
"The feeling being back in Montreal, it'll never change," Subban said. "It's always going to be like that for me. Montreal's going to be home because of the relationships that I've built here. I love Montreal. I've always loved the city. When it really comes down to it, I never envisioned myself playing for any other team other than the Montreal Canadiens."
Subban called his relationship with Canadiens fans "unspeakable," and said it's the reason why he'll always feel connected to the city and the province of Quebec.
While the 27-year-old was a lightning rod for criticism, especially last season during the Canadiens' fantastic collapse, he said he was always treated well by the fans and that it was a dream come true to play in the bleu, blanc, et rouge.
"This is a business," Subban added. "I can't forget that."
Subban also recounted a story from his childhood, when he was gifted a Canadiens jersey with his name on the back. He treasured that sweater as a kid, and said that being able to wear a Montreal sweater in the NHL makes him feel luckier than every other player in the NHL. But it's Boxing Day now, Subban added, Christmas is over, and it's time to move on.
"I just wanted to make my dad proud," Subban said. "I knew he was a huge Habs fan."
Subban also discussed his $10-million donation to Montreal's Children Hospital during the interview, and some of the criticism - that he was motivated by political reasons - that came with it.
"I don't feel that I need to define my reasons for wanting to help people," Subban said. "Like, people should want to help people."
Part two of the Sportsnet exclusive will air Wednesday night.
Las Vegas' NHL expansion team doesn't yet have a name, but its front office is coming together.
Former Washington Capitals executive George McPhee will be named general manager of the club by owner Bill Foley, according to multiplereports. The announcement will be made Wednesday at a 4 p.m. ET press conference at T-Mobile Arena.
McPhee turned 58 on July 2 and made his mark with the Capitals. He was general manager in D.C. from 1997 through 2014, winning seven division titles and making one Stanley Cup Final appearance. He served as a special advisor to New York Islanders GM Garth Snow in 2015-16.
In McPhee, Foley gets an experienced executive and general manager who over the years certainly made strong relationships throughout the league. The Vegas franchise will begin play in the 2017-18 season, and McPhee will now be tasked with putting together his club through what will undoubtedly be a fascinating expansion draft.
"I'd go to Iceland to (be a general manager again)," McPhee said after his time in Washington concluded, according to Carp. "Doesn't matter where it is."
