The Buffalo Sabres 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers on Monday was another in a recent string of third period letdowns, but unlike the previous three, the Sabres did not hold a sizable lead and could not erase a two-goal deficit in the waning moments of regulation.
The Sabres practiced at KeyBank Center on Tuesday, in advance of a rare back-to-back games at home against Philadelphia and Montreal. Head coach Lindy Ruff spoke to the media after practice, in which he updated the injury status of a few players.
How did (injured blueliner) Michael Kesselring look?
He looked like he had a real good day. I haven't had any post practice (contact), but just evaluating his skating and some of that extra work we gave him, I thought this is the best he's looked and the hardest he's been able to go. We ran a couple competitive small ice drills, and it looked like he got through them ok. I don't know about (him playing) tomorrow, but I think he's real close.
Why did Josh Dunne not take part in practice?
(Dunne) is being evaluated by the doctors, so he there's a chance he could miss some time.....It's been something that has been bothering him a little bit. So he went to have it evaluated this morning, and the initial (report is) it looks like he might miss a little bit of time.
Are you closely monitoring the heavy minutes of the top-four defensemen with the compressed schedule??
I think that's part of the reason. You try to give those extra off days, but I can guarantee if you asked any of those four defensemen, they relish the opportunity to play those minutes. I think we do have to be mindful, when you play back to back and that next day, you got to make sure they get the rest, because of a lot of hockey coming up. I think the minutes may get dispersed a little better, if Kesselring's back in, (and if)you look at it, Bryson and Metsa have done a good job too.
The NHL and the Buffalo Sabres announced on Monday what was widely reported late last week, that Buffalo will serve as host for the 2026 NHL Draft. The annual event will be the fourth to be held in the Queen City, which NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman pointed out is second only to Montreal in the drafts 63-year history.
"This is a place where hockey really matters. Great fans, great history and tradition. Hockey at all levels in the game, grassroots on up, and people have always supported and been enthusiastic about hockey, particularly the team is as competitive as this one looks,” Bettman said in a press availability prior to the Sabres game against Florida. “It's an exciting opportunity to bring it back.”
The last draft was in 2016, when the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Auston Matthews with the first overall selection, but the upcoming draft will be decentralized as last year’s in Los Angeles was, with hopefully some improvements to make it less time consuming.
"Since it was the first time we were decentralizing, we wanted to try some things out and be new and different than you see perhaps in other drafts,” Bettman said. “I think the first round may have been a bit over produced, and so we learned some things work and some things didn't work. And so I think we're going to look to streamline it, but at the same time, we'll try some new things to be innovative and creative."
In Sabres news, the club announced the hiring of Stacy Roest as a pro scout. The 51-year-old served as an assistant to current Sabres associate GM Marc Bergevin as Team Canada’s GM at the Spengler Cup, and spent 11 seasons as Director of Player Development for the Tampa Bay Lightning, and in 2020 was promoted to an Asst. GM and handed GM duties for the Lightning’s AHL affiliate in Syracuse.
The Ottawa Senators are back in action on Tuesday night at Canadian Tire Centre, trying to snap a four-game losing slide and begin the long climb back to relevance in the Eastern Conference playoff chase.
And if the Senators cannot pull points away from the visiting Vancouver Canucks, the last-place team in the entire NHL, losers of four straight games, recently trading away their captain, and in game two of a back-to-back situation, then we'll be getting awfully close to waving the white flag on this season.
Ottawa enters the night at 20-19-5, sitting seven points (and seven teams) out of a wild card spot, tied for last in the East with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who just fired their head coach this week.
Jack Richardson discusses goaltending in Ottawa, which has gotten even worse since Linus Ullmark stepped away over the holidays.
Vancouver is in even worse shape at 16-24-5, the very worst record in the league.
That makes this more than just another January game. For the Senators, it almost feels like a final chance to stop the slide before it turns into something much bigger.
Goaltending still the biggest question mark
The Senators’ biggest problem all season has been inconsistent goaltending, so management made a move Monday by officially signing 37-year-old free agent James Reimer. Reimer won’t dress tonight, but he is expected to be available at some point this week.
For now, the crease still belongs to Leevi Meriläinen, who will start against Vancouver, with Hunter Shepard backing him up. Ottawa is still waiting on Linus Ullmark, who remains on personal leave, but the team is hopeful he can return soon.
Sens-Canucks Trade talk?
This game also comes with a heavy layer of trade intrigue.
