TORONTO - Hundreds of coaches from all levels of hockey gathered at Humber College this past weekend for the TeamSnap Hockey Coaches Conference.

The annual two-day event featured a series of presentations from a diverse list of speakers. This year’s headliners included two former NHL head coaches, Senators associate coach Marc Crawford and Oilers assistant coach Glen Gulutzan.

Related - Q&A: Marc Crawford on millennials, Auston Matthews, and the Senators

Here are four takeaways from the conference:

In vogue: Keep the puck, find the middle man

Industry meet-ups can be useful for identifying tactical trends across the NHL.

From an Xs and Os perspective, the study of different offensive zone entries is definitely in vogue. And coaches are almost exclusively promoting creativity over mundane approaches like the dump-and-chase.

Jets assistant coach Todd Woodcroft broke down the importance of puck management and forcing the opposition to make mistakes when hemmed in their own end.

"Hockey, really, it’s not about scoring," Woodcroft said, quoting his boss, Jets head coach Paul Maurice. "Hockey is about creating offensive zone time, offensive zone pressure, and sustaining it."

Upon entry, the puck carrier has a number of viable options. A popular pick: feeding the puck to a teammate streaking through the middle of the ice. Woodcroft noted that some teams - like the Maple Leafs, Oilers, Sharks, Blackhawks, and Jets - are known as "middle drive" clubs, meaning they nearly always attempt to feed that streaker.

Naturally, Woodcroft used Jets winger Patrik Laine to demonstrate this type of entry. Laine, who has 80 goals in 155 NHL games, is exceptional at hustling to the net while a teammate brings the puck into the offensive zone. The Finnish sniper will find the middle lane and prepare for a scoring chance.

Below are a couple of examples of Laine doing his thing. Notice in these two GIFs how Laine keeps his feet moving through transition, presents himself as a pass target, and reacts instantly when the puck enters his orbit:

Laine's signature move may be his wicked shot, but his willingness to make a B-line for the goalmouth is probably underrated. He loves that middle lane.

Woodcroft, who broke into the NHL in 2000 as a video coach for the Minnesota Wild, says the Jets encourage all of their skaters "to take the ice in front of them at all times." If a defenseman happens to be the puck carrier at the offensive blue line, so be it.

"It used to be that the D were told to hold the blue line - your job is to defend," he said of a league-wide trend toward operating in five-man units. "Now we’re seeing how much the D are involved. Guys like Erik Karlsson - not only are they involved in the rush, they’re leading the rush."

Hartsburg an open book to teens

Mental health awareness is another area of the sport - and society, for that matter - gaining traction.

Chris Hartsburg is doing his part to minimize the suck-it-up attitude prevalent inside dressing rooms. The 38-year-old head coach of the OHL’s Erie Otters has no problem telling players about his battle with depression.

"For me, it’s nothing to be afraid of," Hartsburg said in an interview. "There’s not as much stigma towards it anymore and it’s slowly starting to get to the point where everyone is being very open about it. But, you still have the issues where people are either ashamed, afraid, or they don’t know what’s going on, and I think it’s important to have open dialogue about it."

Hartsburg says he was diagnosed with eight concussions during a playing career that plateaued with five pro seasons. The Colorado College alumnus suffered all eight in his mid-20s, but he didn't start suffering from depression until his 30s.

"You’re in a dark place. You don’t feel like getting out of bed," said the son of former NHL head coach Chris Hartsburg. "You just sit there and don’t do anything and, fortunately, my wife was a big turning point for me and helping me feel better about myself. She pushed me to get help, see a therapist, and find the medication that works for me. Those are the types of things that I found worked.

"I can’t control my depression, unfortunately. It’s going to be there and, potentially, it could get worse. I can combat it. I’m active, I did as much as I can to get outside and enjoy the outdoor life. But it wasn’t fun and it’s something that I don’t allow to control me anymore."

Where is the love for goalies?

Steve Briere of the Maple Leafs made a valid point during his presentation outlining a development plan for goalies - North Americans don’t give netminders enough TLC.

Through work trips overseas, the renowned goalie coach has noticed some countries - namely goalie factories Sweden and Finland - place a greater emphasis on building up the position and the people playing it from an early age.

"The No. 1 thing they do is they praise goaltenders," Briere said of Finland, home to NHL starters Pekka Rinne, Tuukka Rask, and Antti Raanta.

Briere feels that parents and coaches in Canada and the U.S. tend to make excuses for why young players shouldn’t be goalies. He constantly hears about kids being too skilled or too tall or too fast to strap on the pads.

