Injured Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones suspended 20 games by the NHL for violating PED policy
NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL suspended injured Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones for 20 games on Wednesday for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.
Jones, 28, is in his first season with the Penguins. The club placed him on injured reserve in late October with a foot injury, then assigned him to their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He played one game for Wilkes-Barre in January before sustaining an upper-body injury.
Jones said through a statement released by the NHL Players Association that he believes he was exposed to a contaminated substance while undergoing exosome therapy from an outside provider.
“While I did not use the prohibited substance intentionally or for performance enhancement, I understand that players are responsible for everything that enters their body and accept the discipline imposed by the program,” Jones said. "I’m sorry to have let down my teammates, the Penguins organization, and our fans.”
Jones, the younger brother of Panthers defenseman Seth Jones, had one point in seven games with the Penguins in October after signing a two-year deal with Pittsburgh last summer.
Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said the club “appreciates” Jones' transparency and that Jones will follow all NHL and NHLPA protocols during the suspension. Dubas added that Jones has the “full support” of the organization.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Devils acquire Nick Bjugstad in a trade with the Blues before the NHL's Olympic roster freeze
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The New Jersey Devils acquired forward Nick Bjugstad in a trade with the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday that was completed just before the Olympic roster freeze.
They sent a conditional fourth-round pick and minor-leaguer Thomas Bordeleau for Bjugstad. It will be the last of the three fourth-rounders New Jersey currently has among its own, Dallas’ and Winnipeg’s.
Bjugstad, 33, has seven points in 35 games this season after signing with St. Louis as a free agent. The Devils getting him is the start of them using the salary cap space cleared by sending winger Ondrej Palat to the New York Islanders.
Bjugstad is signed through next season at a bargain cap hit of $1.75 million annually. The Devils had gotten Bordeleau earlier this season in a deal with San Jose.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Artemi Panarin trade grades: Rating Rangers-Kings deal
The New York Rangers beat the Olympic roster freeze deadline and traded the biggest player in their retool, with Artemi Panarin heading to the Los Angeles Kings.
In return, the Rangers receive forward Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick, according to multiple reports.
The struggling Rangers had sent a letter to fans that that they were going to retool their roster and that it might mean saying "goodbye to players that have brought us and our fans great moments over the years."
Panarin was told that the team would not be offering him a contract extension. He is in the final year of a seven-year contract averaging $11.6 million and has a full no-movement clause. Last week, they held him out of the lineup to prevent him from getting hurt as they worked out a trade.
Here are grades for the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers in the Artemi Panarin trade:
Los Angeles Kings: B+
The Kings need offense, ranking 28th in the league, and Panarin provides plenty, leading the Rangers every year in scoring since he arrived in 2019. Even in a down year, he has 57 points in 52 games. Los Angeles is third in goals-against average, so a little extra boost on the scoring side could translate to more wins. That's important with the Kings sitting one point out of a playoff spot and trying to go on a postseason run in captain Anze Kopitar's final year before he retires.
New York Rangers: C
Panarin was the Rangers' best trade asset and the return seems low. Greentree is 20, 6-foot-3, 216 pounds and was a 2024 first-round pick. He had 119 points last season with the Windsor (Ontario) Spitfires. But there was no first-round pick in the deal. The third-rounder can move higher if the Kings win a playoff round. Panarin had to choose where he went, so that limited the Rangers' options. Also hurting their return: New York made clear it was moving him and he was a pending unrestricted free agent. The Rangers retain half of Panarin's salary, per The Athletic.
Devils acquire Nick Bjugstad
The New Jersey Devils acquired bottom-six forward Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues for forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round pick.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Artemi Panarin trade grades: Who won Rangers-Kings deal?
2025-26 NHL MVP Odds: MacKinnon Still Holding On As Celebrini Enters the Fray
The NHL odds for the 2025-26 NHL MVP have been led by Nathan MacKinnon for much of the season, but his lead is starting to dwindle...
After being as short as -450, Nate is now just -170, with Macklin Celebrini at +215. We could be in for a wild MVP race following the Olympic break. Check out the rest of the NHL MVP odds below!
