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The Senators will paydefenseman Cody Ceci$4.3 million during the 2018-19 season, . Ceci, a restricted free agent, and the Senators became the second NHL case this summer to enter intoarbitrationas the sides failed to reach agreement on a long-term contract extension before Wednesday's hearing. Ceci's camp reportedly sought a contract worth $ Jahmir Johnson Jersey 6 million per season; Ottawa countered with$3.35 million. MORE: Senators set sights onlong-term deal with UFA-to-be Mark Stone The contract decision, good for one year, skewed low toward the team's interests, a departure from arbitration norms that typically favor players. Ceci, 24,can enter into arbitration again following the 2018-19 season unle s the sides agree on a long-term contract before then. Further extension talks must wait until Jan. 1, however. I dont believe discu sions on an extension reached beyond $4 mil in first couple of years, hence no deal was reached. Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) The Senators' 2015 first-round draft pick, now a veteran of 366 NHL games, presentedsomething of a polarizing case. He's long been groomed as the organization's top defense prospect with first-pairing potential. Short of that, Cecihas yet to deliver on such promise. He's coming of a season of five goals and 19 points, playing23:20 per game, but has become known as one of the league's biggestpo se sion liabilitiesmuch of his career. Cody Ceci turned the puck over on 16.4% of his defensive zone po se sions last season. That ranked him 232nd out of 272 qualified defenceman. Yet, it ranked 3rd best amongst Senators defencemen. So, thats pretty much where Ceci and the Senators are at. Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) Should the Senators eventually followthrough on , their captain and arguably the NHL's top defenseman, Ceci would a sume the mantle as a de facto No. 1 on the Sens' blue line, for better or worse. He now has a full season to prove he's worthy of a long-term investment. If and when the Senators and Cecido resume contract negotiations when eligible, it will become a part of series of fascinatingdecisions that could determine the future of the franchise. Also on Friday, , agreeing to a one-year contract worth $7.35 million. The Stone case surprised some who expected longer term. The Sensmust wait until Jan. 1 to discu s an extension with Stone, too. StonejoinsKarl son and top center Matt Duchenein the final year of their contracts. All three could becomeunrestricted free agents in 2019, provided none are traded before then. The Senators already have parted with Mike Hoffman this offseason and are expected to soon sell off more veterans, namely Karl son. Exree Loe Jersey

The FIFA World Cup has always served as the perfect stage for football’s next generation of superstars. Every tournament introduces talented players who transform from promising prospects into global icons. From breakout performances to unforgettable goals, young footballers often become the biggest talking points of the competition.

As the football world prepares for the biggest tournament ever, fans, analysts, and sports enthusiasts continue to discuss which emerging talents could dominate the international stage. The conversation about the FIFA World Cup 2026 young stars has already gained momentum, as several players have shown exceptional potential in domestic leagues and international competitions.

Moreover, football followers closely monitor player development, team strategies, and tournament predictions. Platforms such as Mahadev Book have become popular among sports fans who want to stay up to date on football-related discussions, insights, and sporting trends.

In this blog, we will explore some of the most exciting young footballers who could make a significant impact during the FIFA World Cup 2026 and potentially become the tournament’s breakout stars.

Why Young Players Often Shine at the World Cup

The World Cup creates unique opportunities for young footballers. Unlike domestic leagues, the tournament places players under global attention. Consequently, a strong performance can instantly elevate a player’s career.

Several factors contribute to young players succeeding on football’s biggest stage:

• Fearless playing style
• High energy and fitness levels
• Desire to prove themselves
• Tactical adaptability
• Motivation to represent their countries

Throughout history, stars such as Pelé, Kylian Mbappé, and Thomas Müller used the World Cup as a launching pad for international recognition. Therefore, the FIFA World Cup 2026 could witness another generation of young stars making headlines worldwide.

Lamine Yamal – Spain’s Rising Sensation

Among all emerging talents, Lamine Yamal stands out as one of football’s brightest prospects. Despite his young age, he has already displayed remarkable maturity and technical brilliance.

Why He Could Break Out

• Exceptional dribbling ability
• Creative passing vision
• Strong decision-making under pressure
• Confidence in one-on-one situations

Spain continues to build a youthful squad around dynamic attacking players. As a result, Yamal could become one of the tournament’s most influential performers.

