John Tavares took a hometown discount to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but his $11-million cap hit could still make it difficult for the team to keep its big three of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander.

Matthews and Marner will be restricted free agents next offseason, while Nylander is an RFA right now in need of a new deal. It's not beyond the realm of possibility that the trio could make roughly $25 million to $30 million combined annually. Factoring in Tavares' contract, that could be close to half the salary cap for four players.

Despite the difficulties that lay ahead, Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas is confident he'll be able to keep all three of Matthews, Marner, and Nylander.

"We can, and we will," Dubas told Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek on the 31 Thoughts podcast.

If Dubas can lock all three up to long-term contracts, the Leafs will have four of the most skilled forwards in the NHL for years to come.

However, to remain a successful team despite four potentially massive contracts, the Leafs will need to continue to draft players who can be competent NHLers on affordable salaries in order to fill out their roster.

Only time will tell if they can make it work.

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Survivors of the Capital Gazette shooting got to spend some time with the Stanley Cup on Tuesday.

Washington Capitals assistant equipment manager Craig "Woody" Leydig brought the Cup to the temporary office where staff of the Annapolis, Md. newspaper have been working since a gunman opened fire on the Capital Gazette newsroom on June 28. Leydig completed a phone interview with The Capital just prior to the shooting, which left five people dead and two injured.

"I turned to my co-workers and told them I just got done doing an interview with a reporter who might be in that building,” Leydig told The Capital's Bill Wagner. "I was absolutely stunned and extremely upset."

The newspaper's staff spent about 45 minutes with the Cup.

"We want to thank Craig for coming in with the Stanley Cup. It was clearly a big morale boost for everyone, particularly the hockey fans in the newsroom," Capital Gazette editor Rick Hutzell said. "The number of selfies that came out of this was huge and will be treasured forever."

Leydig, who has worked for the Capitals for the past 29 seasons, also brought the Cup to the U.S. Naval Academy and the City of Annapolis Office of Emergency Management.

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The Dallas Stars are seen as the front-runners in the Erik Karlsson sweepstakes, but the Columbus Blue Jackets have also contacted the Ottawa Senators about a potential trade for the superstar defenseman, according to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.

League sources told Portzline that the Blue Jackets are unlikely to do a deal unless the Senators lower their asking price.

With reports claiming that forward Artemi Panarin has declined to speak about a potential contract extension with the Blue Jackets, he would make sense as a piece in a potential trade for Karlsson. The Senators, however, reportedly aren't interested in Panarin because he'll be a free agent at the end of next season.

If the Blue Jackets land Karlsson, they would add a star to an already deep blue line that already includes Zach Werenski and Seth Jones.

Columbus currently has over $14 million in cap space and will have over $36 million next season, enough to ink a potential contract extension with Karlsson.

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Hockey Canada has invited 40 prospects to take part in the World Junior Showcase, where they'll compete for a spot on Team Canada's final roster at the 2019 World Junior Championship.

The list of invitees includes Vegas Golden Knights prospect Nick Suzuki and Los Angeles Kings prospect Gabe Vilardi.

The camp begins July 28 in Kamloops, British Columbia. This year's world junior tournament will also be hosted in B.C., with Vancouver and Victoria serving as host cities. The tournament begins Dec. 26.

The announcement of the camp invites comes one day after Hockey Canada named Tim Hunter as its world junior head coach.

Forwards

Defense

Goaltenders

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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Say goodbye to one of the NHL's last true enforcers.

Anaheim Ducks winger Jared Boll confirmed his retirement from the league after 11 seasons, The Athletic's Aaron Portzline reports.

Boll, who spent nine seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets and two with the Ducks, appeared in 579 career games, racking up 1,298 penalty minutes. His 171 fighting majors lead the league since his first season in 2007-08. Despite spending so much time in the penalty box, he still mustered 28 goals and 66 points in his career.

Boll told Portzline he made the decision to retire months ago, after having back surgery late in the season and learning that he and his wife are expecting their first child.

"I'm proud of how I played and I'm proud of my career," he said. "I think I gave it everything I could."

Boll finishes his career ranked first in Blue Jackets history in penalty minutes and fourth in games played.

"I had so much fun playing for the Blue Jackets. So much fun playing for the fans here," he added. "The way the city took me in and welcomed me when I was a young player ... I'll never forget that."

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Below are the top 200 skaters and goalies ranked in descending order based on their value in "banger leagues." A typical banger league consists of the following categories:

The key difference between a banger league and a standard league is the addition of hits and blocked shots. Though it may seem like a minor difference, the inclusion of those categories can greatly affect the value of players.

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God bless America ... for these hockey players.

Happy birthday, United States. Below is an ode to your influence on the great game of hockey: a list of the greatest NHL players by state. First, a few notes.

