EAST MEADOW, N.Y. - As training camp opened for the New York Islanders last September, Josh Ho-Sang tweeted a picture of 22 alarm clocks with a simple message. "I made it," the winger's post read - a self-aware callback to the year before, when Ho-Sang was late for the first day of camp and immediately sent back to the Ontario Hockey League.

When dealing with off-ice issues, there are two ways to go: a player can either play the "that's not who I am" card, or he can own mistakes and move forward in a positive way. Ho-Sang, the No. 28 pick in the 2014 draft, has taken the path of positivity, and after making it to the NHL in March and notching 10 points in 21 games, he's carrying the lessons of his early experience into what could and should be a long and fruitful pro career.

"You learn every game," Ho-Sang said Wednesday at the Islanders' development camp. "I think I only played two teams twice, so I'm playing all these NHL teams for the first time, and all these players on some star-studded teams. For me, it's about getting used to that - looking across the ice and seeing Patrick Kane, Tyler Seguin, Sidney Crosby. I enjoy playing against those guys. I thrive on that, being able to compare yourself against the best players in the world. ... If you're not the best player, you always need to do something differently. If you're not Connor McDavid, putting up 100 points, leading his team to the playoffs for the first time in a long time, you need to improve. And even he's trying to get better. I don't think you can stop."

Ho-Sang turned 21 in January, a week after McDavid's 20th birthday. At the moment, McDavid has a 148-10 advantage in career points at the NHL level, not to mention the Hart Trophy. To compare the two would appear ludicrous, but for Ho-Sang, it makes sense. He was willing to take the kind of heat that comes with wearing 66, a number all but out of circulation in the NHL since Mario Lemieux retired. Of course he's going to see getting to McDavid's level as an achievable goal.

The difference between cockiness and confidence is the acknowledgment of the hard work needed to climb to such a plateau. The former is a weakness, and one that led Ho-Sang to develop a reputation as, to be completely fair about it, a kid. The latter is not only an asset, but a requisite for turning dreams into reality.

"I believe in myself," Ho-Sang said. "I don't think I need to say much more than that. If I ever get there, and people ask, 'Did you think you could get there?' I would say yes. But he's a ways away, an elite talent. But it's always fun to have someone to chase. For him, he only has to chase himself right now."

The first step on Ho-Sang's chase is getting through a full NHL season. Having already been through the drama of that first training camp, of his jersey number, of clashes with Hockey Canada earlier on, of simply being a hockey player willing to speak his mind, that may well be small potatoes. The McDavids of the world are the only ones who don't suffer through growing pains. Ho-Sang has had his.

"Oh, God, yeah, it helps," said Islanders coach Doug Weight. "I think it's important to go through and learn from it. Just the example of having a couple of bad games, and some bad things happening, and then refocusing, practicing hard, and coming out ready to play well is a sign of that maturing road that he's going down."

That maturing can be seen publicly on Ho-Sang's Twitter account. After the self-deprecating clock picture, Ho-Sang had only two tweets: a repost of a Photoshop of Michael Dal Colle on Conor McGregor's head after Dal Colle's first fight, and a video clip of a Matt Finn goal. In June, his Twitter feed has become a source of, every few days, motivation and positivity (plus a couple of shoutouts to his mom and a clip of himself in a video game trailer).

On June 10, Ho-Sang tweeted, "Everything you want to ask of life cannot be given by anyone but yourself, so don't ask period, go get it," then two days later, "Our weaknesses are what make us human, our will to transcend those obstacles is what makes us truly strong #beyourownsuperhero."

If that doesn't explain where he is, and what his outlook is, as he approaches that first full NHL season, he's more than happy to expound on it.

"I just think it's something you have to carry with you, especially in a sport where people are watching you and constantly trying to judge you for what you do in a game or in a minute or based on a day," Ho-Sang said. "I think it's important to remind yourself of who you are, and I think it's important to stay grounded in terms of understanding there is more going on outside yourself. You may have personal problems, and you may have things going on, on a regular basis, but as long as you can put your head down and keep fighting through those, try to find the bright side, more often than not, I find that will help you maintain your happiness."

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As hockey fans sift through poorly translated rumors and vague reports out of Russia surrounding free-agent forward Ilya Kovalchuk, a much-less renowned former NHL player has made his intentions for the 2017-18 hockey season fully known.

