— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) July 13, 2016
The only players left to "catch" for the Red Wings are defenseman Danny DeKeyser and goaltender Petr Mrazek, but Detroit only has about $3.3 million in cap space.
They may take a step back next season, but at least they won the internet for a day.
Few teams today would dare try what the Montreal Canadiens did with P.K. Subban in the winter of 2013.
So-called "bridge contracts," like the two-year agreement Subban inked with his now former team in Montreal, are disappearing as more teams...
A person with direct knowledge of the decision says George McPhee has been hired as general manager of the NHL's expansion Las Vegas franchise.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because owner Bill Foley's announcement was set for Wed...
Wearing No. 4 in New Jersey wasn't an option for Hall, as the number is retired within the organization, honoring Hall of Fame defenseman and former team captain Scott Stevens.
However, Hall was after something new anyway.
"Obviously. the number four was retired here," Hall told Julie Robenhymer of Devils.NHL.com. "But even if it wasn't retired, I'm not sure that I would have kept the number four. In choosing number nine, I'm looking for a fresh start."
The annals of NHL history has a long list of legendary No. 9s - Gordie Howe, Maurice Richard, and Mike Modano to name a few - which played a role in Hall's decision.
"There have been a lot of great players that have worn the number nine and I want to add to that list," Hall said. "I think in sports you can get too caught up in trying to prove people wrong or that you deserve something and it ends up taking away from the player that you are. I'm not trying to change anything in that way, but I'm looking forward to a fresh start and an exciting opportunity in New Jersey."
The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed the 26-year-old defenseman to a one-year contract worth $1.4 million, the club announced Wednesday.
Schultz was dealt to Pittsburgh from the Edmonton Oilers in February, and although he spent time as a scratch, he emerged as an effective blue-liner for the Penguins on their march to the Cup, especially after Trevor Daley was injured.
In 18 regular-season contests with Pittsburgh last season, Schultz recorded eight points, adding four more in 15 playoff games.
Last season's race for the Calder Trophy had everything.
A battle between "The Next One," a player many deemed too old to be a rookie, and a college defenseman that seemingly jumped onto the scene out of nowhere.
However, as the NHL has been subject to time and time again, at least a handful of rookie sensations are likely to fall victim to the ever-daunting sophomore slump.
Of course, a statistical regression in one season is not the be-all, end-all of one's career. Players can be the victims of their own demise simply for having such incredible first seasons.
With that in mind, here are three players who could see a regression next season, and the plausible reasons why:
Shayne Gostisbehere
Gostisbehere came, saw, and conquered last season.
After beginning the season with a strong 10 points in 14 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League, Gostisbehere was called up by the Philadelphia Flyers in mid-November and never went back.
Gostisbehere put up 17 goals and 46 points in 64 games, which would give him 58 points when averaged over a full 82-game season and would have placed him tied for fifth among all defensemen in scoring.
The 23-year-old's play was nothing short of spectacular, and the biggest knock and likely reason for a drop in production is simply because he was so outstanding during his first taste of NHL action, it may be hard for him to uphold that.
Gostisbehere had the second-highest shooting percentage of all defensemen - New York Rangers' Kevin Klein ranked first - with an incredible 11.2 percent success rate this past season, which is likely unsustainable.
He is an extreme talent, but if his numbers even-out or teams start to zero-in on him, Gostisbehere can expect to see at least a slight decline in production next season.
The 22-year-old is coming off his first full-season in the league boasting incredible numbers, with a .920 save percentage and a 2.07 goals-against average in 40 games.
However, as he gets ready to take the ice as a No. 1 for the first time in his career, he will be dealt a different set of cards. He will likely see a lot more games this time around, even with former Maple Leafs No. 1 Jonathan Bernier as his second-in-command.
With a lot more action faced, and with increased pressure, we can expect his numbers to falter - even if slightly. Gibson struggled this postseason before giving way for Andersen. This time around, he might not have such a luxury.
Artemi Panarin
The reigning Calder Trophy-winner needed no feeling-out period shifting from the KHL to the NHL.
