The Canucks added Daniel and Henrik Sedin to the team's hockey operations department as special advisers to the general manager, the club announced Tuesday.
"Henrik and Daniel's hockey intellect and experience is exceptional," general manager Jim Benning said in a statement. "We've had an open line of communication since they retired as players. They are students of the game, eager to learn, who will make valuable contributions and strengthen our staff."
The Sedins will support Benning in decision-making and organizational strategy. Their work will include player evaluation, development, and communication from the amateur level to the NHL.
"When we retired, we always thought we'd like to be involved in the business side of hockey one day," Daniel said. "There's a lot to learn, but we are excited and ready for the opportunity. This team has some of the best young players in the NHL and we want to do everything we can to support the group and achieve our goals."
Henrik added: "The province and the fans care deeply about this team. As we've said, being part of the Canucks family has been the best time in our lives. It is an honor to be back."
The twins retired in 2018 after spending their entire NHL careers with the Canucks. Henrik is the franchise leader in games played (1,330), assists (830), and points (1,070), while Daniel leads in goals (393).
With the Seattle expansion draft one month away, theScore is predicting every team's protected list and putting one club from each division under the microscope. This edition offers potential lists for the Metropolitan Division. (We'll project a full 30-player roster for the Kraken closer to the July 21 draft.)
The 2021 expansion draft will follow the same rules as the 2017 expansion draft that welcomed the Vegas Golden Knights to the NHL:
Each team must submit a protected list of seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie OR eight skaters and one goalie
Any player with a no-movement clause must be protected unless the player waives it
Each team must expose two forwards, one defenseman, and one goalie who are under contract and played at least 40 games this past season or 70 combined games over the last two seasons
All first- and second-year players, as well as unsigned draft picks, are exempt from selection
Any player with a career-ending injury is exempt from selection
Teams must submit their protected lists to the league by July 17.
Note: Our lists of exposed players and exemptions include only the most notable names rather than every player who would fit each category. Teams are also unlikely to protect pending unrestricted free agents, as Seattle will probably not risk selecting a player it can't retain.
Patrick McDermott / National Hockey League / Getty
The Caps are entering an offseason in which GM Brian MacLellan has plenty on his plate, despite the relative inflexibility of managing a core of old players.
Among the situations MacLellan is tasked with addressing: Icons Alex Ovechkin and Zdeno Chara becoming UFAs; star Evgeny Kuznetsov's time in Washington appearing to be over; No. 1 goalie and RFA Ilya Samsonov needing a contract extension; and, of course, the whole expansion draft thing.
It wouldn't make a ton of sense for the Caps to opt for the nine-player protected list and tag four forwards, four defensemen, and one goalie. With a glut of forward talent to preserve, 7-3-1 is the smarter route. The tricky part is deciding which forwards and defensemen are worthy of inclusion on the list.
Here's a crack at it, with Ovechkin excused from the exercise since the 35-year-old captain recently stated his intention to re-sign and retire as a Capital.
Exposed players: F Nic Dowd, F Carl Hagelin, F Garnet Hathaway, F Daniel Sprong, D Nick Jensen, D Michal Kempny, D Justin Schultz, D Trevor van Riemsdyk, G Vitek Vanecek Exemptions: F Hendrix Lapierre, F Connor McMichael, D Alexander Alexeyev UFAs: F Alex Ovechkin, F Michael Raffl, D Zdeno Chara, G Craig Anderson
Kuznetsov earns a spot on the protected list because the Caps need to get something in return for the Russian center if they're indeed eager to bid farewell to him this offseason. Gifting him to the Kraken would be the easy way out.
Sheary is the real decision at forward. Washington could instead protect one of Hagelin, Hathaway, Dowd, or Sprong, but Sheary costs only $725,000 next season and keeping a value deal on the books is crucial. On the blue line, Orlov is an expensive piece for the next two seasons, so it's tempting to leave him exposed to save money. However, the other viable options - Schultz, Jensen, and Kempny - are a step or two below Orlov in terms of on-ice performance.
