The NHL's newest franchise will apparently host the league's midseason showcase in the first decade of its existence.
Seattle's new team has been promised an All-Star Game within seven years, commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters, including NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika, on Wednesday.
Bettman added that the draft is likely coming sooner than the All-Star Game, and that the team name should be revealed in 2019.
He also said the NHL will have to study the feasibility of an outdoor game there.
Seattle will begin play in 2021-22, one season later than the franchise was originally hoping to enter the league.
Mitch Marner and his camp are firm on their stance that contract talks with the Toronto Maple Leafs are on hold until the offseason.
In September, Marner's agent Darren Ferris said the preference would be to wait until the summer to sign despite productive discussions with general manager Kyle Dubas. On Wednesday, Ferris assured their position hasn't changed.
Marner is in the midst of a breakout campaign and currently ranks eighth in league scoring with 55 points in 42 games.
The Maple Leafs also face a critical negotiation with fellow restricted free agent Auston Matthews with a projected league-wide salary cap increase and $23.2 million available to spend for next season, per Cap Friendly.
Topps released a limited number of these test cards to the California market following the 1967 NHL expansion, making them "extremely scarce," according to Lelands.
The champagne's been popped, the calendar's turned, and the world juniors are over - it's now 2019, and the next NHL Entry Draft is less than six months away.
Without further ado, here's the third edition of theScore's Prospect Big Board (player ages and stats as of Wednesday, Jan. 9):
1. Jack Hughes
C | 5-foot-10 | 168 lbs | U.S. National Team Development Program Age: 17 | Previous Rank: 1
GP
G
A
P
26
12
38
50
Hughes is still hockey's top prospect - and barring some dramatic, unforeseen event, that isn’t going to change. While he sat out three games at the world juniors, Hughes did produce four assists in four appearances and had moments when it seemed like his numbers would have been much better with different wingers. Regardless, his speed and electric skill set were on display during most shifts, and we should expect a big second half with the U.S. National Team Development Program and at the Under-18 World Championship in April.
2. Kaapo Kakko
Rich Lam / Getty Images Sport / Getty
RW | 6-foot-1 | 181 lbs | TPS (Liiga, Jr. A SM-liiga) Age: 17 | Previous Rank: 2
GP
G
A
P
27
9
11
20
Kakko's tournament-winning goal for Finland at the world juniors was just the latest example of why he's a star in the making. Though he's still behind Hughes, there's a wide gap between Kakko and the next tier of prospects, and his advanced hockey sense is a big reason. It’s not the only reason, though, as he also brings an appealing combination of composure, high-end puck skills, and physicality.
Dylan Cozens and Peyton Krebs are hot on his heels, but at this point we still prefer Dach. While his scoring pace has slowed down - thanks to an 11-game stretch with just one assist - Dach still has more points than games played. With a high offensive ceiling and an NHL-ready frame, he looks to be solidly in the top five.
If you're wondering why Podkolzin's only played 10 MHL games ... well, he had a very busy December. The winger followed up an excellent Hlinka-Gretzky Cup performance by representing Russia at both the World Junior-A Challenge, where he had eight points in six games and won silver, and the world juniors, where he had three points in seven games and earned bronze. It's easy to like Podkolzin when you see his tenacity in these best-on-best matchups - especially against older players at the world juniors - while he's a smart, creative forward who's effective at both ends of the ice.
Cozens was the 2017-18 WHL Rookie of the Year for a reason. He's the full package - a complete, confident player who makes smart decisions, battles hard, and burns opponents with high-end speed. Don’t be surprised if Cozens moves up even higher as the season wears on. Keep an eye out for him - and others - in the upcoming CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
6. Bowen Byram
Marissa Baecker / Getty Images Sport / Getty
D | 6-foot-1 | 192 lbs | Vancouver Giants (WHL) Age: 17 | Previous Rank: 4
GP
G
A
P
38
10
23
33
Byram's still the top defenseman in this year’s class, as his terrific skating, excellent poise, and high-end vision make him a one-man breakout machine. He's occasionally caught out of position, but it's the type of risk that comes with young, dynamic puck-moving defensemen, and an area where Byram should improve as he matures.
Boldy's improved shot and skating ability - combined with silky hands and composure - make him another appealing product of the U.S. development program. He takes advantage of every opening to create opportunities for himself and his teammates, and he managed to keep producing just fine without Jack Hughes (which is also a credit to teammate Trevor Zegras, who's one spot back).
Zegras is sometimes hidden behind Hughes with the USNTDP, but he showcased his high-end skills during the latter's time at the world juniors. As a crafty playmaker and an excellent skater, Zegras creates chances for his teammates and embarrasses opponents.
9. Alex Newhook
C | 5-foot-11 | 183 lbs | Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) Age: 17 | Previous Rank: 10
GP
G
A
P
35
21
42
63
Newhook still possesses the raw skills we liked so much early in the season - burning speed and playmaking ability - but he needs to pick it back up in the second half following a less-than-impressive World Junior-A Challenge. On a more positive note, Newhook's only three points away from last year's point totals in 10 fewer games.
Broberg, a smooth-skating defenseman with power behind his stride, has leapfrogged up these rankings, in part due to a respectable performance as an underager at the world juniors. While he's got space for growth (especially with his puckhandling skills), Broberg projects to be a solid player at the next level.
Krebs is an exciting, tenacious, well-rounded player who could certainly be selected inside the top 10. He performs well under pressure, and his elite offensive production is largely due to his excellent vision.
While he needs to improve his game away from the puck, Suzuki's a creative and exciting forward. Teams will salivate over his puckhandling skills and his high-end vision.
Sure, he's small, but so is Alex DeBrincat. Caufield's offensive instincts and terrific skating ability - along with having virtually no quit in his game - make him a threat nearly every time he's on the ice.
Everyone rejoice - Turcotte's healthy once more and should display the skills that kept him high on this list even while missing time. He's a relentless player with strong offensive instincts who makes good decisions at both ends of the ice. And realistically, Turcotte's probably a top-10 talent, so don’t be surprised if he climbs back up these ranking.
York's a strong, mobile defenseman with a high offensive ceiling. He's also an excellent skater who's poised and continues to improve the weaker areas of his game.
Lavoie scored an invite to Canada’s world junior pre-tournament camp, and that's nothing to sneeze at. The projected power forward has an accurate and heavy shot, while he's good at protecting the puck.
17. Victor Soderstrom
D | 5-foot-11 | 176 lbs | Brynas IF J18/J20 (J18 Elit/SuperElit) Age: 17 | Previous Rank: 17
GP
G
A
P
14
1
7
8
Soderstrom's an offensively minded puck-mover who, despite his size, isn’t afraid to get involved in the physical side of the game. He's also recorded four points, including two goals, in 22 SHL games this season.
Robertson isn't the flashiest defender out there when it comes to offense, but he's smart, plays in all situations, and is pretty mobile for a guy who stands 6-foot-4.
Kaliyev may not be at a goal-per-game pace anymore, but he's always dangerous thanks to his excellent release. He protects the puck well and isn’t afraid to get into difficult spots.
20. Connor McMichael
C | 6-foot-0 | 170 lbs | London Knights (OHL) Age: 17 | Previous Rank: 36
GP
G
A
P
37
25
21
46
McMichael's terrific vision, hockey IQ, and point production in the OHL make him an appealing prospect. He's also a good skater and playmaker who works hard in all three zones.
Hannah Stuart keeps a close eye on both drafted and draft-eligible prospects and can usually be found trying to learn more about hockey analytics. She has previously written for FanRag Sports, The Hockey Writers, and Hooked On Hockey Magazine, and can also be found at High Heels and High Sticks. Find her on Twitter @HockeyWthHannah.
Erik Karlsson took some time adjusting to his new surroundings in the Bay Area, but the San Jose Sharks superstar is now returning to the form that helped him win two Norris Trophies as a member of the Ottawa Senators.
With a helper Tuesday night against the Edmonton Oilers, Karlsson became the fifth blue-liner in NHL history with an assist in 14 consecutive appearances, according to NHL Public Relations.
