The 2016 World Cup of Hockey will truly be unlike anything we've ever seen.
While clubs began to announce their initial 16-man rosters Wednesday, leaked logos for the teams also began surfacing online Wednesday through Icethetics, with each established team appearing to offer slight variations on looks we've come to expect - and others having to start from scratch.
Team USA appears to have found a new take on its simple logos of the past.
Things get interesting with Team Europe, which reportedly has a slick blue-and-teal crest with the letter E and what looks to be a hockey stick, resembling the Vancouver Canucks' current third jersey.
Things get intriguing with the under-23 North American team, whose logo apparently includes an interlocking "NA" hanging over the Roman numerals for 23.
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Forward Nicklas Backstrom, two-time Norris Trophy defenceman Erik Karlsson and 2012 Vezina Trophy-winning goalie Henrik Lundqvist are among the first 16 players selected to Sweden's World Cup of Hockey roster.
Also selected w...
For the first time in nine weeks, the Washington Capitals have been dethroned from the top spot in the NHL power rankings. It's certainly not anything they did, but with just one regulation loss since Jan. 17, the Anaheim Ducks are on absolute fire.
Although the aforementioned duo are certainly legitimate Stanley Cup contenders this season, they'll need to watch their back. The surging Tampa Bay Lightning are hot on their tail, closing in on the Florida Panthers and the top spot in the Atlantic Division in the process.
Here are this week's power rankings:
1. Anaheim Ducks ▲ (Last Week: 2)
Will the Ducks ever lose again? The hottest team in the league is an absolutely ridiculous 15-1-1 in its last 17 games.
First half of the season, Ducks averaged 1.85 goals/game, last in NHL. Since All-Star break, averaging 3.69, first in NHL.
The Capitals failed at their biggest test of the season Sunday against the Blackhawks, but they're still 13-4-0 in their last 17 games. Washington will have an opportunity to regain top spot in the power rankings against Anaheim on Monday.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning ▲ (Last Week: 8)
The Lightning have put the trade deadline behind them and can finally move on from the distraction that is Jonathan Drouin. He's sitting at home, while they're threatening for the Atlantic Division title with seven consecutive wins.
4. St. Louis Blues ▼ (Last Week: 3)
Jake Allen is rounding back into form after missing 17 games due to injury. The 25-year-old has already made fans forget about Brian Elliott with back-to-back wins, stopping 72 of 77 shots in the process.
5. Chicago Blackhawks ▼ (Last Week: 4)
The Blackhawks have been treading water for over a month now, with just 17 points in their last 15 games. However, with a big win over the Capitals to end the month, equipped with the additions of Andrew Ladd and Dale Weise, it's only a matter of time before they pull away in the West.
No "C" on the front of a red jersey? Weird, but certainly a wise trade deadline acquisition for the all-in Rangers.
7. San Jose Sharks ▲ (Last Week: 11)
San Jose's next five games: Canucks, Canucks, Flames, Oilers, Devils. They will certainly have every opportunity to challenge for the Pacific Division crown.
8. New York Islanders ▲ (Last Week: 9)
8-2-1 in their last 11 games, the Islanders appear primed for a first-round series against the Rangers.
Sorry, John Tavares. But you might find yourself taking the subway to road games as well come April.
9. Florida Panthers ▼ (Last Week: 7)
The Panthers made good short-term additions without taking away from their long-term plan by landing Teddy Purcell and Jiri Hudler. However, with an injury to Jonathan Huberdeau, they're extremely weak on the left side. Quinton Howden, Jussi Jokinen, and Purcell will not get them anywhere in the playoffs.
10. Nashville Predators ▲ (Last Week: 15)
Ryan Johansen has just two assists in his last 10 games, but that isn't stopping the red-hot Predators from pulling away in the wild-card race.
Predators win 5-3, have won a season-high five consecutive games and earned points in franchise record-tying 10 in a row (7-0-3).
Jamie Benn has seven points in his last seven games, yet he's still minus-11 during that stretch. The Stars will only get so far with a potent offense, and will regret the high price they paid for Kris Russell if he can't be a difference maker.
12. Detroit Red Wings (Last Week: 12)
The Red Wings are quickly becoming the fastest team in the entire league. Although Dylan Larkin - the NHL's fastest skater - is struggling with just one goal in nine games, fellow rookie Andreas Athanasiou has certainly stolen the spotlight, and his teammates are noticing.
Pavel Datsyuk on Athanasiou: "He's not fast, he's lightning. I remember when I was that fast."
Lee Stempniak and John-Michael Liles for four draft picks, including a second-rounder? That's far too much from a team that won't contend for a Stanley Cup this season. Valiant effort, though.
Erik Haula has come out of nowhere, recording four goals and six assists in nine games since John Torchetti took over behind the bench. The Wild are 6-3-0 in that span, and are back in a wild-card spot after pivotal wins over the Panthers and Avalanche.
16. Pittsburgh Penguins ▼ (Last Week: 15)
Evgeni Malkin is finally back in the lineup after a 10-game absence, and his return couldn't have come at a better time. The Penguins are mired in a suddenly tight wild-card race, sitting just three points up on the surging Flyers.
17. Philadelphia Flyers ▲ (Last Week: 21)
Philadelphia certainly has Pittsburgh sweating thanks to three wins in a row with the Oilers and Blue Jackets next on their schedule.
