The Florida Panthers resumed their NHL season on Thursday night when they hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs at Amerant Bank Arena.
It was the first game for Florida following the NHL hitting the pause button for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Prior to puck drop, Florida honored everyone on the ice who was a part of Team USA, a list that included Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, General Manager Bill Zito and Head Equipment Manager Teddy Richards, as well as Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews who also wore the “C” for the United States.
The four Americans gathered at center ice, where Zito and Richards dropped a ceremonial puck between Tkachuk and Matthews.
It was a very cool moment for the gold medal winners, putting a bow on what was surely an incredible experience.
Later, during a first period TV timeout, Florida took a moment to recognize their other Olympians.
Three Panthers – Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett – won silver medals with Team Canada, while three others – Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikkola – claimed bronze medals while representing Finland.
Florida’s Latvians – defenseman Uvis Balinskis and forward Sandis Vilmanis – as well as Finnish blueliner Gus Forsling, were also honored.
As for the game, the Panthers were already up 2-0 on Toronto when the game reached TV timeout number one.
The Florida Panthers resumed their NHL season on Thursday night when they hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs at Amerant Bank Arena.
It was the first game for Florida following the NHL hitting the pause button for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Prior to puck drop, Florida honored everyone on the ice who was a part of Team USA, a list that included Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, General Manager Bill Zito and Head Equipment Manager Teddy Richards, as well as Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews who also wore the “C” for the United States.
The four Americans gathered at center ice, where Zito and Richards dropped a ceremonial puck between Tkachuk and Matthews.
It was a very cool moment for the gold medal winners, putting a bow on what was surely an incredible experience.
Later, during a first period TV timeout, Florida took a moment to recognize their other Olympians.
Three Panthers – Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett – won silver medals with Team Canada, while three others – Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikkola – claimed bronze medals while representing Finland.
Florida’s Latvians – defenseman Uvis Balinskis and forward Sandis Vilmanis – as well as Finnish blueliner Gus Forsling, were also honored.
As for the game, the Panthers were already up 2-0 on Toronto when the game reached TV timeout number one.
For the first time in six games, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae will step back into the lineup, ending a prolonged stretch as a healthy scratch that, while difficult, may ultimately serve as one of the more important developmental checkpoints of his young NHL career.
Sam Ersson will start for the Flyers tonight vs. Rangers. Emil Andrae will draw back into the lineup.
For both Andrae and the Flyers, his return represents a recalibration of sorts—of expectations, responsibilities, and trust.
And maybe most importantly, it’s another test of whether Andrae can consistently differentiate himself from a promising call-up into a dependable, everyday NHL defenseman.
A Necessary Pause in a Promising Trajectory
When Andrae was first recalled earlier this season, he impressed straightaway.
He moved the puck decisively, drove offense, and played with the kind of assertiveness that belied his size. At 5-foot-9, Andrae will never overwhelm opponents physically, but he compensates with anticipation, mobility, and pure fearlessness. He closes gaps aggressively and can escape pressure cleanly. And when he does get the puck, he sees the ice like a player who has always been accustomed to controlling it.
That early success confirmed the already favorable opinions he had garnered from previous NHL stints—at 24 years old, he's obviously not a finished product, but he does possess a heap of desirable qualities in a blueliner, and has oodles of potential for his coaches to work with as he continues developing.
But as the season wore on, the natural inconsistencies of a young defenseman began to surface. The reads that came easily in his first stretch required quicker processing, and the risks became more costly.
Head coach Rick Tocchet was candid in his assessment of where Andrae’s game had slipped before the Flyers' game against the New York Rangers on Feb. 26.
“I think he played his best hockey when he was first called up,” Tocchet said. “I think he was obviously good on the breakouts, good on wheeling the puck… It’s just stuff he tries too much—making passes in the middle of the ice or being out of position, things like that. But that’s growing as a young defenseman.”
#Flyers coach Rick Tocchet on what Emil Andrae needs to do to get back in: "Well, I think one of the reasons why we have to do this is our PK...That's the problem, he's not a PK guy. So actually, this week, he's worked on his [PK]. That's really what it's going to come down to." https://t.co/rD63WBHETa
Andrae’s absence wasn’t solely about performance. It was also about his fit in the overall lineup.
