The Vegas Golden Knights have a good thing going, and it hasn't seemed to require the services of Vadim Shipachyov.

Related - Report: Golden Knights' Shipachyov given permission to seek trade

Off to a historic 7-1-0 start, the club apparently doesn't want to tinker with a lineup that's experienced early success. The 30-year-old has tallied one goal in just three games this season, and Las Vegas reportedly gave the Russian forward and his camp permission to seek a potential trade partner Wednesday.

The Golden Knights signed Shipachyov to a two-year, $9-million contract after he proved to be an elite offensive talent in the KHL, and while their experiment hasn't worked out, he should attract interest from other clubs.

Here are three teams whose bottom-six situations mean they should look to acquire him.

Florida Panthers

With a 3-5-0 record to begin this season, maybe a shake-up could help get the Panthers back on track.

The team's top two lines are solid down the middle, but their bottom two trios could use a boost. Shipachyov can fit that bill, but what really makes the Panthers an intriguing trade partner is the potential to reunite him with former teammate Evgenii Dadonov.

They played the previous three seasons together with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL and combined for 348 points in 318 games over that span.

Dadonov's notched seven points in eight games to begin his NHL career. Meanwhile, Shipachyov's been limited to an average of 10:35 a night in his three outings, which have produced one goal.

A reunion with Dadonov and an increased role might benefit both Shipachyov and the Panthers.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes might have an embarrassment of riches on their back end, but they could use some more depth up front - specifically at center.

After Jordan Staal and Victor Rask, the talent level drops considerably, with Derek Ryan and Marcus Kruger occupying the bottom two slots.

What's more, the Hurricanes currently have Ryan playing between two of their top wingers in Jeff Skinner and Justin Williams; they could use a more skilled option there.

Carolina's off to a 3-3-1 start and is scoring an average of 2.43 goals per game, 28th in the league. Offense is the team's biggest hindrance early on and acquiring Shipachyov could help address it.

San Jose Sharks

Behind Joe Thornton and Logan Couture, the Sharks are running with Chris Tierney and Ryan Carpenter down the middle - a duo that's combined for just two points on the season (both from Tierney).

The Sharks are off to an underwhelming 4-4-0 start, and while they've won three of their past four games, the club's offense sits 21st with just 2.88 goals per game.

The Sharks have the cap space to accommodate Shipachyov and his $4.5-million per season. With Thornton unlikely to continue playing beyond this campaign, it might be in the Sharks' best interest to lock up some depth at the position.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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The Vegas Golden Knights have a good thing going, and it hasn't seemed to require the services of Vadim Shipachyov.

Related - Report: Golden Knights' Shipachyov given permission to seek trade

Off to a historic 7-1-0 start, the club apparently doesn't want to tinker with a lineup that's experienced early success. The 30-year-old has tallied one goal in just three games this season, and Las Vegas reportedly gave the Russian forward and his camp permission to seek a potential trade partner Wednesday.

The Golden Knights signed Shipachyov to a two-year, $9-million contract after he proved to be an elite offensive talent in the KHL, and while their experiment hasn't worked out, he should attract interest from other clubs.

Here are three teams whose bottom-six situations mean they should look to acquire him.

Florida Panthers

With a 3-5-0 record to begin this season, maybe a shake-up could help get the Panthers back on track.

The team's top two lines are solid down the middle, but their bottom two trios could use a boost. Shipachyov can fit that bill, but what really makes the Panthers an intriguing trade partner is the potential to reunite him with former teammate Evgenii Dadonov.

They played the previous three seasons together with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL and combined for 348 points in 318 games over that span.

Dadonov's notched seven points in eight games to begin his NHL career. Meanwhile, Shipachyov's been limited to an average of 10:35 a night in his three outings, which have produced one goal.

A reunion with Dadonov and an increased role might benefit both Shipachyov and the Panthers.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes might have an embarrassment of riches on their back end, but they could use some more depth up front - specifically at center.

After Jordan Staal and Victor Rask, the talent level drops considerably, with Derek Ryan and Marcus Kruger occupying the bottom two slots.

What's more, the Hurricanes currently have Ryan playing between two of their top wingers in Jeff Skinner and Justin Williams; they could use a more skilled option there.

Carolina's off to a 3-3-1 start and is scoring an average of 2.43 goals per game, 28th in the league. Offense is the team's biggest hindrance early on and acquiring Shipachyov could help address it.

San Jose Sharks

Behind Joe Thornton and Logan Couture, the Sharks are running with Chris Tierney and Ryan Carpenter down the middle - a duo that's combined for just two points on the season (both from Tierney).

