Logan Cooley, Cutter Gauthier, and Luke Hughes are among the 25 players the United States will have at its disposal for the upcoming World Junior Championship.

USA Hockey revealed its final roster for the 2023 tournament Friday. Only 23 players can be registered to play at a time, and if someone is injured or ill, they can be replaced by one of the credentialed extras but can't return to the tourney after that, a USAH official told FloHockey's Chris Peters.

This differs from the last two years, in which all 25 players on a team's roster were eligible, with 22 dressing for each game.

Here's the roster, listed alphabetically by position:

Forwards

The Coyotes drafted Cooley third overall in July. He ranks fifth in NCAA point production this season with 25 in 19 games. The Flyers chose Gauthier two picks later. He has as many goals (10) as Cooley along with six assists across 13 contests in 2022-23.

Cooley, Savage, and Stramel played in the rescheduled world junior tourney in August.

Defensemen

The Devils drafted Hughes - whose brother, Jack, is currently starring for New Jersey - with the fourth overall pick in 2021. Hughes, Behrens, and Peart are returning after suiting up for the American junior squad in August.

Goaltenders

Mbereko and Oke are back after representing the U.S. at the summer tournament.

The 2023 World Junior Championship begins Dec. 26, 2022, in Halifax and Moncton. The United States will face Finland, Latvia, Slovakia, and Switzerland in Group B during preliminary-round play in New Brunswick.

The Americans will play two pre-tournament tilts in Canada - against Sweden on Monday and versus Finland on Wednesday. The U.S. opens its tournament against Latvia on Dec. 26.

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The NHL is considering increasing its regular-season schedule from 82 games to 84, sources told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.

Under the current format, some teams play only three games against a divisional rival, while others play four. To round out the rest of the schedule, all teams play three contests against non-divisional squads residing in the same conference and two games against each opponent from the other conference.

By adding two more games into the mix, teams would then be able to take on their divisional opponents four times each in a season.

The idea of an 84-game schedule wasn't formally broached at the recent board of governors meeting, but it is expected to be discussed at the general managers' meeting in March, according to Wyshynski.

Sportico first reported on the NHL's consideration of a schedule shift earlier this week. General managers reportedly explored the topic in November with the goal of reducing travel, adding more games between local rivals, and ultimately bringing in more money across the league.

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Detroit Red Wings forward Jakub Vrana was reinstated from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program Friday, but head coach Derek Lalonde made it clear the team wouldn't rush him back into the lineup.

"It's just great to have him back ... able to practice with us. The next step is when we think he can be game ready," Lalonde said, per the Detroit Free Press. "Obviously, he's been out for almost two-plus months, it was his first skate today, we want to be really patient with it. ... We want to put him in the best position to be successful when he's game ready.

"When that's going to be, I don't know."

Vrana, who has only played in two games this season, entered the player assistance program Oct. 19.

The NHLPA released a statement earlier Friday saying Vrana is available to play after entering the follow-up care phase of the program. The 26-year-old skated with his teammates while sporting a blue noncontact sweater.

"It feels awesome, I'm so happy to be back, see the guys," a smiling Vrana told reporters after practice. "It was really positive. I'm just happy to be back here."

He added, "(I tried) to stay in shape as much as I could, and I felt really good on the ice. Now, it's just a matter of time. Obviously, that's not my decision, I just follow the orders and do the best I can every day to stay in shape and be able to help the team."

Vrana didn't get into his experiences with the program, only noting that "there's bigger things than hockey in life."

Detroit acquired Vrana from the Washington Capitals at the 2021 trade deadline. He was only able to play in 26 games last season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

The 2018 Stanley Cup champion has made a strong impact whenever he's been able to slot into the Red Wings' lineup; in 39 games, Vrana has chipped in with 22 goals and 10 assists.

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Thursday night was a successful one on the ice. The Panthers let us down against the Penguins, but we hit all three player props and a sweat-free under in Washington to go 4-1 overall.

We'll look to pick up where we left off with a couple plays for the weekend slate.

Islanders (-185) @ Coyotes (+165)
Dec. 16, 9:30 p.m. EST

There's bad, and then there's the Coyotes. They have won just nine of 27 games and rank dead last in expected goal share (38.44%) at five-on-five.

