The following five players were all expected to make their respective teams' opening day rosters, but were instead assigned to the American Hockey League, or even placed on waivers.

Jesse Puljujarvi, Oilers

Puljujarvi, the fourth overall pick from the 2016 NHL Draft, made the Oilers' opening night roster a year ago, but wasn't so lucky this time around.

Puljujarvi was beat out by the diminutive Kailer Yamamoto, Edmonton's 22nd overall pick from the 2017 NHL Draft.

The 6-foot-4 Puljujarvi only lasted 28 games with the Oilers to begin last season, collecting just one goal and seven assists. Upon being sent down to the AHL, he tallied 28 points in 39 games.

Given how high of a draft pick he was and his relative success in the AHL last year, Puljujarvi seemed like a lock to make the Oilers out of camp this season.

Kyle Connor, Jets

Connor had a tremendous season in the AHL a year ago, scoring 25 goals and adding 19 assists in 52 games with the Manitoba Moose. Winnipeg seemed to have a spot up for grabs in their top-9 forward group, and Connor seemed like the obvious fit.

The 20-year-old was chosen 17th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft and seemed poised to make the jump this year, but obviously the Jets deemed he still has some learning to do.

Thomas Chabot, Senators

Anyone who watched Chabot play for Canada at last year's World Juniors would have assumed he could have stepped into the NHL at that moment, let alone without an offseason of training to play in the world's best hockey league.

Once it was learned that Erik Karlsson would likely miss the start of the season and Marc Methot was lost in the expansion draft, Chabot seemed like a lock to make the team. However, the Sens will opt to start the season with a more experienced back end. Here is their projected top six:

Head coach Guy Boucher didn't mince words when assessing Chabot, saying "He hasn't surpassed our regular guys."

Malcolm Subban, Bruins

This may have been the most surprising move of them all. Subban, the Bruins' first round pick in 2012, needed to clear waivers in order to be sent down to the minors. The Bruins didn't seem to care though, as he was claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights.

Subban, 23, didn't play all that well in his four games this preseason, posting an .889 save percentage and a 2.71 goals-against average, but he has put together an impressive AHL career thus far:

Obviously nobody is unseating Tuukka Rask as Boston's starting goalie, but 31-year-old Anton Khudobin wasn't exactly spectacular as the backup last season, recording a 2.64 GAA and a .904 SV% in 16 games.

Frederick Gaudreau, Predators

Unlike the previous four names on this list, Gaudreau wasn't a first round pick. In fact, he was far from it, as he wasn't even drafted.

However, when both Ryan Johansen and Mike Fisher went down during the playoffs last year, Gaudreau was brought up to provide center depth and he performed admirably, scoring three goals in eight games.

Given his playoff performance, and the fact that Nick Bonino missed the entire preseason, it's surprising Gaudreau wasn't able to carve out a spot on the Preds' 23-man roster.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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Bruins general manager Don Sweeney was really hoping goaltender Malcolm Subban would go unclaimed after Boston placed him on waivers, but it wasn't to be, as the Vegas Golden Knights jumped on the opportunity to nab the former first-round draft pick.

"I had my fingers crossed that it wasn't gonna happen," Sweeney said, according to NBC Sports' Joe Haggerty. "But that's part of the business, and we wish Malcolm obviously success in the opportunity that he's going to get. But it's a loss for us.

"Am I surprised? I think Malcolm has taken a step, and I'm not surprised in the situation. Vegas is doing what they're trying to build. Obviously, (Bruins goaltender) Zane (McIntyre) had experience last year and had a very good run. Daniel (Vladar) probably, if Malcolm does stay there, will get an opportunity to back up in Providence and get the exposure there at the next level. It's disappointing. We've had a lot of time invested in Malcolm, and we were seeing him grow as a person on and off the ice."

While Subban was claimed by Vegas, he's still likely to end up in the AHL again, slotting in between Marc-Andre Fleury and Calvin Pickard.

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The Buffalo Sabres are on the cusp of locking up the face of their franchise, as the club and Jack Eichel are closing in on an eight-year extension with an expected average annual value of $10 million, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports.

Eichel is going into the last year of his entry-level contract, and would be a restricted free agent after the 2017-18 season.

Assuming his contract kicks in at the beginning of the 2018-19 season, his $10 million AAV would be the tied with Anze Kopitar for the NHL's fifth-highest mark, behind Connor McDavid, Carey Price, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane.

Eichel, 20, recorded 24 goals and 33 assists in 61 games a year ago.

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Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson was suspended four games for boarding St. Louis Blues defenseman Sam Blais, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced on Tuesday.

The incident in question occurred in the second period of Sunday's contest when Wilson caught Blais with an apparent hit from behind. Wilson was immediately assessed a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct.

Since Wilson also earned a suspension for interference on Blues forward Robert Thomas two weeks ago, Wilson was considered a repeat offender under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

W

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The Vegas Golden Knights, the Foley Family Charitable Trust, and the NHL announced Tuesday a joint donation of $300,000 to aid the victims of Sunday's mass shooting in Las Vegas and the first responders who attended the scene.

