Edmonton Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli doesn't think his relationship with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be affected by Team North America's decision to leave the young center off the initial World Cup of Hockey roster.

Related: McDavid, Eichel highlight North America's initial World Cup roster

Speaking Thursday on Oilers Now on 630 CHED, Chiarelli - who's overseeing the young stars team - cited several talented players across the league that weren't named to the 16-player rosters, maintaining it's not a delicate situation to have left the 22-year-old off to the side for the time being.

"It doesn't mean the players aren't good, it doesn't mean it's a slight. These are hard decisions," Chiarelli said. "With Ryan, we had a real constructive conversation, and really the impetus wasn't to tell him that he wasn't on the first selection. It was more just to talk about his game and where I'd like it to be.

"I have to wear two different hats," he continued. "At the end of the day, I'm a real big fan of Ryan's. He's got a real good two-way component to his game, he plays against the top centers and he has for a long time for a player of such a young age."

Chiarelli cited being part of Team Canada's brain trust that voted not to name Martin St. Louis to the 2014 Olympic roster. While Tampa Bay GM Steve Yzerman took the heat, and it ultimately led to a trade at the NHL level, Chiarelli said it was wholly a group decision both then and now.

Part of the issue is the fact Nugent-Hopkins is currently out with a hand injury and a strong push to end the season upon his return would go far towards securing a place on the team.

Chiarelli's final message to Nugent-Hopkins?

"Get back playing and you'll find yourself on this roster," he said.

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Forgive Jaromir Jagr if he's been a bit irritable of late.

The Florida Panthers' ageless leading scorer recently revealed that the habit he's kicked for Lent this year is the 10 cups of coffee he's been knocking back daily all season long.

Without that daily caffeine kick - or in many cases kicks - production across every industry and sector would see a significant dip, but that hasn't been the case for the enigmatic star. In fact, Java-less Jagr has produced at a point-per-game pace since the official start of Lent.

Nope, not for us mortals.

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Jiri Hudler and Teddy Purcell have each made their Florida Panthers debuts, but the deadline adds, both acquired from Canadian franchises, remain ineligible south of the border.

As such, the pair, still waiting on work visas, won't be in the lineup Thursday versus the Colorado Avalanche when the Cats make their second-to-last stop on a five-game road trip.

Purcell recorded an assist in Tuesday's win over the Winnipeg Jets, while Hudler took a minus-2 in his debut.

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Kyle Baun has seen just five games at the NHL level, but the powerhouse Chicago Blackhawks - a team constantly finessing around the league's tight salary parameters - have seen enough to want him on their books for another two seasons.

Chicago has signed Baun to a two-year, one-way contract extension that will carry a guaranteed $625,000 cap hit, Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reports.

The agreement should give the bottom-six forward every opportunity to make and stick with the club next season.

He has three assists in 22 games with the Rockford IceHogs in this, his first pro season. He failed to hit the score sheet in five starts with the Blackhawks.

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Niklas Backstrom was once a William M. Jennings Award winner for helping the Minnesota Wild to the NHL's best goals-against average.

Now, nine years later, he's a salary dump with a misspelled nameplate.

In the Flames' defense, they were quite close.

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Niklas Backstrom was once a William M. Jennings Award winner for helping the Minnesota Wild to the NHL's best goals-against average.

Now, nine years later, he's a salary dump with a misspelled nameplate.

In the Flames' defense, they were quite close.

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Rick Nash is slowly but surely on his way back to the New York Rangers' lineup.

The winger skated for 15 minutes in Pittsburgh on Thursday, marking the first time he's taken to the ice in more than a month as a result of a bone bruise on his left leg.

Nash admitted the injury has taken far longer to recover from than anticipated and expects to be back to game action in 10-to-14 days.

"I thought it was going to be a day-to-day thing, take a few days to get better; seemed like it was one of those injuries that had to get worse before it got better, and that was the case. We just took our time," he said after the skate, according to Steve Zipay of Newsday.

"I didn't do anything crazy, stops and starts, so it's going to be a bit of a process to get my legs back, my wind back, get my timing back. The big thing now is that hopefully there's no setbacks. Right now I'm focused on getting better each day and today was a great step."

Nash recorded 12 goals and 21 assists in 45 games for the Rangers prior to suffering the injury.

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A pair of New Jersey Devils forwards have been fined for embellishment.

Joseph Blandisi and recently acquired Devante Smith-Pelly have each been fined $2000 - under NHL Rule 64 - for diving/embellishment, the league announced Thursday.

Related - VIDEO: Devils' Blandisi called for hilariously blatant dive

Both players were previously issued warnings for separate incidents, and were fined following the second infraction.

Smith-Pelly - while playing for the Montreal Canadiens - was given the fine after embellishing a slashing penalty on Feb. 24 against the Washington Capitals.

Blandisi drew a minor penalty on Feb. 23 versus the New York Rangers, and was also assessed a penalty for embellishment on the play.

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Carey Price delivered the best news the Montreal Canadiens and their fans have heard in a very long time.

The defending Vezina and Hart Trophy winner met the media Thursday, and said he's feeling good about the possibility of returning this season.

"I'm pretty confident," Price said of a return. "I'm not going to set any timelines. But as far as the way things are progressing, it's looking pretty good."

Related: Carey Price facing shots for 1st time since injury

Earlier in the day, Price faced shots from injured teammate David Desharnais. It was his first time stopping a puck since suffering a lower-body injury against the New York Rangers on Nov. 25.

"It felt great. I haven't seen a shot in over three months," Price said. "To be able to go on the ice and put in real work is really fun for me."

Price also confirmed he hasn't experienced any setbacks in his rehabilitation, and though the process is taking longer than expected, he's progressing daily.

"Especially this week since starting to skate in my full equipment. I'm starting to push my limits more and more," Price added.

The 28-year-old posted an impressive record of 10-2-0 with a 2.06 GAA and .934 save percentage before going down with the ailment. The Canadiens are 20-26-6 without him in the lineup.

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The Dallas Stars will be without forward Patrick Sharp for at least two games due to a lower-body injury.

Sharp suffered the ailment Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. He tried to play through it Tuesday versus the Nashville Predators, but eventually left the game and didn't return.

The 34-year-old has 17 goals and 30 assists in 65 games this season.

Jordie Benn will also be out of the lineup due to a lower-body injury. He's expected to miss one-to-two weeks.

The 28-year-old defenseman has recorded one goal and eight assists in 56 contests.

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