It's a two-year, entry-level contract, reports The Athletic's Jesse Granger, who adds that Dugan would prefer to start his pro career immediately when hockey resumes. However, he's unlikely to do so until 2020-21, because when the NHL paused its season in March, the league told teams that no contracts for draft picks nor college, junior, or European free agents could be signed with a start date of 2019-20.
The 22-year-old forward was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award - handed out annually to the top NCAA Division I men's hockey player - after leading the nation with 52 points in 34 games this season in his sophomore campaign with Providence.
Dugan led all NCAA skaters in assists (42) and even-strength points (30). He also had a productive freshman year in 2018-19, notching 39 points in 41 contests.
The Golden Knights selected him in the fifth round of the 2017 draft.
Mike Gartner ended his 19-year NHL career as one of the most prolific goal-scorers and fastest skaters in league history, but what made his feats even more remarkable is that he played while essentially blind in one eye.
Gartner struggled his entire career with amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, but largely kept it to himself.
"My left eye is my dominant eye, I have 20-20 vision in my left eye and 20/200 vision in my right eye," Gartner told The Athletic's Eric Duhatschek. "If I cover my left eye and look out of my right eye, I couldn't even drive my car. It didn't really come into play until I turned pro, at which point I had to take an eye test. The doctor said, 'Cover one eye, and then cover the other' - and I said, 'I can't see out of that eye.' For years, the doctors just kinda looked the other way - I would take the black thing they use to cover your eye and move it a little so I could read the eye charts. They didn't care if I could see out of both eyes, as long as I could pass the eye test - and score goals."
Gartner's lack of vision didn't seem to hold him back, as his 708 career tallies rank seventh in NHL history. He also holds the record for most consecutive 30-goal seasons with 15.
However, he did face several obstacles while keeping his condition secret, particularly when coaches asked him to play on the left wing.
"I was pretty limited that way, I was a right-winger, I really couldn't play anywhere else," said Gartner. "I remember, one time, they tried to put me on left wing and I told them, 'I can't play over there. I don't feel comfortable.' I really think it was because I couldn’t see the ice the same way - whereas playing right wing, I could see the entire ice surface, because my left eye was dominant. When I went on the off wing, I couldn't see as well. I told them, 'I'm not a very good left-winger. You're better off just keeping me on the right side.'"
Gartner played 1,432 NHL games split between the Washington Capitals, Minnesota North Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Phoenix Coyotes. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.
We have no idea when the NHL may get around to handing out its real awards, and in light of that, we're making up our own hardware and distributing it for the paused 2019-20 season.
Let's get right to it.
Biggest surprise team 🏆
Nominees: Flyers, Blue Jackets, Oilers
Philadelphia was one of the hottest teams in the league during the second half of the season, and the Flyers were suddenly competing for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division when the campaign was suspended.
Columbus, meanwhile, persistently survived last offseason's mass exodus of star players, and the Blue Jackets were in the hunt for a wild-card berth thanks to an unlikely dominant goaltending duo. And Edmonton blossomed into a legitimate Pacific Division threat, finally looking like a team that extends beyond its supernova captain.
And the winner is: Flyers. There was a shake-up in the City of Brotherly Love last offseason, and it's appearing to pay dividends. After finishing sixth in their division in 2019, the Flyers, under the guidance of new head coach Alain Vigneault, are turning things around.
Philly ranked among the top 10 in goals for and against at the season pause, and the Flyers were a deeper club ready to compete in the playoffs. Hockey is more fun when the Broad Street Bullies are in the mix.
Most tantalizing unsolved mystery 🏆
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Nominees: Rangers' playoff pursuit, Metropolitan crown, Battle of Alberta in Round 1
The final three weeks of the season offered plenty to anticipate, and it almost hurts physically to think about all we could miss out on witnessing. Was a surging New York squad hot enough to sneak into the playoffs? What team would come out with the top seed in the jam-packed Metro? Would we finally be treated to Edmonton versus Calgary in the playoffs for the first time since 1991?
