Youth hockey participation in Arizona increased by 17 percent over the last year, growing from 3,874 participants in 2016-17 to 4,519 in 2017-18, according to statistics released by USA Hockey. The rise of Toronto Maple Leafs superstar and Scottsdale, Ariz. native Auston Matthews was surely a factor.
It's more than just youths who want to be like Matthews, though. There are now 8,617 overall hockey participants in Arizona, up 11 percent from last year, and 109 percent in the last five years.
The first three years of that five-year span can't be credited to Matthews since he wasn't selected first overall until the 2016 NHL Draft.
Shane Doan, who spent 21 years playing hockey in the desert, has also left his impact on the state.
"It seems that wherever an NHL team goes, the minor hockey does better and it has done that since we have been here," Doan told Arizona Sports' Craig Morgan. "For me as a parent, I have seen the Junior Coyotes program go from being somewhat obscure to being capable of being competitive; one of the top 20, 25 programs in the country. That is exciting."
Doan's son, a ninth-round selection of the WHL's Kamloops Blazers in 2017, was a member of the Junior Coyotes program.
The Arizona Coyotes organization is playing a big part in the rapid growth of hockey in the area, donating more than $300,000 to local rinks, $450,000 to high schools over the next two years, and 2,100 sets of equipment to youth programs.
There are now 10 rinks and 15 sheets of ice in Arizona, compared to just three sheets of ice in 1996, when the Coyotes first arrived from Winnipeg.
The city of Tucson, where the Coyotes' AHL affiliate plays, has seen the largest growth. Hockey participation has increased by 433 percent in the eight-and-under age category over the past year, and 296 percent among all ages.
In 10 to 20 years, it's possible Arizona could become a hockey-talent producing factory, rather than just where the occasional diamond in the rough is found like Matthews.
However, Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet is prepared to give Galchenyuk the opportunity to play up the middle this season.
"I've communicated with Alex and he said he'd like to play center," Tocchet said, according to ArizonaCoyotes.com's Dave Vest. "I have no problem with a player who'd like to try something if he backs it up. So, I want to give him a chance at center if he wants to play it, and our coaching staff will try to give him the best possible help to play that center position. We'll see how that goes."
Galchenyuk noted that he's been preparing this offseason for such an opportunity.
"That's where my head is and what my goal is," Galchenyuk said. "I'm training really hard and preparing myself for it. I can't wait to get it started."
Despite the Canadiens' down 2017-18 campaign, Galchenyuk put up admirable numbers with 19 goals and 51 points in 82 games. The question now is: will a move to center help get him back to putting up 30 goals a season?
The Toronto Maple Leafs are making a legendary addition to their front office.
Hayley Wickenheiser has been hired as the team's new assistant director of player development, the club announced along with several other moves Thursday morning.
Wickenheiser won four Olympic gold medals for Canada and seven World Championship golds. She is the all-time points leader for the nation's women's hockey program with 379 in 276 games and was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2011.
The 40-year-old former forward was a trailblazer in the sport, becoming the first woman to play full-time professional hockey in a position other than goaltender.
She represented Canada from 1994 until her retirement last year, and now serves on the IOC's Athletes' Commission.
Wickenheiser served as a guest coach for the Maple Leafs at the club's development camp back in June.
Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning made a couple things quite clear on Wednesday.
"That's a non-starter. I'm not trading next year's draft picks," Benning said, according to TSN's Jeff Paterson.
It's worth noting that the 2019 NHL Draft will take place in Vancouver.
Benning's statement came hours after a report that Erik Karlsson trade talks are heating up. Connecting the dots, the Canucks are seemingly out of the running, assuming draft picks are on the Ottawa Senators' wish list in a return package for their superstar defenseman.
While speaking to Sportsnet's John Shannon, Benning said there's no truth to the Canucks being in on the Karlsson trade talks.
Karlsson is heading into the final year of a contract that has a 10-team no-trade list.
The Canucks finished second-last in the Pacific Division during the 2017-18 season with 73 points. Though the front office made some minor ripples on July 1, Vancouver didn't make any significant splashes this offseason to catapult the team from rebuilders to playoff contenders. Which is why hanging on to their prospect- and draft-pick capital seems logical.
Teams interested in the Senators' captain have "stepped up of late and talks are moving," according to TSN's Darren Dreger.
Rumors regarding a potential trade involving Karlsson had gone quiet ever since reports in early July that the Dallas Stars were front-runners to land the two-time Norris Trophy winner. Among the other teams linked to Karlsson at the time were the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights.
It also appears as though another club has since entered the running for Karlsson, as Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet alluded to the Vancouver Canucks having interest.
There is a sense today that Erik Karlsson trade talks have picked up in the last few days. Most likely destinations appear to be Western Conference. There is also a belief VAN has stepped in to see if it is a match.
Karlsson is heading into the final year of a seven-year, $45.5-million contract, and while the Senators reportedly offered him a contract extension worth $10 million annually, there's been no indication he intends to stay in Ottawa.
