As the new NHL season approaches, we've already put together power rankings, offseason grades, and even team rankings by tiers. But what about assessing the clubs purely from an entertainment standpoint?

That's the goal of this exercise, which, as always, is entirely about how watchable each squad will be, regardless of how well they actually perform. It could be a superstar or two (or more), a high-flying style of play, or a promising young core that might make you want to check out these squads.

However, we begin the countdown by looking at the lower half of the league and the teams lacking that absolute must-see quality for one reason or another.

Here are the 16 clubs we foresee being the least watchable in the upcoming season:

32. San Jose Sharks

The Sharks were a bottom-feeder in 2022-23, and then they traded Erik Karlsson for an underwhelming return in August. Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl aren't bad players, but there's really no good reason to flip over to a San Jose game now that the reigning Norris Trophy winner and potent forward Timo Meier are gone.

31. Philadelphia Flyers

John Tortorella's club hasn't been very entertaining (intentionally, anyway) since he took the reins, and we don't see that changing anytime soon. The Flyers aren't completely devoid of talent, but they're still recovering from inept former general manager Chuck Fletcher wreaking havoc on the roster. "I've got to get home to catch the Flyers tonight" isn't a phrase we expect to hear fans utter often, if at all, this season.

30. Montreal Canadiens

Cole Caufield was on a 46-goal pace before a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery ended his season 46 games in. It'll be worth watching the diminutive dynamo to see if he can pick up where he left off. But aside from that, the Canadiens are well into their rebuilding phase. Only Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky stand out as other Habs to keep tabs on.

29. Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets weren't going to be very watchable under Mike Babcock, even with Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine in the fold. Now, they're free from Babcock's clutches (and phone inspections), so they might play with a little more spirit under Pascal Vincent. Youngsters Kent Johnson and Adam Fantilli could also impress, but that won't entice throngs of casual fans to tune in regularly.

28. St. Louis Blues

The Blues clearly aren't what they once were - a perennially competitive Stanley Cup contender. St. Louis ranked 27th in expected goals for percentage and 26th in scoring chances for at five-on-five in 2022-23. The team also shipped out past core members Ryan O'Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko in February. As legendary bluesman B.B. King would say, the thrill is gone.

27. Nashville Predators

The Predators had a weird offseason, and their roster now leaves something to be desired aside from their three stars. Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, and Juuse Saros are great players, but Nashville ranked 28th in goals per game last season. And it did that with leading scorer Matt Duchene, who it replaced with Ryan O'Reilly. Granted, Forsberg and Josi missed time due to injuries, but this Preds squad won't be on too many PVRs this time around.

26. Arizona Coyotes

The Coyotes uncharacteristically acquired some talent in the summer, bringing in Jason Zucker, Matt Dumba, and Sean Durzi. They also feature underrated star Clayton Keller, the NHL's 2022-23 rookie points per game leader Matias Maccelli, and promising newcomer Logan Cooley, who scored an incredible goal in his preseason debut. But this is still the Coyotes we're talking about. While there's more to like about the team now, Arizona still isn't worth planning your TV-watching schedule around on a regular basis.

25. Washington Capitals

Alex Ovechkin's pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record is really the only reason to watch the Capitals these days. It's a decent reason, and the 38-year-old can still take over a game from time to time. However, the rest of Washington's core isn't aging as gracefully, and the Caps' days as a can't-miss club are now a thing of the past.

24. Detroit Red Wings

Alex DeBrincat was reportedly unhappy that he wasn't a first-liner in Ottawa, and it looks like he'll get that opportunity with his hometown Red Wings. Putting the two-time 41-goal scorer next to Dylan Larkin could generate some highlights, but the rest of Detroit's roster is riddled with mediocre players possessing little upside.

23. Anaheim Ducks

Trevor Zegras is a threat to produce a viral highlight at any given time - assuming the restricted free agent eventually re-signs. Troy Terry, Mason McTavish, and 2023 second overall pick Leo Carlsson are also interesting. The Ducks still need to produce more consistently, but they should be a little more compelling than last season when they finished with the NHL's worst record.

22. Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks didn't control play at five-on-five last campaign, ranking near the bottom of the NHL in xGF% in those situations. But Vancouver did have a good power play, sitting 11th in the league in that department. Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes are bona fide stars, but the Canucks won't be consistently watchable until they can roll their success with the man advantage over to even-strength play.

