On the Fly, theScore's wildly successful NHL roundtable series, continues with another - and perhaps final! - World Cup installment. With its end in sight, we're reflecting on what we loved and hated about the tourney.

Love: Select teams

Craig Hagerman: What began as a gimmick appears to have been an overwhelming success.

Many pegged Team North America and Team Europe to be the weaker clubs entering the tournament, but that was quickly put to rest. North America proved it was arguably the most skilled team outside of Canada, and left fans in awe and wanting more while showing off the future of the game.

Europe, meanwhile, proved two underwhelming exhibition games meant nothing, as they rose from underdogs to finalists and served to remind the hockey world there's far more talent across the pond than only what's found in Russia and the Nordic nations.

Canada's likely to finish things up Thursday, but there's no doubt the select teams made the tournament more exciting.

Hate: No North America-Canada matchup

Navin Vaswani: How. How do you put this tournament together and not guarantee a Canada vs. North America matchup. Why. How!

The kids were always going to be the tournament's most intriguing team, and Canada the best, and a matchup between the two was one we deserved. Connor McDavid against Sidney Crosby! It could've happened in the semifinal, but Finland decided to sleepwalk through the tourney and ruined everything.

But the point is: it shouldn't have been up to the Finns to make it happen. North America did what it could, playing three entertaining games and winning two, but if this format doesn't return, if the select teams are one-and-done, the World Cup will be remembered more for what could have been: Canada versus The Kids.

We saw - and were delighted - by North America versus Sweden. Now imagine 3-on-3 overtime against the Canadians.

In the end, even a pre-tournament game would've done.

Hate: Haters

Sean O'Leary: The World Cup was nitpicked and criticized consistently leading up to its return, and the negativity didn't stop once the tournament began.

The format, uniforms, and even the participating teams caught flak, but above all else, the first best-on-best competition in more than two years was criticized as being a "cash grab."

Well, in case you're just learning, the entire premise of pro sports is to generate revenue, so bashing a league for experimenting with a refurbished idea is hardly a worthwhile argument.

A Canada-Europe final is a little anticlimactic, sure, and omitting the quarterfinal round can be called a mistake, but this tournament captivated all of us at some point, one way or another. So unless you'd rather tune into a preseason game, quit complaining.

Love: Sid the God

Justin Cuthbert: It doesn't matter where you stand on Sid; the NHL is far better off when the best player on the planet is performing like it.

Returning from a season where he went from lost to reliving championship glory, Sidney Crosby has sustained his momentum, displaying the unmatched quality from last season's title run at the NHL's curtain-raising international competition.

From the pre-tournament to the best-of-three final, he's been spectacular, and largely responsible for bringing Canada to within a win of another major title - and another trophy exchange with Gary Bettman.

Crosby has three goals and a World Cup-leading nine points, centering easily the tournament's most dominant line, a unit that's accounted for 45 percent of Canada's total offense.

We all took the time to revel in the future at this World Cup. Just don't forget to enjoy the present.

Hate: September pain

Josh Gold-Smith: We hated seeing the many injuries sustained at the tournament, particularly the ones suffered by impact players.

Tyler Seguin broke his foot; Aaron Ekblad got either a concussion or a stiff neck, depending who you ask; Matt Murray broke his hand; Marian Gaborik is going to need two months to recover from a foot injury.

Calgary Flames forward Mikael Backlund was also diagnosed with a concussion, while three of the four Dallas Stars players selected to World Cup rosters sustained some sort of ailment.

Injuries are inevitable, and there's really no better time to hold the tourney, but NHL clubs have to be thrilled it's nearing an end.

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On the Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, continues with another World Cup installment. Below are the five players that have impressed us the most.

Razor

Josh Gold-Smith: Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Johnny Gaudreau have garnered most of the attention for Team North America, but Nathan MacKinnon has unquestionably been one of the World Cup's most exciting players.

The 21-year-old forward scored a sublime overtime winner to stun Sweden on Wednesday, showing off his remarkable hands with a series of moves before roofing a backhand past Henrik Lundqvist.

Only Canada's Patrice Bergeron had more shots on goal than MacKinnon in round-robin play. The Colorado Avalanche star notched a pair of goals and an assist in three games, and he's proving he belongs among the game's elite playmakers.

