Toronto Maple Leafs fans craved seismic change this past spring in the wake of the club's seventh...

Toronto Maple Leafs fans craved seismic change this past spring in the wake of the club's seventh opening-round playoff loss in eight Auston Matthews seasons.The offseason brought roster turnover but nothing "seismic." Punching-bag star forward Mitch Marner returned to compete alongside a handful of newcomers, including defenseman Chris Tanev and goalie Anthony Stolarz.Craig Berube replaced Sheldon Keefe as head coach in a move that certainly qualified as "big" but didn't necessarily satisfy the fan base's desires.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Wait, wait, wait ... aren't the core players the problem?<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760988/cropped_GettyImages-2188521956.jpg?ts=1734387585" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760988/w220xh124_GettyImages-2188521956.jpg?ts=1734387585 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760988/w320xh180_GettyImages-2188521956.jpg?ts=1734387585 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760988/w640xh360_GettyImages-2188521956.jpg?ts=1734387585 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760988/w768xh432_GettyImages-2188521956.jpg?ts=1734387585 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760988/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2188521956.jpg?ts=1734387585 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kevin Sousa / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Two-plus months into the season, the Leafs have accumulated 40 points in 31 games - the exact same amount Keefe's Leafs registered in the first 31 games last year. The journey to bank those 40 points has looked markedly different, however, with Berube overhauling the team's playing style dramatically.That's no exaggeration: Berube's Leafs are a borderline elite defensive squad. They're tied for the fifth-fewest goals against per game heading into Tuesday's slate thanks to tremendous goaltending, improved penalty killing, and smothering even-strength play. Toronto's leaped from 20th in the NHL to seventh in expected goals against per game at five-on-five action.Aside from (totally fair) concerns about the injury histories of Stolarz and partner Joseph Woll, there are no major red flags to worry about on defense.Gains made on one side of the puck may be impacting the other side negatively. The Leafs, whose 2.97 goals per game are tied with the Kraken for 19th in the league, have become a team that favors straightforwardness over creativity, dump-ins over rush attacks, and shot quantity over shot quality.Take a look at four illustrative Sportlogiq metrics:<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="5V5 STAT (PER GAME)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-hEF4Y" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/hEF4Y/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="246" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>It seems almost impossible for a roster with so much juice to rank last in chances off the rush. But the coach clearly wants to minimize risk (pucks in deep, pucks on net with traffic - all of the cliches), and the players are more or less delivering. (Marner, a super crafty playmaker, is thriving in this new system, racking up 41 points in 31 games to tie for ninth in league scoring.)<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760990/cropped_GettyImages-2188976545.jpg?ts=1734387777" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760990/w220xh124_GettyImages-2188976545.jpg?ts=1734387777 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760990/w320xh180_GettyImages-2188976545.jpg?ts=1734387777 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760990/w640xh360_GettyImages-2188976545.jpg?ts=1734387777 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760990/w768xh432_GettyImages-2188976545.jpg?ts=1734387777 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760990/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2188976545.jpg?ts=1734387777 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mark Blinch / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>There's a "what if" scenario here. Matthews, who torched the league for 69 goals last season, missed nine games to deal with an undisclosed injury and, when healthy, hasn't been at the peak of his powers. (His 10 goals are tied for fourth on the team.) If Matthews gets going, and the goal-starved bottom two lines start pitching in, Toronto's attack may suddenly look half-dangerous.Of course, none of these changes - good or bad - matter unless Berube's Leafs execute in the postseason. A chief reason why this group has failed is because the offensive drivers disappear for periods and games at a time. Does the new playing style unlock clutch performances, or does it make it even more unlikely Matthews, Marner, or someone else takes over a series?Either way, general manager Brad Treliving is tasked with adding offensive pop ahead of the trade deadline (an offense-first third-line center and offense-first bottom-pair blue-liner, perhaps) while not subtracting from the defense.<h3>KJ breakout SZN alert</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760607/cropped_GettyImages-2187254675.jpg?ts=1734203673" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760607/w220xh124_GettyImages-2187254675.jpg?ts=1734203673 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760607/w320xh180_GettyImages-2187254675.jpg?ts=1734203673 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760607/w640xh360_GettyImages-2187254675.jpg?ts=1734203673 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760607/w768xh432_GettyImages-2187254675.jpg?ts=1734203673 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760607/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2187254675.jpg?ts=1734203673 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The Blue Jackets are this year's version of the 2023-24 Flyers - a young, hard-working squad unexpectedly in the mix for a playoff spot in mid-December.Kent Johnson's breakout on the wing is a significant driving force.Previously a perimeter player who almost exclusively created offense through pull-ups and east-west passing, Johnson's suddenly an unpredictable attacker. He's been dangerous off the rush and in tight to the goalie this season after a summer of work on skating speed and puck-protection moves.Johnson, 22, is up to nine goals and nine assists in 17 games while logging a career-high 17:48 a night. He's bounced back well following a 14-game stint on the sidelines in late October and November to nurse an injured shoulder.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760617/cropped_GettyImages-2175711363.jpg?ts=1734210680" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760617/w220xh124_GettyImages-2175711363.jpg?ts=1734210680 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760617/w320xh180_GettyImages-2175711363.jpg?ts=1734210680 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760617/w640xh360_GettyImages-2175711363.jpg?ts=1734210680 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760617/w768xh432_GettyImages-2175711363.jpg?ts=1734210680 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760617/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2175711363.jpg?ts=1734210680 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Three advanced statistics help paint a fuller picture of his improvements:<ul>
<li>7 high-danger shots on goal (source: NHL Edge)</li>
<li>23 speed bursts over 20 mph (NHL Edge)</li>
<li>34 end-to-end rushes (Sportlogiq)</li>
</ul>Johnson recorded eight high-danger shots on goal, 29 speed bursts over 20 mph, and 47 end-to-end rushes in 46 total games for Columbus last year. He's on pace to destroy those marks by his 46th game this season, with a projected 19 high-danger shots, 62 speed bursts, and 92 end-to-end rushes.The combination of a clean slate and physical maturity has also contributed to the breakout, which isn't out of nowhere for the 2021 fifth overall pick and 40-point rookie. Johnson, who's thriving under new coach Dean Evason, has packed on 12 pounds since fall 2022. He's now listed at 6-foot, 180 pounds.Johnson's in Year 1 of a three-year deal paying him $1.8 million annually. That deal, which leads him to restricted free agency, looks like a steal right now.<h3>Storytime with Brian Burke</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760945/cropped_GettyImages-1330400204.jpg?ts=1734375200" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760945/w220xh124_GettyImages-1330400204.jpg?ts=1734375200 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760945/w320xh180_GettyImages-1330400204.jpg?ts=1734375200 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760945/w640xh360_GettyImages-1330400204.jpg?ts=1734375200 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760945/w768xh432_GettyImages-1330400204.jpg?ts=1734375200 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760945/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1330400204.jpg?ts=1734375200 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> NHL Images / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Love or hate his hockey commentary, Brian Burke is a fantastic storyteller. The former GM of four different NHL teams can command a room with his candor.One of Burke's favorites is about his first draft as Canucks GM in 1999."It was the worst first round in the history of the league," he told a room of business professionals at the recent <a href="https://www.primetimesport.ca/">PrimeTime sports conference</a> in Toronto.Patrik Stefan was the first pick. Pavel Brendl went fourth overall. Between those two forgettable top prospects: the Sedin twins - Henrik and Daniel - at second and third. "We didn't even like the twins in their draft year. We went to the world juniors in Winnipeg, and they were very average," Burke said.Thomas Gradin, Vancouver's Sweden-based amateur scout, called Burke later in the season to urge him to give the Sedins one last chance at the world championships in Norway. "OK, Thomas, I'll come over and watch, and we'll let this nonsense go. We're not drafting them," Burke recalled of his response.He continued: "I saw one shift with these twins on the big ice, against men, and I was like, 'Oh my God, we have to get them both.' One shift cured me."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760948/cropped_GettyImages-621806338.jpg?ts=1734376165" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760948/w220xh124_GettyImages-621806338.jpg?ts=1734376165 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760948/w320xh180_GettyImages-621806338.jpg?ts=1734376165 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760948/w640xh360_GettyImages-621806338.jpg?ts=1734376165 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760948/w768xh432_GettyImages-621806338.jpg?ts=1734376165 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760948/w1080xh607_GettyImages-621806338.jpg?ts=1734376165 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Once he actually gave the Sedins a chance, Burke quickly became enamored with their character. They lived in a house in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, that had been in the Sedin family for 150 years - family guys. They were incredible athletes - soccer stars and workout fiends - and extremely respectful kids.It took three trades, all registered on draft day, to land the second and third picks and convince the Thrashers, who were hosting, to select Stefan first.<ul>
<li>Trade 1: defenseman Bryan McCabe and Vancouver's first-round pick in 2000 to Chicago for fourth overall in 1999</li>
<li>Trade 2: fourth overall in 1999 and two third-rounders in 1999 to Tampa Bay for first overall in 1999</li>
<li>Trade 3: first overall in 1999 and a 2000 third-rounder to Atlanta for second overall and third overall in 1999</li>
</ul>Burke fully understood how the twins tick in the season following their draft year. He flew to Europe to watch a Swedish Hockey League game, and ..."They were just horseshit," Burke said. "I went over to Thomas Gradin after the game and said, 'Those guys better have the flu or I'm firing you before we leave this rink.' I went over to talk to them, and the twins said they had a calculus test earlier in the day. They stayed up until 4 a.m. studying and both did very well on the test. 'Great answer, great answer.'"And the rest, as they say, is history. Hockey Hall of Fame history.<h3>Quick hits</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760606/cropped_GettyImages-2188522194.jpg?ts=1734203435" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760606/w220xh124_GettyImages-2188522194.jpg?ts=1734203435 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760606/w320xh180_GettyImages-2188522194.jpg?ts=1734203435 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760606/w640xh360_GettyImages-2188522194.jpg?ts=1734203435 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760606/w768xh432_GettyImages-2188522194.jpg?ts=1734203435 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760606/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2188522194.jpg?ts=1734203435 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kevin Sousa / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Last visor-less players: It dawned on me the other day that we're getting close to finding out the answer to a fun trivia question. Ryan O'Reilly, Matt Martin, Zach Bogosian, Jamie Benn, and Ryan Reaves are the only active NHLers playing without a protective shield on their helmets. (Visors became mandatory for new players a decade ago.) Martin, 35, will likely retire at the end of the season. Reaves, 37, is surely done once his contract expires in 2026. Bogosian, 34 and also a year away from free agency, might have one short-term contract left in him. That leaves Benn, 35, and O'Reilly, 33. My money's on O'Reilly - the younger, better player - becoming this generation's Craig MacTavish. I still can't believe MacT wasn't wearing a helmet in 1997! Will we look back in, say, 2050, and feel similarly about O'Reilly's visor-less ways?MVP-caliber splits: The Canucks are a completely different team with Quinn Hughes on the ice. Vancouver owns 59% of the shot attempts, 59% of the scoring chances, and 63% of the goals at five-on-five with their captain between the boards, according to <a href="https://www.naturalstattrick.com/">Natural Stat Trick</a>. With Hughes on the bench, the club owns 43% of attempts, 43% of chances, and 44% of goals. Those are stunning, Hart Trophy-esque on/off splits. Hughes, who leads all NHL blue-liners with 1.17 points per game, has been dominant in all three zones while other key pieces (Thatcher Demko, J.T. Miller, Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson) have been sidelined or struggling for huge chunks of the season.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760897/cropped_GettyImages-801178504.jpg?ts=1734363248" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760897/w220xh124_GettyImages-801178504.jpg?ts=1734363248 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760897/w320xh180_GettyImages-801178504.jpg?ts=1734363248 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760897/w640xh360_GettyImages-801178504.jpg?ts=1734363248 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760897/w768xh432_GettyImages-801178504.jpg?ts=1734363248 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760897/w1080xh607_GettyImages-801178504.jpg?ts=1734363248 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Sabres spiral: Buffalo owns the longest playoff drought in NHL history. The Lindy Ruff-coached team is 0-7-3 in its past 10 games and 11-16-4 on the season. Yep, the drought's headed for a 14th season. The one constant over 14 years isn't a front-office executive or coach or player - it's owner Terry Pegula. He's horrendous at hiring GMs, doesn't give his GMs enough resources to build a proper staff, meddles too much in day-to-day operations, pisses off superstar players like Jack Eichel, and refuses to spend to the upper limit of the salary cap. Those are five cardinal sins for an owner, especially in the NHL's hard-cap system. High state taxes and a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3152150" href="https://thescore.com/news/3152150">lack of palm trees</a> have little to do with the dysfunction in Sabres land. It starts at the top.Not just book smart: Alex Kerfoot has shown over an eight-year career that he can assume the role of third wheel on pretty much any forward line. It's rare to be so versatile within one lineup, let alone three (Avalanche, Maple Leafs, now Utah). What makes Kerfoot different? "His brain. He's so smart," Utah head coach Andre Tourigny said of Kerfoot's hockey IQ. Kerfoot, who studied economics at Harvard, is almost always in the right position, skates and moves the puck well, never cheats for offense, and has enough offensive juice to hang with first-liners like Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz. He's a connector type during five-on-five action and a disrupter on the penalty kill. Kerfoot, 30, is third among NHL forwards in shorthanded ice time this season.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Berube's impact on Leafs, Kent Johnson breakout SZN, and 5 other NHL items

Welcome to the second edition of NHL Inbox - a forum in which readers can ask me anything hockey-...

Welcome to the second edition of NHL Inbox - a forum in which readers can ask me anything hockey-related, and I try my best to deliver an insightful answer. Thanks to the 70-plus people who've submitted questions thus far.Note: The questions below have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759102/cropped_GettyImages-2187432010.jpg?ts=1733438383" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759102/w220xh124_GettyImages-2187432010.jpg?ts=1733438383 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759102/w320xh180_GettyImages-2187432010.jpg?ts=1733438383 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759102/w640xh360_GettyImages-2187432010.jpg?ts=1733438383 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759102/w768xh432_GettyImages-2187432010.jpg?ts=1733438383 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759102/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2187432010.jpg?ts=1733438383 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Kyle P. asks: What are players', coaches', and executives' opinions on fighting and its place in the game?<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>This question casts a very wide net! I can share some data and one opinion.The NHL's had 108 fights in 457 games this season, according to <a href="https://www.hockeyfights.com/">HockeyFights.com</a>. That's a fight in 23.6% of all games, or roughly one fight every fourth contest. This is normal. Fighting rates have stabilized over the past five seasons, with each campaign landing between 22.6% and 25.5%.So, while fights are less pervasive than in the truculent 1980s and '90s (1.1 fights per game in 1987-88!), combatants are still throwing down regularly."There's a lot less staged fighting," Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev told theScore last week. "When I first started, there were a ton of heavyweights and guys who were killers. They were going to fight each other most of the time, regardless of the situation. That's (left) the game, for the most part. There's a lot of skilled players, and maybe the style of the game has just changed a bit, in general. But I still think (fighting is) still part of the game."Tanev should have a fairly balanced perspective. He's dropped the mitts just twice since breaking into the NHL in 2010, yet he's far from a "soft" player. Teammates and fans love his fearlessness. He's a shot-blocking machine.Tanev believes fighting serves two purposes: It allows players to police themselves on the ice, and it strengthens bonds between teammates off it."You don't want guys taking liberties against your top players, and whoever we're playing against is thinking the same thing," the 34-year-old said."I know people get upset when, after a big, clean hit, there's a fight," Tanev added. "But, if Mitch (Marner) or someone gets hit pretty hard, the team is not going to be happy, right? Usually, there's going to be some type of response. I think that's still alive and well in the game and definitely a good part of the team culture. It brings everyone together and builds that camaraderie."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759188/cropped_GettyImages-2186720528.jpg?ts=1733496789" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759188/w220xh124_GettyImages-2186720528.jpg?ts=1733496789 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759188/w320xh180_GettyImages-2186720528.jpg?ts=1733496789 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759188/w640xh360_GettyImages-2186720528.jpg?ts=1733496789 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759188/w768xh432_GettyImages-2186720528.jpg?ts=1733496789 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759188/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2186720528.jpg?ts=1733496789 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Nate asks: Why have the Jets been rewarded for doing nothing? How did they get worse on paper but win 11 of their first 12 games this season?Nate submitted this question a while back. The Jets, whose 15-1-0 start set an NHL record, have cooled off. They're now a less ridiculous 21-9-0.The spirit of the question is still relevant. Why has Winnipeg been rewarded with the third-highest points percentage after losing two top-six forwards and a top-four defenseman (Sean Monahan, Tyler Toffoli, and Brenden Dillon)?Connor Hellebuyck, the best goalie on the planet, is trending toward his third Vezina Trophy (and second in a row), and the power play ranks second in the league in success rate (30.4%) and efficiency (11.7 goals per 60 minutes). Dominating in those two areas for 30 games is going to raise a team's ceiling.Dynamic winger Nikolaj Ehlers - who's currently sidelined with a lower-body injury - has averaged a point per game despite skating for only 15:33 a night. It's also a luxury for coach Scott Arniel to have a wholly reliable third line; the trio of Adam Lowry, Mason Appleton, and Nino Niederreiter has outscored the opposition by a whopping 11 goals (16-5) across 300 five-on-five minutes.The Jets did a lot of wheeling and dealing in previous years, and now those pieces - Niederreiter, Gabriel Vilardi, Neal Pionk, etc. - are fully integrated. The roster's average age is 28 years old, which means it's filled with guys in their primes. The oldest regulars, just 32, remain useful. All of this breeds chemistry.I think, in general, we as fans and media underestimate the value of continuity.That said, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff should acquire a second-line center. While Vlad Namestnikov's been fine, he's better suited for fourth-line duty. The club, which also needs an upgrade on defense, could have upwards of $9 million in cap space around the trade deadline, according to <a href="https://puckpedia.com/team/winnipeg-jets">PuckPedia</a>.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760122/cropped_GettyImages-2159251225.jpg?ts=1733932945" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760122/w220xh124_GettyImages-2159251225.jpg?ts=1733932945 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760122/w320xh180_GettyImages-2159251225.jpg?ts=1733932945 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760122/w640xh360_GettyImages-2159251225.jpg?ts=1733932945 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760122/w768xh432_GettyImages-2159251225.jpg?ts=1733932945 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760122/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2159251225.jpg?ts=1733932945 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Dave Sandford / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Derek S. asks: With the second NBA in-season tournament underway, it makes me wonder about an NHL IST. I know deputy commissioner Bill Daly tried to kibosh the idea <a href="https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38031635/nhl-not-considering-season-tournament-nba-addition">last year</a>, but it's a matter of when, not if, in my opinion. Money talks, and as soon as there's a big enough sponsor paying for naming rights, the owners and players will be on board. Done right, the IST would give teams out of the playoff race something to play for. What do you think are the right incentives to make it worthwhile for all involved?Derek's email mentioned a couple of potential incentives - the winning team being awarded an extra $1 million in salary cap space or a high draft pick.He's clearly thought this through and developed strong ideas. While I agree that money talks, I'm not convinced an in-season tournament is in the NHL's future - its near future, anyway. Revenues continue to grow at a nice pace, and the league has stated it isn't even interested in adding postseason play-in games. My hunch: no in-season tournament during Gary Bettman's final stretch as commissioner. The next boss might think differently. Who knows.I brought up the IST idea to an NHL All-Star. He immediately shook his head.Players don't want any more playoff-like games on the schedule, he said. There's already too much wear and tear on the body en route to Game 1 of the postseason. Also, an IST would generally distract from the march to the Stanley Cup, the only thing players care about. Think about the Presidents' Trophy, the player said - who truly cares about winning it? Absolutely no one.That's just one take among more than 700 NHLers. Many would disagree. Something to keep in mind, though, is the NHL Players' Association is laser-focused on international tournaments like February's 4 Nations Face-Off and future Olympics. Similar to the league, an IST isn't a priority right now.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760123/cropped_GettyImages-2186215703.jpg?ts=1733933170" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760123/w220xh124_GettyImages-2186215703.jpg?ts=1733933170 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760123/w320xh180_GettyImages-2186215703.jpg?ts=1733933170 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760123/w640xh360_GettyImages-2186215703.jpg?ts=1733933170 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760123/w768xh432_GettyImages-2186215703.jpg?ts=1733933170 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760123/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2186215703.jpg?ts=1733933170 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Jalen J. asks: I'd love to find out how the travel schedule works for referees and linesmen. How much time do they spend at home compared with on the road during the season? How far in advance do they get their schedules? Josh H. asks: How many on-ice officials are employed by the league? Do they rotate between being a linesman and ref? Do they travel the same as players? How many games do they work during the 82-game schedule? How do they get chosen during playoffs - quarterfinals, conference finals, Cup Final, etc.?I'm fascinated by on-ice officials, too. After revisiting my reporting for a 2019 <a href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/1841138">in-depth feature</a> on them, checking in with former NHL referee Tim Peel, and a bit of research, I can answer Jalen's and Josh's questions pretty confidently.Forty-four referees and 39 linespersons (the proper term) are listed in the league's 2024-25 officials media guide. Thirteen of them are essentially prospects; they're on NHL contracts but mostly call games in minor leagues.Officials on average call three games a week and spend around 185 days on the road each season. They fly commercial and do their own laundry. Peel - an NHL ref for more than two decades until a <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/nhl-says-referee-tim-peel-will-no-longer-work-games-hot-mic-incident/">hot-mic incident</a> in 2021 led to his dismissal - notes that he racked up about 4,000 nights at Marriott hotels.Officials typically receive game assignments in two-month chunks, Peel said. Why? One injury can throw off everybody's schedule. Assignments, especially toward the end of the regular season, also can be heavily influenced by performance. Only the top-performing officials get work in the playoffs, and that list of working officials is trimmed down as the postseason wears on.The NHL and its officials association have a collective bargaining agreement outlining compensation, among many other things. As of 2019, refs earned $190,000-$400,000 a year and linespersons earned $125,000-$250,000 a year."The top-end guys now are closer to $500,000," Peel reported. "They're very well taken care of. I was, too, over my career. It's a good living - there's no denying that. There's a benefit package and a pension, all of that."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760160/cropped_GettyImages-2187953172.jpg?ts=1733944099" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760160/w220xh124_GettyImages-2187953172.jpg?ts=1733944099 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760160/w320xh180_GettyImages-2187953172.jpg?ts=1733944099 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760160/w640xh360_GettyImages-2187953172.jpg?ts=1733944099 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760160/w768xh432_GettyImages-2187953172.jpg?ts=1733944099 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760160/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2187953172.jpg?ts=1733944099 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Rahul K. asks: What will it take for the Senators to finally "get over the hump" and become a playoff team again?The Senators haven't made the postseason since 2017 and currently sit two points out. Some nights they look like a playoff team. Others, not so much.The 13-13-2 club boasts a new owner (September 2023), new GM (December 2023), new head coach (May 2024), and new starting goalie (June 2024). The natural next step is to significantly alter the skater group - and I'm not talking about <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3155061" href="https://thescore.com/news/3155061">moving</a> captain Brady Tkachuk to the Rangers.That's easier said than done for GM Steve Staios, and honestly, I like the look of Ottawa's lineup when everyone's healthy. Injuries to veterans David Perron and Artem Zub have thrown lines and pairings for a loop all season, and mediocre goaltending from Linus Ullmark and Anton Forsberg hasn't helped.Thomas Chabot is the one long-term piece I'd consider moving. The trade would be less about the mobile blue-liner and more about shaking up the core. The hard part would be finding a trade worth making (the Sens want to win now) and navigating Chabot's 10-team no-trade clause.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure>What do you want to know, hockey fans?There are three ways to submit a question for future editions of NHL Inbox:<ul>
<li>Comment on this article in theScore mobile app</li>
<li>Email senior NHL writer John Matisz at <a href="mailto:john.matisz@theScore.com">john.matisz@thescore.com</a></li>
<li>Shoot John a message on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/MatiszJohn">@matiszjohn</a>)</li>
</ul>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29403010/related

What's driving the Jets? How much do refs make? Is fighting relevant?

