Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion has been aggressively trying to acquire Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene, sources told Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.
While Ottawa's apparently one of the most interested teams in the league, the two sides aren't believed to be close to a deal, Garrioch reports.
Duchene has been on the trading block for well over a year, and showed up to Avalanche training camp last week despite reports indicating both he and GM Joe Sakic are committed to working out a deal.
The 26-year-old is coming off a down year in which he only recorded 41 points in 77 contests, but through eight seasons in Denver, he's averaged a respectable 0.73 points per game.
If the Senators and Avalanche did manage to orchestrate a trade, it would be a huge boost to Ottawa's offensive depth, especially considering lingering injuries to key contributors Erik Karlsson, Derick Brassard, Clarke MacArthur, and, most recently, Colin White.
The NHL's attempt to clean up the faceoff circle is pushing some buttons.
Early in the preseason, referees have been liberal with minor penalty calls for faceoff violations, ranging from failing to line up properly to playing the puck with a glove to slashing hands and sticks.
Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand hasn't played in a preseason game yet, but he's already sure he isn't a fan.
"This faceoff rule is an absolute joke," Marchand said Tuesday, according to Ty Anderson of WEEI. "That’s how you ruin the game of hockey, by putting that in there. They’re gonna have to do something about that because we can’t play this year like that."
Four minor penalties were called in the opening half of a game between the Senators and Maple Leafs on Monday, causing quite a stir on social media.
Marchand believes the crackdown renders many of the skills and responsibilities associated with the center position rather moot.
"You’re also taking a lot of skill away from the centerman by limiting what they’re able to do," said Marchand, who plays alongside one of the best in Patrice Bergeron. "Being a centerman is a skill and guys make a really good living at it. You’re completely taking away the skill of that.
"We might as well start throwing D in there to take draws if this keeps up."
Zdeno Chara lining up for a draw would be quite a sight to behold.
With NHL training camps well underway, the league's second-leading all-time point-scorer remains without a contract for 2017-18.
That would be Jaromir Jagr, who recorded 16 goals and 30 assists in 82 games for the Florida Panthers last season while playing on a one-year deal that amounted to $5.515 million. That followed a 2015-16 campaign in which he led the team in points.
Jagr turned 45 in February, two months after he surpassed Mark Messier with his 1,888th career point, and now sits behind only Wayne Gretzky in the ranks of the game's scoring legends.
The man can still clearly play at a high level, so unemployed and seemingly unwanted is not how Jagr should go out.
Here's a look at how he can perfectly flip the script.
Start in Europe
Earlier this month, Jagr admitted the possibility of staying in his hometown of Kladno and beginning the season with the local Czech club, for which he's played in the past.
It's a perfect landing spot, seeing as he's a part owner and his father serves as club president. This would allow Jagr to remain in game shape on a lighter schedule, and be able to dictate the terms of his release.
And the team already has his jersey ready to boot.
There's likely be some interest from KHL clubs as well, which would give Jagr the opportunity to make more money than he would, well, working for himself.
Getting out of such a deal could be a bit more complicated, however, while remaining with Kladno would help keep things flexible for the next phases of this master plan.
Go to Pyeongchang
Starting the season in Europe would allow Jagr to do what no NHL player can this year: Represent his country at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
It can't be ruled out, but barring an ever-deeper dive into the fountain of youth, Jagr is unlikely to suit up at the 2022 Games at age 50, meaning this is probably his last chance to add another Olympic medal, of which he has two - gold from Japan in 1998, and bronze from Turin in 2006.
The Czech Republic isn't quite as strong a hockey nation as it used to be, but seeing as the field will be leveled out due to the lack of NHLers, a medal isn't out of the question.
Certainly, a player like Jagr would boost his nation's chances, even at this stage of his career. If anything, donning his country's jersey one last time would be something special to watch.
Head back to NHL
At that point, Jagr could still play in the NHL for the balance of the regular season and playoffs.
The Olympics end on Feb. 25, with the men's gold-medal hockey game typically falling on the final day. The NHL's trade deadline is reported to be Feb. 26, giving Jagr a small window through which to sign with a team of his choosing.