Odds to win 2025-26 NHL MVP award
| Player |  |
|---|---|
 Nathan MacKinnon | <<-170>> |
 Macklin Celebrini | <<+215>> |
 Connor McDavid | <<+600>> |
 Nikita Kucherov | <<+625>> |
| Leon Draisaitl | <<+20000>> |
Odds as of 2-4.
(not available in Ontario)
Covers NHL betting tools
Understanding NHL MVP odds
Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. When the regular season is nearly finished and a consensus has emerged, you might see a player with a minus sign (-) ahead of his odds, like this:
- Connor McDavid -400
The (-) means that McDavid is the odds-on favorite, and a bettor would need to wager $400 to win $100. Other contenders in the MVP race might have plus (+) odds to win.
- Nathan MacKinnon +650
Here, a bettor stood to profit $650 for every $100 wagered.
If American odds aren't your thing, simply use a tool like our odds converter to switch the odds to decimal or fractional format. Most online sportsbooks also give you the option to change the odds format that you see.
Popular NHL futures markets
NHL Hart Trophy trends
- The last player to win the Hart Trophy and Stanley Cup in a single season was Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis (2004).
- Carey Price was the last goaltender (2015) to win the MVP award before Connor Hellebuyck did last season.
- Alexander Ovechkin was the last player to repeat as the Hart winner (2008 and 2009).
- Centers have won six of the last 10 MVP awards.
- The last time a defenseman won the Hart Trophy was Chris Pronger back in the 1999-00 season.
NHL Hart Trophy history
A quick look at recent NHL MVPs and the position they played.
| Season | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Connor Hellebuyck | Goalie |  Winnipeg Jets |
| 2023-24 | Nathan MacKinnon | Center |  Colorado Avalanche |
| 2022-23 | Connor McDavid | Center |  Edmonton Oilers |
| 2021-22 | Auston Matthews | Center |  Toronto Maple Leafs |
| 2020-21 | Connor McDavid | Center | Edmonton Oilers |
| 2019-20 | Leon Draisaitl | Center | Edmonton Oilers |
| 2018-19 | Nikita Kucherov | Right Wing |  Tampa Bay Lightning |
| 2017-18 | Taylor Hall | Left Wing |  New Jersey Devils |
| 2016-17 | Connor McDavid | Center | Edmonton Oilers |
| 2015-16 | Patrick Kane | Right Wing |  Chicago Blackhawks |
| 2014-15 | Carey Price | Goalie |  Montreal Canadiens |
| 2013-14 | Sidney Crosby | Center |  Pittsburgh Penguins |
| 2012-13 | Alexander Ovechkin | Right Wing |  Washington Capitals |
| 2011-12 | Evgeni Malkin | Center | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| 2010-11 | Corey Perry | Right Wing |  Anaheim Ducks |
| 2009-10 | Henrik Sedin | Center |  Vancouver Canucks |
| 2008-09 | Alexander Ovechkin | Right Wing | Washington Capitals |
| 2007-08 | Alexander Ovechkin | Right Wing | Washington Capitals |
| 2006-07 | Sidney Crosby | Center | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| 2005-06 | Joe Thornton | Center |  Boston Bruins/  San Jose Sharks |
NHL MVP award winners by position
| Position | Hart Trophy awards |
|---|---|
| Center | 55 |
| Right wing | 18 |
| Left wing | 13 |
| Goalie | 9 |
| Defenseman | 7 |
Centers won the Hart Trophy 17 times over an 18-year period from 1979 to 1996. Wayne Gretzky personally skated away with the league's MVP award eight straight times during that era.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
NHL suspends Caleb Jones for 20 games for violating terms of Performance Enhancing Substances
Defenseman Caleb Jones has been suspended for 20 games by the NHL
From the league:
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones has been suspended for 20 games, without pay, for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the suspension is accompanied by mandatory referral to the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program for evaluation and possible treatment.
The National Hockey League will have no further comment on this matter.
Jones issued a statement this afternoon:
The Penguins also issued a statement on the matter.
