When Andrew Raycroft was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2006, he was ecstatic to get the chance to play near his hometown of Belleville, Ontario.

Unfortunately for the netminder, things didn't go as planned.

"It started to snowball on me, getting more and more difficult," Raycroft said of his two seasons in Toronto, according to The Athletic's James Mirtle. "I just didn't know what to do. I wasn't Martin Brodeur. I wasn't Patrick Roy, where I had the talent or the pedigree to just to play my way out of it. I needed confidence and I needed mental clarity and I wasn't able to find that."

Raycroft showed immense promise as a young goaltender, taking home the Calder Trophy in 2003 while with the Boston Bruins. The Maple Leafs, who were looking for an immediate answer in net at the time, traded away the rights to Tuukka Rask to bring in Raycroft.

He started 71 games in his first season with the Leafs and went 37-25-9 with an .894 save percentage and 2.99 goals-against average. His peripheral numbers dipped as the year went on, and Toronto eventually missed the playoffs by a single point.

With the roller coaster of ups and downs during his first year and constant media spotlight, Raycroft believes he may have periodically suffered from depression.

"I don't know. I'm sure there was. I wasn't happy, that's for sure," he said. "It was hard for me to be excited about anything and get to the rink. ... I don't know if it was depression clinically or what exactly that feels like, but there was certainly times when I was really sad and just didn't want to deal with anything.

"It was still at a time where it wasn't frowned upon but (getting help) wasn't encouraged by any means. And it goes to the point of me not really having the confidence to go and ask for help and just trying to deal with it myself. I don't really have many regrets. I tried my best. But I wish I asked for help."

Raycroft pointed to the constant pressure from the media in Toronto as a key reason why he didn't seek help at the time.

"It would have made miles of difference, I believe, had I been able to just go and talk to someone," he added. "But if that had got out in the media that I was going to see someone? I was scared of that happening and looking even more weak than not just playing bad and losing games, but also looking like I can't handle it."

His second season in Toronto was one of the worst of his career, as he won just twice in 19 games. He bought out of his contract in the summer of 2008 and went on to be a backup goalie with the Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, and Dallas Stars until he went to play overseas in 2012. He announced his retirement from pro hockey in 2014.

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday the federal government will work with the NHL if it wishes to use a hub city in the country.

"We have indicated that we are comfortable with moving forward on an NHL hub in one of three Canadian cities that are asking for it," Trudeau said. "Obviously, the decision needs to be made by the NHL and the cities and provinces in the jurisdiction. Canada is open to it as long as it is OK by the local health authorities.”

Trudeau's comments come after he announced that border restrictions for non-essential travel between Canada and the United States are extended through July 21. The extension won't affect the league's plans to return, as players have already been crossing the border in both directions since the beginning of Phase 2, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

The league is expected to use two cities to host 24 teams for a potential return. The NHL expressed an interest in staging games in a Canadian city but is awaiting a decision from the federal government on whether players will be subject to the mandatory 14-day quarantine period upon entering the country.

Trudeau's announcement seems to indicate players won't need to strictly follow the quarantine rules in place. It's been reported the Canadian government would consider "extending the quarantine area" to include team facilities.

Vancouver, Edmonton, and Toronto have reportedly expressed interest in hosting teams. British Columbia health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry gave approval last week for Vancouver's plan to host teams, according to City News' Mike Hall.

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After looking back at some of the best NHL player debuts last month, it's time to give some credit to the veterans.

It's not always an easy task for experienced players to join new teams. Sometimes it takes time to adjust to new surroundings, gel with new teammates, and learn new systems. Still, there have been a number of players that have made impressive debuts with their new clubs.

Here, we're going to look back at five of the best veteran debuts with new teams over the last 30 seasons.

5. Saad nets hat trick in second stint with Blackhawks

When Brandon Saad was a restricted free agent, the Blackhawks dealt his negotiating rights to the Blue Jackets. He inked a six-year extension with Columbus, but Chicago reacquired him soon after in 2017 in exchange for talented newcomer Artemi Panarin.

