The Arizona Coyotes made one of their biggest acquisitions in franchise history last week when they landed three-time All-Star Phil Kessel in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Arizona hasn't finished higher than 28th in average attendance since the 2006-07 season, but that could change this upcoming campaign.

"The buzz has been pretty significant," Coyotes president and CEO Ahron Cohen said, according to The Arizona Republic's Richard Morin. "A lot of interest on social media, text messages from people in the community reaching out. There is an excitement and rejuvenation with this franchise. People can see the trajectory we're on."

"It's still very new," Cohen said. "But we've seen an uptick in recent days. Our weekender package is significantly up compared to last year. I think there's a lot of people in the marketplace that have historically been hockey fans or Coyotes fans that are seeing this commitment now and are excited to jump on board and participate."

Kessel has been one of the league's most consistent point-producers since he arrived in the league with the Boston Bruins in 2006, as he's hit the 30-goal mark six times and has 823 points in 996 career games.

The Wisconsin native's 261 goals this decade rank ninth among all players and his 82-point campaign in 2018-19 would have marked the highest single-season total by any Coyotes player since the franchise's move to Phoenix in 1996-97.

"Obviously, Phil is an elite player," Coyotes general manager John Chayka said. "Personally I can't (recall) the last time we've had a player of this caliber who has had this production and this resume on this team. I think it's exciting for our fans and it's exciting for our players."

Kessel brings both production and championship pedigree, as he captured back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017.

"This is a signal to the market that we're bringing in a marquee player and doing what we can to improve the team and win hockey games. I think the casual fan out there, maybe a person who is not even a hockey fan right now, can see this and take notice."

The Coyotes haven't made the playoffs in seven years - the second-longest drought in the league - and have won just two postseason series in franchise history.

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The NHL, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Hockey Canada are among donors that have helped pay CWHL players their outstanding performance bonuses three months after the league folded, CWHL board chair Laurel Walzak announced, according to The Athletic's Hailey Salvian.

"We have received payments from organizations like the NHL, Hockey Canada, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Ontario Women's Hockey Association," Walzak said. "(Adrienne Clarkson) also brought forward a private donor who made a significant donation to make sure players got paid their bonuses."

Players were owed roughly $230,000 in bonuses, according to Walzak. The league previously operated under a $100,000 cap, and player salaries ranged from $2,000 to $10,000.

The CWHL was founded in 2007 and featured six teams. It announced it would cease all operations in March due to financial troubles.

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The initial wave of the 2019 free agency period has come and gone, but there are still some good players available.

Below, we pick out destinations for five of the biggest names left.

Jake Gardiner, D, 28

2018-19 cap hit: $4.05 million
Top destination: Montreal Canadiens

Despite the flak he caught throughout his tenure in Toronto, Gardiner is an incredibly valuable piece, and it's somewhat surprising he wasn't plucked July 1 as arguably the best defender available.

Montreal's swing-and-miss on poaching Sebastian Aho via offer sheet leaves the club with ample cap space to try to ink Gardiner, who would be a big add on the Habs' left side. The opposite flank is in good hands with Shea Weber and Jeff Petry, but Gardiner's mobility and puck-moving skills would round out the Canadiens' defense corps nicely as the team seeks a return to the playoffs.

Other potential suitors: Sabres, Jets

Ryan Dzingel, 27, C/W

2018-19 cap hit: $1.8 million
Top destination: Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers had an underwhelming start to the offseason, but there's still time for new general manager Ken Holland to make something happen, and Dzingel would be a great fit for an Edmonton team desperate for scoring depth.

A versatile forward capable of producing points, Dzingel had a miserable playoff run with the Blue Jackets, which could help keep his asking price down. The Oilers are up against the cap with only $3.9 million available, but Holland needs to get used to working within the financial constraints he inherited, and Dzingel is a player worth exploring.

Other potential suitors: Avalanche, Sabres, Senators

Marcus Johansson, LW, 28

2018-19 cap hit: $4.58 million
Top destination: Colorado Avalanche

Johansson boosted his stock with an impressive playoff showing for the Bruins, providing scoring punch on a dangerous third line and second power-play unit.

