What Predators' Steven Stamkos said about NHL trade rumors

Predators star Steven Stamkos isn't ready to leave Nashville.

Stamkos denied a report from The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun that he might be willing to waive a full no-movement clause in his contract to be traded to a legitimate contender.

"I haven't talked to (general manager Barry Trotz) at all about that," Stamkos said, adding there was "zero" chance he'd be willing to waive his no movement clause.

"Obviously there's stuff that gets reported," Stamkos said. "But what I'll say, with this group, we want to be together. I can only control what I can control, but I love being here."

Stamkos, 36, has drawn attention ahead of the March 6 NHL trade deadline.

In The Athletic's Feb. 26 report, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild were mentioned as potential trade partners.

The Predators (27-24-7, 61 points) are coming off a 4-2 win over the Blackhawks that puts them within two points of the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. But even if Nashville makes the playoffs, they'd face a tough task going up against teams like Colorado, Vegas, Dallas or Minnesota in the first round.

That's fueled speculation that Trotz, who announced his retirement on Feb. 2, might be willing to sell off players like Stamkos to improve the team's future.

At least for himself, Stamkos doesn't see that happening.

"We want to play in meaningful hockey games and we're playing in meaningful hockey games right now," Stamkos said.

This season, Stamkos leads the Predators with 29 goals in 58 games, giving him 56 goals in two seasons with Nashville. The four-year contract he signed in 2024 includes an annual $8 million cap hit and runs through the 2027-28 season.

Prior to his arrival in Nashville, Stamkos spent 16 seasons with Tampa Bay after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2008 NHL Draft. On Dec. 31, Stamkos scored his 600th NHL goal, becoming the 22nd player in NHL history to pass the milestone.

Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Predators' Steven Stamkos has had 'zero' trade talks with Barry Trotz

Penguins Notebook: Girard Misses Practice Before Weekend Back-To-Back

The Pittsburgh Penguins held a practice on Friday afternoon before flying to New York for Saturday's game against the New York Rangers.

The Penguins are coming off a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night and will be in second place in the Metropolitan Division heading into that game.

All healthy players were present for practice, except defenseman Sam Girard, who made his Penguins' debut on Thursday. He skated on the second pair with Kris Letang. 

Girard was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, along with a 2028 second-round pick, for fellow defenseman Brett Kulak. 

Here's how the lines looked when the team did line rushes: 

Forwards

Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin

A. Hayes-Rakell-Rust

Mantha-Kindel-Brazeau

Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari

Defensive pairs

Wotherspoon-Karlsson

Shea-Letang

K. Hayes-Clifton


Kevin Hayes was filling in for Girard, while Ryan Graves and Ilya Solovyov were skating on the fourth defensive pair. Penguins PR confirmed during practice that Girard wasn't on the ice because he was being evaluated for a lower-body injury. 

Penguins head coach Dan Muse confirmed after practice that Girard will travel to New York for Saturday's game, so he hasn't been ruled out. Girard blocked multiple shots during Thursday's game, so hopefully it's nothing too serious.

- The Penguins ended Friday's practice with a shootout, which is never a bad idea. The Penguins are 1-7 in shootouts this season and need all the practice they can get in them. There were some nice goals scored on both Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs. 

- This is a big weekend for the Penguins as they try to stay in second place in the Metropolitan Division heading into next week. They'll face a Rangers team on Saturday that has already waved the white flag on the season and is the worst team in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins have won two of the three previous meetings against them this year. 

After that game, the Penguins will come home to play the Vegas Golden Knights for the first time this season. This will be a big test for the Penguins, since the Golden Knights are first in the Pacific Division and a top Stanley Cup contender this season.

Both games will be nationally televised. Saturday's game will start at 12:30 p.m. ET on ABC, and Sunday's will start at 1 p.m. ET on TNT.  


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Red Wings' John Gibson Remains All Business Despite Another Elite Outing

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As part of the busy 2025 offseason for Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, he acquired veteran goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks.