Saad netted a hat trick in his first game back with the Blackhawks, which was a 10-1 beatdown against the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins. While Panarin went on to play at an MVP level elsewhere, Saad showed Chicago that he could still produce as he did in years past.

4. Fleury dazzles in inaugural Golden Knights game

Following the emergence of Matt Murray, Marc-Andre Fleury knew the writing was on the wall with the Penguins. After winning his third Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh, he willingly waived his no-movement clause, which allowed him to be selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft.

The Golden Knights managed to put together a respectable roster, but nobody was prepared for the historic season they would embark on with Fleury at the helm.

Fleury, who was immediately seen as the face of the franchise, turned in an epic performance on opening night against a tough Dallas team, stopping 45 of 46 shots while leading Vegas to its first win in franchise history. Not a bad introduction for a 33-year-old goalie.

3. Lemieux makes triumphant return after retirement

Mario Lemieux technically didn't make a debut for a new team, but he did take nearly four years off before rejoining the Penguins in 2000. With a new coach and a number of new teammates since he last played in 1997, Lemieux returned to a pretty unfamiliar scene.

However, during his debut on Dec. 27, he immediately showed that he hadn't missed a beat, producing a goal and two assists, including a helper on a goal in the opening seconds.

Lemieux only played in 43 games during the 2000-01 season, but he finished with 76 points and was named a Hart Trophy finalist. He helped lead Pittsburgh to the playoffs in 2001 but failed to do so in the following four seasons before retiring for good.

2. Jagr posts timeless 4-point effort in Stars debut

Expectations were slightly tempered when Jaromir Jagr signed with the Stars as a 40-year-old. The 2012-13 lockout delayed the season, but Jagr finally got the chance to make his debut with his first Western Conference team in mid-January.

He kicked off his stint with his fifth team in vintage fashion, contributing on every goal during a 4-3 win over the Coyotes. Jagr picked up two goals and two assists, proving to the hockey world that, for him, age is just a number.

1. Kontos explodes in Lightning's franchise debut

The Lightning made their NHL debut during the 1992-93 season and faced a tough task on opening night, taking on Ed Belfour and the Chicago Blackhawks on home ice.

Chris Kontos, who signed with the Lightning as a free agent, hadn't played in an NHL game in nearly three years. Prior to his stint with Tampa Bay, he appeared in just 164 career games and recorded 27 career goals. On opening night in 1992, the little-known forward turned in a heroic performance, recording four goals in a shocking 7-3 win.

Kontos helped kick off the Lightning franchise in spectacular fashion, and he went on to score 27 goals for the season, his final in the NHL.

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Though they only spent two seasons as teammates with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Patrick Marleau has seen enough from Mitch Marner to know he's a special player.

"He amazes me," the Pittsburgh Penguins forward said Friday on Sportsnet's "Hockey Central." "I just love watching him play. The way he skates, the way he sees the ice, the way he creates space for himself - and that goes into his skating - is amazing."

Marleau spent two seasons in Toronto from 2017-19 and developed a close relationship with Marner. The seasoned veteran applauded the now-23-year-old for his hockey skills, but it's Marner's conduct off the ice that stands out to Marleau.

"He's kind of like Jumbo (Joe Thornton) in a way where he can have a great time and then flip that switch. As soon as he's on the ice it's all business," Marleau said. "He knows those different moments where he can relax and have some fun, but he's also very passionate and very focused on being one of the best players in the league and winning.

"A lot of people cannot see that part because they always look at the happy, the smiling, and that. But he's very focused and very committed."

Marner has been one of the Maple Leafs' best players since the team selected him fourth overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. He's amassed 83 goals and 208 assists in 300 career games.

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Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak took home the Golden Hockey Stick as the Czech Player of the Year for the fourth straight season, the league announced Thursday.

The honor ties Pastrnak with former NHL star Jaromir Jagr for the most consecutive victories.