Johnny Hockey

Justin Cuthbert: Everything the United States lacked at the World Cup, 23-year-old New Jersey native Gaudreau provided North America.

His outrageous skill, speed, and shiftiness pairing perfectly with MacKinnon's power brand, Gaudreau was the No. 1 option behind the McDavid unit, and responded with maximum impact.

The Calgary Flames most certainly wish they'd signed the superstar to a long-term contract before putting him on a flight to Toronto after Gaudreau scored twice in three games and tied for the team lead in points. What's more, he was responsible for so many spectacular moments, including his complete undressing of Lundqvist and the backcheck in 3-on-3 overtime that set MacKinnon up for a goal that was enough to validate the hybrid experiment by itself.

USA Hockey's in a rough spot, but there are splendid days ahead with Gaudreau on the come-up.

Auston 416

Navin Vaswani: Take a minute Friday to remember that Matthews deked the hell out of Victor Hedman from his knees. Victor Hedman! From his knees!

In his first competition against the NHL's best, Matthews finished his tournament with two goals and an assist in three games. Only five players had more points through round-robin play, and none had more than four. So, yes, Matthews did finish tied for second in tournament scoring.

Playing in Toronto for the first time and on the first line with McDavid, Matthews proved he's got no time for pressure - and that he has some hands on him. The Toronto Maple Leafs have something here. The only question is whether they screw it up.

Sid

Craig Hagerman: Sidney Crosby is doing something he hasn't done in almost six years: producing in a best-on-best tournament.

Not since he scored his iconic Golden Goal at the 2010 Olympics have we seen the best player in the world wreak havoc in best-on-best play. Crosby was limited to three points in six games in Sochi, a total he's already surpassed through three contests, and his four points are tied for most in the tournament.

Crosby has developed impeccable chemistry with his Boston Bruins linemates Bergeron and Brad Marchand, and together the trio has proven to be one of the more lethal lines in the tournament, combining for nine points.

The King

Sean O'Leary: Goalies need some love too.

New York Rangers fans ought to be excited about the way Lundqvist has started his season, as he's been the difference-maker in two starts for Sweden.

He kicked his tournament off with a 36-save shutout versus archrival Finland and, one day later, made 45 saves in an overtime loss to North America that guaranteed Sweden top spot in Group B.

The King, now 34, is in vintage form, and looks to have shaken off the rust from an uncharacteristic playoff performance. He's definitely not the flashiest player in the tournament, but he's simply getting it done - the way he always has.

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On the Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, continues with another World Cup of Hockey installment. In the latest edition, our editors debate whether Connor McDavid could have made Team Canada - were he eligible.

Gold-Smith: McDavid would have a strong case for inclusion on the Canadian roster in a tournament without a 23-and-under Team North America.

He might have had to play out of position for this Canadian squad, though, unless one of the country's five elite centers - Crosby, Toews, Bergeron, Getzlaf, and Thornton - were left off.

Thornton is in the twilight of his career, and while he's still an effective player, few would argue if the Edmonton star was picked over him. McDavid is arguably more valuable - even at this stage - than the aging Thornton, Jeff Carter, or even Carter's replacement on the right wing, Corey Perry.

Still, McDavid likely isn't too broken up about not being able to play for his home country at this tournament, knowing full well he'll have plenty of opportunities to represent Canada in the future. If the NHL goes to the Olympics in 2018 and he stays healthy, he'll be there wearing the red and white.

Wilkins: There's no doubt that, if the rules permitted, McDavid would have made Team Canada. He's already considered to be one of, if not the best player in the NHL, so why not one of the best in Canada and at the World Cup?

McDavid scored 48 points in 45 games in his rookie season. That works out to 1.07 points per game, and, if healthy for all 82 games, good for 88 points.

That's just 14 fewer points than Sidney Crosby had in his rookie season. It's also 11 more points than Artemi Panarin, last year's top scoring rookie. By comparison, only two players topped 88 points last season, and just one Canadian, as Jamie Benn had 89 points.

Furthermore, McDavid put up that performance on a terrible Oilers team - they finished dead last, next to Toronto. It stands to reason that McDavid's numbers would only improve surrounded by the greatest talent that Team Canada has to offer.

