NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will be an in-studio guest of Steve Mears and E.J. Hradek on NHL Live, which airs at 5 p.m. ET on NHL Network, to discuss the 2014-15 season and the state of the League.

New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh, who was named the 27th captain in franchise history Monday, will call into the show to discuss the Rangers' defense of the Eastern Conference championship. New York begins the regular season Thursday at the St. Louis Blues.

Also scheduled is Los Angeles Kings center Mike Richards and Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith.

Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler joined NHL Live on Monday to look ahead to his first season in southern California.

"It's great," Kesler said. "It's a really close locker room and that's most important. Just moving to southern California is a plus. It's beautiful every day here. It's like waking up on vacation every day."

The Ducks acquired Kesler and a third-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft from the Vancouver Canucks for Nick Bonino, Luca Sbisa, and a first- and third-round pick in the 2014 draft to form a dynamic 1-2 punch at center with Ryan Getzlaf.

"They're two elite players that play with an edge," Kesler said. "I play with an edge too and usually that ends up in a fight or some heated battle, so I'm glad to be on their side now."

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan joined NHL Live on Monday to discuss the Lightning's chances in the 2014-15 regular season, which starts Thursday against the Florida Panthers at Amalie Arena.

"It's always good to get that first game going," Callahan said. "We're gearing up and getting ready to go. To get a full training camp under your belt and have a family here, I definitely feel like a big part of this organization now."

Callahan was acquired from the New York Rangers at the NHL Trade Deadline for Martin St. Louis. He signed a six-year contract on June 25 to remain with Tampa Bay and is a key component to a team expected to not only contend in the Eastern Conference, but go deep in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Retired NHL player Keith Primeau was an in-studio guest of NHL Live on Monday to discuss what he sees out of the League's stars of today.

Primeau is particularly impressed with forward Jeff Carter, who has won the Stanley Cup twice with the Los Angeles Kings after falling short in the 2010 Stanley Cup Final with the Philadelphia Flyers.

"When he came to Philadelphia, you can just see the intangibles on the ice and the gifts that he had. He can shoot a puck, he can skate," Primeau said. "It was whether he was going to put it all together. He's obviously really found his stride in Los Angeles, a couple of Cups, the opportunity to play on the Olympic team for Canada and he plays 200 feet as well."

NHL Live with Steve Mears and E.J. Hradek is on the air Monday at 5 p.m. ET on NHL Network. Retired NHL player Keith Primeau will be an in-studio guest and Ryan Callahan will call in to preview the Tampa Bay Lightning, who begin the regular season Thursday at home against the Florida Panthers.

Our Trophy Tracker series will preview the Jack Adams Award, given annually to the League's best coach, and E.J. continues his countdown of the League's top-30 impact players with Nos. 15-11.

Goaltender Roberto Luongo is in his second stint with the Florida Panthers after being acquired from the Vancouver Canucks in March. He told NHL Live on Friday that there have been a lot of changes to the Panthers' franchise since he was traded to Vancouver in the summer of 2006.

"The only reason I came back was that I felt things were different with the new ownership and their commitment to bringing in some new players and trying to build a winner," he said. "I think we have a good nucleus of players, and we brought in some good veterans -- guys who've won the Stanley Cup. Hopefully we can put things together and make a run for a playoff spot."

Two-time U.S. Olympian Hilary Knight joined NHL Live to discuss skating with the Anaheim Ducks at practice on Friday.

"It was an unreal experience," said Knight, who helped the United States win silver medals at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. "I was like a kid in a candy shop. The players were fantastic; they were super-welcoming. It was an honor to be a part of it."

NHL Live, with Steve Mears and E.J. Hradek at 5 p.m. ET on NHL Network, will have an exclusive conversation with two-time U.S. Olympian Hilary Knight following her practice this afternoon with the Anaheim Ducks. Knight is scheduled to join the show by phone at 6:15 p.m.

New Nashville Predators coach Peter Laviolette will also be a guest, set to call in at 5:15 p.m.

E.J. continues to count down his Top 30 impact players, on Friday focusing on No. 20 through No. 16.

Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan joined NHL Live to discuss his new seven-year, $50.75 million contract extension announced Thursday.

"I think relieved is probably the best word, because it was becoming a bit of a distraction," Ryan said. "More so excited. It's just happy feelings around for myself and the organization; move forward and know that we're very comfortable here for the next eight years.

"It's just nice that it's over with and we can really focus on these last few preseason games and then get rolling here for Nashville next week."

A special one-hour NHL Live with Steve Mears and E.J. Hradek, airs Thursday at 5 p.m. on NHL Network, leading into the 6 p.m. NHL Coors Light Stadium Series press conference live from Levi's Stadium in San Jose, Calif., which will be available on NHL Network and NHL.com.

NHL Live will preview the seasons of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers.

E.J. will count down his biggest impact players, today focusing on No. 25 down to No. 21.

Our Trophy Tracker series on Thursday previews the Norris Trophy, awarded annually to the League's best defenseman.