Guy Boucher isn't focusing on his contract situation entering the 2018-19 season.

The Ottawa Senators' bench boss will be on the final year of the three-year contract he inked in 2016. But he isn't concerned about his uncertain future.

"I've had that before and I won a championship," Boucher told Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. "Ask Barry Trotz how he liked his year (in Washington)? I don't do things in life for money, I never have. I don't do things for contracts. I do things because I like being there and I want to do them.

"I put my name at the bottom of that contract for three years and that's what I plan to do and to do it well, and that's exactly what's happening."

In two seasons with the Senators, Boucher has posted a 72-71-21 record, but with wildly different outcomes. In 2016-17, he led the Senators to within one goal of the Stanley Cup Final, only to follow up with a 30th-place finish last season.

After a disastrous 2017-18 season, Senators general manager Pierre Dorion put Boucher through a review period and stressed that, in order to return behind the bench, he must play more young players and hold more practices. That meeting seemingly went well, as Boucher remains in Ottawa.

Boucher is the Senators' seventh coach since 2007.

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One surprise deserves another.

After the Arizona Coyotes made an off-the-board pick in this summer's draft by selecting Barrett Hayton fifth overall, the young center will begin the upcoming season in the NHL.

"Everything we thought and expected (about Hayton) has come true," Coyotes general manager John Chayka told theScore's John Matisz. "He's one of those guys who you think will keep getting better and better every single day. He does a lot of good things, makes his teammates better, and came into camp and did a nice job. He's going to start off on our opening day roster and we're just going to take it day by day here."

Many pundits projected the Desert Dogs selecting a prospect like Filip Zadina or Quinn Hughes during the 2018 draft. However, the franchise felt Hayton checked many of its boxes, as Chayka told The Athletic's Craig Morgan following the selection.

"He's a premium person, (a) premium player, playing a premium position," Chayka said. "He's a foundational piece for us. We think he's a complete 200-foot center."

Hayton was held scoreless in two preseason appearances. He could see some regular-season ice time with fellow centers Christian Dvorak and Alex Galchenyuk both sidelined to start the season.

Arizona could choose to give the 18-year-old a nine-game trial before sending him to the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. A longer stint, however, would burn the first year of his entry-level contract.

Hayton recorded 60 points in 63 games with the Greyhounds in 2017-18.

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Sidney Crosby has spoken.

Asked about Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson's hit on St. Louis Blues center Oskar Sundqvist, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain sounded off on the winger's apparent inability to learn from his past punishments.

"We've talked about it a lot with him. He still chooses to make those hits. I'm sure the league's well aware of that," Crosby told Jonathan Bombulie of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I just don't know how many opportunities you need. Obviously, the point hasn't been made yet."

Wilson's been invited to an in-person disciplinary hearing, meaning the NHL could ban him for at least five games. His last suspension came in the second round of the 2018 postseason when he was banned for three games following an illegal check to the head of the Penguins' Zach Aston-Reese.

Crosby added that Wilson's game has plenty more to offer than reckless hits.

"He's a good player," Crosby said. "He's got speed. He goes hard to the net. He's a tough guy to play against. There's really no reason to continue to hit like that."

Wilson finished last season with a career-high 35 points before adding another 15 playoff points en route to the Stanley Cup. His performance landed him a six-year, $31-million extension this summer.

Should Wilson be suspended, Crosby won't have to worry about facing him in the Penguins' season opener on Oct. 4, which will also mark the second game of the year for the Capitals.

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The Nashville Predators have acquired forward Nick Baptiste from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenseman Jack Dougherty, the teams announced Monday.

Baptiste appeared in 33 games with the Sabres last season, picking up four goals and two assists. He was Buffalo's third-round pick in 2013.

Dougherty has yet to make his NHL debut, having spent the past two full seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals, the Predators' AHL affiliate. He notched one goal and 11 assists in 63 contests with the Admirals last season.

The Predators chose Dougherty in the second round of the 2014 draft.

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Alex Nylander isn't quite ready for prime time.

The Buffalo Sabres assigned the 20-year-old forward to the AHL's Rochester Americans, the team announced Monday

It marks the third straight season that Nylander will begin in the minors.