Tocchet pointed to penalty killing responsibilities multiple times, along with the importance of balanced right-left defensive pairings, as key factors in Andrae’s temporary removal from the lineup.
Defensemen must earn that trust incrementally. It comes through consistency, through reliability, and through proving that risk-reward decisions consistently favor the team.
Now, Andrae has a prime chance to make a case for his usefulness not just in 5-on-5 play, but on special teams as well.
“He might get some PK time tonight [against the Rangers],” Tocchet said. “So hopefully if he’s out there that he can help us out on the PK, too.”
Even limited penalty-killing usage would be an important step in signaling growing confidence from the coaching staff in both Andrae’s offensive instincts and his defensive discipline.
What Andrae Brings That the Flyers Need
Despite his recent absence, Andrae offers something the Flyers’ blue line doesn’t have in abundance: natural puck-moving fluidity.
They have offensive-minded in defensemen in players like Cam York and Jamie Drysdale, but Andrae adds a layer of relentlessness to that core of smaller offensive defensemen.
His skating allows him to escape pressure without defaulting to glass-and-out clears. His vision allows him to identify transition opportunities early, and his willingness to attack open ice forces opposing forechecks to hesitate.
Those traits are especially valuable for a Flyers team that relies heavily on structure and pace to generate offense. A clean breakout is often the first offensive play, and Andrae has shown he can initiate those sequences.
What he’s learning now is when to be aggressive and when to be simple—a crucial and delicate balance that separates promising young defensemen from reliable NHL regulars.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae (36). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
A Critical Stage in His Long-Term Development
The six games Andrae spent out of the lineup may ultimately, in a twisted sort of way, benefit him in the long run.
From the press box, the game slows down. Patterns become clearer, making mistakes easier to recognize without the immediacy of competition. As frustrating as it is not to be on the ice, for young defensemen dealing with stagnation, those observational stretches can accelerate growth, allowing Andrae to return with both perspective and motivation.
He knows what earned him his initial opportunity. He also knows what cost him his place, and no doubt he understands what’s required to keep it.
The good thing is that Andrae doesn't have to scrap his whole game and start over. As Tocchet pointed out, the expectation is not for Andrae to completely reinvent his game, but to refine it and stay consistent with it. Keep the mobility; keep the confidence; keep the creativity. But going along with that, pair those clear strengths with restraint, positional awareness, and situational judgment.
A Meaningful Opportunity for Player and Team
For the Flyers, reinserting Andrae is more than just switching up the lineup in the hopes of taking three points away from New York. The team is simultaneously evaluating his nightly performance and his trajectory.
Can Andrae become a reliable puck-moving presence in their top six?
Can he handle defensive responsibility in critical moments?
Can he grow into a player they can trust in all situations?
Those answers won’t come after one game, but they’ll begin to emerge now, as he steps back onto the ice—not as the wide-eyed up-and-down kid from his first stints with the big club, but as a more mature and experienced young defenseman who has felt both the momentum of early success and the humility of stepping back.
For the first time in six games, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae will step back into the lineup, ending a prolonged stretch as a healthy scratch that, while difficult, may ultimately serve as one of the more important developmental checkpoints of his young NHL career.
Sam Ersson will start for the Flyers tonight vs. Rangers. Emil Andrae will draw back into the lineup.
For both Andrae and the Flyers, his return represents a recalibration of sorts—of expectations, responsibilities, and trust.
And maybe most importantly, it’s another test of whether Andrae can consistently differentiate himself from a promising call-up into a dependable, everyday NHL defenseman.
A Necessary Pause in a Promising Trajectory
When Andrae was first recalled earlier this season, he impressed straightaway.
He moved the puck decisively, drove offense, and played with the kind of assertiveness that belied his size. At 5-foot-9, Andrae will never overwhelm opponents physically, but he compensates with anticipation, mobility, and pure fearlessness. He closes gaps aggressively and can escape pressure cleanly. And when he does get the puck, he sees the ice like a player who has always been accustomed to controlling it.
That early success confirmed the already favorable opinions he had garnered from previous NHL stints—at 24 years old, he's obviously not a finished product, but he does possess a heap of desirable qualities in a blueliner, and has oodles of potential for his coaches to work with as he continues developing.
But as the season wore on, the natural inconsistencies of a young defenseman began to surface. The reads that came easily in his first stretch required quicker processing, and the risks became more costly.
