PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin struggled through the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs because of a sprained ankle, a time he didn't deposit in his memory bank.

"I don't remember," Malkin said Saturday. "That was last year. I'm looking to a new season."

Malkin is focused on the upcoming season, when he and Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, headline an offense expected to reemerge as one of the NHL's most potent after a disappointing output through last season's final month. Pittsburgh attempted to rectify its offensive issues by adding five-time 30-goal scorer Phil Kessel to its top-six forwards. They also added forwards Eric Fehr and Nick Bonino for depth.

"[Kessel is] a power for us. I think everyone is excited here," Malkin said. "He's a good player. I'm excited to play with him. It doesn't matter which line he plays on. We're still one team. It's great for the team and I hope he's a help to us."

BROSSARD, Quebec -- Coaches often say not to read too much into their line combinations, particularly on the first day of training camp. That was not the case at Montreal Canadiens camp Friday.

Ever since the Canadiens announced last week that Alex Galchenyuk would be used at center this season, there's been speculation as to which incumbent center would be moved to the wing to make room.

That question appeared to be answered Friday when Galchenyuk lined up between free agent acquisition Alexander Semin on the right side and former third-line center Lars Eller on the left. Eller has played wing in the past on numerous occasions and was never thrilled about it. But his tune changed Friday.

"I'm excited to play with two very, very skilled players," he said. "I think we can form a really dangerous line. I think we're going to have a lot of fun playing together."

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored 53 goals last season and he averaged 47.5 goals during his 10 years in the NHL.

Though he turned 30 on Thursday and is entering his 11th season with the Capitals, Ovechkin hasn't lost a step, on or off the ice. He's still as happy about playing NHL hockey as he was 10 years ago.

"He's the same," his regular center, Nicklas Backstrom, said Friday at training camp." He's still got lots of energy; fun guy to be around; scores his goals. It's the same Alex. I wouldn't say anything's different."

EDMONTON -- Connor McDavid took the next step in his NHL education Friday during the first day of on-ice sessions at Edmonton Oilers' training camp.

McDavid, the first player taken in the 2015 NHL Draft, centered a line with left wing Taylor Hall and right wing Teddy Purcell in an up-tempo and information-filled session conducted by new coach Todd McLellan. He participated in the Oilers' rookie camp prior to attending the main camp. He played two games, scoring a goal and contributing four assists, but this was his first time skating with potential linemates.

BUFFALO -- The first day on the ice for Buffalo Sabres rookie forward Jack Eichel at training camp saw him find out who he may be skating with this season.

Eichel was put on a line with Matt Moulson and 2015 all-star Zemgus Girgensons for the first practice and scrimmage.

"It went really well. I think the coaching staff has been harping on speed and we're going to play fast," Eichel said. "If you saw that practice, I think that's pretty evident. We're getting up and down the ice a lot. I know it's tough on us for the first day, but in the long run I think it'll pay off. I know we'll be in good shape."

Sabres coach Dan Bylsma put Eichel with Moulson based on their instant chemistry. Moulson invited Eichel, the second pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, to live with him and his family this season as the 18-year-old adapts to life in the NHL.

SYOSSET, N.Y. -- The New York Islanders were one goal away last season from advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 1993.

But they fell short in their bid, losing Game 7 against the Washington Capitals in their Eastern Conference First Round series. The pain is still evident, but the Islanders opened training camp on Friday with optimism and the hope this will be the season when they finally get over the hump.

"I don't think you'll ever get over it," captain John Tavares said. "It was really hard watching the rest of the playoffs and thinking about what could have been, and certainly an opportunity that we missed. Certainly it's a motivating factor and I think it helps you appreciate how hard it is. As good of a regular season we had, we were a point away from having that Game 7 on our home ice.

"It shows each and every day how important and crucial it is, and you really respect and understand what it takes just to even get where we got last year and how much harder it's going to be going forward."

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- New York Rangers coach Alain Vigneault has one thought when he looks at forward Chris Kreider.

"I believe he can be an elite player in this league," Vigneault said. "He's got everything to become a dominant power forward in this league.

"It's his time to shine now."

Kreider isn't alone. There are at least three other forwards like him in New York, three other forwards that the Rangers need to be impact players in order to be a Stanley Cup contender again this season.

TORONTO -- The Toronto Maple Leafs made sweeping changes over the summer, but it was not entirely a case of out with the old and in with the new.

The new-look Maple Leafs will turn to a holdover, forward James van Riemsdyk, to provide some of the offense following the departure of Phil Kessel. Kessel, who led the Maple Leafs in scoring the past six seasons, was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and van Riemsdyk is one of a handful of players expected to help pick up the slack.

It is a situation the 26-year-old Middletown, N.J., native welcomes.

"That's what you want as a player, the pressure to perform and be one of the go-to guys," van Riemsdyk said. "When the team needs a big play you want to be the guy they look to. It's an exciting situation."

TORONTO -- Sean Monahan doesn't look at the size of the mountain before him; he looks for the quickest path to the top.

So it is no wonder the 20-year-old Calgary Flames center doesn't spend too much time talking about their meteoric rise to prominence last season, but instead concentrates on how he and the Flames can take things to the next level.

"Our expectations for sure will be higher," said Monahan, whose 62 points (31 goals) were third on the Flames. "Our goal is to stay focused as a team. We believe in each other and we believe we can not only make the playoffs again, but we can be better."

NEWARK, N.J. -- Travis Zajac showed up for the first day of his 10th training camp with the New Jersey Devils on Thursday and had a feeling he never had before.

"It's almost like getting traded," Zajac said. "There's a new [general manager], new coach, new faces. It's a fresh start for me to go out and prove that I'm still capable of being a top player."

Everything around the Devils on Thursday felt a bit off, odd and different to the players who have been in the organization prior to this season. It's obvious as to why. There is a significant presence missing at Prudential Center.

Lou Lamoriello, the architect of the Devils for 28 years as general manager and president, was going through the first day of his first training camp as GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs while his former players were starting to experience life without Lou for the first time.