It was also announced that the league, teams, and players will honor victims at this week's season-opening games under the banner "Vegas United." In addition, pledge drives and other fundraisers will provide further assistance to the city of Las Vegas.

On Monday, the Golden Knights announced "events, in-arena recognition, player involvement, and awareness initiatives" to aid the relief efforts.

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Connor McDavid is projected to win another Art Ross Trophy by a landslide.

The Edmonton Oilers phenom's over/under points line has been set at 101.5, a cool 12 points higher than Chicago's Patrick Kane.

Here's a look at the top 11 projected scorers, courtesy of Bodog:

Related: Predicting the NHL's top 5 scorers

McDavid finished last season with exactly 100 points, but topped Sidney Crosby in points per game by a slim margin of 1.22 to 1.19.

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A lot has changed since 1990. Fads have come and gone, fashion trends have alternated, and opinions have shifted.

Such is the case with the ageless wonder that is Jaromir Jagr.

Through the years, the long-haired sniper has transformed from a seemingly selfish villain to an admired elder statesman of the league. People - especially younger fans - tend to forget that Jagr was once known as much for his arrogant attitude and trade demands as he was for scoring goals.

Perhaps Jagr was just another misunderstood professional athlete, but more likely, he created the negative perception with his words and actions. He made no secret of viewing hockey as a cash cow - rather than as the game he grew up loving - and that built his reputation as a money-first, me-first player.

Don't forget that Jagr called for a trade away from the Pittsburgh Penguins - and was subsequently dealt to the Washington Capitals in 1999 - before inking the richest contract, at the time, in NHL history.

Jagr was immediately deemed a selfish player who turned his back on the Penguins' organization and fans. He insisted the deal was done to help Pittsburgh lock down future stars, but the damage to his public profile was done.

And it wasn't just Jagr's trade demand; his salute, his greasy flow, and his swagger made the hockey world want to hate him.

His perceived bad attitude saw his stock plummet, and so despite remaining productive through two-and-a-half seasons with Washington (190 regular-season games and 201 points), and another four years with the New York Rangers (277 games, 319 points), Jagr received few legitimate NHL offers when his contract expired in 2008.

In response, he shocked the hockey world by bolting for a lucrative deal with Avangard Omsk of the KHL.

But that wasn't the end of Jagr's NHL story.

He left the league as a disgruntled veteran looking for a fresh start, and came back as a rejuvenated 39-year-old with a point to prove. Sure, the days of 100-point seasons and Hart Trophies were gone, but Jagr had altered his game - both on and off the ice.

He returned for the 2011-12 campaign with the Philadelphia Flyers, recording a respectable 54 points across 73 games by utilizing his playmaking abilities and silky mitts to make up for his decreasing speed. And, while his soft hands were the same, Jagr had morphed into the fun-loving personality we've come to embrace over the past few years.

Instead of the cocky demeanor and selfish approach from his youth, Jagr began displaying his quirky humor, his hilarious social media presence, and his newfound light-hearted style.

With that in mind, fans have seemingly overlooked his declining skills to shower No. 68 with love and praise at every turn in the years since. He's gone from a player no general manger or coach wanted, to being one of the best locker room guys in the league - something that doesn't happen very often in pro sports.

Jagr's professional turnaround was solidified with the 2015-16 Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the sport - an award he would never have been considered for during his prime.

And whether you agree with the Calgary Flames signing him or not, the 45-year-old can still contribute to the team, while continuing to grace the league with his valuable - and extremely positive - presence.

He may not have done it overnight, but Jagr has truly evolved from villain into NHL sweetheart, and the league as a whole is better for it.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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theScore's NHL team simulated the 2017-18 regular season using EA Sports NHL 18. Injuries and trades were turned off, allowing for a more precise analysis of what each team is capable of at full strength as currently constructed.

Here are the results:

Standings

Atlantic

• This simulation forecasts a big bounce-back campaign for the Panthers, predicting that Bob Boughner's debut behind the bench leads the Cats back to the postseason.
• Elsewhere, the Bruins, Sabres, and Lightning are forced to settle with especially disappointing results.

Metropolitan

• Sheesh, how about those Rangers? A 118-point finish would establish a new franchise record and be enough to run away with the Presidents' Trophy.
• The other teams to qualify from the Metro aren't too surprising, but what on earth happened to the Flyers?

Central

• Nashville builds off last year's Cup run to claim the Central title, while Chicago maintains its reputation as a perennial championship contender.
• The most surprising aspect of this division has to be Dallas in last place, as the Stars' big offseason didn't translate into the success they hoped for.

Pacific

• NHL 18 expects big things from the Pacific in 2017-18, predicting the division will send five teams to the playoffs.
• The Vancouver-Colorado-Vegas triumvirate at the bottom could very well turn out to be true. Don't fret, though, Golden Knights fans, you didn't finish dead last!

Individual Awards

Hart - Alex Ovechkin

• Ovi notched 61 goals to earn the fourth MVP award of his career, but can he finally deliver in the playoffs? Stay tuned.