A once hyped NCAA free agent out of Merrimack College, Stephane Da Costa was originally signed by the Ottawa Senators at the end of the 2010-11 season. He went on to play parts of four NHL seasons and parts of three AHL campaigns with the Senators' organization. He played just 47 NHL games from the spring of 2011 through the end of the 2013-14 season, scoring seven goals and adding four assists on 75 shots in 11:36 of ice time per game.

Now 27 years old, Da Costa has spent his past three seasons with CSKA Moscow of the KHL, playing a total of 94 regular-season games and 39 playoff games. He put up totals of 96 and 28 points, respectively.

At just 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, Da Costa is best suited for an offense-first role within a team's top-six or top-nine forward grouping. It was an opportunity never really given to him by the Senators, even after he put up 90 points in 67 career games at the NCAA level.

With the growing favoritism toward analytic play in the NHL, Da Costa is likely to receive a better opportunity this time around, after re-demonstrating his offensive prowess. Through his 47 NHL games, he played at a Corsi For percentage of 55.8.

A minus-11 rating which largely led to his poor perception, was at the fault of a disastrous 93.1 PDO, when league average is viewed at approximately 100. Ottawa's goaltending at the time posted a save percentage of just 86.4 percent at 5-on-5 when Da Costa was on the ice.

Da Costa will need an opportunity from a patient team with room up front and no expectations for this upcoming season for his second crack at the NHL.

Hello Arizona.

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The process of clearing cap space for the looming monster contracts of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl is well underway.

The Edmonton Oilers have placed forward Benoit Pouliot on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a contract buyout, the team announced.

Pouliot, 30, tallied just 14 points in 67 games for the Oilers in 2016-17 and comes with a cap hit of $4 million per year over the next two seasons.

It's highly unlikely any team would claim Pouliot on waivers, so the impending buyout will cost the Oilers $1.33 million in cap space per year through the 2020-21 season, per Cap Friendly.

Pouliot, a former fourth overall pick for the Minnesota Wild, scored a career-high 19 goals in 58 games with the Oilers on the first year of his deal. He backed that up with 14 goals in 55 games in 2015-16, but was downright terrible this past year, scoring just eight times in 67 games, and recording more giveaways than takeaways for the first time in his Oilers career.

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After back-to-back years of deep playoff runs for the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team suffered a setback in 2016-17 by missing the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. And though the team is laden with talent, general manager Steve Yzerman refuses to overlook last season due to previous success.

"We're in a different spot today than a year ago. Because a year ago, we were coming off Game 7 of the conference final, and that was coming off reaching the Stanley Cup final," Yzerman said, according to Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times. "This year we didn't make the playoffs. So let's take a step back here and let's not talk about going for it here in June when we just missed the playoffs."

It's a very reserved mentality for the man in charge of a team that finished the 2016-17 regular season with 94 points, the same amount as the Western Conference champion Nashville Predators, but one point shy of the amount needed to qualify for the Eastern Conference's second season.

Yzerman isn't letting himself, his players, or the team's fan base rest on past laurels, however, viewing last season as a disappointment, and refusing to blame the lost campaign on the knee injury which limited captain Steven Stamkos to just 17 games.

"We're a better team with Stamkos, obviously. ...

"We definitely can look at areas where we need to improve with the players we did have on the ice,'' Yzerman added.

The Lightning's overhaul began with the passing of the torch between goaltenders Ben Bishop (traded to the Los Angeles Kings and now with the Dallas Stars) and new starter Andrei Vasilevskiy at the 2016-17 trade deadline. It continued with the offseason's first big splash when forward Jonathan Drouin was dealt to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defensive prospect Mikhail Sergachev.

Yzerman isn't done his summer work and remains focused on making the Lightning a contender again in 2017-18 and for the long term, saying "I think it's going to be good for a long time.''

While the Predators may have demonstrated once again that teams need only to qualify for the postseason by the slimmest of margins in order to have a shot at lifting the Stanley Cup, Yzerman seems intent on not leaving the fate of his team in the hands of the competition.

"Should have been there, but we weren't,'' Yzerman said.

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The Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings are interested in adding some championship pedigree to their blue line, as both teams have expressed interest in pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Trevor Daley, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Daley, 33, has won back-to-back Stanley Cups as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. This past season, he registered 19 points in 56 games with a 46.1 Corsi For percentage while averaging 20:23 minutes per night. He added five points in 21 playoff games.

