Anaheim Ducks star Trevor Zegras hit the ice Tuesday for the first time since ending his contract stalemate, and the main thing he worked on with new head coach Greg Cronin was his defensive game.
"(Cronin) was telling me how to play defense," Zegras said with a laugh, according to NHL.com's Matt Weller. "We were doing some shuffle around the dots, and the first thing he did was take my stick and throw it in the corner, which I thought was definitely interesting, but we'll work through it for sure."
Zegras added that a commitment to figuring out his two-way game was "a big thing" when it came to negotiating his new three-year, $17.25-million bridge deal.
"That was a big emphasis from (general manager Pat Verbeek's) point of view, and if you want to play in this league, it's something you have to commit to," he said. "I think Cronin is definitely the guy for that."
Zegras has had no problem wowing the league with his offensive abilities, but his performance on the other side of the puck hasn't been going as well through his first three NHL seasons:
Evolving-Hockey
The 22-year-old led the Ducks in giveaways (75) for the second straight campaign in 2022-23, and he owns 158 giveaways in his career compared to just 77 takeaways. Zegras also ranked among the 15 worst skaters in defensive goals above replacement (minus-7.9) last season, per Evolving-Hockey.
Cronin has been working to improve Anaheim's defensive structure throughout the preseason and says he's excited to do the same with Zegras now that he's with the team.
"When I talk to 'Z,' I don't talk to him about his offense," he said. "He's a dynamic offensive player. First, get to know the person, then when you sit down and talk to them, you start talking about value systems. Some of these guys that are offensive their whole careers, they just follow the offense. ... Just keep focusing on the offense, that's all you're going to chase, is offense."
Cronin continued, "(Zegras') offense isn't going away - it's always going to be there - but we're going to try to create a focus for him to be defensively responsible. And I guarantee you if he does that, he'll get more possessions with the puck."
Getting the puck on Zegras' stick will only lead to good things for Anaheim. The creative forward paced his teammates with 65 points in 81 games in 2022-23.
Cronin was hired to take over behind the bench in June, and he's inherited a Ducks team that owned an abysmal goal differential of minus-129 last season.
Puck drops on Anaheim's 2023-24 regular season Oct. 14 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Dan and Sat discuss how the Canucks are approaching their defence and whether or not "defence by committee" can work for them. Hear from Irfaan Gaffar on the defensive situation and much more around the team!
This podcast was produced by Josh Elliott-Wolfe.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft won't name his starting goaltender for Edmonton's regular-season opener on Oct. 11, saying that it's still an "open competition" between Stuart Skinner and Jack Campbell.
"I don't think that I have all the information to make that decision just yet," he told the media Tuesday. "I'm not gonna lay out my process in making that decision. We're realists and we understand that we need both goalies - it's a two-goalie league now. We have 1A and 1B, and they're going to sort out who's who."
Skinner and Campbell have both appeared in two games so far this preseason, but the latter has boasted better numbers, albeit in a small sample size:
"They both are gonna get another (preseason) game here to sort that out and make my decision easy," Woodcroft said.
Skinner wrestled the starting job away from a disastrous Campbell in 2022-23 and was named a Calder Trophy finalist after registering a .914 save percentage to go along with a 29-14-5 record.
The 24-year-old started all 12 playoff games for Edmonton in the spring but struggled with an under-.900 save percentage, while Campbell was stellar in four relief appearances, logging a .961 clip and 1.01 goals against average.
Campbell said in September that he aims to build on his promising playoff performance and is looking forward to getting an opportunity to "write a new script" in 2023-24. He is entering the second season of a five-year, $25-million contract.
Woodcroft has been impressed by what he's seen from the veteran in the preseason and believes that it will be "very healthy" for Skinner to be pushed by an improved Campbell.
"I think (Campbell) went into the summer with a clear frame of mind on what he wanted to get better at," he said. "He appears to me to be very relaxed. He's letting the game come to him, he's made numerous great saves. He's in a good headspace, he's in a good physical space. ... What a guy to be partnered up with."
The Oilers ranked 15th in on-ice save percentage (90.1) at all strengths last season.
Edmonton has two preseason games remaining on its schedule: Oct. 4 against the Calgary Flames and Oct. 6 versus the Seattle Kraken.