Panarin set the league ablaze, becoming the first rookie to hit the 70-point plateau since his linemate Patrick Kane did so in 2008. He tallied the most points by a rookie since Evgeni Malkin put up 85 points in 2007.
Alongside Kane and Artem Anisimov, the 24-year-old helped complete arguably the league's most lethal trio this season - one that combined for 96 goals and 225 points.
All things are looking up for Panarin, but his numbers could slip if one constant doesn't remain - that constant being Kane. The 27-year-old had by far his best season in the league, becoming the first American-born player to lead the league in scoring en route to capturing the Hart Trophy with 46 goals and 106 points.
Kane had a large stake in Panarin's production, factoring in on 72.7 percent of his points. So suffice it to say, if Kane's numbers slip a bit next season, so too will Panarin's.
Last season's race for the Calder Trophy had everything.
A battle between "The Next One," a player many deemed too old to be a rookie, and a college defenseman that seemingly jumped onto the scene out of nowhere.
However, as the NHL has been subject to time and time again, at least a handful of rookie sensations are likely to fall victim to the ever-daunting sophomore slump.
Of course, a statistical regression in one season is not the be-all, end-all of one's career. Players can be the victims of their own demise simply for having such incredible first seasons.
With that in mind, here are three players who could see a regression next season, and the plausible reasons why:
Shayne Gostisbehere
Gostisbehere came, saw, and conquered last season.
After beginning the season with a strong 10 points in 14 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League, Gostisbehere was called up by the Philadelphia Flyers in mid-November and never went back.
Gostisbehere put up 17 goals and 46 points in 64 games, which would give him 58 points when averaged over a full 82-game season and would have placed him tied for fifth among all defensemen in scoring.
The 23-year-old's play was nothing short of spectacular, and the biggest knock and likely reason for a drop in production is simply because he was so outstanding during his first taste of NHL action, it may be hard for him to uphold that.
Gostisbehere had the second-highest shooting percentage of all defensemen - New York Rangers' Kevin Klein ranked first - with an incredible 11.2 percent success rate this past season, which is likely unsustainable.
He is an extreme talent, but if his numbers even-out or teams start to zero-in on him, Gostisbehere can expect to see at least a slight decline in production next season.
The 22-year-old is coming off his first full-season in the league boasting incredible numbers, with a .920 save percentage and a 2.07 goals-against average in 40 games.
However, as he gets ready to take the ice as a No. 1 for the first time in his career, he will be dealt a different set of cards. He will likely see a lot more games this time around, even with former Maple Leafs No. 1 Jonathan Bernier as his second-in-command.
With a lot more action faced, and with increased pressure, we can expect his numbers to falter - even if slightly. Gibson struggled this postseason before giving way for Andersen. This time around, he might not have such a luxury.
Artemi Panarin
The reigning Calder Trophy-winner needed no feeling-out period shifting from the KHL to the NHL.
Panarin set the league ablaze, becoming the first rookie to hit the 70-point plateau since his linemate Patrick Kane did so in 2008. He tallied the most points by a rookie since Evgeni Malkin put up 85 points in 2007.
Alongside Kane and Artem Anisimov, the 24-year-old helped complete arguably the league's most lethal trio this season - one that combined for 96 goals and 225 points.
All things are looking up for Panarin, but his numbers could slip if one constant doesn't remain - that constant being Kane. The 27-year-old had by far his best season in the league, becoming the first American-born player to lead the league in scoring en route to capturing the Hart Trophy with 46 goals and 106 points.
Kane had a large stake in Panarin's production, factoring in on 72.7 percent of his points. So suffice it to say, if Kane's numbers slip a bit next season, so too will Panarin's.
Potential summer trade candidates & latest on the Rangers in your NHL rumor mill. SUMMER TRADE CANDIDATES ESPN.COM: Matthew Coller lists New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash, St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, Anaheim Ducks blueliner Cam Fowler, Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie, Minnesota Wild blueliner Matt Dumba […]
George McPhee named Las Vegas GM, latest contract signings & more in this morning’s collection of NHL headlines. LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Former Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee has been selected as the GM for Las Vegas’ NHL expansion franchise. A news conference is set for today to make the official announcement. SPECTOR’S NOTE: […]
