Seattle and the NHL seem destined to figure this out. At this point, it would take a major misstep to derail the push for a 32nd team and for that team to not reside in the Washington hub.

Arena renovations are set to begin, local interest has been proven, and the NHL is talking about Seattle like it's going to happen. So, the expansion franchise appears to be on track.

Tuesday is a gigantic day for the prospective ownership group. Let's review that and answer other NHL-to-Seattle FAQs below:

When might Seattle get its team?

Seattle could have an NHL team as early as the 2020-21 season.

That's the hope, although the 2021-22 campaign might be the likelier scenario given a potential lockout.

On Tuesday, Seattle Hockey Partners (SHP) - the group trying to make the Pacific Northwest home to the NHL’s 32nd franchise - and the city’s mayor will be making an official presentation to the league's executive committee in New York City.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly recently said that if the executive committee approves SHP's pitch, an official expansion vote could occur at December’s board of governors meeting in Florida.

With apologies to Quebec City, Houston, and Kansas City, etc., Seattle is the lone city in the running for expansion, per Gary Bettman’s wishes. The commissioner seems set on finally touching down in the Emerald State.

Who is behind the expansion push?

The main names to know are private equity CEO David Bonderman, Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer, sports executive Tod Leiweke, and ex-NHL coach Dave Tippett.

Bonderman and Bruckheimer represent the ownership group, which also includes vice-chairman David Wright, whose family owns the famous Space Needle in Seattle. Meanwhile, CEO Leiweke and senior advisor Tippett, most recently the Arizona Coyotes' head coach from 2009-17, do most of the talking.

"I pledge to you a club that serves and makes our community better while pursuing the ultimate goal of bringing a Stanley Cup back to Seattle,” Leiweke said in a letter to fans in April.

SHP is an extension of Los Angeles-based Oak View Group, an entertainment and sports facilities company founded by Tim Leiweke (Tod’s brother) and music executive Irving Azoff. Tim Leiweke has extensive experience running NHL clubs, as he previously presided over the Anschutz Entertainment Group (L.A. Kings) and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (Toronto Maple Leafs).

At the moment, Tippett is the lone hockey-operations employee. He recently said the group plans to begin its search for a general manager in the spring.

What's the deal with the decrepit arena?

Just wait.

Significant renovations to KeyArena, the former home of the NBA’s Seattle Supersonics, are scheduled for a two-year period starting this month and finishing in October 2020.

Originally pegged at roughly $600 million, construction is now expected to cost around $700 million. The renos are being privately financed .

KeyArena’s iconic roof is being preserved, but that's about it. The building, which is located in the 74-acre downtown Seattle Center, will be redesigned for a hockey seating capacity of 17,400.

SHP launched a ticket drive in March, setting a goal of 10,000 deposits. It was met within 12 minutes and the drive swelled to more than 30,000 deposits by day’s end.

After the NHL team is up and running, ownership aspires to bring the NBA back, lure a WNBA franchise to town, and join the A-list concert circuit.

Why believe in the Pacific Northwest market?

The market is practically screaming for a pro hockey team.

Statewide hockey registrations grew by 6.9 percent from 2016-17 to 2017-18, according to USA Hockey, which tied North Carolina for the fourth-highest increase in the country. In terms of raw numbers, the state ranked 17th out of 51 (DC included) with almost 9,900 players.

Interestingly, while the state of Washington doesn't have an NCAA Division I hockey program, it boasts four of the Western Hockey League's 22 teams.

The Seattle Thunderbirds play in Kent, which is about 20 miles south of the city center. The Everett Silvertips are 30 miles north, the Spokane Chiefs are 280 miles east, and the Tri-City Americans (of Kennewick) are 225 miles southeast. Meanwhile, the Portland Winterhawks in neighboring Oregon are the league’s only other American franchise.

Local groups in Seattle have tried to land an NHL franchise on a number of occasions, ultimately failing in 1974, 1990, 2007, 2011, and 2013.

Fun fact: The Seattle Metropolitans won the 1917 Stanley Cup as a member of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association. They folded seven seasons later.

How will expansion affect my favorite team?

For one, it’ll make your owner richer. The NHL has stated that Seattle, if approved, will be sent a $650-million invoice. The Vegas Golden Knights paid $150 million less.