21. New York Islanders

The Islanders always seem to be a better team than they are a watchable one. The defense-first club ranked 22nd in goals per game in all situations and 20th in xGF% at five-on-five in 2022-23. That should improve with midseason trade acquisition Bo Horvat in the lineup for the balance of the upcoming campaign. Mathew Barzal is no slouch, either. But this club doesn't exactly boast a thrilling style of play, and it's been that way for years.

20. Calgary Flames

The Flames were the third-best possession team in the league last season, but having the most overtime or shootout losses in the NHL caused them to miss the playoffs by two points. Darryl Sutter's gone, but so is the team's 2022-23 leading scorer, Tyler Toffoli, who Calgary traded to the New Jersey Devils in June. While the Flames should play more freely under Ryan Huska, they won't have as much punch on offense as they did a season ago.

19. Winnipeg Jets

The Jets seem destined to be less exciting this campaign, even though they're not planning to trade Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck for now. Winnipeg ranked 21st in goals per game in 2022-23, and it's hard to see that improving after trading Pierre-Luc Dubois and buying out Blake Wheeler. Gabe Vilardi has upside, but Alex Iafallo and Rasmus Kupari are basically replacement-level players. Even if Winnipeg makes the playoffs, it likely won't be among the most electric teams in the league.

18. Minnesota Wild

The Wild are similar to the Jets in terms of being a solid defensive team that doesn't produce enough offense. Minnesota was even worse than Winnipeg in the goal-scoring department (23rd) last season but made the playoffs mostly because it allowed the sixth-fewest goals against. Kirill Kaprizov buried 40 in 67 games the previous campaign, and Matt Boldy notched 31. But that's it when it comes to thrilling members of the Wild.

17. Ottawa Senators

The Senators are more entertaining than their record and statistics as a team have shown of late. Ottawa is just outside the upper echelon of watchable squads but has assembled a plucky core led by Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle. The Sens didn't score enough or control the possession game last season, but they generated the seventh-most shots on goal. If more of those attempts start going in, Ottawa will be higher on this list and many others next year.

(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick)

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Flames appear to be making progress in securing one of their most important pending unrestricted free agents beyond the upcoming campaign.

Mikael Backlund and the Pacific Division squad have begun negotiating a contract extension and will continue to do so in the "near future," TSN's Chris Johnston said on Tuesday's edition of "Insider Trading."

"Backlund is in a position where he's willing to engage on a commitment, a longer-term commitment than he has remaining for this season," Johnston added.

Over the summer, the Swedish forward reportedly said he wasn't interested in talking about an extension and wanted to see how the season played out. But he apparently changed his mind after arriving in Calgary and seeing the team operate under new head coach Ryan Huska.

Backlund tied for third on the Flames with 56 points while playing all 82 games in 2022-23. He led the club in plus/minus at +24 and ranked second among all Calgary forwards in average ice time at 18:10. The 34-year-old also posted favorable underlying numbers and won 50.9% of his 1,386 faceoffs last season.

The veteran center has spent his entire 15-year career (including one game in 2008-09) with the Flames, who drafted him 24th overall in 2007. In June, he won the King Clancy Trophy, which recognizes the player that "best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community."

Backlund is entering the final season of a six-year, $32.1-million deal he inked with Calgary in 2018, according to CapFriendly.

The Flames have a slew of players whose contracts expire at the end of the campaign, including potential UFAs Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadorov, among others.

Hanifin also said he didn't want to talk extension earlier in the summer, but later clarified he only meant over this offseason and is willing to consider re-signing in general.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sidney Crosby believes Connor McDavid can ascend to even higher heights in the upcoming campaign after seeing what he did last season.

The Pittsburgh Penguins captain said he wouldn't be surprised to see the Edmonton Oilers dynamo collect more than 170 points in 2023-24, according to NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger.

"I didn't think 150 was going to be in the cards for him but he found a way to get there," Crosby said. "So, I don't think anything is out of the question for him as far as numbers are concerned.

"He just finds a way to find another level time and time again, so I would never bet against him."

McDavid led the NHL with 153 points last season, winning the Art Ross Trophy by 25 points over teammate Leon Draisaitl while posting the highest single-season point total since Mario Lemieux's 161 in 1995-96. The Oilers captain also claimed the Hart Trophy for the third time, his fourth Ted Lindsay Award, and his first "Rocket" Richard Trophy after pacing the league with 64 goals.

