Summer development camps are where prospects go to make a name for themselves, and Joey Dudek of the New Jersey Devils did exactly that.
The 20-year-old center out of Boston College dropped an absolutely filthy move or three during a shootout Saturday, leaving the goalie looking all kinds of lost.
Dudek was drafted 152nd overall in 2014, and scored only one goal in 34 NCAA games this past season.
The veteran, who will turn 38 on Jan. 12, is heading into next season with 499 career regular-season goals. He's one away from a milestone. But it's not really on his mind.
"To tell you the truth, I never even thought about it this summer," Hossa said, writes the Chicago Tribune's Chris Kuc. "I'm not too worried about it."
Hossa scored only 13 goals last year, his fewest in a full season in his career. After potting 30 in 2013-14 and 22 in 2014-15, he's trending in the wrong direction as he gets up there in age. But luck hasn't exactly been on his side - Hossa's 6.8 shooting percentage in 2015-16 was by far the lowest of his career.
The former first-round pick said he should have had more than 13 goals last season - "the puck didn't want to go in" - and knows that if he does what he's done his entire career, the goals will come. He bagged three in seven playoff games, after all.
"I'll just play my game and I know good things will happen."
Where he plays is the focus of Kuc's piece, as he notes that the Blackhawks may be transitioning Hossa to more of a defensive role. Either way, head coach Joel Quenneville is expecting Hossa to produce - with or without the puck.
Hossa's under contract through 2021 and said he feels good at 37. He averaged a healthy 17:16 in ice time last season, pushing 18 minutes in the playoffs.
Center Tyler Seguin, who was limited to just one of his team's 13 playoff games this past spring due to a calf injury, is expected to be fully recovered in time to represent Canada at the World Cup of Hockey in September.
"He has been skating and seems to be having no troubles," Nill said, according to Mike Heika of the Dallas News. "There's a little bit of stiffness there still, but he feels comfortable and should be ready for the World Cup."
Seguin also missed the last few weeks of the regular season with an Achilles injury, but did record 73 points in 72 games in 2015-16.
After a pair of seasons with the New Jersey Devils, winger Jordin Tootoo found himself on the open market as an unrestricted free agent earlier this summer.
The 33-year-old quickly signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Chicago Blackhawks, and, as it turns out, it was defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook who initiated the union.
The Blackhawks alternate captains all live in Kelowna, British Columbia, and spend time with Tootoo in the offseason. Keith and Seabrook got into the ear of general manager Stan Bowman, who extended the offer which Tootoo agreed to terms with.
"First and foremost he’s a good teammate," Keith said, according to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun Times. "He’s a good guy to have in the locker room, and the energy that he brings - I know playing against him, I don’t like going back for pucks when he’s on the ice. You always have to be aware when he’s on the ice because he’s going to finish every hit.
"I think it was a great addition to have him [and add] some physicality. I know the fans in Chicago like seeing big hits at the United Center and I know he’s going to bring that intensity."
Tootoo will be called upon to help plug the hole left by Andrew Shaw, and comes in at a much smaller cap hit of $750,000.
"Every team needs a little spark plug," Tootoo said. "I’ve been around the game a lot of years now, and I just want to add that little piece. And hopefully we can bring the Cup back here."
In 673 career games at the NHL level, Tootoo has recorded 63 goals, 95 assists and 982 penalty minutes.
Sure, the 2016 offseason is barely a month old, but with all the major news seemingly out of the way, it's fair to begin looking at next year's crop of free agents.
The megastars - Jamie Benn, Anze Kopitar, and Victor Hedman - have all signed extensions to remain with their respective teams, but that doesn't mean the available talent pool is shallow.
Here's a look at five players that will certainly gather attention next July 1. Hopefully they don't sign extensions before then and ruin it for us.
Joe Thornton Position: C Age: 37 Current cap hit: $6.75M
Jumbo Joe underwent a renaissance last season en route to an endearing run to the Stanley Cup Final with a San Jose Sharks team that finally got over the hump.
Thornton is still one of the game's premier playmakers and ranked fourth in league scoring with 82 points in 82 contests, adding 21 more in 24 playoff games.
There's no reason to believe he'll leave San Jose - boy, how times have changed - but he can still play, and while it won't be a long-term contract, it will be intriguing to see the interest Thornton - who turns 38 next July - draws on the open market.
Kevin Shattenkirk Position: D Age: 27 Current cap hit: $4.25M
While Shattenkirk is likely concerned with where he'll play the final year of his current contract, the 27-year-old will be one of the best defenseman on the market next July.
Shattenkirk is a formidable offensive producer on the blue line, topping 40 points in each of the last three seasons. Possessing the capability to anchor a powerplay as a right-handed shot is almost invaluable in today's NHL, and those qualities will surely drive up his value.
Ben Bishop Position: G Age: 29 Current cap hit: $5.95M
With Andrei Vasilevskiy locked down, it looks as though Bishop will be on his way out of Tampa Bay.
Although he's been subject to multiple trade rumors, Bishop owns a no-movement clause, and another season at the clip he's recently produced will push goalie-desperate teams into high spending.
Bishop's won 112 games over the past three years, and finished last season with a league-leading 2.06 goals against average and a strong .926 save percentage.
T.J. Oshie Position: RW Age: 29 Current cap hit: $4.175M
Oshie sure fit in well alongside Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov, scoring a career-high 26 goals for the Presidents Trophy-winning Capitals.
While Washington would be happy to retain Oshie's production, several other teams in need of a first-line winger would love to have him as well.
Oshie's current cap hit of $4.175 million is favorable in negotiations, but the aforementioned Kuznetsov also needs a new deal next year as a pending restricted free agent.
Brent Burns Position: D Age: 31 Current cap hit: $5.76M
Burns has proven to be one of the most effective defenseman in the NHL at both ends of the rink, and he'll be getting a raise for it.
The 31-year-old played all 82 games for the Sharks last season, notching 75 points, good for second among all defenseman.
A lucrative contract might not be in the books for the Sharks, and plenty of suitors will be lining up for the Norris Trophy finalist if that's the case.
"That was a tough one for a lot of reasons," club president John McDonough told David Hugh of the Chicago Tribune. "He's a wonderful young man."
And he's not the only Windy City resident to share that sentiment.
"From the end of the season on, I had workers with hard hats screaming to me from the third floor, 'Don't trade (Andrew) Shaw,'" McDonough said. "Wherever you went, people that I would run into said the same thing.
"He had an organic grittiness that really struck a nerve with Chicagoans, maybe more than any athlete I've been associated with. He really resonated with everybody. Not the most skilled player but the classic overachiever. He got under people's skin. He represented what people wanted this franchise to embody."
Ultimately, Shaw was dealt to the Montreal Canadiens for a pair of second-round draft picks, a move made necessary by Chicago's salary cap crunch.
Shaw signed a six-year, $39-million deal with the Canadiens shortly after being traded, while the Blackhawks signed Jordin Tootoo to a one-year, two-way deal worth $750,000 in an attempt to replace the lost grit.
The 26-year-old has one year remaining on his five-year, $26.25-million deal and was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season.
"The Stars are the only organization I know and Dallas is home to me," Benn said in a statement. "In working with the Gaglardi family and Jim Nill, they have made it clear that they are dedicated to winning, and winning the right way. I'm happy to commit to that process for eight more years. My teammates and I value the passion and dedication that we receive from Stars fans and we're looking forward to getting this season started."
Benn has served as the team's captain since the 2013-14 season after taking over for Brenden Morrow. He is coming off his two most productive seasons since being drafted 129th overall by the Stars in the 2007 NHL Draft, capturing the Art Ross Trophy as the league's top scorer during the 2014-15 season before finishing second in league scoring last season with 89 points in 82 games.
"Jamie has evolved into one of the most complete players in the NHL and his ability to lead our team is second-to-none," general manager Jim Nill said. "He impacts the game in so many ways and this signing was extremely important for the direction of the franchise. He's shown in the playoffs, and at international events like the Olympics and the World Championship, that he is up to any challenge and that his fingerprints will be left on every game. He's our leader and does things the right way, every day."
Benn's eight-year deal will see him remain with the club through the 2024-25 season.
Nieto was a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level deal.
The 23-year-old was brought back on the heels of his worst statistical season since entering the league, mustering a career-low eight goals and 17 points in 67 games, while adding a goal and two assists in 16 playoff contests.
With Andrew Ladd now locked into a seven-year contract with the New York Islanders, the Winnipeg Jets are in need of a new captain. But while Wheeler would be honored to step into the role, he feels it would do little to change how he conducts himself with his teammates.
"Regardless of what letter I have on my jersey, my role on the team and who I am with the team is not going to change," Wheeler told Tim Campbell of the Winnipeg Free Press. "I think last year was a big growing year for me, with [my] foot on the gas the whole time."
In the meantime, Wheeler admits that he is just starting to get over what was a difficult year for the Jets. After earning a playoff spot last season for the first time since the team relocated to Winnipeg in 2011, the club failed to return to the postseason seeing a 23-point drop in the standings.
"As much as anyone, especially the older guys on our team, we felt the (disappointment), and I know that because we talked about it every single day," Wheeler said. "Sitting on the couch after the season was over and watching the playoffs, it was a bad feeling, a really bad feeling probably this year more than any other year.
"And as it went on, the bad taste of last year started to go away, and you started to re-hash things and think about the season and about some of the guys we have, some of the young guys we have and now some more of the young guys we have, it’s kind of like, 'OK, I get it now.'"
However, as the 29-year-old approaches the upcoming season, he has had time to digest the club's moves - including drafting Patrik Laine with the second overall pick - and he is thrilled to get going.
"I think now certainly I do have a clear view of where we’re headed and what’s ahead of us," said Wheeler. "I’m probably more excited today than I have been at any point about what we have going forward, just from purely a talent standpoint.
"We tried to win every game, and that’s the way I believe it should be done and sure enough, the lottery balls reward you for that stuff. I believe if you do things the right way, you’re going to get rewarded. Now we’ve got a nice little new toy to play with."
His teammates also have reason to be excited, as along with fresh talent, Wheeler himself is coming off a career-season that saw him hit 78 points in 82 games.
