BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Kings and the New York Islanders meet in a non-conference matchup.
Los Angeles has a 24-22-14 record overall and a 9-14-7 record on its home ice. The Kings have an 18-2-7 record in games they score at least three goals.
New York has a 35-22-5 record overall and an 18-12-3 record in road games. The Islanders have an 18-5-0 record in games decided by one goal.
The matchup Thursday is the first meeting this season between the two clubs.
TOP PERFORMERS: Artemi Panarin has 19 goals and 41 assists for the Kings. Adrian Kempe has five goals and six assists over the last 10 games.
Mathew Barzal has 17 goals and 38 assists for the Islanders. Matthew Schaefer has scored seven goals with three assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 3-6-1, averaging 2.1 goals, 3.4 assists, 3.9 penalties and 11 penalty minutes while giving up 3.3 goals per game.
Islanders: 7-3-0, averaging 3.3 goals, 5.2 assists, 2.9 penalties and 6.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.
INJURIES: Kings: None listed.
Islanders: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Minnesota Wild (36-16-10, in the Central Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (29-19-14, in the Pacific Division)
Paradise, Nevada; Friday, 10 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Wild visit the Vegas Golden Knights after the Golden Knights defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 in overtime.
Vegas is 29-19-14 overall and 14-8-7 in home games. The Golden Knights have a +13 scoring differential, with 204 total goals scored and 191 allowed.
Minnesota has an 18-9-3 record on the road and a 36-16-10 record overall. The Wild rank eighth in NHL play with 205 total goals (averaging 3.3 per game).
The teams match up Friday for the third time this season. The Wild won 5-2 in the previous meeting.
TOP PERFORMERS: Mark Stone has 21 goals and 38 assists for the Golden Knights. Ivan Barbashev has seven goals and two assists over the past 10 games.
Quinn Hughes has six goals and 55 assists for the Wild. Matthew Boldy has scored eight goals with 13 assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Golden Knights: 4-5-1, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.7 assists, three penalties and 6.9 penalty minutes while giving up 3.1 goals per game.
Wild: 7-2-1, averaging four goals, 6.8 assists, 3.5 penalties and 7.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.
INJURIES: Golden Knights: None listed.
Wild: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Montreal Canadiens (33-18-9, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Anaheim Ducks (34-24-3, in the Pacific Division)
Anaheim, California; Friday, 9 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Montreal Canadiens visit the Anaheim Ducks after Alexander Newhook's two-goal game against the San Jose Sharks in the Canadiens' 7-5 loss.
Anaheim is 34-24-3 overall and 21-9-1 at home. The Ducks have gone 15-7-2 when they commit fewer penalties than their opponent.
Montreal has a 33-18-9 record overall and a 16-7-7 record on the road. The Canadiens have a 30-7-8 record in games they score at least three goals.
Friday's game is the first time these teams meet this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Cutter Gauthier has 31 goals and 24 assists for the Ducks. Beckett Sennecke has five goals and eight assists over the past 10 games.
Cole Caufield has 35 goals and 25 assists for the Canadiens. Nicholas Suzuki has four goals and 10 assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Ducks: 7-3-0, averaging 3.5 goals, 6.1 assists, 2.7 penalties and 5.9 penalty minutes while giving up 3.1 goals per game.
Canadiens: 5-3-2, averaging 4.1 goals, 6.9 assists, 3.9 penalties and 8.1 penalty minutes while giving up 3.1 goals per game.
INJURIES: Ducks: None listed.
Canadiens: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Times
are tense around the St. Louis Blues, especially with the news of the
day Wednesday being reported my multiple people that the team has the
framework of a trade with the Buffalo Sabres that includes long-time
defenseman Colton Parayko.
But
the schedule doesn’t stop, and the Blues put up another ‘W’ in
the win column.
As
first reported by TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Blues and Sabres are in
agreement of a trade, that reportedly includes Buffalo’s
first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, defenseman Radim Mrtka, along
with a first-round pick plus other pieces, the deal hinges on Parayko
waiving his full no-trade clause, which he hasn’t done so yet, and
I've been told that initially, the 11-year veteran is reluctant
to do so (that could change by Thursday or Friday):
In
the meantime, the Blues continue to motor on, winning their second
straight road game after 10 straight losses away from Enterprise
Center, and third win in four games after the Olympic break, downing
the Seattle Kraken, 3-2, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
Robert
Thomas had his second one-goal, one-assist game in as many games
since returning from a right leg injury/personal reasons; Brayden
Schenn with a three-assist game; Logan Mailloux scored in his second
straight game and played a career-high 22:52; Dylan Holloway scored
his fifth goal in three games this season against Seattle (29-23-9),
and Joel Hofer came up large again with 34 saves for the Blues
(23-29-9), who have scored three or more goals in nine of the past 10
games.