Crosby's praise for McDavid is nothing new, as the future Hall of Famer has called the Oilers center the NHL's best player since 2018. But no one has reached the 170-point plateau since Lemieux racked up 199 in 1988-89. Crosby hasn't changed his opinion on who's best right now, though.

"Yeah, I think it's (still) hard to argue that one," Crosby said. "I mean, you've got Nate (MacKinnon) and Leon and some other guys who are right there, but I think (McDavid has) proven that."

Crosby and McDavid could finally get to play together for Canada if the NHL and NHLPA follow through on their plan to hold a best-on-best international tournament in February 2025.

"The chance to play with Connor and, for that matter, some other guys would be cool," Crosby said. "It's a pretty amazing honor to play for Team Canada and to be with the best players in the world competing. Just seeing that level of hockey, it's impressive, and it's fun, and it's hockey at its finest.

"Hopefully, we get that opportunity."

As for playing against each other, Crosby and McDavid won't face off this season until March 3, followed by a rematch between the Penguins and Oilers seven days later. That means the first time the two superstars meet in 2023-24 could be in early February at the All-Star festivities in Toronto.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains coarse language

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson doesn't seem bothered that he's not viewed the same way he used to be in terms of his potential.

"I know my name isn't what it used to be. I don't give a fuck," Robertson told The Athletic's Joshua Kloke with a smile.

Despite enduring numerous injuries and watching the club overhaul its depth chart, the 22-year-old still thinks he can stick in the NHL.

"I believe. I believe in anything," he said.

Robertson became the Maple Leafs' best prospect soon after they drafted him 53rd overall in 2019. He racked up 55 goals and 31 assists over 46 games with the OHL's Peterborough Petes the following season, then debuted with the Leafs in the bubble, scoring a goal in four playoff games.

However, he hurt his knee during his regular-season debut in the abbreviated 2021 campaign, tore his adductor with the AHL's Toronto Marlies later that season, broke his fibula with the farm team early in 2021-22, and then injured his shoulder when Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy hit him in December 2022.

Robertson opted for surgery on the latter ailment, which ended his season. He's been limited to 31 regular-season contests in the NHL over three campaigns, mustering just three goals and four assists.

Matthew Knies has since usurped Robertson as the Maple Leafs' most tantalizing young forward. The Hobey Baker Award finalist, who'll turn 21 in October, collected an assist in three regular-season games with Toronto last season before adding a goal and three assists in seven playoff appearances.

Knies is expected to play a larger role with the club in 2023-24. He departed the University of Minnesota to sign an entry-level deal with Toronto in April.

Robertson is now fully recovered from his shoulder surgery, and he'll have plenty to prove as he enters the final year of his own entry-level pact.

"In the long run, I know this is an important year for me," he said. "I didn't want to miss training camp. It was a tough decision for me. It really was. But it was something I had to be mature about."

So far in camp, Robertson has played on a line with players like Pontus Holmberg and Nick Abruzzese, who aren't locks to make the team. Robertson is still exempt from waivers, so he can be sent down to the AHL without the risk of being claimed by other NHL squads.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Clayton Keller couldn't think of a more incredible goal he's witnessed than the one teammate Logan Cooley scored during the Arizona Coyotes' preseason win over the Los Angeles Kings in Australia on Saturday.

"That was one of the best moves I've ever seen," Keller said postgame, according to team reporter Patrick Brown. "The spin-o-rama was one thing, but then to have the patience to pull it to your forehand and then finish it, it's definitely the best I've ever seen."

Cooley flew into the Kings' defensive zone, pulled off the spin-o-rama, and then buried it while falling down, embarrassing multiple L.A. players in the process during the second period in Melbourne.

The 19-year-old forward committed a turnover that led to the Kings' first goal of the game moments before getting redemption. He also didn't realize he scored until he noticed his teammates celebrating.

"After that pizza I threw up the middle, I thought I had to do something," Cooley said with a laugh, according to Brown. "It was just a hockey play, I thought I had some space, and I thought I missed the net, actually, but I saw the guys put their arms up.

"It definitely felt good to get that one, and it was an awesome game to play in."

