Evander Kane's days with the Buffalo Sabres appear to be numbered.

Kane confirmed to Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News that he won't be re-signed by the Sabres, meaning the winger is set to become one of the bigger prizes at both the trade deadline and in free agency.

From Harrington:

He's in the final year of a six-year, $31.25 million contract he signed with the Winnipeg Jets in 2012 and confirmed to The Buffalo News this week what has been widely assumed: The Sabres have never negotiated with him on a new deal.

The decision, Kane added, appears to be mainly organizational, as he would've been more than willing to talk to general manager Jason Botterill about a contract extension.

"Of course I would have. Absolutely," he said. "I've said from Day One I've really enjoyed the time here. For me, it's a place where I've grown to know more and more about Buffalo. It's been a real great experience for me. I'm just going to continue that until I get told something different."

Kane has recorded 16 goals and 20 assists in 44 games for the Sabres, and is on pace to match his career-high 30 goals while setting a new personal bar in points.

He'll be highly sought after in a trade and later on the open market, but the asking price will likely be set quite high by the Sabres, even if interested teams might only gain his services for the balance of this season.

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The Ottawa Senators' poor season apparently hasn't motivated players to head for the hills.

General manager Pierre Dorion noted to reporters Thursday that no player has requested a trade, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.

Dorion also said he hasn't shopped any players to other teams - though that's partly because other teams came calling on their own.

"I haven't shopped anyone," Dorion said, according to TSN's Brent Wallace. He added, "We have good players - that's why they (other GMs) are calling."

The Senators currently own the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference, and are consequently widely expected to be sellers at the trade deadline.

The general manager added that he has not been instructed to shed salary, suggesting a full-scale rebuild isn't currently top of mind.

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When Brian Gionta last played in the Olympics in 2006, his final NHL game before the break allowed him just three days to fly to Italy and get acclimated before suiting up for Team USA.

This time around, the semi-retired U.S. captain and his Olympic teammates will get four whole practice days before opening the tournament against Slovenia on Feb. 14.

''With the NHL setup, you fly over there, you have a small window to practice in and then you're right into the games,'' Gionta said. ''We've had the added benefit of being able to go over to the Deutschland Cup and be together for that week. A lot of the guys that were there are on the team and have a good understanding of each other. But I think that's a nice change, I guess, from previous Olympics.''

Still, the U.S. lost all three games at that tournament in November and didn't score more than two goals in any of them. Preparation under a new coach, learning the nuances and habits of new teammates are certainly key, but every men's hockey team going to South Korea is in a much different situation from any previous Olympics.

Before NHL players began participating in 1998, national teams were centralized and spent months together - much like women's teams do now. In contrast, the past five Olympics featured quick turnarounds when it came to training because so many players were also in the NHL, which decided this time around not to pause its 82-game regular season.

However, no NHL didn't automatically translate into more practice time as the teams were put together.

Almost everyone on an Olympic roster is playing professionally or in college, so there isn't much of an opportunity for training camps - though Canada, Russia and other countries are making the most of any time they have to get together. Russia's Kontinental Hockey League has its final games before the Olympic break Jan. 28, and other European leagues will release players shortly after that so they can prepare.

Chock full of stars from the KHL, including former NHL players Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk, Russia should be the first to have its full team together and will play exhibition games in Moscow on Jan. 30 and Feb. 4. Canada is gathering as many players as possible in Latvia on Jan. 28 and will play two exhibition games there and one more in South Korea before the Olympics begin as it tries to win a third consecutive gold medal.

''We have access to our players very early, and we're going to take advantage of that,'' said Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada's vice president of hockey operations and national teams. ''We're actually going to simulate the first two games of the Olympics with the ice times and the game times and try to get used to that kind of quick turnaround from a 9 p.m. game and a day off and a noon game.''

Sweden, which has a handful of former NHL players and projected 2018 No. 1 draft pick Rasmus Dahlin , will gather in Seoul for four days of practice before facing Canada on Feb. 12. The Czech Republic will hold training camp in Prague from Jan. 29-Feb. 6 before practicing in Seoul and playing an exhibition game against Finland on Feb. 11, while the Swiss are scheduled to play Germany in Kloten, Switzerland, on Feb. 6 and Norway in Goyang, South Korea, five days later.