Let’s
go into Wednesday’s game observations:
*
Thomas looks motivated – You think Thomas doesn’t hear all this
trade talk surrounding, not only him but several other Blues key
cogs? You bet he does. And just how much do you think it’s
motivating him right now? Plenty.
For
the second straight game since having a right leg procedure done,
Thomas put up two points and has two goals and two assists since
returning. He looks healthy, smooth and fluent in his game, and it
was his goal that turned out to be the game-winner when he took a
smooth pass from Schenn in the slot and whipped a one-timer past
Philipp Grubauer to make it 3-1 at 1:33 of the third period:
Thomas
played 16:53 and had four shot attempts (two on goal) and won 10 of
16 face-offs (63 percent) and was on the ice late taking draws when
the Blues were killing a 6-on-4 late in the game trying to preserve a
one-goal lead.
*
Look out for Mailloux – Keep the temperament
to
a minimum. Let’s allow the 22-year-old to continue to cook, but
that’s what’s been happening for the defenseman.
Not
only did he score for the second straight game on this wraparound
that tied the game 1-1 at 6:50 of the first period, but he logged an
NHL career-high 22:52 and played 20-plus minutes for the third
straight game:
I’ll
have more on a separate story on Mailloux on Thursday, but it’s
evident that this kid is becoming more assertive and confident in
what he’s doing on the ice, and what he told me was it’s stemming
from killing plays in the D-zone and doing things defensively that’s
leading to other aspects of his game.
Mailloux
was a plus-1, the fourth straight game in which he’s a plus (plus-5
total) and was second to only Holloway (six) in shots on goal with
four (on seven attempts); his ice time in the game was second to only
Philip Broberg’s 26:19.
Is
he finally starting to turn a corner here? Let’s see if it
continues moving forward, but as a fan, you have to be encouraged
that this has been a stretch of games going back to prior to the
Olympic break that Mailloux’s game has started to change for the
better.
*
Holloway loves him some ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ – Holloway is up
to 12 goals on the season now, and his redirection of a Cam Fowler
thread-the-needle pass to the crease at 7:40 of the second period
that gave the Blues a 2-1 lead was his fourth against the Kraken in
less than a week – he had a hat trick in a 5-1 Blues win over
Seattle at home on Feb. 26 – and fifth of the season after scoring
on them in November:
So
nearly 50 percent of his goals this season have come against one
team, but it was another game in which ‘Hollywood’ Holloway was
noticeable on the ice with his speed and aggressive play around the
puck at both ends of the ice, playing
16:12 in the game (plus-1).
And as evidenced by the video, his determination to drive to the net
after giving up the puck at the O-zone blue line is another example
of a player playing injury free and doing things that was lacking by
this group when it was struggling.
* The captain bringing it again – His name is one that has been floated
around in the rumor mill going back to last season, and it’s one of
the names running rampant again as this year’s NHL Trade Deadline
is nearing on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. (CT) but no matter the
circumstances, he’s bringing it again.
The
alpha in the room and on the ice had a hand in all three goals and
had his second three-point game of the season. As he indicated prior
to departing on this current three-game trip, players just need to
put their heads down and go to work and let things fall into place
with Friday’s deadline looming.
Schenn
played 14:24 and has four assists his past two games and was a plus-2
Wednesday with three shots on goal.
*
Hot Hofer – Honestly, I didn’t like the goal scored by former
Blue Jaden Schwartz just 31 seconds into the game that made it 1-0
Seattle. It came off a wrister from the right point by Adam Larsson
that I thought Hofer could have done better with his rebound control
and put it right into the path of Schwartz instead of off to the side
or into the corner, but boy did he hold the fort down after that,
especially in the third period.
There’s
nothing he could do on another goal by a former Blue, Vince Dunn, in
the third period on a slot shot that cut it to 3-2 with 6:26 to play,
but Hofer was in control of his crease throughout and made 15 saves
in the third period. He had to be especially sharp when Justin Faulk
airmailed a backhand over the glass for delay of game with 2:06 to
play and Seattle playing with a 6-on-4 situation in a one-goal game.
Hofer,
who has won all three starts coming out of the break allowing just
four goals, gloved Brandon Montour’s dart from the point with five
seconds left in regulation to preserve the lead and ultimately, win
the game.
Hofer
has a 1.33 goals-against average and .952 save percentage in the
three starts coming out of the break.
Are
we seeing the changing of the guard with him and Jordan Binnington?
