Kruger cleared waivers in February and was assigned to the Charlotte Checkers, where he collected eight points in 19 games after managing only six points in 48 contests with Carolina.
Martinook potted six goals and chipped in 15 points while appearing in all but one regular-season game for the Coyotes this season.
Both players have another year left on their contracts, with Kruger on the books for about $2.7 million in 2018-19 after Carolina retains 10 percent of his salary, per CapFriendly. Martinook carries a cap hit of $1.8 million.
The incident marked the third time in the postseason Wilson has been on the giving end of a questionable hit. That, tied in with a broken jaw and concussion for Aston-Reese, likely played a role in the NHL Department of Player Safety opting to make a significant statement.
However, Oshie says he's been the recipient of several high hits in his career that went uncalled, and he isn't overly pleased to be without the Caps' top agitator until a potential Game 7.
"I'd like for them to watch the hit. I'd like for them to break it down for me," Oshie told NHL.com's Brian McNally. "From what I see, it's two guys that see each other. It's a north-south hit. Tom goes straight through his body. Yes, the head gets hit. But there's been a million times when I've gotten hit, I go to the ref, I say: 'I was hit in the head,' and the ref just says 'he's bigger than you.'
"That's the way it goes. I've been blown up a couple times this year and I haven't complained about it when it's a monster hit. I remember in New Jersey, someone blew me up at the end of the game. I knew he was coming, but I had to make a play. My head was down, he flew overtop of me, which I guess is jumping now if you fly up, and not a word was said."
Regardless of Oshie's thoughts, the highly entertaining Pens-Caps series moves on to Game 4 on Thursday night, with Washington facing an opportunity to grab a 3-1 series lead.
He passed away at his home in Florida, the NHL confirmed Thursday afternoon.
Torrey was the architect of the Islanders' four consecutive Stanley Cup championships in the early 1980s and later helped build the Panthers into instant contenders in the following decade.
"It is no wonder that he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and was the recipient of a Lester Patrick Award," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement Thursday.
"From his iconic bow tie, retired by the Islanders organization, to his devilish sense of humor, he truly was one of a kind," Bettman continued. "He grew up in close proximity to NHL greatness, near the Montreal Forum, where his passion for the game at all levels developed at an early age. He attended as many games as he could in junior rinks, where he was as at home as at an NHL Board of Governors meeting - and his counsel was sought out at both.
"On a personal level, Bill was a close and cherished friend and a great source of counsel. I will miss his wit, wisdom and warmth."
Torrey became the Islanders' first employee in 1972 and spent 21 years with the franchise, including 20 as GM and alternate governor.
"Bill set the model for how to build a franchise with the leadership he instilled through his coaching staff, his innovative drafting methods, and the trades he executed," current Islanders president and GM Garth Snow said Thursday.
"He was a pioneer, who became a mentor and even better friend, to so many in the industry. The teams he constructed set records that may never be broken, including the four straight Stanley Cup Championships and 19 straight playoff series wins. On behalf of the entire organization, we send our deepest condolences to Bill's family."
Torrey was named president of the expansion Panthers in 1993 and helped them reach the Cup Final three years later. He retired in 2001.
Panthers owner Vincent Viola said Thursday that he was heartbroken to hear of Torrey's passing, offered condolences to the family, and said it was an honor to work with him, while current President GM Dale Tallon also expressed his thoughts on one of modern hockey's most influential figures.
"Bill was a giant of our game," Tallon said. "He was the architect of a dynasty, a Hockey Hall of Famer and most importantly, a committed family man. I'm heartbroken by the news of his passing. Bill was a mentor and a dear friend who was instrumental in bringing me to South Florida to work alongside him.
"He was a wonderful person who never lost his passion for the game and loved being at the rink," Tallon continued. "I am proud to have worked with him and I will always be grateful for his support and friendship. He was a legend and the original Panther. I send my deepest condolences to his family and many friends. Bill's tremendous legacy will never be forgotten."
Torrey was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995 and received the Lester Patrick Award for outstanding service to the hockey community in 1983.
Any postseason matchup between the top two teams in their respective conference is bound to be a good one. But when you look at the star power between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins, it's easy to get excited at the prospect of these rosters going head to head in a best-of-seven series.
But three games into their second-round series, the Bruins' and Lightning's stars have gone mostly quiet, shifting the focus into a depth battle.