Due to a dearth of homegrown talent, the following 15 states did not make the cut: Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

For consistency's sake, players are sorted by birthplace according to the league's official website. Therefore, the odd player will seem out of place. For instance, Brett Hull (Belleville, Ont.) is excluded altogether from this exercise, and Arizona's Auston Matthews (San Ramon, Calif.) is elsewhere.

As for honorable mentions, we instituted a two-player limit. Exceptions were made for a handful of hockey-mad states, like Michigan and Minnesota, who received up to five mentions (Statistical info courtesy: QuantHockey.com and Hockey-Reference.com).

Alabama - Nic Dowd, F

Slim pickings in the deep south. Dowd, while an excellent college player in his day, has struggled to make a major impact in the NHL. A 2009 seventh-round pick out of St. Cloud State University, the Huntsville native has filled a depth forward spot for the Kings, previously, and Canucks, presently.

Honorable Mention: N/A

Alaska - Scott Gomez, F

Gomez, a playmaking center who topped out at 84 points, picked up plenty of hardware over a six-team playing career. The pride of Anchorage won a Calder Trophy (1999-00) and two Stanley Cups (2000, 2003). At his peak, Gomez was a star, tying for the league lead in assists in 2003-04 with 56 helpers.

Honorable Mention: D Matt Carle, F Brandon Dubinsky

Arizona - Sean Couturier, F

The desert has never been mistaken for a hockey hotbed, yet Couturier (raised in Quebec), Matthew Tkachuk (raised in St. Louis) and Matthews (born in California, raised in Arizona) represent legitimate NHLers with Arizona ties. Couturier, only 25 and the runner-up in Selke Trophy voting this spring, is a fringe star.

Honorable Mention: F Matthew Tkachuk

California - Auston Matthews, F

It's two years into his NHL career and already Matthews is the top Cali-born player. The five-tool center is dynamic and strong, he drives play and takes very few penalties, and has amassed 74 goals in fewer than 150 games. Matthews, 20, is among a few in contention for the Maple Leafs' captaincy.

Honorable Mention: D Lee Norwood, D Brooks Orpik, F Jason Zucker

Colorado - Ben Bishop, G

Slavin may finish with a better career, but right now Bishop is the home run pick. The netminder has been a model of consistency since settling into the NHL, stopping between 91 percent and 92.4 percent of shots in all six seasons he has appeared in at least 20 games. Amazingly, Bishop has dressed for five teams.

Honorable Mention: F Mike Eaves, D Jaccob Slavin

Connecticut - Jonathan Quick, G

For a place with a population below 4 million, the southern New England state has produced some quality talent. Quick takes the cake here, in large part because he's a winner. Two Stanley Cups and one Conn Smythe vaults him ahead of Drury and Janney, forwards with impressive resumes.

Honorable Mention: F Chris Drury, F Craig Janney, F Max Pacioretty, D Kevin Shattenkirk

District of Columbia - Jeff Halpern, F

Halpern and Kevyn Adams are the only notable NHLers born from the nation's capital. The former strung together a lengthier and more productive career. With stops in Washington, Dallas, Tampa, Los Angeles, Montreal, New York, and Phoenix, Halpern made the rounds. He was a faceoff-winning bottom-six forward.

Honorable Mention: F Kevyn Adams

Florida - Shayne Gostisbehere, D

The man they call "the Ghost" is a byproduct of his surroundings, namely the nearby Panthers. Gostisbehere, 25, hails from Pembroke Pines, just down the highway from Sunrise. In 2017-18, he racked up 65 points for the Flyers to finish fourth in defenseman scoring. The sky is the limit for the power-play QB.

Honorable Mention: D Jakob Chychrun, F Dan Hinote

Georgia - Mark Mowers, F

Mowers, now a pro scout for the Sabres, enjoyed seven NHL seasons despite going undrafted out of the University of New Hampshire. The center was born in Decatur but grew up in New York. In the mid-2010s, as Mowers fell out of favor with NHL teams, he jumped to the top Swiss league.

Honorable Mention: N/A

Illinois - Chris Chelios, D

Underrated historically, Chelios is not only Illinois' claim to hockey fame but also one of the game's all-time defensemen. The ageless wonder finally retired at 48, riding off into the sunset with three Norris Trophies and three Stanley Cups. Chelios, an 11-time All-Star, offered a unique mix of grit and skill.

Honorable Mention: G Craig Anderson, F Ed Olczyk

Indiana - Jack Johnson, D

Johnson, of Indianapolis, is past his prime but has enjoyed a productive career as a minute-munching defenseman. He spent nearly five full seasons on the Kings, before being dealt to the Blue Jackets in 2012. Now locked up by the Penguins, Johnson can reset and, at 31, potentially get back on track.

