NHL

Los Angeles Kings’ Sean Walker (26) and Edmonton Oilers’ Evan Bouchard (2) battle for the puck during second period NHL Stanley Cup first round playoff action in Edmonton on Tuesday April 25, 2023. The Los Angeles Kings go into Saturday’s Game 6 of their first-round playoff series with the Oilers with one goal in mind — staving off elimination. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Oilers sign defenseman Evan Bouchard to 2-year, $7.8 million contract

The Oilers selected Bouchard 10th overall in the 2018 NHL draft

 

Black Press Media digital editor John McKinley and VIFD/PQB News editor Philip Wolf. (File photo)

PODCAST: Debating the big winners, losers of the NHL’s off-season

NHL UPDATE: Black Press insiders McKinley, Wolf talk free agency, draft, Canucks and more

 

Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson poses with first round draft pick Connor Bedard during the first round of the NHL hockey draft, Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

No. 1 overall draft pick Bedard begins development camp with Blackhawks

The high-scoring forward made it clear that he isn’t looking too far ahead

 

FILE - Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock directs his team against the Colorado Avalanche in the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, in Denver. Babcock is back in the NHL as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets announced Saturday, July 1, 2023, they’ve hired the Stanley Cup winner to take over behind the bench. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Mike Babcock returns to the NHL as the coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets

The 2008 Stanley Cup winner returns following the end of his lengthy contract with the Maple Leafs

FILE - Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock directs his team against the Colorado Avalanche in the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, in Denver. Babcock is back in the NHL as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets announced Saturday, July 1, 2023, they’ve hired the Stanley Cup winner to take over behind the bench. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone skates with the Stanley Cup after the Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Knights won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Viva Las Vegas! Golden Knights hammer Florida 9-3, win 2023 Stanley Cup

Expansion club earns NHL title after just 6 seasons in league

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone skates with the Stanley Cup after the Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Knights won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Canada’s Adam Fantilli (91) reacts after scoring a goal during their semifinal match against Latvia at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Tampere, Finland, Saturday, May 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Pavel Golovkin

Meet and greet: NHL teams, prospects have plenty to talk about at scouting combine

Three players expected to go in the top-5 picks at this month’s draft were poked, prodded and tested

Canada’s Adam Fantilli (91) reacts after scoring a goal during their semifinal match against Latvia at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Tampere, Finland, Saturday, May 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Pavel Golovkin
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan O’Reilly (90) protects the puck from Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman (77) during second period NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Toronto on Thursday, April 27, 2023. O’Reilly is one of the names poised to hit the free agency market. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

NHL free-agent frenzy: Some of the players poised to hit the open market July 1

League’s signing period returns to July 1 after three years of pandemic impacts

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan O’Reilly (90) protects the puck from Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman (77) during second period NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Toronto on Thursday, April 27, 2023. O’Reilly is one of the names poised to hit the free agency market. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner, left, celebrates with teammates Mattias Ekholm (14) and Darnell Nurse after the team’s win over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP)

5 things to know about the NHL playoffs

Oilers and Maple Leafs, Canada’s last two teams in the NHL playoffs, are headed for the second round

Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner, left, celebrates with teammates Mattias Ekholm (14) and Darnell Nurse after the team’s win over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP)
Los Angles Kings goalie Joonas Korpisalo gives up a goal to Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP)

Oilers advance to second round with 5-4 victory over Kings

Series dominated by superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl

Los Angles Kings goalie Joonas Korpisalo gives up a goal to Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs center Ryan O’Reilly (90) chases a rebound after Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) made a save during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Tavares’ OT goal gives Maple Leafs series win over Lightning

‘Today is a significant step, but we’re not going to celebrate anything beyond’

Toronto Maple Leafs center Ryan O’Reilly (90) chases a rebound after Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) made a save during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
A shot from Central Division’s Seth Jones, of the Chicago Blackhawks (4) gets past Pacific Division’s goaltender Logan Thompson, of the Las Vegas Knights (36) during the NHL All Star hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Rivals Crosby and Ovechkin relish being All-Star teammates