What's crazy is things would be even worse if not for Karel Vejmelka. He owns a .913 save percentage this season - well above the league average of .900 - and ranks first among all goaltenders in goals saved above expected.

Vejmelka's absurd +16.3 mark through 20 games slots him ahead of even Ilya Sorokin, Connor Hellebuyck, and Carter Hart.

If he is playing so well, why am I targeting the Coyotes? Well, the team still leaves the ice with a loss more often than not, even in Vejmelka's starts. Not to mention how difficult it'll be for him to sustain such strong numbers over a full season behind such a putrid squad - the wear and tear will take its toll sooner than later.

The Islanders are also one of the few sides with a starting netminder who can go toe-to-toe with the version of Vejmelka we have seen this campaign. Sorokin currently ranks third in GSAE, and he was among the league leaders a season ago. He's a true star in the net.

If he can wipe out the general advantage Arizona's had in goal this year - and he is more than capable - that puts things in the hands of the skaters, and I much prefer New York's.

The Islanders have been slightly up and down of late, but even so, there's a lot more to like in their statistical profile. They rank 12th in high-danger chance share at five-on-five over the last 10 games, while the Coyotes sit 32nd.

New York should be able to dominate the run of play, and as mentioned, Arizona can't bank on the edge they've had to fall back on in goal most nights.

Look for Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson, Noah Dobson, and the team's offensive drivers to have a good night and lead the Isles to a victory inside 60 minutes.

Bet: Islanders in regulation (-115)

Sabres (TBD) @ Coyotes (TBD)
Dec. 17, 9:00 p.m. EST

One of the only things worse than the Coyotes is the Coyotes without Vejmelka.

Arizona is a nine-win club, with Vejmelka starting the majority of games and leading the league in GSAE. It's not hard to imagine what the team is like without him.

Check that - we don't have to imagine. We know what the Coyotes are like, and the picture is not pretty.

Backup netminder Connor Ingram is sporting a 1-6-1 record and an .870 save percentage. He has conceded at least three goals in every single game this season and slots 63rd among 66 netminders in GSAE per start on a per-game basis. He is getting lit up nightly, no matter the opponent.

I expect that trend to continue Saturday night against the Sabres. While their record isn't all that impressive, there is a lot to like about their team.

Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin continue to hit new levels, while youngsters like Dylan Cozens, Jack Quinn, and Owen Power have really stepped up and given the team a jolt in the arm.

The Sabres' share of the Grade A chances is 12% above the Coyotes' over the last 10 contests, and the former has significantly more true talent.

Factor in facing the Coyotes in a back-to-back situation and arguably the league's worst backup in Ingram, and it's easy to envision Buffalo running Arizona over in its own building.

Back the Sabres inside 60 minutes.

Bet: Sabres in regulation (good to -135)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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After ranking the 10 best acquisitions Thursday, we're exploring the other end of the spectrum and analyzing the 10 worst additions from the 2022 NHL offseason.

Every summer, teams get desperate and will overpay in free agency and on the trade market. This past offseason was no exception. Some moves looked awful the minute they were made, while some players - despite strong track records - haven't been able to find their groove in their new surroundings.

These rankings factor in how players have performed with their new teams through the one-third mark of the campaign, acquisition cost, contract, and long-term outlook. Let's dive in.

• xGF% = the share of expected goals a team produces while a player is on the ice at five-on-five
• GSAx = goals saved above expected

1. Jack Campbell, Oilers

Acquisition: UFA signing
Contract: 5 years, $5M average annual value

Signing Campbell always came with some risk for the Oilers. For one, the 30-year-old had never played more than 31 games in a season until last year, when he appeared in 49. Secondly, there were always red flags with his stellar periphery stats last season (.914 save percentage, 2.64 goals-against average). Beneath the surface, he ranked 95th out of 118 goalies with a minus-7.96 GSAx, which shows he was propped up by an underrated defensive team in the Maple Leafs.

This season, Campbell ranks 71st out of 73 goalies in GSAx. He's been known to be very self-critical when he struggles, and it remains to be seen whether he can dig himself out of the crater he created to begin his Oilers tenure. If he can't regain his form, Edmonton's Stanley Cup chances will be significantly hampered by a $5-million backup goalie.