It’s the final week of the NHL preseason and the MLB playoffs are beginning, so a huge show today! Matt and Blake go over the latest line combos from Canucks practice, and what that means for the tilt with the Kraken in Abbotsford. Our new weekly insider from Daily Faceoff, Frank Seravalli, stops by to recap his couple of days spent at training camp in Vancouver, and shares a bold prediction or two. John Shannon joins as well, with a breakdown of the Canadian NHL television and streaming rights, and whether big changes may be afoot over the next 3-4 years. All that, plus a preview of big games ahead for both the Lions and Whitecaps! Presented by Applewood Auto Group.
Derek Stepan retired from the NHL after 13 seasons, he announced Tuesday.
"I want to thank my family and friends for always supporting me and allowing me to live my dreams," he said in a statement. "I want to thank the four organizations I had the privilege of playing for and my teammates for allowing me to be part of their family. Finally, I want to thank the fans, it was an honor to play in front of you."
The 33-year-old became an unrestricted free agent this offseason after playing on two consecutive one-year deals with the Carolina Hurricanes. He managed just 11 points in 73 games last season while averaging 9:05 per contest.
Stepan also suited up for the New York Rangers, Arizona Coyotes, and Ottawa Senators throughout his career. His most notable stint was on Broadway, where he played seven seasons. He produced his most memorable moments with the Rangers, including a hat trick in his NHL debut and the Game 7 overtime winner against the Washington Capitals in the second round of the 2015 playoffs.
Across 890 career games, Stepan produced 182 goals and 333 assists to go with 55 points in 120 playoff appearances.
Internationally, Stepan represented the United States at the world juniors (2010), world championship (2011), Olympics (2014), and World Cup of Hockey (2016).
We've identified the best bets for most of the major awards in the lead-up to the 2023-24 NHL campaign.
Now it's time to dig into the best of the rest and some of the niche markets I see value in.
Sharks worst regular-season record (+275)
The Sharks are going to be bad. Next level bad. No team won fewer games than the Sharks last season, and that was while having Timo Meier on the roster for most of his 40-goal campaign. Not to mention, Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson put up more than 100 points.
Both of those players are gone, leaving the Sharks almost completely devoid of high-end talent. Tomas Hertl and an aging, banged-up Logan Couture are all they have left - and they have next to no support.
This team is going to be at a massive talent disadvantage every single night, and the goaltending is nowhere close to good enough to compensate.
A tandem of Kaapo Kahkonen and Mackenzie Blackwood is as bad and unstable as you'll find in the NHL. Kahkonen was truly dreadful last season, posting an abysmal .883 save percentage over 37 appearances.
Blackwood isn't exactly a reliable alternative. The 26-year-old once looked promising, but his play has fallen off a cliff in recent years. He's managed just a .893 save percentage over 47 appearances in the last two seasons.
With two goaltenders coming off sub-.900 seasons being relied upon to backstop a team that should bleed chances each and every night, the Sharks will be as close to a free two points as you'll see.
I think they're by far the league's biggest threat to finish dead last.
Kirill Kaprizov over 43.5 goals (-115)
Kaprizov has been a menacing goal-scorer since the day he stepped into the NHL. He's scored 114 goals through 203 regular-season games, which equates to 46 goals per 82 games.
Kaprizov is on an upward trajectory as well. He netted 47 in 2021-22 and took things up another notch last season, scoring 40 times in just 67 games. With better health, he would've flirted with 50.
He's incredibly good at generating shots, and the Wild rely on him more than almost any forward in the league. His usage jumped up two minutes per game last season, with Kaprizov averaging more than 21 minutes per night.
Getting him the puck is priority No. 1 for the Wild. He'll be spoonfed all the ice time he can handle, which is a recipe for gaudy totals with how efficient he is.
If Kaprizov can stay healthy and play in even 70-to-75 games, I think he'll go over this number rather easily.
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.
That should make for a nail-biter of a Calder Trophy race, right?
Right?
Wrong.
Everyone already knows who's the favorite to take home the hardware in the spring. However, that doesn't mean we can't assess the rest of the field vying for second place.
Let's get into it.
All stats are from the 2022-23 season with the league specified in the games played column
5. Luke Hughes, Devils 😈
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
GP (NHL)
G
P
ATOI
Drafted
2
1
2
16:14
4th overall (2021)
There are a few other prominent rookie defensemen to keep an eye on this season, but Hughes is arguably the first-year rearguard best set up for success. He gets to slot right into a Devils lineup that's dominant with the puck and filled to the brim with offensive weapons. (His brother, Jack, is chief among them.)
