Defenseman Alexey Marchenko has decided to return to his homeland of Russia, his agent, Dan Milstein, confirmed Tuesday.

Marchenko hopes to return to the NHL someday in the future, Milstein added.

The Toronto Maple Leafs placed the 25-year-old on unconditional waivers Monday for the purpose of a buyout. They claimed Marchenko on waivers from the Detroit Red Wings last February.

He played a combined 41 NHL games between the two teams last season, notching one goal and seven assists.

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David Pastrnak isn't going anywhere, according to Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney.

In light of a report from NHL Network's Brian Lawton suggesting Pastrnak could be traded due to stalled contract negotiations, Sweeney came out and said it's not happening, per Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe.

"Not trading Pastrnak," was Sweeney’s terse comment in an email to a Globe reporter Monday night.

Sweeney's last update on contract talks with the restricted free agent came two weeks ago, wherein he stated the process was in a holding pattern. Still, goaltender Tuukka Rask, who traveled to China with the winger earlier this summer, is sure the two sides will reach an agreement.

Pastrnak, 21, finished in a tie for the seventh-highest goal total last season (34), and added 36 assists for 70 points in 75 games.

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Here are the top 250 skaters and goalies ranking in descending order based on their value in 10- or 12-team "banger leagues." A typical banger league consists of the following categories:

The key difference from a banger league and a standard league is the addition of hits and blocked shots. Though two additional categories may seem like a minor difference, it can have a major affect on the value of players.

Positional eligibility may vary by fantasy site. Some players may be eligible at multiple positions, but only their primary position is considered here.

Top 250

These rankings will be updated throughout the lead-up to the season.

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The Will Butcher sweepstakes will officially begin Wednesday.

The 2017 Hobey Baker Award winner remains property of the Colorado Avalanche, who drafted him 123rd overall in 2013, through to the end of Tuesday, agent Brian Bartlett confirmed.

The 22-year-old defenseman couldn't come to an agreement with the Avalanche on an entry-level contract, meaning he'll be free to sign one with any of the NHL's other 30 teams as an unrestricted free agent once that window opens at midnight.

Related: 3 teams that should pursue Will Butcher

Butcher was named the top player in men's college hockey last season and captained the University of Denver to the national championship. He registered 28 goals and 75 assists in 158 career NCAA games.

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New York Rangers defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Brady Skjei are bringing their offseason training to a driveway near you.

The two Rangers blue-liners recently hit the streets of Minnesota where they embarked on an afternoon of using the unsuspecting hockey nets, soccer nets, and even tire swings of local residents to do some drive-by slap shots.

It's the hockey equivalent of the drive-by slam dunk craze which has become a hit with many NBA stars.

Related - Watch: Anthony Davis nails Drive-by Dunk Challenge

As for the residents of this quaint Minnesota suburb, none of their windows or cars appeared to have been damaged in the process.

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Tuukka Rask anticipates spending a lot more time with David Pastrnak after they traveled to the other side of the world together this summer.

The Boston Bruins goaltender - who, along with the forward and defenseman Torey Krug, recently went on a tour of China to promote hockey - remains confident Pastrnak will sign a new deal with the club.

"I'm sure they can get this worked out," Rask said Monday, according to Stephen Harris of the Boston Globe. "That's the game nowadays: These young guys, when they come out of their first contract, they've had great success and they want to get paid. That's just the world we live in. I guess sometimes with the cap situations, it can put teams in a tough spot. But I'm sure they can figure it out.

"He's proven he can be top goal-scorer in the league and he wants to get paid. You can understand both sides of it. I have no idea what he's asking, what the situation is. But I'm sure they're going to find a solution at some point."

Rask's comments come two weeks after general manager Don Sweeney said contract talks were stalled in a holding pattern, and on the same day a report from NHL Network's Brian Lawton suggested Pastrnak could be traded.

Pastrnak is a restricted free agent coming off a season in which he recorded 34 goals and 36 assists in 75 games, and Rask's sense is the 21-year-old simply wants to be compensated as a star player.

"He wants to play, obviously," he added, "but he doesn't want to sign a deal that he's not happy with. As a player, you have to be a little selfish. It's a short career and you want to get paid when you have the chance."

Boston's training camp is set to open Sept. 14.

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These rankings apply to standard leagues. Yahoo! scoring counts goals, assists, plus/minus, penalty minutes, power-play points, and shots on goal for skaters. Goaltender stats consist of wins, goals-against average, save percentage, and shutouts.

Positional eligibility may vary by fantasy site. Some players may be eligible at multiple positions, but only their primary position is considered here.

Top 250

These rankings will be updated throughout the lead-up to the season.

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Amid an offseason riddled with roster changeover, Evgeny Kuznetsov isn't one to believe the Washington Capitals got worse.

The twice reigning President's Trophy winners surely lost significant talent from their roster, as regulars Justin Williams, Karl Alzner, Marcus Johansson, and prized deadline acquisition Kevin Shattenkirk will be suiting up in different spots across the Eastern Conference next season.

Related: Caps GM shocked at critics: 'People make it sound like we're a lottery team'

Still, Kuznetsov - who begins the first season of an eight-year, $62.4-million contract extension in 2017-18 - is adamant Washington will remain competitive.

"I don't like when people say we're a bad team right now," Kuznetsov said, according to Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. "That's bull to me. It's not about the names. It's about the guys when they come together."

Presumed Cup favorites two years in a row, the Capitals twice faltered in the second round against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who went on to win the title each time.

In spite of the back-to-back crushing defeats, Kuznetsov believes his remaining teammates can use the past disappointment as a rallying point, rather than dwell on missed opportunities.

"I think we should be the team that is going to focus game by game and not focus all the way to the Cup," Kuznetsov said. "Of course we have to think about that, but we have to take what we have today. Let's practice together, let's work hard, let's help your partner be better, let's push him ... It's always good competition so that's the team we have to be. We're hungry."

In 82 games last season, Kuznetsov recorded 19 goals and 40 assists, and added 10 more points in 13 playoff games.

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