In Boston, Daley would help stabilize the left side of the Bruins' defense corps. Torey Krug is entering his prime, but Zdeno Chara is 40 years old and is on the last year of his contract. Their right side is deep with youngsters Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo and veterans Kevan Miller and Adam McQuaid.

In Detroit, Daley would add to an aging defense unit featuring 31-year-old Mike Green, 36-year-old Niklas Kronwall, and 33-year-old Jonathan Ericsson. Danny DeKeyser, 27, is also locked up for five years with a cap hit of $5 million per season.

Daley had a cap hit of $3.3 million per year in his previous deal, but could potentially see a raise given that comparable D-men Brendan Smith and Kris Russell have recently signed contracts worth $4 million or more per season.

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The Edmonton Oilers have announced that team legend Dave Semenko died "after a short, but courageous battle with cancer."

From the team:

Dave will be remembered as a fierce competitor, loyal teammate, fan favourite and dear friend to so many. His legendary toughness on the ice is surpassed only by his kindness and caring for others, and his equally legendary wit and sense of humour.

Our hearts go out to Dave's family and many friends.

Once an Oiler, Always an Oiler

Semenko appeared in 575 NHL games for the Oilers back in the 1980s, registering 65 goals, 88 assists, and a whopping 1,175 minutes in penalties while protecting Edmonton's crop of superstar talent and winning two Stanley Cups.

He'll also be remembered for making WHA history:

He was 59 years old at the time of his death.

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Free agency is just around the corner and general managers have their wallets at the ready. A handful of top players headline this summer's crop, but cap concerns from past deals could keep at least three teams out of the bidding:

Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks needing to shed salary has become an annual event. It's the price you pay when you rack up three Stanley Cups in six years, and then fork out big-money deals to keep the band together.

But not only have rich contracts hurt the Blackhawks, so too have deals where cheap, young talent was exported to give Chicago some necessary cap relief.

Like last June, when Teuvo Teravainen, then 21, was shipped to the Carolina Hurricanes so the Blackhawks could do away with Bryan Bickell. Or two years ago, when Chicago couldn't afford to keep Brandon Saad and sent him to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Interestingly enough, the Blackhawks re-acquired Saad last week, sending Artemi Panarin to the Blue Jackets. The two wingers have the same cap hit, but with Saad signed through 2021, the Blackhawks avoid the future financial challenges that would have come with extending Panarin, whose contract expires in two seasons.

This summer, Chicago is the lone team exceeding the $75-million salary cap, as the Blackhawks sit nearly $3 million above the cap ceiling. They'll have the offseason to become compliant, but it won't be easy.

Winger Marian Hossa, who will sit out next season due to a progressive skin disorder, can be placed on long-term injured reserve, relieving the team of his $5.275-million cap charge. But Chicago must first be under the cap before that move can occur.

That means someone else is on the outs, with the long-rumored candidate being center Marcus Kruger, whose cap hit is about $3.1 million. Removing his contract without money coming back would ease things for Chicago, but doing so would likely take another high draft pick or quality young player from an already depleted prospect cupboard.

While Chicago's lack of cap flexibility should keep the team from making much noise this offseason, the Blackhawks already have a full roster signed through next season, with no notable free agents in need of new contracts.

Minnesota Wild

The Wild have long been rumored to be shopping a piece from their impressive defensive collection, a seemingly necessary deal to right the team's salary cap structure.

While Minnesota won't trade top rearguard Ryan Suter, nor his defensive partner Jared Spurgeon, the team has drawn plenty of interest in Jonas Brodin, Marco Scandella, and Matt Dumba.

Dealing from the team's position of strength should also help the Wild bulk up elsewhere, with GM Chuck Fletcher interested in adding another center to his lineup.

As for the forward ranks, the Wild have just eight skaters under contract, meaning the team must sign at least four players before the season starts. That includes Mikael Granlund and Nino Niederreiter, both restricted free agents who will command top dollar on new deals.

Granlund had a breakout season last year, posting a career-high 69 points to lead the Wild in scoring. He'll want to be paid accordingly. Same with Niederreiter, who achieved career bests in goals, assists, and points last season to finish fourth in team scoring behind Granlund, Eric Staal, and captain Mikko Koivu.

