While the world's best summer athletes continue to captivate the world in Rio, the thought of doing the very same in 2018 is already on John Tavares' mind.

Related: Tavares committed to winning Cup with Islanders

The New York Islanders' forward had the luxury of capturing gold with Team Canada at the 2014 Olympics, and while the NHL's participation in the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea remains uncertain, Tavares is adamant he would like to attend.

"For sure. I would love to go. I’d love another opportunity," Tavares told Sportsnet.ca. "I think it’s great for the game. As players, we love to represent our country. We don’t see best-on-best very much. It’s great the World Cup of Hockey is coming back, but at the same time the Olympic Games is something special.

"As a hockey player, winning the Stanley Cup is the ultimate achievement. But as an athlete, participating in the Olympics is something specially regarded. Representing your country there is something we’d love to do again. There’s hurdles that need to be overcome, but it’s a lot of fun."

Related: Bettman: NHL participation in 2018 Olympics not a current priority

While Tavares did receive a medal in 2014, a knee injury forced him to miss the final two games of the tournament, so being able to to get the full experience would mean a lot to the 25-year-old.

"I’d love a little redemption, to be part of that, to play in those games, those intense moments," said Tavares. "I missed being in the locker room between periods or even skating warmup before the game, being in the battles on the ice. Those are things that are special. You want to have an impact out there. I’m looking forward to having that opportunity this time around."

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Bobby Orr has a solution to curb injuries and increase creativity in today's NHL: bring back the two-line offside pass rule.

"I think we have to put the center red line (passing rule) back ... (to prevent) injuries and because the game is being played the same now," Orr told Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun.

"You can pass from your zone all the way to the other line, deflect it in, go get it and shoot it out. Back and forth. If you have to carry that puck out of your end and make a pass, skate with it, it makes it different."

Removed from the rule book following the lost 2004-05 NHL season with a view to creating a faster and more exciting game, the two-line pass rule forced a stoppage in play if a pass originating from inside a team's defensive zone was completed on the opposite side of the center red line, unless the puck crossed the line before the player.

In Orr's view, however, the rule change is no longer accomplishing its goal.

"I don’t think (removing the line) has increased the offence, nor has the trapezoid," he added. "It’s made it a dangerous game, guys flying out of their end, looking for that long stretch pass and bang, they’re being hit. These guys are so much bigger and faster than when I played."

The topic was broached at the 2012 NHL general managers meeting, but was put on the back burner for the time being.

Maybe the game's greatest defenseman and current player agent will be able to put the discussion back on the table.

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The Jimmy Vesey sweepstakes will continue in earnest Wednesday with a trio of meetings.

The college standout and his agents are expected to meet with the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and Boston Bruins, according to Mark Divver of The Providence Journal.

The Bruins, who will reportedly be pitching last, are set to show off their new digs as part of the meeting:

Vesey is also believed to have met with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Detroit Red Wings since becoming an unrestricted free agent Tuesday, with the Motor City having been ruled out due to Vesey's preference to play closer to his hometown of North Reading, Mass.

The Hobey Baker Award winner is expected to make a decision by the weekend.

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Radim Vrbata is back with the team he never wanted to leave.

After signing a one-year deal with the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday, Vrbata is thrilled to return to where he previously spent six seasons, with his most recent stint coming in 2014.

"We never really wanted to leave," Vrbata told Arizona Sports. "We love living in Arizona. Every time I was a free agent, I always wanted to get it done with Phoenix and for some reason it didn't happen so we had to go with different options."

Vrbata fills a major need for the Coyotes, who have a number of up-and-coming wingers but are thin on the right side. The Czech winger will likely play a top-nine role alongside captain Shane Doan and third-year pro Anthony Duclair.

His production slipped to just 27 points last season, but the Coyotes are confident he can rediscover his form in Arizona, where he's had his best seasons.

Vrbata's most impressive season with the Coyotes came in 2011-12, when he finished with 35 goals and 62 points while lining up with countryman Martin Hanzal.

Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett envisions a similar role for Vrbata, who could reunite with Hanzal or pair with rookie center Dylan Strome.

"It's logical to think he might go back beside Hanzal because he had some success there," Tippett said, "But Duclair had success there, too, and one of the kids may come up and have success, too.

"(Vrbata) is a smart player that adapts to situations. Positionally, he is a good fit for us as a right-handed skill shot, but I think he's got to play on a line that has the ability to control the puck so that they get shots."

Vrbata will certainly have some extra motivation, as his one-year pact comes with performance bonuses totaling $3.25 million. After being paid a $1-million base, the veteran winger can earn $500,000 for playing 30 games, another half-million for totaling either 20 goals or 40 points, and another $1.25 million in playoff-related bonuses.