Head coach Rick Tocchet was candid in his assessment of where Andrae’s game had slipped before the Flyers' game against the New York Rangers on Feb. 26.
“I think he played his best hockey when he was first called up,” Tocchet said. “I think he was obviously good on the breakouts, good on wheeling the puck… It’s just stuff he tries too much—making passes in the middle of the ice or being out of position, things like that. But that’s growing as a young defenseman.”
#Flyers coach Rick Tocchet on what Emil Andrae needs to do to get back in: "Well, I think one of the reasons why we have to do this is our PK...That's the problem, he's not a PK guy. So actually, this week, he's worked on his [PK]. That's really what it's going to come down to." https://t.co/rD63WBHETa
Andrae’s absence wasn’t solely about performance. It was also about his fit in the overall lineup.
Tocchet pointed to penalty killing responsibilities multiple times, along with the importance of balanced right-left defensive pairings, as key factors in Andrae’s temporary removal from the lineup.
Defensemen must earn that trust incrementally. It comes through consistency, through reliability, and through proving that risk-reward decisions consistently favor the team.
Now, Andrae has a prime chance to make a case for his usefulness not just in 5-on-5 play, but on special teams as well.
“He might get some PK time tonight [against the Rangers],” Tocchet said. “So hopefully if he’s out there that he can help us out on the PK, too.”
Even limited penalty-killing usage would be an important step in signaling growing confidence from the coaching staff in both Andrae’s offensive instincts and his defensive discipline.
What Andrae Brings That the Flyers Need
Despite his recent absence, Andrae offers something the Flyers’ blue line doesn’t have in abundance: natural puck-moving fluidity.
They have offensive-minded in defensemen in players like Cam York and Jamie Drysdale, but Andrae adds a layer of relentlessness to that core of smaller offensive defensemen.
His skating allows him to escape pressure without defaulting to glass-and-out clears. His vision allows him to identify transition opportunities early, and his willingness to attack open ice forces opposing forechecks to hesitate.
Those traits are especially valuable for a Flyers team that relies heavily on structure and pace to generate offense. A clean breakout is often the first offensive play, and Andrae has shown he can initiate those sequences.
What he’s learning now is when to be aggressive and when to be simple—a crucial and delicate balance that separates promising young defensemen from reliable NHL regulars.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae (36). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
A Critical Stage in His Long-Term Development
The six games Andrae spent out of the lineup may ultimately, in a twisted sort of way, benefit him in the long run.
From the press box, the game slows down. Patterns become clearer, making mistakes easier to recognize without the immediacy of competition. As frustrating as it is not to be on the ice, for young defensemen dealing with stagnation, those observational stretches can accelerate growth, allowing Andrae to return with both perspective and motivation.
He knows what earned him his initial opportunity. He also knows what cost him his place, and no doubt he understands what’s required to keep it.
The good thing is that Andrae doesn't have to scrap his whole game and start over. As Tocchet pointed out, the expectation is not for Andrae to completely reinvent his game, but to refine it and stay consistent with it. Keep the mobility; keep the confidence; keep the creativity. But going along with that, pair those clear strengths with restraint, positional awareness, and situational judgment.
A Meaningful Opportunity for Player and Team
For the Flyers, reinserting Andrae is more than just switching up the lineup in the hopes of taking three points away from New York. The team is simultaneously evaluating his nightly performance and his trajectory.
Can Andrae become a reliable puck-moving presence in their top six?
Can he handle defensive responsibility in critical moments?
Can he grow into a player they can trust in all situations?
Those answers won’t come after one game, but they’ll begin to emerge now, as he steps back onto the ice—not as the wide-eyed up-and-down kid from his first stints with the big club, but as a more mature and experienced young defenseman who has felt both the momentum of early success and the humility of stepping back.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman would never let it happen in today's NHL President Clarence Campbell did 'way back when, and the Blueshirts were the victims.
It all took place in the 1959-60season, Rangers GM Muzz Patrick dealt defenseman Bill Gadsby and forward Eddie Shack to Toronto. In addition to Leafs defenseman Red Kelly, New York also would obtain forward Billy McNeill on Feb. 5, 1960
On the surface the exchange seemed reasonable all around. Gadsby and Kelly wound up in the Hall of Fame while Shack and McNeill proved to be useful second liners.
