Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine believes he elevated his game this season with improvements all around.

"I was really happy with the way that I was able to play and not just the points and the goals," Laine said to Sportsnet's Sean Reynolds. "I think this year I took a big step towards a really consistent player. I was able to close the gap between a good and a bad night. I think that was the biggest thing for me."

He jokingly added: "It's always nice to reach that 30-goal mark and I wasn't quite there yet this year. It was actually the first year ever that I had more assists than goals so that's kind of embarrassing for me ... but maybe that's who I am in the future."

Consistency has plagued Laine early in his career, often scoring goals in bunches while going on long cold streaks. In 2018-19, Laine scored a solid 30 goals - but 18 of them came in November alone.

The former second overall pick changed things up during the 2019-20 season. At the time of the season's pause, he was averaging career highs in time on ice (19:25), assists (35), and hits (97). Even with the improvements to his 200-foot game, Laine was still on pace to pot an impressive 34 goals.

The Finnish winger attributed a lot of his growth and success this season to the two-year bridge deal he signed last summer. He believes the short contract has ultimately helped him improve his game.

"It obviously adds a little bit more pressure on me for the upcoming couple of seasons that I gotta play well. But that's just another challenge, and I like challenges," Laine said.

"Right now, I'm not really thinking about a new deal. Just try to work on my game and it'll come at some point. When you play well and you're proving to everyone that you're worth the big bucks, so that's kind of my focus right now - that I want to play well and I want to help the team to win."

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New Jersey Devils blue-liner P.K. Subban has had to defend against the league's best over the last decade, but Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby is the one player who has stood out the most to him.

"Whether it's natural, whether it's his commitment to working out - his leg and core strength separates him from everybody," Subban told Sportsnet's Ron MacLean on "In Conversation." "He's one of those guys that's literally impossible to pin down low. You have to contain and have a good stick.

"When you play against him enough you understand his tendencies, but as far as leg strength goes, I don't think there's been anybody other than maybe he or (Jaromir) Jagr that have been as good as protecting the puck as those two guys, they're unbelievable at it."

Subban and Crosby have engaged in their fair share of battles over the years. The two famously got into a heated exchange during Game 3 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, after which Subban said Crosby told him his breath smelled. Crosby denied it and Subban later said his claim was intended as a joke, but the incident was highly sensationalized in the media.

Regardless, the former Norris Trophy winner is well aware of Crosby's incredible accomplishments on the ice.

"I know that Sid and I have had battles in the playoffs - I have such respect for him," Subban said.

"I don't want to take anything away from the Connor McDavid's of the world and these guys, because these are elite players. ... But just in my time of playing in the league and the past 11 years that I've played, I've played against Sidney Crosby consistently in the East and in the playoffs, and what he's accomplished as a player ... it's second to none."

Crosby has enjoyed enormous success since his NHL debut in 2005-06. He's captured three Stanley Cups and won the Hart, Art Ross, Maurice "Rocket" Richard, and Conn Smythe trophies two times apiece. He's also won two Olympic gold medals as a member of Team Canada.

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Hockey Hall of Famers Paul Coffey and Grant Fuhr dominated the league with the Edmonton Oilers for much of the 1980s, and they like what they see today in franchise stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

"Those two guys, they're just beautiful to watch," Coffey said, according to NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika.

Coffey added, "If you're a defenseman and you've got a guy coming down on you like (McDavid), that means, 'Feet don't fail me now.' You're not going to shut him down. You're just going to try to limit what he can do. And a lot of times, he's going to burn you anyway, and you can't do a thing about it.

"And that's where I just look over my shoulder and say, 'Fuhrsie! He's coming!'"

Coffey and Fuhr were teammates on the Oilers from 1981 to 1987, reaching three Stanley Cup Finals and winning two. Coffey, a three-time Norris Trophy winner, recognizes what makes Draisaitl a dangerous complementary player to McDavid.

"You've got a guy like Leon who's just a horse out there, is becoming a better player every single game he plays. ... Leon's vision and passing and his strength is incredible. It's just a treat to watch those two play," Coffey added.