If he maintains his current development trajectory, he may enter FIFA World Cup 2026 as one of the most feared young attackers in international football.

Endrick – Brazil’s Next Big Star

Brazil consistently produces elite football talent, and Endrick appears ready to continue that tradition.

The young striker combines pace, strength, and finishing ability. Additionally, his movement inside the penalty area demonstrates qualities usually associated with more experienced players.

Strengths That Could Define His Tournament

• Clinical finishing
• Explosive acceleration
• Physical presence
• Natural goal-scoring instincts

Brazil’s attacking philosophy often gives young forwards opportunities to thrive. Consequently, Endrick could become a major breakout performer and lead Brazil’s offensive charge during the competition.

How Football Fans Follow Emerging Talent

Modern football fans consume more information than ever before. They analyse player statistics, watch highlight reels, and follow youth tournaments to identify future stars.

As excitement builds around the FIFA World Cup 2026, sports enthusiasts increasingly rely on digital platforms for football discussions and updates. The Mahadev Book app has become a recognised name among sports followers who regularly engage with football content and international sporting events.

Furthermore, football audiences enjoy comparing young talents, predicting breakout performances, and evaluating potential tournament winners. These discussions continue to grow as the tournament approaches.

Warren Zaïre-Emery – France’s Midfield Engine

France possesses incredible squad depth, and Warren Zaïre-Emery represents the country’s next generation of midfield excellence.

His playing style combines intelligence, technical quality, and defensive awareness. Moreover, he demonstrates leadership qualities despite his young age.

Key Attributes

• Ball control under pressure
• Tactical discipline
• Progressive passing
• Defensive versatility

France consistently performs well in major tournaments. Therefore, Zaïre-Emery could receive significant opportunities to showcase his abilities on the global stage.

If he secures a regular starting role, he may become one of the most influential midfielders of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Kobbie Mainoo – England’s Emerging Midfield Star

England’s talented youth pipeline continues to produce exciting players, and Kobbie Mainoo ranks among the most promising.

His composure in possession and ability to control the tempo of matches make him a valuable asset for any team.

Reasons He Could Shine

• Excellent positional awareness
• Strong passing range
• Calmness under pressure
• Ability to link defense and attack

England’s ambitions for the FIFA World Cup 2026 depend heavily on balancing experienced stars with young talent. Consequently, Mainoo could become a key contributor during crucial tournament moments.

Arda Güler – Turkey’s Creative Playmaker

Arda Güler has already attracted attention from football fans across the globe due to his technical brilliance and attacking creativity.

The Turkish playmaker possesses exceptional vision and can unlock defenses with a single pass. Additionally, his set-piece quality provides another valuable weapon.

What Makes Him Special

• Outstanding creativity
• Accurate long-range shooting
• Intelligent movement
• Excellent ball control

Turkey hopes to make a strong impression during the tournament, and Güler could emerge as the team’s central attacking figure.

The Growing Interest in World Cup Predictions

As the tournament draws closer, football discussions extend beyond team performances. Fans also focus heavily on player predictions and breakout candidates.

Many sports communities analyse matchups, tactical systems, and emerging stars months before kickoff. During this period, obtaining a reliable Mahadev book ID has become one way sports enthusiasts engage with football-related content and sporting discussions.

Meanwhile, the excitement surrounding young talents continues to intensify because several players have the potential to become global superstars overnight.

Also Read: Mahadev ID Guide for FIFA World Cup 2026 Predictions: Expert Tips & Strategies

Alejandro Garnacho – Argentina’s Dynamic Winger

Argentina’s future appears bright thanks to talented youngsters such as Alejandro Garnacho.

The winger brings pace, creativity, and direct attacking intent. Moreover, he consistently challenges defenders and creates scoring opportunities.

Key Advantages

• Explosive speed
• Strong dribbling skills
• Fearless attacking mindset
• Ability to perform in high-pressure situations

Argentina traditionally embraces technically gifted attackers. Therefore, Garnacho could thrive if he receives substantial playing time during the tournament.