The Bruins' top line was dominant in Game 1, a 6-2 victory, but haven't been as potent in Games 2 and 3. The Kucherov-Stamkos pairing, on the other hand, has been completely silent, mustering just one point - an empty-netter from the captain to close out Wednesday's win.
With Tampa's duo struggling to get going, one would think Boston easily holds the upper hand. However, in back-to-back wins, the Lightning's depth players have outplayed the Bruins', and it's been the difference so far in the series.
After an admittedly poor Game 1, Brayden Point flipped the script and put forth a four-point effort in Game 2. Ondrej Palat, Point's left winger, scored two goals early in Game 3 to set the tone in what was a near perfect road victory, which also saw Anthony Cirelli bury his first NHL postseason marker.
(Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)
All in all, the Lightning have 25 points from lines two through four combined with the defensive corps through three games, while the Bruins have generated just nine points from players outside the aforementioned first unit.
The Bruins' strength all season long was the success of the Bergeron line, and that carried into the postseason, as they only beat the Leafs when that line was rolling. Now facing a deficit in a series for the first time in the playoffs, head coach Bruce Cassidy knows changes, either in performance or personnel, need to be made.
Cassidy was asked about the production of his third line, the scoreless triumvirate of Danton Heinen, Riley Nash, and David Backes, following Game 3, and he indicated a shakeup may be in order to help find a spark.
"I am concerned," he said, per Tim Rosenthal of Boston.com. "We've got some guys that weren't dressed tonight that have played well for this team.
"Some guys have had a tough time ... if they stay in, obviously they need to better."
The good news for the Bruins is they have several internal options capable of subbing in successfully, as the likes of Ryan Donato and Brian Gionta occupy the press box, and could feasibly step in and help balance the scales.
The Bruins just better hope it happens fast, because their season may depend on it.
Armia hasn't played since Game 5 of Round 1 when he left the contest with an upper-body injury. He recorded 29 points in 79 regular-season games and has one goal to his name so far in the playoffs.
There could be further reinforcements on the way for the Jets, as Mathieu Perreault, out since Game 1 of the first round, participated in the morning skate and could be an option as Winnipeg seeks a 3-1 series lead.
Armia hasn't played since Game 5 of Round 1 when he left the contest with an upper-body injury. He recorded 29 points in 79 regular-season games and has one goal to his name so far in the playoffs.
There could be further reinforcements on the way for the Jets, as Mathieu Perreault, out since Game 1 of the first round, participated in the morning skate and could be an option as Winnipeg seeks a 3-1 series lead.
Armia hasn't played since Game 5 of Round 1 when he left the contest with an upper-body injury. He recorded 29 points in 79 regular-season games and has one goal to his name so far in the playoffs.
There could be further reinforcements on the way for the Jets, as Mathieu Perreault, out since Game 1 of the first round, participated in the morning skate and could be an option as Winnipeg seeks a 3-1 series lead.
Zach Werenski will be out until at least early October as he recovers from a shoulder procedure.
The Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman had surgery Thursday to repair an injured shoulder and his recovery is expected to take five-to-six months, the club revealed.
Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Werenski has been dealing with the ailment since early this season, and the expectation is that the talented blue-liner will be ready to play by the start of next season or shortly thereafter.
Werenski ranked second only to defense partner Seth Jones among Blue Jackets in average ice time during the 2017-2018 regular season, logging 22:35 per game before the playoffs and bumping that up to 24:11 (fourth on the team) in the postseason.
He potted 16 goals and collected 37 points in 77 regular-season contests, chipping in a goal and three points in the Blue Jackets' six playoff games.
Zach Werenski will be out until at least early October as he recovers from a shoulder procedure.
The Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman had surgery Thursday to repair an injured shoulder and his recovery is expected to take five-to-six months, the club revealed.
Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Werenski has been dealing with the ailment since early this season, and the expectation is that the talented blue-liner will be ready to play by the start of next season or shortly thereafter.
Werenski ranked second only to defense partner Seth Jones among Blue Jackets in average ice time during the 2017-2018 regular season, logging 22:35 per game before the playoffs and bumping that up to 24:11 (fourth on the team) in the postseason.
He potted 16 goals and collected 37 points in 77 regular-season contests, chipping in a goal and three points in the Blue Jackets' six playoff games.
In the weeks leading up to the 2018 NHL Draft, theScore NHL prospect writer Hannah Stuart breaks down 10 of the most notable draft-eligible prospects. The fourth edition focuses on Quinn Hughes.