In return, he sent goaltender Petr Mrazek, a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick back to the Ducks. 

While Gibson didn't get off to the start that he would have liked in the first two months with his new club, he's been among the NHL's best goaltenders since the calendar flipped to December and beyond. 

He turned in another fine performance on Thursday evening, stopping 26 shots from the Ottawa Senators in a 2-1 overtime victory that vaulted the Red Wings back into second place in the Atlantic Division. 

Despite his elite run of play, Gibson is keeping an all-business approach and, as he put it, just trying to play his game to give his club a chance to win. 

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“I just kind of try and approach it (like) I just try to play my game and focus on that; If I sat here and told you that I could draw it all up, I’d be lying to you," Gibson said afterward. "You can’t control the bounces and all that, so I’m just trying to keep the puck out of the net and give us a chance to win.”

"They had their chances, and fortunately, we were able to capitalize (on ours) and win the game." 

Since Dec. 1, Gibson has gone 19-5 while posting an impressive 1.89 goals-against average. He has also posted four shutouts during that span. 

This is the kind of goaltending that the Red Wings envisioned from Gibson when they acquired him in late June, and it's resulted in them being in as advantageous a position at this point in an NHL season as they've been in a decade. 

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NHL Rumors: 2 Trade Fits For Penguins' Stuart Skinner

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Stuart Skinner has found himself entering the rumor mill with the 2026 NHL trade deadline right around the corner. Teams looking for depth between the pipes could consider targeting Skinner, as he has plenty of playoff experience due to his time with the Edmonton Oilers.

Due to this, let's look at two teams that could consider targeting Skinner if the Penguins end up shopping the pending unrestricted free agent (UFA). 

Anaheim Ducks 

The Ducks stand out as a potential landing spot for Skinner. The Ducks could use an upgrade over Ville Husso for their backup role, and Skinner would provide them with just that if acquired. Petr Mrazek is also out for the season, so Anaheim would benefit by adding another netminder. 

Furthermore, the Ducks are in a position to be buyers right now, as they are third in the Pacific Division standings with a 31-23-3 record and 65 points. While Skinner would not be the biggest of splashes for Anaheim, he would still improve their goalie depth, which is a clear need. 

Ottawa Senators 

The Senators could also make sense as a trade destination for Skinner. Backup goalie options like Leevi Merilainen, James Reimer, and Mads Sogaard have all struggled this season with the Senators, so it could make sense for Ottawa to take a chance on Skinner. Starter Linus Ullmark has had a tough season for Ottawa, as evidenced by his .884 save percentage in 31 games. 

With the Senators needing to move up the standings to help their playoff odds, they should not be afraid to bring in a potential goalie upgrade like Skinner. He could form a nice tandem with Ullmark as the Senators look to keep their playoff hopes alive. 

Penguins Have Predators Trade Target To Consider

The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a position to add to their roster ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline. This is because the Penguins have a 30-15-12 record and are second in the Metropolitan Division standings with 72 points.

One area that the Penguins should be looking to improve is the right side of their defense. When looking at trade candidate defensemen around the NHL, Nashville Predators blueliner Nick Perbix stands out as an interesting potential option.

If the Penguins acquired Perbix, he would give their bottom pairing a nice boost. Furthermore, he would provide the Penguins with another defenseman who could work on the penalty kill. 

Perbix would also be more than a rental for the Penguins if acquired. This is because the right-shot defenseman is signed until the end of the 2026-27 season, where he has a $2.75 million cap hit. This adds to the 27-year-old blueliner's appeal, as he would have the potential to benefit the Penguins beyond this season. 

In 55 games so far this season with the Predators, Perbix has recorded three goals, six assists, and nine points. While his offensive totals are not necessarily the highest at this point of the season, he has two 20-point seasons on his resume. With this, he could give the Penguins some offense from the point if he bounced back in Pittsburgh. 