Antonio Nusa – Norway’s Exciting Prospect

Although Norway faces strong competition for international success, Antonio Nusa possesses the qualities needed to capture worldwide attention.

His dynamic style of play allows him to influence matches in multiple ways.

Why Fans Should Watch Him

• Quick acceleration
• Excellent wing play
• Creative attacking instincts
• Strong technical ability

Even if Norway enters the tournament as an underdog, standout individual performances could place Nusa among the biggest breakout stars.

Florian Wirtz – Germany’s Future Leader

Germany always enters major tournaments with high expectations. Florian Wirtz could play a crucial role in helping the team compete for the title.

The attacking midfielder combines intelligence, creativity, and goal-scoring ability.

Tournament Impact Potential

• Creates scoring chances consistently
• Operates effectively between defensive lines
• Delivers decisive passes
• Contributes goals from midfield

Many experts already view him as one of Europe’s most complete young footballers. Therefore, FIFA World Cup 2026 may become the tournament that elevates him into global superstardom.

Why FIFA World Cup 2026 Could Feature More Breakout Stars Than Ever

The 2026 edition introduces several factors that may benefit emerging players.

Expanded Tournament Format

More teams and matches create additional opportunities for young footballers to showcase their talent.

Increased Global Exposure

Every performance receives worldwide attention through digital platforms and social media.

Stronger Youth Development Systems

Modern academies produce technically advanced players at younger ages than previous generations.

Greater Tactical Flexibility

Coaches increasingly trust young players in critical situations, allowing them to gain valuable international experience.

Because of these factors, the list of potential breakout stars continues to expand rapidly.

Staying Connected With Football Action

Football fans enjoy following every stage of the World Cup journey, from qualification campaigns to tournament predictions.

Many sports enthusiasts use platforms associated with Mahadev Book login services to remain engaged with sporting discussions, match analysis, and football-related content throughout major international tournaments.

As excitement grows, conversations surrounding young talents will likely dominate football communities worldwide.

Also Read: How FIFA World Cup 2026 Mascots Reflect Teams, Momentum & Fan Sentiment

Conclusion

The FIFA World Cup has always introduced new heroes to the football world, and the 2026 tournament appears ready to continue that tradition. Players such as Lamine Yamal, Endrick, Kobbie Mainoo, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Arda Güler, Alejandro Garnacho, Antonio Nusa, and Florian Wirtz possess the talent required to make a lasting impact.

The race to identify the next global superstar has already begun. Consequently, fans, analysts, and football communities continue to debate which emerging player will seize the spotlight.

As anticipation builds, the FIFA World Cup 2026 young stars discussion will only become more exciting. By the time the tournament begins, several of these prospects may already have established themselves among football’s elite. Nevertheless, the World Cup remains the ultimate proving ground where future legends emerge.

For football enthusiasts following every development, the journey toward discovering the next breakout sensation promises to be just as exciting as the tournament itself. The spotlight awaits, and the next generation of stars stands ready to shine in the FIFA World Cup 2026 young stars showcase.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who are the top young players to watch in the FIFA World Cup 2026?

Some of the most exciting prospects include Lamine Yamal, Endrick, Florian Wirtz, Kobbie Mainoo, Arda Güler, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Alejandro Garnacho, and Antonio Nusa.

2. Why do young players often perform well at World Cups?

Young players bring energy, confidence, adaptability, and a strong desire to prove themselves on football’s biggest stage.

3. Which country has the strongest group of young talents for 2026?

Countries such as Spain, Brazil, England, France, Germany, and Argentina currently possess some of the most promising young footballers.

4. Could a young player win the Golden Ball at the FIFA World Cup 2026?

Yes. If a young player delivers exceptional performances and leads their team deep into the tournament, they could compete for individual awards.

5. Why is the FIFA World Cup 2026 expected to produce more breakout stars?

The expanded tournament format, increased global exposure, and stronger youth development systems create more opportunities for emerging talents to shine. 

