from Dave Satriano of NGL.com, 20. Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets In three NHL seasons, Werenski has 128 points (38 goals, 90 assists) in 237 games. He had 44 points (11 goals, 33 assists) and averaged 22:54 of ice time last season. The 22-year-old was a finalist for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 2016-17, when he had 47 points (11 goals, 36 assists) in 78 games. Werenski had six points (one goal, five assists) and averaged 26:37 of ice time per game in 10 games in the 2019 playoffs. "He's going to be, within a couple years, top 10, there's no doubt about it," Daneyko said. "… He's a guy that you're going to be able to count on in every situation for a lot of years in Columbus, and a guy that always -- I would expect - [will] be in the top 20 for years to come. 19. Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues Parayko scored an NHL career-high 10 goals and had 28 points and a plus-20 rating (second on the Blues behind center Ryan O'Reilly's plus-22) last season. His 22:47 of ice time per game was second on St. Louis behind Pietrangelo's 24:05. The 26-year-old had 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) and averaged 25:07 of ice time in 26 playoff games to help the Blues win the Stanley Cup. "He brings a lot of different elements, his game has grown tremendously," Daneyko said. "… I'd probably have him even higher. Colton Parayko's playing that well and that good for the St. Louis Blues.". But I expect him to climb." 18 more Below, a short video on the Top 20...

from Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com, The New Jersey Devils were among the most aggressive teams remaking their roster this offseason, adding several high-profile players, including Jack Hughes and P.K. Subban. The Devils selected Hughes, an 18-year-old center, with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft on June 21 and acquired Subban in a trade with the Nashville Predators on June 22. New Jersey signed right wing Wayne Simmonds (one year, $5 million) on July 1, and acquired left wing Nikita Gusev in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights on July 29. The Devils are looking to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second time in the past eight seasons. Hughes, who gives the Devils depth at center, joining Nico Hischier, the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, had 112 points (34 goals, 78 assists) in 50 games for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team last season. "Jack has physical tools that are elite," Devils coach John Hynes said. "But the thing that really separates guys with physical tools is their love and passion for the game, the desire to get better. Jack has that component in spades in his personality." continued Watch the season preview below.

from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, - How have NHL stars been penalized by the league’s salary cap? Before the cap, 15 years ago, Peter Forsberg was the NHL’s highest paid player at $11 million a season. Now, it’s Connor McDavid at $12.5 million. That’s less than a 1% increase per year increase for the sport’s greatest player. Over the same period of time, the value of the Maple Leafs as a franchise has gone from $265 million to $1.4 billion. Up more than 500%. In other words, ownership wins once again. - The NHL must be just a little concerned that Pittsburgh Penguins majority owner, Ron Burkle, is being mentioned as a former associate of Jeffrey Epstein, the scandal ridden American who apparently killed himself behind bars. a few more hockey blurbs...