USA Hockey general manager Jim Johannson said his team won't play any exhibition games with most U.S. players arriving in South Korea on Feb. 8. Johannson said the U.S. will practice Feb. 10-13 and get in a game-day skate Feb. 14, which coach Tony Granato feels will be enough preparation.

''We've all been parts of multiple tournaments like this, so we're not unfamiliar with them,'' said Granato, who played 49 games with the U.S. national team prior to the 1988 Olympics and currently coaches at the University of Wisconsin. ''A lot of the excitement and build-up leading up to it makes it that much better - you're going to get there, we're going to jump on the ice, we're going to practice and then a few days later we'll be center stage and ready to play.''

Seventeen of the 25 U.S. players were at the Deutschland Cup in November and won't be back on the ice together until nearly three months later. The U.S. women's team? They gathered in Florida in September, played a series of games against top Olympic rival Canada and have been together since.

''It's a huge bonus and a huge advantage to be together all year,'' forward Meghan Duggan said. ''(It's ) a difference from a world championship year, a non-Olympic year where we play with our pro teams and our club teams or college teams and get together for certain periods of time whether it be for world championships or Four Nations Cup or training camp.''

Canada's men's team took part in several Olympic tune-up tournaments for evaluation purposes. GM Sean Burke, who played in goal for Canada in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics, is trying to make the most of this hybrid schedule to put coach Willie Desjardins and his team in the best position to succeed.

''We've had a lot of time to not only evaluate our players but have them together to do some team-building and we're going to get a good two-week training camp. I like the process,'' Burke said. ''Our coaching staff can really get down to working on our systems and having everything in place that they're comfortable with. That's a real nice luxury to have.''

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AP Sports Reporters Teresa M. Walker and James Ellingworth contributed.

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Follow Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWhyno

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More AP Olympic coverage: https://wintergames.ap.org

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The Boston Bruins are a cornerstone franchise in the NHL.

The Original Six club never seems to be truly out of Cup contention, qualifying for the playoffs 11 out of the last 15 seasons despite personnel changes in the front office, behind the bench, and obviously on the ice.

This year's edition of the Bruins is once again on pace to be playing postseason puck. It's the perfect balance of young and experienced players sprinkled throughout Boston's lineup that should have fans in Beantown already circling dates on the calendar for April, May, and perhaps, June.

The excellent mix of young and veteran players is easiest to see by taking a glimpse at Boston's forward line combinations used in its most recent contest against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night.

(Line combinations courtesy: Daily Faceoff)

Every single line has the Bruins' biggest strength on full display: depth.

Boston's ability to roll out four lines allows head coach Bruce Cassidy the luxury of not having to overplay his top-six forward group, a unit that includes players Brad Marchand, David Krejci, and Patrice Bergeron - three key players aged 29 or older.

However, Cassidy augments his aging players by blending guys like David Pastrnak, Jake DeBrusk, and Danton Heinen into his lineup. Three forwards that are all under the age of 23.

The even mix of age and youth is arguably best exemplified on the back end, where veteran D-man Zdeno Chara and rookie rearguard Charlie McAvoy form the Bruins' top defensive pairing. Big Z and McAvoy are separated in age by exactly 20 years, but that isn't stopping them from forging a chemistry that sees the pair earn over 22 minutes a night, each.

Of course, a well-balanced attack only means something if it translates into tangible success. And luckily for Cassidy and Co., his eclectic mix of players is doing exactly that as the Bruins have been nothing short of sensational over the last two months.

Since Nov. 16, Boston has registered an impressive 19-3-4 record while outscoring opponents at almost a two-to-one clip, earning 58 points to date.

In addition to success in the standings, the Bruins are excelling statistically, and a lot of that stems from their solid power play and penalty kill.

Boston owns the ninth-best PP (21 percent) and PK (83.1 percent) in the league. But, what is perhaps the most impressive stat of them all are the 109 goals the Bruins have allowed this season - good for second least in the NHL.

Goaltender Tuukka Rask has also benefited from the balanced attack in front of him, as the veteran netminder is having one of the best seasons of his 11-year career. Across 29 games this campaign, the 30-year-old goaltender has registered a 16-8-4 record to go along with two shutouts and a sparkling 2.21 goals-against average.

Simply put, Boston is firing on all cylinders, and a lot of it has to do with a deep lineup.

Entering Thursday night's action, the Bruins find themselves sitting pretty with a seven-point cushion on the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. And with a roster so well balanced with youth and experience, Boston could very well continue its assault on the rest of the league well into spring.

