Wednesday in Boston was locker clean out day for the Bruins, meaning the team also released a laundry list of injured players who were hurt during their postseason run.
Patrice Bergeron (F) - Missed Game 4 versus Maple Leafs with concussion-like symptoms, played through a groin issue
Riley Nash (F) - played through injured hip, hopes to avoid surgery
Boston was undoubtedly one of the hottest teams in the league all season long, and despite the bevy of injuries listed above, the Bruins were still able to reach the second round.
Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand is quickly developing a reputation as one of the most polarizing players in the NHL.
And after a playoff run that included him licking or trying to kiss multiple players, which led to a warning from the NHL and his team, Marchand is getting the message.
"I need to cut that (expletive) out," Marchand said during locker clean out Wednesday, according to Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic.
Marchand and the Bruins had their season ended by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, giving the diminutive winger plenty of time to mull over his on-ice antics.
The Vegas Golden Knights' inaugural season has become one of the best stories in professional sports, and it's still being written. With the club continuing its dream campaign by qualifying for the conference final, it's no longer a matter of if Hollywood is going to make a movie about this team's historic first season, but when.
Aside from the whole "expansion team having success" theme, there's no shortage of potential subplots that make this feel-good story Hollywood worthy.
Whether it's Vegas resident Deryk Engelland - who's having a career year - delivering a compelling speech at the team's home opener following the tragic Vegas shootings, William Karlsson going from six goals last season to 43 this one, or the three Florida Panthers castoffs having amazing campaigns - including Gerard Gallant getting let go in the worst way possible. Take your pick.
So, without further ado, here is an ideal star-studded cast for the eventual Hollywood film on the Vegas Golden Knights:
Adrien Brody as Marc-Andre Fleury
In a season that has not been short on excellent storylines, Fleury's might be the best of them all. So why not have a guy like Brody play him. He does, after all, know a thing or two about winning trophies.
Not to mention, the uncanny physical resemblance. Which, at the very least, would help keep makeup and costume costs down.
Chevy Chase as Bill Foley
Knights owner Foley is the man who made all of this possible. Though the bulk of his scenes would be prior to the start of the regular season, he still needs to be featured. Chase is not only a pretty close lookalike, but he could easily portray an over-the-top, wealthy executive.
Danny DeVito as Gary Bettman
If you're too young to remember DeVito from his famous role as the Penguin in 1992's "Batman Returns," let's just say it's the perfectly sinister precursor to the equally sinister league commissioner.
DeVito might need a bit of help from the makeup department to cover up his trademark bald spot to fit the Bettman look appropriately, but his salty demeanor and limited frame fit the billing nicely.
Kiefer Sutherland as Gerard Gallant
Last year, Gallant was prematurely fired from the Panthers. Now, he's on the verge of winning the Jack Adams Trophy as the coach of the year. He'd be the star of this film, so who better to portray him than one of the most distinguished Canadian actors in the business?
Nicolas Cage as George McPhee
Cage hasn't been in a good flick for almost a decade, but luckily for ol' Nicky boy, this concept is foolproof. McPhee's role in the film might be limited due to his position in the franchise, but capping Cage's screen time could be the perfect way to integrate his quirky "skills" into this story.
Tom Hardy as Deryk Engelland
Hardy is a perfect fit to play Vegas' tough, rugged leader. The Golden Knights don't have a captain, but if they were miraculously able to win the Stanley Cup, you can bet Engelland would be the first player to lift the trophy.
Engelland also rocks a pretty robust beard, so Hardy checks that box nicely, and we all know he can take on a physically-tasking role if need be.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jonathan Marchessault
In addition to the right look and build to play the diminutive Marchessault, Gordon-Levitt has proven to be a master of dialects and accents, a must to properly portray the Quebec native.
Marchessault operates mostly under the radar, so Gordon-Levitt's screen time and lines might be limited. Regardless, he'd be the perfect fit to play one of the Golden Knights' top forwards.
Chris Hemsworth as William Karlsson
Not only is Hemsworth capable of pulling off Karlsson's luscious blonde flow, but playing Vegas' 43-goal phenom would require some sort of heroic presence, which the Australian actor has in spades.