Sort of seems that way, doesn't it? Or at least they're giving the 1B coming into the season more runway, at least.
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Two days before the NHL trade deadline, the Anaheim Ducks hosted the New York Islanders on Wednesday night at Honda Center. This game was the 2500th game in the history of the Anaheim Ducks/Mighty Ducks of Anaheim franchise.
The Ducks were playing their second game of a back-to-back, as they were defeated by the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, a game that snapped their five-game winning streak.
New York was playing their first game of a back-to-back, and entered play on a five-game winning streak of their own.
Ducks forward Frank Vatrano was activated off IR before the game and was inserted into the lineup. Ryan Strome had missed the last six games, both due to healthy scratches and illness, and was also re-entered the lineup. Mikael Granlund was placed on IR in a corresponding transaction.
Here’s how the Ducks lined up in this game:
Kreider-Carlsson-Gauthier
Killorn-McTavish-Sennecke
Vatrano-Poehling-Strome
Johnston-Washe-Viel
LaCombe-Trouba
Zellweger-Gudas
Mintyukov-Moore
For the first time in eight games and for the first time since Jan. 26, Ville Husso got the start for the Ducks. He saved 42 of the 43 shots he faced in this game. David Rittich opposed Husso in the Islanders’ net, who stopped 21 of 25.
“I liked our game tonight. I know the shot clock was in their favor by a big number, but at the same time, I thought we had more energy in this game from the start to finish than we had since we’ve been back (from the Olympic break),” Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville said after the game. “Physically, it was a hard game for both teams, and I liked the way we played, competed in the back-to-back game. So, I thought we did a lot of good things.”
Game Notes
Once again, the Ducks surrendered the first goal of the game, but they responded with three goals in quick succession to end the first period with a 3-1 lead. From there, the Islanders made a continuous push in the second amid a myriad of penalties on both sides. The Ducks played one of their strongest stretches early in the third period, got a quick tally, and Islanders’ coach Patrick Roy pulled Rittich with 8:33 left in the third, afterwhich the Ducks eventually extended their lead to 5-1.
Between the penalties and the early goalie pull, this game only featured 37:38 of 5v5 play. During that time, the Ducks accounted for 45% of the shots on goal, 49.4% of the shot attempts, and 43.7% of the expected goals.
Ville Husso: Husso was challenged early with perimeter shots that led to rebounds in tight that his defensemen had a difficult time finding, as they also struggled to box out New York’s heavy forwards. Quenneville said it seemed like he had velcro on him because pucks were sticking to him as the game wore on.
Day-to-day, Husso remains on the ice for extended periods after Ducks practices, both to help skaters looking to refine their skills and to keep himself fresh for these instances when he gets the call to start an occasional game. He rose to the challenge, and while he didn’t make many spectacular saves, his anticipation and knowledge of angles kept his team within striking distance when the game could have gotten out of hand early.
Ian Moore: Ian Moore returned to his natural position on the blueline and didn’t seem to miss a beat. In fact, he played with added confidence with the puck on his stick and was the driver on his team’s third goal. He is calmer with the time and space afforded to him in all three zones, and in the offensive zone, he is picking opportune times to activate, pinch, or drive the middle lane to either make himself a dangerous option or disrupt the opposing defensive structure in front of him.
He’s still being utilized as a forward on the penalty kill. His explosive lateral movement is beneficial at the top of the diamond, and he thinks like a defenseman, so he’s always scanning and aware, on the weak side of the diamond, of the weak side flank cutting to the back post in an attempt to find a seam.
Ryan Strome/Frank Vatrano: This hasn’t been an easy season for the pair of veteran Ducks forwards. They’ve struggled to carve out meaningful roles for themselves and produce on the scoresheet. Both played their first game in weeks, next to the speedy and responsible Ryan Poehling, and made the most of their shifts.
Strome’s vision was on full display, as his two pacey linemates opened up several cross-ice seams all game, which he exploited on several occasions while cycling. Vatrano was a key contributor on the Ducks’ cohesive and energetic forecheck all game long, which hounded New York’s defensemen into throwing area passes up the wall where they could be met by a pinching defenseman or F3 forward.
Vatrano’s F1 work to pressure Matthew Schaefer into a quick slip pass attempt upon a retrieval, and Strome’s effort to win position against Adam Boqvist were integral elements to Poehling’s goal, the Ducks’ fourth, in this game.
The Ducks will return to action hours after Friday’s NHL trade deadline passes, as they’ll host the Montreal Canadiens at 6 PM PST.
The California trip got off to a thud of a start with a 5-1 loss in Anaheim as the Islanders could not get much going and could not finish nor get better looks against the Ducks’ backup-backup goalie.