The New York Rangers are the NHL's main character of the moment.  General manager Chris Drury tra...

The New York Rangers are the NHL's main character of the moment.General manager Chris Drury traded captain Jacob Trouba and agreed to terms with superstar goalie Igor Shesterkin on a record-breaking contract in a matter of hours last Friday. Trouba, swapped for another defenseman in Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round draft pick, has since debuted for the Ducks, and Shesterkin's eight-year, $92-million extension's been finalized.Meanwhile, Senators owner Michael Andlauer on Monday <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3155061" href="https://thescore.com/news/3155061">accused</a> New York of "soft tampering" in relation to the Rangers' reported interest in acquiring Ottawa's Brady Tkachuk. (New York called the accusation "irresponsible.")<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Rangers, led by veteran bench boss Peter Laviolette, are a star-studded team hanging on to a playoff spot as of Tuesday morning. They've lost eight of their past 10 games by a combined score of 29-40, with five of those losses coming against non-playoff teams.Let's get into the drama surrounding this Original Six team.<h3>What's gone wrong this year?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759781/cropped_GettyImages-2187932731.jpg?ts=1733766180" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759781/w220xh124_GettyImages-2187932731.jpg?ts=1733766180 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759781/w320xh180_GettyImages-2187932731.jpg?ts=1733766180 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759781/w640xh360_GettyImages-2187932731.jpg?ts=1733766180 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759781/w768xh432_GettyImages-2187932731.jpg?ts=1733766180 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759781/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2187932731.jpg?ts=1733766180 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Sarah Stier / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The first thing worth noting is that Drury - president and GM since May 2021 - brought back basically the same group that won the President's Trophy and two playoff series. Only the edges of the roster were tweaked in the offseason.The 14-12-1 Rangers currently hold an East wild card spot and the league's 17th-best points percentage. Metropolitan Division rivals Washington, Carolina, and New Jersey, plus the Atlantic's Florida and Toronto, are showing themselves to be superior squads. New York's peer group includes Boston and Tampa Bay - three clubs tracking for the postseason, yes, but also quick playoff exits. At least that's the feeling at the schedule's one-third mark.The 2024-25 Rangers are slightly worse offensively and appreciably worse defensively than the 2023-24 Rangers. The offense ranks in the top half of the league in shots on goal, shot attempts, slot shots, inner-slot shots, and offensive-zone possession time, according to Sportlogiq. The defense bleeds scoring chances, leading to bottom-five rankings in the same five categories.Here's a high-level comparison:<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Rangers regression" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-vKgZM" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/vKgZM/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="318" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>This year's team has been undisciplined (31st in penalty-minute differential) and mediocre at mounting comebacks (3-10-1 record when allowing first goal)."It could be fatigue, could be mental, could be anything - but regardless, it's unacceptable," Laviolette told reporters after New York looked flat in Monday's 2-1 loss to the rebuilding Blackhawks, according to <a href="https://x.com/vzmercogliano/status/1866313555370246575">USA Today's Vince Z. Mercogliano</a>. "We've got to be better than that. You're not going to win hockey games if we can't execute."At the individual level, top-six veterans Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider have performed well below their lofty standards, contributing a combined 31 points in 51 man-games. Strong goaltending from Shesterkin and backup Jonathan Quick, along with winger Will Cuylle's breakout season, count as major bright spots.<h3>Which players are next to go?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759776/cropped_GettyImages-2187614715.jpg?ts=1733764324" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759776/w220xh124_GettyImages-2187614715.jpg?ts=1733764324 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759776/w320xh180_GettyImages-2187614715.jpg?ts=1733764324 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759776/w640xh360_GettyImages-2187614715.jpg?ts=1733764324 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759776/w768xh432_GettyImages-2187614715.jpg?ts=1733764324 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759776/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2187614715.jpg?ts=1733764324 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>ESPN's Emily Kaplan <a href="https://x.com/DaveyUpper/status/1865197616394358987">mentioned</a> four trade chips on last Friday's Rangers-Penguins broadcast - forwards Kaapo Kakko, Chris Kreider, and Reilly Smith, as well as defenseman Ryan Lindgren. Each guy's situation is unique.Kakko, 23, is playing some of the best hockey of his six-year career. The two-way winger is fourth on the team in five-on-five points (12) despite playing third-line minutes. He's a pending restricted free agent making just $2.4 million. Kakko was drafted second overall in 2019 by former GM Jeff Gorton.All 31 teams have surely, at minimum, talked internally about acquiring Kakko.Kreider, the longest-tenured Ranger, is a former 50-goal scorer having a down year (10 goals, one assist in 24 games). But the power forward continues to make a home in and around the opposition's crease and was recently named to the U.S. 4 Nations Face-Off team. Kreider, 33, is under contract through the 2026-27 season at $6.5 million per year and owns a 15-team no-trade clause. That contract was inked in 2020 with Gorton in charge.Sizeable cap hit, medium term, middling production, over 30, trade protection - while Kreider's an attractive player, pulling off a trade won't be an easy task.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759838/cropped_GettyImages-2188548386.jpg?ts=1733784453" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759838/w220xh124_GettyImages-2188548386.jpg?ts=1733784453 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759838/w320xh180_GettyImages-2188548386.jpg?ts=1733784453 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759838/w640xh360_GettyImages-2188548386.jpg?ts=1733784453 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759838/w768xh432_GettyImages-2188548386.jpg?ts=1733784453 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759838/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2188548386.jpg?ts=1733784453 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mitchell Leff / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Lindgren at one point appeared locked in as Adam Fox's long-term partner on defense. Multiple injuries, troubling underlying numbers, an arbitration filing, and a one-year contract later, Lindgren's tenure is nearing its end. It'll be mildly shocking if the pending unrestricted free agent isn't moved by the trade deadline. Teams desperate for a "warrior" type will gladly glaze over his flaws.Smith, traded to the Rangers on the opening day of 2024 free agency, was recently scratched amid a 10-game goalless drought. It was a tough scene for a respected veteran brought in to provide depth scoring. Smith's another classic rental. Some contender will swap a middling pick for the pending UFA.Lindgren and Smith make $4.5 million and $3.75 million, respectively. Those aren't bargains but salaries low enough for Drury to avoid retaining salary.<h3>What's the big-picture plan?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759892/cropped_GettyImages-2186582330.jpg?ts=1733792530" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759892/w220xh124_GettyImages-2186582330.jpg?ts=1733792530 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759892/w320xh180_GettyImages-2186582330.jpg?ts=1733792530 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759892/w640xh360_GettyImages-2186582330.jpg?ts=1733792530 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759892/w768xh432_GettyImages-2186582330.jpg?ts=1733792530 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759892/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2186582330.jpg?ts=1733792530 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Speaking of avoiding retention, Drury sending Trouba's full freight to Anaheim without a sweetener and getting an NHLer and pick in return was pure magic.Trouba was once a second-pair defenseman who could lay a thunderous hit one moment and move the puck crisply the next. The 2024 eye test and underlying numbers suggest he's slower than ever, better suited for third-pair duty, and unquestionably overpaid at $8 million through the 2025-26 season.Not every GM operates the way Drury - who has an air of mystery to him - operates. Not every GM is comfortable forcing a captain to lift his previously negotiated trade protection seven months after placing another veteran, forward Barclay Goodrow, on waivers en route to playing for the lowly Sharks.But a few GMs aren't afraid to be cutthroat - including Stanley Cup winners Kelly McCrimmon (Vegas) and Julien BriseBois (Tampa Bay). This is business."It's my job, and 31 other GMs' jobs, to try and do everything we can to help our team," Drury <a href="https://x.com/vzmercogliano/status/1865513414979997716">told reporters</a> Saturday on a Zoom call. "There's things at our disposal in the CBA. I'm not trying to mess with players. I have a ton of respect for Barclay and, certainly ... for Jacob. I'm just trying to do the best I can to move the team forward and make changes that I think are necessary."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759775/cropped_GettyImages-2159882885.jpg?ts=1733764205" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759775/w220xh124_GettyImages-2159882885.jpg?ts=1733764205 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759775/w320xh180_GettyImages-2159882885.jpg?ts=1733764205 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759775/w640xh360_GettyImages-2159882885.jpg?ts=1733764205 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759775/w768xh432_GettyImages-2159882885.jpg?ts=1733764205 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759775/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2159882885.jpg?ts=1733764205 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>It's hard to guess what falls under the "necessary" header.The most onerous contract Drury inherited from Gorton was Trouba's, and the worst contract in the early days of his own tenure was Goodrow's. It's fair to label them "necessary." But what else qualifies here?What does Drury truly think of the core, which is built mainly of players originally acquired by his predecessor? Does Drury believe the Rangers are too reliant on a brilliant power play and Shesterkin's world-class goaltending? Does all of this trade noise come down to Drury wanting to retool to chase a Cup in a different way in the final year-and-a-half of Artemi Panarin's deal?New York currently has $7.1 million in cap space and, if the roster goes unchanged between now and the March 7 deadline, that open space will grow to a whopping $21.9 million, according to <a href="https://puckpedia.com/team/new-york-rangers">PuckPedia</a>. The club has assets to flip in first-round picks for the foreseeable future and a solid prospect pool.Put another way, Drury has the flexibility to be bold - soon or closer to March."We certainly are not opposed to making more changes," he told reporters. "But big picture, with that said, the team's been through a lot the last couple weeks, and certainly this week. We’d like to let the dust settle a little bit." John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29382082/related

Assessing the Rangers: Alarm bells, trade chips, and the big picture

The wait is over.  Management teams for Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland unveiled t...

The wait is over.Management teams for Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland unveiled their 23-man rosters Wednesday for February's 4 Nations Face-Off.Below, we present each country's projected lineup, discuss a few notable snubs, and provide an overview of team-level strengths and weaknesses.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Canada 🇨🇦</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758888/cropped_GettyImages-630580912.jpg?ts=1733345003" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758888/w220xh124_GettyImages-630580912.jpg?ts=1733345003 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758888/w320xh180_GettyImages-630580912.jpg?ts=1733345003 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758888/w640xh360_GettyImages-630580912.jpg?ts=1733345003 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758888/w768xh432_GettyImages-630580912.jpg?ts=1733345003 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758888/w1080xh607_GettyImages-630580912.jpg?ts=1733345003 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Claus Andersen / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Final Team Canada (forwards)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-Dz3xF" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Dz3xF/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="287" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Final Team Canada (Defensemen)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-Nhc3y" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Nhc3y/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="178" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Final Team Canada (goal)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-dptKk" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/dptKk/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="148" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>Notable snubs: Noah Dobson, Drew Doughty, Logan ThompsonBennett and Jarvis are the only modest surprises up front. While there's a litany of forwards Canada could've chosen instead - including Mark Scheifele, Zach Hyman, and Carter Verhaeghe - there are no particularly stunning snubs.The same can't be said for the blue line, where general manager Don Sweeney went slightly off the board. Parayko was always on our radar, but Sanheim, admittedly, wasn't. He probably should've been, though, considering he's logging huge minutes in Philadelphia this season and brings the requisite size and stability needed of a depth defender.But Dobson also checks those boxes and is coming off a season in which he finished eighth in Norris Trophy voting. Perhaps management preferred Sanheim's left-handedness?Excluding Doughty is justifiable as he recovers from a fractured ankle, but we still thought Canada might call his name anyway since he projects to be ready in time for the tournament.Thompson, meanwhile, is the best Canadian goalie this season by virtue of goals saved above expected, per <a href="https://evolving-hockey.com/">Evolving-Hockey</a>. Binnington and Hill have the championship pedigree, but what does Montembeault have over Thompson - or Cam Talbot - for that matter?Team outlook: Canada boasts unparalleled star power with McDavid and MacKinnon up front and Makar on the back end. Those are arguably three of the five best players on the planet - and the mega-star trio has plenty of support.The Canadians are stacked at forward. All-timer Crosby will likely center the second line while elite NHLers like Point, Marner, and Stone could very well occupy bottom-six roles at even strength. Bennett, Hagel, Konency, and Jarvis are pest types who can be moved up and down the lineup with ease.The blue line is very good - though not quite as impressive as the defense corps for USA and Sweden. Five of Canada's seven defensemen have won the Stanley Cup. Four are 6-foot-2 or taller and weigh at least 200 pounds.Goaltending is, unsurprisingly, the elephant in the room with this squad. With so many premier skaters, maybe the netminders will be well-insulated and deemed a non-factor. Or, maybe the opposite unfolds and Canada's tournament is tanked by unreliable goaltending.<h3>United States 🇺🇸</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758890/cropped_GettyImages-960512020.jpg?ts=1733345083" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758890/w220xh124_GettyImages-960512020.jpg?ts=1733345083 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758890/w320xh180_GettyImages-960512020.jpg?ts=1733345083 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758890/w640xh360_GettyImages-960512020.jpg?ts=1733345083 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758890/w768xh432_GettyImages-960512020.jpg?ts=1733345083 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758890/w1080xh607_GettyImages-960512020.jpg?ts=1733345083 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Martin Rose / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Final Team USA (forwards)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-7Qeay" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/7Qeay/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="287" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Final Team USA (Defensemen)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-LbNii" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/LbNii/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="178" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Final Team USA (goal)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-Z83Cj" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Z83Cj/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="148" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>Notable snubs: Tage Thompson, Jason Robertson, Jake SandersonCole Caufield leads all American NHLers in goals with 16 in 25 games. Thompson is first in the nation in goals per game, with 13 in 20 or 0.65 per game. Neither player made the final cut, which is a risky move by Team USA.That said, there's a reasonable case for passing on Caufield. He doesn't bring much to the table beyond scoring, and the U.S. has a ton of quality forwards.Thompson, on the other hand, is the biggest snub among the four rosters announced Wednesday. The ultra-skilled 6-foot-6 sniper is one of the NHL's unicorns, regardless of nationality. He's clutch, responsible defensively, can line up at center or wing, and is absolutely dynamite on the power play.If USA struggles to score, we'll know why. They overthought this one.Robertson was a near lock ahead of the season but two months on is still searching for his "A" game. Clayton Keller is another fringe guy passed over.Sanderson's stock has been rising. However, it appears Hanifin - five years older - beat him for that last left defenseman spot.Team outlook: There's no question that, on paper, the Americans boast the most talented roster, top to bottom. It should be their tournament to lose.They don't possess the same caliber of high-end forwards as Canada, but the depth is on par. The back end is truly special with dynamic offensive blue-liners like Hughes and Fox perfectly complementing defensive stalwarts McAvoy and Slavin. And the goaltending is unquestionably a major strength with Hellebuyck vying for his second straight Vezina Trophy.But if there's one thing to nitpick from Team USA, it's the intangibles. There's no obvious captain for the Americans like there is with Canada (Crosby), Sweden (Hedman), or Finland (Barkov). Eichel, Guentzel, and Matthew Tkachuk are the only players on the team with Cup rings. In comparison, 15 of Canada's players have won a Cup. It's very possible none of this matters, but again, we're nitpicking at what's otherwise a pretty flawless roster.<h3>Sweden 🇸🇪</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758894/cropped_GettyImages-2152101638.jpg?ts=1733345540" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758894/w220xh124_GettyImages-2152101638.jpg?ts=1733345540 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758894/w320xh180_GettyImages-2152101638.jpg?ts=1733345540 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758894/w640xh360_GettyImages-2152101638.jpg?ts=1733345540 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758894/w768xh432_GettyImages-2152101638.jpg?ts=1733345540 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758894/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2152101638.jpg?ts=1733345540 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> NurPhoto / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Final Team Sweden (forwards)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-jxd9x" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/jxd9x/4/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="287" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Final Team Sweden (defense)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-wMRVn" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/wMRVn/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="178" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Final Team Sweden (goal)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-nZSp1" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/nZSp1/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="106" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>Notable snubs: Mikael Backlund, William Eklund, Hampus LindholmBacklund is the most surprising omission from Team Sweden as a strong defensive player and respected veteran leader. He could've easily stepped into the lineup in a depth role and not hurt the team with a costly mistake.Eklund's absence isn't completely shocking, but it is eyebrow-raising. His small stature and inexperience likely kept him off the team (though his 23 points are more than Arvidsson and Nyquist have combined for this season).Lindholm is easily the best Swedish player left off the team, but his exclusion is more of a byproduct of the nation's depth on defense. A great defender was bound to get the short end of the stick, and it just so happened to be him.Team outlook: Sweden's performance in this tournament will be strongly tied to its blue line and how much influence it has on the outcome of each game.Hedman is the country's best player and, realistically, its only top-tier superstar. Dahlin, Forsling, Brodin, and Ekholm are all excellent defenders who can theoretically keep up with the lethal forwards out of Canada and the States. The two righties, Karlsson and Andersson, offer offensive punch.The forward group is fairly deep but ultimately unremarkable in comparison to the North American squads. Part of the problem is that three key creators - Pettersson, Forsberg, and Zibanejad - have underwhelmed offensively this season. Will they be at the peak of their powers come February? Nylander, Bratt, Kempe, and Raymond can't be expected to carry the offense alone.Sweden shouldn't have any issues in goal - three solid options.<h3>Finland 🇫🇮</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758892/cropped_GettyImages-611034352.jpg?ts=1733345287" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758892/w220xh124_GettyImages-611034352.jpg?ts=1733345287 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758892/w320xh180_GettyImages-611034352.jpg?ts=1733345287 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758892/w640xh360_GettyImages-611034352.jpg?ts=1733345287 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758892/w768xh432_GettyImages-611034352.jpg?ts=1733345287 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758892/w1080xh607_GettyImages-611034352.jpg?ts=1733345287 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Final Team Finland (forwards)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-81GIW" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/81GIW/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="287" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Final Team Finland (defense)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-2iOS2" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/2iOS2/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="178" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Final Team Finland (goal)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-t4Z9v" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/t4Z9v/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="106" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>Notable snubs: Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Henri JokiharjuGiven Finland's shallow talent pool, "snub" might be a strong word here. Nevertheless, Kotkaniemi - who can play both center and the wing - would have provided a level of versatility Armia can't provide. The former Canadiens teammates have similar stat lines in 2024-25 - 13 points in 25 games for the 24-year-old Kotkaniemi and 10 points in 25 games for the 31-year-old Armia.Jokiharju's exclusion is somewhat surprising seeing as only seven Finnish defensemen have played more than five games this year, and he's one of them. His roster spot went to Maple Leaf Hakanpaa (two games, currently on injured reserve). That can't feel great for the Sabres blue-liner.Team outlook: Finland is going to have to win ugly to have any chance at this event. Its most surprising selections - Armia and Hakanpaa - reflect management's awareness that the team needs size and physicality to overcome its shortcomings. They will have to outwork the opposition.The glaring weakness is on defense. Heiskanen is a stud, but he's the only offensive threat from the back end. The rest, though, are at least big, tough, and physical. If head coach Antti Pennanen's message gets through, that playing style could cause upsets in a short tournament, especially with decent firepower up front, and a goalie in Saros who's capable of stealing games.

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4 Nations rosters analysis: Snubs, team outlooks, and more

Rosters for February's 4 Nations Face-Off are due Monday and will be announced Wednesday - Sweden...