On a more relatable level, expansion will take a player from your team's roster and from the rosters of the 29 other clubs (Vegas will be excluded from the process). The same draft rules and parameters that were applied to the Golden Knights will likely be applied to Seattle.

On that note, Bettman and Daly relayed in May that they were pleased to see Vegas field a competitive lineup in Year 1.

Finally, let your imagination run wild about realignment possibilities, because adding Seattle to the mix would solve the current conference imbalance of 15 in the West and 16 in the East.

"It does provide alignment for the league," Daly told The Associated Press. "We’ve been misaligned for a couple years in the sense of more teams in the East and less in the West, so that would be a benefit if were to expand."

A popular post-realignment proposal is eight divisions with four teams apeice, a la the NFL.

Where is the nickname debate taking us?

Somewhere between the sea and green stuff ... maybe?

As detailed by DetroitHockey.net back in January, SHP lawyer Christina Song registered domains that represent "Sea Lions" and 12 other potential names, including Seals and Evergreens.

Here's the full list, in alphabetical order: Cougars, Eagles, Emeralds, Evergreens, Firebirds, Kraken, Rainiers, Renegades, Sea Lions, Seals, Sockeyes, Totems, and Whales.

SHP intends to engage fans with regards to the nickname when/if the franchise is granted. However, the governor of Washington called the team the Seattle Totems - the moniker of the former local minor-league hockey team - during a press conference in March. The blunder sent locals into a tizzy.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Times is wrapping up an "official(ly unofficial)" naming contest of its own. After a bracket-style process, only the Sockeyes and Totems remain.

Go Totems?

John Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer. You can find him on Twitter @matiszjohn.

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Veteran winger Radim Vrbata retired Monday, ending a 16-year NHL career.

He made the announcement through a statement released by his agent, Rich Evans.

Vrbata, 37, suited up for seven teams over his career, most recently with the Florida Panthers in 2017-18.

Over 1,057 career games, he had 284 goals and 339 assists.

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Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug suffered a left ankle injury and is set to be re-evaluated after three weeks of wearing a walking boot, general manager Don Sweeney announced.

Krug fractured the same ankle during the club's second-round series versus the Tampa Bay Lightning last season, but his current ailment is unrelated, Sweeney said.

The 27-year-old recorded 59 points while averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game last season.

The Bruins kick off their season Wednesday in Washington against the Capitals.

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Divisions:
Pacific | Central
Atlantic | Metropolitan

The Atlantic Division features a few of the league's strongest teams, but also some of its weakest. Only one of the top dogs made a significant addition, while two of the rebuilding teams pulled off blockbuster trades.

Here's how each Atlantic club fared this offseason:

Some contract figures are reported. Most players on two-way deals have been omitted. Total contract value doesn't include bonuses.

Boston Bruins

Key arrivals

Key departures

Rookies who could crack the lineup

Re-signed

Riley Nash's departure as the club's third-line center could hurt more than some think, especially if Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci miss some time like they did a year ago.

John Moore was a nice addition at a reasonable cost to solidify the left side of the club's blue line, but no other major upgrades were made. Instead, the Bruins will look to give bigger roles to some of their younger players.

Grade: C

Buffalo Sabres

Key arrivals

Key departures

Rookies who could crack the lineup

Re-signed

Trading Ryan O'Reilly was unnecessary, and the three depth forwards they received in the deal won't be able to replace one of the game's best two-way centers.

However, there are a lot of positives to take away from the Sabres' offseason. The Jeff Skinner trade was a steal if he signs an extension, Carter Hutton was signed to a low-risk, high-reward contract, and they won the rights to draft a franchise cornerstone in Rasmus Dahlin.

Buffalo won't be contending for a playoff spot in this top-heavy division this season, but it's generally moving in the right direction.

Grade: B

Detroit Red Wings

Key arrivals

Key departures

Rookies who could crack the lineup

Re-signed

Other than losing the heart and soul of the team in Henrik Zetterberg, the Red Wings won't look a whole lot different this coming season. They added Thomas Vanek up front but failed to upgrade their back end, which mostly contains over-the-hill veterans.