Both Granlund and Niederreiter are due significant raises, and combined could cost the Wild more than $10 million. That would leave Minnesota with little cash to spruce up the rest of the roster, with two more forwards and another blue-liner or two on the shopping list.

Limited cap funds will also take the Wild out of the sweepstakes for center Martin Hanzal, who was acquired from the Arizona Coyotes at last year's trade deadline. That deal cost the Wild a combination of draft picks, including a first-rounder at last week's entry draft.

Minnesota is not expected to bring back netminder Darcy Kuemper, a pending unrestricted free agent, leaving the Wild to explore free agency for a backup to compete alongside Alex Stalock for the No. 2 position.

Washington Capitals

T.J. Oshie can remain a key contributor in the coming seasons, but there is no denying his recently signed eight-year extension does no favors for the club in the long-term.

Oshie's signing brought the Capitals to more than $57 million against the salary cap, meaning Washington now has less than $18 million to fill out the remainder of its roster, with five forwards, three defensemen, and a backup netminder left to sign. No doubt it will be a busy offseason for GM Brian MacLellan.

Oshie was just the first big contract signing for the Capitals this summer, particularly up front, where Justin Williams and restricted free agents Andre Burakovsky and Evgeny Kuznetsov are in need of new deals.

It's fair to assume Kuznetsov, who hasn't missed a game over the past two seasons and has averaged 0.83 points per game over that time, will see a big-ticket deal of his own, likely coming in around $6 million annually. Meanwhile, Burakovsky should cost about half of that figure, leaving little wiggle room for Washington to retain Williams. The veteran forward boasts an attractive playoff resume that is sure to draw several interested suitors in free agency.

The Capitals' defense doesn't offer a much clearer picture either. Power-play specialist Kevin Shattenkirk, who the Capitals brought in from the St. Louis Blues at the trade deadline, is considered the top free agent available, but he isn't likely to stay in Washington.

Fellow defenseman Karl Alzner is also receiving plenty of calls in the lead-up to free agency. The veteran defender has drawn interest from a host of teams, including the Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, and Winnipeg Jets, so there is no guarantee he'll return for another term in D.C.

Losing both, in addition to Nate Schmidt, who the Vegas Golden Knights claimed in the expansion draft, decimates a Capitals blue line that has just four defensemen under contract next season. Cap concerns could force Washington to seek out more affordable options via free agency, or to promote from within. Candidates like Christian Djoos and Madison Bowey played key roles for Hershey in the AHL last season and could see a move up to the big club.

Defenseman Dmitry Orlov, also a restricted free agent, is another top priority for the Capitals. But getting the Russian-born blue-liner to agree to a new deal could come with further challenges, as he could draw interest from the KHL. Backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer is also due a new contract.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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Justin Williams, a three-time Stanley Cup Champion, is set to enter free agency after two failed attempts at pushing the Washington Capitals over their playoff hurdle and delivering the franchise its first cup victory. The Capitals won consecutive Presidents' Trophies as the regular season's best team, but they were booted from the playoffs by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round in each of Williams' two seasons.

According to The Washington Post's Gene Wang, Williams wants to make sure his Stanley Cup dry spell ends at three years. Williams' last cup victory came with the Los Angeles Kings in 2014, his second in three years at the time.

"I feel like I've got a lot of game left. I've got a lot of will to win left in me, and I'm still productive. I want to go to a team that has a chance to win," said Williams, according to Wang.

TSN's Darren Dreger reports Williams may have his desire met, saying the 36-year-old free-agent-to-be is a target for at least 10 teams, including several top-level clubs.

Williams scored 46 goals and posted 100 points over 162 regular season games in his two years with the Capitals, adding a total of 16 points in 25 playoff contests. With forward T.J. Oshie re-signing with the club on an eight-year, $46-million contract, Williams is likely on his way out of Washington, along with defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk and Karl Alzner, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.

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After two successful seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Nick Bonino may be moving on.

The two-way center will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and is reportedly drawing serious interest from at least 10 teams, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

The Blue Jackets are among those teams, adds Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Post-Dispatch.

Bonino is coming off a three-year deal that carried a salary cap hit of $1.9 million. He was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks in a 2015 trade that saw Brandon Sutter go the other way, and went on to win a pair of Stanley Cups with the Penguins.

Bonino recorded seven points in 21 postseason games this year, and was forced to the sidelines during the Cup Final due to a broken tibia.

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