NHLers dealing with or coming back from significant injuries can get lost in the shuffle in fantasy draft preparation, but identifying those players is an important annual exercise that can give you an edge over your competition on draft night.
They can be overlooked, either because they get buried in default pre-draft rankings by virtue of having missed significant time, or because fantasy owners are wary of drafting someone coming off, or dealing with, an injury. Particularly in deeper leagues, keeping tabs on them can make the difference between making the playoffs and missing out.
Here's a handful of players returning from injury at some point this season to keep an eye on as fantasy drafts approach:
Robby Fabbri, St. Louis Blues
Fabbri's had some terrible misfortune, tearing the ACL in his left knee in February 2017 and then tearing it again in training camp seven months later. He didn't play a single game last season, but he got medical clearance to return to action last month and thus warrants fantasy consideration.
It remains to be seen both where the 22-year-old will fit in on the Blues' newly stacked lines - with Ryan O'Reilly and Tyler Bozak entering the fold up the middle and David Perron and Patrick Maroon giving St. Louis depth on the wings - as well as how effective Fabbri will be coming off the two serious knee injuries.
He's probably going to begin the season in St. Louis' bottom six, but if he can crack one of the top two lines, his fantasy value would skyrocket. He's worth a late look given the opportunities he may receive among what is now - at least on paper - one of the NHL's deepest groups of forwards.
Kevin Shattenkirk, New York Rangers
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Shattenkirk had a disappointing first campaign with the Rangers, as he played through a knee injury before opting for season-ending surgery in January. However, he's expected to be ready to go when training camp rolls around next month.
He won't be high on draft boards after being limited to 46 games in 2017-18, but it's worth noting that he still managed to chip in 12 power-play points, and 23 points overall, while dealing with the injury.
It's also worth remembering how effective Shattenkirk has been in his career as a point producer and power-play quarterback. He'll be on the Rangers' top defensive pairing and first unit with the man advantage, and as such, could be a late-round steal for fantasy owners.
Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
A knee injury limited Jumbo Joe to 47 games last season, but like Shattenkirk, Thornton was still productive, chipping in 36 points, half of which came on the power play.
The 39-year-old is on track to be in the Sharks' lineup when the season begins in October, and he told NBC Sports Bay Area's Marcus White last month that his two surgically repaired knees feel great.
Thornton should center San Jose's top line between Evander Kane and Joe Pavelski, and he'll get plenty of power-play time, too, assuming he stays healthy. He's not what he once was, but don't forget about him or his potential impact.
When he does return, the veteran blue-liner will log heavy minutes, produce points, and rack up high shots on goal totals, giving him value in most fantasy leagues. Yes, Weber just turned 33, but he should come close to replicating his past production in the aforementioned categories when he steps back on the ice, making him worthy of late-round consideration for injured reserve-stashing purposes.
Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Relying on Crawford as a No. 1 fantasy goaltender this season would be a mistake. Owners should avoid drafting Crawford where they normally would given his uncertain status for the upcoming season, but he's at the very least worth keeping on the radar as fantasy drafts draw near.
The veteran goaltender was having one of the best campaigns of his career when he was forced out of the lineup for what turned out to be the rest of the season back in December with what were later reported as symptoms of vertigo.
Injuries aren't the only thing working against Crawford; he's 33, he could be rusty when he returns, and he has a pair of aging defensive anchors in front of him in Duncan Keith (35) and Brent Seabrook (33).
However, he posted a .929 save percentage and a 2.27 goals against average in 28 games last season before his absence, and as such shouldn't be dismissed entirely, whether it be on draft night or once the season begins.
Couturier will participate on a limited basis at the start of training camp and will be ready to go a few weeks later, Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Sam Carchidi.
Hextall said Couturier's injury happened in a charity game and is in a different spot than that of the MCL tear in his right knee that he endured during the playoffs in April.
The 25-year-old enjoyed a breakout season in 2017-18, setting career highs in goals (31), assists (45), and points. He was the runner-up for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded to the NHL's best defensive forward.
With just three weeks until training camp opens, Josh Morrissey's next contract remains the lone piece of business for the Winnipeg Jets.
The 23-year-old is coming off his entry-level deal and remains a restricted free agent. While time is of the essence, Morrissey is confident he will have a contract in place before the start of the season.
"Everyone's going to have their own opinions and that's fine, but from my standpoint as a player, my agent and from our conversations with the team, everything's been going great," Morrissey said, according to Jason Bell of the Winnipeg Free Press. "Everyone's confident it will be handled and done, definitely in time for the season.
"Right now, it's in the works. Every player handles these things differently but I'm just focused on training throughout the summer. Of course, it's something you think about. You'd be lying if that wasn't the case. But I think things have really started to progress. For me, I love being here, I love playing here. You look at the playoff run last year that we had and just the support from the fans, I love being a Winnipeg Jet."
Morrissey was originally drafted 13th overall in 2013 and is coming off his second full season in the league where he posted seven goals and 26 points in 81 games.
