Take a look at the NHL's best players and biggest moments in 2017, from goal-scoring rookies to outdoor games to the playoff frenzy.
Auston Matthews announced his arrival, Connor McDavid staked his claim and the Pittsburgh Penguins repeated as Stanley Cup champions. Here's a look back at the NHL's moments to remember in 2017.
NHL Centennial Classic: Detroit Red Wings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his overtime winner against the Detroit Red Wings during the 2017 NHL Centennial Classic at Exhibition Stadium on January 1, 2017, in Toronto. The Leafs defeated the Wings 5-4 in OT. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
NHL Winter Classic: Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues
Artem Anisimov of the Chicago Blackhawks takes a shot against Jake Allen of the St. Louis Blues during the 2017 NHL Winter Classic at Busch Stadium on January 2, 2017, in St. Louis. The Blues beat the Blackhawks 4-1 in front of 46,566 fans.
Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux at NHL All-Star Game weekend in Los Angeles
NHL legends Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux share a laugh during the "NHL 100" festivities as part of the 2017 NHL All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles on Jan. 27, 2017.
Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin (and some other guy) at the 2017 NHL All-Star Game in Los Angeles
When rivals relax: Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals react from the bench during the Metropolitan Division and Pacific Division match-up of the 2017 NHL All-Star Game at Staples Center on January 29, 2017, in Los Angeles. The guy in the background was a pretty good player in his day, too...
RIP Mike Illitch: The Red Wings salute longtime owner with 'Mr. I' on ice
Members of the Detroit Red Wings look on from the bench next to a tribute in the ice to owner Mike Illitch, who passed away Feb. 10, while playing the St. Louis Blues at Joe Louis Arena on Feb. 15, 2017, in Detroit.
Two trades: Shea Weber's first season in Montreal, Taylor Hall's first season in New Jersey
New Jersey Devils winger Taylor Hall checks Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber during a game in New Jersey on Feb. 27, 2017. The two players were involved in the two biggest trades of the previous off-season, with New Jersey acquiring Hall from Edmonton and Montreal obtaining Weber from Nashville for P.K. Subban.
Last NHL game at Joe Louis Arena
Building operations manager Al Sobotka collects an octopus during a timeout at the last NHL game at Joe Louis Arena between the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings on April 9, 2017, in Detroit.
Alex Ovechkin goal celebration
Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals scores against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the 2017 NHL playoffs at the Verizon Center on May 6, 2017, in Washington.
Nashville Predators fans celebrate the team's first appearance in the Stanley Cup final
Fans cheer after the Nashville Predators' 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 of the 2017 Stanley Cup final at Bridgestone Arena on June 5, 2017, in Nashville.
Pittsburgh Penguins repeat as Stanley Cup champions
Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins teammates celebrate with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Nashville Predators 2-0 in Game 6 of the 2017 Stanley Cup final at Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017, in Nashville.
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin with the Stanley Cup
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate with the Stanley Cup in the dressing room after Game 6 of the 2017 Stanley Cup final at Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017, in Nashville.
Connor McDavid wins big at the 2017 NHL Awards
Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers poses with the (left to right) Ted Lindsay Award, Hart Memorial Trophy and Art Ross Trophy at the 2017 NHL Awards at T-Mobile Arena on June 21, 2017, in Las Vegas.
New Jersey Devils pick Nico Hischier first overall in the 2017 NHL draft
Nico Hischier (middle) was selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils, Nolan Patrick (right) went second overall to the Philadelphia Flyers, and Miro Heiskanen (left) went third overall to the Dallas Stars in the 2017 NHL draft in Chicago.
Two for the road: NHL stars Jarome Iginla and Shane Doan hang 'em up
Jarome Iginla hasn't officially retired yet, but it's looking more and more like he's played his final NHL game. Shane Doan retired at the end of the summer after the Arizona Coyotes didn't offer him a new contract. The two power forwards played a combined 40 seasons and 3,094 NHL games, amassing 1,027 goals and 2,272 points.
First goal in franchise history for the Vegas Golden Knights
James Neal (middle) of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates with Nate Schmidt (left) and Oscar Lindberg (right) after scoring the first goal in franchise history against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on October 6, 2017, in Dallas.
Jaromir Jagr signs with Calgary Flames (and meets The Travelling Jagrs)
After signing with the Calgary Flames, his ninth NHL team, 45-year-old Jaromir Jagr meets his famous fan club, The Travelling Jagrs, at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Oct. 7, 2017, in Calgary.
Flashy Finn: Patrik Laine shoots and scores for the Jets
Patrik Laine of the Winnipeg Jets finished as the runner-up to Toronto's Auston Matthews for the Calder Trophy, and has all the makings to be one of the game's most prolific goal-scorers for years to come.
Vegas Golden Knights celebrate after winning their first-ever home opener
The Vegas Golden Knights salute fans after their 5-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes during the Golden Knights' inaugural regular season home opener at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2017 in Las Vegas.
Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov lighting it up for the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning stars Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov got off to a spectacular start in 2017-18, as the high-flying linemates battled for the overall NHL scoring lead.
Erik The Great: Full speed ahead for Senators star Karlsson
He didn't win the Hart Trophy or even the Norris Trophy, but Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson continued to make his case as one of the very best players on the planet in 2017.
Bob and Torts lead the way in Columbus
The next challenge for Sergei Bobrovsky, who won the Vezina Trophy last season, and coach John Tortorella, who claimed the Jack Adams Award, is to lead the rising Columbus Blue Jackets on a deep playoff run.
Bearded blaster: San Jose Sharks' Brent Burns claims Norris Trophy
San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns won the Norris Trophy in 2017, beating out the Ottawa Senators' Erik Karlsson and Tampa Bay Lightning's Victor Hedman.
NHL 100: Montreal Canadiens play the Ottawa Senators in outdoor game in Ottawa
Montreal Canadiens players walk out to the ice before the first outdoor game of the NHL's 2017-18 season, against the Ottawa Senators in the 2017 NHL 100 Classic at Lansdowne Park on Dece. 16, 2017, in Ottawa.