Jones was injured in October with a foot injury. He was assigned to the AHL in January and suffered a different upper body injury in the AHL.
Kraken Recall Oscar Fisker Molgaard; Place Berkly Catton On Injured Reserve
The Seattle Kraken have recalled center Oscar Fisker Molgaard from the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds. Additionally, they have placed rookie Berkly Catton on the injured reserve.
Fisker Molgaard has been called up twice before but has played only two games in the NHL, both during his first call-up in November. He recorded an assist in his NHL debut.
Fisker Molgaard will likely be a healthy scratch tonight and is presumably called up as a precaution in case any Kraken forwards sustain an injury before tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Kings.
In the AHL, the 20-year-old has posted seven goals and 22 points in 35 games, ranking seventh in goals and fourth in points. Following tonight’s game, Fisker Molgaard will head to Milano Cortina for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Catton now joins Ben Meyers and Matt Murray on the injured reserve. Catton sustained his upper-body injury against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 29. He was announced to be out for the Kraken’s final three games before the break and that he would be able to return to the lineup when NHL play resumes.
The 20-year-old has scored five goals and 11 points in 40 games during his rookie season.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Canadiens Prospect To Rock New Mask At AHL All-Star Classic
While the NHL will suspend operations for the Olympic break, business will continue as usual in the AHL, and it will hold its All-Star Classic on February 10 and 11. The Montreal Canadiens’ farm team, Laval Rocket, will be represented by three players. Forward Laurent Dauphin, defenseman Adam Engstrom, and goaltender Jacob Fowler.
Fowler, who made his NHL debut this season amid the Canadiens’ goaltending woes, has had a new mask made for the occasion. While it’s pretty similar to the one he usually wears, it includes one significant change that is sure to please the organization’s fans.
Have The Canadiens Had More Goals Called Back For Offside?
Canadiens: Minnesota Loss Shouldn’t Lead To Goaltending Change
Montreal Canadiens Waive Hard-Nosed Forward
Fowler turned to local artist JF Aumais to have the new mask made, and Aumais revealed the design yesterday on his Facebook page, stating that Fowler wanted to stick with his classic Iron Man design, but adding a few twists. The mask includes the AHL All-Star Classic logo and, on the back plate, where Fowler’s regular mask features a Florida license plate, it has a Quebec license plate instead, featuring the province’s motto Je me souviens.
Fowler is having a great season with the Rocket; he has a 14-7-0 record, three shutouts, a 2.25 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. While most believed he was going to spend the whole season with the Rocket, the goaltending trials and tribulations in Montreal led to a surprise recall for the 21-year-old. In 10 games with the Canadiens, he put up a 4-4-2 record with a 2.62 GAA and a .902 SV on top of recording a shutout against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Fowler was ultimately sent back to the AHL, not because he wasn’t performing well, but rather because the organization wanted him to get plenty of action, which he wouldn’t have had in a three-goalie system with the Habs. The 10-game audition was sufficient to see that the Canadiens have a diamond in the rough in their hands with Fowler, who should be in Montreal full-time sooner rather than later.
Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.
Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.
Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.
Subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here.
Artemi Panarin Traded To Kings Ahead Of Roster Freeze
The New York Rangers have reportedly traded Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick.
According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Kings and Panarin have agreed upon a two-year contract extension worth $11 million per year.
Pierre LeBrun of TSN indicates that the Rangers are retaining 50 percent of Panarin's salary on his contract set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Vincent Mercogliano of The Athletic reports that the conditional third-round pick is the better of Los Angeles's two third-rounders in 2026, but if the Kings win one playoff round, it becomes a second. If they win two rounds, the Kings will add a 2028 fourth-round pick.
The Kings were the only team Panarin wanted to go to and the only team the Rangers could work with according to the New York Post's Mollie Walker.
It was widely speculated that Panarin would be dealt ahead of the roster freeze that took effect today at 3 PM EST.
Panarin has been scratched out of the Rangers' lineup over the past three games due to roster management.
Greentree was selected by the Kings in the first round with the 26th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
In 52 games for the Rangers this season, Panarin has recorded 19 goals, 38 assists, and 57 points, while averaging 20:55 minutes.
