The Florida Panthers hired longtime NHL defenseman Ulf Samuelsson as an assistant coach, the team announced Monday.
"Ulf is a knowledgeable and experienced coach who will be a great addition to the Panthers," said general manager Bill Zito. "We are excited for him to join Joel (Quenneville's) coaching staff and look forward to his competitive mentality and the impact that he can have on our team."
Samuelsson most recently served as head coach of the Swedish Hockey League's Leksands IF, while also working as a Seattle Kraken scout. He's coached the AHL's Charlotte Checkers and has been an assistant for the then-Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks, where he worked under Quenneville.
Samuelsson's NHL playing career spanned 16 seasons split among the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers. The 56-year-old registered 332 points in 1,080 games, winning two Stanley Cups with the Pens in 1991 and 1992.
Welcome to the theScore's NHL logo countdown. This list examines logos that date back to the inception of the Original Six and includes the main emblem for all 32 current teams, 11 clubs that moved or changed their name, and seven whose logo has undergone a significant redesign. Only primary ones were considered.
The five-part series concludes with the top 10 on Friday. Let's begin with Nos. 50-41.
50. Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim pulled off perhaps the biggest logo downgrade in NHL history when it shifted out of the Mighty Ducks era. Gold and orange is a bizarre color combination, and an infusion of black and silver simply doesn't work. Whenever the Ducks update their logo again, perhaps it would be wise to actually include, you know, a duck.
49. California Golden Seals (1970-76)
Initially named the California Seals, the team was purchased by Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley in 1970 and renamed the Bay Area Seals. After just two games, the club re-branded to the California Golden Seals and switched its colors to green and gold to match those of the MLB's A's. The colors simply didn't work this time around, and the font could have been more aesthetically pleasing.
48. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets' current logo is simple and serves its purpose, though it doesn't exactly stand out. It was used as an alternate logo beginning in 2003 but became the primary one in 2007. It incorporates the Ohio state flag wrapped around a star, paying homage to the team's roots in patriotism.
47. Cleveland Barons (1976-78)
The Cleveland Barons were born when the California Golden Seals relocated to Ohio in 1976. New city, new name, but yet another underwhelming branding decision. The crest was outdated even for the '70s, and the lack of creativity certainly didn't help market the team. The Barons' existence was short-lived, as the club merged with the Minnesota North Stars after just two seasons.
46. Tampa Bay Lightning
Since their inception in 1992, the Lightning have gone with a simple bolt for their logo. It went through a couple of minor tweaks, but the club completely updated the logo and the team's primary colors to the current design ahead of the 2011-12 season. It certainly doesn't push any boundaries, which prevented it from placing higher up the list.
45. Dallas Stars
It's safe to say the Stars organization left all of its best looks in Minnesota. Dallas' current logo is rather simple and uninspiring, and for a city so full of life, it fails to tell much of a story. Perhaps it's time the club considers at least bringing back its look from the Mike Modano era.
44. Columbus Blue Jackets (2000-07)
The Blue Jackets' old primary logo is better than the current iteration but was nothing to write home about. If Columbus is planning a rebrand anytime soon, it can leave this one behind. We want the cannon!
43. Kansas City Scouts (1974-76)
NHL hockey didn't last long in Kansas City, and the Scouts' logo was a neat idea that was executed lackadaisically. The design is an homage to The Scout, an iconic statue located in Penn Valley Park that overlooks downtown. It's certainly a unique look, but it feels incomplete due to a lack of detail.
42. Washington Capitals
The Capitals' emblem is aesthetically pleasing but falls far short of its potential. The colors pop and the stars are an excellent touch, but wordmark logos appear lazy and leave a lot to be desired. With a little bit more imagination, Washington could have one of the better logos in the league.
41. Los Angeles Kings
The Kings have undergone more logo changes than most teams but have donned the current crest since 2011. It incorporates the team's famed crown emblem from the past, but the design is basic overall. While it's not very flashy, the black and silver color scheme helps get the job done.
Toronto Maple Leafs icon and former Hockey Night in Canada announcer Howie Meeker has died at the age of 97, a team spokesperson told The Canadian Press.
Meeker won four Stanley Cups and a Calder Trophy over an eight-year playing career that spanned from 1946 to 1954. He also coached the Maple Leafs for one season in 1956-57.
He then joined Hockey Night in Canada as a broadcaster and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998 for his career as an analyst.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman paid his respects to Meeker with a statement later Sunday.
"Howie Meeker spent his long and remarkable life playing, teaching, and broadcasting the game of hockey and serving his country with incredible enthusiasm," Bettman said.
"Presented with the Foster Hewitt Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998 and awarded the Order of Canada in 2010, Howie Meeker connected countless fans to hockey with his wisdom and infectious voice. The National Hockey League celebrates his life and mourns his passing."
The Ottawa Senators are mourning the loss of Canadian icon and longtime "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek, who passed away from pancreatic cancer Sunday at the age of 80.
"Alex was a true and much beloved Canadian icon, and a very special member of the Ottawa Senators family," Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said in a statement.
"We will always be grateful to Alex for the special role he played in announcing the Senators' first draft choice this year. For his legions of fans, Alex's class and professionalism will endure as will his love for our game. Thank you, Alex, for your legacy. The Senators family and the entire Capital Region will miss you."
Trebek revealed in March 2019 he had been battling Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
The Sudbury, Ontario native is a University of Ottawa alumnus. Trebek made a special appearance at the NHL Draft in October to announce forward Tim Stuetzle as the Senators' first-round selection.
The German winger also paid tribute Sunday, posting the video of Trebek drafting him with a special message attached.
"I am deeply sorry to hear about the death of Alex Trebek. I was looking forward to meeting the person who drafted me. He shared this unforgettable moment with me and I am very thankful for that."
Trebek holds the Guinness World Record for the most game show episodes hosted by the same presenter. He hosted more than 8,200 episodes of "Jeopardy!" over 37 seasons.
The QMJHL has announced seven teams located in COVID-19 red zones will assemble a protected environment in Quebec City for 10 days.
The Gatineau Olympiques, Drummondville Voltiguers, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Victoriaville Tigres, Shawinigan Cataractes, Chicoutimi Sagueneens, and Quebec Remparts will station themselves accordingly at the Videotron Centre from Nov. 17-27.
Each team will play six regular-season games.
The move comes at the recommendation of Quebec Public Health officials. The province reported its highest ever daily increase of COVID-19 cases on Sunday with 1,397.
The QMJHL is the only branch of the CHL to have begun its 2020-21 campaign. The schedule started in October and there have already been outbreaks on multiple teams.
The WHL is scheduled to return Jan. 8, while the OHL is targeting Feb. 4 for its resumption.
The NHL still has its eyes set on starting the 2020-21 season on New Year's Day.
Dropping the puck on Jan. 1 "remains our objective," league deputy commissioner Bill Daly told TSN's Pierre LeBrun on Friday.
The NHL-NHLPA return-to-play committee hasn't met yet to discuss the matter despite the date being less than two months away, LeBrun added.
The upcoming campaign's logistics remain unknown. It's unclear how many games will be played, whether an all-Canadian division will be created due to border restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, if bubbles will be needed, or if fans will be able to attend games.
Earlier reports state the league isn't considering anything less than 48 games. Daly previously mentioned at least 10-12 scenarios the league could viably look at, but added none are more likely than others.