Vezina

• Rinne had a season to remember, posting a record of 49-22-4 to go with 10 shutouts. The 34-year-old also led the league in save percentage (.933) and goals-against average (1.96).

Norris - Duncan Keith

• The NHL's consensus top defenseman, Erik Karlsson, misses out on hardware for the third season in a row, as Keith captures his third Norris at age 34.

Here are the other award recipients:

Wondering the whereabouts of Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby? The two phenoms finished with shockingly low totals of 83 and 80 points, respectively, despite appearing in all 82 games.

Playoff Bracket

• As it turns out, Ovechkin and the Capitals couldn't overcome the Penguins once again, as Pittsburgh's elimination of Washington came one round sooner than usual. For the defending champs, though, the quest for a three-peat fell short in Round 2.
• The Predators once again handled the Blackhawks with ease, producing yet another sweep of their nemeses, this time in Round 2.
• The young Maple Leafs just squeaked into the dance, but managed to reach their first conference final since 2002, where it ended emphatically at the hands of the Rangers in five games.
• McDavid and the Oilers found little success in living up to sky-high expectations, bowing out in six games to the Sharks.

And finally ...

2017-18 Stanley Cup winner: New York Rangers

• The Blueshirts captured their fifth Stanley Cup in franchise history, sweeping the Predators to conclude what was a dominant season and playoff run.
• Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist captured the Conn Smythe, backing the Rangers to a 16-4 playoff record.

(Photos courtesy: NHL 18)

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The Vancouver Canucks have acquired defenseman Derrick Pouliot from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for prospect Andrey Pedan and a 2018 fourth-round draft pick, the team announced Tuesday.

Pouliot, 23, was the eighth overall pick in the 2012 draft, but has spent the majority of his pro career in the AHL. In 67 games with the Penguins, he's registered two goals and 12 assists.

Pedan, meanwhile, was a third-round pick of the Islanders in 2011. The 6-foot-5 blue-liner has only appeared in 13 NHL games, failing to record a point.

The pick the Penguins acquired replaces the fourth-rounder they dealt to Tampa Bay at last season's deadline for Mark Streit.

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Covers.com is the biggest and best source for sports betting information, providing unrivaled and original content sports bettors cannot live without.

The puck drops on a new NHL campaign on Wednesday and that’s good news for bettors looking to find weak betting lines.

Oddsmakers agonize over each number they hang on pigskin spread and totals because of the sheer volume of action placed on NFL and college football games. That’s not the case with hockey.

There are opportunities to make some dough wagering on a fringe sport like the NHL while the eye of Sauron – aka the book – is solely focused on football.

Here’s a look at a few early season NHL betting trends to keep in mind before the skates hit the ice and shoulders hit the boards on Wednesday night.

Bet Under the game totals early on

Excluding pushes, the Under is 318-259 (55.1 win rate) in October since the start of the 2013-14 season. Last year the Over went 19-9-7 in the first week of the season but finished 55-65-9 by the end of the month.

“I’d say we see that Under trend for a few reasons,” TSN’s Dustin Nielson told Covers. “Shooters are still rusty from the offseason, for the most part defenseman are healthy, and coaching is still fresh to the players so they are focused on playing systems as opposed to playing a little loosey goosey like they would later in the season.”

Bet on the Montreal Canadiens

If the season ended on Halloween, the Habs would be four-time defending champions. Montreal is 34-11 in games in October since the 2013 campaign, including 8-1 last season. If you had bet $100 on Montreal in each of its games in October since 2013, you’d be up $1635.75 or 16.36 units.

The Canadiens aren’t the only team that gets out of the blocks quickly. The Pittsburgh Penguins are 28-14 over the same stretch, but of course oddsmakers make you pay a premium to back the club with Sidney Crosby.

Best puckline bet: Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals continue to disappoint in the playoffs but that shouldn’t discourage NHL bettors from backing them in the regular season. The Caps have won the last two Presidents’ Trophies (awarded to the team with the most points at the end of the regular season) and their success has spilled over to the puckline as well.

For those unfamiliar, the puckline is just like betting the runline in baseball which means backing a team at plus or minus 1.5-goal spread. Washington would normally always be the favorite meaning you’d be betting them at -1.5 goals. Betting the Caps this way means improved odds, which explains why they had a 37-42 record on the puckline last year but still finished up 15.39 units for the season.

If you bet $100 on the Caps on the puckline in each of their regular season games over the last three seasons, you’d be up $3436 or 34.36 units.

Not too shabby.

Best Under team: Los Angeles Kings

The Kings are one of the slowest-skating teams in the NHL and they used to have one of the best goalies in the world. Netminder Jonathan Quick missed all but 17 games last season and the Under still went 37-24-21 for the Kings in 2016-17.

That brought the Under win rate to 57.4 percent for the Kings in the regular season over the last four years. And that’s with this team seeing more 5-goal totals than any other team in the league.

Last season all seven teams in the Pacific division saw more Unders than Overs with the San Jose Sharks being the worst offenders with a 22-37-13 Over/Under record for the season.

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