Former Sharks Forward Traded To New Team
Former San Jose Sharks forward Thomas Bordeleau has a new home.
The St. Louis Blues have acquired Bordeleau and a 2026 fourth-round pick from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for veteran forward Nick Bjugstad.
The Sharks traded Bordeleau to the Devils during this past off-season in exchange for forward Shane Bowers. Now, he is heading to the Blues organization with this latest move.
Bordeleau spent the entirety of his tenure with the Devils organization down in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Utica Comets. In 35 games with Utica this season before being traded to the Blues, the 24-year-old forward recorded two goals, six assists, and eight points.
Bordeleau was selected by the Sharks with the 38th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. In 44 games over four seasons with the Sharks, he recorded six goals, 12 assists, and 18 points.
TRADE ALERT! We’ve acquired Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional 4th-round pick from New Jersey in exchange for Nick Bjugstad. #stlblues
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) February 4, 2026
Artemi Panarin Trade To LA Kings Further Complicates Jets’ Playoff Push
The Winnipeg Jets were not in the running to acquire New York Rangers superstar Artemi Panarin, but his trade to the Los Angeles Kings could make life even more difficult for Winnipeg as the playoff race tightens.
The Kings acquired Panarin in exchange for prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick, immediately bolstering a Western Conference contender. If the Kings win a playoff round this year, the third-round pick becomes a second-round and if they win two playoff rounds, they will also receive a fourth-round pick in 2028.
New York will be retaining 50 per cent of Panarin's contract for the remainder of this season and the Kings have also agreed on a two-year extension with Panarin, that is believed to carry a cap hit of $11 million per season.
The deal sends Panarin, 34, to a team that will now be a major threat in the West, adding elite scoring and veteran leadership to a roster already built to compete. Panarin has 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 52 games this season, putting him on pace for 86 points over 78 games.
This marks the ninth consecutive season he has averaged over a point per game. Since 2019–20, he ranks among the league’s top six scorers with 205 goals and 402 assists for 607 points in 482 games.
The Rangers are adding an exciting young talent in 20-year-old forward Liam Greentree, a first-round pick at 26th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, who is expected to develop further in the juniors before making his NHL debut.
The Oshawa, Ontario native likely won't join the New York till next season or possibly even later. Currently captaining the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL for the past three seasons, Greentree has been a standout performer this year, recording 23 goals and 22 assists for 45 points in just 34 games.
For the Jets, who are fighting to climb the Western Conference standings, the trade presents another obstacle. The addition of Panarin to a Western team creates a potential matchup nightmare in the playoffs, as Winnipeg would now have to navigate a matchup in what would be the conference finals with one of the league’s most dynamic forwards.
The move increases the Jets’ margin for error and reduces their already slim odds of a deep playoff run as the Kings are also fighting for a playoff spot as they currently sit one point out of a wild card spot.
Winnipeg’s current roster features talent and potential, but acquiring a superstar like Panarin was always unrealistic given the team’s position and cap space. Still, seeing Panarin land in the Western Conference underscores the level of competition the Jets face in their quest for a playoff spot, let alone the Stanley Cup.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Red Wings Lose Out On Artemi Panarin As Superstar Traded To LA Kings
The Detroit Red Wings will not be adding New York Rangers star winger Artemi Panarin after he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in a blockbuster deal.
The Kings acquired Panarin in exchange for prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick, leaving Detroit out of the running despite reportedly being in the mix. If the Kings win a playoff round this year, the third-round pick becomes a second-round and if they win two playoff rounds, they will also receive a fourth-round pick in 2028.
New York will be retaining 50 per cent of Panarin's contract for the remainder of this season and the Kings have also agreed on a two-year extension with Panarin, that is believed to carry a cap hit of $11 million per season.
Detroit has an opening on the top line alongside captain Dylan Larkin and rising star Lucas Raymond. Panarin, 34, would have been a natural fit, providing elite scoring, playmaking, and veteran leadership to complement the young core.
