Sidney Crosby is used to change. More than 15 years in the NHL has taught the Pittsburgh Penguins longtime captain that it's simply part of the business

It was weird for Crosby and the rest of the Penguins to learn after practice Wednesday that general manager Jim Rutherford decided to step down. Rutherford cited personal reasons and declined to get into specifics with anyone, including Crosby.

"I think everyone was surprised," Crosby said Thursday.

In a stunning move, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford resigned Wednesday, citing personal reasons.

"There always has been so much support from everyone involved with the Penguins, both on the hockey and business staffs, and, of course, from a special group of players led by Sidney Crosby," Rutherford said in a statement. "The fans here have been tremendous to me and my family. I know it's a little unusual to have this happen during a season, but just felt this was the right time to step away."

Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal is back at practice after testing positive for COVID-19.

Staal said Tuesday he feels good now after having some chills and coughing. He was the first of six Hurricanes players that ultimately appeared on the league's daily COVID-19 unavailability list, which ultimately led to the postponement of three games.

Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon will be behind the bench for Tuesday's game against the St. Louis Blues while the Vegas coaching staff is self-isolating "out of an abundance of caution," the team announced.

According to sources, there was at least one positive COVID-19 test on the coaching staff, and because of close contact, isolation is necessary.

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin and three teammates were placed on the NHL's COVID-19 protocol-related absences list on Wednesday, as the league fined the team $100,000 for a violation of health and safety protocols.

Ovechkin, center Evgeny Kuznetsov, defenseman Dmitry Orlov and goaltender Ilya Samsonov were all added to the daily list of players who are "unavailable to play or practice, in accordance with the league's COVID protocols."

Blue Jackets center Pierre-Luc Dubois has requested a trade from the team, which is why interest around the league was piqued when he didn't take a regular shift during the second period of the team's 3-2 win over Detroit on Monday.

Coach John Tortorella denied he "benched" the 22-year-old scorer.

"You guys are really dissecting this benching and sitting. I guess I benched Max [Domi] the other night, you said. Slow down, boys. You'll know when I bench someone. I have to make decisions when the game is being played, when I think someone is going at certain times. But don't try to manifest something as far as the benching. That's all part of a three-period hockey game."

Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle scored his 100th career goal and kept his consecutive games streak alive in their season-opening win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, just days after it appeared he might be a healthy scratch.

Yandle scored the second goal in the Panthers' 5-2 home victory over the Blackhawks, emphatically celebrating to the delight of his teammates.

The defenseman played 16:41 for the night in his 867th consecutive NHL game, which is the fourth-longest streak in NHL history. Doug Jarvis has the NHL record at 964 games.

The Dallas Stars will open their season Jan. 22 at home against the Nashville Predators after their first four games had to be rescheduled due to a COVID-19 outbreak on the team.

In training camp, 17 members of the Stars tested positive for COVID-19, which forced the team to shut down its facilities for several days.

The NHL announced that 27 players had confirmed positive COVID-19 tests during training camps, which concluded Tuesday.

Of those players, 17 were members of the Dallas Stars, who shut down their training facilities last Friday after an outbreak. Dallas' first three games -- at Florida on Thursday and Friday and at Tampa Bay on Sunday -- have been postponed. The defending Western Conference champions are now tentatively set to open at the Lightning on Jan. 19 in a Stanley Cup Final rematch.

San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the Northern District of California, according to multiple reports.

The 29-year-old lists assets of about $10 million, mostly in real estate, and liabilities of almost $27 million.

As part of last week's filing, Kane says that he might not even play this season, eliminating his income.