Cooley was making his preseason debut. His show-stopping tally brought over 13,000 fans at Rod Laver Arena to their feet, but the rookie acknowledged that neither the goal nor the 5-3 victory were regular-season accomplishments.

"It felt good to get that one under my belt, but we'll wait for the real one to be that happy about it," he said.

Puck drop for the second game between the two Western Conference clubs in Australia is scheduled for 12:05 a.m. ET on Sunday. Saturday's tilt was the NHL's first game in the southern hemisphere.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Blackhawks won't have anyone wearing the "C" in the upcoming campaign, general manager Kyle Davidson said Tuesday, according to NBC Sports Chicago's Charlie Roumeliotis.

The club will instead use three yet-to-be-named alternate captains to complete the leadership group, the GM added.

Jonathan Toews was the Blackhawks' captain for 14 seasons, but they chose not to re-sign him in April when he was on the verge of unrestricted free agency. Last month, the still unsigned 35-year-old said he's not retiring but will be taking time away from the game in 2023-24.

The Blackhawks also went without a captain during the abbreviated 2021 campaign, which Toews missed in its entirety due to chronic immune response syndrome and long COVID symptoms.

Chicago defenseman Seth Jones said last week he's always wanted to be a captain and that "it would be pretty special" to earn the opportunity with the Blackhawks. The 29-year-old cited his experience learning from veterans like Shea Weber, Blackhawks offseason acquisition Nick Foligno, and Toews himself.

However, it's fairly common for rebuilding teams to go without a captain. Chicago tied for the NHL's second-worst record last season and is expected to be among the league's bottom-feeders in 2023-24 despite landing uber-prospect Connor Bedard with the No. 1 overall pick in June's draft.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Columbus Blue Jackets majority owner John McConnell isn't planning to punish the club's front-office staff for the Mike Babcock debacle - at least not right now.

"Our ownership group is deeply frustrated and disappointed by the events of the past week," McConnell said in a statement Monday. "We have been in contact with (president of hockey operations) John Davidson, (general manager) Jarmo Kekalainen, and our management team throughout this process and were in full agreement with Mike Babcock stepping down and Pascal Vincent leading our team as head coach.

"We had candid conversations with our leadership after last season about our goals and expectations for growth and progress on the ice in 2023-24. Those expectations are still in place and can still be achieved, so we do not anticipate further changes to our hockey leadership team at this time. Additional disruptions would be detrimental to our players and coaches as they prepare for the opening of training camp in two days. We will continue to have regular communications with our hockey leadership and are looking forward to an exciting season."

Kekalainen and Davidson addressed reporters shortly thereafter, and the latter executive admitted they erred in hiring Babcock.

"We got it wrong, and that's on us," Davidson said, according to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.

Davidson said those who were critical of the Babcock hiring from the beginning may have been justified, per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.

Kekalainen took responsibility individually for the decision.

"I believe that Mike Babcock deserved another opportunity to coach. Obviously, that was a mistake, and that responsibility's mine," the GM said, according to The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno.

Kekalainen confirmed some of the Blue Jackets' players weren't comfortable with Babcock's methods, before adding the ex-head coach asked him for his phone as well.

"Personally, I had no problem with it, but I can see how it might put someone in an uncomfortable situation," Kekalainen said. The GM also mentioned that he apologized to the team Monday for the hiring.

Kekalainen and Davidson are now under the microscope after Babcock resigned Sunday amid an NHLPA investigation into allegations that he forced players - including Jackets captain Boone Jenner - to hand over their phones, scrolled through their camera rolls, and AirPlayed photos onto a larger screen.

The Blue Jackets issued denials from Babcock and Jenner shortly after podcast host Paul Bissonnette cited the allegations made to him by an unnamed player Tuesday. The NHL and NHLPA then began looking into the matter, as representatives from the latter organization travelled to Columbus to investigate.

The NHLPA was reportedly initially satisfied with explanations from Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau, but later changed course after hearing some of Columbus' younger players were uncomfortable with Babcock's actions.

Kekalainen has been the Blue Jackets' GM since February 2013, when Columbus made him the first European-born individual to occupy the role in NHL history. He's now the third-longest tenured current GM in the league despite the fact that the Jackets have won only one playoff series in his 10 full seasons at the helm.

Davidson hired Kekalainen in 2013. The former goaltender resigned as team president in May 2019 to take the same job with the New York Rangers and then returned to Columbus in his current capacity after the Blueshirts fired him in the spring of 2021.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Andrei Kuzmenko has forgone the sweet life in hopes of improving on his first campaign in North America.

