"There are certain expectations and values that we have established for our players that define our culture," general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in the release. "An incident occurred in which Sergei failed to meet those expectations and values, so we made the decision that he would not be with the team for tonight's game. This is an internal matter and we will have no further comment at this time."
The "incident" is believed to have occurred in Tampa Bay following the team's 4-0 loss to the Lightning (where Bobrovsky was pulled after the fourth goal), and prior to the team's flight out of town, sources told The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.
Members of the team's leadership group pulled Bobrovsky aside for a meeting on the tarmac before their departure, Portzline notes.
Kekalainen confirmed that the incident did not involve head coach John Tortorella.
"It's got nothing to do with the coach," Kekalainen said. "It's a decision we made as an organization. Obviously, we had the coach involved in that decision, but it's got nothing to do with Tortorella vs. Bobrovsky.
"People seem to be thinking there’s some kind of issue between the coach and the goalie. There's no issue."
In a corresponding move, the team recalled goaltender Jean-Francois Berube from the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League.
Bobrovsky is in the midst of a down year by his standards, having gone 18-13-1 with a 2.87 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage in 32 games. The 30-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent at the end the season.
A minor hockey team that stood up for one of its players after he was the subject of racist taunts got a surprise from the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.
The Capitals sent the Metro Maple Leafs a video of forward Devante Smith-Pelly and defenseman John Carlson inviting them to Washington's game against the St. Louis Blues on Jan. 14.
Divyne Apollon II, a 13-year-old blue-liner on the 14-and-under club based in Odenton, Md., was subjected to taunts from an opposing team at a tournament in December, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.
His teammates fought the opponents at the end of the game in response to the taunts. After Apollon was suspended for the rest of the tournament for his part in the melee, the team placed logos on their sticks with the word "Racism" crossed out by a hockey stick.
Smith-Pelly, who is black, wanted to do something to show his support after reading about the incident.
"It's crazy that's still going on in 2019, but I really like how he stood up for himself and how the team had his back too," Smith-Pelly told Gulitti. "For 13-year-old kids to put a foot in the sand and stand up for their teammate at 13 years old, that's pretty remarkable.
"So I liked reading that part of him standing up for himself and his whole team, a team of kids, standing up for him, too."
A group of Chicago Blackhawks fans targeted Smith-Pelly with racist taunts during a game at the United Center last February.
Canada's captain Maxime Comtois was the victim of cyberbullying after missing a penalty shot in his team's loss to Finland in the world juniors quarterfinal game.
The Anaheim Ducks prospect took to Twitter on Wednesday to respond to the spiteful comments and thank those who stood up for him.
"Thank you, everyone, for the kind words towards me and my family," Comtois said. "Cyberbullying is a real threat. No one should go through that. Let's prevent it. If you are getting bullied or ever had been please speak up."
Included in those who offered kind words for Comtois was Sidney Crosby, who offered advice to the 19-year-old and said the penalty shot won't "define who he is."
Comtois also wrote a heartfelt message to his teammates and Canadian fans despite exiting the tournament without a medal:
"Playing in the World Junior Championship and representing Canada is a dream to every hockey kid in this country, and it was mine too. Last year, we achieved our goal of winning a gold medal, but we can't say the same this year. However, this is not the end of the line for all of us, rather the start of our careers where we can learn from these types of games in order to advance as an athlete and grow as a person. Myself and my teammates gave their hearts and souls, both on and off the ice, to represent our country to the best of our abilities.
"The three-and-a-half-week process we went through will be one I will remember for my whole life. We grew from a group of hockey players around Canada to a family in that short amount of time. I want to thank each of my teammates for giving their best efforts every night, and the great Canadian fans for being behind us every single game. Especially our families, who sacrificed their holidays to support and be with us during this journey. I am proud to be Canadian, honored to wear the maple leaf on my chest and represent my country on the ice."
Gary Bettman says he would be happy if the NHL and NHLPA make few waves in coming to a resolution in upcoming negotiations over the collective bargaining agreement.
"I'm not in favor of having a difficult negotiation," the commissioner told reporters, including NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika, on Wednesday.