Ben Affleck as James Neal
Neal might have recently earned the moniker "The Real Deal," but Affleck has been a leading man for decades. So he has the acting chops to play a character like Neal, who would be featured prominently throughout the film as one of the biggest reasons the Knights find themselves in the hunt for a Cup.
Some solid makeup work would need to be done here, as Affleck has 15 years on Neal and is beginning to rock the salt-and-pepper dad look on the regular. But we still think he could pull it off with relative ease.
Jay Baruchel as Reilly Smith
Having a hockey movie without Baruchel would just seem wrong. While he may not be a perfect lookalike to Smith, he would undoubtedly bring humor to the locker room, even if it's in a small part.
Jandac added that the duo will play on the same line when they arrive.
Pastrnak set new career highs in goals (35), assists (45), and points (80) this season, and became the youngest player in NHL history to notch six points in a playoff game, eclipsing none other than Wayne Gretzky. The 21-year-old racked up 20 points in 12 postseason games.
Krejci was limited to 64 regular-season contests, but chipped in 17 goals and 44 points of his own prior to the playoffs, adding 10 points in 12 postseason games.
If Krejci does suit up, it will be the first time he's represented his home country since the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, according to 98.5 The Sports Hub.
Pastrnak played in the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto in the fall of 2016.
The Czech Republic defeated Switzerland in a shootout Tuesday to move into fourth place in Group A. The Czechs have no regulation wins through the first three games, but still have four contests remaining in the preliminary round.
Joe Thornton would like to remain in San Jose, and he's open to some concessions if that's what it takes to make it happen.
"I want to come back, and I'm sure we'll try to work something out. It's no secret I'm a Shark," the veteran forward said Tuesday at the club's clean-out session. "I bleed teal, and I want to come back. I know I'm going to be healthy when I come back, so I'm sure we can figure something out, but I want to come back."
When asked if the one-year deal he signed last summer is where he is "at" in terms of a potential contract, Thornton said that's something to which he'd be amenable.
"Yeah, I'm comfortable signing one-year deals, and it's fine."
The 38-year-old also took a selfless approach when asked if he'd be open to taking less money if that allowed the Sharks to pursue a "big fish" in free agency.
"Absolutely, there's enough money around for everybody ... I want this team ultimately to win the Stanley Cup," he said. "This city deserves it and these guys deserve it, so whatever we decide, (what's) going to be in the back of my head is just making this team better."
Thornton agreed to a one-year, $8-million deal with the Sharks last July after appearing in all but three regular-season games and four of San Jose's six playoff contests.
He played 47 games in 2017-18 before sitting out the final 35 in the regular season and all 10 in the postseason with what he revealed Tuesday to be MCL and ACL tears in his right knee, the same injuries he endured in his left knee last season.
Thornton is the Sharks' all-time assist leader, and he ranks second in points and games played behind Patrick Marleau.
The dates are set, with one participating team yet to be determined.
The NHL has released the Conference finals schedule, with the Washington Capitals set to visit the Tampa Bay Lightning for Game 1 in the East on May 11.
It's been well documented that San Jose Sharks centerman Joe Thornton was dealing with knee injuries this season, but we are finally learning just how banged up he was.
The longtime Shark suffered both an MCL and ACL tear in his right knee, according to Paul Gackle of Bay Area News Group. The exact same injuries he dealt with in his opposite knee a season before.
Thornton was missing from the Sharks' lineup since Jan. 23, sitting out San Jose's final 35 regular-season games. The injured knee also forced him to sit out for the entire playoffs.
In more positive news, Thornton told reporters Tuesday he wants to return to the Sharks next season. He went as far to say he would be willing to sign another one-year deal to stay in San Jose, according to Gackle.
Thornton inked a one-year, $8-million deal last July. He went on to register 13 goals and 23 assists in 47 games this season.
Vlasic has appeared in four major international tournaments for Canada, winning gold at the Olympics (2014) and the World Cup (2016), as well as two silver medals at the worlds (2009, 2017).
The 31-year-old recorded 11 goals and 21 assists in 81 regular-season games, and added two assists in 10 postseason appearances.