Girard Injured Just One Game Into Penguins Tenure

If you’re the Colorado Avalanche, you’re probably exhaling.

If you’re the Pittsburgh Penguins, you might be staring at the trade paperwork wondering whether you just got fleeced.  

A Trade That Turned Fast

Sam Girard — moved just two days ago from Colorado to Pittsburgh in exchange for defenseman Brett Kulak and a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Entry Draft — lasted exactly one game in black and gold before being sidelined with what the Penguins are calling a lower-body injury.

Girard speaks with DK Pittsburgh Sports upon his arrival in Pittsburgh.

It’s a brutal twist for a team that believed it had just solidified its blue line.

Girard did not practice with Pittsburgh on Friday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, as the team announced he is being evaluated. Head coach Dan Muse said Girard will travel with the club to New York ahead of Saturday afternoon’s matchup against the Rangers but did not provide additional details.

The uncertainty is what stings most. There’s no timeline. No clarity. Just another pause.

Girard skated on the left side alongside veteran defenseman Kris Letang in Thursday’s 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils.

In his Penguins debut, he logged 17:53 of ice time, finishing with one shot on goal and four blocked shots. It wasn’t flashy, but it was steady — the kind of transitional, puck-moving presence Pittsburgh hoped would complement Letang and stabilize the top four.

Instead, that pairing may already be on hold.

The Familiar Concern: Durability

For as impactful as Girard has been over the years with the Avalanche, availability has consistently been the underlying concern.

He has played all 82 regular-season games just once in his career, during the 2018-19 season in Colorado. This season alone, this marks the third time he has been sidelined by injury.

That pattern isn’t lost on either organization.

Girard was a regular at Colorado’s optional offseason skates before suddenly disappearing from the ice. He later resurfaced at an injured skate with what was reported as a lower-body issue.

He recovered in time to start the regular season opener on Oct. 7 against the Los Angeles Kings, but lasted just two games before suffering an upper-body injury that landed him on injured reserve and forced him to miss 15 games.

Now, one game into his Penguins tenure, he finds himself in limbo once again.

For Colorado, the timing of the trade may feel increasingly fortunate. For Pittsburgh, the gamble is already being tested.

This appears to be yet another victory for the "Trust CMac" crew. 

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Los Angeles Kings' Forward Listed In Top 10 Of NHL Trade Board

The NHL trade deadline is exactly one week away, and every team has its short list of players that they're either looking to move out or a trade target.

At this point, it seems more likely that Los Angeles Kings GM Ken Holland will position his team as a buyer at the deadline, based on previous comments, the acquisition of superstar Artemi Panarin, and the fact that this is captain Anze Kopitar's final season.

However, in the latest edition of The Athletic's trade board, written by Chris Johnston, Kings left winger Warren Foegele was ranked eighth in the list of 50 players.

It shouldn't be a shock to see Foegele on the trade board, considering Holland did hint at moving the 29-year-old not long after his trade for Panarin.

"Warren Foegele had a great year last year," the Kings GM said earlier in the month. "He's been out of the lineup for the last couple of games… got to work the phones here."

Los Angeles Kings GM Ken Holland Hints At Trading Away Warren FoegeleLos Angeles Kings GM Ken Holland Hints At Trading Away Warren FoegeleWith Artemi Panarin coming on board, there is even less room in the Los Angeles Kings' forward group. Left winger Warren Foegele has been the odd man out as of late, and GM Ken Holland has hinted at trading him away, potentially for a center.

Who knows if Kevin Fiala's leg injury from the Olympics, which ruled him out for the remainder of the regular season, will change Holland's thought process and where he stands with 

Foegele has played 45 games out of the Kings' total of 58 contests. He missed a few games with injuries, but has also been a healthy scratch for several outings, too.

When he has been in the lineup, Foegele hasn't been nearly as effective this season as he was last year. He has seven goals, nine points and has a minus-five plus-minus rating while averaging 14:45 of ice time.

