James Reimer shouldn't expect to see a pre-produced video tribute when he returns to Air Canada Centre as a member of the Florida Panthers.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are unlikely to officially recognize Reimer on Thursday night beyond a quick turn on the arena's in-house camera, according to Postmedia's Lance Hornby.
Reimer spent parts of six seasons with the Leafs from 2010-16, leading them to a first-round playoff appearance in 2013. He ranks second in franchise history in save percentage (.914) and 10th in wins (85).
Wayne Gretzky was never known as a fighter during his playing days, but he did drop the gloves a handful of times.
While appearing on "Conan" on Tuesday night, the NHL legend was asked about his most memorable fights, and shared an entertaining story about the time he and Bob Murray squared off.
Gretzky also spoke about his idol, Gordie Howe, who passed away in June.
McIntyre was recalled from the AHL's Providence Bruins on Tuesday. He came into Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Wild in relief of Malcolm Subban, who allowed three goals on 15 shots.
The 22-year-old McIntyre played 29:24 and stopped 15 of 17 shots. Wednesday's game marks his first NHL start.
Bruins starting goalie Tuukka Rask remains day to day with general soreness, while backup Anton Khudobin is sidelined three weeks with an upper-body injury.
A third-round pick in 2014, the 22-year-old made his NHL debut last season, appearing in 13 games and tallying a pair of points along the way.
The Canucks hoped he would build on that performance this year, but Tryamkin's training camp testing - when he showed up out of shape - quickly halted any progress.
Here's where it gets tricky.
The Canucks drafted Tryamkin out of the KHL, where he'd spent the past four seasons, playing the pro game and making pro money.
To recruit the Russian blue-liner to Vancouver, the Canucks agreed he could return to Russia should he not earn a spot in the NHL. It's known as a European assignment clause and it effectively keeps Tryamkin out of the AHL.
Given his poor showing at camp, Tryamkin has been a healthy scratch for all seven games and he continues to train to get into game shape.
Further complicating the issue is Tryamkin can't get into game shape without actually playing, though Canucks general manager Jim Benning believes he simply isn't ready. He also reaffirmed that Tryamkin won't report to Utica, N.Y., home to the Canucks' AHL affiliate.
"There is no possibility that he will play in the (AHL)," said Benning, according to Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun. "We’ve explored that. We’ve talked to him and his agent and he has said no. In a perfect world, we’d like him to get some games (in the minors). But it is what it is. He is working hard in practice and doing extra work."
Still, the Canucks remain committed to Tryamkin, a tantalizing defensive prospect and a towering presence at 6-foot-7. A decision will come at some point, whether Tryamkin stays with the Canucks or returns to Russia.
"I think Nikita has practiced hard. He's certainly better than he was three weeks ago," added Canucks coach Willie Desjardins. "I'm still real excited about him as a player. But he has to get himself, a little mentally, too, up to the intensity of every shift.
"One of the parts of being a Canuck is being in good shape and being ready to play the way you can play. That’s one of the things we expect from our players. And when you’re not that, then you get into a different scenario."
Toronto Maple Leafs supporters were hurting a bit more than usual Tuesday night. They let Steven Stamkos, born just north of the city, know about it.
The Lightning captain returned home for his first game since re-upping on a long-term contract with Tampa Bay, spurning Toronto in free agency, and for the first time he was booed by folks in his hometown.
No matter, though. It only made Stamkos better. He scored twice and added two helpers in a 7-3 whipping of the Maple Leafs.
"It motivates you a little bit when you hear that stuff," Stamkos said, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Joe Smith.
It took 80 seconds for Stamkos to shut the crowd up. He had two goals by the end of the first period.
"I don't know if you expect that," Stamkos said of scoring early, "it couldn't have happened any better. You feel more confident when it happens."
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper acknowledged that Stamkos' decision about his future over the summer was tough, but he's obviously happy with how things have turned out.
"I think Stammer is a great son to Toronto," Cooper said.
Maple Leafs fans would not-so-respectfully disagree. For now, at least.
David Backes is going to need a little longer to heal.
