Hockey purists might be grumbling about the upcoming Stanley Cup Final because it will have nothing but Sun Belt teams involved. It suits Gary Bettman just fine.

Bettman was honored by the Sports Business Journal on Wednesday with a lifetime achievement award for the NHL's growth during his 30 years as commissioner, from a business that generated $437 million in revenue before he took over to nearly $6 billion now.

Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid, Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak and Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk are finalists for the NHL's Hart Trophy, the league announced on Friday.

The Hart is awarded each year "to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team." Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association vote on the winner.

Coach Jim Montgomery, whose Boston Bruins had the most successful regular season of any team in NHL history, was announced as a finalist for the Jack Adams Award on Friday night.

The other finalists helped orchestrate two of the greatest year-over-year turnarounds in NHL history: Dave Hakstol of the Seattle Kraken and Lindy Ruff of the New Jersey Devils.

The Jack Adams Award is presented annually by the NHL Broadcasters' Association to "the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success."

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin had the top-selling NHL jersey during his record-breaking 2022-23 season, according to Fanatics.

As he continued his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's career NHL goals record of 894, Ovechkin set records for the most goals with one franchise, most career goals scored on the road and most 40-goal seasons. On Dec. 23, 2022, Ovechkin passed Gordie Howe for second on the goal-scoring list behind Gretzky, finishing the season with 822 career goals.

Veteran defenseman Mark Borowiecki has decided to retire from hockey after playing more than 450 games over parts of 12 NHL seasons.

Borowiecki, 33, announced his decision in an Instagram post Wednesday, more than six months since his last professional game, when he was stretchered off the ice after an awkward hit into the boards during a game against Philadelphia on Oct. 22. He was hospitalized, went on injured reserve and did not play again.

"I am very excited for a new chapter in the hockey world, and I'm looking forward to finding an opportunity to help grow the game and help other players develop," he wrote.

Defenseman Justin Braun has decided to retire at age 36 after 13 NHL seasons.

The NHL Alumni Association announced Braun's retirement Monday, a week and a half after he played in the Philadelphia Flyers' season finale.

Braun skated in 961 regular-season and playoff games with the San Jose Sharks, Flyers and New York Rangers. He was a key player for the Sharks when they reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2016, playing in all 24 games of their run and averaging more than 21 minutes of ice time.

If the teary-eyed hugs with his two sons and wife at the Zamboni entrance weren't hints enough, Sabres goalie Craig Anderson made it official following a 4-3 overtime win against Ottawa on Thursday night. He's retiring after a 20-year career.

"This is it," Anderson said after a 30-save performance in Buffalo's home finale in which he was mobbed by his teammates and celebrated in front of a crowd chanting, "Andy! Andy! Andy!" after Casey Mittelstadt scored to secure the win 1:18 into the extra frame.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson became the first NHL defenseman to reach 100 points in a season since Brian Leetch in 1991-92 on Monday night.

Karlsson entered the Sharks' 6-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets with 98 points across his first 79 games. He tallied the Sharks' two goals for San Jose, the first 20 seconds into the game and the second 3:42 into the third period, to hit the milestone.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby become the 15th player in NHL history to reach 1,500 career points, scoring two goals and adding an assist in Pittsburgh's crucial 5-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.

"This is a team sport," Crosby said. "That's what we signed up for and that's why we love this game. Maybe you get certain milestones that get you to reflect a little more, but right now I'm just thinking about our situation and what we still need to do. I'm happy to have been a part of all of this, but my mentality has always been to try to be my best and take what happens from there."

Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid became the first player in 27 years to reach 150 points in a season when he had a goal and an assist in the first period of his club's game against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.