Hagerman: The idea of McDavid representing Canada is certainly intriguing, but the fact is there is much to consider besides his pure talent.

What might get lost in the idea of McDavid making the team, is the fact that he not only would have to beat out the All-Star caliber players that currently reside on it, but would have also needed to initially beat out the likes of Benn, Carter, and Tyler Seguin, who ultimately bowed out with injuries.

Benn and Carter are not only much bigger and stronger options, but they are seasoned veterans used to the international stage, which are both important facets to the team as proof in the latest addition of Ryan O'Reilly.

Of course the other glaring criteria for Mike Babcock's roster is experience.

Canada's roster includes 13 members of the team that won gold in Sochi, eight who won gold in Vancouver, and Stamkos - who didn't make the Sochi roster due to a broken leg.

Sorry Connor, but those are intangibles that talent alone just can't match.

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"On the Fly," theScore's NHL roundtable series, checks in with a World Cup installment, discussing the vacant captaincy of Team North America.

The North Americans remain without an official leader. That'll be the case for a few more days, according to head coach Todd McLellan.

"We've spent all of about 12 hours together, 15, 18 hours," he told NHL.com's Tim Campbell in Montreal. "So it's hard to give you a timeline or an estimate."

So, while we wait, here are our picks for the man to wear the "C":

Brandon Saad

Craig Hagerman: Brandon Saad, not Connor McDavid, should captain Team North America at the World Cup.

Yes, it makes sense for McDavid to lead the team, since he's the game's next prolific star and personality. But this is a tournament that will hinge heavily on experience and, well, he doesn't have much of it.

Meanwhile, Saad enters the tournament a 23-year-old veteran on the young squad. He's already got four NHL seasons and two Stanley Cup rings on his resume.

Saad knows what it takes to win, and played his first three seasons with one of the league's most revered captains in Jonathan Toews. Saad also has international experience, having played at the World Junior Championship and the U-18 Championship.

The Columbus Blue Jackets forward plays a solid two-way game and can be relied on in all situations. Who better to captain a young team built on offense? Plus, there will already be enough pressure on McDavid.

McDavid

Navin Vaswani: Don't overthink this, Mr. McLellan.

McDavid as captain simply makes too much sense, especially considering McLellan is behind the bench. His North American squad needs a captain, and so too do the Edmonton Oilers. In other words, this is the perfect audition for the coach's best player (on both teams).

Sure, McDavid's only 19, but in addition to proving in his first 45 NHL games that he's "The Next One" on the ice, he also proved adept at handling the pressure and expectations that came with being the No. 1 overall pick in a hockey-mad city like Edmonton.

The kid's already the face of the Oilers, especially after the Taylor Hall trade. He's already a veteran with the media, and is undoubtedly the face of the upstart North American squad, which is going to play fast, exciting, offensive hockey during the World Cup.

So, yeah, it's McDavid. It has to be. McLellan knows it. He's simply being diplomatic, and there's nothing wrong with that. But he knows.

Aaron Ekblad

Sean O'Leary: The only proof that Aaron Ekblad belongs on an Under-23 team is his birth certificate.

The 2014 first overall pick has blossomed into an anchor on the Florida Panthers' blue line, and will be relied upon heavily against top lines and during crucial situations.

North America's abundant skill up front has garnered most of the attention, but Ekblad should wear the "C" as a stabilizing force in a relatively thin defensive corps.

Building off a Calder Trophy in his rookie campaign, Ekblad notched a career-high in goals last season with 15, while averaging 21:41 of ice time for the Atlantic Division champions.

Ekblad is one of the game's most prominent young stars, and is surely in the running for Florida's vacant captaincy, so there's no harm in giving him a head start while the world is watching.

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With fantasy drafts just around the corner, theScore has all the fantasy hockey advice you'll need to dominate your league.

The draft kit will be updated daily until the start of the NHL season.