The advantage is that he'll be able to better assess the legitimate Stanley Cup contenders at that latter point in the season, while teams can add him at a prorated deal that won't be as detrimental to the salary cap as one signed now.
In the event a professional or former professional Player plays in a league outside North America after the start of the NHL regular season, other than on loan from his club, he may thereafter play in the NHL during that playing season (including playoffs) only if he has first either cleared or been obtained via waivers.
A similar situation played out back in 2011, when goaltender Evgeni Nabokov - who began the season in the KHL - signed a bargain-basement deal with the playoff-bound Detroit Red Wings. Nabokov, however, was claimed by the last-place New York Islanders, refused to report, and was subsequently suspended for the balance of the season.
Barring that kind of mischief on the part of the NHL's lesser teams, imagine Jagr joining Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Edmonton, or Nashville for a long playoff run.
An Olympic medal and a shot at the Stanley Cup? There isn't much more a player can ask for in any given season.
Yes, it's odd and disappointing not to see Jagr at a training camp right now, but if all goes well, he could end up having one of the best hockey years of his storied career.
"I'm really excited," Josi said in a release. "It's obviously a huge honor, and I've had some really good guys to learn from with former captains Shea Weber and Mike Fisher in the time I've been here. It's definitely a huge honor, and I know we have a great leadership group, a great group of guys, so I'm really excited."
Josi steps into the role after the club's previous captain Mike Fisher announced his retirement this offseason. With the designation, Josi also becomes the
The St. Louis Blues will likely be without workhorse defenseman Jay Bouwmeester to start the season. The veteran blue-liner suffered a left ankle fracture during a team scrimmage and will be re-evaluated in three weeks, the team announced Tuesday.
Bouwmeester's offensive ability has diminished in recent years, as he's failed to crack the 20-point mark in three consecutive seasons. The former third overall pick by the Florida Panthers is 33 years old, but remains an exceptionally smooth skater for someone who stands 6-foot-4.
His skating ability is what's allowed him to average 22:43 minutes per night during the past three seasons. He and captain Alex Pietrangelo form the Blues' shutdown defense pairing.
In Bouwmeester's absence, fellow left-handed shooting defensemen Joel Edmundson and Carl Gunnarsson will likely be asked to pick up the slack.
The Blues also announced that Zach Sanford, who was vying for a spot as a bottom-six winger, will miss five-to-six months with a dislocated left shoulder.
Ottawa Senators forward prospect Colin White will be out for six-to-eight weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a broken left wrist, the team announced Tuesday.
White, 20, suffered the injury in Ottawa's preseason game Monday night. He was on the fast track to make the Senators out of training camp this year with second-line center Derick Brassard injured and unlikely to start the year with the club.
White tallied 33 points in 35 games at Boston College a year ago. He then played three games with Ottawa's AHL affiliate, picking up three points. He suited up in two regular-season games with Ottawa and one playoff game.
For hockey fans outside of Canada's capital, White is best known for his fantastic performance during the 2017 world juniors. He scored seven goals in as many games, helping the United States capture the gold medal.
No, this isn't a commentary on the team's rebuilding process, but rather the literal state of affairs as the team practiced at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China, in advance of an upcoming preseason game against the Los Angeles Kings.
The fog does make for cool pictures. I'm sure they're working on it. Three more practices before the game Thursday. #NHLChinaGames 🇨🇳 pic.twitter.com/jBDWe7lU6T
Throughout the month of September, James Bisson and a cast of editors from theScore will share their rankings of the greatest players, teams, and moments in the 100-year history of the National Hockey League. This week's list focuses on the greatest team logos (active team logos courtesy NHL; defunct team logos courtesy SportsLogos.net):
Few teams have undergone as many logo changes as the Kings, who appear to have nailed it with their most recent offering. While it lacks the pizzazz of earlier editions, it's sleek. That Oakland Raiders color scheme works.
79. Brooklyn Americans (1941-42)
The Americans lasted just one season in the National Hockey League, but boy, did they nail the logo. Red, white and blue across every square inch, combined with a strong font and beloved shield design. Great work.
78. Columbus Blue Jackets (2000-07)
The original Blue Jackets logo was a work of art, with a star-spangled red banner spelling out CB while clutching a hockey stick with a star perched on top. Not bad at all for an expansion logo.