There was only one problem; the deal never was officially made. Kelly chose to retire than play for a Blueshirt sextet run into the ice – or ground, if you will – by Patrick.
"As it happened," said Associated Press reporter Shelly Sakowitz, "Kelly never intended to retire. He got an offer to play for Toronto and accepted.
Leafs boss Punch Imlach moved Kelly up to center and he helped Toronto win four Cups in six years."
Campbell killed the original deal while Gadsby later was traded to Detroit. Postscript: Gadsby played 20 years in the NHL but never for a Cup-winner.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman would never let it happen in today's NHL President Clarence Campbell did 'way back when, and the Blueshirts were the victims.
It all took place in the 1959-60season, Rangers GM Muzz Patrick dealt defenseman Bill Gadsby and forward Eddie Shack to Toronto. In addition to Leafs defenseman Red Kelly, New York also would obtain forward Billy McNeill on Feb. 5, 1960
On the surface the exchange seemed reasonable all around. Gadsby and Kelly wound up in the Hall of Fame while Shack and McNeill proved to be useful second liners.
There was only one problem; the deal never was officially made. Kelly chose to retire than play for a Blueshirt sextet run into the ice – or ground, if you will – by Patrick.
"As it happened," said Associated Press reporter Shelly Sakowitz, "Kelly never intended to retire. He got an offer to play for Toronto and accepted.
Leafs boss Punch Imlach moved Kelly up to center and he helped Toronto win four Cups in six years."
Campbell killed the original deal while Gadsby later was traded to Detroit. Postscript: Gadsby played 20 years in the NHL but never for a Cup-winner.
Back to work are the Detroit Red Wings following the Olympic break, which saw Dylan Larkin and Team USA capture the gold medal for the first time since the iconic Miracle on Ice squad of 1980.
Detroit’s first game out of the break will immediately pit Larkin and the Red Wings against his Team USA teammate Brady Tkachuk and the Ottawa Senators, who have been a thorn in Detroit’s side over the past three seasons.
Ottawa is currently fighting for its playoff life, while the Red Wings are looking to gain ground in the tightly packed Atlantic Division standings after slipping into the first Wild Card spot.
They are tied in points with the Montreal Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres, but both teams hold the tiebreaker.
Defenseman Mortiz Seider, who led all Team Germany defensemen in total ice time during the Olympics, is looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.
"It's going to be great, everyone is really excited," Seider said following Detroit's skate on Thursday morning. "It's been a while since we've worn the red and white jersey. Everyone is looking forward to having a good start, don't overcomplicate things, and get right back into action."
With 24 games left in the schedule, the onus is on the Red Wings to maintain a consistent level of play that allows them to get a leg up on their competition.
"They're going to be crucial, especially since we have a lot of four-point games ahead of us," Seider said of Detroit's remaining games. "We play a lot of divisional opponents, and those will be key. You can separate in those situations, and that's exactly what we had to do. Tonight will be a good challenge for us to do so."
Among the 24 games Detroit has left on the schedule are 10 against Atlantic Division opponents, beginning on Thursday against the Senators.
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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.
Back to work are the Detroit Red Wings following the Olympic break, which saw Dylan Larkin and Team USA capture the gold medal for the first time since the iconic Miracle on Ice squad of 1980.
Detroit’s first game out of the break will immediately pit Larkin and the Red Wings against his Team USA teammate Brady Tkachuk and the Ottawa Senators, who have been a thorn in Detroit’s side over the past three seasons.
Ottawa is currently fighting for its playoff life, while the Red Wings are looking to gain ground in the tightly packed Atlantic Division standings after slipping into the first Wild Card spot.
They are tied in points with the Montreal Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres, but both teams hold the tiebreaker.
Defenseman Mortiz Seider, who led all Team Germany defensemen in total ice time during the Olympics, is looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.
"It's going to be great, everyone is really excited," Seider said following Detroit's skate on Thursday morning. "It's been a while since we've worn the red and white jersey. Everyone is looking forward to having a good start, don't overcomplicate things, and get right back into action."
With 24 games left in the schedule, the onus is on the Red Wings to maintain a consistent level of play that allows them to get a leg up on their competition.