That style suits the youngest Hughes sibling just fine. He ended his NCAA career with 27 goals - including four game-winners - and 87 points in 80 games over two seasons at the University of Michigan. That production surpasses what his eldest brother, Vancouver Canucks blue-liner Quinn, accomplished during his two-year tenure with the Wolverines (13 goals and 85 points in 91 games).
New Jersey got a taste of what Hughes could do at the NHL level at the end of the 2022-23 season, punctuated by a stunning overtime winner in the regular-season finale against the Washington Capitals. The Devils then gave him a shot in three playoff games in the second round.
Hughes projects to take on a decent amount of responsibility after New Jersey lost Ryan Graves and Damon Severson in the offseason. However, Hughes likely won't be called upon to quarterback the top power-play unit with Dougie Hamilton around. Regardless, Hughes should see an ample amount of minutes, and the points should follow given the sheer amount of talent in New Jersey.
4. Devon Levi, Sabres 🐏
Kevin Hoffman / Getty Images Sport / Getty
GP (NHL)
SV%
GAA
Drafted
7
.905
2.94
7th round (2020)
The future is now with Levi in the Sabres' crease.
The 21-year-old netminder is projected to be Buffalo's No. 1 starter in 2023-24. If his brief preview last season is any indication, that is very, very good news for the Sabres. Buffalo heavily relied on Levi with the team in the throes of a tight wild-card race, and he went 5-2-0 while saving 0.7 goals above average and 3.69 goals above expected at all strengths. The latter clip ranked 11th overall in the league since his debut March 31.
Speaking of his NHL debut, Levi showed off his characteristic poise and athleticism en route to a dazzling 31-save effort in a 3-2 overtime victory against the New York Rangers. The hype surrounding him is real, as evidenced by the raucous "Levi" chants that rained down from the KeyBank Center throughout his first NHL game.
The opportunity for Levi to be the guy in Buffalo is there. The Sabres didn't add another goalie in the offseason, meaning he'll just have to compete with Eric Comrie and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. There'll be plenty more "Levi" choruses to come if he can give Buffalo some much-needed stability in the blue paint.
3. Adam Fantilli, Blue Jackets 💥
Jason Mowry / Getty Images Sport / Getty
GP (NCAA)
G
P
Drafted
36
30
65
3rd overall (2023)
Fantilli is semi-shockingly with the Blue Jackets after widely being expected to go second overall at the 2023 NHL Draft. But hey, we bet Columbus isn't complaining.
The 18-year-old center is jumping right into his NHL career following one dominant season in the NCAA in which he led the entire league in points as a rookie. Fantilli won the Hobey Baker Award for his efforts while thriving against slightly older competition.
He's joining a Blue Jackets squad that features some standout wingers up front, like Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine, as well as Kirill Marchenko and fellow University of Michigan alum Kent Johnson. If Fantilli slots into the top six, he'll have no shortage of talented linemates to play with. However, Laine has played center this preseason after saying he'd be open to the position, and captain Boone Jenner will likely play in the middle of one of the top two lines.
As a result, Fantilli's ascension up the lineup may be a bit slower than the No. 2 guy on this list. So, we've put him in the bronze-medal spot ... for now. Anything can happen once they start playing actual NHL games.
2. Logan Cooley, Coyotes 🌵
Josh Chadwick / Getty Images Sport / Getty
GP (NCAA)
G
P
Drafted
39
22
60
3rd overall (2022)
The Coyotes are ready to move onto the next phase of their rebuild, and here to help things along is Cooley. Surprise! If thatspin-o-rama preseason goal he scored in Australia is any indication, the league is in trouble.
Cooley was initially committed to play out the 2023-24 campaign at the University of Minnesota. However, much to the delight of Coyotes fans, he had a change of heart and inked his entry-level pact with Arizona in late July, saying that he felt "ready for the challenge" of the NHL. His jump to the big leagues makes sense given that Cooley terrorized the NCAA as a freshman last season. He led the Golden Gophers in goals - including six game-winners - and points and was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
The 19-year-old will likely slot into the Coyotes' top six right out of the gate, but he'll probably take second-line duties behind Arizona's underrated top unit of Clayton Keller, Barrett Hayton, and Nick Schmaltz. However, the dynamic Cooley may be quick to seize the role as Arizona's No. 1 center after Hayton mustered just 43 points last season.