In 51 games with the Americans last season, Nylander notched eight goals and 19 assists to finish just inside the top-10 in team scoring. He later added one goal across three appearances with the Sabres.

Buffalo selected Nylander with the eighth pick in the 2016 draft.

While Nylander is headed to the minors, former first-rounder Tage Thompson appears set to make Buffalo's final 23-man roster, according to The Athletic's John Vogl.

The Sabres acquired Thompson from the St. Louis Blues this offseason as part of the Ryan O'Reilly trade. In 30 games last season with the AHL's San Antonio Rampage, the Arizona native picked up eight goals and 10 assists. He added nine points in 41 games with the Blues.

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It's time to drop the puck on the 2018-19 NHL season and while we're all brimming with excitement, there are plenty of questions about what lies ahead. Here, we'll address one question each Eastern Conference team is facing entering the new campaign.

Boston Bruins: Can they balance their attack?

There's no question the Bruins have the best top line in hockey in Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak, but their depth is far more uncertain. Boston needs its kids to contribute, and its veterans to bounce back in order to keep pace in the top-heavy Atlantic Division.

Buffalo Sabres: Is this the year they take a step forward?

The Rasmus Dahlin era is underway, Jack Eichel is healthy and has a new running mate in Jeff Skinner, and the Sabres expect to make some progress this season. It's highly unlikely Buffalo will compete for a playoff spot, but finishing higher than eighth in the division - something the Sabres have done only once in the last five years - would be a nice start.

Carolina Hurricanes: Will a change in culture yield success?

The Canes first offseason under owner Tom Dundon featured some considerable shakeup. Former captain Rod Brind'Amour is now head coach and Carolina also dealt Jeff Skinner and acquired Dougie Hamilton in separate trades. It's tough to say whether the roster got better, but either way, a 10th consecutive season outside the playoff picture isn't going to cut it.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Will Bobrovsky's, Panarin's futures affect the team's psyche?

On the surface, the Blue Jackets have the pieces to contend in the Eastern Conference, but the uncertain contract situations of both Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin loom large over a club that can ill-afford losing both to unrestricted free agency.

Detroit Red Wings: Can they remain committed to a rebuild?

General manager Ken Holland has said he's not much of a believer in long-term rebuilds, but that's the task that lies ahead. Although the Red Wings lack talent on their current roster, they had a tremendous draft in June and set themselves up for another with 11 picks accumulated for 2019. Now it's up to the organization to ensure that trend continues and fully commit to the future.

Florida Panthers: Can they snag a playoff spot?

A late-season surge saw the Panthers miss the final wildcard spot by a single point, and a reinforced top six with the addition of Mike Hoffman puts Florida on the prowl to contend for the playoffs once again. Unfortunately for the Cats, a trio of behemoths lies ahead of them in the Atlantic, but a bubble spot is theirs for the taking should things come together in Florida.

Montreal Canadiens: Is Carey Price back?

Simply put, the 2018-19 Canadiens can only go as far as Price takes them. In years past, that was a strength, but he's coming off a season in which he battled injuries and posted a dreary .900 save percentage. Price's potential resurgence alone won't guarantee anything for the Habs, but it would be reassuring if he returned to close to his old form.

New Jersey Devils: Is regression inevitable?

The Devils were the Cinderella story of the East last season, using Taylor Hall's marvelous MVP season to clinch a wildcard berth. There's nothing to suggest Hall can't be among the league's top producers once again, but if his teammates don't help ease his workload, New Jersey's playoff appearance could be a one-off.

New York Islanders: Can a new staff steer things in the right direction?

The Islanders hired a new general manager and coach over the summer, but their captain still opted for greener pastures. Now, it's up to Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz to establish stability and build for a future centered around Calder-winner Mat Barzal.

New York Rangers: What do the kids have to give in Year One of the rebuild?

New York opted to bail on its slim playoff chances midway through last season, choosing to publicly announce a rebuild instead. The spotlight is now on a collection of kids tasked with becoming the building blocks of a sustained future on Broadway. It could be a long year, but the Rangers should be able to get an idea of what lies ahead with a good chance of adding another high pick in the process.