"They're going to be crucial, especially since we have a lot of four-point games ahead of us," Seider said of Detroit's remaining games. "We play a lot of divisional opponents, and those will be key. You can separate in those situations, and that's exactly what we had to do. Tonight will be a good challenge for us to do so."
Among the 24 games Detroit has left on the schedule are 10 against Atlantic Division opponents, beginning on Thursday against the Senators.
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 2026 NHL trade deadline is rapidly approaching, as it is just over a week away. With this, trade activity around the NHL is certainly going to pick up.
The Montreal Canadiens are undoubtedly a team to keep an eye on, as they should be looking to add to their roster. Due to this, let's look at two players from the Columbus Blue Jackets who the Canadiens should consider targeting if the Metropolitan Division club ends up being sellers.
Charlie Coyle, C
The Canadiens could use another impactful center, and the Blue Jackets have a very solid one in Charlie Coyle. The pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) is an impactful two-way forward who could play in the Canadiens' middle six and on both their penalty kill and power play if acquired.
Coyle is also having a strong 2025-26 season with the Blue Jackets. In 56 games so far this season, the Massachusetts native has recorded 15 goals, 27 assists, 42 points, 76 hits, and a plus-4 rating. With numbers like these, he would be a strong pickup for the Habs.
Boone Jenner, C/LW
Boone Jenner is another pending UFA on the Blue Jackets who could be a great addition for the Canadiens. The 32-year-old is well-known for his strong leadership qualities, and it is exactly why he is currently captain of the Blue Jackets. With this, he could be a good mentor for the Canadiens' younger players if they landed him.
Jenner would also give the Canadiens a forward who could play both center and the wing in their top nine. In 42 games this season with Columbus, he has recorded eight goals, 19 assists, 27 points, and 92 hits.
The 2026 NHL trade deadline is rapidly approaching, as it is just over a week away. With this, trade activity around the NHL is certainly going to pick up.
The Montreal Canadiens are undoubtedly a team to keep an eye on, as they should be looking to add to their roster. Due to this, let's look at two players from the Columbus Blue Jackets who the Canadiens should consider targeting if the Metropolitan Division club ends up being sellers.
Charlie Coyle, C
The Canadiens could use another impactful center, and the Blue Jackets have a very solid one in Charlie Coyle. The pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) is an impactful two-way forward who could play in the Canadiens' middle six and on both their penalty kill and power play if acquired.
Coyle is also having a strong 2025-26 season with the Blue Jackets. In 56 games so far this season, the Massachusetts native has recorded 15 goals, 27 assists, 42 points, 76 hits, and a plus-4 rating. With numbers like these, he would be a strong pickup for the Habs.
Boone Jenner, C/LW
Boone Jenner is another pending UFA on the Blue Jackets who could be a great addition for the Canadiens. The 32-year-old is well-known for his strong leadership qualities, and it is exactly why he is currently captain of the Blue Jackets. With this, he could be a good mentor for the Canadiens' younger players if they landed him.
Jenner would also give the Canadiens a forward who could play both center and the wing in their top nine. In 42 games this season with Columbus, he has recorded eight goals, 19 assists, 27 points, and 92 hits.
But despite the knowledge that he won't be able to help his team on the ice during their stretch run to the playoffs, Crosby was in good spirits as he spoke with Pittsburgh media Wednesday at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, Pa. and reflected on his time in Milan.
"Yeah, it was great. Awesome experience, really, everything," Crosby said. "The hockey, just the setup there, being able to experience the Olympics, it was special.
"Obviously, I was hoping for a different outcome but couldn't be more proud of the team, and just the experience overall was unbelievable."
It comes as no surprise that Crosby is disappointed that his injury will hold him out of the NHL season, and that was the same sentiment in Milan, when he missed Canada's final two games against Finland and Team USA in the medal round and the team came up short, earning the silver medal after an overtime defeat at the hands of the Americans.
But, even as he weighed whether or not he could play, he admits that playing in the gold medal game was all he had his mind set on - and not necessarily the ramifications for his NHL season.
"I'll be honest with you... all I cared about was playing that game and focusing on that," Crosby said. "That's not any disrespect to our team or what I feel about this season or anything like that. We all put a lot of work in to try to be as successful as possible here. But, given the opportunity to play in the Olympics and in that game, I think trying to play was all my focus was on."