Pastrnak earned 51 of 52 first-place votes from Czech hockey journalists and coaches, with Chicago Blackhawks rookie Dominik Kubalik coming in second and Philadelphia Flyers forward Jakub Voracek finishing third.

"I want to hold a cup for the world champions and a Stanley Cup above my head," Pastrnak said. "This is a pure individual trophy. I am very honored to have it, it is an inspiration for me. But I don't play golf or tennis, so I won't favor myself before my team."

Jagr, who took home the honor a record 12 times, won four straight from 2005 to 2008. Pastrnak's four wins are tied for third with Vladimir Martinec, and now he trails just Dominik Hasek - who won it five times - and Jagr.

Pastrnak had the best statistical season of his career despite it being cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He recorded a career-high 48 goals and 95 points and won the Maurice Rocket Richard Trophy for the first time.

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Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel is hopeful he'll be ready to return if and when the NHL season resumes.

"Every day, day by day, just hanging in there," Guentzel said, according to NHL.com's Wes Crosby. "I'm getting better every day. Just kind of sticking to the protocol and what I have to do. If we start playing, hopefully I'll be ready by then."

Guentzel last played Dec. 30. He underwent shoulder surgery Dec. 31 and was slated to miss four-to-six months.

With Phase 2 of the NHL's return-to-play plan now in effect, Guentzel joined teammates Sidney Crosby, Casey DeSmith, Brian Dumoulin, and John Marino at the team's facility Tuesday.

"I think, for us, it's nice to be back with guys and see each other," Guentzel said. "It's been so long since we've seen each other and been on the ice with each other with not knowing what's going to happen. ... We're all really excited to get going."

While Guentzel may not have expected to play hockey again this season, he's thankful for the opportunity to get back onto the ice after the hiatus gave him additional time to rehab.

"I can take the positive out of this," Guentzel said. "Not really sure what would've happened if the season would've played out, so I can take these two or three months and use them to my advantage. If I can get rehabbed and feeling good, that'd be nice to get back playing."

Guentzel recorded 20 goals and 43 points over 39 games this season. He's been a key playoff performer for Pittsburgh, logging 24 goals and 43 points in 41 career postseason games.

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With players across the NHL voicing their support in the effort to combat racism, Akim Aliu singled out Logan Couture's personal apology as one of the most meaningful messages he's seen.

Aliu, who played hockey with Couture when they were 11 years old, said the San Jose Sharks captain reached out to him privately before publishing a statement.

"He shot me a text right before he sent the tweet out of support in what we're doing about just, 'Hey, I didn't understand. I didn't take the time to understand,'" Aliu said on Sportsnet's "In Conversation with Ron MacLean." "It's hard to relate to something that you don't know, and that's why I don't get upset at people."

Aliu continued: "Look at the minor hockey team that I played on ... I think we had five or six (future) NHLers. They never treated me with nothing but respect. But when I was going through issues, it's hard for them to relate to what I'm going through because they just don't understand it. And it's not a knock on them."

Aliu also addressed Couture's remarks regarding a hazing incident involving Steve Downie during Aliu's junior hockey career. After the Windsor Spitfires selected him sixth overall in the OHL draft in 2005, Aliu refused to participate in rookie hazing and eventually fought his teammate Downie.

"When Logan said that he appreciated me for the hazing situation and that I helped players not have to go through what I went through with Steve Downie, that really touched me because that's something no one's ever said to me," Aliu said. "So that really meant a lot to me."

Couture, who was also drafted to the OHL in 2005, recently applauded Aliu on Twitter for his courage during their junior hockey days and apologized for not speaking up sooner.

"Very true. I'm in that group, the message should have been sent sooner. (Aliu) standing up for what was right when he was 16 saved a lot of us from going through the hazing shit he did," Couture wrote in response to a tweet pointing out previous indifference to hazing and racism within the hockey community. "He deserves praise."

Aliu and six other active and retired black NHL players recently formed the Hockey Diversity Alliance, an independent group seeking to eliminate racism and intolerance in hockey,

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Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan expressed gratitude Tuesday for his selection as the team's nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy after enduring a tough year off the ice.