2016 Fantasy Rankings

Standard Leagues: Top 200 | C | LW | RW | D | G
Banger Leagues: Top 200 | C | LW | RW | D | G

Positional Primers

Goalies: Who moved? | Unrepeatable seasons | Rookies | Breakouts

Defensemen: Who moved? | Unrepeatable seasons | Rookies | Breakouts | Over the hill

Wingers: Who moved? | Unrepeatable seasons | Rookies | Breakouts | Over the hill

Centers: Who moved? | Unrepeatable seasons | Rookies | Breakouts | Over the hill

Fantasy Roundtables

Centers
Wingers
Defensemen
Goaltenders

Features

• Which stats should your league use
• Players you don't know about
• How to make your fantasy team more "special"
• 5 players you shouldn't draft
• Players bouncing back from injuries
• Why building from the net out works in fantasy hockey
• Improved defense corps that will lead to better goaltending
• Forwards in new roles
• When is a backup goalie better than a starter?
• The other guys: Second-half defensemen worth a fantasy flier
• Third-wheel forwards you can trust in fantasy
• Post-hype Sleepers: Players who deserve another chance
• How to build a winning fantasy team through trades
• Preseason position battles and their fantasy relevance
• How to win your banger league
• Why multi-position players are the key to success
• Fantasy Faceoff: Crawford v. Holtby
• Fantasy Faceoff: Subban v. Josi
• Fantasy Faceoff: Seguin v. Crosby
• Fantasy Faceoff: Benn v. Ovechkin
• Fantasy Faceoff: Matthews v. Laine v. Puljujarvi
• Something to prove: Players in contract years
• How to approach later rounds in draft-position keeper leagues
• 3 fantasy starters to cherish this season
• Extracting extra value from underrated second-line centers
• Using the NHL schedule to your advantage

Upcoming

• Rookie Power Rankings

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On the Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, returns for a summer edition about Jimmy Vesey, who hit the free-agent market Tuesday at midnight ET. Our editors pull out their crystal balls and predict where the college standout will end up.

Chicago Blackhawks

Craig Hagerman: Just like they seemingly do every trade deadline, the Blackhawks will find a way to nab the biggest fish left on the market this offseason.

While the club is usually up against the salary cap ceiling, at present Chicago has roughly $2.4 million in available funds - more than enough to ink Vesey to an entry-level contract, barring bonuses.

The Blackhawks, as we all know, are stacked up front. But their one possible weakness appears to be on the left side, and wouldn't you know it, that's the side Vesey plays.

Besides Artemi Panarin - who will remain with Patrick Kane and Artem Anisimov - the club boasts the likes of Richard Panik and Andrew Desjardins on the left wing. Neither possess the offensive skill that Vesey does. It's possible the Blackhawks could sell Vesey on a top-six role, playing alongside Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.

The two veterans would be great mentors for the up-and-coming prospect, and Vesey will be hard pressed to find more skilled linemates if he's to venture elsewhere.

With the Blackhawks, Vesey would join a team built to win, with a solid core, great coaching, and get the top-six role he seeks. The Blackhawks are the complete package.

New Jersey Devils

Cory Wilkins: Vesey's headed to beautiful Newark, New Jersey.

While the rebuilding Devils are not a Stanley Cup contender like other interested suitors in the Blackhawks or New York Rangers, New Jersey general mangaer Ray Shero can offer Vesey the biggest individual opportunity.

The Devils finished dead last in goals last season, scoring just 184 times, and there's an obvious need for more offense beyond the offseason addition of Taylor Hall. In New Jersey, Vesey can immediately slot into the Devils' top-six forwards, surrounded by the likes of Hall, Adam Henrique, and Kyle Palmieri.

Beyond that, according to his agent, Vesey prefers to fly under the radar, and that's not a viable option in his hometown of Boston or in the hockey bubble of Toronto. The New York-New Jersey area offers nine pro sports teams, and the Devils may have the smallest microscope among them. It could be the perfect situation for Vesey to kickstart his NHL career.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Navin Vaswani: Jimmy's heading north.

Vesey is the next part of the "Shanaplan," and he will join his brother Nolan and father Jim in the Toronto organization.

Family first.

While Toronto isn't the most logical destination for a player wanting to fly a bit under the radar, he'll be sheltered by general manager Lou Lamoriello and head coach Mike Babcock. And, let's face it, the spotlight in Toronto next season will firmly be on Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner. They're the three most recent top-10 draft picks - Matthews is the first No. 1 selection in club history since Wendel Clark in 1985 - and the undisputed future of the club.