He maintains that he made the right decision to hold out knowing that he wouldn't have been able to operate close to 100 percent and that there was a healthy player who could take his spot instead. But, that said, he also mentioned that he was very close to playing.
"Close. A lot closer than I thought. A day or two after, I thought that I might be... yeah, I didn't think it was necessarily going to be an option, so the fact that I even had a chance or was close to it... yeah, the staff there was unbelievable in trying to go through that whole process."
He added: "If you can't go out there and do a job and be relied upon with the team and the guy next to you, then you can't force it. And that's what it came down to."
Given his injury, it's fair to wonder whether he things the risk outweighs the benefit of NHL players going to the Olympics. But he knows how much it means to the players to have the chance to go represent their countries on the biggest stage and how much it means to himself.
And that is especially true for Crosby, as Milan could very well have been his final Olympic appearance.
So, what about 2030? Is Crosby thinking ahead?
"Yeah, I try not to think that far ahead," Crosby said. "My mind was just on trying to play, and you can't let that creep into your head. When you're trying to overcome something or when you have something that's challenging, I think the worst thing you can do is think of worst-case scenarios... it's still a long ways away, but that wasn't really something I tried to think about too much."
Well, that's just about the answer one should expect from a two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time Stanley Cup champion, especially with his team in the midst of a playoff stretch run and his production refusing to slow down. Crosby is still hungry as ever to win, and he has a chance to do so with the Penguins this season.
"I'm confident," Crosby said. "I think we've shown all year, we've had injuries, and guys have stepped up. To get to where we're at at this point, I think it's because of our team play. I don't think it's been any one person. It's because, collectively as a group, we've found different ways to win, and different guys have stepped up. So, as long as we continue to do that and understand that, I think we give ourselves a good chance."
And Crosby very much wants to be back in the Stanley Cup playoffs once again.
"That's why we play," Crosby said. "Obviously, the Olympics was a great opportunity and an experience, but I think you shift your focus to [playing] in the playoffs. It's so special and so fun to be in those big games and play for that.
But despite the knowledge that he won't be able to help his team on the ice during their stretch run to the playoffs, Crosby was in good spirits as he spoke with Pittsburgh media Wednesday at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, Pa. and reflected on his time in Milan.
"Yeah, it was great. Awesome experience, really, everything," Crosby said. "The hockey, just the setup there, being able to experience the Olympics, it was special.
"Obviously, I was hoping for a different outcome but couldn't be more proud of the team, and just the experience overall was unbelievable."
It comes as no surprise that Crosby is disappointed that his injury will hold him out of the NHL season, and that was the same sentiment in Milan, when he missed Canada's final two games against Finland and Team USA in the medal round and the team came up short, earning the silver medal after an overtime defeat at the hands of the Americans.
But, even as he weighed whether or not he could play, he admits that playing in the gold medal game was all he had his mind set on - and not necessarily the ramifications for his NHL season.
"I'll be honest with you... all I cared about was playing that game and focusing on that," Crosby said. "That's not any disrespect to our team or what I feel about this season or anything like that. We all put a lot of work in to try to be as successful as possible here. But, given the opportunity to play in the Olympics and in that game, I think trying to play was all my focus was on."
He maintains that he made the right decision to hold out knowing that he wouldn't have been able to operate close to 100 percent and that there was a healthy player who could take his spot instead. But, that said, he also mentioned that he was very close to playing.
"Close. A lot closer than I thought. A day or two after, I thought that I might be... yeah, I didn't think it was necessarily going to be an option, so the fact that I even had a chance or was close to it... yeah, the staff there was unbelievable in trying to go through that whole process."
He added: "If you can't go out there and do a job and be relied upon with the team and the guy next to you, then you can't force it. And that's what it came down to."
Given his injury, it's fair to wonder whether he things the risk outweighs the benefit of NHL players going to the Olympics. But he knows how much it means to the players to have the chance to go represent their countries on the biggest stage and how much it means to himself.
And that is especially true for Crosby, as Milan could very well have been his final Olympic appearance.
So, what about 2030? Is Crosby thinking ahead?
"Yeah, I try not to think that far ahead," Crosby said. "My mind was just on trying to play, and you can't let that creep into your head. When you're trying to overcome something or when you have something that's challenging, I think the worst thing you can do is think of worst-case scenarios... it's still a long ways away, but that wasn't really something I tried to think about too much."