Panarin is having another standout season with 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 52 games, putting him on pace for 86 points over 78 games. This marks the ninth consecutive season he has averaged more than a point per game.
Since 2019–20, Panarin ranks among the league’s top six scorers with 205 goals and 402 assists for 607 points in 482 games, making him one of the most productive forwards in the NHL over the past four seasons.
The Rangers are adding an exciting young talent in 20-year-old forward Liam Greentree, a first-round pick at 26th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, who is expected to develop further in the juniors before making his NHL debut.
The Oshawa, Ontario native likely won't join the New York till next season or possibly even later. Currently captaining the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL for the past three seasons, Greentree has been a standout performer this year, recording 23 goals and 22 assists for 45 points in just 34 games.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
The Red Wings’ pursuit of Panarin showed GM Steve Yzerman potentially eyeing a move to accelerate the rebuild, but in the end, they could not convince the star winger to join the Motor City.
Detroit will now continue its season without the veteran star and while missing out on Panarin is a setback, it also leaves the Red Wings with flexibility to explore other options before the trade deadline or in future seasons.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
The lone immovable object on the Cincinnati Reds roster
It’s easy to forget, but Elly De La Cruz made 29 starts (and appeared in 32 overall games) as the 3B of the Cincinnati Reds back in his first year in the big leagues in 2023. That was in deference to Matt McLain, current 2B and resident backup SS, who made 52 starts at short that year.
Though I doubt there’s a realistic scenario that sees Elly ever need to play some 3B on the regular, he’s got the chops and the experience there. That’s some versatility from the planned starting middle-infield, with McLain also having a wealth of outfield experience from his days at UCLA, in Cape Cod League play, and even in the Arizona Fall League, too.
To their collective left is a logjam at 1B, it would appear. The way the Reds plan to un-jam those logs is, once again, through versatility. Sal Stewart, a 3B and 2B by trade prior to his 2025 call-up, will presumably rotate through all three positions (as well as DH). The recently signed Eugenio Suárez is himself a former shortstop of these very Reds, and while those days are long over, he’s been a 3B at the big league level for a decade and will presumably be fully capable of providing cover there when not at DH or 1B himself.
Then, there’s Spencer Steer, a Gold Glove finalist at 1B this past season who may well be staring at the starting LF job right now. He’ll play both of those spots often, while there’s word that the former 3B and 2B will get time at 2B, at least, to keep his bat in the lineup. Though putting him at SS for any serious time is a bridge too far, Steer profiles as the most versatile player on the roster – that is, of course, if the Reds remain committed to keeping former 3B/SS/2B Noelvi Marte as their everyday RF, something he only just began to to last August.
(Even then, it’s easy to see Marte sliding back into the infield mix in a 15 inning game with tons of other switches, or if someone gets injured unexpectedly, and the club wants him to learn more CF, too.)
There’s been some talk of seeing if TJ Friedl can get some run in LF, as that would allow Dane Myers – a platoon OF who’ll play all over the OF – to cover CF and increase the defensive quality of the overall outfield. Catcher Tyler Stephenson has played 1B in 32 games in his career, with 76 additional appearances at DH to keep his bat in the lineup against LHP. Even fringe roster guys like Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Tyler Callihan have positional versatility, with CES experienced at both corners on the infield and Callihan playing just about everywhere but short.
That’s a comical level of flexibility, really. If it were truly his goal, manager Terry Francona could go weeks of fielding lineups every single day that a) were actually feasible and b) never played the same player in the same position two days in a row, especially with the likes of Will Benson and JJ Bleday experienced at all three OF spots on top of all the rest.
Then, though, there’s Ke’Bryan Hayes. Somehow, every time I try to figure out what the Reds are actually up to, it all seems to make sense until we get to Hayes.
Hayes has over 9100 innings logged as a professional since being a 1st round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates all the way back in 2015, and all but 5.0 of those innings have come as a 3B (with those handful in a trio of late-game appearances at short back in 2022). He’s a 3B, a 3B only, and does so with glovework that may well be the best of any player in the sport despite a bat that’s been one of the worst of any regular for over two seasons running.