Ville Husso made 42 saves, but the game really turned in the first period as the Islanders gave up three quick goals, the first one on a Ducks power play, to erase the Anders Lee power play goal that opened scoring.
Trailing 3-1 going into the first intermission, the Isles outshot Anaheim 13-4 in the second period (though that looks more lopsided than it was) but still couldn’t get back on the board.
When Ryan Poehling scored early in the third to make it 4-1, that was about it. With Mathew Schaefer’s regular partner Ryan Pulock out, Poehling’s goal was another occasion where Schaefer and Scott Mayfield were not in sync heading back to the D zone, though Calum Ritchie was the guiltiest party leaving Poehling all alone in front with time to beat David Rittich.
As Anders Lee said, they need to wipe this one away quickly because they play again Thursday night in L.A. They banked some runway with their three comeback wins coming out of the Olympic break and five-game win streak overall, but they need to get something from the next two games against Western wild card chasers.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Nikolaj Ehlers sealed his seventh career hat trick with an empty-net goal and the Carolina Hurricanes held off the Vancouver Canucks for a 6-4 victory on Wednesday night.
Sean Walker, Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho each added a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes. Seth Jarvis had two assists and Brandon Bussi stopped 18 shots.
Filip Hronek had a goal and two assists for the Canucks, who have lost seven straight and have just two wins in their last 23 games (2-17-4).
Vancouver traded defenseman Tyler Myers to Dallas earlier in the day for a 2027 second-round draft pick and a 2029 fourth-rounder.
Marco Rossi scored and had an assist and Brock Boeser and Nils Hoglander added goals for the Canucks. Kevin Lankinen allowed four goals on 22 shots before getting pulled midway through the second period. He was replaced by Nikita Tolopilo, who made nine saves in relief.
The Canucks took a 2-1 lead on goals by Rossi and Hronek 44 seconds apart in the opening period.
Carolina took control with four consecutive goals in the second, with Walker, Ehlers, Aho and Ehlers again to make it 5-2.
Boeser scored with 43 seconds left in the second and Hoglander scored his first of the season to cut the Canucks' deficit to one at 5-4 6:45 into the third. But Ehlers sealed the win — and his hat trick — with 14 seconds left.
Vancouver played without forward Evander Kane, who general manager Patrik Allvin said was recovering from the flu.
VANCOUVER, CANADA - MARCH 4: Nikolaj Ehlers #27 of the Carolina Hurricanes scores a hat trick during the third period of their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on March 4, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Carolina Hurricanes got a hat trick from Nikolaj Ehlers and defeated the Vancouver Canucks, 6-4 on Wednesday night at Rogers Arena.
It was a tight game at the end as Ehlers netted his last goal into an empty net with just 14 seconds left. It was his second hat trick of the season and the seventh of his career.
At times it seemed like the Hurricanes might run away with things as they outshot the home team, 33-22, but Vancouver made it interesting.
After taking the lead early on a powerplay goal by Andrei Svechnikov, the Canucks scored twice before the end of the first period to carry a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
The Canes would come roaring back in the second period and scored four straight goals to pull ahead.
Sean Walker, Ehlers, Sebastian Aho, then Ehlers again provided the offensive push.
Aho’s goal gave him 60 points making him just one of four other Finnish players to score 60 points or more in eight straight seasons. He joins Kurri, Selanne, and Rantanen.
The Canucks scored late in the second and early in the third to make it a one goal game but it stayed that way until near the end.
Brandon Bussi picked up another win giving him a 25-3-1 record. Bussi didn’t look sharp at times but made the saves he needed to when it counted, which he has done often this season. That makes nine wins in a row for the netminder.
Brandon Bussi now the fastest goaltender in NHL history to 25 career wins.
SEATTLE (AP) — Dylan Holloway scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, Brayden Schenn had three assists and the St. Louis Blues beat the Seattle Kraken 3-2 on Wednesday night.
Robert Thomas added a goal and an assist, and defenseman Logan Mailloux also scored as the last-place Blues improved to 9-17-3 on the road with their second consecutive victory away from home against a playoff contender.
Joel Hofer made 34 saves for St. Louis, which won 3-1 on Sunday at Minnesota after going 2-8-1 in its previous 11 games.
Seattle defenseman Vince Dunn had a goal and an assist. Jaden Schwartz also scored for the Kraken, who had won five in a row at home without giving up more than two goals in any of them. Philipp Grubauer stopped 24 shots.