Fuhr, who won a Vezina Trophy and ranks 12th all-time in wins with 403, echoed Coffey's sentiment, adding he's happy that he's not tasked with playing against them.

Draisaitl and McDavid were first and second in league scoring with 110 and 97 points, respectively, when the NHL hit pause on March 12. Since the 2017-18 season, McDavid ranks first in the league with 320 points, while Draisaitl sits fourth with 283.

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Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman doesn't see the necessity of holding the draft before the conclusion of the NHL season.

"Obviously the draft has never taken place prior to the end of a Stanley Cup or the end of a season," Yzerman said during a Facebook Live Wednesday.

The 2020 draft was originally set to be held in Montreal in June. The league has discussed the idea of holding the draft virtually in the same month, regardless of if and when the season concludes.

"My thought is: Why would you do that? Why would you need to do that?" Yzerman said. "There's a lot of things that are affected, obviously. The draft position hasn't been established; we don't know who's in the playoffs, who's out of the playoffs, in some cases.

"So there's a lot of questions, and ultimately if it needs to be done prior to, we'll figure it out. But at this time, my own opinion is, I haven't heard a good reason why we should do it prior to the end of the season if we do conclude the season over the course of the summer."

When the season was paused March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Red Wings held an NHL-worst record of 17-49-5. With 11 games remaining on their schedule, they were guaranteed to finish in last place and had secured the top odds of winning the draft lottery.

The Red Wings also possess three second-round picks and two selections in the third round. With hockey leagues no longer playing, Yzerman understands he will have to work with what his scouts have already gathered.

"We can only make a decision on the information we have," Yzerman said. "Had we gone through all the junior, college, European playoffs - the U-18 tournament, which would've been held in Plymouth - that's more information.

He added: "Looks like right now, we won't get to watch these kids anymore. ... It goes for all the teams."

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San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane and Vegas Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves haven't been shy about their hatred for one another over the last couple of seasons, but Kane believes their feud is ultimately good for the game.

"I think our rivalry started when I moved to San Jose and it was part of the Vegas-San Jose rivalry ... It's fun, I enjoy it. I think it makes it entertaining for fans," Kane told Sportsnet's Gene Principe. "I think you need more of that in hockey, especially when you talk about the playoffs, right?

"To have that type of hatred between not just the teams, but the organizations, players, coaches. Some of it plays out in the media, some of it doesn't."

The two have exchanged jabs both on and off the ice ever since Kane arrived in San Jose in February 2018. The two took their rivalry to another level in last year's first-round playoff matchup between the Sharks and Golden Knights, going at it all series long.

Some of the most memorable moments in their rivalry include their first fight in Game 3 of that postseason series, Kane calling Reaves the "Muffin Man," and Reaves taking a jab at Kane while officiating a wedding in Vegas.

Despite the bad blood, Kane is proud of what he and Reaves have been able to contribute to the entertainment value of games between their teams.

"Obviously, you watch the on-ice product and it made - for my money - the most entertaining series last year, by far," Kane said. "It was fun to be a part of, they're a great team."

Kane, 28, has racked up 946 penalty minutes in 713 career games while the 33-year-old Reaves has amassed 910 penalty minutes in 649 contests.

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Two of the league's most entertaining pairs of brothers will go up against each other in a livestreamed game of NHL 20 on Wednesday for charity.

Matthew and Brady Tkachuk will take on Quinn and Jack Hughes as a part of the Hockey2Help initiative, which was started by Twitch and YouTube personality Nasher.

Hockey2Help is a two-week livestreaming series raising funds for the COVID-19 relief efforts of Second Harvest and Volunteers of America.

Streams have featured gamers hosting streaming marathons along with NHL players, alumni, and celebrities. Players who have participated so far include Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Zach Werenski.

The stream will begin at 5:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday on Twitch.

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Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon knows fans are essential to sports and emphasized the importance of their presence in the stands.

"I think the start of next season, everybody has to be careful with (it) because I think you need fans," Dundon told 99.9 The Fan in Raleigh, according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "And so if it means pushing back the start of the season for any sport, then they should consider that, because what's the point of having sports if you don't have fans, right? They wouldn't exist.

