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The 23-year-old Peterka is coming off consecutive 25-plus goal seasons, including 27 this year with a career-best 68 points in 77 games.

Smith, 34, had 40 points last season, including 11 in 21 games with Vegas down the stretch. He has 255 goals and 381 assists for 636 points in 1,036 NHL regular-season and playoff games.

Mogilny had been eligible for election 16 previous years going back to 2009, passed over time after time until getting in on the 17th chance.

While Darche is not saying it, the growing consensus is the Islanders are expected to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer on Friday night.

Based on Haoxi Wang's size and skating ability, there's likely to be even more pinch-me moments ahead for someone in position to become just the third Chinese-born player -- and potentially highest -- selected in the NHL draft.

The Ducks also will get the 45th overall pick in the upcoming draft that initially belonged to Columbus, along with a fourth-round pick next season.

When the time comes for defenseman Matthew Schaefer to take the stage at the NHL draft inside the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles this week, the top-ranked prospect won't be climbing the stairs alone.

The back-to-back Stanley Cup winners had their championship parade and rally on Fort Lauderdale Beach on Sunday, the same setup as last year -- except this time, bright sunshine greeted the champs as opposed to downpours and lightning a year ago.

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov said they're giving themselves "permission" to celebrate more freely this year because they have already been through the experience.

Bourque played in 73 regular-season games in 2024-25, but dressed for just three playoff games as the Stars lost in the Western Conference final for the third consecutive year.