The NHL regular season doesn't begin for another two weeks and there's already bad blood between two divisional foes.

During Wednesday's preseason meeting between the Florida Panthers and Montreal Canadiens, Max Domi was ejected for sucker-punching Aaron Ekblad.

Panthers veteran netminder Roberto Luongo took no time sharing his feelings on the play.

"It was a bit of a gutless play. You don't do those types of things," Luongo told reporters postgame, per Sportsnet. "I'm sure the league will look at it, and we definitely won't forget about it.

"You don't do that. You respect your opponents, and if your opponent doesn't want to engage in a fight, that's no reason to drop your glove and punch him square in the face for no reason."

The Canadiens and Panthers will play four times this season, but the first meeting isn't until Dec. 28 in Florida.

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Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad looks to have avoided any serious injury following a punch from Montreal Canadiens forward Max Domi on Wednesday night.

Related: Canadiens' Domi given match penalty after punching Ekblad

Following the game, Panthers head coach Bob Boughner told reporters that Ekblad was removed from the game by the league to determine if he'd suffered a concussion. The 22-year-old managed to avoid sustaining a concussion, or a broken nose, according to The Athletic's Arpon Basu.

The news comes as a huge relief for the Panthers and their fans as Ekblad has a history of concussions.

As for Domi, he was assessed a match penalty on the play, while the NHL's Department of Player Safety is reportedly reviewing the infraction, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs lost several veteran forwards to free agency this offseason, and while John Tavares was brought in, the team will rely on younger players to fill out depth roles this year.

Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson will both be relied upon as lineup regulars for the 2018-19 campaign, but after Wednesday night's preseason game against the Ottawa Senators, head coach Mike Babcock wasn't very impressed with what he saw out of the two youngsters.

"They've got to be real important players for us, so I expect a lot out of those guys," Babcock said, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston. "They've got more to give, for sure."

Kapanen and Johnsson were held without a point Wednesday and combined for just two shots. Both forwards played pivotal roles for the Maple Leafs down the stretch last season.

After registering 24 points in 28 games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies last year, the 22-year-old Kapanen suited up in 38 games with the big club, tallying seven goals and two assists.

Johnsson, 23, also tore up the AHL, racking up 54 points in as many games before his call-up, during which he recorded three points in nine games and added two more in six postseason contests.

Daily Faceoff projects the two wingers will flank Nazem Kadri on Toronto's third line, but it's possible more ice time will be in the forecast if William Nylander's contract holdout continues into the season.

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Max Domi made an early exit from his Montreal Canadiens preseason debut.

The forward was given a two-minute minor for roughing and a match penalty after punching Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad less than a minute into the third period of Wednesday's preseason tilt.

The infraction will be looked at by the NHL's Department of Player Safety, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun. As for Ekblad, he did not return to the game, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.

Domi was acquired from the Arizona Coyotes this offseason in a trade that sent forward Alex Galchenyuk to the desert.

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The NHL isn't worried that any behind-the-scenes business factored into Henrik Zetterberg ending his playing career and landing on the Detroit Red Wings' long-term injured reserve for the remaining three seasons of his contract.

The club announced Sept. 14 that the 37-year-old's days on the ice were finished due to his back condition. Zetterberg signed a 12-year, $73-million contract in 2009, which carries a cap hit of just over $6 million until 2021. However, Zetterberg's salary declines to $3.35 million for the 2018-19 season, and then falls to $1 million in real dollars for the final two seasons of his pact.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league investigated the contract when it was initially signed.

"We wanted to understand the motivations, what was discussed, everything about that," Daly told Craig Custance of The Athletic. "We were ultimately very satisfied that there was no precooked deal that after 'Year X' he was going to leave, go into retirement, and the club is going to benefit because of that."

Zetterberg hadn't missed a game in three consecutive seasons, but Daly is also convinced of the severity of the player's back problems. However, he acknowledged the league will likely investigate to make sure the medical issue is legitimate.

"We don't question it by any means," Daly said. "We know he's been suffering and it's been a significant issue for a number of years going back to the Olympics. He couldn't even participate in the Olympics. You know it had to be a serious injury. I have no doubt to the bona fides of the situation. But will we (investigate) to make sure we check the boxes? Probably."

Prior to puck drop last season, the league handled a similar scenario with Marian Hossa, whom the Chicago Blackhawks placed on LTIR due to a skin condition with four years remaining on his contract. After an investigation, the transaction was ultimately approved.

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The NHL isn't worried that any behind-the-scenes business factored into Henrik Zetterberg ending his playing career and landing on the Detroit Red Wings' long-term injured reserve for the remaining three seasons of his contract.

The club announced Sept. 14 that the 37-year-old's days on the ice were finished due to his back condition. Zetterberg signed a 12-year, $73-million contract in 2009, which carries a cap hit of just over $6 million until 2021. However, Zetterberg's salary declines to $3.35 million for the 2018-19 season, and then falls to $1 million in real dollars for the final two seasons of his pact.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league investigated the contract when it was initially signed.

"We wanted to understand the motivations, what was discussed, everything about that," Daly told Craig Custance of The Athletic. "We were ultimately very satisfied that there was no precooked deal that after 'Year X' he was going to leave, go into retirement, and the club is going to benefit because of that."

Zetterberg hadn't missed a game in three consecutive seasons, but Daly is also convinced of the severity of the player's back problems. However, he acknowledged the league will likely investigate to make sure the medical issue is legitimate.

"We don't question it by any means," Daly said. "We know he's been suffering and it's been a significant issue for a number of years going back to the Olympics. He couldn't even participate in the Olympics. You know it had to be a serious injury. I have no doubt to the bona fides of the situation. But will we (investigate) to make sure we check the boxes? Probably."

Prior to puck drop last season, the league handled a similar scenario with Marian Hossa, whom the Chicago Blackhawks placed on LTIR due to a skin condition with four years remaining on his contract. After an investigation, the transaction was ultimately approved.

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Restricted free-agent forward Sam Reinhart has signed a two-year extension with the Buffalo Sabres, the club announced Wednesday.

The deal is reportedly worth $3.65 million per season, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Reinhart appeared in all 82 games for the Sabres last season, notching career highs with 25 goals and 50 points.

With Reinhart's contract done, just four RFAs remain: Anaheim's Nick Ritchie, New Jersey's Miles Wood, Toronto's William Nylander, and Vegas' Shea Theodore.

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The Dallas Stars have agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract with forward Ty Dellandrea, the team announced Wednesday.

The Stars selected Dellandrea with the 13th overall pick in last year's draft.

Dellandrea has spent the past two seasons with the OHL's Flint Firebirds. He finished second in team scoring last year with 59 points in 67 games.

The 18-year-old appeared in his first NHL preseason game Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues, registering one shot in just under 10 minutes of playing time.

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