For a pit stop in Gordie Howe's home province of Saskatchewan, country star Garth Brooks paid homage to Mr. Hockey, wearing his No. 9 sweater with the Detroit Red Wings on stage at Sasktel Center.

The hockey world is continuing to mourn the passing, and pay tribute to Howe, who died Friday morning at age 88.

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The Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils have made a minor-league trade that includes a noteworthy NHL contract.

The Panthers have acquired forwards Paul Thompson and Graham Black from the Devils in exchange for Florida's 2018 second-round pick and center Marc Savard.

The 38-year-old center has not played since the 2010-11 season due to a series of major concussions, but his contract remains on the books, meaning the Devils are now on the hook for the $4,027,143 cap hit next season.

The Panthers now have over $20 million in available cap space (according to general fanager), while the Devils now have an extra draft pick in the arsenal.

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The tributes continue to pour in for the late Gordie Howe, who passed away Friday at age 88.

The latest words were penned by the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Canada, both of whom lauded Mr. Hockey as truly a man to remember.

From President Barack Obama:

And Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:

On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Gordie Howe, who passed away today at the age of 88.

Gordie Howe was an incredible athlete who relentlessly pushed the limits of the game. His skill, toughness, dedication, and passion for hockey distinguished him as one of the greatest players in history.

Throughout his five-decade long career, Gordie Howe won six Hart Trophies as the National Hockey League’s most valuable player, six Art Ross Trophies as the league’s leading scorer, and four Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings.

Gordie Howe was awarded the Order of Canada in 1971, and was inducted into 11 different halls of fame. His records, accomplishments, and accolades are without parallel in the history of hockey. He was truly one of a kind.

We will remember the legend, the man, and the many exciting hockey moments he provided to fans throughout his career.

Skate on, Mr. Hockey. You will be deeply missed.

Howe was born in Floral, Saskatchewan, while the entirety of his professional hockey career was played in the United States.

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A phenom on the ice, but not so much on the mound.

Edmonton Oilers star center Connor McDavid tossed the first pitch at Friday's Toronto Blue Jays game, and it most certainly was not a strike.

McDavid was sporting the World Cup jersey to be worn by his North American team, with the tournament set to be played in Toronto in September.

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John Torchetti hoped for more time to prove himself behind the Minnesota Wild bench.

After taking over as interim coach in February, he led the team to a record of 15-11-1 and a playoff spot, but the team jumped at the chance to hire Bruce Boudreau once he became available.

Since hired as an assistant with the Detroit Red Wings, Torchetti admits it was tough to be passed over for the job.

"I just think in the little time we had, I felt we had some chemistry going, and I wish we had some more time to prove it," Torchetti told Chad Graff of the Pioneer Press, adding he wishes nothing but the best to those making the decisions within the organization.

The Wild did offer Torchetti the opportunity to resume his post as the club's AHL head coach, but the big leagues is where he ultimately wanted to remain.

"They had given me a great offer, and I appreciate that," Torchetti said of the Wild. "That shows you they were rewarding me for my hard work with the team.

"But I just felt I wanted to be back in the NHL at this time, and I got a great opportunity with this Red Wings staff. This is a team on the upswing with some young players."

Torchetti is set to work with Detroit's forward group, as well as oversee the power play.

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More information on the NHL's prospective expansion draft, which could take place as early as this time next summer, have apparently been released to NHL clubs.

Here are a few of the latest conditions believed to have been provided to the teams, who must start making preparations for the potential introduction of a 31st franchise.

Via Sportsnet's Chris Johnston and James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail:

• Teams will apparently be required to expose two forwards and one defenseman who play at least 40 games in 2016-17, or 70 games in the previous two seasons.
• To prevent teams from hiding players on other rosters, those traded from Jan. 1, 2017 to Jan. 1, 2018 cannot be reacquired. More information on this is expected.
• The expansion team will have to spend to at least 60 percent of the salary cap, and cannot buy out a player that season.
• Players with no-trade and no-movement clauses for the 2017-18 season must be included on the protection lists.
• The expansion franchise will be receiving the third-best odds to receive the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.

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