NHL players and executives have been tuning in to classic broadcasts during the league's hiatus, and the differences between modern hockey and that of yesteryear aren't lost on them.

"It's hilarious how much the game's changed equipment-wise (and) penalty-wise," Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner told The Canadian Press' Joshua Clipperton. "It's kind of funny seeing the hooks and holds, and how you're allowed to do it and allowed to get away with it."

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot also finds it amusing to see how the league was officiated back in the day.

"That's pretty much all I've been watching on TV, those rewind games," Chiarot said. "It's hilarious when you see Bobby Orr skating and some guy's got his stick wrapped around his waist the whole trip from blue line to blue line. Sometimes I think, 'That wouldn't be too bad if I could just latch my stick on someone and slow him down.'"

The NHL cracked down on obstruction following the 2004-05 lockout with several rule changes meant to reward speed and skill.

"What the hell was a penalty back then?" Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving quipped. "It's unbelievable watching some of these games and just the manslaughter that took place every shift."

Shortly after the NHL paused its season on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the league began streaming classic games on YouTube. It's now doing so four times a week. Television networks like Sportsnet in Canada have also been airing certain historic contests.

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With the pandemic suspending sporting events worldwide, athletes suddenly have tons of time on their hands. In the latest installment of our weekly NHL series, we look at how they've been keeping themselves entertained - and in shape - while self-isolating.

Greiss puts pups to the test

New York Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss set up hurdles for his dogs, which earned mixed reviews from his pair of canine pals. We would love to see just how complex this obstacle course can get as the hiatus continues.

Gallagher's getting creative

Brendan Gallagher has become a staple in this series over the weeks, providing constant entertainment in the form of TikToks. In his latest show, he drains a near-impossible trick shot in a bet with teammate Nick Suzuki. The "Miracle" speech in the background was an incredible touch.

Pastrnak loves his treats

Since his race for the Rocket Richard Trophy is on pause, David Pastrnak has decided to race his dog for treats. Honestly, we're not sure what's more entertaining.

Lucy Subban, enforcer

Poor P.K. Subban probably thought he was safe from such devastating body checks during the lockdown.

Seguin trains with his pals

NHLers sure love their dogs, eh?

Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin was another player to document his time off with his closest pals, showcasing his impressive backyard setup and how his pups help keep his skills sharp.

Coach Q sticks with what he knows

Coaches need attention too, right? Three of the league's best teamed up for a conference call this past week, where Florida Panthers boss Joel Quenneville revealed he's not one to change what once worked for him.

Capitals reignite rivalry

This isn't necessarily a textbook hiatus diary, but was undoubtedly one of the best social media posts in the hockey world this past week. The Capitals used a popular TikTok format to take a friendly jab at their old nemesis, and we applaud the execution.

Auston Matthews, noted movie critic

If you're tired of binging movies in your down time, change things up courtesy of Auston Matthews, who broke down some classic hockey flicks for your viewing pleasure.

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Vegas Golden Knights forward Max Pacioretty knows that if the league does resume this season, there will be an all-out battle for the Stanley Cup.

"I think this will be the hardest Stanley Cup to win out of all of them. Look at all the obstacles," Pacioretty said, according to team reporter Gary Lawless. "Who knows when we're going to play, where, fans or no fans, everything is up in the air. With that being said, whatever teams that have been banged up are healing up right now.

"They're getting their bodies ready and you better believe everyone around the league is trying to get every advantage possible in terms of recovery and getting in whatever shape they can. Most teams go into the playoffs beat up, but that won't be the case this year."

The 31-year-old has rebounded this season, lighting the lamp 32 times in 71 games before the league's pause on March 12. The Golden Knights looked primed for another deep playoff run, sitting first in the Pacific Division as the season neared its conclusion.

Pacioretty hopes the campaign he and his teammates put together won't be for nothing, and he'll do anything to get a shot at the Stanley Cup.

"I mean, if we had to wait six months and play in Antarctica, I'd be willing to do that," Pacioretty said. "We have a special group. We want to do whatever we can to finish out this year because we feel we have a group that's capable of doing special things and it's up to us as a group to try and achieve that when we do get started."

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The Detroit Red Wings outplayed the Washington Capitals over the first three games of the 1998 Stanley Cup Final, and while they won each of those contests, they did so by a margin of one goal each time. Nevertheless, the Red Wings were on the verge of completing the sweep and capturing consecutive championships for the first time since they accomplished the feat in 1954 and 1955.