Several teams could use his skill set, but the Avalanche made it their summer mission to add offensive depth and still have the cap space to get more firepower. Throwing Johansson into the mix after already bringing in Nazem Kadri, Andre Burakovsky, Joonas Donskoi, and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare would be one hell of a summer haul for GM Joe Sakic.

Other potential suitors: Devils, Oilers, Blues, Sabres

Micheal Ferland, LW, 27

2018-19 cap hit: $1.75 million
Top destination: St. Louis Blues

Ferland was a hot commodity leading up to February's trade deadline, and teams are surely still interested in his blend of physicality, scoring ability, and puck retrieval skills.

Under head coach Craig Berube, the Blues adopted a crash-and-bang style that helped win them a Stanley Cup. Ferland fits that mold perfectly, and St. Louis has $13.9 million at its disposal.

Other potential suitors: Flames, Avalanche, Devils

Brian Boyle, 34, C

2018-19 cap hit: $2.55 million
Top destination: Buffalo Sabres

Boyle has bounced around quite a bit over the last couple seasons but is still lauded for his leadership abilities and veteran experience. On the ice, he remains a reliable faceoff man and penalty killer, and he should come cheap.

The Sabres could use reinforcements down the middle, and Boyle could help provide guidance to a youthful roster. If Buffalo doesn't make significant strides this upcoming season, the club could flip Boyle at the deadline for an asset.

Other potential suitors: Lightning, Rangers, Devils

(Salary-cap info courtesy: Cap Friendly)

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The Carolina Hurricanes are awaiting a decision from captain Justin Williams on whether he'll retire or return for a 19th NHL season.

"We've been in contact with Justin here recently," general manager Don Waddell told NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "He hasn't given us 100 percent yet which way he's going to go. I think he potentially could be leaning toward playing, but I think in the next few weeks it will shake out."

Williams, who will turn 38 in October, had his two-year, $9-million contract with the Hurricanes expire on July 1. This is his second stint with the club, which believes Carolina is where he'll end his career - one way or another.

"If he's going to play, we feel he's going to play here in Carolina," Waddell said. "He built a house here, his family's here, and he said all along this is where he wants to play."

Williams put together another strong season in 2018-19, registering 53 points in 82 games before adding seven more during the club's run to the Eastern Conference Final.

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Nazem Kadri says the Toronto Maple Leafs didn't deal him for Tyson Barrie because of his suspensions.

"I know for a fact that didn't have anything to do with it," the Colorado Avalanche forward told reporters Tuesday, according to The Canadian Press. "They know I'm a heart-and-soul guy, and I'd do anything for my teammates. That was obviously shown - sometimes not necessarily in the best way - but my head and my heart were always in the right place."

On Monday evening, the Maple Leafs traded Kadri to the Avalanche along with defensive prospect Calle Rosen and a 2020 third-round pick for Barrie, forward Alex Kerfoot, and a 2020 sixth-rounder.

Kadri was banned from eight of Toronto's last 14 playoff contests, all against the Boston Bruins, including the final five this past spring. The Leafs ultimately lost both series.

The veteran center was suspended three games for boarding then-Bruins forward Tommy Wingels in Game 1 of the 2018 matchup and was forced to sit out the remainder of the 2019 series for his cross-check to Jake DeBrusk's head in Game 2.

Kadri, who had spent his entire 10-year career with the Maple Leafs, said it wasn't his preference to be dealt but he's looking forward to joining another competitive club.

"It wasn't really my first choice, but at the end of the day the Colorado Avalanche are going to be contenders for many, many years to come," he said. "That makes this a lot easier."

He also expressed his feelings about the Leafs organization in a heartfelt Instagram post:

The 28-year-old regressed offensively in 2018-19 but still contributed 16 goals and 44 points in 73 regular-season games while recording a goal and an assist in the two playoff contests.

He poured in 32 goals in each of the two prior campaigns, and has notched 161 markers and 357 points in 561 career games.

The Leafs selected him seventh overall in the 2009 draft.

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