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The Dallas Stars had been showing signs of improvement since undergoing a major offseason overhaul, but after a decent yet unspectacular start, they're really clicking now.

Dallas has reeled off four wins in its last five games and eight in its last 11, including a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. The team now sits in the first Western Conference wild-card spot, but it's not just Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn doing the heavy lifting.

After missing the playoffs a season ago, there are several factors that can explain why Dallas is finally putting the pieces together:

Defense

The biggest reason for the Stars' improvement isn't one of their marquee mainstays or free-agent acquisitions, but rather head coach Ken Hitchcock, who was brought back into the organization to replace the fired Lindy Ruff last spring.

Hitchcock's defensive emphasis has noticeably improved the club through 46 games, and has been evident on even the most basic levels:

The Stars are surrendering fewer shots on goal per contest, even as the rate across the entire league has risen:

Most importantly, they're limiting opposing scoring chances better than any other team after being one of the worst at doing so last season:

That's a stunning transformation, and the Stars' ability to limit opposing shots and scoring chances should continue, as the club ranks fifth in the NHL in expected goals against (73.17) at even strength.

Klingberg's development

John Klingberg had a mild setback by his standards in 2016-17, even though it was ultimately a productive campaign, but he's now taken his game to a completely different level.

Dallas' franchise defenseman followed up a 58-point season in 2015-16 with a 49-point effort last year, but he's piling up nearly a point per game (43 in 46 contests) so far in 2017-18, leading all NHL defensemen in assists and points while not getting much recognition for it.

Klingberg is driving possession at an even-strength Corsi For percentage of 53.66, compared to his 49.7 mark from 2016-17. That ranks him second best among Stars' skaters this season, compared to a mere 19th last year.

Considering how much better his team is playing on the defensive end and how well he's performing offensively, few are questioning Klingberg's defensive abilities, but they haven't actually been cause for much concern. In fact, his expected goals against compares favorably to some similar players.

Klingberg should certainly be in the Norris Trophy conversation if he continues to produce at or near this level, and even if he regresses, his development is a major reason why the Stars have made a leap themselves.

Radulov and that fearsome top line

Benn and Seguin are always going to be among the league's best at generating offense, but the addition of Alexander Radulov and the insertion of the ever-animated winger on Dallas' top forward unit has created a truly formidable trio.

Some questioned Stars general manager Jim Nill for signing the 30-year-old Radulov to a five-year deal last July, but it's paying off in spades right now, particularly since Hitchcock put Radulov alongside Dallas' two most explosive scorers.

The Russian forward has 17 goals and 42 points in 46 games, and he's helped bolster both Seguin's and Benn's production. Seguin's 0.48 goals per game so far would be a 50 percent improvement over last season, while Benn's goal and point averages are also up from 2016-17.

Dallas has possessed a potent double-pronged offensive attack for years, but Radulov has made it even better, and he's been a huge reason for the club's success so far this season.

(Photos courtesy Getty Images, statistics courtesy Corsica Hockey, Hockey Reference, and Natural Stat Trick)

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The Dallas Stars had been showing signs of improvement since undergoing a major offseason overhaul, but after a decent yet unspectacular start, they're really clicking now.

Dallas has reeled off four wins in its last five games and eight in its last 11, including a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. The team now sits in the first Western Conference wild-card spot, but it's not just Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn doing the heavy lifting.

After missing the playoffs a season ago, there are several factors that can explain why Dallas is finally putting the pieces together:

Defense

The biggest reason for the Stars' improvement isn't one of their marquee mainstays or free-agent acquisitions, but rather head coach Ken Hitchcock, who was brought back into the organization to replace the fired Lindy Ruff last spring.

Hitchcock's defensive emphasis has noticeably improved the club through 46 games, and has been evident on even the most basic levels:

The Stars are surrendering fewer shots on goal per contest, even as the rate across the entire league has risen:

Most importantly, they're limiting opposing scoring chances better than any other team after being one of the worst at doing so last season:

That's a stunning transformation, and the Stars' ability to limit opposing shots and scoring chances should continue, as the club ranks fifth in the NHL in expected goals against (73.17) at even strength.

Klingberg's development

John Klingberg had a mild setback by his standards in 2016-17, even though it was ultimately a productive campaign, but he's now taken his game to a completely different level.