More NHL: | | | | | Morning buzz Think had it tough on Tuesday night? Not only did the lose a crucial game to the , he took a puck to the face and then later a stick to the face and ended the night looking like that above.Did I mention he also came back after this puck to Spanish La Liga Jersey the face to score a goal? #Hockey (GIF via SB Nation) So what about that Flyers lo s? It was pretty embarra sing. According to , "we weren't ready to play." Oh no. ( ) Then there was the who were pretty much in control of the on Tuesday night, outshooting Edmonton, 43-19. They also lost 3-0. Afterward they had the dreaded closed-doors meeting for some 22 minutes. ( ) Jon Cooper coached his first NHL game last night -- a 2-1 win -- but his quote before the game was exceptional. ( ) defenseman , just 21 and in only his second season in the NHL, might be the youngest player in the league not wearing a visor. He's starting to consider joining the converts. ( ) Wayne Fleming, a longtime NHL a sistant coach and also an a sistant for Team Canada, died on Tuesday at 62 from brain cancer. ( ) Patrick Sharp is getting closer to a return for Chicago but to shoot for Friday would be "a stretch." ( ) Could the NHL learn something from NASCAR? Please say no. Please say no. ( ) An update on that story from Tuesday of the coach throwing his earpiece and it looking like it landed in a fan's beer. Turns out it wasn't his ear piece but 's smelling salts. The timing on that is beyond incredible. Wednesday's scheduleMontreal at Boston (7:30 ET, NBC Sports Net)Phoenix at Minnesota (9 ET)Colorady at Calgary (10 ET)Anaheim at San Jose (10 ET) Europe 2024 Jersey

More NHL: | | | | | A few days after shipping Jarome Iginla to Pittsburgh, the made another move on Monday by trading defenseman to the .In return for Bouwmeester the Flames will get St. Louis' first-round pick in the upcoming draft, defenseman and goalie Reto Berra. If the Blues don't make the playoffs this season then the Flames will get a fourth-round pick in this draft and the first-rounder will be deferred to the following draft.With that, it's definitely open season on the Flames roster.Unle s you really value that first-round pick -- which will probably be middle of the road or worse -- it's not a Jarrett Culver Jersey particularly great return for Calgary. Flames GM Jay Feaster had said he wanted to get a good return that involved NHL-ready players if he moved Bouwmeester, but neither Cundari nor Berra would appear to fit that mold, at least not as elite prospects. Cundari, 22, is a rather small defenseman at 5-10. He went undrafted out of the OHL and signed with the Blues. This season for the Peoria Rivermen in the AHL he has seven goals, 18 a sists in 56 games while racking up 80 penalty minutes.Standing 6-4, Berra fits the mold of big goalies, but the Swi s native is 27 now and still hasn't made it over to North America since the Blues drafted him back in 2006. He is playing for Biel in the Swi s League, having played in 49 games this season and posting pedestrian numbers with a 3.01 goals against average and .906 save percentage.It seems like a light return for Bouwmeester from Calgary's perspective, but at this point they needed to move on and got what they could, both for Iginla and for Bouwmeester. Bouwmeester's name had been mentioned in the past as a po sible trade target and connected with the Blues as well as the Red Wings, but one problem was that Bouwmeester had to sign off on any deal. With him in his fourth season with the Flames and Calgary headed once again for an early offseason, he obviously gave his consent.It was thought there was some trepidation about acquiring Bouwmeester because he carries a pretty heavy salary. After having his contract rights traded to Calgary from Florida, Bouwmeester signed a deal that brings a $6.68 million cap hit through next season. For a player whose offensive production had gone down in Calgary, it seemed a bit bloated.But that doesn't speak to Bouwmeester's reliability. Until this trade, Bouwmeester has not mi sed a game since 2003-04. He's the NHL's current iron man, and he's a huge minutes eater to boot. This season he has played 25 minutes per game with the Flames. For a guy who is not a liability on the back end, it's reasonable. You know what you're going to get from JayBo. Bouwmeester brings another bit of baggage with him to St. Louis. He is the NHL record holder for most games played without making the postseason. Since his whole career up to this point has been spent with the Panthers and Flames, he hasn't been to the playoffs despite playing 750 games. Olli Jokinen -- who also spent time with the Panthers and Flames -- went longer to start his career without the postseason than Bouwmeester up to this point, but he finally broke through, leaving Bouwmeester as that dubious record holder.Obviously, the hope in St. Louis is that will change this season. The Blues are in a surprising spot, fighting for a berth into the postseason. The defense, which was so good last season, has been a major disappointment, both in front of the goalies and between the pipes. That's why they went out and acquired from Buffalo earlier this week. (Fun fact: the Panthers traded Bouwmeester and received Leopold in return from Calgary).Plus, while Bouwmeester's offensive output had been down, he has enjoyed a bit of a rebound this season. He can still bring some of that offense he was known for in Florida. Kevin Garnett Jersey