The Sharks are off to an underwhelming 4-4-0 start, and while they've won three of their past four games, the club's offense sits 21st with just 2.88 goals per game.

The Sharks have the cap space to accommodate Shipachyov and his $4.5-million per season. With Thornton unlikely to continue playing beyond this campaign, it might be in the Sharks' best interest to lock up some depth at the position.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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This might come as a surprise to some, but the Tampa Bay Lightning are more than just Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov.

Sure the two are setting the league ablaze, having each recorded at least a point in each of their team's first 10 games of the season - combining for 37 points - but the fact is a number of their teammates are having fantastic starts of their own.

The Lightning have jumped out to a league-best 8-1-1 record, and while Stamkos and Kucherov have been leading the way four other players deserve credit for the team's red-hot start.

Vladislav Namestnikov

Namestnikov does have the benefit of playing alongside Stamkos and Kucherov, but he is doing more than just picking up the garbage left by his linemates.

The 24-year-old has tallied four goals and 11 points in 10 games and has proved that he has some silky hands of his own. He's gone pointless just once this season, played over 3:30 a night more than his career average, shares the team lead in power-play goals, and sits tied for third on the team with 23 shots.

He's been the perfect complement to Stamkos and Kucherov and deserves credit for being as such.

Brayden Point

Point's impressive rookie campaign last season flew under the radar of many, but it shouldn't have.

The 2014 third-round pick tallied 18 goals and 40 points in 68 games - good enough for eighth in rookie scoring. This year he looks to be on his way to shattering those numbers. Point - like Namestnikov - has tallied four goals and 11 points to begin the year, while centering the team's second line.

Point also features on the club's power-play and penalty-kill units that rank first and 12th in the league, respectively, proving he is helping more than just on the scoreboard.

Mikhail Sergachev

The Lightning aren't missing Jonathan Drouin these days and Sergachev is the reason why.

The 19-year-old sits a point being Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller in the rookie scoring list with nine points in 10 games.

Related: Keller, Sergachev look like early favorites for Calder Trophy

Despite averaging just 12:46 of ice time per game - the 15th-highest mark on the team and sixth among defensemen - Sergachev is making the most of his opportunities. He's put together a three-game goal-scoring streak and a four-game point streak wherein he's tallied seven points.

As he continues to get used to the NHL game and gains more confidence, it's scary to think what the future could hold for this budding star.

Andrei Vasilevskiy

Sure the Lighting are scoring the second-most goals per game in the league (4.1), but on the flip side they have given up just the fourth-fewest goals as well (2.4 per game).

Vasilevskiy has been everything the Lightning have needed in net, having gone 8-1-0, posting the best save percentage and fifth-best GAA among goalies who have played at least five games - with .936 and 2.22 marks, respectively. He's also posted a shutout, while facing a league-high 314 shots.

The 23-year-old got off to a rough start this season, giving up 15 goals in the team's first four games, but has allowed just five in his last five games.

Offense is great, but without Vasilevskiy back there kicking out pucks the way he has, the team might not be off to such a roaring start.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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It's been anything but a fun first three weeks of the 2017-18 season for the Arizona Coyotes.

With a 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders on Tuesday night the Coyotes remain the only team not to register a single win this season, now riding a record of 0-8-1.

For Rick Tocchet - who is in his first season as a head coach - it's been a painful beginning to his head coaching career. Once more, it's not just one part of the team's game holding his club back.

The Coyotes are seeing failures in all facets of their game and the numbers prove just how bad things have been:

31.1: The number of shots per game the Coyotes have generated, ranking 19th in the league.

47.1: The percent of faceoffs the Coyotes have won, good enough for 28th league-wide.

72: The percent of penalties the Coyotes have killed, the 29th-best mark to begin the season.

15.2: The percent of power plays the team has been able to capitalize on, good enough for 22nd this season.

4.33: The average number of goals allowed by the Coyotes per game, the highest total in the league.

2.33: The amount of goals the Coyotes are scoring per game on average, the third-worst total this season.

87.27: The Coyotes' team save percentage through the first eight games of the season, the second-worst total in the league.

6: The number of Coyotes players who have scored more than a single goal this season.

While the argument can be made that it's early - and it is - the fact is the Coyotes' struggles aren't as simple as poor goaltending or a snake-bitten offense, it's everything. So unless the team can come together to clean up its play at both sides of the rink, expect more heartache in the desert.

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Tuesday is the new Saturday, at least as far as the NHL schedule goes.

It might be mid-week, but with 11 games on the docket, there's no shortage of intriguing matchups. Among them will be a rematch between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals, plus the return of Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson.

