Brady Tkachuk is still mapping out his future path.

The fourth overall pick of the Ottawa Senators is debating whether he's ready to turn pro next season, or if further seasoning at Boston University would be better for his long-term goals.

Signing an entry-level contract would make Tkachuk ineligible for the NCAA. However, if he's not quite ready primetime, he could also be assigned to Belleville, home of the Senators' AHL club, or to the OHL's London Knights, who hold his junior rights.

"The decision will be based on what's best for my development short and long term; I want to have a long career and don't want to go somewhere and not have an impact," Tkachuk told Mike Morreale of NHL.com. "I want to make an impact wherever I go and be able to contribute and play my best. Having both options is a great problem to have; they are two great spots."

Tkachuk has turned to his family for advice, counting on his father, Keith, one of the top American-born players of all time, and brother, Matthew, who broke in with the Calgary Flames two seasons ago at 18 years old.

"It's tough for me to be on the phone with my parents because we're not in the same city," Tkachuk added. "But I want to talk to them face-to-face because their opinion, and the opinion of my brother and sister, are important so they'll tell me what they think but it'll be my decision in the end.

"It's one of the biggest decisions of my life. It's tough and stressful but when it happens it'll be nice to have it off the shoulders. I just want to be 100 percent committed to wherever I decide."

Should Tkachuk choose the pro ranks, there's a good chance he could make the immediate jump to the NHL given the potentially open spots on the Senators' roster.

But there are also some advantages to returning to the Terriers. Tkachuk would likely see increased ice time as a sophomore and would also get a shot at working alongside new bench boss Albie O'Connell following David Quinn's appointment with the New York Rangers.

Tkachuk finished fourth in Terriers team scoring last season, netting 31 points in 40 games. He also impressed as part of Team USA at the World Junior Championship, posting nine points in seven contests.

The budding power winger has circled Aug. 12 as the latest he intends to make his decision, giving both sides nearly a month to prepare for training camp. For now, the clock ticks.

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Jarome Iginla officially announced his retirement Monday after 20 seasons, but former Calgary Flames president of hockey operations Brian Burke stole some of the spotlight with a surprising revelation.

While joining the broadcast panel covering Iginla's retirement, Burke indicated to Sportsnet's Faizal Khamisa that a reunion between Iginla and the Flames was nearly in the works last season with the then free agent before Calgary ultimately landed on Jaromir Jagr.

The Flames signed Jagr in October, but a nagging groin injury limited the Czech superstar to just 22 appearances, in which he was held to one goal and six assists.

Iginla didn't suit up last season after splitting the 2016-17 campaign between the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings.

While a homecoming wasn't in the cards for Iginla, he hangs up his skates as the Flames' all-time leader in games played (1,219), goals (525), and points (1,095).

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Cam Ward enjoyed life in Carolina, but he's optimistic about a change of scenery after signing a one-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Ward joins a club that has won three Stanley Cups since 2010, and boasts a fervid fan base.

"That gives me goosebumps, knowing you're coming to a city, to an organization, to a fan base that really loves and has a passion for hockey," Ward told John Dietz of the Daily Herald. "I'm excited about going to the United Center."

Following Ward's 13-year run with the Hurricanes, Scott Darling's addition last offseason forced him to look elsewhere for work.

In Chicago, he's still seen as a secondary option, but he could take on increased playing time as starter Corey Crawford works his way back from injury.

His Carolina tenure included a Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy, back in 2006. But the sweet times in Carolina have been few and far between since, as the team last qualified for the postseason in 2009. He's happy to join a club with championship ambitions.

"As players, we thrive in atmospheres like that. At least I do," Ward added. "I love to go into a building where you can count on fans being in the seats.

"We have a lot of loyal and great fans in Carolina, but it's no secret that the attendance is always a little bit low. I'm looking forward to ... playing in front of a sold-out building and passionate fans."

The Hurricanes averaged 13,320 in attendance last season, ahead of only the Arizona Coyotes and New York Islanders, while the Blackhawks topped the charts, packing more than 21,600 into their home barn.

As for Ward, he finished his last season in Carolina with a 23-14-4 record across 43 games, posting a .906 save rate and 2.73 GAA.

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Kevin Hayes may not be long for life on Broadway.

The 26-year-old restricted free agent remains unsigned, and little headway has been made toward a long-term deal, reports Larry Brooks of the New York Post.

Hayes is scheduled for an arbitration hearing Thursday, where he'll make his case for a raise. He's coming off a two-year agreement that carried a $2.6-million average annual value, according to CapFriendly.

Brooks added that Hayes could seek a one-year deal, which would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer. A first-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, he completed his four years of college eligibility before later joining the Rangers as an unsigned free agent.

A report last month indicated Hayes has garnered significant interest on the trade market. While there are no assurances he'll be dealt, the Rangers don't appear interested in signing him to a new deal worth more than double his last contract, Brooks added.

The Massachusetts native finished third in team scoring last season with 44 points, including a career-high 25 goals.

On Saturday, the Rangers re-upped fellow restricted free agent Brady Skjei to a six-year pact that will reportedly pay him more than $5 million per season.

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The Calgary Flames re-signed forward Garnet Hathaway to a one-year, $850,000 contract, the team announced Monday.

In agreeing to the deal, both sides avoided an arbitration case set for later Monday.