Who remembers the 1919 Montreal Canadiens? Anyone? Because that's how far back you have to go to find a team that did what the Edmonton Oilers just did on Thursday night in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Oilers trailed 3-0, on the road, and came back to beat the Florida Panthers 5-4 in overtime on a Leon Draisaitl winner. that the last team to come back from 3-0 down on the road to win a Stanley Cup Finals game was the 1919 Montreal Canadiens, who beat the Seattle Metropolitans in such a scenario back in Game 5 a cool 106 years ago. Way back on March 29, 1919, Seattle scored twice in the first period and once in the second. That set up Montreal for three third-period goals, the second and third come from Newsy Lalonde. In overtime Isaac Bonga Jersey , Jack McDonald scored the winner. Ironically, that series ended up as a 2-2-1 tie. Game 4 had ended up as a scorele s draw after two overtime periods didn't get a goal. And then the series was abandoned due to the Spanish Flu. MORE: This time around, either the Oilers or Panthers will really win it. It certainly looked like it'd be Florida when it scored the first three goals in dominant fashion on its home ice, already holding a 2-1 series lead. But then Edmonton stormed back with four in a row. The Panthers scored a miraculous goal with 19 seconds left to force overtime. It was the second-latest overtime-forcing goal in Stanley Cup Finals history, behind only Corey Perry's 18-second magic earlier in this series for Edmonton. In OT, there were great chances both ways before Draisaitl ended it. For anyone watching Thursday night, don't worry if you can't remember the 1919 Canadiens. Because now you've got the 2025 Oilers. Russell Westbrook Jersey

More Rick Barry Jersey Playoffs: | | | | Blackhawks win 3-1 | CHI leads series 1-0| :The Blackhawks were severely dominated in po se sion in this game, though you wouldn't know it by the scoreline. A strong start and finish to the game was enough for the Blackhawks to knock off the Kings. Chicago wasn't very good in the second period, as LA just controlled the play, but the Blackhawks came out of the middle period with a 2-1 lead. They really got going in the third period, though. Everything looked better in the final frame as the Blackhawks played confidently with the lead. Despite the poor second, the Blackhawks had flashes of brilliance at both ends of the ice. Good goaltending from Corey Crawford was so huge for the team as he made sure that second period didn't get out of hand. There is a fair amount to work on after this game, but if nothing else, the Blackhawks showed they could finish a game, which is something they struggled to do early in the postseason. That third period was a strong one. :From the tight turnaround between this series and their seven-game marathon against the , you wouldn't have blamed the Kings if they were flat in Game 1. But they weren't at all. The Kings actually had the better of the play in the game, bolstered by a second period in which they outshot the Blackhawks 17-6. They only got one goal out of the onslaught, which in the end was all they'd get. The Kings stuck to what has made them succe sful in these playoffs, but ran into a solid goalie and some strong defensive play from the Blackhawks. The game evened out in the third period and the Kings came close to tying the score on a breakaway, but he hit the post. If that puck goes in, it's a different game. Those are the breaks in a tight series. Now LA gets two full days off to unwind from a very busy 48 hours and recharge knowing they were in this one to the end. Play of the Game:After he had a goal disallowed earlier in the game, got rewarded when the Blackhawks found themselves on a three-on-one break. After Bryan Bickell absorbed a check, Marian Ho sa started a rush up ice. He was joined by and Toews. Ho sa dropped the puck to Oduya, who then sent a no-look pa s to Toews for a one-timed snap shot into the top of the net. That made it 3-1 late in the third period and pretty much iced the game for the Blackhawks. From the way the play started to the finish, this was the game's prettiest goal and it was a huge one for Chicago.Player of the Game:The nod goes to Corey Crawford for his 25-save performance, most notably his 16-save effort in the second period. Had he not been there to help the Blackhawks weather that storm, it could have been a very different game. After his performance during Chicago's Cup run last year and how he has been going throughout this postseason, Crawford should become better known as a reliable postseason goalie. He was just so steady in this game and it allowed Chicago to keep pre sing even when they were struggling.Turning Point:The Blackhawks surviving the second period was probably the most important aspect of this game, so the buzzer after the second was probably the turning point. After being badly outshot 17-6 and having that goal disallowed, the Blackhawks managed to come out of the second still in the lead at 2-1. When Chicago came out for the third period, everything seemed a fair amount more even. Weathering that second period storm and surviving with the lead was huge for them.GIF of the Game: Marian Ho sa might be 35. He might be widely considered as a highly-skilled player, which doesn't get him much street cred for his toughne s. But make no mistake, Ho sa's physical strength is as good as anybody's. got a good idea of just how strong Ho sa is as he attempted to hit the Blackhawks forward. The end result? Brown on his rear end, violently. Kaleb Wesson Jersey