Well, that's just about the answer one should expect from a two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time Stanley Cup champion, especially with his team in the midst of a playoff stretch run and his production refusing to slow down. Crosby is still hungry as ever to win, and he has a chance to do so with the Penguins this season.
"I'm confident," Crosby said. "I think we've shown all year, we've had injuries, and guys have stepped up. To get to where we're at at this point, I think it's because of our team play. I don't think it's been any one person. It's because, collectively as a group, we've found different ways to win, and different guys have stepped up. So, as long as we continue to do that and understand that, I think we give ourselves a good chance."
And Crosby very much wants to be back in the Stanley Cup playoffs once again.
"That's why we play," Crosby said. "Obviously, the Olympics was a great opportunity and an experience, but I think you shift your focus to [playing] in the playoffs. It's so special and so fun to be in those big games and play for that.
San Jose Sharks blueliner Mario Ferraro is one of the NHL's top trade candidate defensemen with the deadline right around the corner. The Sharks certainly could decide to keep him around, but there is no question that he should generate interest from several clubs.
Now, based on a new report, a Metropolitan Division club has Ferraro on its radar.
According to The Fourth Period, the Carolina Hurricanes are among the teams linked to Ferraro, with the deadline getting closer.
The Hurricanes are not the only team that has been linked to Ferraro, though, as the Colorado Avalanche have for a decent chunk of this season as well.
If the Hurricanes landed Ferraro, he would certainly have the potential to give their defensive group a nice boost. He could fit nicely on their bottom pairing and penalty kill if acquired due to his solid defensive play and grit.
With the Hurricanes being one of the top teams in the NHL, it would make a lot of sense for them to add a defenseman like Ferraro to their depth ahead of the playoffs. He is exactly the kind of rugged defenseman that contenders love to add, so he could be a good fit on the Hurricanes.
Yet, with Ferraro being an important part of the Sharks' defense, the possibility of him staying put in San Jose is there. Time will tell what happens on that front.
San Jose Sharks blueliner Mario Ferraro is one of the NHL's top trade candidate defensemen with the deadline right around the corner. The Sharks certainly could decide to keep him around, but there is no question that he should generate interest from several clubs.
Now, based on a new report, a Metropolitan Division club has Ferraro on its radar.
According to The Fourth Period, the Carolina Hurricanes are among the teams linked to Ferraro, with the deadline getting closer.
The Hurricanes are not the only team that has been linked to Ferraro, though, as the Colorado Avalanche have for a decent chunk of this season as well.
If the Hurricanes landed Ferraro, he would certainly have the potential to give their defensive group a nice boost. He could fit nicely on their bottom pairing and penalty kill if acquired due to his solid defensive play and grit.
With the Hurricanes being one of the top teams in the NHL, it would make a lot of sense for them to add a defenseman like Ferraro to their depth ahead of the playoffs. He is exactly the kind of rugged defenseman that contenders love to add, so he could be a good fit on the Hurricanes.
Yet, with Ferraro being an important part of the Sharks' defense, the possibility of him staying put in San Jose is there. Time will tell what happens on that front.
The Seattle Kraken take on the St. Louis Blues for the second half of a back-to-back tonight.
The Kraken were defeated 4-1 by the Dallas Stars yesterday in their return to action. Ryker Evans scored the lone goal in the third period while the Kraken were trailing the Stars 4-0. The Kraken were outplayed by the Stars, losing the shot battle 32-19. The Kraken also went 0-4 on the power play.
Tonight, they’ll take on the 31st-ranked St. Louis Blues team, who will be without their No.1 center, Robert Thomas.
The Blues have really struggled to keep the puck out of their net this season, allowing 3.51 goals per game, ranking tied for 30th in the NHL. Offensively, they rank tied for 28th in goals scored per game, averaging 2.56. Although the Blues entered the season hoping to return to the playoffs, they’ve fallen far short and appear to be sellers at the deadline.
After last night’s loss, the Kraken have slid to fourth place in the Pacific Division, trailing the Edmonton Oilers for third by one point and the Anaheim Ducks for second by two points.
In the midst of a playoff race, two points in regulation against the 31st-ranked team in the NHL is a must.
Kaapo Kakko did not play against the Stars, and Ryan Lindgren was forced to exit in the first period after skating in just 1:24 of ice time.
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