Warren Foegele (Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)
Warren Foegele (Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)

In comparison, last season was the best of his NHL career. Foegele scored 24 goals, 46 points and averaged the most ice time in his career at 16:10 per game. In fact, he led the Kings' roster in the plus-minus department with a plus-36 rating.

In The Athletic's article, Johnston touched on the massive difference between these past two seasons for Foegele.

"The best season of Foegele’s career has been followed by one of the worst," his player description said.

Kings' Jim Hiller Is 'Always Concerned' About His Job After Embarrassing 8-1 Loss To OilersKings' Jim Hiller Is 'Always Concerned' About His Job After Embarrassing 8-1 Loss To OilersFollowing an embarrassing 8-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings coach Jim Hiller admits he is 'always concerned' about his job status. The Kings players were also asked if the team had quit on their coach.

Foegele was described as a player "with speed and is an effective forechecker who helps keep plays alive in the offensive zone," the article read. "He’s got a great shot and the percentages haven’t been in his favor — hinting at a bounce-back to come. The puck tends to be moving in the right direction when he’s on the ice."

The left winger carries a $3.5 million salary cap hit for one more season after this campaign. He was signed to a three-year contract ahead of 2024-25. Foegele is in the midst of his second year in Los Angeles.


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Blackhawks D-Man Makes THN's New Trade Board

The Hockey News' main site released their NHL Trade Deadline Board on Friday. In it, they ranked the top 25 trade candidates with the deadline being one week away.

One Chicago Blackhawks player made THN's trade board, as Connor Murphy was given the No. 13 spot.

With Murphy being one of the top defenseman trade candidates in the NHL right now, it is not surprising in the slightest that he has made THN's trade board. He has the potential to generate plenty of interest leading up to the deadline, as contenders are always looking for steady right-shot defensemen with size.

With the Blackhawks having so many young defensemen in their system and Murphy being a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), now seems like the perfect time for the Blackhawks to move him. This is especially so when noting that he has the potential to land the Blackhawks a second-round pick or more in a move. 

If the Blackhawks do end up moving Murphy, he is a player who deserves all the respect in the world from Chicago fans. The 32-year-old defenseman has been an important part of the Blackhawks' blueline for nine seasons now and has been a good veteran in their room. 

It will be interesting to see what happens with Murphy leading up to the deadline. He is certainly a player to watch from here. 

NHL Rumors: Sharks Linked To Rangers Defenseman

It is not a secret that one of the San Jose Sharks' biggest needs right now is another defenseman to bolster their blueline. This is especially so when noting that they have several pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) defensemen, like Mario Ferraro, John Klingberg, Vincent Desharnais, and Timothy Liljegren.

The Sharks' right side, in particular, could use a boost. With this, the Sharks are continuing to be connected to one of the NHL's top right-shot defenseman trade candidates.

According to The Fourth Period, the Sharks are one of the teams interested in acquiring New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider. 

This is not the first time that the Sharks have been connected to Schneider, and it makes sense given their need for another right-shot defenseman. If they acquired him from the Rangers, he would instantly become one of their top defenseman and likely would play in their top four because of it. 

Schneider's age also makes him stand out as a likely fit for the Sharks. This is because he is still only 24 years old and could have the potential to improve with a much-needed fresh start. 

Yet, with Schneider being a former first-round pick who is still in his mid-20s, it is likely that the Sharks will not be the only team interested in him. It will be interesting to see if San Jose can end up landing him from here. 

Rangers Claim Kraken Winger Tye Kartye Off Waivers

The New York Rangers have claimed Seattle Kraken winger Tye Kartye off waivers, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman

The Kraken placed the 24-year-old on waivers on Thursday to free up roster space to reinstate Berkly Catton and Ben Meyers from the injured reserve.