Dallas' franchise defenseman followed up a 58-point season in 2015-16 with a 49-point effort last year, but he's piling up nearly a point per game (43 in 46 contests) so far in 2017-18, leading all NHL defensemen in assists and points while not getting much recognition for it.

Klingberg is driving possession at an even-strength Corsi For percentage of 53.66, compared to his 49.7 mark from 2016-17. That ranks him second best among Stars' skaters this season, compared to a mere 19th last year.

Considering how much better his team is playing on the defensive end and how well he's performing offensively, few are questioning Klingberg's defensive abilities, but they haven't actually been cause for much concern. In fact, his expected goals against compares favorably to some similar players.

Klingberg should certainly be in the Norris Trophy conversation if he continues to produce at or near this level, and even if he regresses, his development is a major reason why the Stars have made a leap themselves.

Radulov and that fearsome top line

Benn and Seguin are always going to be among the league's best at generating offense, but the addition of Alexander Radulov and the insertion of the ever-animated winger on Dallas' top forward unit has created a truly formidable trio.

Some questioned Stars general manager Jim Nill for signing the 30-year-old Radulov to a five-year deal last July, but it's paying off in spades right now, particularly since Hitchcock put Radulov alongside Dallas' two most explosive scorers.

The Russian forward has 17 goals and 42 points in 46 games, and he's helped bolster both Seguin's and Benn's production. Seguin's 0.48 goals per game so far would be a 50 percent improvement over last season, while Benn's goal and point averages are also up from 2016-17.

Dallas has possessed a potent double-pronged offensive attack for years, but Radulov has made it even better, and he's been a huge reason for the club's success so far this season.

(Photos courtesy Getty Images, statistics courtesy Corsica Hockey, Hockey Reference, and Natural Stat Trick)

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EAST MEADOW, N.Y. – Playing alongside John Tavares is good for most players, as anyone from Matt Moulson to Kyle Okposo will tell you. As much of a boost as there is from skating on the Islanders captain’s line, though, the season that Anders Lee is having is something different.

It was last season when Lee linked up with Tavares and Josh Bailey, with Lee playing about two-thirds of his five-on-five minutes as part of the trio. The result was a career-best 34 goals. Lee has only continued to fill the net this campaign, with Tavares taking aim at his first career 100-point season and Bailey – in mid-January – only six points away from the career-high point total of 56 he set a year ago.

"It’s a combination of good line chemistry, working hard, getting bounces, taking advantage of opportunities, and trying to pick up where we left off last year," Lee told theScore. "I’ve kind of rolled with it this year … Us three have been together at parts since I’ve been here, but consistently for the last year or so, plus, and I think all three of our games, the chemistry, the different styles just meld together really well. The way those two see the ice and we work off each other, and stick to our own game, makes us successful."

With 26 goals, Lee trails only Washington's Alex Ovechkin and Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov in the race for the Rocket Richard Trophy. He's on pace for 46 goals, and more than halfway through the season, that means it’s possible to start thinking historically.

The highest goal total for a Tavares linemate was Moulson's 36 in 2011-12. The last Islanders 40-goal man was Jason Blake in 2006-07. It’s been 20 years since Ziggy Palffy recorded the Islanders’ last 45-goal season, and 25 since Pierre Turgeon was their last to hit 50. While the half-century mark is within reach, Turgeon’s 58 from the 1992-93 season is probably out of the picture.

Lee doesn't mind talking about reaching various scoring plateaus - but the 27-year-old is far more excited by the Minnesota Vikings’ playoff run. Lee is, after all, from Edina, Minn., and was the runner-up for the state’s “Mr. Football” award his senior year of high school as a quarterback behind Varmah Sonie, now a star cornerback in the Arena Football League.

"A quarterback in hockey terms, you’re looking at a guy running the point and stuff on the power play, and it’s kind of the opposite for me right now," Lee said. “But it’s one of those things where you’ve got to read and react, find the open play, and try to stay on your feet … I’ve always played this style, but matched up with guys like John and Josh, I’m going to be the guy that’s down in the corners and in front of the net. They’re going to be the guys that are high, with the puck a little bit more.

"I can create space for them to make plays, and you give those two guys space, good things are going to happen. I think all three of our styles of game just do really complement each other well.”

Lee’s particular style is the biggest reason to believe his goal production will regress. While Ovechkin’s league-leading 28 goals have come on a league-leading 193 shots, Lee is tied for 77th in the NHL for shots on goal. He’s scored on 23.4 percent of them, easily the highest rate of anyone with 100 or more shots.