"They'd be called the YMCA."

The NHL's 2019-20 season has been on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic since March 12. Preliminary talks are ongoing about a potential return to the ice, but chances are slim that fans will be able to attend for at least the remainder of the season.

With only a handful of regular-season games and the playoffs left to complete the 2019-20 season, Dundon thinks the 2020-21 campaign should be delayed as long as possible if fans can't be in attendance.

"I would think it's a pretty good idea to push it back as long as you need to, to make sure you can have your buildings occupied," Dundon added. "Whether that's 100% or 50%, I have no idea. (If) it's zero, I don't know why anyone would want to start a new league season with no fans, but my vote doesn't count for much."

Talks between the NHL and NHLPA have reportedly intensified regarding the exploration of using two-to-four hub cities to act as hosts to play out the remainder of the 2019-20 season.

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Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin and his wife, Anna, made a monetary donation to the Ronald McDonald House of Pittsburgh to help the charity purchase supplies, food, and games, the team announced Monday.

The organization, which currently houses 20 families with hospitalized children, had a wish list of various pantry items. Malkin's donation ensured that everything on the list could be purchased and families can continue to receive hot meals.

"We know it is hard for everyone right now, but we couldn't imagine having a child hospitalized during this uncertain time," Malkin said. "While we are comfortable in our own homes, others are relying on the generosity of others, like the Ronald McDonald House, to open their doors."

The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation also contributed by supplying promotional items to the house such as blankets and bobbleheads for the children.

"We are incredibly grateful for the support that Evgeni Malkin has extended to our charity," Ronald McDonald House executive director Eleanor Reigel said. "His generosity ensures that we can continue to provide our families with warm meals, essential household pantry items, and a supportive environment to call home during this uncertain time."

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Joel Ward, who played 11 seasons in the NHL, officially announced his retirement on Monday with a post for The Players' Tribune.

Ward hasn't played since the 2017-18 campaign when he suited up for the San Jose Sharks. Overall, he spent three seasons with San Jose, four with the Washington Capitals, three with the Nashville Predators, and one with the Minnesota Wild.

"I know I didn't play the last two years, but I tried. I did. I wish I could have gone out in a bit of a different way," Ward wrote. "But, you know, just thinking about it all - all 726 games - I realized something. 'Who am I to wish for any more time?' I got what I wanted. I'm one of the lucky ones."

The 39-year-old wasn't selected in the 1999 draft, but he later signed a contract with the ECHL's Florida Everblades in 2005 and eventually worked his way through the AHL to the NHL.

"I just wanted a chance, a shot. I didn't have, relatively, a whole lot of skills," Ward wrote. "I wasn't a smooth skater. I wasn’t a fighter or a grinder really. I was just me, Joel. What I did have, though, was some hockey IQ because I watched so much hockey growing up."

Ward would go on to amass 133 goals and 171 assists during his career. He also appeared in 83 playoff games, racking up an impressive 22 goals and 30 assists in those contests.

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Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen believes that while head coach John Tortorella may be tough on his players, he gets the job done effectively.

"Rick Nash puts it in a good way when I talk to him about Torts - and they were together in New York - and Rick Nash said that you always know where you're at with John Tortorella," Kekalainen said Sunday on the NHL's "Executive Suite" podcast. "There's no gray area, there's no wondering, 'What does he think of me?' He'll let you know what you do right, what you do wrong, and I think that's a real good quality."

Tortorella has long been known for his outspoken nature, which has led to him publicly criticizing his players. Most recently, he called out Anthony Duclair last season for being "off the rails," adding he was unsure if the winger knows how to play hockey.

"I think that players, at the end of the day, they appreciate it, and I've heard a lot of guys talk about Torts a lot more fondly in the past tense," Kekalainen added. "They learn to appreciate how he was like after the fact, after he had coached them because then they get into other situations and they realize the coach is telling one thing in front and the other thing behind your back, and that's something that I know that the players do not appreciate."

The veteran coach has been at the helm in Columbus since the 2015-16 campaign. He's led the club to the postseason the last three years, including its first playoff series win last season against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He won the Jack Adams Award in 2004 and 2017.

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