Morgan Rielly and Nazem Kadri are going to be out to prove their long-term, big-money contract extensions were the right decision, and Frederik Andersen is starting life in Toronto, where goaltenders go to die. Let's be honest: If Vesey didn't want the attention, he'd have signed with the Nashville Predators or Buffalo Sabres, the two teams to previously own his NHL rights.

The Maple Leafs are a rebuilding team clearly on the rise, and Vesey can be offered a top-six role, much like in Chicago and New Jersey. At 23, he'll practically be a veteran on the team, especially after Brooks Laich, Milan Michalek, and Colin Greening - all playing on expiring contracts - are traded for draft picks. With Tyler Bozak, Leo Komarov, and James van Riemsdyk's contracts set to expire in July 2018, Vesey can be as much a part of the solution as Matthews, Nylander, or Marner.

Vesey played hockey at Harvard. He's about to graduate to the Maple Leafs. Makes sense.

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The Pokemon GO craze continues to inspire.

Folks at Benjamagnus Design have reimagined NHL logos of past and present.

Here are a few of the coolest "Puckmon" designs:

"Anaheim Mighty Psyduck"

"Columbus Bluedrill"

"Edmonton Smokescreen"

"Arizona Mightyote"

"Washington Articaps"

Check out the entire "Puckmon" collection here.

- With h/t to BarDown

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After a stellar record-tying season, Braden Holtby is officially the NHL's best goaltender.

The Washington Capitals netminder won the Vezina Trophy by a landslide on Wednesday night at the NHL Awards.

Holtby won 48 games, tying Martin Brodeur's single-season wins record, as the Capitals marched to the Presidents' Trophy. He finished fourth in Vezina voting last year.

The 26-year-old's 2.20 goals-against average was the lowest of his career, and his .922 save percentage was the second-highest he's posted. He's the Capitals goalie of the present and future, signed through 2019-20.

Holtby is the seventh goalie in history to post back-to-back 40-win seasons, and is the third Capitals goalie to win the Vezina, joining Jim Carey (1996) and Olaf Kolzig (2000).

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Chicago Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarin won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie Wednesday night in Las Vegas at the NHL Awards ceremony.

Nicknamed "The Bread Man," Panarin led all rookies with 77 points, potting 30 goals. He spent a few years in the KHL in Russia, leading some to say he shouldn't have been eligible for the award, but there's certainly no denying his talents.

The 24-year-old led all rookies in goals, assists, points, power-play goals (tied), power-play points, and game-winning goals.

Panarin shined while playing alongside Art Ross Trophy winner Patrick Kane, recording double-digits in points in all but one month of the season. Panarin is the first Blackhawk to win the award since Kane won it in 2008, and ninth in franchise history.

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On the Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, continues. With the NHL Awards set to be handed out Wednesday night, we're predicting who will take home some hardware.

Hart Trophy

Nominees: Jamie Benn, Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane

Ian McLaren: With all due respect to Kane's 106 points (17 more than second-place Benn), the distinction of Most Valuable Player isn't reserved exclusively for the league's highest scorer. So while the Chicago Blackhawks winger celebrates his Art Ross Trophy win on awards night, the Hart Trophy should go to Crosby.

Like his team, the Pittsburgh Penguins center got off to a slow start, but amid suggestions his game was in decline, Crosby recorded 66 points in 52 games following the hiring of Mike Sullivan as head coach. Crosby led the NHL with 58 points after Jan. 1, and played a large role in lifting the team from outside the playoff picture to second place in the Metropolitan Division by season's end. He accomplished all this with Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Marc-Andre Fleury sidelined due to injury at various points throughout the season.

Crosby has already won two Hart Trophies (2007, 2014) and, based on his performance and impact on the Penguins' fortunes this season, should leave Las Vegas with a third.

Vezina Trophy

Nominees: Ben Bishop, Braden Holtby, Jonathan Quick

Ben Whyte: After tying an NHL single-season record with 48 wins and guiding the Washington Capitals to their second Presidents' Trophy, Holtby should win the Vezina Trophy for the first time in his career.

The 26-year-old finished in the top 10 in goals-against average (fifth) and save percentage (eighth), and led the league in both categories during the playoffs despite his team bowing out in Round 2.

