Jamie Oleksiak isn't the most decorated member of his family, but he did his best to get noticed by his parents Monday night.
The Dallas Stars defenseman and brother of Canadian Olympic swimming medalist Penny Oleksiak stick-handled past two members of the St. Louis Blues and buried his second goal of the season late in the second period Monday night.
Not bad for a player listed at 6'7 and 255 pounds.
Jim Rutherford believes two fading hockey traditions aren't necessary.
The Pittsburgh Penguins general manager joined the list of hockey personnel to speak up against morning practice sessions on game days, while also arguing that fighting isn't a vital part of the game when asked about the subjects Monday night.
Rutherford didn't sugarcoat his answer when asked about the point of a morning skate.
"There isn't one," the GM said at the '50 Years of Hockey' event in Pittsburgh.
"(The Montreal Canadiens) started (the) morning skate in the early '70s. (Penguins co-owner) Mario (Lemieux), (head) coach (Mike Sullivan) and I all don't care for it."
The architect of the defending Stanley Cup champions also dismissed the notion that fighting is essential.
"When you look at the best events in hockey, you don’t have any fighting," Rutherford said, according to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I don’t think we need it."
Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella did away with his team's morning skates earlier this season, and several other key NHL figures have argued against the game-day sessions in the last couple of years.
The frequency of fights has been dramatically reduced as the NHL has collectively shifted toward prioritizing speed and skill, which were precisely the qualities many believed separated the Penguins from the rest of the league during their championship run.
Bill Foley's team-naming headache might not be over just yet.
U.S. Army officials are reportedly looking into the Las Vegas NHL franchise's use of "Golden Knights," because that nickname belongs to the Army's parachute team.
"We're reviewing the situation and figuring out what the way ahead would be," Army Marketing and Research Group spokeswoman Alison Bettencourt told Steve DeVane of the Fayetteville Observer, a publication based near Fort Bragg military base in North Carolina.
Foley, the billionaire West Point graduate who owns the expansion club, announced the Golden Knights' team name and logo last Tuesday. He is apparently aware of the parachute team's name, but that isn't stopping the Army from taking a closer look.
"We understand that one of the Las Vegas team owners has Army connections, and will likely understand our interest in this announcement is meant to protect the proud history of the Army's Golden Knights and their vital role in telling the Army story and connecting America with their Army," Bettencourt said.
The former Florida Panthers head coach broke his silence Monday afternoon and addressed the organization that fired him Sunday night.
"(I) would like to thank (the) Panthers for two great years and (for) giving me (an) opportunity to be a head coach in the NHL," Gallant told TSN's Darren Dreger. "(I'm) really going to miss my players and staff, thanks."
Gallant guided the Panthers to their best season in franchise history in 2015-16, but Florida general manager and new head coach Tom Rowe said Monday that philosophical differences played a role in the decision to dismiss the now-departed bench boss.
Gallant's vision surely clashed with that of the Panthers' front office, but he won't likely have to wait long for another opportunity, given his track record.
Staal - whose timeline is not yet known - suffered the injury during Sunday's contest against the Florida Panthers, leaving the game after playing just 2:54.
The 28-year-old will exit the lineup in the midst of a seven-game pointless skid. In 21 games this season, Staal has five goals and nine points to his name.
The NHL All-Star Game will air on NBC for the first time in 13 years, as the event has been moved to the main network from NBCSN.
"As the NHL celebrates its Centennial, we’re excited to bring the pace and energy of the NHL All-Star Game to a network-television audience for the first time in more than a decade," said Sam Flood, executive producer at NBC Sports and NBCSN.
"This move, combined with the addition of games featuring rising young stars like Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid, as well as our upcoming 'Star Sunday' matchups, continues to illustrate our commitment to showcase the best talent in the NHL and grow the game of hockey in America."
Speaking of McDavid and Matthews, NBCSN had already announced the airing of Tuesday's game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers, meaning the pair is well on their way to reshaping the face of the league for years to come.
The 2017 All-Star Game is set for Jan. 29 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Last year's event, highlighted by John Scott's MVP performance, was the highest-rated All-Star game on NBCSN since the rights were acquired in 2005-06.
In a conference call Monday, team president Matt Caldwell said the team had high expectations after winning the Atlantic Division last season and making apparent upgrades over the summer, particularly to the blue line. Quite simply, those expectations were not being met early on under Gallant's guidance.
#FlaPanthers president and CEO Matthew Caldwell says management was unhappy with team's "inconsistent" performance at 20-game mark.
General manager Tom Rowe, who will officially take over as interim head coach for the balance of the season, stated there was no friction in the relationship and that the coaching staff and management worked together, with one caveat:
Tom Rowe: "There was definitely a philosophical divide" with Gerard Gallant.
Key to that divide is the fact Gallant wanted a bigger, tougher team, while management favors speed and skill in the mode of the 2016 Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.
Rowe added the Panthers considered waiting until the end of a six-game road trip to evaluate the situation, but blowing a 2-0 lead in Carolina on Sunday was enough of an impetus to make the move.
Gallant was notified by owner Frank Viola over the phone after making his postgame comments, while the players were made aware of the decision during the team's flight to Chicago.
Contrary to public perception, the fired coach was not left to fend for a ride, choosing instead to take a taxi on his own volition.
Now that the dust has settled, it's clear that Rowe will focus on coaching, while all Panthers personnel decisions will be made by Dale Tallon and assistant general managers Eric Joyce and Steve Werier.
Rowe's first game behind the bench will be Tuesday against the Blackhawks.
That's what Panthers CEO Doug Cifu maintains, at least, after a bevy of photos emerged of Gallant waiting for a taxi outside PNC Arena in Raleigh after being let go.
@jawsaholic@CruisingRay you really think we didn't offer to pay for a car? We bought an airline to fly the team...it was his choice guys.