‘I think we have fun to play together, not against each other’

A shot from Central Division’s Seth Jones, of the Chicago Blackhawks (4) gets past Pacific Division’s goaltender Logan Thompson, of the Las Vegas Knights (36) during the NHL All Star hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) waves as he continues to celebrate his goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, in Washington, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. It was Ovechkin’s 802nd NHL goal. Ovechkin, Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev and Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nick Wass

Ovechkin, Georgiev, Pettersson named NHL’s three stars of the week

Ovechkin had two goals and four assists as the Capitals won all three of their games on the week

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) waves as he continues to celebrate his goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, in Washington, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. It was Ovechkin’s 802nd NHL goal. Ovechkin, Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev and Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nick Wass
Nashville Predators forward Yakov Trenin (13) and Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn (14) react after being called for penalties by referee Garrett Rank (48) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Behind the stripes: What 3 NHL officials enjoy off the ice

Referees, linesman say sharing other aspects of lives helps humanize them

Nashville Predators forward Yakov Trenin (13) and Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn (14) react after being called for penalties by referee Garrett Rank (48) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Hockey Canada says members of its 2003 men's world junior hockey championship team is being investigated for a group sexual assault. Hockey Canada logo at an event in Toronto on November 1, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Canada’s 2003 world hockey junior team also accused of group sexual assault

2nd allegation of sexual assault involving Hockey Canada to become public in a span of two months

Hockey Canada says members of its 2003 men's world junior hockey championship team is being investigated for a group sexual assault. Hockey Canada logo at an event in Toronto on November 1, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
The Colorado Avalanche celebrate after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. The Avalanche won 2-1. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Avalanche dethrone Lightning in 6 games to win Stanley Cup for 3rd time

Lehkonen scores winning goal for Colorado

The Colorado Avalanche celebrate after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. The Avalanche won 2-1. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Colorado Avalanche centre Nazem Kadri (91) checks Colorado Avalanche centre Alex Newhook (18) during the third period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)

Avs 1 win away from Stanley Cup after Kadri’s OT tally in Game 4 versus Lightning

3-2 victory gives Colorado a chance to win title at home on Friday

Colorado Avalanche centre Nazem Kadri (91) checks Colorado Avalanche centre Alex Newhook (18) during the third period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews poses with the Hart Trophy, left, and Ted Lindsay Award after the NHL hockey awards Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. The Hart Trophy is presented annually to the leagues’ most valuable player and the Ted Lindsay award is giving the the most outstanding player. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Auston Matthews wins Hart Trophy as NHL’s most valuable player

Toronto star finishes well ahead of Edmonton’s Connor McDavid

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews poses with the Hart Trophy, left, and Ted Lindsay Award after the NHL hockey awards Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. The Hart Trophy is presented annually to the leagues’ most valuable player and the Ted Lindsay award is giving the the most outstanding player. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Tampa Bay Lightning centre Anthony Cirelli (71) scores past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) during the first period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final on Monday, June 20, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Lightning bounce back, beat Avalanche 6-2 in Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final

Colorado still holds 2-1 series lead

Tampa Bay Lightning centre Anthony Cirelli (71) scores past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) during the first period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final on Monday, June 20, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) deflects a shot next to Colorado Avalanche left wing J.T. Compher during the second period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Avalanche edge Lightning 4-3 in OT to open Stanley Cup Final

Burakovsky nets winner for Colorado 1:23 into extra frame

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) deflects a shot next to Colorado Avalanche left wing J.T. Compher during the second period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche’s Gabriel Landeskog (92), Artturi Lehkonen (62), Kurtis MacDermid (56) and Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrate a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during third period NHL conference finals action in Edmonton on Monday, June 6, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Lehkonen nets OT winner as Avs sweep aside Oilers and reach Stanley Cup final

Colorado finishes off Edmonton with 6-5 triumph

Colorado Avalanche’s Gabriel Landeskog (92), Artturi Lehkonen (62), Kurtis MacDermid (56) and Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrate a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during third period NHL conference finals action in Edmonton on Monday, June 6, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson