McDavid suffered a leg injury during the Edmonton Oilers' final regular-season game of 2018-19 on Saturday while crashing into the goal post at full speed. Though the franchise talent had to be helped off the ice, Rishaug says the injury isn't believed to be too serious.
X-rays on McDavid's knee came back negative, and the 22-year-old was scheduled to have an MRI on Sunday. The results won't be known for a couple of days.
McDavid has represented Canada on the World Championship stage twice (2016 and 2018). This season, the two-time Art Ross Trophy winner recorded a career-high 116 points, joining Wayne Gretzky, Dale Hawerchuk, and Mario Lemieux as the only players in history to notch three consecutive 100-point campaigns at age 22 or younger.
Todd McLellan is reportedly a leading candidate to succeed Phil Housley as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.
The Los Angeles Kings have reportedly also been negotiating with McLellan and appear to remain in the mix, McKenzie added.
Coincidentally, McLellan already planned to be in Buffalo this week for the Frozen Four to watch his son Tyson, who plays for the University of Denver.
McLellan previously served as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers and the San Jose Sharks. He owns a career record of 434-282-90.
The Sabres fired Housley on Sunday after two seasons.
Ken Hitchcock's fate as interim head coach of the Edmonton Oilers will be determined by the club's new general manager, CEO Bob Nicholson said Monday.
Regardless of the impending GM's decision, Hitchcock will stay with the organization in some capacity moving forward, Nicholson added.
The sole focus of the Oilers front office is on the GM hiring process, Nicholson stated. Edmonton is not currently looking to hire a president of hockey operations.
Hitchcock was hired with the interim tag back in November and compiled a 26-28-8 record behind the bench. The 67-year-old is third on the NHL's all-time wins list.
The Anaheim Ducks forward could be facing career-ending surgery on his ailing hip.
"We have to find some options for me. Not just for hockey, but for my life," Kesler told NHL.com's Dan Arritt on Sunday. "Simple things, like putting on socks in the morning, are tough."
Kesler underwent hip surgery on June 17, 2017, and has since played in just 104 out of a possible 164 games. The 34-year-old's performance has declined accordingly, as he's coming off two of his worst seasons since entering the league. He tallied just eight points in 60 contests this year.
Kesler said the only surgery available to him is a hip replacement.
"It would probably be career-ending," Kesler said, who still has three years left on his contract with a $6.875-million cap hit.
Kesler plans to meet with hip specialists over the next few weeks before sitting down with his agent, Ducks general manager Bob Murray, and the doctors to discuss his future in the sport.
"Let's talk to the doctors," Murray said. "Get all the information in front of us, and we'll sit down when we have all the information."
Kesler was one of the preeminent two-way centers in the league during his prime. He won the Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward in 2010-11 during his 41-goal, 73-point season with the Vancouver Canucks. He was a Selke finalist four other times, and in total has 573 career points in 1,001 games.
This year's first-round matchups in the Eastern Conference feature the strongest team in years, a pair of familiar foes meeting for a second straight spring, and a couple of resurgent clubs returning to the postseason after years of missing out.
Let's dive into each opening-round series in the East.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Prediction: Lightning in four
The Lightning put together a dominant regular season, and anything less than a Stanley Cup championship will be a disappointment for the NHL's top team.
Tampa Bay shouldn't have much difficulty with its first-round playoff opponent, as the club is simply too deep and too explosive for Columbus to handle. The Blue Jackets will likely struggle to contain Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point and Co. in a best-of-seven series.
Adding Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel gave Columbus a little more scoring punch, but the Blue Jackets' attack still pales in comparison to the juggernaut they're matched up against in round one.
Barring a stunning flip of the script, this one should be over quickly.
X-factor for Lightning: Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper is hopeful that Victor Hedman will play in Game 1. The reigning Norris Trophy winner's health, or lack thereof, could determine his effectiveness early in the series.
The Lightning have proven they can get by without him. But if a nagging injury affects Hedman's availability or his play for an extended period, that could give the Blue Jackets a better chance to steal a game or two.
X-factor for Blue Jackets:Sergei Bobrovsky appears to have regained his form, but he'll need to be excellent in every game for the Blue Jackets to pull off a massive upset.
Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Prediction: Bruins in seven
This highly anticipated rematch should once again provide plenty of intrigue.
While John Tavares may be leading the Maple Leafs this time around, the team is still weak defensively, and Frederik Andersen was shaky down the stretch in goal until his final two games.
Boston prevailed over Toronto in seven games last year, and the Bruins returned essentially the same roster in 2018-19. So while the Leafs could overwhelm the Bruins with their upgraded arsenal of offensive weapons, they may be hard-pressed to keep up at both ends of the rink once again.
Much was made about Auston Matthews' poor production in the 2018 series, but he should contribute more this year with Tavares' presence creating an added headache for two-way wizard Patrice Bergeron.
Toronto is deeper than last year, as Jake Muzzin provides depth on the back end and Andreas Johnsson does the same up front. But the Bruins still boast one of the best lines in the NHL, and they're among the league's top teams at minimizing goals against.
X-factor for Bruins: As usual, Bergeron should excel offensively between Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak on the Bruins' top line. But his ability to contain the Leafs' collection of dynamic forwards will significantly impact the outcome of the series.
X-factor for Maple Leafs: The Leafs need Andersen to be at his best, and while his late-season issues don't provide much optimism, the playoffs give him an opportunity to wipe the slate clean.
Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Prediction: Capitals in five
The defending Stanley Cup champions meet the so-called "jerks" as the Capitals begin their title defense against the team that took the league by storm.
Washington is the clear favorite here, and for good reason. The Capitals hardly missed a beat during the regular season en route to their fourth straight division crown, and they won all four meetings with Carolina in 2018-19.
The Hurricanes ended the NHL's longest active playoff drought when they qualified this spring, but Carolina simply can't match the depth of their first-round opponents.
Carolina deserves credit for exceeding expectations and embracing fun during a magical regular season, but it'll be tough for the Hurricanes to keep up with the Capitals.
X-factor for Capitals:Alex Ovechkin was exceptional throughout the postseason last year, and he's showing no signs of decline at age 33. The superstar forward can still break a game open in the blink of an eye, and while the Capitals have a deep, versatile roster around him, he's the catalyst.
X-factor for Hurricanes: Petr Mrazek emerged as the Hurricanes' No. 1 netminder toward season's end, winning 11 of his final 13 starts with a .944 save percentage. He doesn't have much playoff experience, but the veteran has posted a .927 save percentage in 11 career postseason appearances.
New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Prediction: Penguins in seven
Barry Trotz's system transformed the Islanders during his first season behind the bench in New York, creating a defensively rock-solid club that sailed past expectations following Tavares' offseason departure.
The Islanders also have offensive talents at their disposal, but they ranked in the bottom third in goals per game and will need Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee, Brock Nelson, and Josh Bailey to produce in this series.
But will the well-balanced Islanders be deep enough to vanquish the experienced, playoff-tested Penguins?
The Penguins' back-to-back championship core is still largely intact, and Trotz's mastery might not be enough to lift a less experienced Islanders squad past Pittsburgh in New York's first playoff series since 2016.
X-factor for Islanders:Robin Lehner and Thomas Greiss earned the William M. Jennings Trophy for their stellar play after splitting time in the crease. But Lehner has logged only two postseason appearances (no starts), with 49 minutes of playoff experience to his name. Greiss doesn't have much postseason experience himself, but the two will need to keep excelling in the playoffs for the Islanders to win.
X-factor for Penguins: Pittsburgh's defense will need to step up, as the team ranked 14th in goals allowed while surrendering the sixth-most shots per game in the regular season.
Welcome to the 14th and final edition of theScore's 2018-19 regular season NHL Power Rankings. Below, we assess how each team wrapped up their recent campaigns.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning (62-16-4)
What a run for the Lightning, who matched an NHL record with 62 wins. They're the runaway favorites to win the Stanley Cup for good reason, but the health of blue-line stalwart Victor Hedman is imperative for the club's title aspirations.
Previously: 1st
2. Calgary Flames (50-25-7) ▲
The Flames improved 23 points in the standings this season and earned home ice throughout the Western Conference playoffs. It's unclear who will start Game 1 in goal for Calgary but the good news is both Mike Smith and David Rittich were capable of winning games down the stretch.
Previously: 3rd
3. Boston Bruins (49-24-9) ▲
From Jan. 1 onward, the Bruins went 28-10-5 while ranking sixth in goals for (148) and seventh in goals against (109). They face a daunting Atlantic Division draw again this spring, but Boston is a legitimate Cup threat.
Previously: 5th
4. Washington Capitals (48-26-8)
The title defense is officially on for the Capitals, who pulled away from the pack in the Metropolitan and earned their fourth consecutive division title.
Previously: 4th
5. Nashville Predators (47-29-6) ▲
John Russell / National Hockey League / Getty
The Central Division crown was ripe for the taking throughout March and April, and the seasoned Predators won seven of their last 10 games to capture it. Now, Nashville has home ice and gets an easier opponent in Round 1 to get its playoff run started.
Previously: 13th
6. New York Islanders (48-27-7) ▲
The Islanders shattered expectations to finish fifth in the entire league, and it will be fascinating to see if head coach Barry Trotz can get his troops to make some noise in the playoffs - perhaps enough to set up a second-round match up with his former Capitals squad.
Previously: 11th
7. St. Louis Blues (45-28-9) ▲
St. Louis was tied for 29th place at Christmas. It ended up missing the division title by a single point. Watch out for the Blues.
Previously: 16th
8. Toronto Maple Leafs (46-28-8) ▼
An inconsistent Frederik Andersen and a swath of injuries led to some shaky play from the Maple Leafs to close out the regular season. Still, the 2018-19 campaign was about playoff progress from the get-go, and Toronto earned its chance at redemption versus the Bruins.
Previously:6th
9. Pittsburgh Penguins (44-26-12)
Not to say seeding doesn't matter, but for a team as experienced as the Penguins, full health is more important than first-round opponents. It goes without saying that Pittsburgh getting Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang back into the lineup prior to the playoffs makes this club as dangerous as any.
Previously: 9th
10. Carolina Hurricanes (46-29-7) ▼
Gregg Forwerck / National Hockey League / Getty
The Hurricanes' playoff push enthralled the hockey world, and it's safe to say the hype train will go off the rails if Carolina puts a scare into, or beats the Capitals. Let's see what this bunch of jerks can do.
Previously: 8th
11. San Jose Sharks (46-27-9) ▼
The Sharks stumbled into the playoffs with a 3-8-1 record in their last 12 games to claim their lowest spot on our power rankings since Dec. 10. The team's biggest question mark all season has been between the pipes with Martin Jones. The netminder is coming off his worst season but does boast a stellar playoff resume.
Previously: 2nd
12. Winnipeg Jets (47-30-5) ▼
The Jets also dragged their way into the postseason, but injuries were certainly a contributing factor - specifically on the blue line. Dustin Byfuglien, who skated in just 42 contests this season, returned for a five-game tuneup before the playoffs. Meanwhile, Josh Morrissey hasn't played since Feb. 24 and his status for Game 1 is uncertain.
Previously: 10th
13. Columbus Blue Jackets (47-31-4) ▲
The Blue Jackets won seven of their final eight games to punch their postseason ticket. Sergei Bobrovsky was spectacular down the stretch, going 10-3 with a .946 save percentage and four shutouts. He'll need to be just as sharp in the playoffs for Columbus to upset Tampa Bay.
Previously: 15th
14. Vegas Golden Knights (43-32-7) ▼
The Golden Knights mustered together just one win in their last eight games to cap the worst season in franchise history. Marc-Andre Fleury was absent for most of those contests, though. He returned for the last two games after missing nearly a month, but is that enough to get ready for a playoff run?
Previously: 7th
15. Dallas Stars (43-32-7) ▼
Glenn James / National Hockey League / Getty
The Stars squeaked into the playoffs despite owning the third-worst offense in the entire league. Simply put, Ben Bishop's brilliance will have to continue for Dallas to stand a chance.
Previously: 14th
16. Colorado Avalanche (38-30-14) ▲
In addition to a well-earned playoff berth, Colorado could net the first overall pick courtesy of the Senators' incompetence. The Avs' top-end talent makes them a dangerous team to face, but a lack of scoring depth could lead to an early exit.
Previously: 23rd
17. Montreal Canadiens (44-30-8) ▲
The Canadiens were simply in the wrong conference. They finished with more points than the Stars, Golden Knights, and Avalanche, but won't be heading to the postseason. Nonetheless, this season should be viewed as a positive, as many projected them as a lottery team in October.
Previously: 18th
18. Arizona Coyotes (39-35-8) ▼
If the league handed out a team award for perseverance, the Coyotes would be this year's winners. Arizona suffered an unimaginable amount of injuries but remained in the thick of the playoff hunt until the final few games. However, it's clear this team needs an injection of offense if it wants to take the next step.
Previously: 12th
19. Florida Panthers (36-32-14)
The Panthers could be in for a busy offseason. They've already hired Joel Quenneville as their next head coach and have been linked to pending free agents Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky. With plenty of high-end talent already on the roster, a couple of key additions could finally get Florida over the hump.
Previously: 19th
20. Minnesota Wild (37-36-9)
Bruce Kluckhohn / National Hockey League / Getty
Paul Fenton's first year as Wild general manager didn't go as planned. Their six-year postseason streak was snapped, and the midseason Nino Niederreiter-for-Victor Rask trade looks horrendous. More moves are surely on the way in Minny.
Previously: 20th
21. Chicago Blackhawks (36-34-12)
The Blackhawks will obviously be disappointed to have missed the playoffs, but they should take some solace in how well they played down the stretch to vault back into the hunt. Despite some lingering issues, Chicago should enter next season with a positive outlook.
Previously: 21st
22. Vancouver Canucks (35-36-11) ▲
Speaking of an encouraging outlook, the Canucks certainly have one despite how their season concluded. Vancouver gave prized defensive prospect Quinn Hughes a handful of games before wrapping things up, and the club has reason for optimism going forward with Hughes, Elias Pettersson, and Brock Boeser anchoring a promising core.
Previously: 25th
23. Detroit Red Wings (32-40-10) ▲
Winning seven out of 10 is a nice way to end the regular season, but the Red Wings' roster still has plenty of holes heading into 2019-20.
Previously: 31st
24. Philadelphia Flyers (37-37-8) ▼
Despite Carter Hart's emergence, this season was unquestionably a failure for the Flyers, who learned they'll need more than the talented, young goaltender and two good lines to become a truly competitive club again.
Previously: 17th
25. Edmonton Oilers (35-38-9) ▼
Mike Stobe / National Hockey League / Getty
Connor McDavid's frustration boiled over a bit down the stretch, and then he got hurt in the Oilers' regular-season finale. Needless to say, he and the rest of the club would clearly like to put this campaign behind them.
Previously: 22nd
26. Anaheim Ducks (35-37-10)
The lesson for the Anaheim this season is that John Gibson needs a lot more help. The Ducks have to improve the NHL's worst offense and get better at limiting shots and scoring chances. They're unlikely to do that if they continue to be one of the league's oldest teams.
Previously: 26th
27. New York Rangers (32-36-14)
Alexandar Georgiev has proven capable of being the heir apparent to Henrik Lundqvist whenever King Henrik decides to call it a career, but it's going to be a while before the Rangers are real contenders again.
Previously: 27th
28. Buffalo Sabres (33-39-10) ▼
A second-half nosedive doomed Phil Housley, as the now-former Sabres head coach got the ax Sunday. Buffalo clearly has plenty of room to grow, but expectations will always be high with Jack Eichel and Rasmus Dahlin in the fold. Jeff Skinner still needs a new contract, too.
Previously: 24th
29. New Jersey Devils (31-41-10) ▼
Getting Taylor Hall signed long term will be priority No. 1 for the Devils this summer. New Jersey will also have a shot at a very high pick in the upcoming draft, so general manager Ray Shero has an important offseason ahead.
Previously: 28th
30. Los Angeles Kings (31-42-9) ▼
The Kings will have the second-best odds at winning the first overall pick, but not even Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko can fix Los Angeles' problems on their own.
Previously: 29th
31. Ottawa Senators (29-47-6) ▼
A nightmare of a season on and off the ice is finally, mercifully over for the Senators, but hey, at least they have the lottery to look forward to. Oh, wait ...
The club announced the hiring of three-time Stanley Cup champion Joel Quenneville as head coach Monday morning.
Quenneville's resume is second to none among active coaches - he trails only Scotty Bowman on the NHL's all-time wins list - and he'll be paid accordingly. He'll earn $5.25 million per season with bonuses that could hit $7 million over five years, a source told The Athletic's George Richards. That would potentially make Quenneville the league's highest-paid coach, as Toronto Maple Leafs boss Mike Babcock currently leads the way at around $6.25 million per season.
Meanwhile, Quenneville already has a working relationship with Panthers general manager Dale Tallon, who hired him to coach the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2008-09 season.
While leading the team that Tallon built, Quenneville went on an unparalleled run of success in the Windy City, making the playoffs in nine straight years and winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013, and 2015.
Tallon stated less than two weeks ago that Florida would "be aggressive this summer." Along with landing a future Hall of Fame coach, the Panthers have been linked to pending free agents Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin. The latter played under Quenneville for two seasons in Chicago.
Each time Quenneville has been hired to coach a new team, he's made the playoffs in his first season. The Panthers have made just two postseason appearances in the last 18 years.
In Florida, Quenneville replaces Bob Boughner, who was relieved of his duties Sunday after a two-year stint behind the bench.