Standing pat wasn't necessarily the wrong move for general manager Ken Holland, since the youth movement is essentially in full swing. However, it'll take some time before the Wings are competitive again.

Grade: C-

Florida Panthers

Key arrivals

Key departures

Rookies who could crack the lineup

Re-signed

Making minimal changes was probably the best move for the cap-strapped Panthers. They took some time adjusting to a new coach in Bob Boughner in 2017-18, but really hit their stride in the second half, finishing the season 25-8-2 and one point out of the playoffs.

Work could've been done to address the blue line, but the addition of Mike Hoffman gives the Cats one of the league's most potent top-six forward groups. The Panthers are talented enough to earn a wild-card berth, but their questionable depth means they'll need a clean bill of health.

Grade: C+

Montreal Canadiens

Key arrivals

Key departures

Rookies who could crack the lineup

Re-signed

Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin got a solid return for Max Pacioretty, getting a decent replacement in Tomas Tatar, a top prospect in Nick Suzuki, and a draft pick. However, the trade makes the club worse in the short term. The Domi-Galchenyuk swap, however, could prove to look bad for the Habs both for this season and in the future.

Montreal is still a ways away from competing, but it's moving in the right direction by acquiring young talent.

Grade: C+

Ottawa Senators

Key arrivals

Key departures

Rookies who could crack the lineup

Re-signed

The Senators failed to maximize the return of two valuable trade assets and made the questionable decision to keep this year's first-round pick instead of 2019's, when potential franchise-changer Jack Hughes will be available, amid an offseason full of drama.

It's safe to say Ottawa's front office isn't inspiring much confidence. It's going to be a long year in the nation's capital after an abysmal summer.

Grade: F

Tampa Bay Lightning

Key arrivals

N/A

Key departures

Rookies who could crack the lineup

Re-signed

The Lightning didn't make any significant additions this offseason; frankly, they didn't need to. They're arguably the NHL's most complete team, and could hold that title for years to come after locking up big pieces of their core.

Grade: B-

Toronto Maple Leafs

Key arrivals

Key departures

Rookies who could crack the lineup

Re-signed

The Maple Leafs are one of the offseason's big winners after landing one of the best free agents to hit the open market in NHL history. However, failing to add a proven right-handed defenseman to solidify the back end prevents them from receiving a perfect grade.

Grade: A

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The NHL is a lot of hockey to follow and there's just not enough time to keep up with your favorite team and its prospects, who are often scattered across North America, and in some cases, the world. Fortunately, we've got you covered.

All season long, we'll bring you a prospect notebook to keep you up-to-date with both drafted players and those vying for the top spots in the 2019 NHL Draft. Here's how the season is kicking off.

In the Show

The youth takeover is in full effect. Veterans are being cut in training camp or waived to be sent to the minors and fresh blood is taking their place. More prospects than in years past have the opportunity to make their club's opening-night roster and make an impression on the big stage.

Kailer Yamamoto had a nine-game tryout with the Oilers last season before returning to the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL, but this year it seems he might stick in Edmonton. His nine preseason points - including six goals - tied him with Nashville Predators star Filip Forsberg for third overall, behind only teammates Connor McDavid and Ty Rattie.

Under the direction of new head coach Bill Peters, the Calgary Flames are engaging in a youth movement of sorts. After six points - four goals - in the preseason, rookie forward Dillon Dube has likely done enough to make the team, and chances are high that defenseman Juuso Valimaki will join him.

Both Brady Tkachuk and Alex Formenton have made the Ottawa Senators' opening-night roster. We may not know what the Senators are going to be this season, but here's a not-so-bold prediction: Tkachuk (and his big mouth and gritty play) will lead the team in penalty minutes, while also contributing on the score sheet.

Elias Pettersson was practically the only bright light in the abyss that was the Vancouver Canucks' preseason, and it appears he's on the fast track to adapting to the NHL game. You almost hate to waste him on the Canucks, who are about to embark on a "Lose For Hughes" campaign to bring 2018 seventh overall pick Quinn Hughes' brother, Jack, to Vancouver.

But then, with moves like these, it'll be hard to keep him down:

One interesting surprise: with injuries freeing up roster spots, it looks as though Jaret Anderson-Dolan might make the Los Angeles Kings' opening-night roster after making a great impression in the preseason. That's what many envisioned for Gabriel Vilardi before his back issues flared up again. Anderson-Dolan will likely get the typical nine-game look, and what happens after that may not only depend on how he plays, but also how quickly the other Kings players are able to return.