Seattle fell to 2-1 on its six-game homestand and 7-4-0 in its last 11 overall. The Kraken, who hold the second wild card and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, remained one point behind third-place Edmonton in the Pacific Division with a game in hand on the Oilers.
Holloway gave the Blues a 2-1 lead with his 12th goal at 7:40 of the second. The 24-year-old forward scored St. Louis' first hat trick this season and added an assist when he returned from a sprained ankle to lead the Blues over Seattle 5-1 at home in their first game back from the Olympic break last Thursday.
Thomas made it 3-1 just 1:33 into the third. Dunn trimmed Seattle's deficit to one at 13:34.
Up next
Blues: Visit the San Jose Sharks on Friday night, the third stop on a four-game trip.
Kraken: Host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.
DETROIT (AP) — Tomas Hertl scored a power-play goal with 2:49 remaining in overtime and the Vegas Golden Knights rallied from a two-goal, third-period deficit to edge the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 on Wednesday night.
Hertl scored in front off a pass from Mitch Marner as Vegas snapped a three-game losing streak. Marner scored the tying goal with 3:24 left in regulation and had two assists.
Reilly Smith and Ivan Barbashev had the other goals for Vegas, which wrapped up a five-game road trip. Adin Hill made 23 saves in the Golden Knights’ third game in four nights.
Simon Edvinsson and Alex DeBrincat each had a goal and an assist for Detroit, which is now 24-1-3 when leading after two periods. Emmitt Finnie also scored for the Red Wings and Cam Talbot made 21 saves.
Vegas’ second-leading scorer, Mark Stone, missed the game due to an upper-body injury.
Vegas scored twice in the final nine minutes of regulation to erase a 3-1 deficit.
DEVILS 4, MAPLE LEAFS 3, SO
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Paul Cotter and Jesper Bratt scored in the shootout, Connor Brown forced overtime with a tying goal with 2:21 left in the third period and New Jersey beat Toronto, sending the Maple Leafs to their fifth straight loss.
Timo Meier and and Arseny Gritsyuk also scored in regulation for the Devils, who have won three in a row and improved to 25-8-1 when scoring at least three goals. Jacob Markstrom made 24 saves.
William Nylander, Matias Maccelli and Matthew Knies had goals for the Maple Leafs, who haven’t won since beating the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 on Feb. 3 — their last game before the Olympic break. Anthony Stolarz made 44 saves.
Cotter put a backhander past Stolarz to start the shootout for the Devils. After Nylander’s wrister was stopped, Bratt also scored on a backhander to put New Jersey up 2-0 in the shootout. Auston Matthews’ wrist shot was then stopped by Markstrom, giving the Devils the victory.
On Wednesday, Pittsburgh Penguins' GM and POHO Kyle Dubas made clear what his plans are for both Friday's NHL trade deadline and for the foreseeable future.
The Penguins figure to be one of the most interesting teams to watch on deadline day, as they find themselves second in the Metropolitan Division in a season many thought was going to be a lost one. They are near the top of the league in some of the most important categories - including goal differential (plus-29), regulation wins (27), and points percentage (.625) - and they are a legitimately good hockey team with a future that's becoming increasingly bright because of Dubas's asset management and track record with the NHL Draft.
However, they will still be without their best player in Sidney Crosby for a few weeks, and they have the league's most difficult schedule to close out the season. They could use a boost to their roster at the trade deadline, but Dubas made it clear that they are looking for specific types of players.
"In terms of acquisitions, I think where we look is both up front and on defense," Dubas said on the Penguins' 'GM Show' on iHeart Radio. "And I think the ideal acquisition for us will be a player that's in their 20s - closer to their mid-20s - that has some team control. Either they're signed or they are a pending-restricted free agent, or just where they're not a rental.
"That said, if we get closer to Friday, and there's a chance to add to the team with someone who is a rental, we could look at that, too. Everyone looks at the deadline as a time that you have to act, and I think it is."
Dubas also mentioned the Egor Chinakhov acquisition - the Penguins sent a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and forward Danton Heinen to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Chinakhov - as a blueprint for the type of trade they'd be looking for.
So, with that said, which forwards and blueliners would make sense for the Penguins? Who could fit the "Chinakhov template?"
Unfortunately, for both Perfetti and the Jets, things have not gone as planned this season. Just one year after capturing the President's Trophy as the league's top team in the regular season, the Jets may be lottery-bound, and Perfetti is having a somewhat forgettable year in his fifth season of NHL action.
The 24-year-old forward has a whole lot more potential as an offensive weapon, and a year ago, the Jets' 10th overall pick in 2020 would almost certainly have cost another first. But, with just eight goals and 22 points in 46 games this season in a second-line wing role, his stock has likely gone down.
