National Hockey

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Blue Jackets managed to achieve two of their most pressing off-season goals, but not without some friction.

The Detroit Red Wings have spent half a decade rebuilding. And, this still might not be the year a once-proud franchise with 11 Stanley Cups breaks through and makes the playoffs.

VANCOUVER — He may have been a finalist for the NHL's rookie of the year award last season, but Quinn Hughes is already planning to take another step this year.

ST. LOUIS — New St. Louis Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly would like to rid himself of the bitter taste in his mouth. So would his teammates.

EDMONTON — Long before the days of analytics and performance coaches, John Muckler brought a keen strategic mind to the free-wheeling Edmonton Oilers.

BOSTON — The pillars in the TD Garden train station last week were still sporting life-sized pictures of longtime Bruins captain Zdeno Chara — all 6-foot-9 of him.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Anaheim Ducks spent nearly two decades in regular playoff contention, so it's only natural for even such a successful franchise to hit tough times eventually.

LAS VEGAS — Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer had to scramble in his first season with Vegas after being brought in as a midseason replacement for the fired Gerard Gallant.

For the first time since the Zach Parise-Ryan Suter era began eight seasons ago, the Minnesota Wild have made major changes to the roster.

PITTSBURGH — The number of players who helped the Pittsburgh Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cup titles is dwindling. Matt Murray is in Ottawa. Patric Hornqvist is in Florida.