The are back in the playoffs for the first time Dennis Schroder Jersey in 15 years. Now, they know what the full schedule looks like for their Eastern Conference playoff series in the first round against the . There was already no question that the building will be rocking as the Sabres make their return -- the first two games are in Buffalo, and those fans are more than ready. But even when the series shifts to Boston, that's an environment that should bring some awesome intensity as a perennial contender tries to spoil a surprise Sabres team from making a deep run. Whatever happens, it promises to be a special series. MORE: Sabres-Bruins playoff schedule The seven-game series will commence on Sunday, April 19. That first game is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET and be broadcast on ESPN. The schedule isn't fully determined, because the NHL figures out the games deeper into the series depending on how many series are still being played acro s the league. But this is how it shapes up as is: Game 1: Sunday, April 19 - 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) Game 2: Tuesday, April 21 - 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) Game 3: Thursday, April 23 - 7 p.m. (TNT) Game 4: Sunday, April 26 - 2 p.m. (TNT) Game 5: Tuesday, April 28 - TBD Game 6: Friday, May 1 - TBD Game 7: Sunday, May 3 - TBD Games 5, 6 and 7 are all the "if nece sary" games in a best-of-seven series that can be over as soon as four games if there's a sweep. More NHL news: Chris Paul Jersey

Close your eyes and picture this: It's a relaxing, warm night in August. You just spent the day having fun in the sun, trying to soak up what's left of the summer months. Night rolls around and you and your friends get together to watch...the Stanley Cup Playoffs?You can open your eyes now, because that may soon be your reality. The NHL season due to the global COVID-19 outbreak but the league is currently exploring options with regards to a potential return down the Ty Jerome Jersey road. According to recent reports, there's a po sibility that return could come sometime in July and feature games being played into September.When the NHL announced it was pausing operations on March 12, the league reportedly reached out to teams about their arena building availability through July. Now, , clubs are being asked to provide availability through August, suggesting that the league is exploring the idea of running the Stanley Cup Playoffs deep into the summer months.It would be a bold and unprecedented decision and one that comes with plenty of questions begging to be answered. How would the schedule work?There's not much in the way of specifics right now but the idea might line up with a popular proposed plan from NHL players. That plan has players regrouping for a brief training camp in early July before finishing out the regular season (most teams have 10-12 games remaining) in late July. It's unknown if the league would play the full 82-game slate to completion or settle on a reduced number.After that, the playoffs would be held in August and September, with a one-month offseason in October before the next league year begins in November. Under this format, the NHL would also need to inquire about arena availability in September, which has yet to happen as far as we know. Per the NHL players and some of the Board of Governors are in favor of this plan to some extent. Very interesting. Situation is obviously very fluid. Jason Myrtetus (@jasonmyrt) Here's what we know right now: With the current CDC recommendations, the earliest po sible return for the league is early May but that's very optimistic considering the way things are trending with regards to the COVID-19 outbreak. In a normal playoff format, the postseason would take about three months, so if the NHL wants to stick to a traditional Stanley Cup Playoffs this year without the season carrying into September, they would need to begin the playoffs by July. What would the playoffs look like?Obviously, it all depends on when the NHL deems it safe and appropriate to return to action, but the league would presumably love to stick with a normal playoff format. Such a scenario sees eight teams from each conference qualify in a four-round, best-of-seven bracket. However, finishing the regular season and holding a traditional postseason might not work logistically if the league wants to wrap everything up by September. In which case, the NHL would either need to scrap a portion of -- or the entire remainder of the regular season, or they would need to find an alternative (see: shorter) playoff format.Traditional playoff formatIf the NHL is ultimately forced to forego the rest of the regular season and start the playoffs based on