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NHL general managers and executives will be paying close attention to the NFL's first-ever virtual draft on Thursday, as they could be following suit in a few months.

"It's going to be really interesting," Flames general manager Brad Treliving told The Canadian Press. "I know the NHL is watching what they're doing closely. We may be following their lead."

"Certainly our draft is going to be remote, that would be safe to say," Treliving continued. "For sure I'm going to be watching (the NFL draft) and doing a lot of homework on not only that, but different ideas of how we could potentially do our draft."

The NFL's draft will be held virtually due to coronavirus-related restrictions on mass gatherings. Teams recently went through a trial run, and despite some technical glitches at the start, the overall success of the proceedings satisfied GMs.

The NHL draft, originally scheduled for June 26-27 in Montreal, was postponed last month. A makeup date and potential new format haven't been determined yet.

Montreal Canadiens assistant general manager Trevor Timmins believes the NFL's execution of a virtual draft will give the NHL a solid example.

"We can learn a lot from that - what works, what doesn't work," Timmons said. "I've been in contact with my NFL contacts discussing how they are preparing with the limitations."

"We should all pay attention," he added.

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Despite a free-agency landscape that's completely up in the air, Arizona Coyotes general manager John Chayka won't let the NHL's current stoppage prevent him from trying to lock up forward Taylor Hall to a long-term deal.

Hall was recently asked whether he'd prefer to seek a long-term deal as an unrestricted free agent this offseason, or if he'd rather settle for a one-year contract in case teams are wary of big commitments after the coronavirus-induced pause. The winger said he wants security, and Chayka won't let the hiatus affect Arizona's efforts to retain its star.

"At the end of the day, the NHL will still be here, once we work through everything," Chayka told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "The Coyotes will be as well. I don't think long term vs. short term is a huge discussion vs. what it's going to look like. There's certainly implications of this. I'm not saying it doesn't apply. But we weren't afraid to have a discussion about a longer term before, and this doesn't change that opinion."

The Coyotes made a major splash by acquiring Hall from the New Jersey Devils in December. The 28-year-old headlines the list of pending free-agent forwards slated to hit the market whenever the NHL's signing period opens.

Hall had notched 52 points in 65 games this season before the break began on March 12, including 27 points in 35 games after the trade to Arizona.

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The National Women's Hockey League is officially expanding to Toronto for the 2020-21 season, the league announced Wednesday.

Toronto will be the league's first Canadian team and sixth franchise overall, joining the Boston Pride, Metropolitan Riveters, Buffalo Beauts, Minnesota Whitecaps, and Connecticut Whale.

"Launching our first team in Canada is a pivotal and proud moment for the NWHL," league commissioner Dani Rylan said. "Everyone in the Toronto hockey community can be sure that this first-class team of professionals will make bold strides for the women’s game."

Former Brown University coach Digit Murphy has been named team president and will oversee hiring a general manager and head coach. Johanna Neilson Boynton, a former captain at Harvard, and Tyler Tumminia, will serve as owner and chairman, respectively.

"We aspire to build a perennial Isobel Cup contender for Toronto," said Boynton. "This will be an organization with strong fan, community, and corporate support, outstanding coaching, training, and player development, and a club dedicated to promoting hockey as a game for everyone."

Signing, hirings, and venues for the team will be announced at a later date, but fans can immediately begin submitting ideas for a team nickname, colors, and logos here.

The 2020-21 NWHL season is expected to begin in November.

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Consider Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie on board with neutral-site games if the NHL deems that a viable solution to its hiatus.

"I want to play. It doesn't necessarily matter too much to me where it is," Oshie said Monday, according to The Athletic's Tarik El-Bashir. "Obviously, North Dakota is probably the No. 1 place I'd want to play in the world, so that would be amazing.

"But with our team and with just how much effort, not only us and myself personally but everyone in the league puts forth during the regular season, all the blocked shots, all the injuries, all that stuff, that all is geared toward getting in the playoffs and having a chance to raise the Cup, and to not have that possibility is a hard pill to swallow. So if it's a neutral site, if that's what you have to do to have a chance to win a Cup, I'm all for it."