And the winner is: Battle of Alberta. Everybody knows the Flames and Oilers are rivals, but the hatred between the two clubs was absent for so long the matchup became stale. That was until this winter, when Matthew Tkachuk and Zack Kassian poured gasoline on the fire, reigniting the animosity with highly publicized battles both on and off the ice.
As the league entered its stoppage, four points separated Edmonton and Calgary, and the teams were progressing toward a first-round matchup. There's no guarantee it will happen, but if it does, the hype will be through the roof.
This one speaks for itself. Which superstar deserves more recognition league-wide for their abilities?
And the winner is: Zibanejad. It's about time the hockey world opens its eyes to the Rangers' superb Swede, as he's emerging into a full-blown superstar.
Zibanejad notched a career-high 74 points a season ago, and thanks in part to the arrival of Artemi Panarin in New York, he ranked 12th in league scoring with 75 points despite only appearing in 57 games in 2019-20. Zibanejad was also seventh in points per game (1.32) and goals (41) this year before his dominant campaign was put on hold.
And the winner is: Rocket Richard. This year's race for the biscuit-burying crown was one of the best in recent memory. Ovechkin was knocking on the door of his ninth 50-plus-goal season, while his lamp-lighting heirs apparent, Pastrnak and Matthews, could have challenged the elusive 60-goal mark if their absurd scoring paces carried on for a few more weeks.
In this category, there's a player from the loaded 2015 draft class making quite a name for himself, a Swedish sniper who would also be the favorite for bounce-back player of the year, and a rookie goaltender who took the league by storm with some incredible numbers after a late-season call-up.
And the winner is: Konecny. Even though lots of veteran and more high-profile stars lead his Flyers team, the 23-year-old sits atop the club's scoring list with 61 points in 66 games.
That mark represents a new career high by a landslide. However, while Konecny has earned a greater role in Philadelphia's offensive plans this season, he still only averaged 16:48 minutes of ice time per contest, which is well outside the top 100 among forwards. His impressive points per-60 rate at five-on-five (2.32) indicates he's just getting started as an elite producer.
Most disappointing team 🏆
Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Nominees: Panthers, Sabres, Predators
Here we have one of last offseason's biggest spenders, a club that yet again failed to take a step forward, and a preseason Stanley Cup threat in danger of missing out on the playoffs for the first time in five campaigns.
And the winner is: Panthers. After hiring Joel Quenneville as head coach and signing Sergei Bobrovsky to a gigantic contract in free agency, many expected Florida to make serious noise in the Atlantic Division.
Instead, the Cats were outside the playoff picture at the time of the pause, and their big-ticket summer acquisition had logged just 23 wins and a measly .900 save percentage. Talk about buyer's remorse.
Best on-ice moment 🏆
Nominees: Ovi notches No. 700, The "Svech," Zibanejad's five goals
There's been plenty of terrific highlights this season, including Ovechkin joining the exclusive 700-goal club, Andrei Svechnikov displaying rare flare in the NHL, and Zibanejad's virtuoso five-goal effort versus the Capitals.
And the winner is: Svechnikov. Not only was the Carolina Hurricanes' sophomore audacious enough to attempt to score lacrosse-style in a live game, but he showed the skill to pull it off ... twice! The highlight is special, and Svechnikov's cojones helped open the floodgates for the world's best players to build up the courage to showcase their creative touch on a nightly basis.
Best viral moment 🏆
Grant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Nominees: David Ayres, Brad Marchand's shootout gaffe, Mite of the Night in Washington
An emergency backup goalie stoning the Maple Leafs, the NHL's most polarizing personality blowing a shootout for the league's best team by completely missing the puck, and an adorable, excitable young Capitals fan who couldn't help but tell the world about his tarantula, Michael. This card is stacked.
And the winner is: David Ayres, no question. He might have provided the league's most viral moment ever.
Twitter was set ablaze when the world's now most famous EBUG entered the game versus Toronto on Hockey Night in Canada, and social media kicked into overdrive when he actually pulled off the victory. The saga evolved into a North American media frenzy, and the Leafs, as if they weren't universally mocked enough, will now forever be the team that lost to a Zamboni driver.