Honorable Mention: F Donald Brashear, D John-Michael Liles

Iowa - Scott Clemmensen, G

Perhaps best known for being one of Martin Brodeur's backups, the Des Moines native was no All-Star. However, considering he was picked in the eighth round of the 1997 NHL Draft, Clemmensen sure made something out of nothing. In retirement, he develops goaltenders for the Devils.

Honorable Mention: N/A

Maine - Brian Dumoulin, D

The Pine Tree State is a toss-up. On one hand, blue-liner Dumoulin is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, yet a veteran of just 243 NHL games. On the other, Rick DiPietro, now an analyst, was a highly touted prospect and decent NHL goalie whose body of work is forever incomplete due to career-ending injuries.

Honorable Mention: G Rick DiPietro

Maryland - Jeff Brubaker, F

There isn't much meat on the bone in Maryland, with Jeff Halpern's birthplace listed as Washington, D.C. So, by default, Brubaker is the state's golden boy. The Frederick native had trouble finding steady NHL work, topping out at eight goals and four assists in 68 games for the Maple Leafs in 1984-85.

Honorable Mention: N/A

Massachusetts - Jeremy Roenick, F

Roenick is hands-down a top-10 American-born player. He edges out a great collection of players hailing from Massachusetts, thanks to a resume straddling the Hall of Fame line. J.R. produced three 100-point seasons and two 50-goal campaigns, and he never shied away from flaunting that magnetic personality.

Honorable Mention: F Tony Amonte, G Tom Barrasso, F Bobby Carpenter, F Bill Guerin, F Keith Tkachuk

Michigan - Mike Modano, F

Modano is arguably the greatest U.S.-born player to skate in the NHL. One of his closest competitors, Brett Hull, was born in Canada, while Brian Leetch and Chris Chelios don't seem to carry the same clout. Modano holds the nation's record for goals and points, and he has a Stanley Cup ring.

Honorable Mention: D Mark Howe, F Ryan Kesler, G Ryan Miller, G Tim Thomas, F Doug Weight

Minnesota - Phil Housley, D

Fourth all-time in points by a defenseman, Housley was a treat to watch for 20 years. His effortless skating, crafty passing, and ability to run a power play was a deadly combination. In 1992-93, the State of Hockey's best nearly hit triple digits - a rare feat for a blue-liner - but settled for 97 points in 80 games.

Honorable Mention: G Frank Brimsek, F Neal Broten, F Dave Christian, F Jamie Langenbrunner

Missouri - Pat LaFontaine, F

Call him Mr. Missouri. Among those born in the Midwest state, LaFontaine is in another realm. The Hall of Fame center racked up a ridiculous 148 points in 1992-93, his second of two triple-digit seasons. He made five All-Star teams and holds the 15th-highest points per game in NHL history.

Honorable Mention: F Patrick Maroon, F Paul Ranheim

Nebraska - Jed Ortmeyer, F

A member of the Omaha Hockey Hall of Fame, Ortmeyer is as good as it gets in Nebraska. He averaged 11 minutes per night over eight seasons. The right-handed forward dressed for the Rangers, Predators, Sharks, and Wild. Nowadays, he is employed by the Rangers in a player development capacity.

Honorable Mention: N/A

New Hampshire - Deron Quint, D

Drafted by the original Jets, Quint never made a major impact on the NHL. The left-handed blue-liner from Durham was by no means a point producer, with seasonal career highs of seven goals and 18 assists. Quint, now 42, was traded twice in 2000 and played for five clubs.

Honorable Mention: D Mark Fayne, D Ben Lovejoy

New Jersey - Johnny Gaudreau, F

Gaudreau, the 5-foot-9, 157-pound perennial scoring threat, is just revving up, whereas Bobby Ryan and James van Riemsdyk have probably hit their respective ceilings. Johnny Hockey, who bagged 24 goals and 60 assists this past season, should be contending for Art Ross and Lady Byng honors over the next decade.

Honorable Mention: F Bobby Ryan, F James van Riemsdyk

New York - Joe Mullen, F

Hall of Famer Mullen is a slam dunk here, even though Kane is arguably the best active American. A point-per-game player for his career, Mullen won three Stanley Cups in four years (1989 with the Flames; 1991, 1992 with the Penguins). He picked up two Lady Byngs and recorded 110 points in 1988-89.

Honorable Mention: F Dustin Brown, F Brian Gionta, F Patrick Kane, D Mathieu Schneider

North Carolina - Jared Boll, F

Boll, who hails from Charlotte, went 101st overall in the 2005 NHL Draft. Since, he has carved out a decent career as a big-bodied, throwback right winger. He's hanging on as the league drifts toward speed and skill. As of this writing, Boll is an unrestricted free agent following two years with the Ducks.

Honorable Mention: F Ben Smith

North Dakota - Paul Gaustad, F

Size and faceoffs - that was Gaustad in three words. With a 6-foot-5, 227-pound frame and a knack for winning more draws than basically the whole league, he was a valuable role player. Now retired, Gaustad's body of work can be fairly compared to Tim Jackman's career. And it's Gaustad by a mile.