Rosters for February's 4 Nations Face-Off are due Monday and will be announced Wednesday - Sweden and Finland at 2 p.m. ET, Canada and USA at 6:30 p.m.Below, we unveil our final roster predictions for each country. (Bolded players were previously named to the team in June.)<h3>Canada 🇨🇦</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/551344/cropped_GettyImages-611584608.jpg?ts=1672326919" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/551344/w220xh124_GettyImages-611584608.jpg?ts=1672326919 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/551344/w320xh180_GettyImages-611584608.jpg?ts=1672326919 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/551344/w640xh360_GettyImages-611584608.jpg?ts=1672326919 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/551344/w768xh432_GettyImages-611584608.jpg?ts=1672326919 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/551344/w1080xh607_GettyImages-611584608.jpg?ts=1672326919 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Team Canada (forwards)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-kch4X" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/kch4X/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="271" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>Toughest omissions: Zach Hyman, Alexis Lafreniere<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Canada's forward group is the strength of its roster, featuring arguably the two best players in the world in McDavid and MacKinnon, plus one of the best ever in Crosby, the presumed captain who still plays at a very high level.Reinhart's two-way savviness and finishing ability make him the ideal linemate for McDavid. At one point, it seemed like Hyman had the other McDavid flank spot sewn up, but a recent injury and lackluster production could give GM Don Sweeney and Co. some pause. Verhaeghe isn't necessarily having his best year, but the two-time Stanley Cup winner is an effective forechecker and proven big-game player. He gets the nod on LW1 in part because of his familiarity with Reinhart, which could pay dividends in a short tournament.The second line could also have some built-in chemistry with the trio of Nova Scotia natives who all train together in the offseason. MacKinnon even said previously that he'd happily move to the wing to play with Crosby.Cirelli and Hagel are both enjoying career years. They became relatively easy picks thanks to their speed, tenacity, and the trust they've built with Lightning and Canada coach Jon Cooper.We considered Connor Bedard for the 13th forward role, but Scheifele's vastly outplaying him and is more deserving of the last spot.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Team Canada (Defensemen)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-ber9L" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ber9L/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="211" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>Toughest omissions: Owen Power, Colton ParaykoThree picks were straightforward. Toews slots in perfectly alongside Makar, while Morrissey and Dobson are two well-rounded players in their primes. It helps to have lefty-righty harmony on the first and second pairs.Doughty would be another obvious pick if not for an ankle injury. Out all season, he's projected to return to NHL action before the tournament. We're betting that, despite the uncertainty, Canada's management group will gladly select Doughty, believing the veteran has runway to round into form.We strongly considered Parayko for the third pair but feel Pietrangelo is capable of providing Parayko-like value (physicality, penalty killing, leadership) and contributing in other ways. Pietrangelo's the more complete blue-liner.Theodore barely got the nod over Power. We like his assertive playing style. But don't be surprised if Power makes Canada's 2026 Olympic team.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Team Canada (goalies)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-Degax" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Degax/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="148" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>Toughest omission: Cam TalbotGoaltending remains Canada's clear weakness. Cup winners Binnington and Hill are enduring rough seasons, but both appear poised to make the team based on a recent <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/jordan-binnington-adin-hill-appear-set-to-make-canada-s-4-nations-team-daccord-s-status-unclear-1.2210698">TSN</a> report.That leaves one spot up for grabs between Thompson and Talbot, who have been by far Canada's best goalies in 2024-25. Both are deserving, but we opted to go with Thompson, who's emerging as Washington's No. 1 goalie with a .917 save percentage and is a decade younger than Talbot.<h3>United States 🇺🇸</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757813/cropped_GettyImages-2152005599.jpg?ts=1732819831" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757813/w220xh124_GettyImages-2152005599.jpg?ts=1732819831 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757813/w320xh180_GettyImages-2152005599.jpg?ts=1732819831 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757813/w640xh360_GettyImages-2152005599.jpg?ts=1732819831 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757813/w768xh432_GettyImages-2152005599.jpg?ts=1732819831 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757813/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2152005599.jpg?ts=1732819831 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> NurPhoto / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Team USA (forwards)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-0r5p8" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/0r5p8/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="287" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>Toughest omissions: Chris Kreider, J.T. MillerThe only reason Miller isn't on our mock roster is because he's on an indefinite leave of absence from the Canucks. We don't know his return timeline, and we're guessing Team USA brass doesn't, either.Kreider, another virtual lock coming into the season, is playing his way off the 4 Nations squad. The 33-year-old winger has recorded only nine points (all goals) in 19 games for the Rangers. His ice time's down this year, while the trade noise around him increased over the past week or so.We tapped highly competitive and versatile center Trocheck and creative playmaker Keller as their replacements. Trocheck gives the Americans another right-handed option. Keller, penciled in as the 13th forward, has enough offensive juice to revive any line combination that may be struggling.Not that we're predicting struggles for this group. Coach Mike Sullivan has a wide variety of forwards at his disposal, from game-breaking superstars like Matthews, Hughes, and Eichel, to more nuanced players like the Tkachuk brothers, Guentzel, and Robertson. Boldy, a noteworthy riser this season, is an all-around talent and one of the NHL's finest young power forwards.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Team USA (Defensemen)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-W4xzf" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/W4xzf/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="177" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>Toughest omission: John CarlsonThe Americans boast arguably the tournament's best blue line. There's a strong mix of righties, lefties, offensive defensemen, and shutdown blue-liners who should complement each other in a productive way.While the top two pairings are pretty much set in stone, the third isn't. Faber's built off his Calder Trophy runner-up season by establishing himself as one of the NHL's premier defensive defensemen in his sophomore campaign. With Wild executive Bill Guerin serving as USA's GM, you can bet Faber will be there.Werenski and Sanderson are somewhat interchangeable. We gave Werenski the nod as the experienced guy, but Sanderson's probably better defensively.It was difficult leaving off Carlson amid a resurgent season, but it may come down to USA wanting a lefty as the seventh defenseman since Faber's spot on the third pair seems to be far more secure.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Team USA (goalies)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-ub5P3" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ub5P3/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="148" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>Toughest omission: Anthony Stolarz The Americans have high-end talent and depth in net.Hellebuyck is trending toward a second consecutive Vezina Trophy; he's the No. 1 goalie at this point, no questions asked. Oettinger's start has him sniffing around the Vezina conversation, making him the top backup option.Picking a third-stringer is trickier, with Stolarz currently shining and Swayman struggling following drawn-out contract negotiations. We decided to stick with Swayman, the netminder with the more robust resume and higher ceiling. Management's likely considering the real possibility of Stolarz hitting a wall and Swayman looking like his old self by the time the tournament rolls around.<h3>Sweden 🇸🇪</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/370829/cropped_GettyImages-609521368.jpg?ts=1566052543" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/370829/w220xh124_GettyImages-609521368.jpg?ts=1566052543 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/370829/w320xh180_GettyImages-609521368.jpg?ts=1566052543 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/370829/w640xh360_GettyImages-609521368.jpg?ts=1566052543 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/370829/w768xh432_GettyImages-609521368.jpg?ts=1566052543 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/370829/w1080xh607_GettyImages-609521368.jpg?ts=1566052543 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andre Ringuette / World Cup of Hockey / Getty</figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Team Sweden (forwards)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-Lj72L" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Lj72L/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="287" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Team Sweden (Defensemen)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-eceVc" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/eceVc/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="178" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Team USA (goalies) (Copy)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-Ec5KM" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Ec5KM/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="148" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>Toughest omissions: Viktor Arvidsson, Hampus Lindholm, Adam LarssonTeam Sweden's backbone is its blue line, which is on par with Canada's and maybe just a notch below USA's. The only issue? A lot of lefties. Dahlin regularly plays his off side, so that's no problem. But someone else will have to do the same in order to get Sweden's six best in the lineup. In this case, we opted to go with Brodin, who forms the ultimate shutdown pair with Forsling.The toughest cut is unsurprisingly a defenseman in Lindholm. We chose Andersson as the seventh guy - a right-handed option in case having a lefty play his off side doesn't work out. Andersson's excellent season helps, too.Sweden has enough overall talent to be a dark horse in this tournament if it can get strong goaltending from Markstrom or the red-hot Gustavsson.<h3>Finland 🇫🇮</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/370835/cropped_GettyImages-609784948.jpg?ts=1566053109" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/370835/w220xh124_GettyImages-609784948.jpg?ts=1566053109 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/370835/w320xh180_GettyImages-609784948.jpg?ts=1566053109 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/370835/w640xh360_GettyImages-609784948.jpg?ts=1566053109 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/370835/w768xh432_GettyImages-609784948.jpg?ts=1566053109 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/370835/w1080xh607_GettyImages-609784948.jpg?ts=1566053109 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / World Cup of Hockey / Getty</figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Team Finland (forwards)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-3SwXx" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/3SwXx/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="287" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Team Sweden (Defensemen) (Copy)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-qeMHM" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/qeMHM/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="177" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Team Finland (goalies)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-k12Id" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/k12Id/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="148" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>Toughest omissions: Matias Maccelli, Eeli Tolvanen, Jani HakanpaaOnly about 40 Finns have appeared in an NHL game this season. Such a limited pool makes the task of filling out an international roster easy.Barkov, Aho, and Hintz combine for an intriguing 1-2-3 punch down the middle. Rantanen and Heiskanen are elite. The rest of the skater group is questionable, though - particularly the blue line. You can compete in a star-studded tournament with a Lindell-Heiskanen top pair, but Finland's 3-7 depth on defense is significantly worse than the three other countries.Saros, the projected starter, is going to face a ton of rubber at this tourney.

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4 Nations Face-Off roster predictions: Who makes the final cut?

The NHL season zoomed by the quarter-point mark Saturday.  As of Wednesday morning, 345 of 1,312 ...

The NHL season zoomed by the quarter-point mark Saturday.As of Wednesday morning, 345 of 1,312 total games are in the books.Let's bounce around the league and discuss five intriguing Q1 trends.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Modern shooters continue reign</h3>Pour one out for the goaltending fraternity.The average save percentage among NHL goalies is down to .901 from .903 last year. The small dip is notable mostly because it's part of a larger trend: 2024-25 is on track to be the ninth straight season in which the league-wide SV% has declined. The average SV% in 2014-15 and 2015-16 was .915.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757244/cropped_GettyImages-2185669161.jpg?ts=1732561465" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757244/w220xh124_GettyImages-2185669161.jpg?ts=1732561465 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757244/w320xh180_GettyImages-2185669161.jpg?ts=1732561465 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757244/w640xh360_GettyImages-2185669161.jpg?ts=1732561465 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757244/w768xh432_GettyImages-2185669161.jpg?ts=1732561465 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757244/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2185669161.jpg?ts=1732561465 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andre Ringuette / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>There's a bunch of driving forces behind this macro trend. The crackdowns on slashing and cross-checking have given puck carriers more freedom; early goalie pulls have led to more 6-on-5 and 5-on-6 goals; a generation of shooters who grew up with skills coaches and enhanced sticks have infiltrated the league; expanding to 32 teams has diluted the talent pool; and so on.What's interesting about this season in particular is that shots on goal have dropped below 29 a team per game for the first time since 2003-04, according to <a href="https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/stats.html">Hockey Reference</a>. The drop aligns with what we're seeing on a nightly basis: NHL clubs no longer fire pucks on net for the hell of it. They're limiting long-range shots, instead prioritizing high-end scoring chances from the slot.More than ever, offenses are relying on east-west passing to move the goalie laterally and create holes to shoot through. Net-front play has also become sophisticated, with offensive players providing perfectly timed flash-screens and tips versus simply standing in front of the goalie anticipating a shot.<h3>New top goal-scorer incoming?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757239/cropped_GettyImages-2184875803.jpg?ts=1732561212" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757239/w220xh124_GettyImages-2184875803.jpg?ts=1732561212 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757239/w320xh180_GettyImages-2184875803.jpg?ts=1732561212 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757239/w640xh360_GettyImages-2184875803.jpg?ts=1732561212 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757239/w768xh432_GettyImages-2184875803.jpg?ts=1732561212 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757239/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2184875803.jpg?ts=1732561212 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Here's the full list of Rocket Richard Trophy winners since the last lockout:<ul>
<li>Alex Ovechkin</li>
<li>Auston Matthews</li>
<li>Connor McDavid</li>
<li>Sidney Crosby</li>
<li>David Pastrnak</li>
</ul>That's it.Ovechkin and Matthews, the only multi-time winners, have combined for nine solo goal-scoring titles and one shared title over a 12-year span. (Ovechkin and Pastrnak tied at 48 goals in the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season.)Both have battled injury this season, with Ovechkin out until at least mid-December after breaking his leg last week and Matthews still on the mend from a mysterious upper-body ailment that's sidelined him for most of November.Meanwhile, Pastrnak and Crosby have each bagged just eight goals in 23 games, while McDavid's recorded 11 in 19 games, missing three to injury.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757554/cropped_GettyImages-2185042432.jpg?ts=1732718317" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757554/w220xh124_GettyImages-2185042432.jpg?ts=1732718317 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757554/w320xh180_GettyImages-2185042432.jpg?ts=1732718317 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757554/w640xh360_GettyImages-2185042432.jpg?ts=1732718317 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757554/w768xh432_GettyImages-2185042432.jpg?ts=1732718317 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757554/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2185042432.jpg?ts=1732718317 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Justin Berl / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>All of this to say: there's a decent chance the Rocket goes to someone new.Ovechkin's one off the league lead right now, adding 15 goals to his illustrious resume. But Leon Draisaitl and Sam Reinhart (16), William Nylander and Mikko Rantanen (14), and Connor McMichael, Nico Hischier, Kirill Kaprizov, and Kyle Connor (13) are all primed to leave him in the dust.Brayden Point, who's up to 12 goals in 16 games for Tampa Bay, is another sniper to monitor. Point's missed four games but trails only Ovechkin in goals per game (0.75) among the 30 players who've scored 10 or more.<h3>Different encores for Reinhart, Hyman</h3>Reinhart, 29, and Zach Hyman, 32, aren't identical players. Yet a few similarities lumped the right-handed wingers together heading into 2024-25.Both exploded last year for 50-plus goals; Edmonton's Hyman finished with 70 tallies between the regular season and playoffs and Florida's Reinhart reached 67 after notching the Stanley Cup-winning goal against the Oilers. Both are strong defensive players, usually skate with a superstar center, and are known for burying pucks from the offensive zone's high-danger areas.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757263/cropped_GettyImages-2182274995.jpg?ts=1732566211" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757263/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182274995.jpg?ts=1732566211 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757263/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182274995.jpg?ts=1732566211 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757263/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182274995.jpg?ts=1732566211 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757263/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182274995.jpg?ts=1732566211 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757263/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182274995.jpg?ts=1732566211 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kirk Irwin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Seven weeks in, Reinhart's on track for his first 60-goal regular season and Hyman - who has three goals in 20 games - is on pace for 12. What gives?Reinhart's underlying statistical profile hasn't changed in any meaningful way year over year. Hyman, on the other hand, is generating significantly less offense on a per-game basis, which suggests his failed attempt at an encore isn't merely a product of poor puck luck. He's lost some of his O-zone mojo.Here's Hyman's league-wide rankings over the past two seasons in five Sportlogiq metrics that connect directly with his crease-crashing scorer role:<figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>SPORTLOGIQ STAT</th>
<th>NHL RANK '23-24</th>
<th>NHL RANK '24-25</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Expected goals</td>
<td>2nd</td>
<td>21th </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Slot shots</td>
<td>4th</td>
<td>29th</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Inner-slot shots</td>
<td>1st</td>
<td>13th </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Deflections on net</td>
<td>22nd</td>
<td>337th</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Puck recoveries off rebounds</td>
<td>3rd</td>
<td>14th </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Scoring chances off rebounds</td>
<td>5th</td>
<td>67th </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>The rankings for inner-slot shots and puck recoveries off rebounds stand out. Hyman was a world-class menace in 2023-24 at 2.01 inner-slot shots and 1.41 recoveries per game. Hyman this season has been a good but not great menace at 1.15 inner-slot shots and 1.2 recoveries.As for puck luck - a legitimate factor here - Hyman's converting on a career-low 5.9% of his shots while Reinhart's scoring on a career-high 27.6%. Both should regress to the mean as the year moves along.<h3>Leafs' Stolarz thriving in elevated role</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757417/cropped_GettyImages-2182573052.jpg?ts=1732644674" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757417/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182573052.jpg?ts=1732644674 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757417/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182573052.jpg?ts=1732644674 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757417/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182573052.jpg?ts=1732644674 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757417/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182573052.jpg?ts=1732644674 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757417/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182573052.jpg?ts=1732644674 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Anthony Stolarz has been a pleasant surprise - a goalie who's not only showing well on the surface (eye test, basic stats) but also beneath it.The Maple Leafs netminder owns a 7-3-2 record, .927 SV% (second in the NHL), and 2.18 goals-against average (tied for second). The skaters in front of Stolarz and partner Joseph Woll share credit for those impressive numbers. After all, Toronto's a top-10 defensive team under new coach Craig Berube.Two Sportlogiq metrics do a better job capturing Stolarz's impact.The 30-year-old leads NHL netminders with 1.21 goals saved above expected per 60 minutes. Translation: Stolarz has saved roughly a goal more per game on average than he should have based on the defensive environment.Stolarz is also first in quality start percentage, after signing a two-year, $5-million contract with Toronto in the offseason. A quality start's assigned when a goalie posts a "positive goals saved above expected value" in a game. Stolarz's earned a positive value - outplayed his environment, in other words - in 11 of 12 starts, grading out to a sparkling 91.7% quality start rate.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757425/cropped_GettyImages-2183057396.jpg?ts=1732646838" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757425/w220xh124_GettyImages-2183057396.jpg?ts=1732646838 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757425/w320xh180_GettyImages-2183057396.jpg?ts=1732646838 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757425/w640xh360_GettyImages-2183057396.jpg?ts=1732646838 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757425/w768xh432_GettyImages-2183057396.jpg?ts=1732646838 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757425/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2183057396.jpg?ts=1732646838 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kevin Sousa / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Talk about reliability - and at a position known for its instability in Toronto.What should be most encouraging to the Leafs and their fan base is that Stolarz isn't new to the NHL. He put up solid numbers as a backup in Anaheim and Florida. The preseason uncertainty around Stolarz revolved around sustainability and workload. Could he perform at a high level in an elevated, high-pressure role? So far, the answer is yes. A definitive yes.Stolarz's emergence is also giving Team USA general manager Bill Guerin something to think about for February's 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. Rosters are due Monday. Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck is a lock as one of three goalies, and Dallas' Jake Oettinger is most likely the second guy.An injury to Vancouver's Thatcher Demko and poor play from Boston's Jeremy Swayman complicates the decision-making process for the final spot. Stolarz has played his way into the USA conversation, at the very least.<h3>Have-nots and sleeping giants</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757444/cropped_GettyImages-2178865781.jpg?ts=1732653682" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757444/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178865781.jpg?ts=1732653682 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757444/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178865781.jpg?ts=1732653682 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757444/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178865781.jpg?ts=1732653682 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757444/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178865781.jpg?ts=1732653682 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757444/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178865781.jpg?ts=1732653682 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Darcy Finley / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>With due respect to Minnesota and Nashville, Winnipeg and Pittsburgh are the two teams leaping off the NHL standings page at U.S. Thanksgiving. The vibes are immaculate around the Jets - what an unbelievable first 22 games. "Unbelievable" is also a fitting word for whatever the Penguins have become.A couple of notes on 18-4-0 Winnipeg: the Presidents' Trophy front-runner enjoyed a relatively easy first-quarter schedule and its power play has been unsustainably hot (33.9%). Otherwise, captain Adam Lowry and crew have amassed a plus-37 goal differential through balanced scoring, a bulletproof defensive structure, and Hart Trophy-caliber goaltending from Hellebuyck.The Jets look a top-shelf Cup contender - a truly elite team. Full stop.The 7-12-4 Pens, who own a league-worst minus-34 goal differential, were no one's Cup pick heading into the season, but things have gone from meh to putrid in a hurry. Aside from the odd throwback performance from Crosby, Pittsburgh's basically unwatchable. The roster's fundamentally flawed and coach Mike Sullivan is no longer getting through to his players.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757447/cropped_GettyImages-2184319411.jpg?ts=1732655166" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757447/w220xh124_GettyImages-2184319411.jpg?ts=1732655166 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757447/w320xh180_GettyImages-2184319411.jpg?ts=1732655166 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757447/w640xh360_GettyImages-2184319411.jpg?ts=1732655166 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757447/w768xh432_GettyImages-2184319411.jpg?ts=1732655166 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757447/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2184319411.jpg?ts=1732655166 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Justin Tafoya / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Eight of 32 teams hold a .650 points percentage or higher.The Western Conference's upper echelon includes Winnipeg, Minnesota, and Dallas in the Central, and Vegas in the Pacific. The East's includes Carolina, Washington, and New Jersey in the Metropolitan, and Toronto in the Atlantic.This dynamic's created a have-have not scenario in the East. Florida, Tampa Bay, and the Rangers are second-tier squads based on the standings, leaving a whopping seven teams to battle for the final wild-card spot (Pittsburgh and Montreal are in their own bottom-feeders tier). Who among Buffalo, Boston, the Islanders, Philadelphia, Columbus, Detroit, and Ottawa is actually going to snatch the final spot? Right now, the Sabres are the smart pick.Meanwhile, the West may have a couple of sleeping giants. Edmonton and Colorado - two star-studded preseason Cup favorites - occupy the final wild card spot and ninth in the conference. Both clubs absolutely should make the postseason, and probably will. Then, once the puck drops on the first round, all bets are off in series featuring McDavid and Draisaitl, and Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Puck-stopping pains, Reinhart lapping Hyman, & more: 5 intriguing trends

In today's offense-charged NHL, a serious Hart Trophy candidate must possess some brand of inevit...