The difference, though, is that Lee is not a volume shooter, nor particularly a sniper. His ability to work in the corners and in front of the net has allowed him to do more damage with fewer opportunities as Tavares - who is having a stellar season with 24 goals - takes the lion’s share of the shots.

It’s also worth noting that Lee’s shooting clip last season was 17.8 percent, which lends credence to the notion that while he may be getting some bounces, an above-average percentage is not a fluke for him.

“It’s for sure high, but I don’t know what else to say about it,” Lee said of his shooting percentage. “I think right now, some of my shots are in tight, with a little bit of time, and I haven’t been putting up five-, six-, seven-shot games which would bring that percentage down. So, it’s kind of better shots and they happen to be going in. But I feel like the quality’s there for sure.”

The entire NHL is now seeing that quality, looking up to see Lee rise in a season where his own skill must be recognized just as much as the fact that he plays on a line with one of the game’s best.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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Hold your horses, people. Jack Johnson might not be demanding a trade, after all.

Related: Report: Jack Johnson requests trade from Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella offered some insight Wednesday regarding the developing scenario surrounding his D-man after Johnson reportedly demanded a trade last week, and according to Torts, it's not that clear-cut.

"He didn’t come out and say 'I want to be traded,' " Tortorella stated, according to Steve Gorten of the Columbus Dispatch. "He said, 'I just think some stuff’s going to probably start coming out along the way. I want to talk to you face-to-face. I love it here. I want to improve as a player. I want it to work here, but I also have to think about my family.'"

Johnson's so-called trade demand might not have been for real, but his frustration with his reduced playing time and role on the team is. The frustration has started to dissipate, however, as Johnson has begun to earn his coach's trust back.

"You slowly start getting a bigger role back," Johnson said. "Hopefully it keeps trending in the right direction because I know I have a lot to give, and I know I can help this team out a lot."

Despite Johnson's unhappiness with his diminished role and minutes, Tortorella isn't holding anything against the veteran defenseman for speaking his mind.

"I’m certainly not going to go the other way because a player is talking about his future ... Jack loves it here. His family loves it here. So if we get him playing better, and maybe win some games, who knows where it all goes here?"

Johnson's next opportunity to prove his worth comes Thursday night when Columbus hosts the Dallas Stars.

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The Philadelphia Flyers will retire Eric Lindros' iconic No. 88 ahead of Thursday's contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The ceremony will recognize his eight seasons with the black and orange - an era in which the then-Flyers captain was seen as hockey's "Next One."

Here are our top five most memorable "Big E" moments from his time in Philadelphia:

Philadelphia debut

Fans packed the Spectrum to witness Lindros' first game in Philadelphia in October 1992. He didn't disappoint.

After scoring his first goal in his NHL debut - a road game versus the rival Pittsburgh Penguins - Lindros extended his streak to two games when he stripped the puck from future Norris Trophy winner Scott Niedermayer and tucked it by New Jersey Devils netminder Chris Terreri.

No stick, no problem

With this kind of fancy footwork, maybe he could have had an MLS career.

Losing his stick wasn't enough to keep the puck away from Lindros, as shown by his impressive battle along the boards in the 1997 playoff opener against the Penguins. He wrapped the night with one goal and one assist.

Playoff penalty shot

A miscue by Buffalo Sabres goaltender Steve Shields and a subsequent trip on the Flyers captain led to this penalty shot showdown in the 1997 playoffs.

Charging toward the net, Lindros beat Shields for the first playoff penalty-shot goal in Flyers history, then tapped the brakes just enough to avoid barreling over linesman Gerard Gauthier.

Two tallies vs. Nordiques

Nordiques fans were sour enough that Lindros refused to play in the Quebec capital, but scoring twice in his first trip to the city? Talk about rubbing salt in the wound.

That was the story in October 1992, as Lindros pocketed a pair of goals at the raucous Colisee, bringing his total to four goals and an assist through his first four NHL games.

Conference final hat trick

Scoring in the playoffs is difficult enough, but Lindros made it look like child's play in this 1997 conference final contest against the New York Rangers, as he slid three goals by New York netminder Mike Richter.

Years later, fans of the Broadway Blueshirts welcomed Lindros as one of their own, as the "Big E" was traded to New York during the 2001 offseason.

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