Hathaway is the Flames' fourth restricted free agent to sign in recent days, joining forward Mark Jankowski, defenseman Brett Kulak, and goaltender David Rittich. Calgary now has just two RFAs in need of new deals: Noah Hanifin and Hunter Shinkaruk.

In 59 appearances with Calgary last season, Hathaway tallied 13 points and 88 penalty minutes. He also skated in 18 games with the Flames' AHL club, with whom he notched 11 goals and eight assists.

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The New York Rangers have signed defenseman Brady Skjei to a six-year extension, the team announced Saturday.

The deal is reportedly worth $5.25 million per season, according to Larry Brooks of the New York Post.

In agreeing to an extension, the two sides avoid an arbitration date that was set for Tuesday.

The Rangers have two other restricted free agents scheduled for arbitration - center Kevin Hayes is set for a Thursday hearing, while forward Ryan Spooner will go before arbitration on Aug. 4.

Skjei appeared in 82 games with the Rangers last season, notching four goals and 21 assists.

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Quinn Hughes won't be turning pro just yet.

The Vancouver Canucks' first-round pick in this year's draft has announced he will return to the University of Michigan next season.

"My heart's obviously still at Michigan," Hughes told Steve Kornacki of MGoBlue.com. "I was heartbroken when we lost to Notre Dame in the Frozen Four last year. I've never really been on a team that cares so much about each other, and I think that's a big reason why I'm coming back, because I love my teammates.

"I think we have a good team this upcoming year, and I believe in the group. So, for me, I have a lot of goals in my mind. I want to be the best player in college hockey, and I want to win the national championship. I think we can do it with the group and the coaching staff we have, and we believe in each other."

Canucks management backed Hughes' decision to return to the Wolverines.

"We are in full support of Quinn's decision to continue his university career as he further develops as a hockey player and student," Canucks general manager Jim Benning said in a statement. "He now has an opportunity to be a leader at the University of Michigan and represent Team USA at the 2019 World Junior Championship in Vancouver.

"These are once-in-a-lifetime experiences that will only benefit Quinn's future career."

After collecting 29 points in 37 games in his first season with Michigan, the budding blue-liner also impressed against savvy veterans as part of the World Championship.

With Michigan, there is also the possibility that Quinn could play alongside his brother, Jack, a dominant center and the projected top pick in the 2019 NHL draft.

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As Gemel Smith prepares to make his case for a better deal, he'll now have one more obstacle in his way.

The Dallas Stars winger cleared waivers Friday, despite being free for the taking by the league's other 30 clubs. Smith's salary arbitration hearing is set for Wednesday.

Whether limited roster spots or lukewarm interest in Smith was the reason he went unclaimed, it may now be more difficult to argue that he's due for much of an uptick in pay heading into his third NHL season.

The 24-year-old is coming off a one-year deal worth $650,000, per CapFriendly. The contract also covered $75,000 in AHL salary, but Smith spent the entire season with the Stars, where he picked up 11 points in 46 games.

Waiving a player prior to his arbitration hearing hasn't been an uncommon move this offseason, as the Calgary Flames used the same maneuver earlier this month with defenseman Brett Kulak. Kulak also cleared waivers and was later awarded a one-year, $900,000 deal in arbitration.

Smith and the Stars will still have a chance to agree on a new contract before Wednesday's hearing.

Dallas selected the winger with the 104th pick of the 2012 draft.

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If Jim Nill has his way, there won't be any Tyler Seguin sweepstakes next summer.

That's because the Dallas Stars general manager hopes to ink his franchise center to an extension prior to the start of the coming season.

Seguin, 26, is entering the final year of his current six-year, $34.5-million pact and was eligible to sign a new deal as of July 1.

Related: An early look at 2019's star-studded free-agent class

Nill is optimistic a deal can get done prior to the Stars' season-opening game on Oct. 4 against the Arizona Coyotes.

"I hope so," Nill told Stars team reporter Mark Stepneski. "But I think I have mentioned from Day 1 that I don't want people to panic if he is not signed when the season starts.

"I think the biggest thing is we need to have a good season - get off to a good start. I hope he is signed by then, but I know if he isn't, we'll get a good year out of him and go from there. But like I said, I am hopeful we can get it done. We'll have to see."

Negotiations with Seguin's camp are ongoing, with Nill classifying the talks as complicated given the nature of a new deal.

"There are a lot of different things that go into this. There are signing bonuses, lockout protections," Nill added. "There are a lot of different angles to these negotiations that come into play. We're just continuing the dialogue and going from there."

Seguin appeared in all 82 games last season, and finished with a team-leading 40 goals, while his 78 points were one shy of captain Jamie Benn for top spot.

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After undergoing season-ending back surgery in March, Dallas Stars center Martin Hanzal was given a recovery timeline of six-to-seven months.

That meant the Czech middleman could potentially return for training camp, but his status has since been pushed back to late November or early December, Stars general manager Jim Nill told Sean Shapiro of The Athletic.

A series of injuries limited Hanzal to just 38 games last season, with his final appearance coming Feb. 21 when he lasted just one period before leaving with a lower-body injury.

The 31-year-old has dealt with a long history of back problems. He underwent surgery with the Arizona Coyotes three years ago and had a herniated disc operation in 2008.

A veteran of 11 NHL seasons, Hanzal has played more than 65 games just four times, including in his first three years in the league.

He's under two contract for two more seasons at an annual average value of $4.75 million, per CapFriendly.

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