If anyone ever doubted Sidney Crosby's work ethic or passion for the game of hockey, have a conversation Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet, who spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In a Q&A with Sports Illustrated, Tocchet revealed that he and Crosby would have late night phone conversations to simply talk hockey.

"He would text and say, 'You up?' And it'd be 10 o'clock. I'd do the same to him. Whatever the topic, 10 o’clock, 10:30, things like that," Tocchet told SI. "He's always thinking hockey, that kid. And that's why I love him. But it wasn't always hockey too. He made me a better coach, and a lot of those phone calls or texts really helped me, for sure."

When asked exactly what they would talk about specifically, or why Crosby made him a better coach, Tocchet didn't shy away.

"Because he keeps you on your toes. 'Hey, did you see that in this game tonight, the way this team ran a faceoff on the power play? What do you think?' I'd go, 'Shoot, I didn’t even see the game,' so I'd take a look at the game, come in around nine in the morning and we'd take a look at it together. So I better have some good answers for him or analyze some good stuff with him. It made me a harder-working coach," he said.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

It's clear that Crosby's devotion to the game is what makes him so special. Even with all the hardware he already has in his trophy case, he is continually looking for ways he can improve.

The praise from Tocchet shouldn't be understated either, considering he played with both Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky during his career. Tocchet has been fortunate enough to soak up knowledge from all three of these greats, and use it in his coaching.

"Mario and Wayne's calmness in high-pressure situations, and the way they react to them is something I've learned over the 20-something years I’ve been involved in hockey," Tocchet said. "Or the hockey IQ of Sidney Crosby, watching him ask a question to one of the coaches, or say something in a meeting, or analyze something with the team, his hockey IQ is outstanding.

"There's a lot of players I've learned over the years with work ethic, leaders in the room, but those three guys have special gifts. To be around those three guys, you can pick out some stuff and learn and implement it, for sure. I’m very lucky."

The evidence would suggest that the Coyotes made an astute hiring in Tocchet.

As for Crosby, being a great player doesn't always translate to being a successful coach, but it appears as though he has what it takes if he ever decided to take up coaching once his playing career is all said and done. He's seemingly already an assistant coach of sorts with the Penguins right now.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Gary Bettman doesn't sound keen on the idea of the New York Islanders returning to their old barn for the long haul.

"I don't view the Nassau Coliseum as a viable option," the NHL commissioner said Friday at a press conference announcing next year's Winter Classic at Citi Field in Queens, N.Y., according to Newsday's Jim Baumbach and Steve Zipay.

"Ultimately, whether or not the Islanders want to consider that and bring it to the league or something, you've had to ask them about it," Bettman said. "But my gut reaction is it's not a viable option."

Nassau lawmakers held a press conference of their own back in July in an attempt to woo the Islanders back to their original arena, even as a temporary solution.

The club will soon submit a proposal for a brand-new facility at Belmont Park. Bettman declined to specifically address that possibility Friday.

"The Islanders have very good options and they're in the process of evaluating what makes the most sense for the franchise and their fans," he said.

Bettman did say he believes the New York metro area can support another arena.

The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, as it's officially known, has been renovated over the last couple of years since the club left for Brooklyn's Barclays Center in 2015.

If officials with the Brooklyn-based facility want to opt out of their 25-year lease, as they've reportedly considered, that would have to happen before Jan. 30, according to Newsday.

The Islanders will play a preseason game at Nassau Coliseum on Sept. 17 against the Philadelphia Flyers, but Bettman said Friday he doesn't think playing additional games there "makes a lot of sense."

The club has dealt with several issues at Barclays Center, including piping systems that don't meet NHL requirements and poor sightlines.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vegas Golden Knights are likely to wait and "C."

With the expansion franchise's regular-season opener set for Oct. 6, it appears as though there will not be a captain in place when the puck drops.

"We may be better off just having a leadership group than naming one guy captain," general manager George McPhee said Thursday, per Lisa Dillman of NHL.com. "We really don't want to put a 'C' on a guy unless this is going to be the person that's going to lead us for a long time. We'd like to get to know these players a lot better than we know them right now."