2. Ryan McDonagh, Predators

Acquisition: Trade with Lightning
Contract: 4 years, $6.75M AAV

This was a puzzling move from the get-go. As great as McDonagh's resume is - he's a two-time Stanley Cup winner, longtime Rangers captain, and Olympian - many assumed the Lightning would have to attach a significant sweetener to offload his contract. But the Bolts didn't, shipping him to the Predators for Philippe Myers and Grant Mismash.

McDonagh was one of the game's premier two-way defensemen in his prime and played an integral shutdown role for Tampa Bay's back-to-back championships, but he's shown signs of decline the past couple of years. This season, he's been among the worst defensemen in the league statistically, ranking 248th out of 259 blue-liners in defensive goals above replacement.

At 33 years old and with a lot of mileage, he's only going to get worse through the duration of his contract.

3. Erik Gudbranson, Blue Jackets

Acquisition: UFA signing
Contract: 4 years, $4M AAV

Gudbranson has divided the hockey community for the majority of his career. While he's a big, mean, and physical player, his on-ice results are generally poor.

But he proved to be an excellent fit under Darryl Sutter with the Flames last season, producing positive metrics in a third-pairing role. Then the Blue Jackets decided to give him top-four money, and the results so far are quite alarming.

Considering Gudbranson is set to turn 31 in January, Columbus will struggle to improve as long as the 2010 third-overall pick continues to log top-four minutes.

4. Ben Chiarot, Red Wings

Acquisition: UFA signing
Contract: 4 years, $4.75M AAV

Chiarot, 31, is cut from the same cloth as Gudbranson: He's big, mean, and physical but typically has poor on-ice results. They're not as bad as Gudbranson's, which is why he's a spot lower on this list, but they aren't pretty.

The worst part is that Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman brought in the veteran to help reigning Calder Trophy winner Moritz Seider - but Chiarot only appears to be dragging the young cornerstone defenseman down with him.

Here's a look at Seider's career five-on-five metrics with and without Chiarot as his partner.

5. Andrew Copp, Red Wings

Acquisition: UFA signing
Contract: 5 years, $5.625M AAV

This probably isn't the homecoming Copp was picturing when he signed with the Red Wings.

The Michigan-born forward seemed like a slam-dunk acquisition for Detroit: It needed a second-line center behind Dylan Larkin, and Copp was coming off a career-best season - split between the Jets and Rangers - in which he hit the 20-goal mark for the first time.

That version of Copp has yet to show up in Motor City. The 28-year-old is lauded for his two-way play, but his xGF% this season ranks 341st out of 353 forwards to log at least 200 minutes at five-on-five. Copp's five-year pact can still turn out to be a nifty piece of work, but he currently carries the second-highest cap hit on the team, and the Red Wings aren't reaping the benefits.

6. Ryan Strome, Ducks

Acquisition: UFA signing
Contract: 5 years, $5M AAV

There was a belief during Strome's time with the Rangers that he was just riding Artemi Panarin's coattails. He hasn't done anything to quell that narrative during his stint with the Ducks so far.

Strome played at a 60-point pace per 82 games during his four years in the Big Apple, but the 29-year-old's production is significantly lacking this season - despite the league-wide uptick in scoring. Since he's never been known as a sound defensive player, he's running out of ways to contribute on the ice.

Anaheim is the worst team in the league right now, so Strome's deal isn't a major cause for concern yet. But when the Ducks are ready to start contending a few years down the road and Strome is on the wrong side of 30, they might wish they could get his contract off the books.

7. Tony DeAngelo, Flyers

Acquisition: Trade with Hurricanes
Contract: 2 years, $5M AAV

DeAngelo may lead the Flyers' defense corps in points and average ice time this season, but not even that could save him from being made a healthy scratch earlier this month.

The 27-year-old ranks dead last among all blue-liners in defensive goals above replacement and is a minus-13 on the season, the worst differential on the Flyers. DeAngelo fared much better with the Hurricanes, but he spent the majority of his time with Jaccob Slavin, one of the best defensive defensemen in the game. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, there's no Slavin in the City of Brotherly Love.