"I'm hoping we can extend or renew (the CBA) with minimum fanfare, and I'm not a fan of work stoppages, although we do have to have a system that works and keeps the game healthy and vibrant and entertaining as it is now. So we'll see what happens, but I'm not looking for a fight."
The NHL's current CBA expires after the 2021-22 season, but the league can elect to opt out on Sept. 1 of this year. If the league forgoes that opportunity, the players' association can opt out Sept. 15.
The NHL's newest franchise will apparently host the league's midseason showcase in the first decade of its existence.
Seattle's new team has been promised an All-Star Game within seven years, commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters, including NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika, on Wednesday.
Bettman added that the draft is likely coming sooner than the All-Star Game, and that the team name should be revealed in 2019.
He also said the NHL will have to study the feasibility of an outdoor game there.
Seattle will begin play in 2021-22, one season later than the franchise was originally hoping to enter the league.
Mitch Marner and his camp are firm on their stance that contract talks with the Toronto Maple Leafs are on hold until the offseason.
In September, Marner's agent Darren Ferris said the preference would be to wait until the summer to sign despite productive discussions with general manager Kyle Dubas. On Wednesday, Ferris assured their position hasn't changed.
Marner is in the midst of a breakout campaign and currently ranks eighth in league scoring with 55 points in 42 games.
The Maple Leafs also face a critical negotiation with fellow restricted free agent Auston Matthews with a projected league-wide salary cap increase and $23.2 million available to spend for next season, per Cap Friendly.
Topps released a limited number of these test cards to the California market following the 1967 NHL expansion, making them "extremely scarce," according to Lelands.
The champagne's been popped, the calendar's turned, and the world juniors are over - it's now 2019, and the next NHL Entry Draft is less than six months away.
Without further ado, here's the third edition of theScore's Prospect Big Board (player ages and stats as of Wednesday, Jan. 9):
1. Jack Hughes
C | 5-foot-10 | 168 lbs | U.S. National Team Development Program Age: 17 | Previous Rank: 1
GP
G
A
P
26
12
38
50
Hughes is still hockey's top prospect - and barring some dramatic, unforeseen event, that isn’t going to change. While he sat out three games at the world juniors, Hughes did produce four assists in four appearances and had moments when it seemed like his numbers would have been much better with different wingers. Regardless, his speed and electric skill set were on display during most shifts, and we should expect a big second half with the U.S. National Team Development Program and at the Under-18 World Championship in April.
2. Kaapo Kakko
Rich Lam / Getty Images Sport / Getty
RW | 6-foot-1 | 181 lbs | TPS (Liiga, Jr. A SM-liiga) Age: 17 | Previous Rank: 2
GP
G
A
P
27
9
11
20
Kakko's tournament-winning goal for Finland at the world juniors was just the latest example of why he's a star in the making. Though he's still behind Hughes, there's a wide gap between Kakko and the next tier of prospects, and his advanced hockey sense is a big reason. It’s not the only reason, though, as he also brings an appealing combination of composure, high-end puck skills, and physicality.
Dylan Cozens and Peyton Krebs are hot on his heels, but at this point we still prefer Dach. While his scoring pace has slowed down - thanks to an 11-game stretch with just one assist - Dach still has more points than games played. With a high offensive ceiling and an NHL-ready frame, he looks to be solidly in the top five.
If you're wondering why Podkolzin's only played 10 MHL games ... well, he had a very busy December. The winger followed up an excellent Hlinka-Gretzky Cup performance by representing Russia at both the World Junior-A Challenge, where he had eight points in six games and won silver, and the world juniors, where he had three points in seven games and earned bronze. It's easy to like Podkolzin when you see his tenacity in these best-on-best matchups - especially against older players at the world juniors - while he's a smart, creative forward who's effective at both ends of the ice.