Hayes is the lone position player on the roster outside of backup catcher who plays nowhere else, making him something of a unicorn on a roster that’s otherwise put together specifically to highlight versatility. Hayes is also a unicorn in the sport itself as a glove-first player at a position otherwise populated by big-hitting sluggers, a glove-first player who doesn’t play the defensive positions higher up the pecking order of importance like CF or SS.
If you look at how this roster is actually put together, the one glaring thing they don’t seem to have is a classic glove-first guy who can fill in at every single infield position as a late-inning guy, as a utility knife for precisely the right scenarios and alignments. You know the archetypes – the Jose Oquendos, the Tony Phillips, the Craig Counsells, the Juan Uribes, the Ryan Freels (RIP). In Hayes, they found a guy with two of the most overriding characteristics of classic utility guys – great glove, no bat – but didn’t get a guy who, for whatever reason, has never been tasked with taking that elite defense all over the diamond to unlock the rest of his roster.
So, he’s on a versatile roster as the guy who most profiles as a player who should move around a lot, but doesn’t. Instead of being paid like a guy who’s a utility player, he’s on a long-term deal that guarantees him $36 million and makes him one of the higher-paid guys on the team. Despite all of that, he’s not just a guy that the Reds overpaid for something he’s not and ended up in this situation of mutual volition, he’s the guy the Reds went out and got specifically because this is who he is, and did so despite having a handful of better bats who also look like they should probably play 3B most days.
Perhaps there’s a renaissance with Hayes’ bat in there somewhere that I don’t see. Perhaps the Reds are, for whatever reason, simply content to get 1.6 dWAR from Hayes at 3B batting 9th most days and nothing more, all while one of Stewart, Suarez, or Steer sits on the pine those days.
Blues Make First Deal Of What Could Be Multiple Dominoes, Trade Bjugstad
The first of what could be multiple deals by the St. Louis Blues happened before the Olympic freeze.
The Blues are sending forward Nick Bjugstad to the New Jersey Devils for a mid-round pick and a prospect, with former Blue Jordan Schmaltz first to announce the trade and Sportset's Elliotte Friedman with the details.
The Blues announced the trade that they acquired forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Bjugstad, 33, was signed by the Blues as a free agent last July when he signed a two-year, $3.5 million contract that carries a $1.75 million average annual value. He played in 35 games this season and had seven points (six goals, one assist). Bjugstad has played in 795 NHL games and the Devils will be eighth club; he has 337 points (163 goals, 174 assists).
Bordeleau, 24, was playing at Utica of the American Hockey League and will join Springfield; he has played in 35 games for the Comets this season and had eight points (two goals, six assists).
Bordeleau has experience in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks; he has played in 196 AHL games (115 points; 49 goals, 66 assists) but has also made 44 NHL with the Sharks and had 18 points (six goals, 12 assists). Bordeleau was drafted by the Sharks in the second round (38th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft.
The NHL Olympic roster trade freeze was set for 2 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday and runs through 10:59 (CT) on Feb. 22.
(2-4-26) Blues-Stars Gameday LineupBlues complete dad's trip, pre-Olympic break looking to gain some sort of traction after team blew second four-goal lead this season in 6-5 loss at Nashville on Monday; game against Stars is third matchup in 13 days looking to end nine-game road losing streak
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Dupont’s France return can rock Ireland’s unstable foundations in Six Nations opener
If Les Bleus click, the results could be spectacular against a much-altered Ireland with umpteen questions to answer
The Six Nations is kicking off on a Thursday this year to avoid a direct clash with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. In at least one key respect, even so, the two events are perfectly aligned: one early stumble for France or Ireland and a potentially painful descent awaits.
Despite the possibility of first‑night nerves and some Parisian drizzle it should still make for more intriguing viewing on ITV1 than the alternative of Dragons’ Den and The Apprentice on BBC One. Unless, of course, France are so far out of sight inside 40 minutes that they cannot be caught and the audience are free to switch over in good time to watch Sir Alan Sugar say: “You’re fired!”
Continue reading...