Watch the NHL's live stream of Game 4 below:

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New Jersey Devils interim general manager Tom Fitzgerald isn't breaking a sweat after Jack Hughes didn't dominate as a rookie during the currently suspended 2019-20 season, but he's aware that there's plenty of room for improvement.

"He's going to be a fun player to watch," Fitzgerald said, according to NJ.com's Randy Miller. "With that being said, what does he need to work on? I think we all know what the audience is. He went from being on tour after being drafted to not having an NHL summer and now he has that time.

"All he has is time to get stronger, get bigger, get thicker, and get faster. The sky's the limit with this young gentleman once he hits his maturity."

New Jersey selected Hughes with the first overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old struggled to adjust to the NHL right away, though, registering just seven goals and 14 assists in 61 games while averaging 15:52 minutes of ice time per game.

Devils interim head coach Alain Nasreddine said earlier in April that Hughes' lack of size and strength is "basically what's holding him back" in the early stages of his pro career.

Fitzgerald said Hughes' numbers could have benefited from a few more fortunate bounces, but he added he was still impressed by what he saw during the young forward's debut season and believes Hughes will only improve as he gains muscle and NHL experience.

"I'm not saying (Hughes) underestimated the NHL by any means, but I don't know if you realize that he would be the first to admit - like he did to me - how good (NHL) defenseman defend ... their reach, their skating ability, how they close, how they take the time and space away," Fitzgerald said.

"I'm not sure that was something that he prepared himself for. That's one of the things he's learned. I think he's learned that it's a tough league for an 18-year-old, but with all that being said, I'm very proud of what he accomplished."

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NHL players are putting off deciding what to do with their final paycheck of the season until May 15, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Players have reportedly been mulling whether to return all or some of the last payment in order to bolster escrow amid the postponed campaign.

They will receive last season's escrow return next week, according to LeBrun. Approximately $140 million will potentially be owed to the players on the final paycheck, he adds.

When the NHL paused its season due to the coronavirus pandemic on March 12, the league reportedly told team owners to give the players their final three payments, two of which were to come in March with the other scheduled for April.

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After nearly a decade of staying mum about the Buffalo Sabres, Larry Quinn is speaking up.

The former Sabres minority owner broke his silence Friday to question the mass firings made by the team's parent company, Pegula Sports and Entertainment, earlier in the week.

"As you've noticed, I have not made a single comment about the Sabres since we left," Quinn told The Athletic's John Vogl on Friday. "I have practiced that religiously. But this is - I just don't understand. It's just wrong."

"Treat them right - and this is not right. ... It's just staggering to me," Quinn added.

PSE fired 21 employees - reportedly including three longtime members of the organization - and furloughed 104 more on Tuesday, though The Athletic's Tim Graham clarified that only the furloughs were due to the coronavirus pandemic and that cutbacks were planned before the NHL paused its season.

Quinn was part of the club's previous ownership group led by former majority owner Tom Golisano. They sold it to its current owners, Terry and Kim Pegula, in 2011.

The former minority owner said he didn't want his comments to be seen as an "attack" on the Pegulas, but he did question the current owners' treatment of their tenured employees.

"There's something wrong. I don't know what it is," Quinn said. "I know there's challenges in the business, and I understand that people from time to time have to make economic choices. But you treat the people well that have worked for you for a long time if you've got to part ways, and I just don't get it."

The Sabres were one of the only NHL teams that refused to pay their hourly workers for shifts lost amid the shutdown.

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Despite multiple cities contacting the NHL about potential neutral-site playoff games, the league hasn't yet discussed such an outcome with the players' association.

"Other than the general understanding that they're looking at all possibilities, which includes neutral sites - neutral being defined as a place that isn't a home base for an NHL team," NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr told Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski of ESPN. "We haven't had those discussions yet."

Grand Forks, North Dakota; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Manchester, New Hampshire, have all reached out about potentially hosting games. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu confirmed this week that playoff games in his state are "on the table."

While using new locations is an option, Fehr said there are still plenty of factors to consider before the league and players commit to any such decision.

"You're going to want to know what the CDC says, without any question at all. But in addition to that, as we all know, the state governors and the provincial prime ministers have the basic responsibilities over their own jurisdictions, so you're going to have to work with them, too," Fehr said. "The implication of the question is whether it's OK to play in some places and not others. I don't know if that's true. I assume it's certainly possible. If it is, we'll see what makes sense."

Another hurdle the league faces is border closures. Canada and USA's agreement to close their connecting border was extended on Friday by another 30 days, and dozens of European-born players who flew home to isolate could face travel restrictions.

Fehr said that "it's going to be very difficult to do anything" if borders remain closed.

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