Perhaps MacLellan figures out a way to convince the Kraken to take on Hagelin's deal ($2.75 million a year for the next two seasons) in exchange for a draft pick. A trade like that shouldn't be off the table at this point.
Then again, MacLellan played the 2017 expansion draft cooly by not interfering with Vegas' selection of defenseman Nate Schmidt. Washington lost a quality player, sure, but MacLellan otherwise stayed out of the transaction game. He didn't overthink expansion like some of his peers, who panicked and forked over a second player, or picks, via trade.
Carolina Hurricanes
Gregg Forwerck / National Hockey League / Getty
Exposed players: F Warren Foegele, F Morgan Geekie, F Steven Lorentz, D Jake Bean, D Jake Gardiner Exemptions: F Seth Jarvis, F Martin Necas, F Ryan Suzuki UFAs: F Jordan Martinook, F Brock McGinn, F Cedric Paquette, D Jani Hakanpaa, D Dougie Hamilton, G Petr Mrazek, G James Reimer
The biggest piece of Carolina's expansion-draft puzzle is Hamilton. The Hurricanes will reportedly let the star defenseman test the free-agent market, opening up an extra protection slot - which we used on Skjei. That would make Bean, who Kraken general manager Ron Francis drafted 13th overall in 2016, a suitable option for Seattle. If the Kraken want a forward, there are some attractive role players available from Carolina's group as well.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Jamie Sabau / National Hockey League / Getty
Exposed players: F Eric Robinson, D Dean Kukan, G Matiss Kivlenieks Exemptions: F Emil Benstrom, F Liam Foudy, F Alexandre Texier, G Elvis Merzlikins UFAs: F Mikhail Grigorenko, D Michael Del Zotto
The Blue Jackets' list is rather straightforward, as all their best players can be protected or exempt without any complications. The most desirable exposed player is probably Kivlenieks, the 22-year-old Latvian stuck behind Korpisalo and Merzlikins on Columbus' depth chart. All things considered, the Blue Jackets' focus this offseason will surround Jones, who could be on the trade block after reportedly telling the club he won't sign an extension.
New Jersey Devils
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Exposed players: F Nathan Bastian, F Michael McLeod, F Nick Merkley, D P.K. Subban, G Evan Cormier Exemptions: F Jesper Boqvist, F Alexander Holtz, F Jack Hughes, F Dawson Mercer, D Kevin Bahl, D Ty Smith UFAs: D Connor Carrick, D Ryan Murray, G Aaron Dell, G Scott Wedgewood
New Jersey's promising forward core is exempt or easy to protect, leaving the Devils with a tough decision to make on defense. It's plausible that general manager Tom Fitzgerald exposes Subban rather than the younger, cheaper option in Siegenthaler, freeing up some valuable cap space heading into free agency as a result. The Kraken could benefit from Subban's potential availability. His contract would make it easier to reach the salary cap floor, and Seattle would instantly ice a marketable household name while establishing its fanbase.
New York Islanders
Andre Ringuette / National Hockey League / Getty
Exposed players: F Cal Clutterbuck, F Michael Dal Colle, F Leo Komarov, F Matt Martin, D Nick Leddy Exemptions: F Oliver Wahlstrom, D Noah Dobson, G Ilya Sorokin UFAs: F Casey Cizikas, F Kyle Palmieri, F Travis Zajac, D Andy Greene
The Islanders stand to lose a significant player off a roster that's reached the third round of the playoffs in back-to-back years. Clutterbuck has long been an important piece to New York's identity, and Leddy is a quality offensive blue-liner who's eaten up over 20 minutes per night in each of his seven years with the team. GM Lou Lamoriello could expose Mayfield over Leddy, but removing the latter's $5.5 million cap hit would help the Isles immensely going into a critical offseason with multiple key players to re-sign.