In the Minors

A significant number of top prospects get the chance to develop against a higher level of competition in the AHL this season, rather than in the junior leagues where they would likely dominate the game and learn very little.

Notable names include the Vegas Golden Knights' Erik Brannstrom, Colorado Avalanche's Martin Kaut, Philadelphia Flyers' Carter Hart, Detroit Red Wings' Filip Zadina, and Predators' Eeli Tolvanen.

The Class of 2019

Potential 2019 first-rounder Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs, OHL) has started the season off with a bang, racking up 10 points, including a league-best six goals, through his first four games.

Out west, Kirby Dach of the Saskatoon Blades was named CHL Player of the Week for the first week of the regular season. Dach had seven points, including three goals, in the Blades' first two games of the year. One of those games was an 8-0 blowout of the Swift Current Broncos in which Dach had five points. Beyond the impressive skill set, Dach's high hockey IQ allows him to think and play the game at a fast pace, something that will greatly benefit him in the NHL.

Over at the U.S. National Team Development Program, top gun Jack Hughes has five points in three games. Teammate Matthew Boldy has six, including four goals. Keep your eye on Boldy this season. He's going to make the team that drafts him in June very happy.

Around the CHL

Montreal Canadiens prospect Nick Suzuki - acquired in the Max Pacioretty trade - had a hat trick Saturday night with the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL in their game against the Ottawa 67's.

In his first game back with the Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) since being sent back by the Florida Panthers, forward Owen Tippett had a hat trick and finished with four points. Fellow Panthers prospect in the OHL, Serron Noel of the Oshawa Generals, also had a hat trick with one coming on the penalty kill.

While Chicago Blackhawks defensive prospect Adam Boqvist made a strong argument for himself in the preseason, he was returned to the London Knights of the OHL. He's already making quite an impression:

In Other News ...

• Sunday night, the Prince Albert Raiders scored three goals in 20 seconds against the Saskatoon Blades. Ouch.

• NCAA hockey has yet to begin, but the Avalanche had two prospects on the preseason All Hockey East Team (chosen by the Hockey East Writers and Broadcasters Association): Shane Bowers and Cale Makar.

• Top 2020 prospect Alexis Lafreniere has seven points in four games for Rimouski of the QMJHL. Lafreniere is already drawing comparisons to Sidney Crosby, which are no doubt fueled by the fact he plays for Crosby's former junior team.

Hannah Stuart keeps a close eye on both drafted and draft-eligible prospects and can usually be found trying to learn more about hockey analytics. She has previously written for FanRag Sports, The Hockey Writers, and Hooked On Hockey Magazine, and can also be found at High Heels and High Sticks. Find her on Twitter at @HockeyWthHannah.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded defenseman Connor Carrick to the Dallas Stars in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2019, the team announced Monday.

If Carrick suits up in 50 or more games this season, Toronto's newly acquired pick gets bumped up to a sixth-rounder.

Earlier Monday, Carrick was included in the Leafs' latest round of cuts, but the club evidently found a trade partner before he officially hit the waiver wire.

Carrick has struggled to carve out a consistent role within the Maple Leafs' top six over the past two seasons and was frequently a healthy scratch last year. The 24-year-old played in 47 games for the Leafs in 2017-18, recording four goals and eight assists in just over 15 minutes per contest.

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The Vancouver Canucks have waived forward Sam Gagner, the team announced Monday.

Gagner was set to enter the second season of a three-year contract signed with the Canucks that pays him $3.15 million annually.

In 74 games with Vancouver last season, Gagner had 10 goals and 21 assists. The 29-year-old has suited up for five teams since 2013-14, but should garner some interest on the waiver wire as a serviceable depth center.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed goalies Curtis McElhinney and Calvin Pickard, as well as defenseman Connor Carrick, on waivers, the team announced Monday.

McElhinney served as the Leafs' backup for the past two seasons and posted a .934 save percentage in 18 appearances in 2017-18. Pickard appeared in just one game after Toronto acquired him via trade in October.

