National Hockey

LAVAL, Que. — Ottawa Senators rookie goalie Filip Gustavsson knows he's been given a chance of a lifetime and he doesn't intend to waste it. Gustavsson is being touted as Ottawa's next franchise goaltender.

CHICAGO — When John Tavares decided to pass on signing an extension with the New York Islanders and test free agency, he became the most interesting man in hockey.

CHICAGO — Patrice Bergeron and a handful of other Boston Bruins players won't be going to China for a pair of preseason games later this month against the Calgary Flames. Bergeron is still not 100 per cent after off-season groin surgery.

CHICAGO — Marc-Andre Fleury was surprised and T.J. Oshie said he was shocked to see Nate Schmidt suspended 20 games for violating the NHL's performance-enhancing drug policy.

CHICAGO — Clayton Keller took an eight-hour bus ride from Montreal to Boston for a hockey game at Fenway Park and won't soon forget the experience of playing outdoors. "It was pretty cool," Keller said.

CALGARY — James Neal knows a thing or two about long playoff runs. Mark Giordano hopes that knowledge rubs off on the Calgary Flames.

TORONTO — Morgan Rielly understands why the questions are asked. The Maple Leafs defenceman also wants to make it clear he's never heard the topic discussed inside Toronto's locker-room.

OTTAWA — While the Ottawa Senators have produced their fair share of negative headlines in recent months, there is a sense of excitement when it comes to Brady Tkachuk.

CHICAGO — December is the earliest the NHL Board of Governors will vote on potential expansion to Seattle, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Thursday.

CHICAGO — With the exception of seeing a couple of concerts and getting some family time, Vladimir Tarasenko had a boring summer. A surgically repaired left shoulder kept Tarasenko on the shelf and unable to train much, but now the St.