In today's offense-charged NHL, a serious Hart Trophy candidate must possess some brand of inevitability. He must be the caliber of player who finds a way to directly impact the outcome of the game, virtually every game.Kirill Kaprizov showcased this trait earlier this week by turning a sleepy Tuesday night contest in St. Louis into a 4-2 Wild victory thanks to a two-goal third period. It wasn't some triumphant performance, either. No, the 27-year-old winger scoring six minutes into the third to make it 2-1 and then putting the game away with an empty-netter felt inevitable more than anything else.Carrying the Wild is simply what Kaprizov does at this point in his career.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"He's been unbelievable, so I would think so," Wild general manager Bill Guerin said of Kaprizov being the Hart front-runner at this season's quarter mark. "There are other guys having good starts. But I just think when you look at what Kirill means to our team, what he does for our team every night, man, he's been having a pretty big impact on what's been going on."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756442/cropped_GettyImages-2177596425.jpg?ts=1732136675" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756442/w220xh124_GettyImages-2177596425.jpg?ts=1732136675 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756442/w320xh180_GettyImages-2177596425.jpg?ts=1732136675 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756442/w640xh360_GettyImages-2177596425.jpg?ts=1732136675 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756442/w768xh432_GettyImages-2177596425.jpg?ts=1732136675 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756442/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2177596425.jpg?ts=1732136675 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Darcy Finley / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>What exactly's been going on? The 12-3-3 Wild are tied for third in points percentage (.750) and rank sixth in goal differential (plus-18), despite playing 11 of 18 games on the road. On a per-game basis, Minnesota is tied for first in goals allowed (2.33) and tied for ninth in goals generated (3.39). The team has sharp underlying numbers, holds leads, and doesn't take many penalties.In other words, the Wild are way better than most pundits thought they'd be.It all starts with Kaprizov, whose 33 points trail only Nathan MacKinnon's 34. He leads or co-leads all NHLers in points per game (1.83), primary points (27), and even-strength points (19). He's racked up 14 more points than any teammate and sits fourth among all NHL forwards in average ice time (a career-high 22:21 spread across all situations). He's recorded more three-point nights (six) than pointless nights (three) and is on pace for 150 points.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Points per game leaders 2024-25" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-V0yK0" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/V0yK0/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="207" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>Kaprizov, whose previous best showing in Hart voting was seventh in 2021-22, is a unique player. He's super crafty but also powerful. He's a sniper but also a playmaker. He's a transition wizard but also responsible defensively.What's one thing Guerin feels people might overlook about his superstar?"It's gotta be his competitiveness," the GM said. "He's not one of these guys who sits on the sidelines. He's in the trenches. He gets into 50-50 puck battles and wins them. He goes to the ugly areas of the ice, battles like crazy."Kaprizov was drafted by former Wild GM Paul Fenton in the fifth round, 135th overall, in 2015. Guerin signed him out of the KHL in 2020. When asked which area of the game Kaprizov has improved most in four-plus years, Guerin gave the question some thought before touching on the behind-the-scenes vibe."The day-to-day leadership. The role he's playing within the team," Guerin said. "He's more comfortable being vocal and expressing his feelings about what he wants, what he thinks. That's really important for us, for our team."<h3>Salary-cap spike winners</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756054/cropped_GettyImages-2177743885.jpg?ts=1731953244" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756054/w220xh124_GettyImages-2177743885.jpg?ts=1731953244 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756054/w320xh180_GettyImages-2177743885.jpg?ts=1731953244 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756054/w640xh360_GettyImages-2177743885.jpg?ts=1731953244 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756054/w768xh432_GettyImages-2177743885.jpg?ts=1731953244 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756054/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2177743885.jpg?ts=1731953244 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3130721" href="https://thescore.com/news/3130721">reported</a> last weekend that the upper limit of the 2025-26 salary cap could land in the range of $95 million and $97 million.A spike requires negotiation between the NHL and the NHL Players' Association, and commissioner Gary Bettman downplayed Friedman's report Tuesday. "Anything's possible," <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3133716" href="https://thescore.com/news/3133716">Bettman told reporters</a>, before noting that the numbers included in Friedman's report "weren't anywhere close to accurate."Friedman's a respected, plugged-in reporter. We can assume there's at the very least a decent chance the upper limit - currently $88 million - rises by around $8 million. Some teams would benefit more than others from an unusually big jump. Here's a quick rundown of the biggest potential winners:Wild: Minnesota will have $13 million freed up regardless of what happens with the upper limit since the dead money tied to the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter buyouts shrinks from $14.7 million to $1.7 million starting next season. Kaprizov, who's eligible to sign an extension on July 1, 2025, will likely eat up a chunk of the new money. Top-six center Marco Rossi, a pending restricted free agent, probably signs a long-term extension, too. Even after those deals, the Wild should have flexibility to add quality NHLers via trade or free agency.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756401/cropped_GettyImages-2041042163.jpg?ts=1732125416" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756401/w220xh124_GettyImages-2041042163.jpg?ts=1732125416 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756401/w320xh180_GettyImages-2041042163.jpg?ts=1732125416 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756401/w640xh360_GettyImages-2041042163.jpg?ts=1732125416 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756401/w768xh432_GettyImages-2041042163.jpg?ts=1732125416 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756401/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2041042163.jpg?ts=1732125416 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Rich Graessle / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Lightning: Tampa Bay's been bleeding talent the past few offseasons and will be paying five players a combined $45.5 million in 2025-26. A cap spike would give the front office a little breathing room. The Lightning could finally pursue proven role players instead of filling the third and fourth forward lines and third defenseman pairing with complete unknowns. They could even sign a goalie with upside to help ease the workload for starter Andrei Vasilevskiy.Stars: Dallas has done an incredible job balancing its books during a period in which the club has been both contending for the Stanley Cup and signing key young pieces to long-term deals. A spike would be terrific timing, really. Jamie Benn's $8.7-million cap hit will be wiped from the slate as negotiations with Wyatt Johnston (21, 2025 RFA) and Thomas Harley (23, 2026 RFA) heat up.Oilers, Rangers, Maple Leafs: These three are grouped together because important extensions loom large. Edmonton's priorities are Connor McDavid (2026 UFA) and Evan Bouchard (2025 RFA). New York's are Igor Shesterkin (2025 UFA), Artemi Panarin (2026 UFA), K'Andre Miller (2025 RFA), and Ryan Lindgren (2025 UFA). Toronto's are Mitch Marner (2025 UFA), John Tavares (2025 UFA), Matthew Knies (2025 RFA), and Anthony Stolarz (2026 UFA).<h3>Isles' Tsyplakov finding his way</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756393/cropped_GettyImages-2182507285.jpg?ts=1732121490" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756393/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182507285.jpg?ts=1732121490 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756393/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182507285.jpg?ts=1732121490 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756393/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182507285.jpg?ts=1732121490 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756393/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182507285.jpg?ts=1732121490 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756393/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182507285.jpg?ts=1732121490 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mike Stobe / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>NHL front offices battle for the hottest free agent out of Russia every spring.The signings can work out fantastically well, like Panarin blossoming into a superstar. Or quickly become disasters, like Vadim Shipachyov having his contract terminated three games into his Golden Knights tenure. Or go from thrilling to unremarkable, like Andrei Kuzmenko bursting onto the scene with 39 goals in 81 games before settling in as a depth piece on the Canucks and Flames.It's too early in Maxim Tsyplakov's North American journey to state anything definitively. However, the 26-year-old winger who previously played exclusively in Russia has shown flashes of brilliance through 19 NHL games.Tsyplakov's put up a respectable two goals and eight assists for the offense-starved Islanders. New York's outscored the opposition 11-8 and owned 58% of the expected goals in Tsyplakov's 195 five-on-five minutes with fellow second-liners Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, according to Evolving-Hockey.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756052/cropped_GettyImages-2182853174.jpg?ts=1731953023" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756052/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182853174.jpg?ts=1731953023 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756052/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182853174.jpg?ts=1731953023 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756052/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182853174.jpg?ts=1731953023 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756052/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182853174.jpg?ts=1731953023 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756052/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182853174.jpg?ts=1731953023 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andre Ringuette / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>"He plays with a lot of poise. He protects the puck really well. He creates a lot of space with his feet and strength," Palmieri told theScore in early November."Not only is he learning a new language and a new culture, but he's also learning a new system, a new league. It's a big adjustment, right? And he's adjusting well so far. He's continuing to get more comfortable every day."Tsyplakov ranks first on the club in hits (55), second in takeaways (nine), and tied for fourth in points (10) - all positive signs. The black marks on his resume right now: first in minor penalties taken (eight) and fourth in giveaways (18)."I want him to cut down on turnovers," Isles head coach Patrick Roy <a href="https://www.nhl.com/islanders/video/practice-11-18-patrick-roy-6364876633112">told reporters</a> Monday. "If he does that, that line's going to be very dangerous."<h3>Quick hits</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756368/cropped_GettyImages-2184875803.jpg?ts=1732116415" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756368/w220xh124_GettyImages-2184875803.jpg?ts=1732116415 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756368/w320xh180_GettyImages-2184875803.jpg?ts=1732116415 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756368/w640xh360_GettyImages-2184875803.jpg?ts=1732116415 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756368/w768xh432_GettyImages-2184875803.jpg?ts=1732116415 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756368/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2184875803.jpg?ts=1732116415 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Ovi math: What a buzzkill to see Alex Ovechkin on the Capitals' injured list. The legendarily durable winger is considered "week-to-week" after suffering a leg injury Monday. To me, "week-to-week" translates to a minimum of three weeks off. How might this timeline affect the all-time goals chase? For argument's sake, let's say Ovechkin returns exactly four weeks later. He'd miss 11 games and thus need 27 goals in the Caps' final 53 games to break Wayne Gretzky's hallowed record. That's a 42-goal pace over a full season. While Ovi certainly could bag 27 more this year, it's more likely the chase continues next season, when he'll be 40 and in the final year of his contract.Swiss Selke: Devils captain Nico Hischier is having a monstrous year. He's producing at a point-per-game clip and providing Selke Trophy-caliber defense. New Jersey's allowed just 1.2 goals per 60 minutes during Hischier's five-on-five shifts, which often feature the opposition's top offensive weapons. In all situations, the Brig, Switzerland, native sits fourth in puck-battle wins per game and is tied for 19th in faceoff percentage. He's also a key member of a top-10 penalty kill. A personal favorite: Hischier's rocking a plus-13 penalty differential through 21 games - 13 minors drawn, zero taken.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756051/cropped_GettyImages-2181242152.jpg?ts=1731952769" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756051/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181242152.jpg?ts=1731952769 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756051/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181242152.jpg?ts=1731952769 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756051/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181242152.jpg?ts=1731952769 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756051/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181242152.jpg?ts=1731952769 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756051/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181242152.jpg?ts=1731952769 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jamie Sabau / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Stingiest pairs: There are 172 pairings that have spent 50 or more five-on-five minutes together this season. But only two have yet to be on the ice for a single goal against - Brock Faber and Jonas Brodin are up 2-0 in 54 minutes, and Juuso Valimaki and Michael Kesselring are up 4-0 in 79 minutes. The Wild pair has name value. The Utah pair is relatively unknown. Valimaki, 26, is a reliable, no-frills veteran who broke into the NHL in 2018. Kesselring, 24, is a sophomore with serious two-way potential. He's large (6-4, 215 pounds), super quick (88th percentile league-wide in skating speed), and can rip the puck (104-mph shot on Oct. 24 counts as the second-fastest of the year).Load management: First Leo Carlsson in Anaheim, now Will Smith in San Jose. For the second straight season, an NHL team is limiting a high-profile rookie's workload. Smith, the fourth pick in 2023, has appeared in 17 of the Sharks' 21 games, recording four points while, at times, looking overwhelmed by the pro game. Three of Smith's four scratches have come on the first or second leg of a back-to-back. GM Mike Grier <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks/latest-news/mike-grier-explains-load-management-development-plans-for-macklin-celebrini-will-smith">has said</a> this load-management approach is supported by sports science data and involves Smith spending extra time in the gym. Two cases don't make a full-on trend. Still, one former NHL coach said the Ducks and Sharks are coddling their players. "The NHL is not a developmental league," the coach said. "There's a specific league for developing, and it's called the American Hockey League. Let them get used to the pro grind down there, make their big mistakes there."John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29114811/related

Kaprizov's MVP case, biggest cap-spike winners, and 5 other NHL items

Rosters for the 4 Nations Face-Off are due Dec. 2 and will be unveiled two days later. In other w...

Rosters for the 4 Nations Face-Off are due Dec. 2 and will be unveiled two days later. In other words, the clock's ticking louder by the day for management groups in Canada, Sweden, Finland, and the U.S.Each nation must select 23 players - 20 skaters and three goalies. Six picks were announced in June, which means 17 spots remain unfilled.Here, theScore's Josh Wegman and John Matisz debate the toughest decisions for Team Canada general manager Don Sweeney and his staff ahead of the February tournament. (Read our Team USA rundown <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3124654" href="https://thescore.com/news/3124654">here</a>.)<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Forwards</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751330/cropped_GettyImages-2178253417.jpg?ts=1731623204" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751330/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178253417.jpg?ts=1731623204 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751330/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178253417.jpg?ts=1731623204 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751330/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178253417.jpg?ts=1731623204 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751330/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178253417.jpg?ts=1731623204 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751330/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178253417.jpg?ts=1731623204 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Leila Devlin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Already on roster: Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand, Connor McDavid, Brayden PointNear locks: Mitch Marner, Sam Reinhart, Mark Stone5 spots left for: Mathew Barzal, Connor Bedard, Sam Bennett, Quinton Byfield, Anthony Cirelli, Brandon Hagel, Zach Hyman, Seth Jarvis, Wyatt Johnston, Travis Konecny, Alexis Lafreniere, Ryan O'Reilly, Mark Scheifele, Steven Stamkos, Nick Suzuki, Robert Thomas, Carter Verhaeghe, Tom WilsonWegman's picks: Bedard, Cirelli, Hagel, Hyman, KonecnyCanada has an embarrassment of riches up front, making these picks incredibly difficult. There are just so many ways Sweeney can go.Cirelli isn't overly popular in mock rosters, but I believe he's the perfect choice as Canada's fourth-line center. His skating, competitiveness, and intelligence make him a Selke Trophy-caliber defensive player who can match up against anyone. He's no slouch offensively, either, producing at a near-point-per-game clip this season. And head coach Jon Cooper trusts him immensely.The same can be said for Hagel, who would bring instant chemistry to a line led centered by either Point or Cirelli. Hagel is as skilled offensively as other contending players, plus he's super consistent. He'd also bring some competitive fire - not completely unlike Konecny, another feisty winger who'd fit a bottom-six role well.Hyman has picked things up after a slow start, so I'm sticking with him. Bedard's my 13th forward. He'll take on a bigger role at the 2026 Olympics.Matisz's picks: Bedard, Hyman, Konecny, Lafreniere, VerhaegheThe options are truly limitless.Still, three players jumped to the top of my queue. Verhaeghe could be an incredibly valuable piece as a true dual-threat winger. Lafreniere could easily assume a complementary role on a line that plays with pace and can tap into his quick-strike style. Bedard is a lethal triggerman whose goal-scoring totals have been suppressed in Chicago - he's ready to pop with better linemates.Konecny and Hyman were harder choices. Ultimately, both are connector types: highly intelligent wingers who've mastered wall play, puck hounding, and net-front havoc-wreaking. Hyman's chemistry with McDavid is a bonus.My toughest cuts were Johnston, Hagel, and Suzuki. I would've strongly considered Thomas as well if he weren't currently injured. And I like Cirelli, but I think Canada has a handful of better options at fourth-line center.Scheifele, who's tied for 17th in NHL scoring, deserves a mention. He probably makes the cut based on pure talent. However, his offense-first skill set would be redundant on a Canadian squad teeming with firepower.<h3>Defense</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/600708/cropped_GettyImages-1760551522.jpg?ts=1731623095" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/600708/w220xh124_GettyImages-1760551522.jpg?ts=1731623095 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/600708/w320xh180_GettyImages-1760551522.jpg?ts=1731623095 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/600708/w640xh360_GettyImages-1760551522.jpg?ts=1731623095 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/600708/w768xh432_GettyImages-1760551522.jpg?ts=1731623095 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/600708/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1760551522.jpg?ts=1731623095 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Already on roster: Cale MakarNear locks: Noah Dobson, Josh Morrissey, Devon Toews3 spots left for: Evan Bouchard, Drew Doughty, Dougie Hamilton, Brandon Montour, Colton Parayko, Adam Pelech, Alex Pietrangelo, Owen Power, Morgan Rielly, Shea Theodore, MacKenzie WeegarWegman's picks: Doughty, Parayko, PowerDoughty is the biggest question mark as he remains out with a fractured ankle suffered in preseason. If he's healthy in time for the tournament - a big "if" - he needs to be on this team. (He's projected to return in early January.)I opted to lean on size for my final two picks - Power and Parayko both stand at 6-foot-6. They played together at the 2024 World Championship, so there's already some familiarity if they combine forces on the third pair. Parayko, in particular, would bring much-needed nastiness and penalty-killing chops to a Canadian blue line that's rather undersized in the top four outside of Dobson.Matisz's picks: Doughty, Pietrangelo, TheodoreSweeney and his staff are reportedly keeping a close eye on Doughty's recovery. Barring an injury setback, he's tracking toward a key shutdown role.Canada should try to strike a balance between mobility/skill and size/toughness on the blue line, especially with question marks in goal. In my eyes, veterans Theodore and Pietrangelo best round out the defense corps. You know exactly what you're getting from both of them.Makar and Morrissey can each man the point on a power-play unit, while any of the seven defensemen is capable of hunkering down on the penalty kill.<h3>Goaltending</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/480363/cropped_GettyImages-1236192737.jpg?ts=1731623341" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/480363/w220xh124_GettyImages-1236192737.jpg?ts=1731623341 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/480363/w320xh180_GettyImages-1236192737.jpg?ts=1731623341 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/480363/w640xh360_GettyImages-1236192737.jpg?ts=1731623341 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/480363/w768xh432_GettyImages-1236192737.jpg?ts=1731623341 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/480363/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1236192737.jpg?ts=1731623341 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Scott Rovak / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Already on roster: NoneNear locks: None3 spots left for: Jordan Binnington, Mackenzie Blackwood, Marc-Andre Fleury, Adin Hill, Connor Ingram, Darcy Kuemper, Sam Montembeault, Stuart Skinner, Cam Talbot, Logan ThompsonWegman's picks: Binnington, Talbot, ThompsonCanada's goaltending is easily the most wide-open and intriguing position battle of the entire tournament. I was of the belief someone would separate themselves from the pack, but that hasn't been the case.I'm giving Binnington the nod as the nation's most consistent goalie in recent years, but I don't feel overly confident about it. He was playing relatively well this season until he was shelled for eight goals against the Capitals recently.I'm rolling with the hot hand for my other two picks. The 37-year-old Talbot seems to play well in whatever uniform he's wearing. That bodes well in a short tournament. He's been lights out despite playing behind a mediocre Red Wings team.Thompson, meanwhile, is beginning to emerge as the Capitals' go-to guy after a couple of promising tandem seasons with the Golden Knights.Matisz's picks: Binnington, Montembeault, TalbotIt feels like there's no great answer here. However, I'm going with Binnington as the starter, Talbot as the backup, and Montembeault as the third-stringer.Binnington hoisted the Stanley Cup more than five years ago, yet there's still something about the fiery competitor that screams "big-game player."Talbot has posted excellent underlying numbers this season (top five in the NHL in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes, according to Sportlogiq).Montembeault has been quietly trending up over the past few seasons, his raw numbers dragged down by Montreal's putrid goaltending environment.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Team Canada (Matisz picks)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-OKuy4" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/OKuy4/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="438" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Team Canada (Wegman picks)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-m6tru" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/m6tru/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="422" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
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https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29073494/related

Debating key position battles for Canada's 4 Nations Face-Off roster

Rosters for the 4 Nations Face-Off are due Dec. 2 and will be unveiled two days later. In other words, the clock's ticking louder by the day for management groups in Canada, Sweden, Finland, and the U.S.Each nation must select 23 players - 20 skaters and three goalies. Six picks were announced in June, which means 17 spots remain unfilled.Here, theScore's Josh Wegman and John Matisz debate the toughest decisions for Team USA general manager Bill Guerin and his staff ahead of the February tournament. (Read our Team Canada rundown <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3124698" href="https://thescore.com/news/3124698">here</a>.)<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Forwards</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/554665/cropped_GettyImages-1456458191.jpg?ts=1731613153" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/554665/w220xh124_GettyImages-1456458191.jpg?ts=1731613153 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/554665/w320xh180_GettyImages-1456458191.jpg?ts=1731613153 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/554665/w640xh360_GettyImages-1456458191.jpg?ts=1731613153 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/554665/w768xh432_GettyImages-1456458191.jpg?ts=1731613153 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/554665/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1456458191.jpg?ts=1731613153 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Already on roster: Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Matthew TkachukNear locks: Jack Hughes, J.T. Miller, Jason Robertson, Brady Tkachuk6 spots left for: Brock Boeser, Matt Boldy, Cole Caufield, Kyle Connor, Alex DeBrincat, Jake Guentzel, Patrick Kane, Clayton Keller, Chris Kreider, Dylan Larkin, Brock Nelson, Tage Thompson, Vincent Trocheck, Alex TuchWegman's picks: Boldy, Connor, Guentzel, Kreider, Larkin, ThompsonTeam USA is so stacked up front that at least a handful of omissions will raise eyebrows. With all due respect to Caufield, Keller was my toughest cut.To me, Boldy could play on any type of line with his size-speed combo, Connor's earned a spot with his scorching-hot start, and Guentzel's playoff resume gives him the tiebreaker over Keller. On a team lacking veteran leaders, Kreider was an important pick for me - plus he still brings size and a nose for the net. Larkin and Thompson were the two easiest picks as true centers, which would give head coach Mike Sullivan the option to play Miller and Hughes on the wings.Miller's game is better suited for the wing, and Hughes is a faceoff liability. Imagine Hughes, one of the game's best puck carriers and playmakers, on the wing setting up the sport's best goal-scorer in Matthews? Ample center depth means endless lineup possibilities.Matisz's picks: Boldy, Connor, Guentzel, Kreider, Thompson, TrocheckThe countries participating in this event aren't simply picking the 23 most talented players. They're building a functional team with a host of roles.Trocheck's a highly competitive and versatile right-handed center who could slot in nicely on the fourth line, kill penalties, and potentially, assume the "bumper" spot on the power play. Someone like Caufield, on the other hand, provides little value beyond his goals. The U.S. has no shortage of elite snipers, anyway - including Connor, who's second in goals by an American since 2017-18, and Thompson, whose imposing frame, silky hands, game-breaking ability, and defensive chops combine for a tantalizing package.Boldy's power game and flair for the dramatic make him extremely appealing, Guentzel can play either wing on any forward line and not miss a beat, and Kreider's veteran presence, power-play utility, and size give him the final spot.Keller - a personal favorite - and Larkin were by far the toughest cuts.<h3>Defense</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755240/cropped_GettyImages-2182909292.jpg?ts=1731613245" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755240/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182909292.jpg?ts=1731613245 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755240/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182909292.jpg?ts=1731613245 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755240/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182909292.jpg?ts=1731613245 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755240/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182909292.jpg?ts=1731613245 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755240/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182909292.jpg?ts=1731613245 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kirk Irwin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Already on roster: Adam Fox, Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoyNear locks: Brock Faber, Jake Sanderson, Jaccob Slavin1 spot left for: John Carlson, Noah Hanifin, Seth Jones, Brett Pesce, Jacob Trouba, Zach WerenskiWegman's pick: WerenskiUSA's top six defensemen are quite clear, in my opinion. The seventh might come down to whether Guerin prefers a righty or lefty. I thought long and hard about Jones, who's played well this year in a bad situation and would bring some size and penalty-killing chops, but I landed on Werenski for a couple of reasons.If the Americans were to make a lineup change on D, it would likely be Slavin or Sanderson dropping out, not any of the righties. That makes Werenski an easier plug-and-play guy. Werenski, like Jones, has also played well in some tough circumstances, and I'd be intrigued to see what he can do with more talent around him.Matisz's pick: WerenskiCarlson gave me slight pause, but, really, Werenski was the easy choice here.He's one of the NHL's best at retrieving a loose puck in the defensive zone and immediately jump-starting a scoring chance the other way. The Blue Jackets alternate captain is a play-driver with plenty of international experience.The U.S. blue line, which is led by two of the top five defensemen on the planet in Hughes and Fox, has the best one-through-seven depth in the tournament. Werenski's far from a throw-in. He could be a difference-maker.<h3>Goaltending</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748254/cropped_GettyImages-2152651031.jpg?ts=1731613337" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748254/w220xh124_GettyImages-2152651031.jpg?ts=1731613337 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748254/w320xh180_GettyImages-2152651031.jpg?ts=1731613337 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748254/w640xh360_GettyImages-2152651031.jpg?ts=1731613337 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748254/w768xh432_GettyImages-2152651031.jpg?ts=1731613337 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748254/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2152651031.jpg?ts=1731613337 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Rich Gagnon / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Already on roster: NoneNear locks: Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger1 spot left for: Joey Daccord, Thatcher Demko, Charlie Lindgren, Anthony Stolarz, Jeremy SwaymanWegman's pick: StolarzSwayman may be the "safer" pick, but there's no denying who's been the better netminder this year. Stolarz is among the league leaders in virtually every important metric. I'd want the more in-form goalie playing should something happen to Hellebuyck and/or Oettinger. And if Stolarz can handle the pressure of playing in Toronto, who's to say he wouldn't be up to the task of playing in a star-studded tournament like this?Matisz's pick: SwaymanDon't get me wrong, the Stolarz argument is persuasive. He's unexpectedly in the Vezina Trophy conversation with almost a quarter of the season over.Yet, given the volatile nature of the position, I think Guerin would much rather tap the proven guy in Swayman. Rosters are due two-plus months before the tournament. There should and will be some projecting involved.I'm fully confident Swayman will close the gap between him and Stolarz in categories like save percentage, goals saved above expected, quality starts, and steals. The U.S. is better off with a playoff-tested third-string netminder.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Team USA (Matisz picks)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-UdBdq" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/UdBdq/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="422" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Team USA (Wegman picks)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-XaCxg" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/XaCxg/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="422" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
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https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29047362/related

Debating key position battles for USA's 4 Nations Face-Off roster

Press releases from hockey teams tend to be pretty bland. The title and opening paragraph contain...