Best game 🏆
Nominees: Leafs-Canes thriller,Tkachuk vs. Kassian, Lightning-Bruins brawl
What do hockey fans like more than goal barrages and line brawls? Not much. All three of these games stood out for at least one of those reasons, and the contests were unquestionably among the most entertaining of the season.
And the winner is: Leafs versus Hurricanes. There was no rough stuff, but the 8-6 barn burner between these two clubs evoked 80s vibes, and it was a thriller from start to finish.
Toronto was up 3-0 barely five minutes after puck drop, only for Carolina to respond with five unanswered goals. The Leafs looked dead in the water with the score 6-4 midway through the final frame, but Matthews and Mitch Marner took over with an onslaught of highlight-reel goals in less than a minute to earn a stunning victory.
Here are a pair of honors based on season totals, like the Rocket Richard or Art Ross trophies. The Green Jacket Award shines a light on the player with a plus-minus that would be a low enough score to win any golf tournament. This year's top three all play for the Detroit Red Wings, which is all you need to know.
This award is for the player whose goals-assists split best mirrors the win-loss record of MLB's best pitcher. Congratulations, Mr. Acciari. Not only did you record your first 20-goal season in the NHL, you now own a prestigious award to help you remember it for life.
The Colorado Avalanche may consider reviving one of the most iconic uniforms in sports history to celebrate their 25th season in Denver in 2020-21.
The Quebec Nordiques moved to Colorado prior to the 1995-96 campaign, but their famous blue uniforms featuring a fleurs-de-lis design and red igloo logo might be making a comeback in the near future.
"Next year is the team's 25th anniversary season. I think there is an opportunity," Declan Bolger, the senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, told The Athletic's Ryan S. Clark. "We've talked about it, but the opportunity has not (arisen) up to now. It's not the only thing we've talked about. We have talked about a lot of things."
The Avalanche organization is still littered with important figures from the team's tenure in Quebec. Jean Martineau, currently the senior vice president of communications, has been with the franchise since 1986. Pierre Lacroix, who became the Nordiques' general manager shortly before their relocation and oversaw two Stanley Cup wins in Colorado, is still on board as a senior advisor. Joe Sakic, a draft pick of the Nordiques in 1987 and the franchise's all-time points leader, is now Colorado's GM.
But despite those ties and the fact the club still sells Nordiques merchandise, the Avalanche have never worn Quebec throwbacks.
"Up to now, we have not had a uniform that has incorporated the Nordiques, but it is clear other clubs like Carolina (formerly the Hartford Whalers) have recently leaned into their past," Bolger said. "With Pierre, Joe, and Jean being with the team, you look in the media guide and how the Nordiques' records are included with the Avalanche's records, we certainly do acknowledge the Nordiques.
"We have been back there twice for exhibition games. It's something we have leaned into instead of away from."
The Hurricanes have embraced their Hartford roots since Tom Dundon took over as majority owner in 2018, with players wearing throwback green uniforms during a handful of games.
As for the Avalanche, count Nazem Kadri among the players who would be fired up for a throwback night in Denver.
Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.
The American Hockey League Board of Governors voted to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 campaign and 2020 Calder Cup playoffs due to the coronavirus pandemic, the league announcedMonday.
"After a lengthy review process, the American Hockey League has determined that the resumption and completion of the 2019-20 season is not feasible in light of current conditions," AHL president and chief executive officer David Andrews said.
He added: "The League's operational focus has turned toward actively preparing for the 2020-21 season."
League standings will be sorted by points percentage and all player statistics are considered final and official as of March 12 - the day the league suspended play. These stats will serve as the basis for determining awards for the 2019-20 campaign.
The cancellation marks the first time since 1936 that the Calder Cup won't be awarded.
New England will always be remembered for the style it rocked for six Super Bowl victories in the 2000s. That's a shame, because the "Pat Patriot" era is easily the franchise's most visually pleasing look. The vibrant red, white, and blue are perfect for a team named after American patriotism, and that logo is vastly superior to the one that succeeded it.