the current standings, it's likely that points percentage would be used to determine playoff seeding. Points percentage is the percentage of points a team has accrued in the standings based on their maximum po sible point total.Here's how the first round would be seeded based on the current standings:Eastern Conference: (Atlantic 1) vs. (Wild Card 2) (Atlantic 2) vs. (Atlantic 3) (Metro 1) vs. (Wild Card 1) (Metro 2) vs. (Metro 3)Western Conference:St. Louis (Central 1) vs. (Wild Card 2) (Central 2) vs. (Central 3) (Pacific 1) vs. (Wild Card 1) (Pacific 2) vs. (Pacific 3)Alternative playoff formatsIf the league places a higher priority on finishing out what remains of the regular season, which is certainly po sible from a financial standpoint, then a shorter playoff format would likely be nece sary. Several po sible ideas have been floated in the hockey community, including these po sibilities: Regular four-round format/seeding with shorter series. It's been suggested the first three rounds could be best-of-five, with the Stanley Cup Final being best-of-seven.A three-round format, similar to what the NHL ran in its Original Six and Expansion Era days. It would basically eliminate the entire first round of the traditional format and feature four teams from each conference (the top two qualifiers from each division) in a best-of-seven all the way through.There's also been a bizarre wild card being thrown into play: A 24-team playoff that would feature quick eliminators and playoff rounds. This is the boldest and most drastic proposal, but it apparently has some support from inside the league -- probably because of the widened playoff revenue teams could pull in. I know of one team that considers this a strong option. NHL schedule maker is literally working through all options and NHL clubs are submitting creative ideas as well. Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) What are some of the complications and concerns?Being able to enjoy hockey through the summer with an extremely short offseason in between the league years probably sounds wonderful to fans -- especially when the alternative is likely cancellation -- but such a scenario does come with elements of concern.First and foremost, maintaining suitable ice quality during the hot summer months will be a difficult (and expensive) challenge for some teams, especially those that play warmer weather cities. The humidity level could have a negative effect on playing surfaces, which could sacrifice the quality of the product and put players more at risk for injury. That being said, it's likely that the league could make it work, though ice crews would have to be extra diligent in their preparations.Secondly, a shortened offseason would present a difficult turnaround for many players, especially those who made deep, grueling runs in the playoffs. A typical NHL offseason lasts about three months and we often see injuries and ailments suffered during the playoffs carry into the following season. Cutting one- or two-thirds of that recovery time could have major implications for players/teams going into next season. However, the silver lining here is that players who have been battling lingering health i sues during the regular season will be able to head into the playoffs with a few months of downtime. The proposed one-month offseason from players would also put front offices in a tough spot. They would have to organize and consolidate all of their draft and free agency plans into a condensed timeline and then operate on an expedited schedule.There are also complications when it comes to legalities. As Bob McKenzie pointed out, some NHL contracts are set to expire on June 30 of this year -- a reflection of the last day of a normal league year. If the season is extended and teams play beyond that point, those contracts will need to be amended in order for players to legally participate in-game action. Work visas would also be a point of concern for several international players.How would it affect next season?As much as the NHL would like to find an appropriate and satisfying resolution to this season, they also face the pre sure of minimizing the current predicament's impact on next season. As previously mentioned, playing through August would cut down on the offseason and put players and executives in a more difficult position heading into next year. If the NHL is considering the players' proposal as a legitimate po sibility, the targeted November start date would bring a one-month delay to the start of next season. That would likely lead to more condensed scheduling (or perhaps a slightly extended league calendar) for 2020-21 before the league was able to return to its normal operations timeline. Jevon Carter Jersey

