BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Ryan Miller grew up idolizing goalie Dominik Hasek, and upon signing with the Buffalo Sabres in 2002, fantasized of one day having his name and number hang from the arena rafters.Not only did Miller's dream become reality on Thursday night, he was wowed by having Hasek appear by video from his home in the Czech Republic to…

PHILADELPHIA -- Flyers coach John Tortorella defended Russian defenseman Ivan Provorov's decision to cite religious beliefs as his reason to boycott the team's pregame Pride celebration."Provy did nothing wrong," Tortorella said Thursday. "Just because you don't agree with his decision doesn't mean he did anything wrong."Before Tuesday's game against the Anaheim Ducks, 26-year-old Provorov sat out warmups, during which the…

Connor McDavid simply won't stop scoring. Through 46 games, the Edmonton Oilers' No. 1 center has scored 38 goals, which is three ahead of David Pastrnak for the league lead and on a 68-goal pace.That's a big number, although it would result in only a tie for 18th overall in league history for a single season. What has been extraordinary…

NHL general managers are inherently optimistic creatures, despite being 32 of the most jaded individuals in sports.They have to believe what they're building will work. They have to believe that the players they acquire will fulfill expectations. Most of all, right now, they have to believe that a trade market with the momentum of a semi-tractor trailer stuck in quicksand…