Born in Florida, raised in Toronto, and a key part of the future of USA Hockey, Quinn Hughes sounds like an inspirational sports movie. And his NHL career is just months, at the least, away from its start. With a father who is the former director of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs and a mother who played at the University of New Hampshire, hockey is in the eldest Hughes son's blood - and when he's on the ice, it shows.
Last season in his Draft-2 year, Hughes was a point-per-game player in 26 USHL games. Those numbers are almost unheard of for a defenseman his age. To give you an idea of just how good they are, no other defenseman in USHL history has put up a better points-per-game ratio in his Draft–1 year (i.e. the season leading up to his draft). That includes fellow Americans Seth Jones and Charlie McAvoy, who are widely considered some of the top defensemen among USA Hockey’s younger set.
Year In Review
Hughes accelerated his education and finished high school early to attend the University of Michigan and play for the Wolverines this year. Despite being the youngest player in college hockey (he turned 18 in mid-October 2017), he finished the season with 28 points, the third-highest on his team. He was named to the All-Big Ten freshman team and the All-Big Ten second team, and currently sits in first place for assists by a freshman D-man in program history with 24.
He represented Team USA at the 2018 World Junior Championships in Buffalo, where he had three assists and earned a bronze medal. Hughes is currently in Denmark as a member of Team USA for the upcoming IIHF World Championships. It remains to be seen how much ice time he'll get - he was listed as the team’s seventh defenseman in the first tuneup game against Denmark. It's a great opportunity for him either way, and it shows that USA Hockey clearly has him in mind when looking at its future.
Areas of Strength
Hughes is probably the best skater in this year's draft class. He separates himself from his opponents easily with his stride and top-end speed. He's agile, able to beat defenders easily 1-on-1 and to get back quickly if it becomes necessary. He's got a quick release and a solid arsenal of shots, but he's an even stronger playmaker. He constantly jumps up into the rush, his elite hockey sense and vision guiding him when it comes to choosing his opportunities.
He frequently anticipates the play better than those on the ice with him, opponents and teammates alike. Hughes is a creative player, so he's going to take more risks than your average stay-at-home blue-liner. High-risk, high-reward. It's the direction the defensive game is going in the NHL, albeit slowly.
Areas of improvement
There is some belief that Hughes needs to add size, as he's a smaller player (he's listed at 5-foot-10 and 174 pounds). Size issues can be overcome with his speed and his elusive nature, however. His play in the defensive zone could use some work, including improving his positioning and working on getting pucks from attackers. But given how high-level his hockey IQ is, it's a good bet that those things will come with further experience.
Scouting Reports
"After an initial feeling-out phase as the NCAA's youngest player, Hughes has been entering dominant mode ... For comparison sake, the 5-foot-10 rearguard outproduced fellow 2018 draft pick and forward, Brady Tkachuk and has more points than 2017 fourth overall pick Cale Makar as a first year NCAA player. Hughes blends exquisite edgework with blistering acceleration and a mind for creating offense. He's a one man breakout machine and could challenge Filip Zadina for third overall when names are being called in Dallas this June." - Cam Robinson, DobberProspects.com
"Hughes is a strong playmaker with excellent vision, capable of threading the needle with either hard or saucered cross-ice passes. Additionally, he has a heavy shot with a quick release, and goaltenders have to work hard to control rebounds off his shots. Hughes makes plays on his backhand look effortless, and he's adept at receiving and settling down pucks while traveling at a high rate of speed. His defensive play is relatively sound in terms of positioning and 1-on-1 tactics. Hughes has improved the timing of his step-ups and hip checks, and he stands his ground on zone entries despite obvious limitations in size and stick length. Losing slot territory to bigger players should be expected, but Hughes is a clever thief with a quick stick who transitions from defense to offense in the blink of an eye. He has top-pairing potential and can quarterback any power play regardless of the talent or skill level of the surrounding personnel." - Steve Kournianos, TheDraftAnalyst.com
Did You Know?
Hughes was inspired to attend the University of Michigan after watching fellow U.S. National Team Development Program alumni Dylan Larkin and Zach Werenski play for the Wolverines.
When he was asked about it once, Hughes said he'd never considered getting a Canadian passport to play for Canada - it was always Team USA.
His nontraditional market roots aren't limited to his Florida birthplace. Mom Ellen, who also played defense, was born and raised in Dallas, Texas.