Press releases from hockey teams tend to be pretty bland. The title and opening paragraph contain all of the news ("Player X has signed with Team Y"), leaving reporters and fans with no reason to read the rest of the release.Until now, anyway.On Sunday, the London Knights announced Ottawa Senators prospect Blake Montgomery had joined the Ontario Hockey League club after signing a "scholarship and development agreement." The third and final paragraph of the release lays out Montgomery's future in stranger-than-fiction language.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"The 2005-born Montgomery is committed to play college hockey at Wisconsin," it <a href="https://chl.ca/ohl-knights/article/knights-sign-senators-prospect-montgomery/">reads</a>.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754644/cropped_GettyImages-1125825136.jpg?ts=1731274062" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754644/w220xh124_GettyImages-1125825136.jpg?ts=1731274062 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754644/w320xh180_GettyImages-1125825136.jpg?ts=1731274062 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754644/w640xh360_GettyImages-1125825136.jpg?ts=1731274062 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754644/w768xh432_GettyImages-1125825136.jpg?ts=1731274062 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754644/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1125825136.jpg?ts=1731274062 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Wait. London, a major-junior powerhouse that's battled NCAA programs on the recruiting trail for decades, is acknowledging the University of Wisconsin's existence? What a bizarre sight for any longtime junior or college hockey fan.Yet, acknowledging the enemy is quickly becoming the new norm following last Thursday's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3121334" href="https://thescore.com/news/3121334">landmark ruling</a> by the NCAA's Division I council. Previously deemed ineligible, players from the OHL, Western Hockey League, and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League - the three regional loops under the Canadian Hockey League - can join Division I teams starting next season.The ban on CHL players is being lifted in response to a lawsuit <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3054316" href="https://thescore.com/news/3054316">filed against the NCAA</a> and 10 schools in August by a 19-year-old Canadian junior player."I'm hoping this changes things for the better for everybody in hockey," UConn head coach Mike Cavanaugh said in a phone interview."It's a seismic change to the landscape," added player agent Brian Bartlett.theScore spent the past few days speaking with more than a dozen people affected by the ruling to better understand its ripple effects.Here are the seven biggest takeaways from those conversations.<h3>1. The players benefit most</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754691/cropped_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1731283285" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754691/w220xh124_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1731283285 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754691/w320xh180_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1731283285 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754691/w640xh360_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1731283285 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754691/w768xh432_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1731283285 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754691/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1731283285 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Leila Devlin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The best Canadian and American hockey players have long been forced to choose a development path at 15 or 16 years old: major junior or college - not both. The fork in the road appears halfway through high school because dressing for a single CHL game, even in preseason, would spoil a player's NCAA eligibility.The young player's decision maps out the years before and after the NHL draft. It often has an outsized influence on a player's long-term trajectory.The NCAA ruling, at its most basic level, offers greater flexibility to players."Our world is all about choices. We've opened up opportunities everywhere, in all facets of life, and the fact that this was still in existence in 2024 was a little baffling. We're all happy that it's finally off the table," said Jim Hulton, general manager and head coach of the QMJHL's Charlottetown Islanders."We have a whole list of players who are going to benefit from this - 100%," veteran agent Gerry Johannson said. "We've had loose conversations with NCAA teams about the kinds of opportunities players might have."The industry's keeping an eye on Gavin McKenna, the projected top pick for the 2026 NHL draft who's dominating the WHL in his second full season with the Medicine Hat Tigers. If the soon-to-be 17-year-old forward is craving a new challenge, any NCAA program would welcome him with open arms."Options" is the new buzzword - for McKenna and the rest of the player pool."There's no one-size-fits-all solution," said Bartlett, who runs the Bartlett Hockey agency with his brother and father, representing NHL stars like Cale Makar and J.T. Miller. "You have to find the right path for every player. And if you have more choices, you're more likely to find the right fit."<h3>2. Trickle-down not all good</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754771/cropped_GettyImages-2149170449.jpg?ts=1731323391" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754771/w220xh124_GettyImages-2149170449.jpg?ts=1731323391 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754771/w320xh180_GettyImages-2149170449.jpg?ts=1731323391 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754771/w640xh360_GettyImages-2149170449.jpg?ts=1731323391 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754771/w768xh432_GettyImages-2149170449.jpg?ts=1731323391 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754771/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2149170449.jpg?ts=1731323391 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mark Kohlman / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Despite the overall positive vibes, some well-laid plans will be disrupted."A lot of kids are going to get screwed," one agent said.The agent was referring to an entire group of lower-end players who previously turned down the opportunity to play in the CHL (and receive the scholarship money provided by CHL teams) to maintain NCAA eligibility.There are only so many roster spots on a college hockey roster (26 as of next season), and with high-end CHL players suddenly eligible, some lower-end guys will feel the squeeze. Even though these players have done nothing wrong, they could end up in Division III due to classic supply-and-demand dynamics."We may have some players committed who aren't going to fit into our plans anymore," Cavanaugh said of UConn's depth chart. "Those are some of the things we're going to have to look at because the goalposts have moved."<h3>3. Don't expect mass exodus</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754774/cropped_GettyImages-968616658.jpg?ts=1731330430" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754774/w220xh124_GettyImages-968616658.jpg?ts=1731330430 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754774/w320xh180_GettyImages-968616658.jpg?ts=1731330430 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754774/w640xh360_GettyImages-968616658.jpg?ts=1731330430 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754774/w768xh432_GettyImages-968616658.jpg?ts=1731330430 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754774/w1080xh607_GettyImages-968616658.jpg?ts=1731330430 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Marissa Baecker / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>It's unknown how many CHL players actually will leave for the NCAA."When you drill down on it, how deep will it go and how many different types of players will it affect, right?" said Johannson, who runs The Sports Corporation in Edmonton. "Hard to say. It'll really be situation by situation."Some who would typically transition into Canadian university hockey will head to a U.S. school instead. CHL players who've signed an NHL contract remain ineligible for the NCAA. Players close to signing an NHL deal are unlikely to move as well. Players who don't meet Division I's academic standards can be crossed off, too.Now, what's going to happen between the extremes? Can a player leave major junior in the middle of his CHL career? For instance, if a player wants to transfer to Boston University for a fresh start following two seasons in the OHL, will that be a contentious process between the player and CHL team considering his contract probably still runs for two more years? Is a CHL contract even binding?In an open letter, OHL commissioner Bryan Crawford <a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/article/an-open-letter-to-the-ohl-community-regarding-ncaa-player-eligibility-changes/">expressed</a> enthusiasm with players leaving for the NCAA "upon graduation from our league." I'm told "graduation" is another way of stating a player must "fulfill" his CHL contract.However, I'm also told there have been discussions about the CHL potentially shortening its contracts. We'll see how firmly major junior digs in its heels.<h3>4. QMJHL's a sneaky winner</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754773/cropped_GettyImages-2179046565.jpg?ts=1731330302" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754773/w220xh124_GettyImages-2179046565.jpg?ts=1731330302 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754773/w320xh180_GettyImages-2179046565.jpg?ts=1731330302 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754773/w640xh360_GettyImages-2179046565.jpg?ts=1731330302 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754773/w768xh432_GettyImages-2179046565.jpg?ts=1731330302 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754773/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2179046565.jpg?ts=1731330302 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Dale Preston / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The OHL and WHL are the superior CHL leagues right now - and it's not particularly close. But the NCAA ruling could help the QMJHL close the gap.The QMJHL's U.S. territory includes New England, which has strong cultural ties to NCAA hockey. Prep school and the United States Hockey League have been intermediate steps for New Englanders over the years. Now, instead of moving to Iowa, North Dakota, Nebraska, or another USHL locale in the Midwest, a kid from Massachusetts can play closer to home."Our immediate thought is that we just doubled our geography," Hulton said of recruiting stateside. "This is my 10th year in the Q, and traditionally we've had a very difficult time getting any footprint in the United States."QMJHL commissioner Mario Cecchini recently <a href="https://x.com/cbepbp/status/1854352382303388010">said</a> he wants to expand into the U.S. (The Q has 18 teams, whereas the WHL and OHL boast 22 and 20, respectively, and have franchises located in the U.S.)<h3>5. USHL's potential trouble</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754782/cropped_GettyImages-1503662354.jpg?ts=1731334438" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754782/w220xh124_GettyImages-1503662354.jpg?ts=1731334438 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754782/w320xh180_GettyImages-1503662354.jpg?ts=1731334438 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754782/w640xh360_GettyImages-1503662354.jpg?ts=1731334438 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754782/w768xh432_GettyImages-1503662354.jpg?ts=1731334438 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754782/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1503662354.jpg?ts=1731334438 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Brian Babineau / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The USHL has developed into a serious producer of NHL talent, with the on-ice product improving by leaps and bounds and college-bound Canadians like Macklin Celebrini, Adam Fantilli, and Owen Power headlining the alumni list.The NCAA ruling slashes through much of that progress. Multiple people interviewed for this story used "panicked" to describe their USHL colleagues.The USHL simply can't compete with the CHL's pro-style standards in facilities, resources, and coaching. It could stay the course or rebrand as a feeder to Division III. Or try to merge with the CHL. "Think about the hype around the Memorial Cup," one NHL GM said at the thought of a merger.Two USHL teams - the Michigan-based Muskegon Lumberjacks and Ohio-based Youngstown Phantoms - have approached the OHL about expansion."The OHL is open to any opportunities to grow the league, and one of those potential avenues would be through expansion. This would, of course, need to make sense strategically for the league and its goals to continue serving as the leading provider of talent for the NHL with additional focus on pathways to the NCAA and U SPORTS," Crawford said in a statement to theScore."The League has been approached by a few groups expressing interest, though to this point in time we've not entered into any formal discussions. It’s something that is being explored in greater depth."<h3>6. Grass isn't always greener</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754794/cropped_GettyImages-1082903102.jpg?ts=1731339704" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754794/w220xh124_GettyImages-1082903102.jpg?ts=1731339704 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754794/w320xh180_GettyImages-1082903102.jpg?ts=1731339704 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754794/w640xh360_GettyImages-1082903102.jpg?ts=1731339704 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754794/w768xh432_GettyImages-1082903102.jpg?ts=1731339704 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754794/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1082903102.jpg?ts=1731339704 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Graig Abel / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Most of the people interviewed touched on the "grass isn't always greener" concept. In this context, players must be careful not to get enamored with the alternative and disrupt a perfectly fine development plan. We've seen this play out in the NCAA transfer portal; a player leaves his original school in search of an increased role but ends up assuming a similar or lesser role at the new spot."Having more options and choices is generally a good thing. But there also can be downsides," Bartlett said. "Something we talk about with our players is that at some point you run out of options. If you're on your NHL team or an American league team or East Coast league team, there isn't a transfer portal there. There isn't another option. You have to look in the mirror and improve."Another part of the equation: The CHL and NCAA are wildly different experiences. Some people are wired for one, some thrive in the other."99.9% of the kids want to be an NHL player, and we're still going to continue to be the top feeder (league) for their dreams," Brampton Steelheads GM and head coach James Richmond said of his lack of concern over the NCAA's ruling."If the player decides down the road that they want to go to university, they're going to be able to go. That option's always been there. Many players have gone to Canadian universities after the OHL. It's just open to the U.S. now."<h3>7. NHL will influence outcomes</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754795/cropped_GettyImages-1495883719.jpg?ts=1731339822" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754795/w220xh124_GettyImages-1495883719.jpg?ts=1731339822 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754795/w320xh180_GettyImages-1495883719.jpg?ts=1731339822 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754795/w640xh360_GettyImages-1495883719.jpg?ts=1731339822 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754795/w768xh432_GettyImages-1495883719.jpg?ts=1731339822 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754795/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1495883719.jpg?ts=1731339822 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ethan Miller / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The NCAA ruling produces plenty of what-if scenarios.The NHL has relationships with all parties involved, and some ripple effects will be folded into negotiations for the next collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Players' Association. (The current CBA expires in September 2026.)NHL clubs are given two years to sign a player drafted out of major junior before losing his rights. The signing window is four years for a player drafted out of the NCAA. With these previously divergent paths now overlapping in some ways, does a unified signing window make its way into the next CBA?The NHL's development agreement with the CHL expires after the 2028-29 season. However, the NHL has the power to reopen certain issues during CBA talks with the NHLPA. Would it make less or more sense in this new era to eliminate or tweak the rule banning 18- and 19-year-old CHL players from playing in the AHL?And the spiciest issue of all: Is it time to change the NHL draft age from 18 to 19?There's time to address at least some of the countless questions since CHL players won't be joining NCAA teams until Aug. 1, 2025."It's great we dropped a barrier down. But now it has become a reality where we have to forge a path," Hulton said. "It's like going into the forest and knocking down the first row of trees. There's still a couple of mounds to be moved before we can pave the road." John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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The NCAA is lifting its longtime ban on major-junior players - now what?

Thank you to the more than 60 people who submitted questions for the first edition of "NHL Inbox"...

Thank you to the more than 60 people who submitted questions for the first edition of "NHL Inbox" - a forum in which readers can ask me anything hockey-related and I try my best to deliver an insightful answer. Note: the questions below have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753910/cropped_GettyImages-2179939649.jpg?ts=1730925150" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753910/w220xh124_GettyImages-2179939649.jpg?ts=1730925150 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753910/w320xh180_GettyImages-2179939649.jpg?ts=1730925150 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753910/w640xh360_GettyImages-2179939649.jpg?ts=1730925150 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753910/w768xh432_GettyImages-2179939649.jpg?ts=1730925150 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753910/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2179939649.jpg?ts=1730925150 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Dave Reginek / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Matt N. asks: What do you think is the biggest factor for a rebuilding team to take that next step into becoming a contending team?<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Two things immediately come to mind.<ul><li>Most, if not all core pieces must reach their potential. For instance, the Sabres are surely pleased by the trajectories of Owen Power and JJ Peterka while also not so pleased by Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn's lack of progress. If Buffalo's going to end its playoff drought - let alone contend one day - it needs elevated contributions from more core guys.</li></ul><ul><li>The rebuilding club's general manager can't beef up the roster at the wrong time. Example: Steve Yzerman committed too many dollars and too much term to too many veterans too early in the Red Wings' process. Thanks to this quick trigger, Detroit is arguably the NHL's most "mid" team.</li></ul>I ran this question by an NHL coach, who had a slightly different take."You have to hit on a superstar," the coach said.Success here can be the product of smart planning and luck - the rebuild aligns with favorable draft lottery results and a draft class filled with potential studs. It can also be about swinging for the fences and hitting a home run. The Flyers' selection of Russian forward Matvei Michkov seventh overall in 2023 is a prime example of these variables colliding. Michkov, who's looked electric in his first 13 NHL games, is poised to raise Philadelphia's long-term ceiling in a meaningful way.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753909/cropped_GettyImages-2180014977.jpg?ts=1730924957" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753909/w220xh124_GettyImages-2180014977.jpg?ts=1730924957 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753909/w320xh180_GettyImages-2180014977.jpg?ts=1730924957 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753909/w640xh360_GettyImages-2180014977.jpg?ts=1730924957 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753909/w768xh432_GettyImages-2180014977.jpg?ts=1730924957 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753909/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2180014977.jpg?ts=1730924957 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Patrick McDermott / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>User "bedardswifee98" asks: How do you think Connor Bedard will contribute to the Blackhawks this season? And do you think Macklin Celebrini is going to do better than Bedard did in his rookie season?Like last year, Bedard will be Chicago's offensive engine. Through 14 games, he's bagged three goals and nine assists for a 18-goal, 70-point pace.We love to talk about how the hottest teams and players of the first month will come back to earth in due time. Bedard's start is giving off opposite vibes. His goal-scoring rate is too cold to believe. After scoring on 10.7% of his shots as a rookie, he's currently hitting the back of the net 6.1% of the time, despite firing more shot attempts and more shots on goal per hour as a sophomore.In other words, Bedard will be fine. The goals will come.As for the second question, no, I don't think Celebrini will have a better rookie season. It definitely could happen, but it's unlikely Celebrini surpasses Bedard's impressive 0.90 points per game, which ranked third this century among 18-year-old NHLers (Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid).Part of the challenge is that Celebrini missed 12 of his first 13 games after suffering an injury in his debut. Bedard battled an injury of his own as a rookie, but beginning the year on such a sour note is a momentum killer for Celebrini.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753914/cropped_GettyImages-2160131883.jpg?ts=1730926651" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753914/w220xh124_GettyImages-2160131883.jpg?ts=1730926651 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753914/w320xh180_GettyImages-2160131883.jpg?ts=1730926651 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753914/w640xh360_GettyImages-2160131883.jpg?ts=1730926651 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753914/w768xh432_GettyImages-2160131883.jpg?ts=1730926651 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753914/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2160131883.jpg?ts=1730926651 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Eric R. asks: I want to know what the actual draft process is like. Do teams literally sit down and rank their top 200 players? Do they just cross off names and pick the next guy? Do they tier based on position and player type? I'm extremely interested in the inner workings of the draft and understand it's likely different based on team and scouting staff. Curious if you have any insights.Eric is correct in that the draft process varies from team to team.As one former NHL GM explains it: The team's area scouts evaluate every draft-eligible player in their region, eventually ranking them regardless of position. Crossover scouts - who by design don't have an assigned region - carefully integrate the various area-scout rankings to develop a master list by around the halfway point of the season. The master list helps separate first-round talents from second-rounders, seconds from thirds, and so on.The list is scrutinized, debated, and edited during scouting meetings, before being finalized ahead of draft weekend. "It's one thing to like a player, a bunch of players," the former GM said. "The hard part is putting them in order."The master list is broken down by tiers - or groups of prospects the staff deems relatively interchangeable based on their likelihood of becoming an impact NHLer. The team may have eight tiers in its top 100 one year, 10 tiers the next year, nine tiers another year, etc. It all depends on the draft class.Tiering gives the GM a better feel for talent drop-offs and potential trade scenarios. If, say, a player in Tier 5 remains unpicked by the start of the fourth round, perhaps moving up the draft board makes sense. Teams value certain players over others, and the goal is to leave draft weekend with your favorites, not the consensus favorites.Position is a factor - just not a major one, the former GM said. You want a healthy number of young forwards, defensemen, and goalies in your system. But the last thing you want to do is reach for a player based on position.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753906/cropped_GettyImages-1389794370.jpg?ts=1730924727" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753906/w220xh124_GettyImages-1389794370.jpg?ts=1730924727 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753906/w320xh180_GettyImages-1389794370.jpg?ts=1730924727 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753906/w640xh360_GettyImages-1389794370.jpg?ts=1730924727 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753906/w768xh432_GettyImages-1389794370.jpg?ts=1730924727 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753906/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1389794370.jpg?ts=1730924727 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>User "rwelsh08681" asks: What is the official NHL rule for broken sticks on the ice? I've seen them lay there for minutes at a time while extended play occurs, and recently I've also seen refs/linesmen pick them up. Just looking for clarification on the protocol.Great question. The rulebook doesn't spell out anything regarding broken-stick cleanup, so there's no official rule or firm directive for referees and linesmen to follow.That said, I'm told there is a general rule of thumb. While on-ice officials' top priorities are to call the game and stay out of the way, they do try to remove debris from the ice, including sticks, whenever possible during play.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753903/cropped_GettyImages-2182338995.jpg?ts=1730924398" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753903/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182338995.jpg?ts=1730924398 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753903/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182338995.jpg?ts=1730924398 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753903/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182338995.jpg?ts=1730924398 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753903/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182338995.jpg?ts=1730924398 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753903/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182338995.jpg?ts=1730924398 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> John Russell / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>James M. asks: I am in a hockey pool, and this year I took Juuse Saros and Roman Josi from the Nashville Predators. I'm perplexed after their first 10-plus games at why they look like a shadow of themselves. They can't score, can't defend, or make a timely save. This was to be the year they were more a powerhouse in the West. What are the issues there?Let's start with the defensive woes. Saros has been fine. He's been left out to dry most nights, with poor puck management producing a ton of odd-man rushes. The 4-8-1 Predators have allowed the fifth-most inner-slot shots per game in the league, according to Sportlogiq. That's not a recipe for success.Meanwhile, the offense is generating very little from the interior of the ice. Nashville's down to 13.7 quality scoring chances per game after producing 16.0 per night last season. Roughly two fewer good looks a game may not seem like a lot, but it adds up over a month. The Preds need an upgrade at second-line center ASAP and should target an established playmaker.The club's league-worst five-on-five shooting rate is not helping matters.Some of this is concerning, but some of it can be attributed to roster turnover ($108.5 million spent on Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei) and how it usually takes time for both team and player to fully adjust.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753905/cropped_GettyImages-2149043954.jpg?ts=1730924579" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753905/w220xh124_GettyImages-2149043954.jpg?ts=1730924579 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753905/w320xh180_GettyImages-2149043954.jpg?ts=1730924579 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753905/w640xh360_GettyImages-2149043954.jpg?ts=1730924579 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753905/w768xh432_GettyImages-2149043954.jpg?ts=1730924579 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753905/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2149043954.jpg?ts=1730924579 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Christian Petersen / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Troy F asks: Wondering if in your mailbag you can talk about if you think the NHL will expand past 32 teams. Do you think the next "new team" will be a team switching cities?Troy was one of three readers to send in an expansion-related question.The official message from the NHL is that expansion is not a pressing issue, and the league is not currently accepting proposals. The unofficial word? It's a matter of when, not if the league expands, likely to 34 within the next decade. (On the "switching cities" front, I don't see any obvious relocation candidates.)The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2801816" href="https://thescore.com/news/2801816">driving force</a> is - as it always is in pro sports - money. The league can demand an expansion fee of $1 billion to $2 billion because franchise valuations are <a href="https://www.sportico.com/feature/nhl-team-values-ranking-list-1234693065/">through the roof</a>, there's enough prospective ownership groups patiently waiting to submit bids, and the last two expansions (Vegas and Seattle) have been fantastic successes while Utah's off to a promising start.The next clubs will almost certainly be located in the United States. The NHL counts the Rangers, Islanders, Devils, Kings, and Ducks as two total markets (New York and Los Angeles), which means its presence stateside is less expansive than other leagues (22 U.S. markets to the NFL's 30, for instance).I would be shocked if Arizona wasn't part of the 34-team NHL."Gary (Bettman) and I like to joke that we've spent the last 20 years trying to preserve hockey in Arizona. Ultimately, we were unsuccessful with this iteration," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told a small group of media outlets, including theScore, in September, referencing the Alex Meruelo fiasco."Doesn't mean the next one (in the Phoenix area) won't be successful, and I think, given the right circumstances, it will be very successful."<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure>What do you want to know, hockey fans?There are three ways to submit a question for future editions of NHL Inbox:<ul>
<li>Comment on this article in theScore mobile app</li>
<li>Email senior NHL writer John Matisz at <a href="mailto:john.matisz@theScore.com">john.matisz@thescore.com</a></li>
<li>Send John a message on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/MatiszJohn">@matiszjohn</a>)</li>
</ul>

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NHL Inbox: Next expansion city? How are draft lists created? Preds panic?