Multiple cities have contacted the NHL about hosting games since the league shut down March 12. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Grand Forks, North Dakota - where Oshie played for the University of North Dakota from 2005-08 - are all reportedly interested.

At the time of the shutdown, the Capitals occupied first place in the Metropolitan Division with 90 points through 69 games. Oshie had recorded 26 goals and 23 assists.

He put up 21 points in 24 playoff games to help the Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018.

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St. Louis Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo admitted his status as one of the NHL's top unrestricted free agents this offseason has been complicated by the coronavirus stoppage.

"There are so many variables that you can bring into this that you don't really know," Pietrangelo told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. "There are so many unknowns. We were thinking about it for a while; my wife and I certainly had some discussions between us. But it certainly gets pushed aside when you’re sitting at home chasing around these little rug rats all day. I've got family members going through it right now - they're being laid off, they're not being able to work the same way they were a few months ago."

Pietrangelo's seven-year, $45.5-million contract is set to expire after the 2019-20 season, barring an extension. It's unclear if the NHL will be able to resume the current season, and it's also not clear when the free-agency period could begin and what the salary cap will be for the 2020-21 campaign.

On top of the league's uncertainties, the Blues' cap situation as they try to retain their leader is equally complicated. St. Louis has over $79 million committed to next year's roster against a salary cap that is unlikely to grow substantially from this season's $81.5-million limit.

Pietrangelo is poised for a considerable raise over his current $6.5-million cap hit, and general manager Doug Armstrong also needs to sign promising blue-liner Vince Dunn, a restricted free agent.

Pietrangelo was in the midst of a Norris Trophy-caliber season when the league shut down, posting 52 points in 70 games for the Central-leading Blues. Last postseason, the 30-year-old averaged over 25 minutes per game en route to claiming the Stanley Cup.

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Wayne Gretzky is confident the NHL will find a way to overcome its current coronavirus-induced pause and resume the 2019-20 campaign in a few months.

"I really believe somehow, someway, that the leadership in this country and in Canada, that we’re going to figure this out," Gretzky told The Canadian Press. "And I really believe that we’ll see hockey and some sort of other sports in June, July, and August, albeit in a different way, but I really see it coming to fruition. I think it’s going to happen."

The NHL halted business operations March 12, and has stated teams will play games into August if they have to. The league is currently weighing numerous scenarios, including how to determine a fair postseason format for teams on the playoff bubble, and whether neutral-site games are feasible while considering border closures and travel restrictions.

It's evident there are plenty of hurdles for the NHL to clear before a potential return, but Gretzky remains positive.

"Maybe I’m wrong," Gretzky said. "Maybe I’m too optimistic. I think I’m not. I hope that that’s a good sign for everyone that we’re moving on in life, in business, in sports. I really see in the next couple months something good happening."

All major sports leagues around the world remain shut down for the foreseeable future. The PGA Tour is the only organization to unveil its contingency plan, recently announcing a return to action without spectators for June 11.

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With the pandemic suspending sporting events worldwide, athletes suddenly have tons of time on their hands. In the latest installment of our weekly NHL series, we look at how they've been keeping themselves entertained - and in shape - while self-isolating.

Greiss puts pups to the test

New York Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss set up hurdles for his dogs, which earned mixed reviews from his pair of canine pals. We would love to see just how complex this obstacle course can get as the hiatus continues.

Gallagher's getting creative

Brendan Gallagher has become a staple in this series over the weeks, providing constant entertainment in the form of TikToks. In his latest show, he drains a near-impossible trick shot in a bet with teammate Nick Suzuki. The "Miracle" speech in the background was an incredible touch.

Pastrnak loves his treats

Since his race for the Rocket Richard Trophy is on pause, David Pastrnak has decided to race his dog for treats. Honestly, we're not sure what's more entertaining.

Lucy Subban, enforcer

Poor P.K. Subban probably thought he was safe from such devastating body checks during the lockdown.

Seguin trains with his pals

NHLers sure love their dogs, eh?

Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin was another player to document his time off with his closest pals, showcasing his impressive backyard setup and how his pups help keep his skills sharp.