Ottawa Senators: Where do they even go from here?

No Erik Karlsson, no first-round pick, and Matt Duchene and Mark Stone could be traded by the deadline. The puck hasn't even dropped yet, and the Sens' outlook is as bleak as it gets after one of the most tumultuous offseasons in the history of the sport. But as general manager Pierre Dorion would put it, at least they're a team.

Philadelphia Flyers: What's the answer in goal?

The Flyers have a deadly attack and an elite-top pairing in Shayne Gostisbehere and Ivan Provorov, but the club's biggest question mark comes between the pipes. The tandem of Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth instills little confidence, but super-prospect Carter Hart lurks in the weeds. Who's going to be the one to step up and give this team a chance to contend?

Pittsburgh Penguins: Do they have even more to give?

Believe it or not, even with three top-10 scorers, the league's best power play, and 100 points in the standings, the Penguins underachieved last season. Pittsburgh ranked 29th in five-on-five PDO (Corsica), mired by a mediocre shooting percentage and a dismal save percentage. Based on their talent alone, it's highly unlikely this occurs again - which is a terrifying proposition for the rest of the conference.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Is this the year it all comes together?

Nothing is guaranteed in this league, but the success of Tampa's season will undoubtedly be judged by what it accomplishes in the postseason. The Lightning are a championship-caliber team with no glaring roster holes, and falling short in the playoffs once again will be considered a massive disappointment.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Can they manage expectations?

In case you hadn't heard, the Maple Leafs signed John Tavares over the summer, and like it or not, the spotlight will be shining bright on Toronto all season as it ices its most competitive roster in ages. Now, it's up to them to drown out the noise and push even closer to the top of the standings and win a playoff round for the first time since 2004.

Washington Capitals: Will there be a hangover?

"Championship hangover" is a common moniker in the sports world, but the Caps may have taken the adage a smidge too literally after finally winning the Stanley Cup in June. Washington will be ready to go once their championship banner is raised, but Alex Ovechkin's crew now has a target on their backs, and netminder Braden Holtby will need to carry over his playoff form for the club to have an answer for their adversaries.

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Seattle and the NHL seem destined to figure this out. At this point, it would take a major misstep to derail the push for a 32nd team and for that team to not reside in the Washington hub.

Arena renovations are set to begin, local interest has been proven, and the NHL is talking about Seattle like it's going to happen. So, the expansion franchise appears to be on track.

Tuesday is a gigantic day for the prospective ownership group. Let's review that and answer other NHL-to-Seattle FAQs below:

When might Seattle get its team?

Seattle could have an NHL team as early as the 2020-21 season.

That's the hope, although the 2021-22 campaign might be the likelier scenario given a potential lockout.

On Tuesday, Seattle Hockey Partners (SHP) - the group trying to make the Pacific Northwest home to the NHL’s 32nd franchise - and the city’s mayor will be making an official presentation to the league's executive committee in New York City.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly recently said that if the executive committee approves SHP's pitch, an official expansion vote could occur at December’s board of governors meeting in Florida.

With apologies to Quebec City, Houston, and Kansas City, etc., Seattle is the lone city in the running for expansion, per Gary Bettman’s wishes. The commissioner seems set on finally touching down in the Emerald State.

Who is behind the expansion push?

The main names to know are private equity CEO David Bonderman, Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer, sports executive Tod Leiweke, and ex-NHL coach Dave Tippett.

Bonderman and Bruckheimer represent the ownership group, which also includes vice-chairman David Wright, whose family owns the famous Space Needle in Seattle. Meanwhile, CEO Leiweke and senior advisor Tippett, most recently the Arizona Coyotes' head coach from 2009-17, do most of the talking.

"I pledge to you a club that serves and makes our community better while pursuing the ultimate goal of bringing a Stanley Cup back to Seattle,” Leiweke said in a letter to fans in April.

SHP is an extension of Los Angeles-based Oak View Group, an entertainment and sports facilities company founded by Tim Leiweke (Tod’s brother) and music executive Irving Azoff. Tim Leiweke has extensive experience running NHL clubs, as he previously presided over the Anschutz Entertainment Group (L.A. Kings) and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (Toronto Maple Leafs).