McPhee has, of course, put together a full roster, but few players are under contract long term. Furthermore, he and head coach Gerard Gallant are in the process of getting to know the players, and there's no pressure to anoint a team leader without proper evaluation.

"Do you know a player well enough after a month - I'm not sure - to put a 'C' on them?" McPhee said. "So we'll see how it goes.

"Again, in this entire process in expansion, there's some uncertainty. We don't have all the answers. We've tried to prepare for everything. But we've embraced the uncertainty. That's what makes this fun."

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chris Neil isn't lacking in opportunity.

The gritty veteran winger remains an unrestricted free agent with training camps set to open next week, and while he's been presented with both one-year, one-way contracts and professional tryout offers heading into 2017-18, he's happy to wait it out in hopes of finding the best possible situation for him and his family.

"I've had some opportunities to go to some other teams and play, it just hasn't been the right fit for my family," the 38-year-old told TSN 1200 Radio Ottawa on Friday. "I think I've been very blessed to play as long as I have and so I'm able to sit back, and if there's the right fit for me, great. If there isn't, I'm also looking to spend time with my family."

Neil began playing for the Ottawa Senators in 2001 after being drafted 161st overall in 1998. Thus, not having a hockey home in place is a new experience for him. But again, he won't sign just anywhere.

"This is probably the first September in 20 years I haven't had a place to go and it wasn't from a lack of teams or interest. So I think for me, just being the right fit and obviously we're still talking with some teams and we'll go from there."

Neil racked up 112 goals, 138 assists, and 2,522 penalty minutes in 1,026 regular-season games in Ottawa.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After his unceremonious dismissal from his head coaching position in February, former Montreal Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien will serve as a scout for the team this season, he told TSN 690 Montreal on Friday.

Therrien was fired and replaced by Claude Julien on Valentine's Day amid the Habs' midseason swoon, where the team stumbled to an 18-18-7 record after starting the campaign 13-1-1. He was let go with two years left on his contract, providing him with the opportunity to continue working with the club.

Although several NHL teams hired new head coaches this offseason, Therrien apparently wasn't in the mix for many of the new gigs across the league. He did mention he had a conversation with the Florida Panthers, but the vacancy was eventually filled by first-time boss Bob Boughner.

Therrien spoke candidly about several controversial sagas during his tenure in Montreal, including the infamous 10-0 loss in Columbus, as well as his relationships with P.K. Subban, Max Pacioretty, and Carey Price. It can be listened to in its entirety here.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jason Pominville's return to the Buffalo Sabres allows him another opportunity to play outdoors.

The winger is the only player on the current roster who skated in the original Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium (now known as New Era Field) against the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008.

Almost a decade, eight Classics, and a stint with the Minnesota Wild later, Pominville feels privileged to look forward to the 2018 event between his Sabres and the New York Rangers at Citi Field, home of MLB's New York Mets.

"I was fortunate enough to play in the first one about 10 years ago in Buffalo," Pominville said Friday at a press conference at this season's venue. "Look at what it's become today. It's a privelege to be part of this. It's an honor.

"Our fans are excited about it, we're excited. Hopefully we can put on a good show and everyone will enjoy it."

Pominville, acquired in an offseason trade with the Wild this summer, was Buffalo's second-leading scorer in 2007-08. This time around, it'll likely be Jack Eichel who leads the club offensively, and the young center also has fond memories of the first Classic, but from a different vantage point.

This season's Winter Classic will be played on Jan. 1, 2018.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks have signed 22-year-old center Bo Horvat to a six-year contract extension worth $33 million, according to multiple reports.

As a restricted free agent, Horvat's $5.5-million annual cap hit will kick in immediately, making him the fourth-highest paid player on Vancouver's roster, trailing only the Sedin twins and Loui Eriksson.

Horvat built a strong case to sign a long-term deal coming off his entry-level contract, as he netted a career-high 52 points in 81 games in 2016-17 - good enough to lead the Canucks.