Coach Q sticks with what he knows

Coaches need attention too, right? Three of the league's best teamed up for a conference call this past week, where Florida Panthers boss Joel Quenneville revealed he's not one to change what once worked for him.

Capitals reignite rivalry

This isn't necessarily a textbook hiatus diary, but was undoubtedly one of the best social media posts in the hockey world this past week. The Capitals used a popular TikTok format to take a friendly jab at their old nemesis, and we applaud the execution.

Auston Matthews, noted movie critic

If you're tired of binging movies in your down time, change things up courtesy of Auston Matthews, who broke down some classic hockey flicks for your viewing pleasure.

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Despite multiple cities contacting the NHL about potential neutral-site playoff games, the league hasn't yet discussed such an outcome with the players' association.

"Other than the general understanding that they're looking at all possibilities, which includes neutral sites - neutral being defined as a place that isn't a home base for an NHL team," NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr told Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski of ESPN. "We haven't had those discussions yet."

Grand Forks, North Dakota; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Manchester, New Hampshire, have all reached out about potentially hosting games. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu confirmed this week that playoff games in his state are "on the table."

While using new locations is an option, Fehr said there are still plenty of factors to consider before the league and players commit to any such decision.

"You're going to want to know what the CDC says, without any question at all. But in addition to that, as we all know, the state governors and the provincial prime ministers have the basic responsibilities over their own jurisdictions, so you're going to have to work with them, too," Fehr said. "The implication of the question is whether it's OK to play in some places and not others. I don't know if that's true. I assume it's certainly possible. If it is, we'll see what makes sense."

Another hurdle the league faces is border closures. Canada and USA's agreement to close their connecting border was extended on Friday by another 30 days, and dozens of European-born players who flew home to isolate could face travel restrictions.

Fehr said that "it's going to be very difficult to do anything" if borders remain closed.

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Toronto Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman expressed his desire to stick with his hometown team for the long haul on Thursday.

"I would love to stay in Toronto," Hyman said on a conference call, according to Yahoo's Justin Cuthbert. "It's where I grew up. I want to be a Leaf for a long time."

Hyman isn't scheduled to become a free agent until after the 2020-21 season, and his current deal counts for $2.25 million against the salary cap. He's eligible to sign a contract extension at the start of the new league year, which is traditionally July 1, but that date is now unclear due to the league's coronavirus stoppage.

The 27-year-old is glad he doesn't need to negotiate a new deal amid such uncertainty.

"Everything will probably be sorted out with the cap by then and whatnot," Hyman said, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

The Maple Leafs acquired Hyman from the Florida Panthers in 2015 in exchange for Greg McKegg and a conditional seventh-round pick. He's gone on to develop into a key cog in Toronto's attack, playing an important role on both the Auston Matthews and John Tavares lines over the past two campaigns.

Hyman was in the midst of a career season before the hiatus, posting 21 goals and 16 assists in 51 games.

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Wayne Gretzky and Alex Ovechkin will do battle on April 22 in a charitable series of NHL 20 in a clash dubbed "The Great One versus The Great Eight Showcase," the two confirmed to Scott Allen of The Washington Post.

The best-of-three series will be streamed on the Washington Capitals' Twitch channel and raise money for the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation and the Edmonton Food Bank to benefit the coronavirus relief effort.

Gretzky came up with the idea after seeing a video of Ovechkin and his son playing NHL 20.

"There's been so much talk about the goal record, so there's a nice link between Alex and myself," Gretzky told Allen. "I thought we could do something that people could watch and help raise money for those who need it."

Ovechkin has long been the front-runner to catch Gretzky's all-time goal mark of 894. The 34-year-old Capitals sniper became the eighth player to reach 700 goals earlier this season.

"We have a very good connection," Ovechkin said. "We always stay in touch. It doesn't matter if there's a milestone coming up, he's always reaching out to me and saying congrats. Before my 700th goal, I was a little down and he texted me and said, 'Don't worry about it, it will come.' It's nice of him. He's a great person, and to have a relationship like that with The Great One, it means a lot to me."

Gretzky and Ovechkin won't be alone in their battle, as the former will team up with his son, Tristan, and the latter with John "JohnWayne" Casagranda, the first esports professional signed by an NHL team.

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