New York Rangers
Andy Marlin / National Hockey League / Getty
Exposed players: F Brett Howden, F Julien Gauthier, F Kevin Rooney, D Anthony Bitetto, D Tony DeAngelo, G Keith Kinkaid Exemptions: F Morgan Barron, F Kaapo Kakko, F Vitali Kravtsov, F Alexis Lafreniere, D Adam Fox, D K'Andre Miller, G Igor Shesterkin UFAs: F Phil Di Giuseppe, D Brendan Smith
The Rangers' expansion list is as favorable as it gets. The important forwards on entry-level contracts are all exempt, and New York's stars all have no-movement clauses. Even the top two goaltenders on the depth chart are safe. At best, Seattle stands to get a role player - like Howden or Gauthier - off Broadway. There's little chance the Kraken touch the controversial DeAngelo.
Philadelphia Flyers
Len Redkoles / National Hockey League / Getty
Exposed players: F Nicolas Aube-Kubel, F NolanPatrick, F Jakub Voracek,D Justin Braun, D Shayne Gostisbehere, D Robert Hagg Exemptions: F Joel Farabee, F Tyson Foerster, F Morgan Frost, D Cam York UFAs: D Samuel Morin, G Brian Elliott
The glaring omission from our projected Flyers list is Voracek. While he's still a quality point producer, he'll be 32 by the start of next season and counts for a hefty $8.25 million against the cap until 2024. Philadelphia could use this as an opportunity to get out of a burdensome contract for an aging player and allocate the cap space elsewhere after a highly disappointing 2021 season. That said, Seattle could instead snag Patrick, the second overall pick in 2017 who is primed for a fresh start after an injury-plagued stint in Philly.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Joe Sargent / National Hockey League / Getty
Exposed players: F Zach Aston-Reese, F Teddy Blueger, F Mark Jankowski, F Sam Lafferty, F Jared McCann, F Brandon Tanev, D Michael Matheson, DChad Ruhwedel, G Casey DeSmith Exemptions: D John Marino, D Pierre-Olivier Joseph UFAs: F Frederick Gaudreau, F Evan Rodrigues, F Colton Sceviour, D Cody Ceci, D Juuso Riikola, G Maxime Legace
The Penguins seem likely to lose a quality forward to the Kraken. Adding Carter at the trade deadline shook up Pittsburgh's depth chart, and while he's an exposure option at 36 years old, it would be poor asset management to potentially lose him for nothing just months after paying to bring him in. If Pittsburgh has cap savings at the top of its priority list, exposing Zucker in favor of cheaper options - such as McCann and Tanev - is also an option.
"Matt brings a consistent, veteran presence to our lineup, and his speed and defensive awareness have made him a valuable part of our penalty-killing unit," general manager Doug Wilson said. "Additionally, his ability to chip in offensively gives our coaching staff a versatile option in crafting our lineup from night to night."
Nieto registered five goals and two assists in 28 games this past campaign. The Long Beach, California, native was originally drafted by the Sharks in the second round in 2011 before spending parts of four seasons with the Colorado Avalanche from 2016-2020.
The Stanley Cup semifinals have delivered. Both series are down to a best of three for a spot in the final, with six of the eight games so far decided by just one goal.
Oddsmakers pegged each series to be lopsided, with the Lightning -300 favorites over the Islanders and the Golden Knights an almost unheard of -500 to beat the Canadiens.
They've been anything but one-sided through four games a piece, but oddsmakers have refused to change their stance. Will the favorites pull away, or will the underdogs continue to shine?
Lightning (-240) vs. Islanders (+200)
The Islanders were dealt a bit of a lucky hand to help them come out of the East Division. At five-on-five, they owned just a 46.3% share of the expected goals against the Penguins and a 46.4% share against the Bruins. They were outshot and outchanced through the first two rounds, but the downfall of Tristan Jarry and Tuukka Rask afforded them a clear lane to the semifinals.
