The Nashville Predators are buying out star center Matt Duchene after placing him on unconditional waivers Friday.

Duchene, 32, had three years left on the seven-year, $56 million contract he signed with the Predators in July 2019. It carried an average annual value of $8 million against the salary cap. Duchene was due $20 million in actual salary over the next three seasons.

His contract didn't carry any no-movement protection. He is now an unrestricted free agent.

The Arizona Coyotes say they're looking at a half-dozen sites to build an arena and entertainment complex after a public vote defeated their bid to build one in Tempe.

"We're putting several options into play. We have over a dozen sites that we have had conversations with. We have half a dozen of those that we think are going to go to that next step," Coyotes CEO Xavier Gutierrez said Wednesday. "We're committed to still have a privately funded sports and entertainment district. We were disappointed with the vote in Tempe, but we turned the page very quickly. We reengaged with multiple sites that we had talked to beforehand, and we feel quite confident that one of these many sites that we put into play will come to fruition."

The team is eyeing East Valley sites in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Mesa and other places, including on tribal land. The team is looking at privately owned land and also public land that municipalities might sell to the Coyotes.

Matvei Michkov had one wish granted when the Philadelphia Flyers selected him seventh overall in the 2023 NHL draft Wednesday night. But he has another wish for his NHL career: To honor his late father by lifting the Stanley Cup.

Michkov's father, Andrei, died in April at the age of 51, according to the Russian Hockey Federation.

Matvei Michkov, an 18-year-old right wing who played for the Russian national team, was thinking about his late father as he wore a Flyers jersey for the first time.

"Right now, it's important for me to finish the goal that my dad had for me, and that's winning the Stanley Cup," he said through an interpreter.

The Anaheim Ducks made it known they were going to take a center with the second pick of Thursday night's NHL draft, but they kept whom they were going to select a secret.

Many considered University of Michigan freshman Adam Fantilli the favorite, but the Ducks instead opted to take Orebro HK center Leo Carlsson, presenting the first bit of intrigue on draft night after the Chicago Blackhawks used the No. 1 overall pick on Regina Pats center Connor Bedard.

"I had a meeting with the Ducks yesterday," Carlsson told reporters after he was drafted. "I had a good feeling."

The Chicago Blackhawks made the obvious official Wednesday night, selecting Regina Pats center Connor Bedard with the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft.

Bedard, 17, has been called a generational talent thanks to his shooting ability and puck possession skills. The North Vancouver native was the most hyped prospect since Connor McDavid was drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2015.

From banner raising to outdoor games to a full plate on the Friday after Thanksgiving, NHL fans can plan their season after Tuesday's release of the 2023-24 league schedule.

The Stanley Cup champion Las Vegas Golden Knights face the Seattle Kraken on Oct. 10 to round out the opening-day slate.

Connor Bedard, this year's projected No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft, might play his first NHL game that night. Chicago -- which owns the first pick in Wednesday's opening round -- is scheduled to play Pittsburgh, and most believe Bedard is NHL-ready.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said coach Sheldon Keefe will return next season.

Keefe was hired by the previous Toronto GM, Kyle Dubas, who parted ways with the team last month and was replaced by Treliving. Keefe's job status was in question, but Treliving said his evaluation determined that the coach should remain in place for Toronto.

"It was difficult and probably uncomfortable at times, but really excited to be working with him," Treliving said.

Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said Tuesday that coach D.J. Smith and his entire coaching staff will be back for the 2023-24 season.

The announcement comes two weeks after a change of ownership. New majority owner Michael Andlauer accepted Dorion's recommendation to bring back Smith, who has not made the playoffs in his four-year tenure in Ottawa.

"In dealing with Michael, he said the general manager runs the hockey operations and he decides the coach and my recommendation was for D.J. and his staff to be back," Dorion said in Nashville, Tennessee, site of Wednesday's draft.

The Philadelphia Flyers' attempt to trade defenseman Tony DeAngelo back to the Carolina Hurricanes is being held up by a clause in the NHL collective bargaining agreement, an NHL source confirmed Monday.

The Flyers acquired the restricted free agent rights to DeAngelo, 27, from the Hurricanes on July 7, 2022, for three draft picks. Former Philadelphia general manager Chuck Fletcher signed him to a two-year, $10 million contract.

The NHL's ban on players wearing specialty jerseys during warmups has frustrated those who directly benefited from their participation, including charities and artists from marginalized communities.

"In short, it hurts," said Mio Linzie, a queer artist who has collaborated with several NHL teams, including the Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings, on Pride jerseys.