The Pittsburgh Penguins will mandate neck protection for their AHL and ECHL teams while urging players at the NHL level will do the same, coach Mike Sullivan told reporters Tuesday.

The decision to mandate neck protection for farm teams comes days after the death of former Penguins forward Adam Johnson. He was playing for the Nottingham Panthers in England's Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) when his throat was cut by a skate blade during a collision in a Champions Cup game Saturday against the Sheffield Steelers.

The Boston Bruins are keeping Matthew Poitras.

Boston had until Tuesday to decide whether the 19-year-old rookie would remain with the NHL club beyond nine games -- and kick in the first year of his entry-level contract -- or return to the Ontario Hockey League's Guelph Storm.

Bruins' coach Jim Montgomery didn't need long after practice wrapped Tuesday to summarize Poitras' status:

"He's sticking around. He just belongs."

Captain Connor McDavid returned from injury on Sunday night, and the Edmonton Oilers defeated the rival Calgary Flames 5-2 in the NHL's Heritage Classic outdoor game.

McDavid, 26, a three-time Hart Trophy recipient initially thought to be out for one to two weeks with an upper-body injury, returned early and rejoined a struggling team that had lost four in a row before Sunday's offensive breakout.

"It's such a unique experience, maybe it's something you get to experience once or twice, if you're lucky," McDavid said of the outdoor atmosphere. "You just try to soak it all in. And obviously, it was a big win for our group."

Former NHL player Adam Johnson died after a "freak accident" during his English team's game Saturday. He was 29.

The Nottingham Panthers, who play in England's Elite Ice Hockey League, announced Sunday that the organization is "heartbroken at the news of Adam's passing."

Officials stopped the Panthers' game Saturday against the Sheffield Steelers after Johnson was involved in a collision on the ice during the second period. Johnson received emergency treatment on the ice, and players eventually returned to the locker room after he was taken to Sheffield's Northern General Hospital.

Joe Thornton has officially announced his retirement from the NHL following a 24-year career as one of the game's top playmakers.

The 44-year-old Thornton hadn't played since the 2021-22 season with Florida but hadn't made an official declaration about his plans until releasing a video Saturday through the San Jose Sharks.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton will have a hearing with the NHL department of player safety on Saturday following his illegal check to the head of New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier.

The NHL has reversed its policy on the use of colored stick tape to represent causes during games and in practices.

"After consultation with the NHL Players' Association and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, players will now have the option to voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season," the league said in a statement Tuesday.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid could return to the lineup for the NHL Heritage Classic outdoor game Sunday but is not expected to play Tuesday or Thursday this week.

McDavid was ruled out of Tuesday's game at Minnesota and is doubtful to return for Thursday's game with the New York Rangers. The three-time Hart Trophy recipient initially was thought to be out for one to two weeks with an upper-body injury sustained Saturday in a loss to Winnipeg, but the Oilers will keep the door open for his return this weekend.

The NHL has launched a new advanced stats section on its website that brings data from the league's puck- and player-tracking technology to fans for the first time.

NHL EDGE, the league's puck- and player-tracking system, has been operational for every team since the 2021-22 season. That season is where the data begins on the league's new advanced stats section on NHL.com (NHL.com/EDGE). Previously, the only public display of these stats was during NHL broadcasts.

Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness is taking a leave of absence from the team after his wife, Judy, had a seizure Sunday evening. Assistant Scott Arniel will step in as interim coach until Bowness is able to return.

The Jets made the announcement in a statement Monday, also saying that Judy Bowness remains hospitalized while undergoing further tests.