"Last season was so bad for me, my weight," the Vancouver Canucks forward said this week, according to Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre. "Now, I lose weight. Last summer, I (ate) a lot of waffles."

Kuzmenko wasn't just eating waffles with maple syrup, either.

"No, (it's) worse," he said, layering his hands, one above the other. "Waffles, then Nutella, then strawberries, then bananas."

So the Russian winger cut them out of his diet and some other tempting treats.

"Waffles are not good for me," Kuzmenko added. "I like (them), but (they're) not good for me. This summer, (the) rules for me (were): No chocolate, no Nutella, no ice cream in my freezer. You want ice cream, then go to the market. But I (stayed) home."

Kuzmenko arrived at the Canucks training camp last fall noticeably out of shape after signing a one-year, $950,000 contract with Vancouver as a coveted free agent out of the KHL last July. The team's training staff placed him on an individual workout regimen that often forced him to stay later than his teammates after practices.

The 27-year-old racked up 39 goals and 35 assists while playing all but one regular-season game. However, Kuzmenko posted an inflated shooting percentage of 27.3, which led the NHL among players who suited up for at least 10 contests.

The Canucks inked Kuzmenko to a two-year contract extension at $5.5 million annually in January.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NHL players, like most athletes, will try to use anything they can as motivation. An opponent even mildly downplays them while talking to reporters? Instant bulletin-board material.

But players' motivations go far beyond petty rivalries, of course. Some have to justify their status as a high draft pick, and previous top picks who haven't quite panned out eventually have to prove themselves, too. Some superstars may feel they have to live up to a hefty contract, especially when it's among the richest in the game.

Some are on the verge of a new deal as pending unrestricted free agents, and the lure of a more lucrative pact often brings out the best in them. In addition, players who've struggled recently while making a significant amount of cash need to prove both that they're worth their contracts and that they can return to the stellar form that made signing them for big money and term worthwhile.

Here are the five NHLers with the most to prove in the 2023-24 campaign:

Connor Bedard

Bedard doesn't really have to justify that he was worthy of the No. 1 overall pick in June's draft - at least not right away. Most people know that was warranted given his utter dominance at the junior level and on the international stage. He was the best player available, and anyone who disputes that has some explaining to do.

But that doesn't mean Bedard has nothing to prove entering his rookie season. He does need to show he's capable of adapting to the speed and physicality of the NHL - in other words, he's dealing with the same pressure all No. 1 picks endure. He's also the new face of the Blackhawks franchise, and they're now shaping the roster around him. So he has to justify his status as the cornerstone of the new era in Chicago, one of the largest and most storied markets in the league.

Then there are the inevitable Connor McDavid comparisons, which he's already shrugging off. "I'm not him. I'm my own person and my own player," Bedard said recently about his namesake. So that's yet another thing he'll be out to prove. Given his body of work and the skills he's consistently displayed, it won't be surprising if Bedard doesn't need much time to start living up to the sky-high expectations. But he'll clearly be motivated to he's worth being labeled a generational player and one that can singlehandedly alter the trajectory of a franchise.

Auston Matthews

We all know Matthews is one of the NHL's absolute best scorers who's developed an impressive two-way game. But the Toronto Maple Leafs superstar will be the league's highest-paid player starting in 2024-25 after signing a four-year extension for a record $13.25 million annually last month.

Matthews is also coming off a down year by his ultra-lofty standards, though he played through a hand injury and still managed to notch 40 goals and 45 assists in 74 games. Even so, he needs to prove he's worth the unprecedented new contract by getting back into the Hart and Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy conversations. If he stays healthy, it stands to reason that will happen, but he needs to rediscover the form that earned him hardware in both previous seasons before 2022-23.

Throw in the fact that the Maple Leafs are coming off yet another humiliating end to a season despite finally winning a series, as well as the fact that Toronto remains one of the toughest markets in the league in which to play, and there may be more pressure on Matthews in the upcoming campaign than he's ever faced during a regular season since he first arrived in the league.

William Nylander

Matthews' teammate will be under the microscope for different reasons, but Nylander has plenty to prove in 2023-24 in his own right. The pending UFA has a track record of consistent production - both in the regular season and the playoffs - even matching Matthews with a team-high 40 goals last season (albeit in eight more games). Nylander will be playing for a new deal and a sizeable raise on his current cap hit of just under $7 million.