We're approaching the one-month mark of the NHL season, which means meaningful trends are beginni...

We're approaching the one-month mark of the NHL season, which means meaningful trends are beginning to surface. Among them: breakout players. Let's discuss four guys in their early 20s who are leveling up their game.<h3>Matthew Knies, Maple Leafs winger</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752759/cropped_GettyImages-2180845731.jpg?ts=1730384212" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752759/w220xh124_GettyImages-2180845731.jpg?ts=1730384212 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752759/w320xh180_GettyImages-2180845731.jpg?ts=1730384212 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752759/w640xh360_GettyImages-2180845731.jpg?ts=1730384212 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752759/w768xh432_GettyImages-2180845731.jpg?ts=1730384212 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752759/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2180845731.jpg?ts=1730384212 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jason Mowry / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Knies is one of those players who looks large on TV, yet is somehow even larger up close. The 22-year-old's hand swallows the other in a handshake.He's also someone who's taken the standard "get stronger in the offseason, please" assignment to heart, adding 17 pounds since his April 2023 debut.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Now listed at 6-foot-3, 227 pounds, Knies has grown into a "brick-whatever-house" (teammate Ryan Reaves' <a href="https://x.com/markhmasters/status/1851759227242426588">G-rated description</a>) in relatively short order. The physical package, mixed with improved speed and puck skills, has made Knies an indispensable member of the Leafs' top six and long-term core.It isn't easy to play with star players, but similar to Zach Hyman and Michael Bunting before him, Knies is carving out a niche as the highly effective third wheel on a line featuring Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. As the main forechecker and puck retriever, he's a different type of headache to deal with.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Knies goes for the rebound, the Blues didn't like it Knies doesn't like that the Blues didn't like it <a href="https://t.co/0A4hzsVQXz">pic.twitter.com/0A4hzsVQXz</a>— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) <a href="https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1849620335898812516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Knies has scored six goals (all at even strength), tallied one assist, and delivered 26 hits in 11 games. He's skating for four more minutes a night than he was in 2023-24 thanks to a spot on the No. 1 power-play unit. He's assumed the goal-line/net-front role typically reserved for John Tavares and already logged 24 PP minutes - or almost half of last year's total in 80 games.New coach Craig Berube wants Toronto to play north-south hockey. Knies has benefited from the style change, and the team's benefited from his breakout. The pending restricted free agent is on track to set career bests across the board.<h3>Cole Perfetti, Jets winger</h3>Perfetti, the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft, made it to the pros by being one of the smartest players on the ice no matter the quality of competition. He must continue to tap into that hockey intelligence and vision as his career progresses. It's what differentiates him.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752758/cropped_GettyImages-2181037939.jpg?ts=1730384125" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752758/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181037939.jpg?ts=1730384125 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752758/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181037939.jpg?ts=1730384125 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752758/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181037939.jpg?ts=1730384125 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752758/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181037939.jpg?ts=1730384125 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752758/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181037939.jpg?ts=1730384125 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Darcy Finley / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Yet, if an NHLer wants to truly level up, he can't be defined by a single trait. Single-trait players are predictable. Perfetti - a healthy scratch for Winnipeg's first four playoff games last season - knows this. He spent the summer working on offensive-zone routes and quickening his release. He wants to find a happy medium between being a crafty playmaker and instinctual shooter."I've always been that guy growing up that's caught the puck, dusted it off a little bit, and then picked my spot," Perfetti, 22, said prior to the season. "But you don't really have that time in the NHL. I'm trying to just fine-tune that - getting the puck on and off the stick in a scoring area."The early returns are promising. Perfetti's recorded three goals (all on the power play) and six assists in 10 games for the 9-1-0 Jets. Two of the goals were off quick releases. Here's Perfetti not overthinking it versus the Flames:<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Cole Perfetti scores. It's 4-3 Jets. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/5OvOVXQqfW">pic.twitter.com/5OvOVXQqfW</a>— Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1850353179084615859?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Perfetti, who inked a two-year, $6.5-million bridge deal in late September, views this year as a "clean slate" - new contract, new coach in Scott Arniel.He's playing more (ice time up to 14:18 from 13:35 last year) and shooting more (shot attempts per 60 minutes up to 15.5 from 14.4 last year). At the same time, he hasn't suddenly lost his ability to create off the rush, get pucks off the wall on the breakout, or halt the opposition with a nifty stick check.Put another way, Perfetti's added a layer to an already layered game.<h3>Jake Sanderson, Senators defenseman</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752762/cropped_GettyImages-2178265164.jpg?ts=1730384515" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752762/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178265164.jpg?ts=1730384515 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752762/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178265164.jpg?ts=1730384515 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752762/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178265164.jpg?ts=1730384515 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752762/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178265164.jpg?ts=1730384515 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752762/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178265164.jpg?ts=1730384515 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andre Ringuette / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>It's rare, in this era of offense-obsessed defensemen, for a rookie blue-liner to dramatically influence defensive results. But that's what Sanderson did in 2022-23. He became the best defensive defenseman on the Senators almost overnight. Then, in Year 2, he evolved into Ottawa's best defenseman, period.Now, in the early stages of his third NHL season, Sanderson's arguably graduated to the status of being the club's best player at any position. The University of North Dakota product is riding a seemingly limitless upward trajectory because he brings so much to the table - elite hockey sense, effortless skating, a deadly shot, and much more. He's the total package.The Senators' expected-goals share is in the red during Sanderson's five-on-five minutes - though, to be fair, he faces stiff competition while playing with the largely ineffective Travis Hamonic. Otherwise, Sanderson's underlying data jumps off the page. As of Thursday, he ranked very highly among 505 defensemen (minimum 100 minutes played) in multiple attack-killing metrics.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Sanderson stats" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-rmnt8" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/rmnt8/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="244" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>To put those rankings into perspective, the likes of Jaccob Slavin, Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Ekholm, and Miro Heiskanen are all in the same range. Sanderson isn't a young player the league just needed more time to figure out; no, he's providing further evidence that he's legitimately dominant defensively.An October boost in production (eight points in nine games) has vaulted Sanderson into the way-too-early Norris Trophy debate and deeper into the Team USA roster conversation ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.<h3>Barrett Hayton, Utah center</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752765/cropped_GettyImages-2178566072.jpg?ts=1730384739" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752765/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178566072.jpg?ts=1730384739 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752765/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178566072.jpg?ts=1730384739 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752765/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178566072.jpg?ts=1730384739 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752765/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178566072.jpg?ts=1730384739 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752765/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178566072.jpg?ts=1730384739 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Coming into the season, Hayton was probably best known for being selected fifth in the 2018 draft and leading Canada to gold at the 2020 world juniors.Both of those events happened before Hayton turned pro - in other words, he hasn't lived up to the hype. Until now, that is. The season is young, sure, but it appears Hayton's finally breaking out following an injury-plagued 2023-24.The Peterborough, Ontario native has pitched in five goals and two assists in 11 games off 17 minutes a night. Hayton loves to cycle the puck and lives for net-front chaos, constantly engaging defenders and screening the goaltender. He's scored off well-executed tips on three occasions while recording 61% of his shots (17 of 28) from the coveted high-danger area of the offensive zone.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752850/cropped_Screenshot_2024-10-31_at_4.45.02_PM.jpg?ts=1730407585" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752850/w220xh124_Screenshot_2024-10-31_at_4.45.02_PM.jpg?ts=1730407585 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752850/w320xh180_Screenshot_2024-10-31_at_4.45.02_PM.jpg?ts=1730407585 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752850/w640xh360_Screenshot_2024-10-31_at_4.45.02_PM.jpg?ts=1730407585 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752850/w768xh432_Screenshot_2024-10-31_at_4.45.02_PM.jpg?ts=1730407585 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752850/w1080xh607_Screenshot_2024-10-31_at_4.45.02_PM.jpg?ts=1730407585 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> NHL Edge</figcaption></figure>Hayton, who's in the first season of a two-year, $5.3-million extension, is off to a blazing start in the faceoff circle, winning 111 of 176 draws for a 62.5% success rate. His career average prior to 2024-25? A blah 49.6%. This new-found prowess is a key reason why he's centering the No. 1 power-play unit.Utah coach Andre Tourigny theorized recently that Hayton may be feeling less pressure now that he's on a multi-year deal. "He seems more relaxed. He seems more confident," Tourigny <a href="https://www.ksl.com/article/51156581/hes-special-in-certain-areas-the-reasons-behind-barrett-haytons-hot-start-for-utah-hc">told reporters</a>. "He's on a mission."John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Matthew Knies, 3 other NHLers who are leveling up to start the season

For some NHLers, there's more at stake in the first few months of the season than simply helping ...

For some NHLers, there's more at stake in the first few months of the season than simply helping their teams win games - they're auditioning for a chance to represent their country at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February.The competition will be the first league-run international event since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Each competing country - the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland - will announce its roster between Nov. 29 and Dec. 2.Which players are trending up and which are trending down in the early stages of 2024-25? Players are listed positionally and then alphabetically below.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Trending up 📈</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750974/cropped_GettyImages-2177424017.jpg?ts=1729528297" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750974/w220xh124_GettyImages-2177424017.jpg?ts=1729528297 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750974/w320xh180_GettyImages-2177424017.jpg?ts=1729528297 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750974/w640xh360_GettyImages-2177424017.jpg?ts=1729528297 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750974/w768xh432_GettyImages-2177424017.jpg?ts=1729528297 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750974/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2177424017.jpg?ts=1729528297 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Vitor Munhoz / National Hockey League / Getty</figcaption></figure>F Cole Caufield 🇺🇸Caufield wasn't a Team USA favorite heading into the season because he hadn't truly broken through as an elite sniper. But he's exploded for six goals in seven games. If the Canadiens winger can maintain a 40-goal pace, he has a chance to earn a roster spot. Of note, teenaged Caufield and Jack Hughes shared a line for two years at the US National Team Development Program.F Erik Haula 🇫🇮Finland won't have as many notable cuts as other nations, but Haula is still trying to ensure he's on the team. With six points in nine games, the 33-year-old is on pace for his best offensive season. Haula's defensive reliability would make him a useful piece for Suomi's bottom-six forward group.F Clayton Keller 🇺🇸Keller, Utah's first captain, is driving offense from every angle this season. He transports the puck - racking up 9.9 controlled exits per game (ninth among all NHLers) and possessing it in the offensive zone for 1:03 per game (also ninth). He sets up teammates - four assists off 4.3 slot passes per game (third). And he scores - four goals off 1.43 inner-slot shots per game (tied for 15th). Any international side could use a dual-threat winger like Keller.F Sam Reinhart 🇨🇦Reinhart is trying to prove his 57-goal outburst from a season ago was no fluke. He's tied for third in the league with 12 points through eight games - and most of those came with Aleksander Barkov injured. At this rate, Reinhart is playing his way into a spot on Canada's top line with Connor McDavid.F Mark Scheifele 🇨🇦Scheifele's one of those guys who tends to get glossed over on Canada's long list of high-end forwards. He produces every year and has accumulated five goals and three assists in six games this season, yet he's far from a shoo-in because he doesn't have strong defensive impacts. If Scheifele can't make it onto Canada's power play, does he do enough otherwise to justify a spot?F Mark Stone 🇨🇦Multiple long-term injuries over the last few years made it difficult to project Stone onto Team Canada, but so far so good in 2024-25. He's played in all seven of Vegas' games and racked up 12 points. The former Selke Trophy finalist is a true "gamer" and could be a great fit in a depth role.F Tom Wilson 🇨🇦Wilson would bring a different element to Canada's forward group - an imposing power forward who can strike fear into the opposition with his physicality. Having an X-factor player like Wilson could also be crucial against a USA squad that'll have the Tkachuk brothers wreaking havoc. He's off to a great start offensively with five goals in five games.D Rasmus Andersson 🇸🇪<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/597201/cropped_GettyImages-1740770762.jpg?ts=1697930346" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/597201/w220xh124_GettyImages-1740770762.jpg?ts=1697930346 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/597201/w320xh180_GettyImages-1740770762.jpg?ts=1697930346 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/597201/w640xh360_GettyImages-1740770762.jpg?ts=1697930346 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/597201/w768xh432_GettyImages-1740770762.jpg?ts=1697930346 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/597201/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1740770762.jpg?ts=1697930346 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Andersson's helping drive Calgary's early-season heater. The all-situations defender has put up eight points in six games while leading the Flames in ice time (23:48 a night). One problem - Sweden has a ton of options on the back end. Gustav Forsling, Victor Hedman, and Erik Karlsson have already been named to the roster, and Rasmus Dahlin is pretty much a lock. Andersson's in a battle with Mattias Ekholm, Jonas Brodin, Hampus Lindholm, and Adam Larsson for the final three spots.D Noah Dobson 🇨🇦The 6-foot-4 Dobson is approaching lock status on Canada's blue line. After finishing eighth in Norris Trophy voting a year ago, he's recorded four assists in five games with strong underlying numbers. Further helping his case is that other Canadian right-shot defenders are trending in the opposite direction, including the injured Drew Doughty.D Brock Faber 🇺🇸Faber set himself up for Team USA contention with a Calder Trophy-worthy debut, and he's done nothing this season to stray from that path. The smooth-skating, two-way workhorse is attempting to earn a spot on the right side behind Adam Fox and Charlie McAvoy (Quinn Hughes and Jaccob Slavin fill out the presumed top four). Faber's competition includes righty John Carlson and lefties Noah Hanifin, Jake Sanderson, Zach Werenski, and Mikey Anderson.D Josh Morrissey 🇨🇦Canada must find balance on its blue line. Management can't take all offensive defensemen. But Morrissey will be difficult to leave off at this point, as he's arguably been the Jets' most valuable skater through their 6-0-0 start. Morrissey and Dobson could wind up being the team's second pairing.G Sam Montembeault 🇨🇦The most intriguing position battle in the entire tournament is Canada's goaltending. Montreal starter Montembeault - a relative unknown to the casual NHL fan - is making a strong case despite getting shelled Tuesday. He leads all Canadian netminders with 2.25 goals saved above expected this season after finishing second behind front-runner Jordan Binnington a year ago.G Jake Oettinger 🇺🇸The Americans have four goalies vying for three spots. Connor Hellebuyck, who's followed up a Vezina Trophy win with a .948 save percentage through five starts, will be on the squad. That leaves Jeremy Swayman, Thatcher Demko, and Oettinger. Swayman's a tier above the others, while Demko's season-opening injury has given Oettinger the inside track to that third spot. The Stars stud has not disappointed, making 143 saves on 152 shots so far.<h3>Trending down 📉</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750975/cropped_GettyImages-2178634999.jpg?ts=1729528434" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750975/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178634999.jpg?ts=1729528434 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750975/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178634999.jpg?ts=1729528434 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750975/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178634999.jpg?ts=1729528434 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750975/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178634999.jpg?ts=1729528434 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750975/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178634999.jpg?ts=1729528434 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Glenn James / National Hockey League / Getty</figcaption></figure>F Viktor Arvidsson 🇸🇪Arvidsson could bring a lot of energy to Sweden's bottom-six forward group, but his lack of production thus far likely has him on the outside looking in. He's failed to record a point through seven games with the Oilers despite riding shotgun with either Leon Draisaitl or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the latter of whom is also playing his way off of Canada's radar.F Alex DeBrincat 🇺🇸DeBrincat's the perfect example of a player whose 4 Nations candidacy rests solely on recent performance. If he's filling the net at an insane rate, he's all of a sudden on Team USA's radar. If he's not, he's a complete afterthought. With two goals and two assists in six games for the Red Wings, DeBrincat is closer to the latter. He hasn't done enough to grab management's attention.F Zach Hyman 🇨🇦Virtually every roster projection during the offseason included Hyman on the top line with McDavid, and rightly so. A relentless forechecker and puck hound, Hyman potted 53 goals during the 2023-24 regular season and added a league-high 16 in the playoffs alongside McDavid in Edmonton. However, he's pointless in seven games so far, creating a fraction of doubt about his spot on the roster.F Patrick Kane 🇺🇸Kane, who we <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3073754" href="https://thescore.com/news/3073754">recently ranked</a> as the fifth-best player in the post-Wayne Gretzky era, is arguably the greatest American to lace up a pair of hockey skates. Heck, half of Team USA's projected roster grew up on his YouTube highlights. But that veteran status - Kane turns 36 in November - is a double-edged sword in this context. No longer a star, let alone superstar, he'd be an odd fit in the bottom six. Could he be a power-play specialist at 4 Nations?F Gabriel Landeskog 🇸🇪Sweden's management group likely needs to see Landeskog play an NHL game - and look at least somewhat like his old self - to guarantee him a spot on the roster. Landeskog missed the last two seasons while undergoing three knee surgeries, and though he said he hopes to play early this season, his return doesn't appear imminent.F Steven Stamkos 🇨🇦<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750633/cropped_GettyImages-2178636883.jpg?ts=1729375358" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750633/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178636883.jpg?ts=1729375358 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750633/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178636883.jpg?ts=1729375358 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750633/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178636883.jpg?ts=1729375358 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750633/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178636883.jpg?ts=1729375358 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750633/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178636883.jpg?ts=1729375358 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> John Russell / National Hockey League / Getty</figcaption></figure>Stamkos doesn't possess the all-around game of other forwards competing for a spot on Team Canada, so he needs to be tearing it up offensively to have a chance. That hasn't been the case so far in his first season with the Predators, as he's produced just one goal and zero assists in six games.F Carter Verhaeghe 🇨🇦Verhaeghe's lethal shot, big-game heroics, and overall versatility make him an appealing bottom-of-the-lineup option for Canada. There's no margin for error, however, and the winger has yet to score on 55 shot attempts. His five-on-five numbers aren't pretty, either - the Panthers have been outscored 7-3 and own a 50.6% expected goals rate in Verhaeghe's 127 five-on-five minutes.D Evan Bouchard 🇨🇦With Cale Makar all but locked in as the PP1 quarterback, Canada might prefer "safer" defensemen over Bouchard, who can dazzle offensively but also makes poor decisions defensively. With little offensive production so far - one goal, one assist in seven games - Bouchard is making management's decision easier.D Jani Hakanpaa 🇫🇮The best ability's availability, and Hakanpaa's currently unavailable. The behemoth defenseman is working his way back from a major knee injury, and the Maple Leafs haven't offered a timeline for his return. Finland's blue line is thin. Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell were early picks. The other spots will be filled by some combination of Hakanpaa, Niko Mikkola, Rasmus Ristolainen, Henri Jokiharju, Juuso Valimaki, Olli Maatta, and Urho Vaakanainen.D Noah Hanifin 🇺🇸Hanifin led all Golden Knights skaters in ice time during last year's playoffs, but his game has taken a slight step back to begin 2024-25. His minutes are down and he's getting hemmed into his own end (40.1% expected goals share). USA's depth makes Hanifin a long shot at this point.G Adin Hill 🇨🇦Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy <a data-in-app-uri="" href="">went out of his way</a> to start Hill in early-season games against the Lightning (Jon Cooper is Canada's coach) and Blues (Doug Armstrong is part of Canada's management group). The showcase hasn't paid off for Hill. The 2023 Stanley Cup winner owns a .851 save percentage and negative goals saved above expected rate in four games.G Stuart Skinner 🇨🇦Skinner put himself in contention to start for Canada with some strong performances on the big stage in the Western Conference Final and Cup Final, but he's struggled out of the gate for the second straight year, stopping minus-2 goals above expected. His volatility may make him too risky for management's liking.(Analytics and tracking data sources: Evolving-Hockey and Sportlogiq)

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4 Nations stock report: Which way are bubble players trending?

The NHL season is barely two weeks old: Most teams are just 5% into their regular season schedule...

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1 early reason for optimism, pessimism for Canada's NHL teams

The NHL soft-launched its season over the weekend with two Czechia-based games between the Sabres...