The term of DeAngelo's deal isn't a glaring issue, but the Flyers did cough up three picks - including a 2024 second-rounder - to the Hurricanes in order to acquire his rights as a restricted free agent. That's a bit steep for a player who doesn't directly remedy the issues on Philly's back end.

8. Jonathan Huberdeau, Flames

Acquisition: Trade with Panthers
Contract: 1 year, $5.9M AAV

Calgary has failed to meet expectations across the board this season, but we're honing in on Huberdeau. Aside from Jacob Markstrom, it's hard to find a more underwhelming Flame in 2022-23.

Huberdeau was arguably the star attraction of the package the Flames received from the Panthers in the Matthew Tkachuk trade. The organization was so confident in Huberdeau's fit that it signed him to an eight-year, $84-million extension starting next campaign without even seeing him in a Flames jersey - and why not? Huberdeau posted 115 points last season, good for second most in the NHL.

Sure, Huberdeau hasn't been downright abysmal, but if he continues to have a hard time adjusting to Sutter's system, it's going to be a long nine years.

9. Evgenii Dadonov, Canadiens

Acquisition: Trade with Golden Knights
Contract: 1 year, $5M AAV

The Canadiens' acquisition of Dadonov in exchange for Shea Weber was always a head-scratcher. Weber's career is likely over, so his contract wouldn't even have counted against the salary cap.

Furthermore, the Canadiens are rebuilding, so why would they want an overpaid veteran on an expiring deal? Perhaps the plan was to flip him for assets at the deadline, but that appears unlikely at this point given his lack of production. The Habs have depth on the wings, so it was never going to be easy for Dadonov to carve out a prominent role. This always seemed like an unnecessary move.

10. John Klingberg, Ducks

Acquisition: UFA signing
Contract: 1 year, $7M AAV

We're not going to pretend that acquiring Klingberg would've magically made the Ducks a Stanley Cup contender, but he was at least supposed to make them a little bit more competitive.

Anaheim is in the basement of the NHL with a horrific goal differential of minus-57. Klingberg is a team-worst minus-16, and the typically talented puck-mover only has 10 points in 24 games. What's more, he ranks second last out of all rearguards in defensive goals above replacement.

Klingberg's one-year pact looked like it'd offer both the player and team some flexibility: The 30-year-old could give himself another shot at earning a longer-term deal next summer, while the Ducks could fetch a pretty package for him at the trade deadline. It isn't going as well as either side probably hoped.

(Analytics sources: Evolving-Hockey, Natural Stat Trick)

(Contract details: CapFriendly)

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Mitch Marner was held off the scoresheet for the first time in 24 games as the Toronto Maple Leafs lost 3-1 to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.

Marner's scorching run set a new Maple Leafs franchise record, eclipsing the 18-game point streak previously held by Darryl Sittler and Eddie Olczyk.

"Sometimes stuff doesn't go right for you and for the team," Marner said, per Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star. "Streaks are going to end eventually. I knew that. So it's not like I'm mad about it. I knew it was coming to an end eventually. It's hard to get points in this league. It's why it's the best league in the world."

Over the last 30 years, only three players have managed longer streaks than Marner's: Mats Sundin (30) in 1992-93, Patrick Kane (26) in 2015-16, and Sidney Crosby (25) in 2010-11.

Marner collected 32 points - 11 goals and 21 assists - while averaging nearly 21 minutes per contest during that stretch. He couldn't break through with three shots on net over 22:38 of ice time Thursday.

"We all would have loved for it to continue," captain and linemate John Tavares said. "It was a hell of a run. Obviously, I didn't want to see it end, but at the same time, even though it has, it's still extremely impressive."

The defeat also signaled the end of Toronto's 15-game point streak. The Maple Leafs went 12-0-3 after losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Nov. 11. They fell one game short of matching a franchise record for games without losing in regulation.

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The St. Louis Blues seem to be in the holiday spirit.

The Blues gifted the Edmonton Oilers a power play just 31 seconds into Thursday night's contest after being penalized for starting the wrong lineup. Head coach Craig Berube's starting lineup included Brayden Schenn, yet Brandon Saad began the game on the line with Ryan O'Reilly and Josh Leivo.

Edmonton's potent power play capitalized on the opportunity. Zach Hyman buried a loose puck past Jordan Binnington to give the Oilers a quick 1-0 lead.

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