Kartye has been with the Kraken organization since 2022, when he signed as an undrafted free agent from the OHL

Upon signing with the Kraken, Kartye would spend just one season in the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, scoring 28 goals and 57 points in 72 games and earning AHL Rookie of the Year honors. 

He was called up to the NHL for the playoffs, skating in 10 games and scoring three goals and five points.

After a stellar AHL rookie season and strong performance in the playoffs, the expectations were high for Kartye in his rookie NHL season, and he delivered. In 70 games, he scored 11 goals and 20 points, as he was also a physical force and a much-needed spark plug on the fourth line. 

Kraken Place Winger Tye Kartye On WaiversKraken Place Winger Tye Kartye On WaiversThe Seattle Kraken have placed winger Tye Kartye on waivers upon the return of several injured Kraken forwards.

The seasons that followed haven’t been as kind to Kartye, as he’s struggled to make his physical presence felt and has failed to contribute offensively. Last season, he recorded just six goals and 13 points in 63 games, and this year, he’s managed just three goals and eight points in 40 games. 

He’s been a healthy scratch 17 times this season, and his placement on waivers wasn’t surprising. However, the Kraken gambled by placing Kartye on waivers instead of sending Jacob Melanson to the AHL, who is waiver-exempt. 

The Rangers are currently at the 23-man roster limit, so if they plan to keep Kartye in the NHL, they will have to send a player down to the AHL. If they want to send Kartye down to their AHL team, the Hartford Wolf Pack, they’ll need to send him through waivers, where the Kraken would have the opportunity to claim him back. 

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Takeaways: Michkov’s Overtime Winner, Ersson’s Composure Lead Flyers Past Rangers

Madison Square Garden has always demanded something extra from the Philadelphia Flyers. The Broad Street vs. Broadway rivalry is a storied one that requires players to be on their A game from puck drop.

And on a night when the Flyers needed a redemption game, they found it in Midtown Manhattan.

Behind two goals from Matvei Michkov—including the overtime winner—and a composed, resilient effort from Sam Ersson in net, the Flyers defeated the New York Rangers 3–2 in overtime, earning a critical two points in a game that often felt like a preview of the emotional and tactical demands awaiting them down the stretch.

The win brought the Flyers to 1-1-1 in their four-game season series against New York, but more importantly, it reinforced something deeper: this team’s ability to endure difficult starts, absorb pressure, and still dictate how games end.


1. Matvei Michkov Dictated the Outcome When It Mattered Most.

Matvei Michkov had one of his most impactful performances of the season, scoring twice—once on the power play and again in overtime.

His first goal came at a crucial point in the game. The Rangers had controlled much of the early pace, and the Flyers were still working to establish offensive rhythm. Michkov’s power-play finish cut into that at times overwhelming momentum and gave the Flyers a foothold.

His overtime winner sealed the deal on the fact that this was exactly the kind of game Michkov has been needing after a hailstorm of drama surrounding his fitness, ice time, and relationship with head coach Rick Tocchet. So much of his sophomore season has been mired in negative spectacle that it's truly a breath of fresh air for him to have an objectively positive night. 

Michkov now has three multi-goal games this season and four career overtime winners. Beyond the numbers, his performance reflected a player capable of influencing outcomes directly after it seemed as though he lost his spark a bit. 

“He had two big goals for us,” Travis Konecny said postgame. “Obviously the overtime one, but I thought the first one was a timely one. It kind of helped us calm down and get us back into it. He’s playing great. He looked fast. He looked confident with the puck.”


2. Sam Ersson Was a Big Reason the Flyers Stayed in This Game.

Sam Ersson played a central role in allowing the Flyers to recover from a slow start.

Ersson is another player that has been steeped in negative attention, with his 2025-26 season being a rollercoaster of impressive high points and disheartening low points that have left fans largely unsatisfied with his performance in net. But at MSG, when the Rangers came out firing, Ersson had answers.