With so many games on the slate, here are the three you can't miss:

Maple Leafs vs. Capitals

It was arguably the most intriguing matchup of the first round last spring, and the Capitals and Maple Leafs will renew acquaintances when they go head-to-head for the first time this season.

The Capitals got by the Maple Leafs in six games in a series that saw every game decided by a single goal, including five that needed overtime.

Both clubs boast top-10 offenses to begin the year, including the Maple Leafs who are averaging a league-best 5.2 goals per game. Meanwhile, the Capitals have the league's top-three scorers in Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Alex Ovechkin.

This one could be a track meet.

Lightning vs. Devils

At first glance, the Tampa Bay Lightning battling the New Jersey Devils in mid-October might not seem that appealing, but given the starts the teams are off to, this is certainly a game to keep your eyes on.

Both are thriving after missing the playoffs last season and lead their divisions, as the Lightning pace the NHL with a 5-1-0 record, while the Devils have gone 4-1-0.

The Devils are getting great contributions from rookie defenseman Will Butcher and wunderkind Jesper Bratt. Meanwhile, Nikita Kucherov is a man possessed, having scored in each of the Lightning's first six games.

Don't sleep on this one.

Canucks vs. Senators

Erik Karlsson is back.

After enduring the season's first two weeks without him, the Senators welcome their captain back when they host the Vancouver Canucks. Karlsson will make his season debut after recovering from offseason foot surgery.

Related - Senators' Boucher: Karlsson the 'best player in the world'

The Canucks are off to a mediocre 1-2-1 start, while the Senators have weathered the storm of being without their top player and are one of two clubs - the Los Angeles Kings being the other - that haven't lost in regulation this season.

With a 3-0-2 record, the Senators sit tied with the Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings for second in the Atlantic Division and with Karlsson back in the fold, it'll be interesting to see how much better the club can be.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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Sonny Milano has won over one of the NHL's most stubborn head coaches.

The Columbus Blue Jackets rookie scored his fourth goal of the young campaign on Tuesday - an overtime winner against the Carolina Hurricanes - and while his offense has been the talk of the town, head coach John Tortorella has marveled at his play on the other side of the puck.

"Forget about offense, because we know that's going to be there," Tortorella said, according to NHL.com's Kurt Dusterberg. "I think he's been really consistent away from the puck too. He gets the puck out, and that's the most important part for this coach."

With goals in each of the Blue Jackets' first three games, Milano has matched a franchise record set by Kristian Huselius in 2010-2011. He also paces all rookies in goals and ranks second in points, but for now he can be content knowing Tortorella applauds his back-checking.

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On Wednesday night, the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins will tangle for the first time since the Penguins ousted the reigning Presidents' Trophy winners in Game 7 of their second-round playoff series last spring.

The Penguins and Capitals have long been the kings of the Metropolitan Division and, while the Columbus Blue Jackets are certainly making strides, the Caps and Pens remain the behemoths.

Both teams are offensively sound and strong between the pipes (although Pittsburgh goaltending has been shaky to begin the season). And let's not forget the Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin never-dying rivalry. If you aren't completely convinced, here are three reasons why Wednesday's contest is a must-watch:

"Just hatred"

When a team eliminates you from the playoffs in two straight seasons and then goes on to win the Stanley Cup - twice - chances are you're not their biggest fan.

That appears to be the case, as Capitals head coach Barry Trotz discussed the emotion felt by his club toward their Metropolitan rival.

"No, just hatred," Trotz said, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "You hate the guys that bumped you out and all the credit to the Penguins. They've been the standard for the last two seasons and we've had to try to get by them and we have not."

It's not the playoffs, but you would be foolish to think that the Capitals aren't chomping at the bit to try and get some sort of redemption.

Emotions will be high, and while Capitals tough customer Tom Wilson will remain sidelined due to a suspension, Ryan Reaves and Ovechkin will almost guarantee that there is no shortage of rough stuff on Wednesday.

Crosby vs. Ovechkin

It's the storyline you just can't avoid.

Crosby and Ovechkin will go head-to-head once again and, as per usual, each are the focal point of their respected club.

Ovechkin has set the league ablaze with his seven goals through three games, including two hat tricks, and there doesn't appear to be any sign of him slowing down.

Meanwhile, Crosby has been no slouch either. The Penguins captain has tallied five points in three contests, recording at least a point in as many games.

Eyes will clearly be on these two and for good reason.

There will be goals

This shouldn't come as a surprise, but chances are we are in for some goals on Wednesday night.

Through a total of six games, the two clubs have combined for 22 goals for and 24 against. In fact, a quick look at the numbers from each team's top producers really proves just how much talent these clubs boast.

