The Edmonton Oilers can expect to see a faster tempo at practice this season under new coach Todd McLellan.

"I know I would like to have some get-up-and-go in practice," McLellan told the Oilers website Thursday, the opening day of his first training camp with Edmonton. "I'll even talk to the players about moving from drill to drill and not wasting time.

"I like to be quick, precise, get on and get off, or at least allow them time at the end or before to work on their individual skills."

NEWARK, N.J. -- New Jersey Devils right wing Reid Boucher is progressing from his concussion, which he sustained during a rookie tournament last week in Buffalo, and could return to the ice soon, coach John Hynes said Thursday.

"He's still out at this point, but things look like they're progressing the right way," Hynes said. "I think sometimes with injuries you're not sure, but he has taken a step forward."

NEWARK, N.J. -- New Jersey Devils coach John Hynes has high hopes for forward Jiri Tlusty, who signed a one-year, $800,000 contract on Wednesday and was at Prudential Center on Thursday for the first day of training camp.

"We got a real strong NHL player," Hynes said. "He's going to help provide depth not only on our team, but in our organization. Jiri can obviously score at the National Hockey League level, but the big thing we want to see from him is we want to see him be an impact player, a player that's going to compete, be strong on the puck, play with passion. That's what we expect from all our players and we're looking forward to having a player like him, who has a lot of NHL experience, come in and play with those attributes."

Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Kristers Gudlevskis, who sustained an upper-body injury Tuesday in a prospects tournament game, could face shots next week.

"We don't anticipate it being a long thing, and hopefully he's back on the ice and facing shots and ready to go at some point next week," general manager Steve Yzerman said in video posted on the Lightning website.

Gudlevskis left the game Tuesday with an apparent arm injury. He will not play in the Lightning's preseason opener Sept. 22 against the Nashville Predators, but should be available soon after.

Boston Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg will miss the first few on-ice sessions of training camp because of an upper-body injury, Bruins general manager Don Sweeny said Thursday.

"The only issue we have I think is Dennis Seidenberg will not likely skate for the next few days," Sweeny said, according to the Bruins website. "He reported to our trainers on Monday with an upper-body injury from training and our doctors have chosen to take a conservative approach and re-evaluate day-to-day."

Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk was in Traverse City, Mich., for the first day of Red Wings training camp on Thursday, but he won't be on the ice any time soon.

Datsyuk had ankle surgery June 26. He told the Detroit Free Press that he has an appointment with the surgeon next week for a checkup.

Forward Steve Bernier and the New York Islanders agreed to terms Thursday on a one-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but Newsday reported Bernier, who came to Islanders camp on a professional tryout contract, will receive $750,000.

Bernier tied his NHL-bests last season with 16 goals and 32 points in 67 games for the New Jersey Devils.

New Jersey Devils forward Patrik Elias said he would accept the captaincy if the team offered it to him, NJ Advance Media reported Thursday.

The Devils enter training camp without a captain following the retirement earlier this month of Bryce Salvador, who had been captain since the 2012-13 season.

"No question about it because it's an honor and you have a lot of young guys and new guys here," Elias said. "I think I can do the job, probably better than I did 10 years ago."

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said he is very pleased with the way forward Phil Kessel prepared for his first season with the team.

"We had a good meeting in Toronto, and I've met with him a couple of times since," Rutherford told the Toronto Sun in remarks published Wednesday. "He's put in a good summer's work. He's done everything he's needed to do to be ready for camp."

Pittsburgh begins training camp on Thursday.

Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau said he gained a few pounds this offseason and does not expect to suffer a sophomore jinx.

"Good weight, too; more muscle," Gaudreau told the Calgary Herald on Tuesday. "It's exciting to get a little more weight on me. ...

"It all comes down to how hard you work your own body. I think I did a really good job this summer."