James Neal finally started to get some results in Game 4. (USATSI)More : | | | | | If you watched every game this postseason and didn't look at any goal or point totals, you might have had a hard time believing that entered Wednesday's game with just one goal and two a sists in the team's first nine games.Just by watching him, you could see that he was certainly playing better than those numbers would have indicated. The effort was there, the chances were there, and he was doing the right things. He was getting his chances, and he had been by the Penguins' best po se sion player (by a wide margin) entering Game 4.Playoff Grades But he was getting absolutely no results to show for his hard work and strong play. Sometimes that happens, even to the best players. It's a fast, difficult game and sometimes no matter how hard you work and how well you play the puck isn't always going to find the back of the net for you. That's Tre Jones Jersey kind of what had been happening to Neal.In Sunday's Game 3 lo s, for example, he was one of Pittsburgh's best forwards and seemed to do his part to generate more quality chances than any other player on the team but couldn't find a way to sneak anything behind Ottawa goalie .Even in the first period on Wednesday that bad luck continued when he fired a quick snap shot off the post to the left of Anderson.But then later in the period the floodgates finally started to open for Neal when and he started to get rewarded for his play. After the scored a shorthanded goal to open the soring, Neal got Pittsburgh on the board off of a faceoff, and then started their third period scoring binge with a power play goal to give Pittsburgh a two-goal lead. They would add three more goals over the rest of the period on their way to a blowout win.The fact that Neal is starting to get going, and now finding the back of the net, is nothing but good news for Pittsburgh. Perhaps even better news is that his line of and played what had to be its best game in ... well, actually it was probably the best game that trio has played together since they've all been in the lineup.That group has been a constant topic of debate in Pittsburgh as no matter what alignment they go with (Neal on the left and Iginla on the right, or Iginla on the right and Neal on the left) it moves one of the wingers out of their comfort zone positionally and where they might be able to play their best hockey. Sidney Crosby does it again The results haven't always been pretty, and the chemistry hasn't always looked like it's been there, even as the Penguins continued to make it work when there might have been different line combinations that could have put people (like Iginla and Neal) into their best positions.Keeping the discu sion going is that the Penguins, when all of their top forwards are in the lineup, have been very reluctant to break up their top line of , , and , and for good reason. That line has been one of the best in the NHL this season (and continues to be in the postseason) and you know they're going to score.But the second line hasn't always looked comfortable, even though Malkin and Iginla have been putting up a ton of points on their own. On Wednesday this was Pittsburgh's best line as the trio combined for 17 shots and four goals (two each from Iginla and Neal). When they were on the ice together during 5-on-5 play they outshot the Senators 12-6 and outscored them 2-0.Iginla and Neal also both added goals on the power play. Trey Lyles Jersey

Things keep getting worse for the Vancouver Canucks. The team lost its second straight Wednesday night, are now 4-6-0 in their last ten, and are without their head coach John Tortorella due to suspension. Henrik Sedin remains out with a rib injury, alongside and Chris Tanev, . Now staring down a five-game road trip to close out their schedule before the break, the Canucks got more bad news on the injury front Thursday. Carmelo Anthony Jersey The blue line took another hit as Kevin Bieksa . The injury is undisclosed, but Bieksa has . He is out indefinitely. Even worse, forward Mike Santorelli has undergone shoulder surgery and . Santorelli had been a nice find. A guy who scored 20 goals in 2010-11 for Florida and just 11 in the three years following, the 28 year old had picked up 10 scores and a sisted on 18 more in 49 games this season. He suffered the shoulder injury against the Coyotes on January 16 and had not played since. Is Santorelli a guy whose individual lo s will break a teams season? Of course not. Neither is Bieksas or Tanevs. But all of them together, combined Sedins absence and Tortorellas suspension to boot? Thats a tough mountain to overcome. For a team struggling before these problems began to pile up, that Olympic break has to look very appealing. In theory, all of their mi sing pieces, sans Santorelli, will be back in action when the Canucks return to the ice on February 26. The Canucks just have to hope their season doesnt go up in smoke before then. DeMarcus Cousins Jersey