Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Laughton wants to use Pride tape despite the NHL's new ban, and he doesn't appear worried about how the league might punish him.

"You'll probably see me with the Pride tape on (Pride night) anyway," he said Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Charlie O'Connor. "If they want to say something, they can."

Many NHL players and others in the hockey world have criticized the league since it confirmed Tuesday that it's prohibiting the use of the rainbow-colored tape that often accompanies Pride night celebrations.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly said Tuesday he wished "the players had the right to do more" in the wake of the decision. Calgary Flames blue-liner Rasmus Andersson said the ban "sucks" and lamented that it's not just Pride nights but also "Hockey Fights Cancer" events that'll be affected.

Longtime NHL executive Brian Burke wrote Wednesday that he's "deeply disappointed" in the league's efforts to "protect a select few who do not want to answer any questions about their choices." Burke added that he hopes the NHL reconsiders its decision.

In June, the league banned the wearing of theme night jerseys of any kind during pregame warmups for this season. It made the move in response to seven players refusing to wear Pride night jerseys for various reasons during the 2022-23 campaign.

The first player to do so was Ivan Provorov, who at the time was Laughton's teammate with the Flyers. Philadelphia traded Provorov to the Columbus Blue Jackets in early June.

Laughton helped organize the Pride night during which Provorov's refusal took place. The Canadian oversaw several initiatives connected to the event along with fellow Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk.

Last season, Laughton was Philadelphia's nominee for the King Clancy Trophy, which recognizes players who exemplify leadership on and off the ice and also make significant humanitarian contributions to their communities.

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The Ottawa Senators are expected to be at a disadvantage before the puck even drops for their season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night.

Ottawa appears to be going with 11 forwards and six defensemen due to salary-cap issues and injuries to forwards Josh Norris and Zack MacEwen.

The Senators thought Norris would be ready to play in the preseason after he had shoulder surgery that ended his 2022-23 campaign. He still isn't ready to return, but the club is choosing not to place him on long-term injured reserve.

Norris would miss 10 games or 24 days if he lands on LTIR, but it'd free up his $7.95-million cap hit and allow Ottawa to add a player to the roster.

To complicate matters, MacEwen is now hurt as well. He didn't skate Wednesday and has been considered day-to-day with an upper-body ailment.

The Senators only have approximately $63,000 in cap space, according to CapFriendly.

Because of the club's cap constraints, it hasn't been able to re-sign Shane Pinto, who's essentially a restricted free agent (he's a "10.2c" player who hasn't played enough to qualify for the standard "Group 2" RFA status).

The 22-year-old forward scored 20 goals and added 15 assists while playing all 82 games in his first full campaign last season.

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The New Jersey Devils are rewarding head coach Lindy Ruff with a multi-year contract extension, the club announced Wednesday.

Ruff was a Jack Adams Award finalist last season after he guided the Devils to the NHL's third-best record. The veteran bench boss helped New Jersey reel off a 13-game win streak from late October to late November. He led the turnaround after fans infamously chanted "Fire Lindy" following a slow start.

The 63-year-old ranks fifth all time in games coached and wins, though he has the third-most losses and a winning percentage of .487. Ruff won the Jack Adams in 2006 with the Buffalo Sabres, finished second in 2007, and placed third in 2016.

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Vegas Golden Knights forward Brett Howden received a match penalty for an illegal check to the head of Seattle Kraken forward Brandon Tanev on Tuesday night.

Howden caught an unsuspecting Tanev up high in the third period.

Tanev left the game after the collision. The decision to assess a five-minute major was upheld after review. The Kraken didn't score on the subsequent power play.

Howden hasn't received supplementary discipline in his NHL career.

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Connor Bedard may have recorded his first-ever NHL point Tuesday night, but it's the Chicago Blackhawks' 4-2 comeback win over the Pittsburgh Penguins that he'll recall the most about his big-league debut.

"I think you remember (your debut) with a little better taste in your mouth when you win," he said postgame, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Ben Pope.

He added: "It was really cool, really special, (and I was) trying to take it in. But in the end, you're focused on the hockey game. There's nerves, of course. It's a pretty big moment in your life. But (I was) just trying to settle in and focus on that."

The Blackhawks trailed the Penguins 2-0 around the midway mark of the second period, but they stormed back with four unanswered goals. Bedard helped turn the tide with a secondary assist on Ryan Donato's tally that got Chicago on the board:

Jason Dickinson netted the eventual game-winner in the final frame, while goaltender Petr Mrazek hung tough with 38 saves on 40 shots.

"I think it just shows kind of our mindset," Bedard told ESPN's Emily Kaplan about his team's effort. "I think we've seen that a lot throughout camp. Guys want to win so bad, and they're so focused on improving every day. That was kind of what we were thinking going into every period, just get a little bit better. We played great, every line contributed. It was a lot of fun."

Bedard's first NHL game was filled with more than a few pinch-me moments, including an opening faceoff against Sidney Crosby. Bedard explained what he was thinking in that instant.

"Try to win it, and I failed miserably, but it was pretty cool," he said. "Obviously, a childhood hero."

Although Bedard won just two of his 13 draws, he recorded a team-high five shots and 11 shot attempts while leading all Blackhawks forwards with 21:29 minutes of ice time. His performance impressed head coach Luke Richardson.

"He's all in on the team, but he has obviously shown he's not afraid to use his talents when the other team is vulnerable," Richardson said, per Pope. "There was maybe only once or twice in the whole game where he tried to do everything by himself. ... Other than that, he was really carrying the play."

With his debut now in the books, Bedard is left with a bittersweet feeling.

"It's a moment you think of all your life, and now it's already done," he said, according to The Athletic's Mark Lazerus. "That part's kinda sad."

The 2023 first overall pick won't have to wait very long for his next game. The Blackhawks will take on the Bruins in Boston on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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Matt and Blake take stock of a season that is supposed to be different, right? Well....eve of the opener and they don't have a full compliment of forwards or defencemen at practice. Injuries and the flu playing a part, but so is the decision to delay surgery for Ilya Mikeheyev. Conor Garland has a new agent and is seeking a trade. Elliotte Friedman reporting that maybe the Canucks don't want to commit to Elias Pettersson if he doesn't want to commit to them. Plus, the GM speaks on why Sam Lafferty was acquired, and the camps of Ilya Podkolzin and Nils Höglander. Matt, Blake and Rink Wide: Vancouver host Jeff Paterson give their predictions for the Canucks season: points, standings finish, leading scorer, team MVP and a wild card storyline. Jeff takes on the roster and opening night lineup after the injury to Carson Soucy and the unknown availability of Teddy Blueger. He comments on the Pettersson matter, Mikheyev's recovery, and other teams around the NHL getting their business done before puck drop. John Shannon stops by with his thoughts on North Vancouver's Connor Bedard and the most anticipated NHL rookie since Connor McDavid. He gives us his predictions for the Canucks season, and surveys the Western Conference for upward mobility. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.

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