d a plus-48 rating in 49 regular-season games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League."There could be a lot of trades and even the first overall pick could be traded," Drouin said. "But I'm more interested to see what's going to happen on Sunday [during the actual draft]. It's more excitement than nervousness. We've all done our part on the ice and now it's just waiting to see where you go."No. 2-ranked MacKinnon, who had seven goals and 13 points in four Memorial Cup games to help Halifax win the title and earn the tournament's most valuable player award, again was asked about the possibility of being the first pick by the Avalanche. Colorado executive vice president of hockey operations Joe Sakic has made it clear MacKinnon would be the top choice.Jones, the WHL Rookie of the Year and winner of the Canadian Hockey League's Top Prospect award in 2012-13, is No. 1 on Central Scouting's list."A lot could change in the next couple of days … Florida [which holds the No. 2 pick] is one choice away,Keith Magnuson Jersey, so I could easily go there,Patrick Sharp Jersey," MacKinnon said.MacKinnon was asked if a kid from Nova Scotia would enjoy the change of scenery in sunny Florida."I have fair skin, so I'd have to put on a lot of sun screen," he said.Jones didn't seem too concerned with the direction the Avalanche would take at the draft, despite the fact he grew up idolizing Sakic and the team as a kid."Joe and Patrick [Roy, coach] have a lot of experience in the NHL and I think they know what they're doing to help their team win," Jones said.---
Defenseman Kris Letang reportedly has rejected one of the largest contract offers in the Pittsburgh Penguins history.Letang, a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman,declined an eight-year contract that would have paid him around $54 million, sources told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. However, his agent, Kent Hughes, stressed late Thursday that Letang remains only interested in playing for the Penguins."We have exchanged offers," Kent told the Tribune-Review in a text message. "But [we] have yet to reach an agreement."We have not quit."The Penguins are willing go as high as $7 million annually -- with some wiggle room -- to keep Letang, sources told the paper,Dustin Byfuglien Authentic Jersey, but Letang is looking for $7.5 million annually. ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reported that the Penguins turned down a counter-proposal that would have paid Letang $7.5 million to $8 million per season on a long-term contract.Penguins general manager Ray Shero repeatedly has said he wants to continue building around a core of centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, as well as Letang, who has one year remaining on a contract with a salary cap hit of $3.5 million.Free agency begins July 5, and the Penguins do not want to arrive at that date without resolution on Letang's future, the sources said. If no agreement is reached, the Penguins could trade Letang, whose situation is getting close to the one the team faced with center Jordan Staal last summer. Staal rejected a contract offer from Shero prior to the 2012 NHL Draft and was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina's first-round pick (No. 8), center Brandon Sutter and minor-league defense prospect Brian Dumoulin.Letang tied for the NHL lead among defensemen in 2012-13 with 38 points despite missing 13 games with injuries.The Penguins do not pick until the third round of the draft, scheduled for Sunday in Newark, N.J.Earlier Thursday, the Penguins agreed to terms with 33-year-old forward Chris Kunitz on a three-year contract. The new deal, which kicks in at the start of the 2014-15 season, has an average annual value of $3.85 million,Jeremy Roenick Jersey, according to the club.Kunitz led the Penguins with 22 goals in 2012-13 and was second on the team with 52 points.The deal with Kunitz comes two weeks after the Penguins came to terms with Malkin on an eight-year deal reportedly worth $76 million.
BOSTON -- Boston Bruins president Cam Neely confirmed Friday that center Patrice Bergeron has been released from the hospital and is expe