"Obviously I'm honored. I think it's a great thing and a silver lining for the year that I went through," Ryan told team reporter Craig Medaglia.

He added: "To be recognized for some of the work that I put in during the months leading up to my comeback is a very small but fulfilling thing for me."

The trophy is awarded annually to the player "who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey." Each team's nominee was announced Tuesday.

Ryan took a leave of absence from hockey in November to enter the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program for an alcohol issue he said he dealt with for years. He returned to action on Feb. 25 after being in the program for over three months.

The 33-year-old also said he wasn't sure he'd be able to play again when he left the team in November.

"Right when I left was the hardest time because I knew leaving that I might have played my last game in the NHL. That was the hardest thing to swallow and to get over," Ryan said.

"I doubted that I'd be able to get my body where I needed to be to play," he added. "I have to thank the staff because not only was I able to do that but I was in the best shape of my life for an entire month before I got back up to game speed. I did worry about it but I had an incredible group around me."

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Buffalo Sabres goalie Carter Hutton confessed he struggled with an ongoing vision issue during the 2019-20 season.

After seeking treatment, Hutton discovered he suffered from convergence insufficiency, a disorder in which a person's eyes don't move at the same time. He learned his left eye moved slower than his right and attended therapy throughout the season to correct the problem.

"It started to come back around big time in January," Hutton said, according to Buffalo News' Lance Lysowski.

He added, "(Therapy) became part of my daily routine. I would do a ton of different eye training and things to get better at that. In the moment it was obviously tough. Now, moving forward, I learned a lot of skills to help improve that area and make my eye strength better and work on stuff. We weren't sure what it was. It was something I managed throughout the season."

Hutton admitted the vision impairment made it difficult for him to track pucks on the ice, and even routine practice drills became difficult.

The 34-year-old doesn't blame his eyesight for his poor play at times during the season. From Oct. 24 to Jan. 30, the veteran netminder recorded an 0-8-4 record with a 4.04 goals-against average and .872 save percentage.

"I didn't perform as well as I needed to at times, and obviously, I think it was 12 straight I was winless, which is really tough to swallow," Hutton said.

He continued, "It's obviously something that needs to change. During the year, I can't have these lulls and I'll get back to doing what I do best. I've played in the league for a long time. I didn't just forget how to play. I had a rough go with some stuff and we'll get back to it."

Hutton went 12-14-4 with a 3.18 goals-against average and .898 save percentage in his second season with the Sabres.

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Detroit Red Wings veteran netminder Jimmy Howard hopes he can move past the worst season of his professional career.

"I want to keep playing," Howard said Friday, according to The Detroit News' Ted Kulfan. "This year left such a bitter taste in my mouth. I want to go out there and show people I can still play in this league - I know I'm capable."

The 36-year-old ended the season with a 2-23-2 record - including 20 straight losses - to go along with a career-low 4.20 goals-against average and .882 save percentage.

Howard, who's set to hit free agency this offseason, doesn't believe his poor statistics are a reflection of his ability as a goaltender.

"I personally don't believe I represent those number (statistics), but I was a big part of the program (losing)," Howard said. "I got in my own way a lot instead of letting the play to come. I was overthinking things. I was in my head and tinkering with stuff instead of just saying, 'You can do this,' and have the confidence to go out and do it."

He added: "When things got spiraling out of control, I felt like I was in quicksand, and when I tried to get out of it the more I sank."

With teammate Jonathan Bernier signed for the 2020-21 season, Howard understands his time in Detroit may come to an end, though he still hopes to end his career with the club that drafted him in 2003.

"I love this state, this city, and this city is home to us now. I would want to finish my career a Red Wing," Howard said. "But at the same time, I've been around this game long enough to realize there comes a time when you have to separate ties. If that's the way it'll have to go, I've mentally prepared for that. My wife and I have talked about it a little bit, and if that's going to be the case, it'll have to be the case."

Howard has spent his entire 14-year career with Detroit. He's compiled a 246-196-70 record with a 2.62 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.

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