With summer vacations coming to a close, it's a good time to catch up on what went on in the NHL this month. In case you missed them while taking some time off, here are the highlights:
Roy splits with Avs
Probably the biggest news was the resignation of the hot-blooded Patrick Roy as head coach and vice-president of hockey operations with the Colorado Avalanche. The unpredictable Roy obviously didn't share the same vision as his former teammate and fellow Hockey Hall of Famer boss, Joe Sakic.
It will be interesting to see if that's it for Roy as an NHL coach or if a team will take a chance on him down the road. In the meantime, Sakic has turned to former Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Jared Bednar. The 44-year-old from Yorkton, Sask., steered the Lake Erie Monsters to the AHL Calder Cup championship last spring.
Bednar becomes the latest Calder Cup-winning coach to be promoted to the NHL in the last five years, following Willie Desjardins (Vancouver Canucks), Jeff Blashill (Detroit Red Wings) and Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay Lightning).
Vesey picks Big Apple
Coveted U.S. college free-agent Jimmy Vesey from Harvard decided to sign with the New York Rangers. The 23-year-old Vesey chose the bright lights of Broadway over his hometown Boston Bruins, two recent Stanley Cup champions in the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks, as well as the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs, to join his childhood pal Kevin Hayes on the Rangers.
Tavares talks extension
New York Islanders captain John Tavares, who turns 26 on Sept. 20, has two years remaining on his contract before he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. But those hoping he'll hit the market and change addresses may be disappointed. Tavares wants to stay with the Islanders.
"I don't really have any reason to leave and I think we have a great makeup and a team that can do something special this year," Tavares told Newsday. "I've always expressed my love for playing for Long Island. It's where I started; it's all I know in the NHL. The opportunity they've given me, I would love to see it all the way through and win a Stanley Cup.
"It's rare to see players stay in one place their whole career. There's obviously still a lot of time, but Long Island is where I enjoy playing, I love being the captain there and they've treated me so well. The people, the fans have always been so good to me."
Gretzky (sort of) on the move
The Wayne Gretzky statue, raised in front of Rexall Place, was taken down for a makeover before it moves to its new home at Rogers Place in downtown Edmonton.
Hall switches digits
Meanwhile, former Oilers forward Taylor Hall announced his new sweater number with the New Jersey Devils will be No. 9. His traditional No. 4 was unavailable because the Devils retired that digit years ago to honour Hockey Hall of Famer Scott Stevens. Hall had no specific reason for his decision, other than to say "a lot of good players" have worn No. 9.
Alfie to be honoured
The Ottawa Senators will do some number-retiring business of their own on Dec. 29, when former captain Daniel Alfredsson will be honoured in a game against the team he spent his final NHL season with, the Detroit Red Wings.
Flames take care of business
In Calgary, the Flames were busy. They signed vital restricted free agents Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau and lassoed former Arizona Coyotes GM Don Maloney to bolster their pro-scouting department.
Weber, Suban get comfy
Finally, Shea Weber and Alexander Radulov began working out with their new Canadiens teammates in Montreal, while former Hab P.K. Subban continued to endear himself to not only his old fans in Montreal but his new lot in Nashville with various entertaining appearances
ICYMI: What went down in the NHL this month
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