The first round of the NHL Draft had a distinct American flavor.
A record 12 players from the United States were chosen in the opening round, USA Hockey confirmed Friday night.
Auston Matthews went first overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Boston Bruins took Trent Frederic with the 29th overall pick to set the new mark.
Pavel Datsyuk's gone home to Russia, but his contract remains in the NHL.
The Detroit Red Wings got out from under the center's contract Friday night, trading it the Arizona Coyotes in a deal made on the draft-room floor. And Detroit retained no salary in the process, meaning the club's cleared $7.5 million in cap space.
After the deal, general manager Ken Holland said he wants to use that money to replace Datsyuk's offense with an impact forward, according to ESPN's Craig Custance.
The Red Wings were the lowest-scoring playoff team in the NHL last season. They've been linked to soon-to-be free agent Steven Stamkos. Holland's comments will only add fuel to that fire.
Asked what he wants to do with the money, Holland was unequivocal: "Spend it."
Holland will be in touch with free agents Saturday when the discussion window opens, according to The Detroit News' Ted Kulfan.
It shouldn't be long before Patrik Laine takes the ice in the NHL.
The Winnipeg Jets selected the Finn with the second overall pick in the draft Friday, and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff expects Laine to crack the team's roster right away next season, Cheveldayoff said, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
Laine is coming off a stellar season after capturing gold at the World Junior Championship, the Liiga championship, while also being named MVP at the World Championship.
With each passing minute, Steven Stamkos gets that much closer to unrestricted free agency.
Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman was asked about negotiations with his star player Friday night at the NHL Draft in Buffalo, N.Y., and said that he'd consider a sign-and-trade scenario if he can't get Stamkos' signature on a new deal, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
To be clear, Yzerman says he hasn't focused on a sign-and-trade for Stamkos. Would obviously prefer an asset to losing him for nothing.
Yzerman added that "all avenues remain open" with respect to Stamkos' situation, even as the free-agent dialogue window opens Saturday, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.
Stamkos, 26, is the marquee free agent set to hit the market. He's spent his entire career with Tampa Bay, and has 312 goals and 562 career points in 569 games.
Asked if he's given final offer for Stamkos, Yzerman said: "I haven't given you anything up until now, I'm going to keep it that way."
The Calgary Flames acquired goaltender Brian Elliott from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for their second-round pick (35th overall) and a conditional third in 2018. Having struck out on Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury and Tampa Bay’ Ben Bishop, the Flames finally land their starting goaltender in Elliott. How long he’ll be with them could depend […]
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager could care less that his club has no selection in the first round of the 2016 Draft.
The club's lone selection this season was part of a package that was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs last offseason for sniper Phil Kessel, and Rutherford regrets nothing.
"Of course we’d like to have a first round, but not at the expense of Phil Kessel," said Rutherford. "We’re okay with what is going on tonight."
The Maple Leafs ultimately used the pick - 30th overall - to acquire goaltender Frederik Andersen from the Anaheim Ducks.
Meanwhile Kessel led the Penguins in scoring with 22 points in 24 games en route to their club's Stanley Cup victory.
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Detroit Red Wings gained salary-cap relief by trading veteran star Pavel Datsyuk's contract to the Arizona Coyotes on Friday night at the NHL draft.
The 37-year-old Datsyuk said last week that he will return home to Russia...
The Arizona Coyotes selected defenseman Jakob Chychrun with the 16th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft after stomaching Pavel Datsyuk's contract in a deal with the Detroit Red Wings.
The top-ranked North American defenseman and fourth-ranked skater overall on this side of the Atlantic, Chychrun has long worn the label of an elite next-level prospect.
With top-end skating skills and above-average hands, he's an extremely competent puck carrier, handler, and mover, possessing the transition skills required among top-pairing defensemen in the NHL today. That said, he doesn't necessarily possess the tools needed to run a highly successful power play.
Imposing in his own end, Chychrun employs a tough brand, but also has strong control over his own physicality. He'll have to refine his positioning, as he's too often forced to compensate with his effective, lengthy stride.
Chychrun was one of the more notable omissions on Team Canada's World Junior roster.
He was the first overall selection of the Sarnia Sting in the Ontario Hockey League's Priority Selection in 2014. He's the son of Jeff Chychrun, the former 37th-overall selection and a veteran of 262 NHL games over his nine-year professional career.
Despite sliding out of lottery position, Chychrun was clearly coveted. Arizona has made a considerable financial investment in order to acquire a prospect that immediately jumps to the front of the line among defensemen in the system.
The Red Wings traded Datsyuk and the 16th overall pick in Friday's draft to the Arizona Coyotes for the 20th and 53rd selections, as well as forward Joe Vitale.
While this year's draft will likely be remembered as a turning point in the fortunes of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Finland will remember it for another reason.
Three Finns - Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Olli Juolevi - were drafted in the top five, marking the first time that's ever happened.
Meanwhile, only two born-and-raised Canadian players were taken in the top 10, the fewest ever, tweeted broadcaster Mike Kelly.