The NHL soft-launched its season over the weekend with two Czechia-based games between the Sabres and Devils. Slates of three and five games across North America followed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Here are 10 things we learned from those first 10 games - a whirlwind start to 2024-25.<h3>Montembeault plants flag early</h3>Sam Montembeault was dynamite Wednesday, turning aside 48 shots in a 1-0 Canadiens victory at a packed Bell Centre in Montreal. He's the first goalie since Nov. 20, 2021 to shut out the Maple Leafs, breaking a 227-game streak.That's all well and good for a Habs franchise anxious to play meaningful games in the final weeks of the regular season. Montembeault's season-opening work, which featured stopping a point-blank shot from goal-scoring machine Auston Matthews in the dying seconds, also signaled something to the greater hockey community. The Quebec native is ready to contend for Canada's starting goalie job at the 4 Nations Faceoff tournament in February.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The star performance wasn't overly surprising. Montembeault, who's racked up 145 career appearances, was quietly effective in 40 games last season. His save percentage was exactly league average (.903) and his underlying numbers were strong. According to Sportlogiq, he boasted a positive goals saved above expected rate (0.22 per 60 minutes); earned a "quality start" in 60% of games; and co-led all goalies with a 20% "steal" rate (eight total).<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749259/cropped_GettyImages-2147865555.jpg?ts=1728524852" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749259/w220xh124_GettyImages-2147865555.jpg?ts=1728524852 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749259/w320xh180_GettyImages-2147865555.jpg?ts=1728524852 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749259/w640xh360_GettyImages-2147865555.jpg?ts=1728524852 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749259/w768xh432_GettyImages-2147865555.jpg?ts=1728524852 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749259/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2147865555.jpg?ts=1728524852 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Put another way, Montembeault's on an upward trajectory to start a huge year. The 27-year-old's competition for Canada's top-goalie job includes Jordan Binnington, Stuart Skinner, Adin Hill, Connor Ingram, and Tristan Jarry.<h3>Same old story for Penguins PP</h3>Last year's Penguins didn't have the depth to overcome mediocre power-play results, let alone something resembling atrocious. They went on to score in only 15.3% of opportunities for the league's third-worst power-play rate.This year's roster isn't any less flawed overall, which means there's no room for another power play letdown. Pittsburgh's playoff chances are shaky even if a top unit led by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Erik Karlsson dominates.The Penguins were dismantled by the Rangers on Wednesday. There's virtually nothing positive to take away from the 6-0 defeat, whereas the power play's 0-for-3 showing counts as one of several negatives. In five-on-four action, Pittsburgh recorded a measly three shots on goal off minimal offensive-zone time. New York even scored shorthanded in the third period.Former Sharks head coach David Quinn was hired as an assistant to Mike Sullivan to fix what's clearly broken. And, hey, maybe he'll work his magic on the Pens' PP over the next 81 games. But the first impression wasn't sunny.<h3>Flames won't be total pushovers</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Give them a map 😮‍💨 <a href="https://t.co/56kEAecdJ0">pic.twitter.com/56kEAecdJ0</a>— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLFlames/status/1844243240477917454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The Flames are going to lose a ton of games this season.But that doesn't mean Calgary will be an easy out every night. In fact, they seem primed for constant in-game chaos, as this rebuilding team with low expectations still employs 10 or so solid NHLers. Their season won't be nearly as depressing as San Jose's was last year, for instance. The tanking Sharks became unwatchable because every opponent could trample them.On Wednesday, the Flames stormed back from a 3-0 deficit to beat a stunned Canucks club 6-5 in overtime. Will Calgary take down Vancouver in any of the remaining three meetings between the Pacific Division rivals? It's possible, of course, but probably not, given the sizeable talent gap. Yet it's safe to assume the Flames will keep Vancouver honest each time. The roster is filled with hustlers - Nazem Kadri, Martin Pospisil, and Ryan Lomberg, to name a few.<h3>Centers searching for faceoff edge</h3>Nerdy, multi-season trend alert: Select centers, including the Devils' Erik Haula and Rangers' Vincent Trocheck, sometimes take faceoffs with a flipped stick.By my count, Haula deployed this technique three times during last Friday's season-kickoff game between New Jersey and Buffalo. With the draw to the right of Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom, Haula - who shoots left - switched his hands so that his right hand was at the bottom of the shaft and the open part of his blade was pointed toward the corner instead of Markstrom.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749166/cropped_GettyImages-1246285229.jpg?ts=1728482968" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749166/w220xh124_GettyImages-1246285229.jpg?ts=1728482968 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749166/w320xh180_GettyImages-1246285229.jpg?ts=1728482968 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749166/w640xh360_GettyImages-1246285229.jpg?ts=1728482968 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749166/w768xh432_GettyImages-1246285229.jpg?ts=1728482968 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749166/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1246285229.jpg?ts=1728482968 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kavin Mistry / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Holding your stick backward may look goofy, but it makes sense under the right circumstances."It helps to have more tricks up your sleeve," said Trocheck, a natural righty.Trocheck's curiosity was piqued after watching former teammate Nick Bonino and rival Paul Gaustad flip their sticks. He then found himself struggling so badly in the circle one game that mixing things up felt necessary. "I just started messing around with it. Literally in-game was the first time I tried it," Trocheck recalled. "I was like, 'There's no way in hell my left hand is strong enough to win a faceoff.' But it actually was a lot more fluid than I expected it to be."<h3>Benson continues to cause fits</h3>With 11 players born in 2000 or later and an opening-day roster average age of 25.3, the Sabres once again are the NHL's youngest team. You wouldn't guess it based on his play, but feisty Zach Benson is the baby of the group.Benson, who turned 19 in May, made the 2023-24 Sabres just a few months after going 13th overall in the draft, then put up a respectable 11 goals and 19 assists in 72 games while skating 14:31 a night. In his first game as a sophomore, he failed to record a point but generally picked up where he left off as a highly entertaining two-way winger with touch around the net in 17:23 of ice time.Benson was listed at 5-foot-9 and 163 pounds as a rookie but now stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 170 pounds. He's adept at leveraging his stocky frame in front of the net and along the walls. He'll engage physically by rising through a defender's midsection, then chirp the same guy between whistles.<h3>Life without Swayman sucks</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"We want Swayman" chant is CRAZY 😭😭 <a href="https://t.co/gOzcdjML6m">pic.twitter.com/gOzcdjML6m</a>— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1843819400463561030?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Bruins coach Jim Montgomery refused to point the finger at his goalie after a loss to the Panthers that was more lopsided than the 6-4 final score suggests."(Joonas) Korpisalo was not the problem tonight. It was the people in front of him," Montgomery told reporters Tuesday, per <a href="https://x.com/NESN/status/1843842572524875926">NESN</a>. "You can't give up four back-door tap-ins and expect your goalie to make save after save. He made a lot of saves on breakaways. He was good tonight. The players in front of him - the rest of the team - and the coaching staff, we weren't good enough."No disagreement here on Montgomery's central point: Boston's skaters left Korpisalo out to dry on numerous occasions versus Florida. The team, as a full unit, was flat for the bulk of the season-opening game. Unacceptable.From my vantage point, though, Korpisalo was fully or partially responsible for four of the Panthers' six goals. At best, he was alright - not "good" - and Montgomery probably felt he had to take the heat off the Finn in his postgame availability. In reality, Korpisalo's so-so performance underlined how invaluable star netminder Jeremy Swayman is to the Bruins now that former partner Linus Ullmark is a member of the Senators.<h3>Boqvist breakout (finally) incoming?</h3>Adam Boqvist has a golden opportunity in front of him in Florida.The oft-injured 24-year-old defenseman is set to live a childhood dream by playing on the same NHL team as his brother Jesper, a Panthers forward. Boqvist's also starting the season on the defending Stanley Cup champion's No. 1 power-play unit, assuming the dual-threat point-man role previously filled by Brandon Montour, who left for Seattle in the offseason.Let's hope it doesn't take long for Boqvist to bounce back after leaving Tuesday's opener. He took a <a href="https://x.com/HockeyDaily365/status/1843806006004068568">puck to the face</a> off a clearing attempt and, as of Wednesday, was still being evaluated. He really can't catch a break. Boqvist's been in the league since 2019 but has never played more than 52 games in a season.<h3>Delta Center no ordinary barn</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749213/cropped_GettyImages-2176801257.jpg?ts=1728503128" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749213/w220xh124_GettyImages-2176801257.jpg?ts=1728503128 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749213/w320xh180_GettyImages-2176801257.jpg?ts=1728503128 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749213/w640xh360_GettyImages-2176801257.jpg?ts=1728503128 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749213/w768xh432_GettyImages-2176801257.jpg?ts=1728503128 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749213/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2176801257.jpg?ts=1728503128 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jamie Sabau / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Young stud Dylan Guenther scored twice. Recently named captain Clayton Keller found the back of the net, too. The new top pairing of Mikhail Sergachev and Sean Durzi was superb. Goalie Connor Ingram was on his game. The Salt Lake City crowd recognized the moment with multiple standing ovations.It was a storybook debut for Utah, which beat Chicago 5-2 on Tuesday.What jumped off the screen beyond the obvious: It looked like fans in the first few rows of Delta Center - which is designed for NBA games - were right on top of the action. Ray Ferraro, who was between the benches for ESPN, riffed on the quirk during the broadcast, saying it creates an optical illusion at ice level that would benefit the home team over time. A forward steaming down the wing might think he's closer to the net than he actually is, while the unusual sightline might throw off a goalie.NHL rinks have become standardized. Delta Center should offer a slight change of scenery, though planned upgrades may mute its unique vibe.<h3>Blackhawks thinner than we thought</h3>The Blackhawks signed a ton of NHL-caliber players over the summer, most notably adding veterans Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen to the wings.In a vacuum, general manager Kyle Davidson did the right thing. You don't want to waste any of Connor Bedard's years. You want to at least inch forward.Still, the season opener against Utah was a stark reminder of how many more quality players the organization needs to develop or acquire before Chicago can be considered even marginally competitive. This overarching lack of talent led to a second power-play unit of Pat Maroon, Ryan Donato, Philipp Kurashev, Alec Martinez, and Craig Smith. Yikes - none of those five players would be in the conversation for a PP2 spot on almost any other NHL team.<h3>Offer-sheet guys fitting in</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
PHILIP BROBERG DIDN'T NEED MUCH TIME TO MAKE AN IMPACT. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stlblues</a> <a href="https://t.co/XUAew8HwTz">pic.twitter.com/XUAew8HwTz</a>— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) <a href="https://twitter.com/StLouisBlues/status/1843776423997120875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>A Philip Broberg goal assisted by Dylan Holloway - for the Blues, not the Oilers. Yep, the extremely early returns are stellar for St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong for boldly offer-sheeting not one but two recent first-round picks.The Blues beat the Kraken 3-2 Tuesday with Broberg logging 20:23 on the second pair opposite Justin Faulk, and Holloway slotting in as the top-line left-winger alongside Robert Thomas and Jake Neighbours. The Broberg-Faulk duo kept Chandler Stephenson's line off the scoresheet, while the Thomas trio finished with a 57% expected goals rate in 11 five-on-five minutes together.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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10 things we learned from the first 10 games of the NHL season

It can be easy to forget that Nathan MacKinnon, a consensus top-three hockey player on the planet...

It can be easy to forget that Nathan MacKinnon, a consensus top-three hockey player on the planet, was once a young NHLer searching for answers.MacKinnon, the first pick in the 2013 NHL draft, burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old, recording 63 points in 82 games. But the Calder Trophy winner's production dipped to an average of 54 points per 82 games over the next three seasons.Now 29 and entering his 12th year, MacKinnon has enough space between then and now to grasp what happened. In short, the Colorado Avalanche superstar fell off from ages 19-21 because he thought he had it all figured out. He failed to progress as a player and the league caught up to him.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"When you have a good rookie year, there might be less fear going into your second year. Fear can drive you," MacKinnon said in September at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas. "You don't know what to expect. You're worried you won't even be good in the NHL, and then once you think you're a little good, it can go downhill. It definitely happened to me."<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="MacKinnon's career arc" aria-label="Interactive line chart" id="datawrapper-chart-DMkD0" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/DMkD0/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="439" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>MacKinnon's wavy career arc is a reminder that player development is rarely linear, even among the super talented. "Sophomore slump" is part of the pro sports vernacular for this exact reason. It's incredibly difficult for second-year players of all kinds to meet heightened internal and external expectations.Chicago Blackhawks sniper Connor Bedard and Minnesota Wild workhorse Brock Faber finished first and second in 2023-24 Calder voting. What can we realistically expect from each player in their second acts? What potential challenges might the sophomores face? Let's dig in, with help from pro hockey analyst <a href="https://x.com/JhanHky">Jack Han</a>.<h3>Connor Bedard</h3>Everybody wanted a piece of Bedard ahead of and during his rookie season. He was the shiny new toy - a fresh face of the league with enormous upside."Macklin will be dealing with all of that instead," Bedard said recently with a laugh, referring to media and fan interest inevitably shifting toward Sharks super prospect and Vancouver-area buddy Macklin Celebrini.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748864/cropped_GettyImages-1786607152.jpg?ts=1728303479" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748864/w220xh124_GettyImages-1786607152.jpg?ts=1728303479 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748864/w320xh180_GettyImages-1786607152.jpg?ts=1728303479 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748864/w640xh360_GettyImages-1786607152.jpg?ts=1728303479 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748864/w768xh432_GettyImages-1786607152.jpg?ts=1728303479 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748864/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1786607152.jpg?ts=1728303479 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bill Smith / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Bedard's on-ice impact last season mirrored the hype - 22 goals, 39 assists, and a 0.90 points-per-game rate that ranks third this century among 18-year-old NHLers, behind only Sidney Crosby's 1.26 and Connor McDavid's 1.07. The shoot-first center led or co-led 31st-place Chicago in goals, assists, and points, despite missing 14 games with a broken jaw and skating alongside serviceable yet unremarkable veterans. (Bedard's three most common linemates were Philipp Kurashev, Nick Foligno, and Ryan Donato.)The 2023-24 Hawks were so deprived of firepower that Bedard was the central focus for opposing teams from his debut onward. "You didn't need to game-plan against anybody else," is how Han - a former AHL assistant coach who writes the popular <a href="https://jhanhky.substack.com/">Hockey Tactics</a> newsletter - put it.Chicago brass was well aware of this and got to work in the offseason. Puck hound Tyler Bertuzzi, playmaker Teuvo Teravainen, and speedster Ilya Mikheyev were all added to the forward group. Meanwhile, former MVP Taylor Hall has recovered from the ACL tear that shelved him for most of last season.Better support will reroute some pressure away from Bedard, making the explosive trigger man more dangerous. The righty scored on 10.7% of his shots last year, which is very good for an average NHL forward but a tad low for someone with Bedard's elite, deceptive wrist and snap shots."If you have a good shot and you're a player who can consistently get to dangerous areas of the ice, there's nothing wrong with shooting 10%," Han said. "The difference between a 10% shooter and a 13% or 15% shooter is often not so much you and your talent as it is your teammates and their talent. Why is it that Auston Matthews or Steven Stamkos can shoot 15%? It's because they've got Mitch Marner and Marty St. Louis setting them up."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748435/cropped_GettyImages-2173623891.jpg?ts=1728056156" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748435/w220xh124_GettyImages-2173623891.jpg?ts=1728056156 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748435/w320xh180_GettyImages-2173623891.jpg?ts=1728056156 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748435/w640xh360_GettyImages-2173623891.jpg?ts=1728056156 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748435/w768xh432_GettyImages-2173623891.jpg?ts=1728056156 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748435/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2173623891.jpg?ts=1728056156 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Defensive play and faceoffs were Bedard's main weaknesses as a rookie. (He won a ghastly 38.9% of his 532 faceoffs.) Also part of the learning curve - realizing how smart NHLers are relative to junior players. "Everyone's always in the right position. That was something I wasn't used to at the start," said Bedard, who played two full seasons in the WHL. "I was making plays, predicting a guy would move, and I'd just give (the puck) right to them."Bedard, who focused on improving his speed and power in offseason workouts, was understandably tight-lipped about his personal performance goals heading into Year 2. But in early September, the 19-year-old mentioned emphasizing overall consistency and finding a way to impact each game on a deeper level.Assuming good health, simply being on a team with a respectable supporting cast should boost Bedard's numbers. Han believes an 80-point pace (30-35 goals and 45-50 assists over 82 games) is a "reasonable" bet. While nobody's immune to the sophomore slump, No. 98 on Chicago is an unlikely victim."I've been very motivated since I was 4 or 5 years old," Bedard said. "I'm not overly concerned about that. Maybe I have a slump, maybe I play really well. You don't know the future."<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Rookie/sophomore comparison" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-LA0Yk" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/LA0Yk/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="734" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><h3>Brock Faber</h3>Faber was the only other player to receive a first-place vote for last year's Calder, with an excellent first full season in Minnesota convincing 42 of 194 voters to slot him ahead of Bedard.His supporters were enamored by an abnormally hefty workload and relatively polished game. Faber, who was usually pitted against other teams' best forwards, logged 2,047 total minutes, the most by a rookie since the NHL began tracking individual time-on-ice numbers in 1997. Minnesota, a team that missed the Western Conference playoff cutline by 11 points, fared much better at five-on-five with Faber on the ice (plus-one) versus off (minus-five)."I learned a lot. It's stuff you can't really learn in the offseason," Faber said of the rookie grind. "You can't learn how to take a two-on-one against McDavid and (Leon) Draisaitl. When you're thrown into the fire, that's how you learn. When you make mistakes, that's how you learn. I made plenty of mistakes, and I learned a lot from those mistakes, offensively and defensively."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748437/cropped_GettyImages-2148778553.jpg?ts=1728056334" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748437/w220xh124_GettyImages-2148778553.jpg?ts=1728056334 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748437/w320xh180_GettyImages-2148778553.jpg?ts=1728056334 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748437/w640xh360_GettyImages-2148778553.jpg?ts=1728056334 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748437/w768xh432_GettyImages-2148778553.jpg?ts=1728056334 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748437/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2148778553.jpg?ts=1728056334 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ronald Martinez / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Han likes the player - "Faber's ahead of the curve for a young defenseman" - and believes there's a strong chance the eight-year, $68-million contract extension Faber signed this offseason will age gracefully as the salary cap continues to rise. Still, he's worried about the gap between Faber's top-pairing reputation and the underlying performance markers of his rookie year.<a href="https://hockeyviz.com/">HockeyViz'</a>s isolated impact heat maps suggest Faber was essentially a net-negative offensive player and net-neutral defensive player at five-on-five. Also, it's often overlooked that he contributed to the NHL's third-worst penalty kill."If you're talking about sophomore slumps, unfortunately, Faber's got a perfect storm brewing," Han said. "For the first time as a pro, he's coming into a season with something to lose. That's a very dangerous mindset. You're now in a no-win situation and the game can get away from you very quickly."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748954/cropped_faber-for-aga-iso.jpg?ts=1728339367" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748954/w220xh124_faber-for-aga-iso.jpg?ts=1728339367 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748954/w320xh180_faber-for-aga-iso.jpg?ts=1728339367 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748954/w640xh360_faber-for-aga-iso.jpg?ts=1728339367 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748954/w768xh432_faber-for-aga-iso.jpg?ts=1728339367 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748954/w1080xh607_faber-for-aga-iso.jpg?ts=1728339367 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> HockeyViz.com</figcaption></figure>Kraken forward Matty Beniers found himself in a similar situation last season. He set the bar high with a Calder-winning 2022-23. Then, in Year 2, his puck luck leveled out, his defensive responsibilities increased, and opposing teams targeted his weaknesses. Beniers was issued the "sophomore slump" label by midseason - even though he didn't actually take a tangible step backward.Helping the expectations around Faber? He played the final two months of 2023-24 with two cracked ribs. That might partially explain the wonky stats.Not helping Faber? He's a subtle player, far from the flashiest on the Wild. He's a strong skater, puck mover, and distributor (47 points as a rookie), but stick-checking and blocking shots are his bread and butter. First and foremost, he wants to kill the opposing attack every time he steps on the ice."I can try to impact the game more than just point-getting and power-play time and ice time. I don't know. I feel ready. I feel prepared. I'm healthy. I'm confident. And I'm still learning. I'm still trying to get better," Faber said."But that's how I look at it, right? I'm not someone who hangs my hat on scoring or getting points. I never have been and I never will be, as I'm a defenseman. I look at it a little differently. I want to defend against the best players in the world better this year than I did last year. Everyone talks about how I played great, but also, there were games when I was playing against those guys when I was horrible and they were great. So that's how I kind of look it. Little things, little milestones like that."John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Sophomore slump or bump? What to expect from Bedard and Faber in Year 2

Four players. Two coaches. Two team executives. One league executive. And one expansion group spo...