The Canucks identified Horvat as the centerpiece of their future at the 2013 draft, selecting him ninth overall on a pick acquired in exchange for goaltender Cory Schneider. Now, as one of few bright spots in the rebuilding organization, Horvat will be go-to guy as Vancouver navigates the transition back into relevancy.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Throughout the month of September, James Bisson and a cast of editors from theScore will share their rankings of the greatest players, teams, and moments in the 100-year history of the National Hockey League. This week's list focuses on the best individual seasons (* denotes a league-leading statistic).

100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 | 40-21 | 20-1

Voter List

• James Bisson, National Sports Editor
• Josh Wegman, NHL News Editor
• Sean O'Leary, NHL News Editor
• Esten McLaren, NHL News Editor
• Michael Amato, Senior News Editor
• Craig Hagerman, NHL News Editor
• Lanny Foster, Senior Social Media Editor
• Arun Srinivasan, News Editor

20. Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings (1988-89)

The Red Wings superstar showed he was capable of a big season a year earlier, scoring 50 goals and adding 52 assists in 64 games. But few were prepared for the kind of season Yzerman put together. Nobody other than Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky has recorded more points in a single campaign than he did in 1988-89.

19. Mike Bossy, New York Islanders (1981-82)

Perhaps the greatest pure goal-scorer in NHL history, Bossy showed off his playmaking side en route to one of the most impressive offensive seasons on record. Showing an incredible all-around game, Bossy placed third in Hart Trophy voting and second in the Lady Byng balloting while scoring 17 goals in 19 games to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

18. Brett Hull, St. Louis Blues (1990-91)

Other than Lemieux, nobody has come close to reaching Gretzky's incredible single-season goals record - nobody, that is, except for Hull. The Golden Brett (pictured above with dad Bobby) took his shot in 1990-91, ultimately coming up six goals shy but taking home the Hart Trophy in a narrow vote over Gretzky. Hull wound up scoring 70 or more goals in three straight seasons.

17. Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins (1969-70)

This was the season that Orr went from promising defense prospect to the most talented player in the NHL. Orr nearly doubled his point total from a season earlier, shattering defensemen scoring records on the way to becoming the first blue-liner to win a scoring title. His 20 points in 14 playoff games earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Bruins captured the Cup.

16. Dominik Hasek, Buffalo Sabres (1998-99)

Hasek has a pair of Hart Trophies on his mantel, but his best season - at least from a statistical perspective - might be one in which he didn't take home league MVP honors. Hasek's save percentage from the 1998-99 season is the fourth-best in league history, and he also established a career-low goals-against average en route to his fifth Vezina Trophy.

15. Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings (1990-91)

Gretzky put to rest any concerns about a potential drop-off in performance, securing his 10th league scoring title with his highest single-season assist total since 1985-86. It was the last time he scored 40 goals or posted 100 assists in a season; it was also the final time The Great One finished in the top two in Hart Trophy voting.

14. Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins (1970-71)

Before Gretzky and Lemieux took over, Esposito was the league record holder in both goals and points, putting together a season for the ages. He led the NHL in even-strength goals (50), power-play tallies (25) and game-winners (16) while taking an incredible 550 shots on goal. And yet, it still wasn't enough to earn league MVP honors; Esposito finished second in voting.

13. Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers (1980-81)

After coming oh-so-close to winning the NHL scoring title as a 19-year-old, Gretzky left no doubt the following season. Not only did he cruise to the Art Ross Trophy, he established a new league record for points in a season - a mark that wouldn't last very long, as we'll find out shortly. Gretzky celebrated the end of his teenage years with his second of eight straight Hart Trophies.

12. Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins (1970-71)

It's tough to decide which of Orr's seasons was the best, but you could easily make the case that this was No. 1, given that he set a record for scoring by a defenseman that still stands. And if that doesn't impress you, consider the plus-minus; Orr was on the ice for 124 more even-strength goals scored than he was for even-strength goals allowed. Mercy.

11. Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins (1995-96)

After injuries limited Lemieux to just 22 games in 1993-94 and cost him all of 1994-95, hockey fans were wondering if the best of Super Mario was over. Lemieux responded with emphasis, posting his fourth career 160-point season en route to his third Hart Trophy. It's the last time a player has scored more than 130 points in a season.

10. Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins (1987-88)

For the first three seasons of his career, Lemieux looked every bit the part of a No. 1 pick. But it was in Season 4 that he first looked like a challenger to Gretzky's reign of dominance. He ended The Great One's streak of scoring championships and was rewarded with the Hart Trophy. This season marks the only time Lemieux led the league in shots on goal (382).

9. Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers (1986-87)

While it doesn't represent Gretzky's greatest season from a points perspective, it was no less dominant than his peak years. The Great One captured the scoring title by an absurd 75 points over teammate Jari Kurri; even if you only counted his assists, Gretzky would have won the Art Ross by 13 points. This marked Gretzky's final 60-goal season.

8. Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers (1982-83)

As amazing as it is that Gretzky has four 200-point seasons to his credit, it's just as unfathomable to think that he came oh-so-close to a fifth. The 1982-83 season was the second of four straight in which Gretzky led the league in both goals and assists, and he went on to win the scoring championship by an incomprehensible 72 points over Peter Stastny.

7. Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins (1974-75)

Orr is the proud owner of the best NHL season not posted by Le Magnifique or No. 99 - and what a season it was. He set new benchmarks for goals by a defenseman, since broken by Paul Coffey. But while Coffey never led the league in scoring, Orr's sensational season earned him his second Art Ross Trophy to go along with his eighth consecutive Norris Trophy.

6. Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers (1984-85)

The third of Gretzky's four 200-point seasons features the best plus-minus showing of his career. The 135 helpers are the second-most of his career, and his 11 shorthanded goals mark the second straight year in which Gretzky had double-digit tallies while down a man. The result: a sixth consecutive Hart Trophy and a fifth straight scoring title.

5. Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins (1988-89)

Fans can only wonder what Lemieux would have done had he dressed for all 80 games. But one thing's for sure: he wouldn't have had to settle for falling agonizingly short of joining Gretzky in the 200-point club. Lemieux's career season includes league highs in power-play goals (31) and shorthanded markers (13), and he also managed to rack up 100 penalty minutes.

4. Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers (1983-84)

Proving his historic 1981-82 season was no fluke, Gretzky posted 200 or more points for the second time two years later. The 23-year-old completed a rare trifecta, leading the NHL in even-strength goals (55), power-play markers (20) and shorthanded tallies (12) while adding 11 game-winning goals on the way to his fifth Hart Trophy in a row.

3. Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers (1985-86)

The single-season NHL scoring record is also one of the more intriguing seasons in history. Gretzky was always good at spreading the wealth, but his 163-assist performance in 1985-86 would represent the 11th-highest-scoring season by itself. Whatever the motivation for his increased generosity, Gretzky's playmaking helped set a scoring mark that might never be broken.

2. Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins (1992-93)

It doesn't rank in the top five from a points perspective, but it's difficult to argue with Lemieux's 1992-93 campaign as one of the contenders for best season. Rallying to win the scoring title by 12 points after missing 24 games due to Hodgkin's disease proved to be an unbelievable end to one of the most unbelievable seasons in NHL history.

1. Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers (1981-82)

Between scoring 50 goals in his first 39 games, recording an NHL-record 68 even-strength tallies, and breaking his own league scoring record by 48 points - as a 21-year-old, no less - It's nearly impossible to fathom how dominant Gretzky was. In a career full of incredible accomplishments, his 1981-82 season stands head and shoulders above the rest.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Insert wide-eye emoji.

The morning after the Ottawa Senators announced the removal of 1,500 seats from Canadian Tire Centre in order to "right size" the arena, the Ottawa RedBlacks jumped on Twitter to jokingly break some news.

The tweet has since been deleted.

The RedBlacks - winners of the 2016 Grey Cup - average near capacity attendance, while the Senators struggled to fill their building during their run to the Eastern Conference finals this past spring.

Interestingly, the Senators will host the Montreal Canadiens at TD Place on Dec. 16 for the NHL100 Classic.

Those extra seats may come in handy after all.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.