The Boston Bruins revealed findings and subsequent procedural changes on Thursday from an independent review conducted on their signing of Mitchell Miller.

That investigation, led by former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch of the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, parsed through thousands of documents related to Boston's signing of Miller on Nov. 4 before the club cut ties with him days later.

The Bruins' release detailed what new policies the club will adopt, while also stating that there was no misconduct by Boston's employees in initially vetting Miller.

Dallas Stars forward Denis Gurianov is taking an indefinite leave of absence for unspecified family reasons.

The team said Wednesday when announcing the leave that it would not provide further details on 25-year-old Gurianov's absence.

Flyers forward Cam Atkinson will have neck surgery Wednesday and miss the entire season, another setback for one of the worst teams in the NHL.

The 33-year-old has not played at all this season.

The NHL has discussed expanding its regular season from 82 to 84 games in an effort to create more regional rivalry matchups, sources confirmed to ESPN.

The league has been considering alternatives to its current schedule after some teams complained about an imbalanced number of divisional games against rivals.

Currently, each team plays either three or four games against divisional opponents, for a total of 26 games; they play three games against nondivisional teams within their own conference, for a total of 24 games; and they play two games, home and away, against opponents from the other conference for a total of 32 games.

Alex Ovechkin has trademarked "THE GR8 CHASE" as he closes in on Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record, the star's marketing team and the Washington Capitals told ESPN.

Ovechkin and his family have been working on the multilayered marketing and business platform along with the Capitals, the NHL, the NHL Players' Association and sponsors and licensees -- who all will be part of Ovechkin's remaining journey as he stares down Gretzky's record and other milestones along the way.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he recently met with actor Ryan Reynolds about potentially being involved with the Ottawa Senators' new ownership group.

"[Reynolds] very much impressed us," Bettman said at the NHL's board of governors meetings on Tuesday. "If we can figure out a way to have him included, I think that would be great for the Senators and great for the league."

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the league's salary cap could rise by only $1 million next season unless revenue outperforms current projections.

The NHL and NHL Players' Association signed a collective bargaining agreement in 2020. They agreed to keep the salary cap flat at $81.5 million until hockey-related revenue surpassed $3.3 billion for the previous season. The salary cap increased for the first time under that CBA this season, up $1 million to $82.5 million.

Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said his team won't rebuild with Alex Ovechkin on the roster, having promised his star captain that the club will remain competitive while he chases Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record.

Predators forward Michael McCarron has entered the player assistance program of the NHL and NHL Players' Association.

The league and the union announced the move Sunday without specifying why McCarron entered the program.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang returned to the lineup Saturday night, just 12 days after suffering the second stroke of his career Nov. 28.

Saying "it means the world to our team," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan drew Letang back in against the Buffalo Sabres after a five-game absence. Earlier in the day, he was deemed a game-time decision, but ultimately skated in 25 shifts during the Penguins' 3-1 home victory, covering 22:14 time on the ice. He was his traditional active self, finishing with seven hits, three blocked shots and two minutes in penalties.