Four players. Two coaches. Two team executives. One league executive. And one expansion group spokesperson.The following isn't a comprehensive list of the people who'll define the 2024-25 NHL season (you'll notice commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Players' Association executive director Marty Walsh are absent). But it identifies, in no particular order, 10 intriguing people who are tremendously influential, hold the key to a team's success, or find themselves in a high-pressure situation ahead of this weekend's season-opening games in Europe.<h3>Alex Ovechkin</h3>Trailing by 41 goals, Ovechkin needs to stay healthy and average a goal every other game to tie Wayne Gretzky's all-time record. It's a monumental task for a 39-year-old trying to rebound from the least productive season of his career.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Yet, this is the "Great Eight" we're talking about here. Ovechkin's incredible longevity - a 40-goal pace or better in 16 of 19 seasons - offers hope. If he's within striking distance of Gretzky down the stretch, the chase will evolve into the biggest story in the sports world. The NHL is happy to play hype machine."Some people have suggested that because Alex is Russian that somehow this should be marginalized in some way," deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in September at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour. "We couldn't disagree more with that. He's been a terrific ambassador for our game for 20 years now, and his enthusiasm for the game and passion for the game is infectious."The Capitals should be fascinating to track, in general. The front office turned over a third of the roster in the offseason, adding, among other things, two top-six forwards (Pierre-Luc Dubois, Andrew Mangiapane), two top-four defensemen (Jakob Chychrun, Matt Roy), and a solid goalie in Logan Thompson.Washington snuck into last year's postseason with 40 wins and a minus-37 goal differential but is an improved team on paper. Even with the changes, though, a 2025 playoff spot is far from guaranteed. Side plot: How much will Ovechkin's teammates defer to him? Will the chase affect the club's mindset?<h3>Anson Carter</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747842/cropped_GettyImages-1761988528.jpg?ts=1727745732" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747842/w220xh124_GettyImages-1761988528.jpg?ts=1727745732 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747842/w320xh180_GettyImages-1761988528.jpg?ts=1727745732 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747842/w640xh360_GettyImages-1761988528.jpg?ts=1727745732 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747842/w768xh432_GettyImages-1761988528.jpg?ts=1727745732 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747842/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1761988528.jpg?ts=1727745732 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Dave Sandford / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Carter, the former forward turned broadcaster, is part of the Alpharetta Sports &amp; Entertainment group that formally requested the NHL in May to open the expansion process to bring Atlanta into the fold for a third time. Another group of investors, led by billionaire Vernon Krause, has also expressed interest to the league and has dreams of building an NHL-caliber arena in Atlanta.NHL officials have repeatedly said expansion is not a front-burner issue. However, there's an understanding in league circles that expansion is on the horizon, with two teams being added relatively soon. Expansion fees are set to rocket past the $500 million Vegas paid in 2017 and the $650 million Seattle forked over in 2021 and land somewhere in the $1 billion-$2 billion range.The affable Carter is highlighted here because he's the most recognizable name associated with prospective groups in Atlanta, Houston, and Phoenix. Any new franchise will almost certainly reside in the United States. The NHL counts the Rangers, Islanders, and Devils (New York), and Kings and Ducks (Los Angeles) as two total markets, which means its presence stateside is less expansive than other sports (22 markets to the NFL's 30, for instance).<h3>Igor Shesterkin</h3>Shesterkin is arguably the best goalie in the world. Fresh off another strong playoff run (.927 save percentage in 16 games), the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner is a swing player in 2024-25. If Shesterkin's performing at a high level at the right time, the Rangers can win the Stanley Cup.The 28-year-old Russian also wants to reset the goalie contract market, which has fallen off a cliff in an era of high scoring rates and tandem workloads. The seven-year, $84-million deal Montreal's Carey Price signed in 2017 still stands as the richest ever among goalies. Shesterkin, an MVP-level talent most seasons, is worth at least $11 million a year over seven or eight seasons. Anything above Artemi Panarin's $11,642,857 would set a franchise record.Shesterkin is reportedly uninterested in negotiating during the season. While that shouldn't set off alarm bells in New York, it does keep the door open for a potential exit next summer. He'd be a highly desirable unrestricted free agent.<h3>Jessica Campbell</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635647/cropped_GettyImages-2159861201.jpg?ts=1720064009" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635647/w220xh124_GettyImages-2159861201.jpg?ts=1720064009 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635647/w320xh180_GettyImages-2159861201.jpg?ts=1720064009 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635647/w640xh360_GettyImages-2159861201.jpg?ts=1720064009 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635647/w768xh432_GettyImages-2159861201.jpg?ts=1720064009 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635647/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2159861201.jpg?ts=1720064009 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Christopher Mast / National Hockey League / Getty</figcaption></figure>Campbell is the first full-time female assistant coach in NHL history. The Kraken announced in July that the former Cornell University forward would join Dan Bylsma's staff as an assistant following two seasons in the same role for AHL Coachella Valley. Campbell also previously coached in Germany.The 32-year-old is a trailblazer, and that label comes with additional attention and, unfortunately, extra scrutiny. Campbell will be involved in coaching Seattle's power play and developing its youngsters. The latter has been one of her specialties, and strong connections with ex-Coachella Valley players like Shane Wright, Tye Kartye, and Ryker Evans should ease her transition.When an NHL team hires a woman for a front-office role in 2024, barely anyone bats an eye. It's become commonplace to have the best candidate, regardless of gender, get the gig. The coaching ranks have some catching up to do, and by all accounts, Campbell is an ideal first woman in.<h3>Chris MacFarland</h3>Nobody's feeling bad for Colorado's general manager. MacFarland has two top-10 (top five?) players on the planet at his disposal in Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Mikko Rantanen is, at minimum, a top-25 player. Those three stars are true franchise pillars - a trio of Cup winners still in their primes.But, man, has MacFarland been dealt a tough hand. Gabriel Landeskog and Artturi Lehkonen are expected to miss the first chunk of the regular season due to a knee and shoulder injury, respectively. (Landeskog, who hasn't played since the 2022 Cup Final, has an especially foggy timeline.) Meanwhile, Valeri Nichushkin is suspended until mid-November after violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. To recap, that's half of the Avalanche's best two lines unavailable for at least the first month and a half.Maybe all three return, look normal, and there's nothing to worry about. Or perhaps the returns don't go well. Or MacFarland opts to work the controversial LTIR loophole. Or this year becomes a write-off thanks to a rough start.There's such a wide range of possibilities with this Avs squad, which is a strange thing to type about a legitimate Cup contender. Complicating matters: Rantanen and starting goalie Alexandar Georgiev are pending UFAs.<h3>Connor McDavid</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631580/cropped_GettyImages-2155209258.jpg?ts=1717597353" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631580/w220xh124_GettyImages-2155209258.jpg?ts=1717597353 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631580/w320xh180_GettyImages-2155209258.jpg?ts=1717597353 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631580/w640xh360_GettyImages-2155209258.jpg?ts=1717597353 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631580/w768xh432_GettyImages-2155209258.jpg?ts=1717597353 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631580/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2155209258.jpg?ts=1717597353 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andy Devlin / National Hockey League / Getty</figcaption></figure>McDavid, 27, is in the prime of his career. He's coming off his seventh 100-point season, having recorded 32 goals and a career-high 100 assists in 76 games. At the player media tour, McDavid noted that he took a more measured approach to his offseason workouts this summer after arriving at the 2023-24 training camp too skinny from overtraining. He's feeling refreshed.McDavid, who's only 18 points shy of 1,000, is entering his 10th season. It feels like it's only a matter of time before he and the Oilers claim the Cup, and McDavid's understandably hungrier than ever following 42 points in 25 games and a crushing Game 7 loss in the final. He'll also represent Canada for the first time since the 2018 world championships when the finest Canadians, Americans, Finns, and Swedes battle in the 4 Nations Faceoff in February.All this while his contract winds down. Like running mate Leon Draisaitl this summer, McDavid is eligible to sign an extension ahead of the final year of his current deal. It seems inevitable he'll stay in Edmonton, with the AAV ($16 million?) and total money ($128 million?) most likely setting NHL records.<h3>Mitch Marner</h3>The Maple Leafs' postseason struggles stretched to one series win in nine tries following a seven-game Round 1 loss to the rival Bruins in May. Fairly or not, Marner's the poster boy for this era of demoralizing defeats and the punching bag for a not-insignificant portion of the NHL's largest fan base.Deep playoff runs require standout performances throughout the lineup, but let's face it, Toronto will go only as far as Marner, Matthews, and William Nylander take them. That means the issue is black and white ahead of the 2025 playoffs: Marner either redeems himself with an extended stretch of brilliant hockey or underwhelms again, providing his haters with extra ammunition.Marner co-headlines next summer's UFA class. If he chooses not to re-sign with Toronto and hits the open market, teams will be lining up for his services. For all the negativity surrounding him, Marner's an exceptional talent - a rare all-situations winger who, at his peak, can simultaneously challenge for the Art Ross Trophy (most points) and Selke Trophy (best defensive forward).<h3>Lindy Ruff </h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747844/cropped_GettyImages-2175009992.jpg?ts=1727746019" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747844/w220xh124_GettyImages-2175009992.jpg?ts=1727746019 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747844/w320xh180_GettyImages-2175009992.jpg?ts=1727746019 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747844/w640xh360_GettyImages-2175009992.jpg?ts=1727746019 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747844/w768xh432_GettyImages-2175009992.jpg?ts=1727746019 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747844/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2175009992.jpg?ts=1727746019 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ben Jackson / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Ruff, a Sabres defenseman in the 1980s and head coach from 1997-2013, is back for a third tour of duty in Buffalo. He's been brought in to be a savior as the Sabres try desperately to end an NHL-record 13-year playoff drought.The Sabres last made the playoffs in the second-last full season of Ruff's first tenure behind the bench. How bad were those years without him? Consider this: Only once did Buffalo's final record feature more wins than losses, and that one campaign - 2022-23 - barely qualifies, at 42 wins and 40 losses.The Sabres hope Ruff can bring greater accountability to the dressing room and push players to new heights. Captain Rasmus Dahlin, burgeoning star Owen Power, and 6-foot-7 sniper Tage Thompson lead a fairly balanced roster that, with decent coaching, should be in the hunt for an East wild-card spot.Kevyn Adams is entering his fifth season as GM. He won't necessarily lose his job if Buffalo again falls short of the postseason. But for Adams to keep it, the team must take an appreciable step forward in the standings.<h3>Don Waddell</h3>Waddell's transition from top executive in contending Carolina to top dog in rebuilding Columbus was never going to be easy. It got infinitely harder following the tragic death of Blue Jackets star winger Johnny Gaudreau.Waddell, named president and GM in May, has done everything he can to steer the organization through the early stages of mourning. The grieving process doesn't magically stop for the hockey season, so his work will continue in the coming days, weeks, and months. Remember, there's a handful of Jacket players who've lost two teammates in three offseasons, with young goalie Matiss Kivlenieks dying in a fireworks accident in July 2021.As for the hockey stuff, Waddell inherited a rich prospect pool, but the NHL roster remains very much under construction (and especially so with Gaudreau, the club's most talented player, gone). Waddell hired coach Dean Evason to stabilize an area that's been anything but stable. He traded Patrik Laine. He's talked openly about trying to fix a losing culture. The Jackets will miss the playoffs for the fifth straight season, but there's plenty to accomplish.<h3>Steve Mayer</h3>As the NHL's chief content officer, Mayer has been an influential figure for years. He's the creative, boundary-pushing voice in board rooms filled mostly with labor lawyers and former players. In 2023-24, he was the brains behind a revamped All-Star Weekend and the stunning draft inside Las Vegas' Sphere.Mayer was an executive producer on the six-part Amazon Prime Video docuseries launching Friday. Along with traditional producing duties, he helped convince players and teams to buy into the all-access style that's allowed auto racing, golf, and tennis to reach new audiences. Mayer will be tasked with building on the momentum of whatever buzz is created by Season 1 of "FACEOFF: Inside The NHL." Nobody at the league office pushes harder than him for players to loosen up and be authentic in front of the cameras.Also on Mayer's plate this season: the one-off, seven-game 4 Nations Faceoff tournament; outdoor games at Wrigley Stadium in Chicago and Ohio Stadium in Columbus; and a smaller, more player-focused "decentralized" draft event in which staffers for all 32 teams work from home, not the host city.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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10 people who will define the 2024-25 NHL season

"That's not good enough! It's the finals! Dig in!! RIGHT NOW!!!"  The trailer for "FACEOFF: Insid...

"That's not good enough! It's the finals! Dig in!! RIGHT NOW!!!"The trailer for "FACEOFF: Inside The NHL," the upcoming Amazon Prime Video docuseries about the NHL and some of its top players, runs for one minute and 54 seconds. But six seconds in particular - the usually robotic Connor McDavid reaming out his Oilers teammates during the 2024 Stanley Cup Final - is all anyone cared about when the trailer dropped this week.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
On the ice. Off the record. The new series FACEOFF: Inside the NHL premieres October 4th globally on Prime Video. <a href="https://t.co/C2hDSosQO6">pic.twitter.com/C2hDSosQO6</a>— NHL (@NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1838292437581574253?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Those six seconds reveal more about McDavid's psyche than nine seasons of cliche-heavy interviews. It's a literal peek behind the curtain - an intensely private moment made public and theatrical. In the full episode, the tension-filled scene in the Oilers' room runs closer to a minute.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"You'll watch him in this series, and I guarantee you, after watching six episodes, you'll have a completely different opinion of who he is and what he's about and how meaningful it is to win," NHL chief content officer Steve Mayer said at an event in Toronto promoting multiple Amazon-NHL programs."Raw" is the one word league executives and others involved in the production kept uttering on and off the record Monday. The NHL has finally invested in what fans want out of behind-the-scenes sports documentaries: unfiltered emotion, uncomfortable interactions, imperfection.Previous NHL docs, like 2021's "All Or Nothing" series on the Maple Leafs or the various shows built around the Winter Classic, have been too careful. Some of the best scenes never saw the light of day because someone - say, a team executive - didn't want to deal with the extra attention it might create.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747100/cropped_GettyImages-1981517420.jpg?ts=1727385878" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747100/w220xh124_GettyImages-1981517420.jpg?ts=1727385878 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747100/w320xh180_GettyImages-1981517420.jpg?ts=1727385878 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747100/w640xh360_GettyImages-1981517420.jpg?ts=1727385878 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747100/w768xh432_GettyImages-1981517420.jpg?ts=1727385878 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747100/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1981517420.jpg?ts=1727385878 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Claus Andersen / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>"FACEOFF" was produced by the company behind "Drive to Survive," "Break Point," and "Full Swing" on Netflix. Those shows work because they create three-dimensional characters out of their human subjects - which is exactly what the NHL is hoping this series can do for McDavid and his peers.I've seen the entirety of Episode 1, which centers around the friendship and rivalry of Toronto's William Nylander and Boston's David Pastrnak. It's highly entertaining and, at times, riveting. It reminds me of the first episode of "Full Swing," which chronicled the rise of PGA buddies Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.All six episodes of "FACEOFF" will be available globally on Prime Video as of next Friday. The other programs unveiled by the NHL and Amazon this week - "NHL Coast To Coast" and Monday Night Hockey - debut on Prime Video on Oct. 10 and Oct. 14, respectively. "NHL Coast To Coast," hosted by Andi Petrillo every Thursday night, promises to be hockey's version of NFL RedZone.Rogers' landmark 12-year Canadian TV rights deal expires following the 2025-26 season. Clearly, Amazon will be a major player at the negotiating table.<h3>No easy fix to LTIR 'loophole'</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747069/cropped_GettyImages-1964041544.jpg?ts=1727379764" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747069/w220xh124_GettyImages-1964041544.jpg?ts=1727379764 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747069/w320xh180_GettyImages-1964041544.jpg?ts=1727379764 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747069/w640xh360_GettyImages-1964041544.jpg?ts=1727379764 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747069/w768xh432_GettyImages-1964041544.jpg?ts=1727379764 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747069/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1964041544.jpg?ts=1727379764 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The use of long-term injured reserve, mixed with the elimination of the salary cap come playoff time, has led to a few timely returns over the past decade. Famously, Stanley Cup winners Patrick Kane, Nikita Kucherov, and Mark Stone were all activated off LTIR after Game 82 of the regular season."I'd like to think the integrity of the teams and (players) are in the right place. But it's definitely unfortunate when you're playing a team that's $15 million over the cap," Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon said in early September at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas. "But, yeah, it is what it is," MacKinnon added about the legal, totally awkward LTIR loophole."It's a touchy subject in the league right now, I feel like," Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki said. "If you're using it, you like it. If you're not ... "NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly has spoken with all 32 general managers, and a "majority" of them would like the league "to continue to consider making some kind of adjustment that would alleviate some of the concerns." That's much easier said than done, of course, with any potential amendment to the collective bargaining agreement subject to NHL Players' Association approval. A more likely outcome is that the issue becomes part of the next CBA negotiations. (The current CBA expires Sept. 15, 2026.)<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747070/cropped_GettyImages-1980739043.jpg?ts=1727379891" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747070/w220xh124_GettyImages-1980739043.jpg?ts=1727379891 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747070/w320xh180_GettyImages-1980739043.jpg?ts=1727379891 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747070/w640xh360_GettyImages-1980739043.jpg?ts=1727379891 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747070/w768xh432_GettyImages-1980739043.jpg?ts=1727379891 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747070/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1980739043.jpg?ts=1727379891 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Maybe down the road teams will be forced to stay under the salary cap for the playoffs. Or maybe a less dramatic change will be made - one or two tweaks."There's probably some tinkering around that they could do with the rule," Suzuki said. "I don't know what that is, but I feel like it's definitely given teams a huge advantage. Sometimes you luck into it and other times it seems like it might be a strategy. I'm not in the medical room, so I don't really know what's going on with those teams. It could be all fair. Who knows."Suzuki hits on an essential part of the issue: Most injuries are open to some form of interpretation. There's a lot of gray area. A player can be hurt and play through it, hurt and volunteer to sit out, or hurt and be told to sit out.This can lead to vague return dates that can be stretched out, if necessary."I've heard a theory where you have to play the last game of the regular season to play in the first round. Maybe that can help," MacKinnon said.<h3>Pinto primed for breakout</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747038/cropped_GettyImages-2171211196.jpg?ts=1727374897" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747038/w220xh124_GettyImages-2171211196.jpg?ts=1727374897 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747038/w320xh180_GettyImages-2171211196.jpg?ts=1727374897 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747038/w640xh360_GettyImages-2171211196.jpg?ts=1727374897 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747038/w768xh432_GettyImages-2171211196.jpg?ts=1727374897 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747038/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2171211196.jpg?ts=1727374897 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Candice Ward / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>At this point last year, Shane Pinto was an unsigned restricted free agent. Not a month later, the Senators center was suspended 41 games for "activities relating to sports wagering." He chose to not appeal the NHL's punishment."It was a blessing in disguise in a sense," Pinto, 23, said at the player media tour. The consequences of a long suspension, he added, "taught me not to take things for granted. It can be taken away from you pretty quickly."Pinto shed light on the situation during a July appearance on the "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T76LHCUUSYc">Empty Netters</a>" podcast, saying he had U.S.-based friends place online bets on his behalf while he was living in Canada. A sports betting operator and league partner flagged his account, which led to an investigation and the suspension."I won't go into detail about that. I just didn't know any better," Pinto said when asked in Vegas about the sequence of events. (For the record, the league said in a press release that Pinto never bet on NHL games.)Pinto signed a two-year, $7.5-million contract extension this offseason following a strong showing in the second half of last season (54-point pace over 82 games) and at the world championships (nine points in eight contests).<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747040/cropped_GettyImages-2153520142.jpg?ts=1727374994" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747040/w220xh124_GettyImages-2153520142.jpg?ts=1727374994 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747040/w320xh180_GettyImages-2153520142.jpg?ts=1727374994 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747040/w640xh360_GettyImages-2153520142.jpg?ts=1727374994 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747040/w768xh432_GettyImages-2153520142.jpg?ts=1727374994 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747040/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2153520142.jpg?ts=1727374994 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> NurPhoto / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The shaky health of fellow center Josh Norris - who's undergone three surgeries on the same shoulder - offers an incredible opportunity for Pinto. He can snatch the second-line center role at five-on-five and potentially work his way onto the top power-play and penalty-kill units. Put another way, the Senators are desperate for a consistent two-way presence down the middle.The desperation extends beyond center. Ottawa hasn't made the playoffs in seven seasons, and although a mini offseason makeover raises the floor of this squad, for the most part the 2024-25 Sens will go as far as their core - led by Brady Tkachuk, 25, and Tim Stutzle, 22 - and head coach Travis Green take them."There's been a lot of distractions for us," Pinto said. "This year is the first year where there's nothing leading up to training camp. No real annoyances or new ownership. We're steady. We have stability now.""It's time," he added, "for us to become men this year."<h3>Quick hits</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747014/cropped_GettyImages-2173858116.jpg?ts=1727365318" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747014/w220xh124_GettyImages-2173858116.jpg?ts=1727365318 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747014/w320xh180_GettyImages-2173858116.jpg?ts=1727365318 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747014/w640xh360_GettyImages-2173858116.jpg?ts=1727365318 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747014/w768xh432_GettyImages-2173858116.jpg?ts=1727365318 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747014/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2173858116.jpg?ts=1727365318 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Mack attack: Those in Macklin Celebrini's inner circle insist 2024's top pick and Sharks rookie is the most driven young athlete you'll ever meet. "He truly lives the game. On a mission. You can feel the intensity when you're around him," texted one confidant. Where did that next-level single-mindedness come from? "It's something my parents ingrained in me when I was young," Celebrini told theScore. "If you want to do something, do it to the best of your ability. Don't do it with half your energy or half as good as you could do it. For me, that's how I looked at it: If I really wanted to do this, and this was my passion, why not give my all? Why not give everything I can to succeed?"Berube's rep: Craig Berube finished his playing career with 3,149 penalty minutes. The new Maple Leafs bench boss gives off similar no-nonsense vibes as a coach. Yet, behind the scenes, Berube's unquestionably a "player's coach," according to Blues forward Robert Thomas. Berube, who coached Thomas for five-plus seasons, checks off two key boxes: He's an all-around honest person, and he's a straight shooter. Players trust him. "Out of all the coaches I've had, he's probably the most available," Thomas said. "He's walking around the locker room talking to guys - not about hockey, (but) about life, how you're feeling, how you're doing. I think he gets to know everyone on a personal level. That allows him to really get the best out of guys."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747016/cropped_GettyImages-2136578591.jpg?ts=1727365409" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747016/w220xh124_GettyImages-2136578591.jpg?ts=1727365409 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747016/w320xh180_GettyImages-2136578591.jpg?ts=1727365409 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747016/w640xh360_GettyImages-2136578591.jpg?ts=1727365409 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747016/w768xh432_GettyImages-2136578591.jpg?ts=1727365409 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747016/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2136578591.jpg?ts=1727365409 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bill Smith / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Miro love: Connor Bedard wasn't eased into the NHL last year. The Calder Trophy winner logged more than 15 total five-on-five minutes (roughly a full game's worth for Bedard) against each of Cale Makar, Drew Doughty, Roman Josi, Jaccob Slavin, and Josh Morrissey - some of the world's top defensemen. Asked in early September which blue-liner was most difficult to face, Bedard paused for a beat before landing on the Stars' Miro Heiskanen. "He covers so much ice," Bedard, 19, said. "It feels like he takes three strides and he's all the way up the ice. He's someone who really pops out to me."Neck guards: Oct. 28 will mark one year since Adam Johnson's death. The former NHLer was cut by another player's skate blade in a game in England. Starting this season, AHL players must wear cut-resistant neck protection. The NHL is "moving in that direction" too, Daly said in early September. The league has proposed mandatory neck protection to the players' association, but it's a nuanced issue. "NHL players don't want to be told, necessarily, what to do and what not to do, particularly when it could affect performance on some basis. They're not going to jump into allowing us to make it mandatory," Daly said of the union's say in the matter. "But I think they're working constructively with us to at least make the players aware of the benefits of protecting themselves better than they have in the past."John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JUNE 24: Oliver Ekman-Larsson #91 of the Florida Panthers shakes hands with Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers after Florida's 2-1 victory in Game Seven of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida.

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