Jonathan Toews believes the under-the-radar nature of the NHL and NHLPA's current negotiations bodes well for future labor peace.

"It's probably the way it should be, and I think that's probably a good sign that there is some mutual respect and both sides are trying to come to agreements," the Chicago Blackhawks captain said, according to The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno. "You have mutual dedication to keeping our game going down the same path and not disrupting that."

After meeting in New York last week, the two sides held discussions Monday and will meet again Tuesday, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

The ongoing talks have produced little fanfare to this point, but NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr characterized the meetings as cordial and "free from rancor" last week.

The union has until Sunday to reopen the current CBA if it so chooses. Otherwise, the agreement will expire as scheduled Sept. 15, 2022.

On Aug. 30, the NHL decided not to exercise its own option to trigger an opt-out clause.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jake Gardiner decided against joining the Montreal Canadiens.

Marc Bergevin, the club's general manager, confirmed as much Monday at the team's annual golf tournament.

"We had interest, we made an offer, and it's a two-way street," the GM said. "If you're interested, the player has to be interested, so I can't comment on why he didn't (accept it), but yes, we did (make an offer)."

Bergevin didn't provide any more details about the offer, reiterating that he didn't want to speculate about why Gardiner wouldn't want to sign with Montreal.

The former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman inked a four-year, $16.2-million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. He became an unrestricted free agent after spending his first eight NHL seasons with the Leafs.

Bergevin also said Monday that the Canadiens have begun negotiating an extension with forward Max Domi.

The Montreal GM revealed Sunday that he isn't interested in bringing back longtime Canadiens rearguard Andrei Markov.

Gardiner collected 30 points in 62 games with Toronto last season after racking up a career-high 52 points across 82 contests in 2017-18.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jake Gardiner decided against joining the Montreal Canadiens.

Marc Bergevin, the club's general manager, confirmed as much Monday at the team's annual golf tournament.

"We had interest, we made an offer, and it's a two-way street," the GM said. "If you're interested, the player has to be interested, so I can't comment on why he didn't (accept it), but yes, we did (make an offer)."

Bergevin didn't provide any more details about the offer, reiterating that he didn't want to speculate about why Gardiner wouldn't want to sign with Montreal.

The former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman inked a four-year, $16.2-million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. He became an unrestricted free agent after spending his first eight NHL seasons with the Leafs.

Bergevin also said Monday that the Canadiens have begun negotiating an extension with forward Max Domi.

The Montreal GM revealed Sunday that he isn't interested in bringing back longtime Canadiens rearguard Andrei Markov.

Gardiner collected 30 points in 62 games with Toronto last season after racking up a career-high 52 points across 82 contests in 2017-18.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Jersey Devils general manager Ray Shero remains focused on re-signing restricted free-agent forward Pavel Zacha despite reports that the former first-round pick is leaving for the KHL, according to NHL.com's Mike Morreale.

"His agent told me a couple days ago (that he could sign in the KHL), but I'm hopeful we'll get something done over the next few days entering training camp," Shero said Monday. "I think we're trying to find the right term and based upon his age. He's a real good fit for us as a player. He's a young guy whose game is evolving. ...

"I can't control what he does. If (the KHL) is the route he likes, it's going to be a long road back to the NHL."

Earlier Monday morning, Sport-Express' Igor Eronko reported that Zacha agreed to terms with Avangard of the KHL. The Devils issued a qualifying offer to Zacha this summer and thus retain the 22-year-old's NHL rights even if he signs overseas.

"My advice (to Zacha) would be that you're going to hopefully play in the NHL for a long time," Shero said, "and to get to where we hope you can be and continue to grow, why would you (play in the KHL)? That's going to be a big step back."

The 6-foot-3 center has struggled to carve out a role with the Devils since being selected sixth overall at the 2015 NHL Draft. Zacha has mustered 29 goals and 76 points in 201 career contests.

The Devils have $8.71 million in projected cap space with Zacha the only player in need of a new contract for next season, according to CapFriendly.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Anaheim Ducks are reportedly interested in acquiring Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk.

The two sides are in ongoing discussions about a trade involving the 27-year-old rearguard, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Friedman added that details are still being worked out, and that Faulk has a partial no-trade clause in his contract that includes the Ducks.

The Hurricanes reportedly shopped Faulk last June amid stalled extension talks, but they were unable to find an appropriate suitor. He's now set to enter the final year of his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent.

The 6-foot blue-liner recorded 11 goals and 35 points in 82 games for the Hurricanes last season before adding one goal and eight points in 15 playoff contests.

After inking defenseman Jake Gardiner to a four-year, $16.2-million deal last week, Carolina sits $1.5 million over the salary cap and will likely need to move a player to become cap compliant.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin returned to the ice shortly after an injury scare during a team scrimmage on Monday.

The sniper initially went down in pain and was unable to put weight on his left leg as teammates helped him to the locker room, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.

However, Ovechkin was back on the ice a short time later and appeared to be moving around just fine.

It's been a tough start to the week for Ovi, who told reporters following the skate that he injured his nose after falling off his bike on Sunday.

The 33-year-old is entering his 15th NHL season with the Capitals and is just 42 goals shy of reaching 700 for his career.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The first major restricted free-agent domino has fallen.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Zach Werenski to a three-year, $15-million contract, according to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.

Werenski's new deal runs through the 2021-22 season, and he'll remain a restricted free agent with arbitration eligibility when it expires.

The 22-year-old has been an instrumental part of the Blue Jackets' blue line while recording 128 points over 237 contests throughout his entry-level deal. He also led all restricted free-agent defensemen in points during the 2018-19 campaign and ranked second in average ice time.

His 38 goals rank ninth among NHL rearguards since entering the league in 2016-17.

Getting Werenski signed prior to training camp has provided a bright spot after an otherwise difficult offseason for the Blue Jackets. The club watched forwards Matt Duchene and Artemi Panarin walk in free agency, along with netminder Sergei Bobrovsky.

The Blue Jackets hold $10.76 million in projected cap space with a nearly full roster and no remaining players needing a new contract, according to CapFriendly.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.