He hasn't quite lived up to his billing in Winnipeg, and there have been trade rumors surrounding him for a long time. The Penguins might be able to snag the pending-RFA forward in hopes that he can rebound and be re-signed as a key part of their roster for the coming years.
Logan Stanley - Left Defenseman, Winnipeg Jets
Stanley is a towering defenseman at 6-foot-7, 231 pounds, and not only is he unafraid to use his size to his advantage in terms of physicality and reach, he's also a player who finally experienced a bit of a breakout in 2025-26.
He has nine goals and 21 points so far this season, and the left-side blueliner has the defensive toolset that the Penguins should be coveting as well. At 27 years old, he's still young enough to fit the mold of what they're looking for, and he isn't afraid to stand up for his teammates, as he is a bit of an old-schooler in terms of style.
Stanley is a pending-RFA, and he's a guy Winnipeg should want to keep. But it's possible that they sell high on him during what has, by far, been his most productive season as an NHLer.
Yes, the Blue Jackets are in the middle of a race to secure a playoff spot, and they have been one of the hottest teams in hockey for the last several weeks. In fact, they sit just five points behind the Penguins in the Metropolitan Division standings.
But that didn't stop them from making Johnson a healthy scratch on Feb. 28 against the New York Islanders. He has six goals and 18 points in 57 games this season, which is a steep dropoff from last season, when he recorded 24 goals and 57 points in 68 games.
Like Perfetti, he's 24 years old, he was drafted within the top-10 (fifth overall in 2021), he's a natural center who can play effectively on the wing, and he could badly use a change of scenery - not unlike his former-teammate-turned-Penguin in Egor Chinakhov. He is on the books for one more season at $1.8 million.
Simon Nemec - Right Defenseman, New Jersey Devils
Well, Devils' general manager Tom Fitzgerald did say his team would be listening on offers for some of his players, as New Jersey has found itself in the mix for a top-five pick this season. And one of those players is 22-year-old blueliner Simon Nemec.
He surely fits the "reclamation project" mold, as Nemec is still very raw and very much a work in progress. However, he has superstar potential, even if any team may have to be a little bit patient as he develops the defensive side of his game a bit more.
Nemec may the player on this list who would come with the highest acquisition cost, as the Devils will surely want a young scoring winger. Unfortunately, that's not something the Penguins have quite developed at the NHL level yet - other than Ben Kindel, who should be near-untouchable - so they would likely have to overpay and overcompensate for not necessarily having the available assets.
I wrote about Wright recently, and the song remains the same. His biggest issue at the NHL level so far has been consistency, and in his second semi-full NHL season, that might not be the end of the world.
So, it would likely still take a bit of a haul to bring the 22-year-old center to Pittsburgh, as it is rumored Seattle wants an established scoring winger in return. Of course, the Penguins have a few of those - such as Anthony Mantha and Rickard Rakell - but they may be pieces they're not willing to part with in the midst of a playoff run, especially with such a tight locker room.
He has 11 goals and 23 points in 60 games this season - a dropoff from last season - and he doesn't quite seem to fit in Seattle's system. However, he still has a year remaining on his entry-level contract, so they won't be in any hurry to move him unless a good offer comes along.
Zach Whitecloud - Right Defenseman, Calgary Flames
Perhaps the most logical and sensical name on this list is Whitecloud's, even if he is 29.
Whitecloud was traded to Calgary when Rasmus Andersson was sent to the Vegas Golden Knights earlier this season, and he is a right defenseman with some size who is fundamentally very solid - much like a Parker Wotherspoon. He can contribute occasionally on offense with two goals and 11 points in 59 games this season, but his steady defense and physicality are his bread and butter.
He is signed for two more years at $2.75 million AAV, and he is a great option to have as insurance on the right side behind Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang. He would make for a steady, solid bottom-pair defenseman, especially for their stretch run this season, and the acquisition cost shouldn't be terribly high.
For the same reason that Nemec may be made available by the Devils, Mercer is, too. However, he wouldn't cost nearly as much, and he would help fill a pressing need for the Penguins in the short- and long-term.
The 24-year-old has 13 goals and 30 points in 60 games this season, and his positional versatility, high IQ, 200-foot game, and offensive potential are all intriguing. But even if he isn't much more productive than he is at this point, he is a near-perfect third-line center for this team, and it would allow the Penguins to bump Ben Kindel up in the lineup.
He's signed for $4 million through the end of next season, so there is some staying power. The Penguins may be able to unlock more out of a player who already fills a need, and Mercer is someone Dubas should certainly target if he is available.
