News and notes from around the NHL this evening:
- The Arizona Coyotes will have newly acquired defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson wear one of three ’A’s this season, reports AZCentral’s Sarah McLellan. Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson will wear one of the others, but the final alternate captain has not yet been named. Head coach Rick Tocchet said that the team may name a captain, but not until some of the season plays out. Whoever the captain may be, he has big skates to fill. The team’s previous captain—longtime veteran Shane Doan—played his entire 21 year career with the team, including when the team was still in Winnipeg, MB.
- The Montreal Canadiens saved an opening day roster spot for 19 year-old defenseman Victor Mete. The rookie defenseman—drafted 100th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft—impressed the organization that is in dire need of defensemen. The Canadiens lost Andrei Markov, Nathan Beaulieu, Alexei Emelin, and Mikhail Sergachev in the past year, and did little to replace them.
- The NHL and the Vegas Golden Knights have jointly donated $300K to victim relief from Sunday night’s shooting in Las Vegas. According to a team press release, the team will honor victims at season-opening games and provide additional assistance through pledge drives and other ventures.