This game was a good snapshot of that. After letting in an admittedly soft opening goal from Sam Carrick, Ersson locked in and kept the Rangers from really piling on. With how much offensive zone time New York was getting, the scoreline could have easily tilted much more in their favor. Whether you love him or hate him, Ersson was a big reason why the Flyers were able to force overtime.  

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Sam Ersson (33). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Sam Ersson (33). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)

“I thought Erss did a great job keeping us in that game,” Konecny said. “He gave us a chance to get our feet going and our legs and making some plays.”

"He was fantastic, fantastic," Trevor Zegras echoed. "The save he made on [Rangers defenseman Adam Fox] in the first four minutes, penalty kill, and overtime—he was amazing. [Dan Vladar] was amazing yesterday... [The goalies] give us a chance pretty much every night. When that first one goes in, he made so many ridiculous saves that it didn't even matter."


3. The Flyers Had Another Slower Start, but Knew How to Bounce Back.

Not unlike how they started against the Washington Capitals on Feb. 25, the Flyers did not execute cleanly in the opening period. Breakouts were inconsistent and largely unthreatening, puck management was uneven, and defensive-zone shifts extended longer than intended.

However, unlike their 3-1 loss against Washington, their structure improved as the game continued.

Even during emotionally charged moments—including a fight between Garnet Hathaway and Sam Carrick and a high-sticking penalty involving Trevor Zegras—the Flyers maintained discipline within their system.

"The first ten [minutes] wasn't great," Rick Tocchet admitted postgame. "I thought we got by the first ten and then started to relax a bit... We've been in a lot of these types of games—close games—and it's a big two points for us."


4. Trevor Zegras Continues to Produce in High-Leverage Situations. 

Trevor Zegras scored the Flyers’ third-period goal, tying the game and forcing overtime.

It was his 21st goal of the season and continued a pattern of timely offensive contributions. According to NHL Stats, Zegras has now factored into a third-period game-tying goal eight times this season, tying Nathan MacKinnon, Tomas Hertl, and Evan Bouchard for the most in the league. Not bad company. 

The Bedford, N.Y. native has also scored in all three games against the Rangers this season.


5. Every Game is a Playoff Game.

The Flyers understand the significance of each remaining game in this last quarter of the season. 

“[The remaining games] are a bunch of must-wins,” Noah Cates said. “We’ve gotta make up some ground.”

That urgency was on full display in their ability to recover from an uneven start and remain competitive throughout the game, especially against a Metro Division rival (although the Rangers currently sit last in the table with 51 points). 

They didn't control every phase of play, but they managed the critical moments effectively. Most importantly they were able to strike the balance that has eluded them more than once this season—their goaltender maintained stability under pressure, and their top offensive players gave the goal support and capitalized on their opportunities. Too often has it been one without the other, but they showed how good it can get when everybody is in sync. 

Four Blues Players Feature On The Hockey News' NHL Trade Deadline Board

THN.com released its first edition of its NHL Trade Deadline Board, which features four St. Louis Blues players. 

The list comprises 25 players, ranked by speculation, likelihood of being traded, and effectiveness. 

The four Blues players who appear on this list are center Brayden Schenn at No. 4, defenseman Justin Faulk at No. 12, right winger Jordan Kyrou at No. 17, and goaltender Jordan Binnington at No. 21. 

Schenn and Faulk seem the likeliest to be dealt, as both veterans come with at least an additional year on their contract with plenty of playoff experience.

Schenn is in the midst of his ninth season with the Blues and his third season as captain. At 34 years old, Schenn has shown signs of offensive decline, but he remains a potent defensive presence and a physical presence with leadership qualities.

While he might not slide into most teams’ top six, he could be an effective third-line center. 

As for Faulk, he’s enjoying a strong offensive season, on pace to score 16 goals and 46 points. At 33 years old, he brings two-way versatility with the ability to play north of 20 minutes a game. The Blues are asking a lot for Faulk, but he could slide into practically any NHL team’s top 4

While talent-wise, Kyrou and Binnington should be higher on the list, they drop down because of the likelihood of being traded is far lower than many of the players ahead of them.