Also grinding his gears: "Goalies only try to work on the mental side of the game when they start struggling. The problem with (that strategy is that) it’s too late. You talk to a goalie when he’s struggling and he doesn’t hear half of the things you’re saying to him. OK? So that’s something we need to work on every day."

Briere, as you can imagine, is the ultimate goalie spokesperson.

"Everything I have in my life is from being a goalie. I’m a midget. I’m a short, fat, bald guy from Winnipeg," he said. "I’ve got a masters degree, a beautiful wife, beautiful kids, I’ve been around the world - all from being a goalie. It was the greatest gift I’ve ever been given."

Jagr apparently a man of his word

Finally, an anecdote about the man, the myth, the legend - Jaromir Jagr.

Presenter Dave Barr, who coached the future Hall of Famer in both New Jersey (2013-14, 2014-15) and Florida (2015-16), relayed an amusing story from an undisclosed assistant coach.

"There’s a knock at the door. He’s the closest coach to the door so he goes to the door and it’s Jagr," started Barr, now an assistant coach for the San Jose Sharks.

"Jagr says, 'Tell the (head) coach that I feel great tonight. I feel great, tell the coach I feel great. I get points, I get goals for sure tonight. Tell him!'

"So, he goes, 'OK, I’ll tell him, I’ll tell him.' (Jagr) goes away."

"Coaches meeting is a half hour later and the head coach, at the end, says 'Anybody got anything?' Assistant coach says, 'Yeah,' he goes, 'Jagr came by and said he feels great tonight, can you give him a few extra shifts?' Head coach goes, 'OK, I’ll squeeze him in, I’ll give him a few extra shifts.'

"That game: two and two. Jagr: two goals, two assists. And they win.

"Next game, knock on the door - this is a true story ... same assistant coach goes to the door, opens it, 'I feel good again, I’m telling you I feel great. Tell the coach to play me!'

"He gets three and one.

"So, this goes on for a little bit ...

"Another knock on the door - this is a couple of weeks later now. Assistant coach (thinks it’s) Jagr again. Opens the door, it’s Jagr.

"Jagr says, 'Tell the coach I just got back from Vegas, I feel like s---! Don’t play me too much tonight!'"

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Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor domestic assault charge Tuesday after admitting to pushing his girlfriend at a gas station in June, according to Natalie Neysa Alund of The Tennessean.

Watson will be placed on probation, and any violation could result in up to a year in jail. Among the conditions of his probation, Watson is ordered to complete 26 weeks of a batterer intervention course.

If convicted, Austin faces up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, and up to a $2,500 fine.

The 26-year-old was free on $4,500 bond, and the Predators released the following statement after his arrest.

Watson signed a three-year, $3.3-million contract with the Predators last summer, and had 19 points in 76 games in 2017-18.

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The Anaheim Ducks and defenseman Brandon Montour will avoid an arbitrator's decision after agreeing to a two-year contract on Tuesday, the team announced.

The two sides came to the agreement during their arbitration meeting in Toronto, according to The Athletic's Eric Stephens. Both sides worked to hammer out a deal all day Monday and into the night.

On Sunday, it was reported the gap was $3 million, with Montour seeking a one-year pact at $4.75 million and the Ducks countering with a two-year contract worth roughly $1.5 million per season.

The 24-year-old is coming off his first full season with the Ducks that saw him post a respectable nine goals and 32 points in 80 games.

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A contract dispute has ended Carolina Hurricanes radio play-by-play announcer Chuck Kaiton's time with the franchise after 39 years, according to Luke DeCock of The News & Observer.

Kaiton's agent countered Carolina's initial offer, which included a significant pay cut, but Hurricanes' new owner Tom Dundon wouldn't budge.

"I was hoping for a reasonable offer to stay but obviously the offer was an invitation to leave," Kaiton said.

"It's his decision to offer what he offered and it was quite a substantial decrease. It really basically told me they weren't that interested in keeping me. That's life. It's his team."

Dundon has made a series of changes within the Hurricanes' organization since taking over in January, including replacing general manager Ron Francis with Don Waddell and hiring Rod Brind'Amour as head coach.

Kaiton won the Hockey Hall of Fame's Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for broadcasting excellence in 2004. His career began with the Hartford Whalers during the team's inaugural season in 1979-80, and he had been with the club ever since.

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The St. Louis Blues and Joel Edmundson have saved themselves from the uneasiness of arbitration.

St. Louis announced that the two sides agreed to a one-year, $3-million contract ahead of Wednesday's scheduled hearing.