Meanwhile, though the stats are largely inflated by the Penguins' 10-1 drumming at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks, Antti Niemi currently sports a 26.67 goals-against average and a .692 save percentage while Matt Murray holds a 3.84 goals-against average and a .879 save percentage.

It's hard to take those numbers too serious early on, but the point is the Penguins' goaltending is off to a rocky start, which opens up the potential for a high-scoring affair.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

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It will be at least another week until Erik Karlsson makes his season debut.

General manager Pierre Dorion announced Wednesday that while Karlsson has not suffered a setback, he will not join the Ottawa Senators on their current Western Canada road trip, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.

"No setback. It’s all about when he’ll be ready to play. It’s all about conditioning and he’s got to get used to a different sensation in his feet but there’s no setback," Dorion said. "We’re always hopeful he’d be ready (this week) but we felt the best thing for him would be to skate with Shean Donovan on a daily basis and we’re very hopeful he’ll play next week."

The Senators are coming off a 3-2 shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night and will now travel to play the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers on back-to-back nights starting Friday.

Karlsson - who is coming off surgery to repair tendons in his foot - stated last Saturday that he still hadn't taken contact in practice, but felt he wasn't too far away from returning to the lineup.

With Karlsson out for the remainder of the road trip, the earliest date for his potential return is Oct. 17 when the Senators host the Canucks.

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The attendance for the Carolina Hurricanes' first two home games of the season has been a tale of day and night.

After the club bested the Minnesota Wild in front of a capacity crowd of 18,680 inside PNC Arena on Saturday night, the Hurricanes followed that up with a 2-1 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in front of just 7,892 spectators.

Of course, the sudden drop shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Last season, the Hurricanes' average attendance was 11,776, which equated to 63 percent capacity, the lowest mark in the league.

- With h/t to Sportsnet

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are off and running.

Thanks to Auston Matthews and his masterful overtime-winner on Monday night against the Chicago Blackhawks, the club has jumped out to an early 3-0-0 record - good enough for a share of the league's top record along with the St. Louis Blues.

While the three wins are certainly something to marvel, it's how the Maple Leafs have gone about collecting those wins and some of the underlying numbers that make the team's start to the 2018 campaign so impressive.

Here are five telling stats about the team's red-hot start:

Once in a century offense

It's been well documented, but the Maple Leafs can put the puck in the net.

Through three games the club has torched opposing netminders with a league-high 19 goals, good enough for an average of 6.33 per game. In fact, the Maple Leafs are scoring at their highest rate through the team's first three games of a campaign since the 1917-18 season (also known as 100 years ago) - back when the Maple Leafs were actually called the Arenas.

The NHL record for most goals in a season is held by the 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers who tallied 446 goals in what was then an 80-game season. At the Maple Leafs' current rate they would finish with 519. That number is sure to come down as the season progresses, but that's just how potent these Buds have been so far.

A true team effort

What is so impressive about the team's offensive explosion is that it's largely been by committee.

Of the 20 players Mike Babcock has deployed through three games, Eric Fehr is the only player to not collect a point, while 13 different players have scored at least one goal.

Further to that, at least 14 players have tallied at least two points in three games and 10 are averaging a point per game early on. Try to shut down Matthews and William Nylander and the team will find another way to burn you.

Elite power play

One of the biggest factors in the team's 19 goals early on is that the Maple Leafs continue to ice a lethal power play.

After finishing the 2017 season with the second-best power-play unit, connecting on 23.8 percent of their opportunities, the Maple Leafs are firing at an even higher rate (37.5 percent), good enough to tie the New Jersey Devils for the most productive unit.

In all, the Maple Leafs have gone 6-for-16 with the man advantage.

Owning the faceoff circle

The league's crackdown on the faceoff circle doesn't appear to have hindered the Maple Leafs, in fact it could be aiding them.

Early on only the Boston Bruins have a better faceoff-winning percentage than the Maple Leafs' 58.8 percent rate. That number is a big bump for the Maple Leafs who finished 15th in the category last year with a success rate of 49.9 percent.

Stellar puck possession

The advanced statistics crowd could probably tell you that the numbers back-up the Maple Leafs' early success.

The Maple Leafs currently boast a Corsi-for rating of 55.47 percent - good enough for seventh league-wide - and are scoring 5.79 goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, second only to the Blackhawks. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs outshot those same Blackhawks 35-13 at even strength on Monday night.

The team has the fourth-best shooting percent at 5-on-5 (16.44 percent), but is placed just 22nd in team save percentage (89.83). If the Maple Leafs can tighten things up a little more defensively, it'll be scary to see how good this team can actually be.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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