At the moment, Tippett is the lone hockey-operations employee. He recently said the group plans to begin its search for a general manager in the spring.

What's the deal with the decrepit arena?

Just wait.

Significant renovations to KeyArena, the former home of the NBA’s Seattle Supersonics, are scheduled for a two-year period starting this month and finishing in October 2020.

Originally pegged at roughly $600 million, construction is now expected to cost around $700 million. The renos are being privately financed .

KeyArena’s iconic roof is being preserved, but that's about it. The building, which is located in the 74-acre downtown Seattle Center, will be redesigned for a hockey seating capacity of 17,400.

SHP launched a ticket drive in March, setting a goal of 10,000 deposits. It was met within 12 minutes and the drive swelled to more than 30,000 deposits by day’s end.

After the NHL team is up and running, ownership aspires to bring the NBA back, lure a WNBA franchise to town, and join the A-list concert circuit.

Why believe in the Pacific Northwest market?

The market is practically screaming for a pro hockey team.

Statewide hockey registrations grew by 6.9 percent from 2016-17 to 2017-18, according to USA Hockey, which tied North Carolina for the fourth-highest increase in the country. In terms of raw numbers, the state ranked 17th out of 51 (DC included) with almost 9,900 players.

Interestingly, while the state of Washington doesn't have an NCAA Division I hockey program, it boasts four of the Western Hockey League's 22 teams.

The Seattle Thunderbirds play in Kent, which is about 20 miles south of the city center. The Everett Silvertips are 30 miles north, the Spokane Chiefs are 280 miles east, and the Tri-City Americans (of Kennewick) are 225 miles southeast. Meanwhile, the Portland Winterhawks in neighboring Oregon are the league’s only other American franchise.

Local groups in Seattle have tried to land an NHL franchise on a number of occasions, ultimately failing in 1974, 1990, 2007, 2011, and 2013.

Fun fact: The Seattle Metropolitans won the 1917 Stanley Cup as a member of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association. They folded seven seasons later.

How will expansion affect my favorite team?

For one, it’ll make your owner richer. The NHL has stated that Seattle, if approved, will be sent a $650-million invoice. The Vegas Golden Knights paid $150 million less.

On a more relatable level, expansion will take a player from your team's roster and from the rosters of the 29 other clubs (Vegas will be excluded from the process). The same draft rules and parameters that were applied to the Golden Knights will likely be applied to Seattle.

On that note, Bettman and Daly relayed in May that they were pleased to see Vegas field a competitive lineup in Year 1.

Finally, let your imagination run wild about realignment possibilities, because adding Seattle to the mix would solve the current conference imbalance of 15 in the West and 16 in the East.

"It does provide alignment for the league," Daly told The Associated Press. "We’ve been misaligned for a couple years in the sense of more teams in the East and less in the West, so that would be a benefit if were to expand."

A popular post-realignment proposal is eight divisions with four teams apeice, a la the NFL.

Where is the nickname debate taking us?

Somewhere between the sea and green stuff ... maybe?

As detailed by DetroitHockey.net back in January, SHP lawyer Christina Song registered domains that represent "Sea Lions" and 12 other potential names, including Seals and Evergreens.

Here's the full list, in alphabetical order: Cougars, Eagles, Emeralds, Evergreens, Firebirds, Kraken, Rainiers, Renegades, Sea Lions, Seals, Sockeyes, Totems, and Whales.

SHP intends to engage fans with regards to the nickname when/if the franchise is granted. However, the governor of Washington called the team the Seattle Totems - the moniker of the former local minor-league hockey team - during a press conference in March. The blunder sent locals into a tizzy.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Times is wrapping up an "official(ly unofficial)" naming contest of its own. After a bracket-style process, only the Sockeyes and Totems remain.

Go Totems?

John Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer. You can find him on Twitter @matiszjohn.

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Veteran winger Radim Vrbata retired Monday, ending a 16-year NHL career.

He made the announcement through a statement released by his agent, Rich Evans.

Vrbata, 37, suited up for seven teams over his career, most recently with the Florida Panthers in 2017-18.

Over 1,057 career games, he had 284 goals and 339 assists.

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