Holtby's season was highlighted by a 22-game streak without a regulation loss from November to January, when he went 20-0-2 with two shutouts.

His incredible play also earned him a nomination for the Ted Lindsay Award, which is given to the league's most outstanding player as judged by the players.

Bishop will be Holtby's biggest competition after pacing an injury-plagued Tampa Bay Lightning team to the postseason with a 35-win campaign, while finishing among the leaders in all major goaltending categories.

Norris Trophy

Nominees: Brent Burns, Drew Doughty, Erik Karlsson

Sean O'Leary: Karlsson is an easy choice for the Norris Trophy.

No disrespect to Doughty or Burns - who are both more than worthy finalists - but Karlsson deserves to be this year's winner. Few players make the game look so effortless, and his impact on a middling Ottawa Senators team is unprecedented.

Karlsson recorded a career-high 82 points, which was more than everybody except Kane, Benn, and Crosby.

He takes risks - some of which are ill-advised - but his skill set is so unique, it's futile to compare him to his peers and better to simply appreciate everything he brings to the sport.

For the defensive-zone pundits, Karlsson finished 11th in the league with 175 blocked shots - more than Doughty and Burns, for what it's worth.

Karlsson's will likely win his third Norris Trophy - and he's only 26.

Calder Trophy

Nominees: Shayne Gostisbehere, Connor McDavid, Artemi Panarin

Navin Vaswani: In a simple world, the Calder Trophy would always be awarded to the rookie with the most points to his name in his first NHL season, which would make Panarin a lock to win the award. But it's not that simple.

While Panarin's absolutely right in saying he didn't pen the rules, and while his his 77 points playing shotgun alongside Kane are damn impressive, McDavid averaged 1.07 points per game as a 19-year-old among the world's finest hockey players. That matters.

The argument against McDavid is he only played 45 games, and it's a valid one. There's a difference, however, between playing 45 games and dominating while playing the toughest position in the game as a teenager. The Edmonton Oilers phenom failed to record a point in only 15 games.

Only Kane (1.29) and Benn (1.09) averaged more points per game than McDavid in the NHL this past season. Panarin finished 10th.

McDavid may not have played the most games among rookies, but he's the cream of the crop.

Selke Trophy

Nominees: Patrice Bergeron, Ryan Kesler, Anze Kopitar

Justin Cuthbert: Bergeron isn't ready to relinquish his title as the NHL's best defensive forward.

He made gains on his Selke Trophy campaign from a year ago as the Boston Bruins' fulcrum, being on the ice for a considerably greater amount of goals for than he was against despite taking on an enhanced defensive role.

Bergeron took and won more faceoffs than any other player, which includes more than a third in his own end. He was also a top-15 forward in shot-based possession, and began more shifts in the defensive zone than any player in that elite class.

On top of that, and enduring as a commanding penalty killer, he enjoyed his best offensive season in almost a decade, scoring a career-high 32 goals and totaling 68 points.

Jack Adams Award

Nominees: Gerard Gallant, Lindy Ruff, Barry Trotz

Cuthbert: Let's change this up a bit; it's time to honor excellence with the Jack Adams Trophy.

With 58 wins under Trotz, Washington turned out the best year in franchise history, and also one of the greatest in the post-lockout era. The Capitals boasted both the second-ranked offense and defense, scoring 59 goals more than they allowed. They went on to win the conference by 16 points and the Presidents' Trophy by 11. They also won more games on the road than all but two postseason entries, and owned the league's second-best combined special teams.

This was the greatest season for one of the league's greatest modern-day coaches. And certainly no one-off.

Lady Byng Trophy

Nominees: Aleksander Barkov, Loui Eriksson, Anze Kopitar

Vaswani: A perennial Lady Byng candidate, Kopitar is a gentle giant who should win the award for the first time Wednesday night.

The Slovenian had his best offensive season since 2011-12, shaking off a slow start that saw him finish October with only three goals in 10 games. He exploded in the second half and had 21 points in the Los Angeles Kings' final 20 games.

Always in the lineup, Kopitar's the No. 1 center on a forever-competitive team in the mighty Western Conference. He took only 16 minutes in penalties - none in October or March, which amounted to a 25-game stretch.

They don't come much more gentlemanly or skilled than Mr. Kopitar.

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