In today’s edition:

• ☝️ Rasmus Dahlin named captain

• 🤕 Kings’ Drew Doughty out

• 🔫 Former prospect hired hit man

• 🗣️ Sabres goalie breaks silence

• And more!

Rasmus Dahlin named captain

The Buffalo Sabres announced Thursday that defenseman Rasmus Dahlin is the team’s new captain. He was the favorite to assume the captaincy since the Sabres traded former captain Kyle Okposo at the trade deadline.

Dahlin becomes the 33rd player in Sabres history to don the “C” on his jersey, following the likes of Gilbert Perreault, Pat LaFontaine, Chris Drury, Daniel Briere, and current head coach Lindy Ruff.

Alex Tuch, Dylan Cozens, Mattias Samuelsson, and Tage Thompson will serve as alternate captains on a rotational basis per the team. In the past, Ruff has liked to deem “home” and “away” captains, which will likely be the case this season.

When asked how much thought he has given to potentially being named captain, Dahlin dismissed the notion. “I just try to be myself, try to work as hard as I can,” Dahlin said Tuesday. “We’re a bunch of great guys in the locker room. A lot of guys can be captains, so I haven’t focused on that at all.”

Kings’ Drew Doughty out

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty is considered month-to-month following an ankle injury that will require surgery, the team announced Friday.

Doughty fractured his left ankle in the Kings' 3-2 preseason win against the Golden Knights on Wednesday, when the 2016 Norris Trophy winner slammed into the boards alongside Vegas forward Tanner Pearson in the first period.

"You don't want to have Drew out for an extended period of time, but that's just a sad reality now and we're going to have to deal with it," Kings center and captain Anze Kopitar told reporters.

Ever since his rookie season in 2008-09, Doughty has been a top pairing and/or top-four stalwart for the Kings.

He appeared in all 82 games last season, the 11th time in his career Doughty completed a campaign that saw him play more than 76 games.

Xhekaj fined maximum for unsportsmanlike conduct

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj has been fined $3,385.42, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for unsportsmanlike conduct against Toronto Maple Leafs forward Cedric Pare during NHL Preseason Game No. 55 in Montreal on Saturday, Sept. 28, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced.

The incident occurred at 4:43 of the first period. Xhekaj was assessed a minor penalty and a 10-minute misconduct for instigating, a major penalty for fighting, and a game misconduct.

The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.