The Boston Bruins forward had a minor elbow procedure performed Monday and his condition will be updated after this weekend, the club announced Wednesday.
That means, in all likelihood, the veteran will miss Wednesday's game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden and Saturday's contest in Detroit against the Red Wings.
Austin Czarnik was recalled from the Bruins' AHL affiliate in Providence in a corresponding move.
SEOUL, South Korea - National Hockey League representatives are in South Korea to inspect Olympic facilities as the league mulls a decision on whether to let its players appear for a sixth consecutive Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Pyeongchang's organizing committee said the NHL delegation led by vice president of international strategy Lynn White and facilities operation manager Dan Craig will make inspections on Thursday and Friday of facilities in Gangneung, a city near Pyeongchang which will host the ice hockey tournament during the 2018 Winter Games.
The International Olympic Committee's negotiations with the NHL over having the league's players competing in Pyeongchang have stalled over the IOC's decision not to pay for NHL players' travel and insurance as it has in the past.
So, former NHL defenseman Mike Commodore's a part-time Uber driver.
"I'm single, I've got no kids, I was just looking for something to get me out of the house and keep me out of the bars," Commodore said earlier in the week. "I don't mind driving. I like to meet people and I like to talk to people. I'll definitely do it again, one night a weekend or maybe even during the week."
Get that paper, Mike.
In the spirit of free-market capitalism, innovation, and the sharing economy, here are four current NHLers - and some honorable mentions - who would make excellent Uber drivers.
Jaromir Jagr
No. 68 is an easy pick. Think about the stories Jaromir Jagr could tell.
Dude's 44 years old and has played pro hockey for more than half his life, in Pittsburgh, Washington, New York City, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, New Jersey, Miami, and Siberia.
He'd probably guilt you out of wherever it is you were planning to go and take you to the gym instead. Days off are for quitters.
The craziest part: If Burns did in fact drive an Uber around the Bay Area, no one would be surprised. It would simply be part of Burns' charm. And would make for an awesome night.
Get on this, San Jose Sharks. Your marketing department can thank us later.
Jonathan Toews
Captain Serious. Yep, Jonathan Toews. Think about it. It would be amazing.
Or you could talk to him about what it's like to win everything there is to win in hockey by the age of 28. Three Stanley Cups. A Conn Smythe Trophy. A Selke. World Junior Championship gold (twice). World Championship gold. Olympic gold (twice). The World Cup. His resume is ridiculous.
Toews is so much more of a character than he's given credit for. It'd be a ride, all right. And he'd definitely offer up the aux cord.
Roberto Luongo
Think. About. The. Tweets.
Think about Roberto Luongo driving an Uber and tweeting about each of his passengers after the ride. Yeah, you'd be entertained. On the ride and after.
Honorable Mentions
P.K. Subban
You get the feeling P.K. Subban would show you an incredible time in Nashville.
Alex Ovechkin
You also get the feeling Alex Ovechkin would show you an incredible time in D.C. and Moscow.
Tyler Seguin
Tyler Seguin probably knows where to party in Dallas. And Boston. And Toronto.
Phil Kessel
An Uber ride with Phil Kessel would probably be the most awkward Uber ride of all time. And that's what would make it worth taking.
Jonathan Toews and his girlfriend, Lindsey Vecchione, dressed up as a pair of skeletons for an early Halloween party, as evidenced by the Chicago Blackhawks center's Instagram post Tuesday night.
The deal gives the company the exclusive right to produce replica sweaters and products for quick turnaround, including Stanley Cup champion dressing room apparel.
The agreement should expedite the process of making and selling apparel for special occasions, and should decrease wait times for popular player jerseys like that of Toronto Maple Leafs sensation Auston Matthews, whose sweater wasn't immediately available following his historic four-goal debut.
The Adidas logo won't appear on the Fanatics replicas, according to the report. Adidas takes over from Reebok as the NHL's official on-ice apparel provider next season.
Fanatics reportedly signed a similar contract with Major League Baseball last week, under the terms of which Fanatics will gain "broad apparel rights" when Under Armour takes over as the official on-field apparel provider in 2020.