Braden Schneider - Right/Left Defenseman, New York Rangers
Even if Schneider has the tools to become an effective blueliner, he is largely unproven at this point, and the defensive side of his game could certainly use some work.
He is a pending-RFA, and there is some risk in acquiring a player like him - even if the 6-foot-3, 24-year-old blueliner certainly has a higher ceiling to reach and can play both sides. But this could be a perfect example of a guy who - like Chinakhov - needs a change of scenery and a new system to maximize his raw two-way talent and provide opportunity.
The Penguins shouldn't overpay here, but the Rangers won't sell him off cheap, either. This is a risk v. reward situation for them to weigh, and it could be one where all those second-round picks could come in handy.
Well, if there is a big fish on this list not named Robert Thomas (probably TOO big a fish for the Penguins at the moment), it's Pettersson. And it's no secret why.
Despite having two down years in a row when it comes to production, the 27-year-old is still very much capable of being one of the league's elite centers, and it was only two seasons ago where he was above point-per-game and three seasons ago when he registered 39 goals and 102 points. With only 13 goals and 35 points in 51 games so far in 2025-26 - as well as his $11.6 million cap hit through the 2029-30 season - there's a decent chance that this is the lowest acquisition cost for Pettersson there is going to be.
So, Dubas should be on the phone. This is a player long in dire need of a change of scenery, and the Penguins probably have the assets to pull it off without too much detriment to their future. And, well, he could be a big part of the picture for them.
Pavel Mintyukov - Left Defenseman, Anaheim Ducks
As long as the 22-year-old Mintyukov stays in Anaheim, he will probably be in the shadow of Jackson LaCombe and Olen Zellweger, both of whom have passed him on the depth chart. And it wasn't long ago that Mintyukov was unhappy with his role.
However, his play has elevated throughout the season, and he is now part of a Ducks team that is in the midst of a playoff chase. But he is still getting third-pair minutes, and there are still blueliners such as Ian Moore who will continue to push for playing time.
His puck-moving ability and offensive upside is reason enough to acquire him, as his seven goals and 17 points on the season put him just about on pace to match or surpass his rookie output. Anaheim should want to keep him - especially as they push for the playoffs - but they may still move the pending-RFA for the right price.
And if he is available, he's one of the more intriguing options for the Penguins.
With Nashville down a defenseman, a center and a winger, three call-ups were made Wednesday night following the Nick Blakenburg trade.
According to Nick Kieser of Lower Broad Hockey, LW Reid Schaefer, D Ryan Ukfo and C Fedor Svechkov have all been recalled from the Milwaukee Admirals.
Schaefer has played 27 games in Nashville this season as a rookie, recording four goals and two assists for six points and 13 penalty minutes. In Milwaukee, he has 28 points (15G, 13A) in 31 games and 55 penalty minutes.
This is Ufko's first call-up of the season. He has 44 points (11 goals, 33 assists) in 50 games and 20 penalty minutes. Ufko was the Admirals' lone AHL All-Star and is second in the league in defenseman points.
Svechkov has spent the majority of the season with the Predators, recording nine points (2 goals, 7 assists) in 49 games. He was assigned to the Admirals ahead of the Olympic break. In 10 games in Milwaukee, Svechkov has eight points (5 goals, 3 assists).
D Nick Blakenburg Traded To Colorado Avalanche For 2027 5th Round Pick
🔁TRADE:
We've acquired a fifth-round draft pick in 2027 from Colorado in exchange for defenseman Nick Blankenburg.
The Predators now have 12 picks in the 2027 NHL Draft, four of which are in the third round.
The 27-year-old was in the final season of a 2-year, $1.55 million contract, with him becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. Blankenburg is also the third upcoming UFA that's been traded by the Predators.
Blankenburg is in the midst of the best season of his career, scoring 21 points (6G, 15A) in 49 games and logging just 10 penalty minutes. This is the first season he has not split time between the NHL and AHL since 2022-23, and the first time he has recorded more than 20 points.
The Predators now have nine picks in the 2028 NHL Draft: two in the second and third rounds, one in the first round, and rounds four through seven.
Smith's trade was written on the walls as he played just three seconds in the Predators' 3-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, likely due to the trading rule. Smith was originally scratched alongside McCarron.
This season, Smith had 10 points (6G, 4A) in 41 games and 31 penalty minutes, skating on Nashville's fourth line. He is in the final year of a 2-year, $2 millon contract and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
Sedoff, a 24-year-old, 6-foot, 2-inch defenseman, was signed by the Golden Knights to a 3-year, entry-level contract in 2023, worth $2.61 million, which will expire at the end of this season.