The question is how much higher should his next average annual value be. Nylander's performance this season could go a long way in determining that. Earlier in the summer, he was reportedly looking for an AAV in the $10-million range, which would put him closer to fellow core pieces Mitch Marner ($10.903 million) and captain John Tavares ($11 million).

Nylander's extension talks haven't gone swimmingly so far, but it's early, as he can sign an extension at any time until next July 1. If he doesn't have a new deal by the time the upcoming campaign begins in October, he'll be out to prove he's worthy of getting paid like some of his most talented teammates. If Nylander does agree to a new contract before the start of the season, he'll be in the same boat as Matthews in terms of having to prove he deserves it.

Jacob Markstrom

Markstrom needs to prove last season was an anomaly, not his new normal. The Calgary Flames goaltender was terrible in 2022-23. His minus-19.6 goals saved above average at five-on-five ranked fourth worst in the NHL (96th out of 99 netminders), and his minus-5.88 goals saved above expected in the same situations placed 83rd. He posted a .892 save percentage, a career low for him in seasons in which he's played more than 16 games.

The Flames disappointed as a team last season, but Markstrom's underlying numbers show he deserved a good chunk of the blame. The Swede used to be one of the league's most dependable puck-stoppers, authoring a .914 save percentage over the 328 games he played from 2015-16 through 2021-22. That past consistency is what earned him the six-year, $36-million contract he inked with Calgary in October 2020.

Markstrom, who has three years left on that deal, will turn 34 around halfway through the upcoming campaign Jan. 31. Players, and particularly goalies, typically decline at his age. But even if Markstrom never rediscovers his prime form, he can't afford to once again be one of the league's absolute worst netminders.

Alexis Lafreniere

Not every No. 1 overall pick becomes a star immediately upon stepping into the NHL, but Lafreniere is now entering his fourth season having collected just 47 goals and 44 assists across 216 games. The New York Rangers winger racked up 112 points in 52 contests during his third and final QMJHL season, but his game hasn't translated to the NHL the way many expected it would when the Blueshirts called his name first in 2020.

Lafreniere will turn 22 on Oct. 11, so he's still relatively young. He's also still under contract until 2025. The Quebec-born forward has shown flashes of his skill at times over his first three seasons. However, he hasn't established the consistency, let alone the elite level of play, one would hope a first overall pick with his resume would provide.

At some point, Lafreniere must start producing at a higher clip. It's been hard for him to carve out more ice time because Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin are ahead of him on the depth chart. But if he plays better in his lesser role, head coach Peter Laviolette will surely find a way to get him more minutes. It's still too early to call Lafreniere a bust, but he has to lot to prove this season to ensure that characterization doesn't become the consensus.

(Analytics source: Evolving Hockey)

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Defenseman Noah Hanifin clarified his stance in contract negotiations with the Calgary Flames.

Hanifin said Wednesday that he's open to inking an extension but will wait for the upcoming season to play out, according to TSN's Salim Nadim Valji. The blue-liner added that he told Flames management in the summer he needed time to process the disappointment of Calgary's concluded campaign.

A report in June indicated Hanifin wasn't expected to sign an extension with the Flames, making a trade likely. But Flames general manager Craig Conroy said Wednesday that Hanifin only expressed that he didn't want to re-sign this summer.

Hanifin is entering the final season of the six-year deal signed with Calgary in 2018. The pact carries a cap hit of $4.95 million and contains a clause allowing him to submit an eight-team no-trade list, according to CapFriendly.

The 26-year-old collected seven goals and 31 assists while ranking second on the club in average ice time at a career-high 22:39 across 81 games last season. Hanifin also authored favorable underlying numbers, including a 54.93% expected goals rate at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Hanifin has played the last five campaigns with the Flames, who acquired him in a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Hurricanes at the draft in 2018. He spent his first three seasons with the Canes, who selected him fifth overall in 2015.

The Boston-born rearguard is one of many pending unrestricted free agents on the Flames' roster. That list includes forwards Elias Lindholm and Mikael Backlund and six of Calgary's eight NHL defensemen.

The Flames missed the playoffs last season after winning the Pacific Division title and advancing to the second round in 2021-22.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.