The 25-year-old is coming off his third season with the Blues that saw him post career highs in both goals (seven) and points (17).

Edmundson ranked third on the team in ice time this past season, behind only Alex Pietrangelo and Colton Parayko, averaging 20:44 a night, while also leading all Blues skaters in blocked shots per game.

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It's not all doom and gloom for the New York Islanders, according to one New York Islander.

Despite proclamations of the team's inevitable decline following John Tavares' departure in free agency, defenseman Johnny Boychuk says there is still a lot to like.

"I've already seen some people pegging us as being in the bottom. That's just a slap in the face when I see it," Boychuk told Arthur Staple of The Athletic. "Our team is really good. I think we're going to show them we are a good team."

It's been an offseason of major moves for the Islanders, beginning in the front office, where legendary executive Lou Lamoriello succeeded longtime general manager Garth Snow and veteran bench boss and Stanley Cup champion Barry Trotz was recruited to take the coaching reins from Doug Weight.

When Tavares left for his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, Lamoriello used the cap space to ink Leo Komarov, Valtteri Filppula, and Jan Kovar in free agency, and re-acquired tough customer Matt Martin. The team also signed Robin Lehner in hopes of solving its goaltending woes.

On Monday, New York re-signed restricted free agent Brock Nelson to a one-year deal. The veteran center is expected to be a top-six pivot for the Islanders this season alongside reigning Calder Trophy winner Mathew Barzal.

That group has Boychuk confident that New York will prove its doubters wrong as the team aims for its third playoff appearance in the past five seasons.

"People shouldn't be worrying about one person. In hockey, one person does not make a team. At all," Boychuk added. "One guy can't carry a whole team, be the whole team. It was an important player for us but there's 23 players on a team and you have to hold 23 players accountable to win a season, a championship.

"If you play bad as a team, one player can play good all year but you're still gonna lose. That's why it's a team sport."

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The New York Islanders have agreed to terms with forward Brock Nelson on a one-year extension, the team announced Monday.

The new contract reportedly carries a $4.25-million cap hit, according to The Athletic's Arthur Staple.

Re-signing the restricted free agent allows the Islanders to avoid an arbitration hearing that was set for Aug. 3.

Nelson is coming off a three-year agreement that carried a $2.5-million average annual value.

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TORONTO - Marc Crawford is at the point in his career where he's game planning to beat teams built by his former players.

The 57-year-old Senators associate coach won a Stanley Cup with Avalanche GM Joe Sakic as his captain. He was the final head coach during Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin's playing career. Crawford also walked the bench behind Kings GM Rob Blake as well as two assistant GMs in Tom Fitzgerald (Devils) and Craig Conroy (Flames).

Which means Crawford - whose NHL coaching resume spans 16 seasons, five teams, and countless outbursts - has been forced to evolve.

"I've lost a lot of jobs because of how I have been and how I have been perceived," Crawford said this past weekend during a presentation about interacting with millennials at the TeamSnap Hockey Coaches Conference.

“This generation,” Crawford added, “really thrives (on) and wants communication. They want interaction, they want a little bit of control over things, and when you meet with people and you talk with people, those sorts of things happen.”

Crawford chatted with theScore on Saturday about millennials, working with Auston Matthews overseas, and his mindset ahead of Senators training camp.

Note: This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length.

theScore: It feels like millennials and Generation Z’ers get a bad rap. You’re a champion for them. Why?

Crawford: "You have to be. It's your job as a coach to try to be understood, to try and get your message across, and to try and help people get to the next level. I think this generation has a lot of wonderful qualities, and I think it's important that we look at the positive aspects of their personalities or the things that they have been through. They’ve been through a lot.

"I didn’t have to worry about having a cell phone when I was a kid. It was a big thing to sit in the back room of my parents' house and talk on the phone to my girlfriend and say, 'Hey, what are you doing? Hey, how 'ya doing?' That sort of thing. Now they’re texting that to one another (and are hooked on social media). The generations haven't changed a lot, it's just different platforms that they're using.

"These guys have so many new skills. Their ability to multi-task, their ability to accept information is pretty important. I think, for us (coaches), if you can help them with retaining it, if you can help them with coping mechanisms for the sport - how to combat anxiety, how to combat some of the things that maybe we did a little bit more naturally, because we played a lot more in younger generations, whether it be road hockey or whether it be in the backyard, that sort of thing - this group is really good. They're the best-coached generation that I've seen. The skill that they come into the league with now is amazing. And that's a product of them working with skills coaches and a lot of them having a lot of individual attention in their upbringing. Again, I think it's positive. They're more ready for what we're ready to give them than maybe previous generations.”