A swift ascension to the top line would've aided Cooley's Calder hopes if it didn't already feel like the winner of the hardware has already been decided. Cooley and Fantilli may prove to be worthy adversaries for the honor, but it's going to take a hell of a lot for them to usurp the top dog.
1. Connor Bedard, Blackhawks 🏆
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
GP (WHL)
G
P
Drafted
57
71
143
1st overall (2023)
Who else?
Get used to seeing Bedard's name in the No. 1 spot on these rankings. Barring disaster, it's going to be a common occurrence. He's long been hailed as a generational talent in the same vein as Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby, and if you've ever watched him play, it's easy to see why.
Bedard torched the CHL in 2022-23, operating at an outlandish 2.51 point-per-game clip. As a result of his efforts, he won the CHL's Top Prospect Award, Top Scorer Award, and David Branch Player of the Year Award, becoming the first player to take home all three honors in the same campaign.
The 18-year-old also received the inaugural IIHF Male Player of the Year award after leading the 2023 World Junior Championship with nine goals and 23 points - nine clear of Cooley in second place - in seven games. He was named tournament MVP while helping Canada win gold, becoming the country's all-time leader in goals and points at the world juniors in the process.
The table is set for Bedard to eat up top-line minutes with the Blackhawks this season, and Chicago even did him a solid by getting him a competent linemate in Taylor Hall. Although the team is still decently thin up front, we anticipate Bedard being able to drive offense all by himself.
Hang tight everyone, we'll just have to wait a little longer for the Bedard era to officially begin in the Windy City.
The start of the new NHL season is a week away, with regular-season action beginning Oct. 10.
We'll prep you for the lengthy 82-game campaign by previewing each of the four divisions from a betting perspective and evaluating what the odds say about each team's outlook.
Let's start with the Atlantic Division.
Futures odds
Team
Stanley Cup
Eastern Conf.
Atlantic Div.
Maple Leafs
+900
+550
+175
Bruins
+1600
+800
+350
Panthers
+1800
+900
+400
Lightning
+2500
+900
+700
Sabres
+3500
+1600
+1000
Senators
+4000
+2000
+1000
Red Wings
+6000
+3000
+2500
Canadiens
+20000
+8000
+10000
The betting market believes the Maple Leafs are the best team in the Atlantic, making them favorites to win the division at +175 (36.5% implied probability).
Toronto changed its general manager but didn't make any other drastic overhauls to a roster that was bounced in disappointing fashion to the Panthers in the second round of last year's postseason. However, they did add some "snot" - as new GM Brad Treliving likes to call it - with the additions of Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, and Ryan Reaves.
Oddsmakers believe those changes are enough for the team to dethrone the reigning Presidents' Trophy-winning Bruins. Boston has some question marks this year after losing captain Patrice Bergeron and longtime centerman David Krejci to retirement. The Bruins were also upset by the 8-seed Panthers in the playoffs last year after setting an NHL record for most regular-season points.
The Panthers appear to be the third-best team in this division based on the odds. They marched to the Stanley Cup Final last season before losing to the Golden Knights.
To make the playoffs
Team
Yes
No
Maple Leafs
-700
+425
Bruins
-300
+220
Panthers
-220
+170
Lightning
-145
+115
Sabres
-110
-120
Senators
-125
-105
Red Wings
+230
-320
Canadiens
+1300
-3500
The top three teams in the division are heavy favorites to make the playoffs. The Panthers at -220 (68.8% implied probability) have the worst chance of the trio, according to the betting market.
Oddsmakers seem to believe the Lightning will take a step back in 2023-24. A 59.2% implied probability of making the playoffs is very low for a team that won two of the last four Stanley Cups. The loss of Andrei Vasilevskiy for two months due to back surgery may be a large reason why. However, given the experience of the Lightning's core, they have to be included as favorites to win the division.
There's a gap in the odds of winning the division after the Lightning. The Sabres, Senators, and Red Wings are all trending in the right direction but may be a year or two away from contending with the Atlantic's top teams.
It's worth noting the Senators have better odds of making the playoffs than the Sabres but worse odds of winning the Eastern Conference and Stanley Cup.
After recording only 68 points last year and receiving the fifth pick in the 2023 draft, the betting market is expecting the Canadiens to struggle once again. Their +20000 odds of winning the Stanley Cup are ahead of only the Ducks, Coyotes, and Sharks.