Cozens was the 2017-18 WHL Rookie of the Year for a reason. He's the full package - a complete, confident player who makes smart decisions, battles hard, and burns opponents with high-end speed. Don’t be surprised if Cozens moves up even higher as the season wears on. Keep an eye out for him - and others - in the upcoming CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
6. Bowen Byram
Marissa Baecker / Getty Images Sport / Getty
D | 6-foot-1 | 192 lbs | Vancouver Giants (WHL) Age: 17 | Previous Rank: 4
GP
G
A
P
38
10
23
33
Byram's still the top defenseman in this year’s class, as his terrific skating, excellent poise, and high-end vision make him a one-man breakout machine. He's occasionally caught out of position, but it's the type of risk that comes with young, dynamic puck-moving defensemen, and an area where Byram should improve as he matures.
Boldy's improved shot and skating ability - combined with silky hands and composure - make him another appealing product of the U.S. development program. He takes advantage of every opening to create opportunities for himself and his teammates, and he managed to keep producing just fine without Jack Hughes (which is also a credit to teammate Trevor Zegras, who's one spot back).
Zegras is sometimes hidden behind Hughes with the USNTDP, but he showcased his high-end skills during the latter's time at the world juniors. As a crafty playmaker and an excellent skater, Zegras creates chances for his teammates and embarrasses opponents.
9. Alex Newhook
C | 5-foot-11 | 183 lbs | Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) Age: 17 | Previous Rank: 10
GP
G
A
P
35
21
42
63
Newhook still possesses the raw skills we liked so much early in the season - burning speed and playmaking ability - but he needs to pick it back up in the second half following a less-than-impressive World Junior-A Challenge. On a more positive note, Newhook's only three points away from last year's point totals in 10 fewer games.
Broberg, a smooth-skating defenseman with power behind his stride, has leapfrogged up these rankings, in part due to a respectable performance as an underager at the world juniors. While he's got space for growth (especially with his puckhandling skills), Broberg projects to be a solid player at the next level.
Krebs is an exciting, tenacious, well-rounded player who could certainly be selected inside the top 10. He performs well under pressure, and his elite offensive production is largely due to his excellent vision.
While he needs to improve his game away from the puck, Suzuki's a creative and exciting forward. Teams will salivate over his puckhandling skills and his high-end vision.
Sure, he's small, but so is Alex DeBrincat. Caufield's offensive instincts and terrific skating ability - along with having virtually no quit in his game - make him a threat nearly every time he's on the ice.
Everyone rejoice - Turcotte's healthy once more and should display the skills that kept him high on this list even while missing time. He's a relentless player with strong offensive instincts who makes good decisions at both ends of the ice. And realistically, Turcotte's probably a top-10 talent, so don’t be surprised if he climbs back up these ranking.
York's a strong, mobile defenseman with a high offensive ceiling. He's also an excellent skater who's poised and continues to improve the weaker areas of his game.
Lavoie scored an invite to Canada’s world junior pre-tournament camp, and that's nothing to sneeze at. The projected power forward has an accurate and heavy shot, while he's good at protecting the puck.
17. Victor Soderstrom
D | 5-foot-11 | 176 lbs | Brynas IF J18/J20 (J18 Elit/SuperElit) Age: 17 | Previous Rank: 17
GP
G
A
P
14
1
7
8
Soderstrom's an offensively minded puck-mover who, despite his size, isn’t afraid to get involved in the physical side of the game. He's also recorded four points, including two goals, in 22 SHL games this season.
Robertson isn't the flashiest defender out there when it comes to offense, but he's smart, plays in all situations, and is pretty mobile for a guy who stands 6-foot-4.
Kaliyev may not be at a goal-per-game pace anymore, but he's always dangerous thanks to his excellent release. He protects the puck well and isn’t afraid to get into difficult spots.
20. Connor McMichael
C | 6-foot-0 | 170 lbs | London Knights (OHL) Age: 17 | Previous Rank: 36
GP
G
A
P
37
25
21
46
McMichael's terrific vision, hockey IQ, and point production in the OHL make him an appealing prospect. He's also a good skater and playmaker who works hard in all three zones.
Hannah Stuart keeps a close eye on both drafted and draft-eligible prospects and can usually be found trying to learn more about hockey analytics. She has previously written for FanRag Sports, The Hockey Writers, and Hooked On Hockey Magazine, and can also be found at High Heels and High Sticks. Find her on Twitter @HockeyWthHannah.