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

theScore: You have lived two NHL coaching lives ...

Crawford: "Maybe three or four." (laughs)

theScore: Fair. You had a long run, then you spent five years in Europe, four of them coaching in the top Swiss league. What was the biggest change when you returned to the NHL in 2016?

Crawford: "One of the things that changed a lot for me was that when I went to Switzerland I had a smaller staff, just one assistant coach, so I had to do a lot more. That was great for my own personal development - it got me back a little bit more to my roots. But the other thing that was important when I went to Europe was my social group … I didn't have one. I had the players, I had their families, so I started to socialize a lot more with players and their wives. My wife and I did some babysitting for players, that sort of thing. I got to know the hockey people in our organization, too, and that became my social network.

"In the past, when I was coaching in the NHL, I really didn't want to become that close with players, because I was a guy that had to be hard, I was a guy that had to be demanding. I think what I found - and it was a big change for me - is that I really liked the interaction of being around the players. It changed me, because I didn't want to lose that connection that I had with them, I didn't want to lose their trust. So, maybe I started to frame my messages a little bit better - and, really, that's personal growth. I felt the personal growth coming out of Europe was very important, and it's shaped me for dealing with this new culture of players. …

“It is simple common-sense communication that is at the forefront of everything. If you can talk to a person face to face, if you can listen to them as much as you're speaking with them, if you can talk with them and not at them - I think you're getting a platform where players feel comfortable about giving input and I think that's what they want."

theScore: A big part of that Switzerland experience was taking in an 18-year-old Auston Matthews. Now that you’ve seen him develop over the past two years in the NHL, which areas of his game would you say have improved the most?

Crawford: "The NHL forces your team game to become a lot better. Watching him protect the puck - he's taken it from a level where he was very good to a level where you just can't get the puck off him. His ability to understand what to do when he doesn't have the puck is at a higher level. He's always had a great capacity to work, he's always been a guy that is first on the ice and is a tireless worker. He's taken ownership and control of his career from a very early age. He's got great parents. He's very respectful. I love Auston. I feel so fortunate for having been around him for a year and I love seeing the success that he has (earned).

“The night he scored four goals against us in Ottawa, I was secretly cheering for him (laughs). I was so glad when we ended up winning the game in overtime because we got the best of both worlds. Now, his team game and his team understanding has gone to a different level, and his puck-protection skills have gone to a new level from when I had him in Zurich.”

theScore: Matthews has a crafty takeaway move where he lifts the opponent’s stick to steal the puck and transitions into attack mode instantly, avoiding a penalty. Did he have that mentality in Europe?

Crawford: "From a very early age, he's the guy who's had the puck the most. If you watch videos of him as a kid, that was the case. I've seen him play at the U18 level, and at the U20 level. It gets a little harder as you go up, but he was still the best player in Zurich and he was still the guy who had the puck the most.

"In the NHL, it gets that much harder and you see that element taken to a different level. (Mike Babcock's) coaching (promotes) being a real aggressive puck-pursuit guy when you don't have it, and Auston was so ready to hear that information, so ready to employ it. The Leafs have done a great job of taking his game to the next level and there’s way more to come."

theScore: Training camp is coming up in a month and a half. With the current state of the Senators - Erik Karlsson trade rumors, Craig Anderson trade rumors, Randy Lee's legal situation, etc. - what kind of messages can you, head coach Guy Boucher, and the rest of the staff deliver to an unsettled team?

Crawford: "The biggest thing is that we have to improve upon our performance last year. Hockey, it's a great sport because it does have an outcome for every game. Every game you come out and you say, 'Hey, did we do well or did we not do well?' And that's easy, because a lot of businesses don't have that type of scorecard, if you will, or that type of evaluation. The one thing that we're going to try to do is, we want to have the same response whether we win or whether we lose. We want to be a team that is about improving every day.

"As I said in my session today, communication is really at a high level and a high premium. We place a high priority on having good communication with our players and creating the right type of environment where we can have success and focus as a team. Again, we're going to concentrate this year on being great teammates. If we're great teammates then we've got a chance to be a great team. If we're a great team then we're going to have a chance to have results on the scoreboard and everything takes care of itself.

"That’s really our message this year: Let's take care of the things that we can (control), let's make sure we're always being positive and putting our best foot forward and we're trying to do the things that will help us to improve every day.”

(Photo courtesy: The Coaches Site)

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