Sedoff has yet to play an NHL game, spending three seasons with the Henderson Silver Knights. This season, in 38 games, Sedoff has no goals, four assists and 15 penalty minutes.
The Predators announced McCarron had been scratched prior to Tuesday’s road game against the Blue Jackets due to “roster management purposes.”
Nashville now has eight picks in the 2028 NHL Draft: one first round, two second round and one each in rounds three through seven.
He is in the final year of a 2-year, $1.8 million contract. McCarron will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
The 31-year-old, 6-foot-6-inch center has played in 59 games this season, recording 5 goals and 7 assists for 12 points. McCarron has also logged a team-high 73 penalty minutes.
With the NHL Trade Deadline fast approaching, the Winnipeg Jets appear to be at a crossroads. While several teams around the league are expected to sell off assets, Winnipeg’s recent play may complicate any plans to move key pieces before the deadline.
Much of the trade speculation surrounding the Jets has centered on defenseman Logan Stanley, a pending unrestricted free agent who has been linked to potential deals in recent weeks. However, beyond Stanley, Winnipeg has not been heavily involved in major trade rumors.
According to Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos, fans should not expect anything dramatic from the Jets before the deadline. Speaking Monday, Kypreos said he believes there are “no blockbuster moves coming out of Winnipeg,” adding that the organization is unlikely to move one of its top young assets like Cole Perfetti.
Instead, Winnipeg may be leaning toward keeping its core intact as the team continues to collect points. Since Jan. 6, the Jets have quietly posted a 9-5-6 record. That mark ties them with the Anaheim Ducks and the Minnesota Wild for the 11th-best record in the NHL during that span. The club has also earned points in four consecutive games heading into a difficult matchup Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
How Winnipeg performs in that game and in the days leading up to the deadline could influence its strategy. If the Jets continue to hold their own against top competition, recent reports suggest the team may shift away from selling and instead, they could look to strengthen its lineup.
David Pagnotta: There's interest from the Jets in Shane Wright, they're trying to solidify their second line - The Sheet (1/23)
The club is believed to be interested in adding scoring help to the second forward line while improving its depth offense. That approach could push the Jets toward pursuing a notable addition rather than dealing away pieces.
Whether Winnipeg ultimately sells, stands pat, or attempts to add ahead of the deadline remains to be seen. One thing that is clear is the Jets are not ready to concede the season, and there is belief within the team that it is better than its overall numbers suggest.
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The Calgary Flames have acquired defenceman Olli Määttä, prospect centre Jonathan Castagna, and three second-round selections in the 2026 NHL Draft (belonging to the New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, and Utah Mammoth) from Utah. In return, Calgary has traded defenceman MacKenzie Weegar to the Mammoth.
Määttä, a veteran blueliner from Jyväskylä, Finland, brings more than a decade of NHL experience to the Flames’ defensive group. The 31-year-old left-shot defenceman is 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds, and has appeared in 22 games with Utah this season. He is known for his steady defensive play, positioning, and veteran leadership on the back end.
Also joining the organization is centre Jonathan Castagna, a developing prospect currently playing at Cornell University. Castagna is in his third NCAA season and has been a key offensive contributor for Cornell, leading the team in scoring with 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points through 29 games.
The Flames also receive significant draft capital in the deal, adding three second-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft.
The Nashville Predators have dealt a third player in the last 24 hours, sending defenseman Nick Blankenburg to the Colorado Avalanche for a 2027 5th-round draft pick.
The Predators now have 12 picks in the 2027 NHL Draft, four of which are in the third round.
The 27-year-old was in the final season of a 2-year, $1.55 million contract, with him becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. Blankenburg is also the third upcoming UFA that's been traded by the Predators.
Thank you for everything you've done for Smashville, Blanks 🤝
Blankenburg is in the midst of the best season of his career, scoring 21 points (6G, 15A) in 49 games and logging just 10 penalty minutes. This is the first season he has not split time between the NHL and AHL since 2022-23, and the first time he has recorded more than 20 points.
Blankenburg was signed by the Columbus Blue Jackets out of college at the end of the 2021-22 season and played the Columbus's final seven games of the year. He spent three seasons with the Blue Jackets before signing as a free agent with Nashville in the 2024 offseason.
As a Predator, he played in 109 games, recording 10 goals and 27 assists for 37 points.
Nashville Predators trade deadline transactions
March 3
C Michael McCarron traded to Minnesota Wild for 2028 2nd round pick
LW Cole Smith traded to Vegas Golden Knights for 2028 3rd round pick and D Christoffer Sedoff.
March 4
D Nick Blakenburg traded to Colorado Avalanche for 2027 5th round pick