77. Nashville Predators (2001-07)
This was a nice attempt at an alternate logo, but you can't help but wonder why bother? If you're going to feature a saber-toothed cat, you might as well make it look fearsome - and this one pales in comparison to the original.
76. Columbus Blue Jackets (2003-present)
This logo gets major marks for its simplicity in relation to some of the Blue Jackets' other logos. A flag swoosh wrapped around a silver-and-white star gets the point across better than earlier iterations.
75. Colorado Avalanche (1996-2015)
Few teams stuck with a secondary logo as long as the Avalanche did - and why not? The big hairy foot is a hit with younger fans, though traditionalists long for that old Rockies mountain logo. Don't worry - we'll get to it.
74. Quebec Nordiques (1980-95)
The Nordiques' primary logo is considered one of the most revered in NHL history - and the secondary one isn't bad either. It's simple, but elegant, and looks best in blue, after going through several color changes in the 1970s.
73. New York Islanders (1995-97)
Teams can occasionally be forgiven for straying from a logo that works. We'll let you decide whether you can give the Islanders a pass for the now-infamous "Captain Highliner Debacle" of the mid-1990s.
72. Boston Bruins (1926-32)
Before the famed spoked "B", there was this cute little number featuring an actual bear. The different fonts on top of and below the bear are a bit of a throw-off, but otherwise it's a decent logo.
71. Dallas Stars (2013-present)
The Stars made a significant change to their logo in 2013, losing the "DALLAS STARS" text and opting instead for a big D. As logos go, they don't get much simpler than this - and that's not necessarily a bad thing.
70. Ottawa Senators (1997-2007)
The Senators' subtle change - removing the logo's helmet laurels and moving them to the gold semi-circle band to replace the team name - was a home run. Laurels > team name every single time.
69. Atlanta Thrashers (1999-2011)
The Thrashers lasted just 12 years - and their primary logo stayed with them the entire way. Extra points for the small blue swoosh above the thrasher's head, which provided a much-needed splash of color.
68. St. Louis Blues (1985-87)
The Blues have one of the most iconic logos in all of professional hockey - but this mid-1980s alteration is a rare miss. In addition to looking a little too hand-drawn, is the giant "BLUES" marquee really necessary?
67. Anaheim Ducks (1996-2006)
This alternate logo first appeared when Anaheim was known as the "Mighty Ducks" - though this duck looks more angry than mighty. We prefer the kinder, gentler duck face from the original logo.
66. Washington Capitals (1997-2007)
Washington went full Capital for a 10-year stretch, complete with a mini U.S. Capitol Building and two gigantic stars. The font doesn't exactly scream "hockey", and we would have preferred a solid black puck, but we're nitpicking.
65. Tampa Bay Lightning (1992-2001)
Oh, what a logo. Could any professional sports team get away with that crazy font these days? We're especially fond of this electric rain shower background of the late-1990s, though it's clearly not for everyone.
64. Colorado Avalanche (2015-present)
It isn't quite as eye-popping as the old Rockies logo, but this homage to the 1970s is one of the more popular secondary offerings this decade. Give the Avs credit: they do logos extremely well.
63. Vancouver Canucks (1997-present)
Give the Canucks massive credit for coming up with logos that get people talking. The addition of the word "VANCOUVER" above the logo in 2007 didn't really enhance anything, but that is one cool orca regardless.
62. Washington Capitals (1995-2007)
The mighty eagle found a home on Washington's jersey for more than a decade, and marked a significant shift from the iconic font-based logo the Capitals wore for the first 21 years of their existence. The talons are a nice touch.
61. Winnipeg Jets (2011-present)
The return of the Jets franchise to Winnipeg (actually, it was the arrival of the Atlanta Thrashers franchise, but whatever) came with a decidedly different logo, despite pleadings for the original. This one has kind of grown on us.
(NHL logos are used with permission and are courtesy of the National Hockey League.)
Mike Hoffman's first goal of the preseason Monday night needs a third assist, according to the Ottawa Senators.
Hoffman buried a one-time pass from Alex Burrows against the Toronto Maple Leafs after missing a wide-open net, but, as the Senators' social media team revealed, the rest of the play was more intricate than it appeared.