However, they've grown stronger as these playoffs have worn on, and there's been nothing lucky about the Islanders' success against the Lightning. New York has controlled an exceptional 57.7% share of the expected goals at even strength in the series. That number has only dropped to 55.5% at all strengths as the team has contained a Tampa Bay power play that looked unstoppable through two rounds.
While the Islanders' top players don't get the same recognition as the Lightning's, they've been the better group in this series. Mathew Barzal has been the best player, with three goals and a ridiculous 78.18 xGF% against Tampa Bay. The top four players in expected goal share in this series are all Islanders. Three of their six defensemen have over a 60% share, while five of six are above 50%.
Conversely, Jan Rutta leads all Lightning defensemen with a 50% share. Three Tampa Bay blue-liners sit below the 40% mark. Also, Victor Hedman's injury is seemingly hampering his effectiveness. This team isn't the same without Hedman dominating on the back end.
The key here for the Islanders - this season's second-least penalized team - is to stay out of the box, because at five-on-five, Barry Trotz and Co. have figured out how to beat the Lightning. It would be ludicrous to lay -240 on a Tampa Bay team that's been second best through four games.
Pick: Islanders (+200)
Golden Knights (-360) vs. Canadiens (+300)
This series has largely mirrored Tampa Bay versus New York. Despite being overwhelming underdogs, Montreal has left little doubt it belongs in the final four. At five-on-five, the team owns 54.3% of the expected goal share and has generated 50 high-danger chances to just 34 for the Golden Knights.
The Canadiens have kept Vegas to the outside and away from the front of the net while using their speed to pose a consistent threat in transition. The Tyler Toffoli-Nick Suzuki-Cole Caufield line has been dominant, as has the Artturi Lehkonen-Phillip Danault-Brendan Gallagher trio. All six players have an expected goals share above 57% at five-on-five, with three of them over 67%. They've outplayed the Golden Knights' top six, which hasn't scored in this series.
Enough can't be said about the work the Danault line is doing. After shutting down Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews in Round 1, it's doing the same thing to Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty, who've combined for two points. Stone's 31.3 xGF% in this series is the lowest among all skaters. Pacioretty's isn't much better at 38.3%.
Vegas has received timely scoring from the back end to stay even in the series - seven of its 10 goals have been scored by defensemen - but that's not a sustainable method for success. Until Peter DeBoer can make the necessary adjustments to penetrate Montreal's stubborn defensive structure, this series will continue to be played to the Canadiens' tune.
Furthermore, while it's impossible to account for officiating when capping a game or series, you have to assume power-play opportunities will be about even. That's hardly been the case thus far. Vegas has been the biggest beneficiary of some glaring missed calls. The Golden Knights have enjoyed a rare 11-6 power-play advantage, a gap that's sure to be much more even over the final three games. There's a lot working in the Canadiens' favor, and we get them at a generous price to boot.
Pick: Canadiens (+300)
Alex Moretto is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.
Minnesota Wild assistant general manager and former NHL defenseman Tom Kurvers has died after a battle with lung cancer, the team announced Monday. He was 58.
The Wild hired Kurvers in 2018. He previously worked in the Tampa Bay Lightning's front office.
"Tom's kindness and enthusiasm will be greatly missed by the countless number of people on whom he had a positive influence throughout his life," the Wild's statement read. "We join the State of Hockey in mourning the loss of a great hockey player and an even better person."
Kurvers, a Minnesota native, had a prolific collegiate career with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He won the Hobey Baker Award as the nation's top player in 1983-84 after notching 76 points in 43 games.
The 35-year-old has spent the last three seasons with the club and notched 14 points in 51 games in 2020-21 while averaging over 15 minutes per contest.
Comeau was drafted 47th overall by the New York Islanders in 2004 and has played 903 career contests to date.
The Stars have nearly $16 million in cap space after Comeau's new deal, but have five unrestricted and four restricted free agents currently on their roster, according to Cap Friendly.