The other four defensemen to accomplish the feat are all enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Player
Season
Streak
Paul Coffey
1985-86
17 games
Brian Leetch
1991-92
15 games
Phil Housley
1992-93
14 games
Bobby Orr
1970-71
14 games
Karlsson finished with three assists in San Jose's 7-2 win and has recorded 15 points in his last six games. He is now right in the thick of the Norris Trophy conversation despite tallying just seven points in his first 18 games this season.
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Blake Wheeler had a goal and three assists, Mark Scheifele got his 23rd goal and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Colorado Avalanche 7-4 on Tuesday night.
Mathieu Perreault, Kyle Connor, Bryan Little, Andrew Copp and Jacob Trouba also scored for Winnipeg. Trouba, Scheifele and Tyler Myers each had two assists.
Gabriel Landeskog scored twice and tied a career high with his 27th goal for Colorado. Carl Soderberg had a goal and an assist, and Ryan Graves also scored.
Connor Hellebuyck made 37 saves for the Jets, who have won two straight and improved to 3-3 in their last six games.
Philipp Grubauer stopped 14 shots for Colorado, which had ended a six-game skid with a 6-1 win over the Rangers on Friday.
The Jets scored three times on the power play and once short-handed to lead 4-3 after the second period. They led 4-1 early in the second, but the Avalanche scored twice late in the period.
Copp scored at 3:59 of the third and Scheifele made it 6-3 after Wheeler intercepted a pass and sent the puck to him on a breakaway. Scheifele's shot hit Grubauer, the puck flew up and Scheifele swatted it into the net at 11:12 for his 23rd of the season.
Landeskog scored with just over three minutes remaining.
NOTES: Barrie stretched his point streak to five games with one goal and seven assists. ... Trouba finished Winnipeg's scoring with an empty-net goal on the power play with 1:06 remaining.
UP NEXT
Avalanche: Continue five-game trip at Calgary on Wednesday night.
Jets: Play at Minnesota on Thursday night.
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More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
The Tampa Bay Lightning superstar racked up his 70th point of the season on a first-period assist Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. In doing so, Kucherov became the fastest player (43 games) to reach 70 points since Jaromir Jagr did so in the first 38 games of the 1999-00 season, according to NHL Public Relations.
Injuries would limit Jagr to just 63 games that season, but he still won the Art Ross Trophy with 96 points.
Averaging 1.65 points per game thanks to a third-period tally, Kucherov is currently playing at a 135-point pace if he can stay healthy for all 82 games. The last time a player reached the 130-point plateau was the 1995-96 season, when both Jagr (149) and Mario Lemieux (161) surpassed the mark with ease.
Aiding Kucherov along the way during his historic start has been the league-wide scoring spike. Aside from the power-play filled, post-lockout 2005-06 outlier campaign, the NHL's 6.1 goals per game entering Tuesday is the highest since the 1995-96 season.
Kucherov got off to a relatively slow start to the season, picking up 18 points in his first 18 games. Since then, he's averaged over two points per game, racking up 53 points in 25 contests.
The Philadelphia Flyers have tied a dubious NHL record thanks to their revolving door in the crease.
With journeyman Mike McKenna getting the nod Tuesday against the Washington Capitals, the Flyers have now started seven different goalies this season.
That mark ties the NHL record previously set by the 2007-2008 Los Angeles Kings, the 2002-2003 St. Louis Blues, and the 1989-1990 Quebec Nordiques, according to Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press.
Injuries and inconsistent play have forced the Flyers to use more than half a dozen netminders so far:
Goalie
Games started
Brian Elliott
13
Calvin Pickard
8
Anthony Stolarz
7
Carter Hart
7
Michal Neuvirth
6
Alex Lyon
1
Mike McKenna
1
With nearly half a season still to be played, Philadelphia could easily set the new record by starting an eighth different goaltender.
While they've had bad luck in the crease, the Flyers have had consistency on the blue line; they've dressed as many defensemen - seven - as they've started goalies this season.