Report: Insider Believes Jordan Kyrou Won't Be With The St. Louis Blues In 2026-27Report: Insider Believes Jordan Kyrou Won't Be With The St. Louis Blues In 2026-27A new report suggests that Jordan Kyrou won't be a member of the St. Louis Blues next season.

Kyrou and Binnington demand a hefty return, and while the Blues have mentioned that everyone is available, they aren’t rushing to get them out the door like they are with Schenn and Faulk. There is a better chance they are moved in the off-season rather than before the trade deadline, but insiders say there is still a possibility. 

Including the four mentioned Blues players, Robert Thomas, Oskar Sundqvist, and Pius Suter have garnered attention in the rumor mill. The NHL trade deadline is seven days away, and GM Doug Armstrong will have his hands full and could be the busiest GM. 

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New York Islanders To Participate In NHL’s Hockey Day

Michael Ostrower wrote this story. 

The New York Islanders will participate in the NHL’s first-ever “Hockey Day” when they host the Florida Panthers at UBS Arena on March 28.

The events will take place throughout Finland on March 27 and 28, with a focus on fan activities and a prime-time viewing party for an 8:00 p.m. local time (1:00  p.m. Eastern Time) puck drop.

The Panthers’ roster consists of strong Finnish players, including Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen, and Niko Mikkola, as well as their injured captain, Aleksander Barkov.

The Islanders-Panthers matchup will be the fourth and final game in the NHL’s European “Hockey Day” initiative.

Prior games include the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers on February 27–28 in Sweden, the Washington Capitals vs. Boston Bruins on March 6–7 in Czechia, and the Anaheim Ducks vs. Ottawa Senators on March 13–14 in Germany.

Golden Knights vs Capitals Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game

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Both the Vegas Golden Knights and the Washington Capitals came back from the Olympic break with a win, but only one will walk away with a 2-0 start to the season's unofficial second half when they meet at Capital One Arena tonight.

My Golden Knights vs. Capitals predictions and NHL picks are calling for Washington to tighten the screws on defense en route to victory on Friday, February 27.

Golden Knights vs Capitals prediction

Golden Knights vs Capitals best bet: Capitals moneyline (-118)

The Washington Capitals are 18-13 SU at home compared to 12-17 SU on the road, and the stats back up those records.

The Capitals play much stronger defense in their own building, allowing 2.77 GPG (vs. 3.07 on the road) on 27.1 shots per game (vs. 29.4). Their PK tightens up too, from 76.9% as a visitor vs. 82.1% at home.

The Caps will turn to Logan Thompson tonight, and he outranks Akira Schmid in SV% (.913 to .895). Thompson has won both his prior starts vs. the Vegas Golden Knights, posting a 2.01 GAA and .941 SV%.

Golden Knights vs Capitals same-game parlay

Sticking with the theme of home/road splits, I'm backing both Jakob Chychrun and Connor McMichael to score a point tonight.

Chychrun has a team-leading 31 points at home vs. 16 on the road in only two fewer games. McMichael has notched 22 points at home this season compared to just nine points as a visitor, and each is a 28-game sample size.

Golden Knights vs Capitals SGP

  • Capitals moneyline
  • Jakob Chychrun Over 0.5 points
  • Connor McMichael Over 0.5 points 

Golden Knights vs Capitals odds

  • Moneyline: Golden Knights -104 | Capitals -118
  • Puck Line: Golden Knights +1.5 | Capitals -1.5
  • Over/Under: Over 5.5 | Under 5.5

Golden Knights vs Capitals trend

The Capitals have won five of their last six games. Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Capitals.

How to watch Golden Knights vs Capitals

LocationCapital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
DateFriday, February 27, 2026
Puck drop7:00 p.m. ET
TVMonumental SN, Scripps 66

Golden Knights vs Capitals latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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