Honorable Mention: F Tim Jackman

Ohio - Bryan Smolinski, F

A handy player for 14-plus seasons, Smolinski's career can be summed up in a word: solid. The Toledo native scored the odd timely goal, pitched in on the power play, and was a mainstay on penalty-killing units across the NHL. All told, the 6-foot-1, 203-pounder dressed for eight teams.

Honorable Mention: D Dave Ellett, F Curt Fraser, D Moe Mantha

Oklahoma - Tyler Arnason, F

This is basically a tie, with the advantage going to Arnason for (as of now) boasting a fuller resume than John Merrill. The left-handed center had a career year with the Blackhawks in 2002-03, contributing 22 goals and 33 assists in 82 games. Merrill, picked by the Golden Knights in the expansion draft, is just 26.

Honorable Mention: D Jon Merrill

Oregon - Jere Gillis, F

It has been a long time since Oregon produced an NHLer. In fact, Gillis, who played from 1977 to 1986, is the only local to even flirt with the 200-game mark. The Bend native suited up for the Canucks, Rangers, Nordiques, Sabres, Canucks, and, for one game, the Flyers.

Honorable Mention: F Scott Levins

Pennsylvania - Mike Richter, G

Richter is America's most famous goaltender. Helping his case for Pennsylvania's best is a Stanley Cup, three All-Star selections and a career spent under the spotlight. Richter, who had his down years with the Rangers, ranks 33rd on the all-time wins list. John Gibson might eventually snatch his crown.

Honorable Mention: G John Gibson, F Ryan Malone, F Vincent Trocheck, F R.J. Umberger

Rhode Island - Bryan Berard, D

Hailing from a place called Woonsocket, Berard burst onto the scene as the first overall pick and 1996-97 Calder Trophy winner. Unfortunately, his career was derailed by a gruesome eye injury. He missed the entire 2000-01 season and, though he didn't retire until years later, was never the same player.

Honorable Mention: G Brian Boucher, D Keith Carney

South Carolina - Ryan Hartman, F

Hartman, born on Hilton Head Island, is a work in progress. The 23-year-old's underlying numbers are nice but the counting stats haven't caught up. After going 30th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft, Hartman has split two-and-a-half seasons between the Blackhawks (past) and Predators (current).

Honorable Mention: N/A

Texas - Brian Leetch, D

Texas: Land of defensemen - apparently. All three of the state's NHLers are quality blue-liners. Unequivocally, it's Leetch who holds serve. He won four individual awards (Calder, Norris, Conn Smythe, Norris) despite competing against Nicklas Lidstrom. Plus: 11 All-Star nods and a Stanley Cup.

Honorable Mention: D Seth Jones, D Tyler Myers

Utah - Steve Konowalchuk, F

Not the sexiest name in NHL history, but the Salt Lake City native built a decent career. Konowalchuk, recently fired by the Ducks as a coach, collected 40 or more points five times during his playing career. The left winger had his moments, registering a pair of hat tricks with the Capitals in 1995-96.

Honorable Mention: F Trevor Lewis

Vermont - John LeClair, F

Standing alone atop the Vermont hockey mountain is one of the most dominant power forwards of his generation. LeClair, at 6-foot-3 and 226 pounds, was a beast in his prime, bagging 50 goals in back-to-back-to-back seasons. And he followed up those three golden years with campaigns of 43 and 40 goals.

Honorable Mention: N/A

Virginia - Eric Weinrich, D

Talk about longevity. Weinrich survived six NHL trades, stretching out his stay on the blue line to nearly 1,200 games. He provided teams with stability and durability. Scott Darling (longtime minor leaguer) and Scott Lachance (Olympian) are nice stories, but not quite at Weinrich's impact level.

Honorable Mention: G Scott Darling, D Scott Lachance

Washington - T.J. Oshie, F

It's safe to say Oshie is a 50-point guy. The pride of Everett has been within striking distance of, hit, or surpassed 50 in the seven campaigns he has dressed for at least 60 games. Tyler Johnson (two 50-point seasons and a 70-pointer) is right there with him. Tie goes to Stanley Cup champion Oshie.

Honorable Mention: F Patrick Dwyer, F Tyler Johnson

Wisconsin - Gary Suter, D

Gary Suter leads an excellent group of Wisconsinites. A quick career synopsis: Ryan's uncle went in the ninth round of the 1984 NHL Draft, picked up the Calder Trophy in 1985-86, recorded 91 points in his third season, helped lead the Flames to a Stanley Cup in his fourth, and then played 13 more.

Honorable Mention: F Phil Kessel, F Joe Pavelski, F Drew Stafford, D Ryan Suter

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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