The 35-year-old Vrbata originally came to the Coyotes following a 2007 trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, playing one season with the club before signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Just over a year later, he was dealt back to the Coyotes, with whom he spent the next five seasons.

Over six seasons with the team, he's scored 137 goals - 11th-most in franchise history.

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Daniel Alfredsson's crowning moment as the Ottawa Senators' franchise benchmark player will come Dec. 29, as the club announced Tuesday his iconic No. 11 will be retired against the Detroit Red Wings.

"Alfie," who spent 17 seasons with the club, setting team records in goals (426), assists (682), and points (1,108), was moved by the Senators' decision.

"I'm extremely humbled," Alfredsson said Tuesday, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. "It sounds really good when Mr. Melnyk and (master of ceremonies) Gord (Wilson) talk about what I achieved with all the goals and points ... I played for a long time so you have to get old to do that."

Alfredsson thanked his former teammates, coaches, staff, family and friends, and everyone along the journey that got him to this point.

"That's what makes this special: I'm extremely honored and humbled," he said.

Although he's looking forward to the ceremony, Alfredsson admitted he isn't quite sure what to expect.

"I don't think I understand what it means yet to be honest."

Guaranteed to receive a riveting standing ovation from the home crowd, Alfredsson is well aware holding back his emotions won't be an easy task.

"It's going to be pretty emotional I'm sure," he said. "My retirement night was emotional. I'm not afraid to cry. If I do, I'm fine with it."

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While the hockey world is focused on Nashville's newest prize in P.K. Subban, Predators GM David Poile was quick to remind it of Ryan Johansen.

Acquired in a January blockbuster deal from the Columbus Blue Jackets, Johansen fit in well during his short time in the Music City, filling a long-time need at center for the Predators.

"I think Ryan is going to have his best year ever (in the NHL)," Poile told SiriusXM NHL on Monday. "I mean, that's probably a lot of pressure and I guess a challenge. But he is a No. 1 center and I would say, with all due respect, he had an off-year last year and this year his conditioning is terrific.

"His off-season has been really good. He's going to be in Nashville at the end of this week in preparation for the season and I expect him to have the best year of his career."

In 42 games with Nashville last season, the 24-year-old Johansen scored eight goals and added 26 assists. He continued to find the net in the playoffs, managing eight points in 14 games, and contributing to the Predators' third playoff series win in franchise history.

Nashville has taken on a new look under head coach Peter Laviolette, with the Preds now seen as a team that pushes the pace in the offensive zone.

"We think we're going in the right direction," Poile added. "Last year was a good step in that process by beating Anaheim in the first round and taking San Jose to the seventh game in the second round.

"So hope springs eternal here that we feel we're certainly in the mix as a good team, and a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup next year. That's what the plan is."

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The Ottawa Senators announced Tuesday they will retire former captain Daniel Alfredsson's No. 11 before a Dec. 29 game next season against the Detroit Red Wings.

Alfredsson was selected by the newly formed Senators Player Honouring Committee and will join Frank Finnigan as just the second Senators player to have their number retired.

"Daniel is an iconic figure in the history of our franchise. We are very excited to announce that the Senators Player Honouring Committee has unanimously decided that as we embark on the Ottawa Senators 25th season in the NHL, this would be the perfect time to have Daniel’s number 11 raised to the rafters of Canadian Tire Centre," Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said in a release. "Daniel has consistently demonstrated class and excellence throughout his NHL career so it is only fitting his jersey number be retired to hang alongside the number 8 of legendary Frank Finnigan."

Alfredsson - who works as the Senators senior advisor of hockey operations - played 17 seasons with the Senators, captaining the club for 13 of them. His 426 goals, 682 assists, and 1,108 points all sit as Senators records.

The 43-year-old joined the Red Wings for the 2013-14 season where he contributed 18 goals and 49 points in 68 games.

On Dec. 4, 2014 Alfredsson signed a one-day contract with the Senators so he could formally retire as a member of the club the drafted him.

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The Arizona Coyotes officially signed forward Radim Vrbata to a one-year contract Tuesday, the team announced.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but ESPN's Craig Custance reported Monday that both parties agreed on a contract worth $1 million in base salary, along with bonuses.

"We are very pleased to sign Radim to a one-year contract," general manager John Chayka said in a statement. "He's a proven goal-scorer who will add skill and smarts to our lineup. We look forward to having him back in a Coyotes uniform this season."

Now 35, Vrbata played 428 games over six years with the organization from 2007-14. During that tenure, he amassed 137 goals and 288 points.

"I'm very excited to rejoin the Coyotes," said Vrbata. "My family and I love living in Arizona and I'm really looking forward to helping this team win."

After posting career highs in both goals and points - 31 and 63, respectively - as a Vancouver Canuck during the 2014-15 season, Vrbata's production tapered off. He only managed 13 goals and 27 points in 63 contests last season.

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