Toronto's backup goalie job now belongs to Garret Sparks, who was named the AHL's top goalie last season after going 31-9-1 with a .936 save percentage.

As for Carrick, he's been unable to carve out a role on the Leafs' blue line over the past two seasons. The 24-year-old appeared in just 47 games for Toronto last year, registering four goals and eight assists in over 15 minutes per night.

With the latest round of cuts, Toronto's roster now sits at 23 players, with forward William Nylander still absent with just two days until puck drop.

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Leading up to the start of the 2018-19 season, theScore will be counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by four of our NHL editors. We'll reveal 10 players every weekday until the top 10 is unveiled on Oct. 3.

100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

30. Roman Josi, Predators

Josi has blossomed into a true impact player, capable of neutralizing opponents with outstanding positioning and a strong stick. He can also drive an offense with his smooth skating stride, high-end skill, and good instincts. -- Wegman

29. Artemi Panarin, Blue Jackets

Panarin erased any doubts he could produce elite numbers without Patrick Kane on his opposite flank after putting up a career-high 82 points in his first season in Columbus. The Bread Man has established himself as one of the NHL's best wingers, and you can bet he'll remain at the top of his game in a contract year. -- O'Leary

28. Jamie Benn, Stars

He does it all. Benn will crush you into the boards, set up a nice goal, or rip one himself. He's still the straw that stirs the Dallas Stars' drink, leading the team in points, finishing second among Stars forwards in hits, and pacing the club with seven game-winning goals last season. -- Hagerman

27. Jack Eichel, Sabres

Eichel had his best NHL campaign in 2017-18 despite missing 15 games. The soon-to-be 22-year-old has been hindered by injuries in each of the past two campaigns but he's clearly an elite offensive talent who's only scratching the surface of his potential. Don't be surprised if he truly breaks out this season. -- Gold-Smith

26. Aleksander Barkov, Panthers

Barkov is maybe the most underrated player in the league. Yes, he has a ridiculous set of hands, but the 6-foot-3 center is as good without the puck as he is with it, finishing fifth in the league with 82 takeaways and second among Panthers forwards with 67 blocked shots last season. An elite penalty killer, Barkov will be a perennial Selke Trophy candidate for the next decade. -- Wegman

25. Patrik Laine, Jets

It's only a matter of time before Laine starts winning Rocket Richard trophies; his devastating release is simply unsolvable for opposing netminders. While goal scoring is Laine's greatest asset, his underrated passing ability and hands help make him one of the best young players in the NHL. -- O'Leary

24. Claude Giroux, Flyers

Giroux is coming off a monstrous 2017-18, nearly doubling his 2016-17 point total to finish second in league scoring after moving to the wing. He's recorded the fifth-most assists over the last four seasons as one of the top playmakers in the league. -- Hagerman

23. Blake Wheeler, Jets

Wheeler not only posted a career-high 91 points last season, his versatility and selflessness practically saved the Jets' campaign. After top center Mark Scheifele went down with an injury, Wheeler shifted from right wing to center - almost unheard of for a veteran of his pedigree - and totaled 16 points in as many games as the Jets went 11-2-3. That's the sign of a true leader. -- Wegman

22. P.K. Subban, Predators

The Predators have four excellent defensemen, but Subban is the best of the bunch and the heart and soul of the group. He's a great skater who can score and get under his opponents' skin. Few NHLers play with as much passion as Subban does, and few are as versatile. -- Gold-Smith

21. Evgeny Kuznetsov, Capitals

Kuznetsov's 2017-18 cemented him as one of the league's top players. The charismatic Russian was bumped up to Alex Ovechkin's line and produced a career-high 83 regular-season points, then recorded a Conn Smythe-worthy 32 points in 24 postseason games as the Caps captured the Cup. -- O'Leary

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber has been named the 30th captain in franchise history, the team announced Monday.

In addition, the club announced forwards Paul Byron and Brendan Gallagher will serve as alternate captains for the upcoming season.

Weber takes over for Max Pacioretty, who was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights over the offseason. The 33-year-old blue-liner joined the Canadiens in 2016 in the trade that sent P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators, for whom Weber formerly served as captain.

It will be a while before Weber can officially don the "C," as he continues to recover from knee surgery.

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