59. Los Angeles Kings (1990s)
Andrew D. Bernstein / Getty Images Sport / Getty
After stunning the hockey world by acquiring Wayne Gretzky in 1988, the Kings decided they needed a new look. The club ditched the purple and gold it shared with the Lakers and instead opted to mimic the Raiders' silver and black. The decision was a hit, and the Kings' popularity soared thanks to their new star and sleek new colors.
58. Houston Astros (1970s)
Focus On Sport / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Not everyone thinks these jerseys are in the GOAT discussion, but we're here to praise the "Tequila Sunrise" era of the '70s Astros. These uniforms are memorable, fun, and creative - all qualities that help create a classic look. Not every baseball team needs to dress conservatively.
57. Anaheim Mighty Ducks (1990s)
B Bennett / Bruce Bennett / Getty
There's perhaps no greater cult following for a uniform in all of sports than for the Mighty Ducks' look. This cartoonish retro jersey is revered for both its appearance on the ice and for the beloved Disney movie franchise. Since new ownership took these beauties away in 2006 and rebranded the Ducks with a drab black-and-orange set, fans have been dying for the jade-and-eggplant uniforms to make a full-time comeback.
56. Boston Red Sox (current)
MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images / MediaNews Group / Getty
There's just something special about seeing the Red Sox home uniforms under the lights of Fenway Park. Boston has tried a few different colors as alternates and toyed with the grey aways a bit too much for our liking, but the home whites have remained untouched for decades, and we hope that tradition carries on for many years to come.
55. Cleveland Browns (2000s)
Rick Osentoski / USA TODAY Sports
The Browns' decision to return to their roots in their 2020 overhaul was the right one. Cleveland's home look is at classic as it gets in the NFL, and the fact it was taken away from us for five seasons is unforgivable. The brown-and-orange color scheme is unique in a sports world filled with far too much black, red, and blue. We should celebrate it.
54. Calgary Flames (1980s)
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You'll be hard-pressed to find a single fan of the Flames - or of sports aesthetics in general - who thinks Calgary's current black-tinged uniforms are superior to those of the team's heyday in the '80s. The Flames still wear the red version of these timeless sweaters as throwbacks, and they wore the white version for the 2019 Heritage Classic. Teasing us with brief glimpses of these beauties instead of using them on a full-time basis is criminal.
53. Ohio State football (current)
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When the Buckeyes take the field at the Shoe, you know they're going to look good. The scarlet-and-grey color combination is top-notch, and the consistent striping from head to toe, along with the iconic buckeye stickers littering the logo-less helmets, help make this uniform one of the all-time greats in the NCAA ranks. We don't mind the tasteful incorporation of black trim, though it's far from essential.
52. Detroit Tigers (current)
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A timeless and quintessential uniform design. Uncomplicated, trim up the middle around the neck, and a simple font on the back. Detroit's old English-style logo is one of the best in sports, and leaving it isolated on the front of the jersey is all this kit needs to be considered one of the all-time greats.
51. New York Knicks (1990s)
Nathaniel S. Butler / National Basketball Association / Getty
The Knicks have been a punchline for years, but there's no denying New York has at least dressed well through decades of organizational futility. The orange and blue under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden will always draw attention.
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid believes a change in attitude throughout the organization helped the club get back into the playoff mix this season.
"Management, coaching staff is all new, we brought in a couple new players, but I think it's just the vibe around the team that's changed," McDavid said on Sportsnet's #Ask31. "Everyone talks about that winning culture, and we didn't have that for a number of years.
"Just changing that whole culture and whole mindset I think has been huge."
After missing the postseason for the third time in four years last season, McDavid was vocal about his disappointment, saying his frustration level was "really high," and that it was "going to be a long summer" without playoff hockey.
The Oilers then used their time off to make some major changes. Edmonton hired longtime Detroit Red Wings executive Ken Holland as general manager, named Dave Tippett its new head coach, and brought in a series of new players, including goaltender Mike Smith and veteran winger James Neal.
The series of moves appeared to have worked, as the Oilers sat comfortably in second place in the Pacific Division with 83 points when the league went on pause March 12.
McDavid, of course, played a big role in the club's success, posting 97 points in 64 games to rank second in league scoring behind teammate Leon Draisaitl.