18. Ottawa Senators (Last Week: 18)
With a 5-1-1 record in their last seven games, the Senators are off to a good start in their quest to repeat last year's improbable 18-3-3 run to the postseason. Oh, and they're bolstering their lineup in the process:
19. Colorado Avalanche (Last Week: 19)
Colorado is 5-7-1 in its last 13 games, dropping out of a playoff position after a tough loss Tuesday to Minnesota. However, with the addition of Mikkel Boedker, they're certainly in good shape to push for a postseason appearance for the second time in three years.
Even with a struggling team, the future is bright in Buffalo, and the fans are evidently very stoked about it.
25. Arizona Coyotes ▼ (Last Week: 24)
With six losses in a row, the Coyotes are finally back to embracing the rebuild. After adding Anthony Duclair at last year's deadline, Arizona won again this time around, landing prospects Conner Bleackley, Kyle Wood, and a solid veteran presence in Alex Tanguay for unrestricted free agent Mikkel Boedker.
26. Winnipeg Jets ▲ (Last Week: 28)
Although it's tough right now, the future is bright in Winnipeg.
After back-to-back road losses against the Flyers and Bruins to start the week, the Flames have recorded just 21 of a possible 62 points away from home this season, which is tied for last place in the entire league.
28. Vancouver Canucks ▼ (Last Week: 27)
Absolutely nobody has any idea what the Canucks are doing right now.
A lot of people took the day off to watch the trade deadline. But enough about Jim Benning.
Sweden is in a position to avenge its disappointing loss to Canada in the gold medal game at the Sochi Olympics, naming an impressive preliminary roster Wednesday for the World Cup of Hockey.
The Swedish Ice Hockey Association named its first 16 players, consisting of eight forwards, six defensemen, and two goalies.
F Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals F Loui Eriksson, Boston Bruins F Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators F Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche F Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks F Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks F Alexander Steen, St. Louis Blues F Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings
Defensemen
D Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Arizona Coyotes D Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning D Niklas Hjalmarsson, Chicago Blackhawks D Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators D Niklas Kronwall, Detroit Red Wings D Anton Stralman, Tampa Bay Lightning
Goaltenders
G Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers G Jacob Markstrom, Vancouver Canucks
OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators signed veteran forward Scott Gomez to a one-year, US$575,000 contract Wednesday.
Gomez, 36, began the season with the St. Louis Blues, registering a goal and seven assists in 21 games before being released. He sig...
Gomez began the season with the St. Louis Blues, but was released by the club after managing just one goal and eight points in 21 games.
He was subsequently signed to a professional tryout contract by the Washington Capitals' AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. There, he lit it up, posting four goals and 24 points in 18 games.
Gomez should provide the team with some short-term relief after the Senators announced Monday that forward Kyle Turris would be shut down indefinitely as he deals with a high ankle sprain.
PRAGUE - Veteran star Jaromir Jagr has not been included in the first 16 players selected to the Czech Republic's World Cup of Hockey roster.
The 44-year-old forward's future has been in question beyond this season, his second with the Florid...
The Florida Panthers have added another talented prospect to their arsenal.
The team signed Moose Jaw Warriors forward Dryden Hunt to an entry-level contract Wednesday, general manager Dale Tallon announced.
The 20-year-old leads the Western Hockey League with 50 goals through 63 games, 11 more than Boston Bruins draft pick Jesse Gabrielle, who sits second.
Hunt was named the WHL's Player of the Month for January and followed that up with five hat tricks in February. His 102 points also slot him just two back of top spot in the league.
The NHL's fourth all-time leading scorer, Jaromir Jagr, was an obvious omission from the Czech Republic's roster for the World Cup of Hockey, named Wednesday.
The Florida Panthers forward was expected to be left off, but he may still be included when the remaining roster spots are announced no later than June 1 - as could his new Panthers teammate Jiri Hudler.
Jagr has already retired from the Czech national team, notes Sportsnet's Chris Johnston, and has been "coy" regarding his involvement in the World Cup.
Jaromir Jagr not on First 16 Czech roster for World Cup. Allows federation and 44-year-old to decide by June 1.
F Michael Frolik, Calgary Flames F Martin Hanzal, Arizona Coyotes F Tomas Hertl, San Jose Sharks F David Krejci, Boston Bruins F Ondrej Palat, Tampa Bay Lightning F David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins F Tomas Plekanec, Montreal Canadiens F Vladimir Sobotka, Avangard Omsk (KHL) F Jakub Voracek, Philadelphia Flyers
Defensemen
D Radko Gudas, Philadelphia Flyers D Michal Kempny, Avangard Omsk (KHL) D Roman Polak, San Jose Sharks D Andrej Sustr, Tampa Bay Lightning
Goaltenders
G Petr Mrazek, Detroit Red Wings G Michal Neuvirth, Philadelphia Flyers G Ondrej Pavelec, Winnipeg Jets
Kessel, who played alongside Phaneuf for six seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, said his former teammate was often mistreated throughout his tenure as captain of the team.
"Obviously, Dion is a great player and a good friend of mine," Kessel said Tuesday. "I think he's misunderstood in Toronto. I think a lot of times he wasn't treated fairly through the media and through the fans."
The 28-year-old sniper adds that the duo have kept in touch, and that Phaneuf is embracing his new role with the Ottawa Senators.
"I've talked to (Phaneuf) a little bit," Kessel said. "He's a professional. I think he knows now you can always get traded in this league."
Phaneuf has certainly found his game since being traded. The 30-year-old has recorded one goal and six assists in 10 games with his new club.
The two former teammates will face off against each other for the first time since the trade on April 5 in Ottawa.