Senators general manager Steve Staios was in Montreal Monday night watching Vancouver’s 6–3 loss to the Canadiens, which raised more than a few eyebrows. With the Canucks sitting dead last in the NHL and already having moved star defenceman Quinn Hughes, they are clearly in sell mode.
Two Vancouver blue-liners stand out:
Filip Hronek and Tyler Myers.
With Hughes gone, Hronek now leads all Canucks skaters in ice time at over 24 minutes per night, while Myers plays more than 20 minutes a game. Hronek is signed for $7.25 million for the next four-and-a-half years. Myers has one-and-a-half years left at $3 million. Both have no-movement clauses, but when you’re on the worst team in the league, players tend to be more open to change.
On TSN 1200 on Tuesday, Darren Dreger also mentioned Kiefer Sherwood as a possible target. The 30-year-old forward has 17 goals this season and is on an expiring contract.
All of that makes Tuesday night feel like not just a must-win, but a bit like a scouting mission for the Sens.
Ottawa is usually competitive in its losses, including a 3–2 defeat to Florida on Saturday, but the silver linings playbook needs to close. Moral victories are worthless, especially at home against a tired, 32nd-ranked team that's in sell-off mode.
The Sens need wins, and they need them now.
Projected Lineups
Canucks (16-24-5)
Jake DeBrusk — Elias Pettersson — Linus Karlsson
Conor Garland — David Kampf — Brock Boeser
Liam Ohgren — Max Sasson — Drew O’Connor
Evander Kane — Aatu Raty — Nils Hoglander
Tom Willander — Filip Hronek
Zeev Buium — Tyler Myers
Marcus Pettersson — Victor Mancini
Kevin Lankinen
Nikita Tolopilo
Scratched: Arshdeep Bains, P.O. Joseph
Injured: Thatcher Demko, Kiefer Sherwood, Marco Rossi, Filip Chytil, Teddy Blueger, Derek Forbort
Senators (20-19-5)
Fabian Zetterlund — Tim Stützle — Drake Batherson
Brady Tkachuk — Dylan Cozens — Claude Giroux Ridly Greig — Shane Pinto — Michael Amadio
Nick Cousins — Lars Eller — David Perron
Jake Sanderson — Artem Zub
Thomas Chabot — Nick Jensen
Tyler Kleven — Jordan Spence
Leevi Meriläinen
Hunter Shepard
Scratched: Kurtis MacDermid, Nikolas Matinpalo, James Reimer
Injured: None
Final word
There will be plenty of talk about trades and the future, but Tuesday night comes down to one simple thing: a victory. The Sens are facing the worst team in hockey, at home, against a tired opponent. If they can’t get it done here, the long climb back to the playoff race may never even begin.
Steve Warne The Hockey News - Ottawa
This story is from The Hockey News Ottawa. You can visit the site here or click on one of their latest articles below:
The Ottawa Senators finally made the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season after an 8-year drought, and coming into 2025-26, the expectations were reasonable: make it again, and maybe make some noise.
But just over halfway through the season, the Senators need to defy the odds to return to the playoffs, a position nobody in the organization could have possibly expected to be in.
And the team’s President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Steve Staios has to wear it, marking the first time this front office has faced adversity from its own missteps.
The whole season hasn’t been a disaster. Around the quarter mark, the Senators were right in the mix, sitting top-3 in the Atlantic division, most of which was accomplished without star forward Brady Tkachuk while he recovered from a thumb injury.
THN Ottawa's Jack Richardson says GM Steve Staios bears responsibility for this season's goaltending issues.
However, a record of 8-12-1 since the captain’s return has the Senators tied for last place in the Eastern Conference and 7 points out of a wildcard spot, with six other teams ahead of them.
Typically, in such a disappointing season, the coach is the first one under the microscope. But Travis Green is in a unique position because the results under the hood are very impressive in his 2nd year with the Senators.
In other words, no team in the league makes life easier for their goaltenders than the Senators do, yet the club is dead last in the NHL in team save percentage at .868.
The issue for the Senators is goaltending, and it’s been so bad that trying to point blame at any other area of their game for this disappointing season is foolish.
That is why Staios is getting scrutinized.
Coming into the season, addressing the crease was not a priority for the Senators. They let Anton Forsberg go in free agency, putting faith in a tandem of Linus Ullmark and Leevi Meriläinen, which has proven to be a colossal mistake.
Forsberg has a respectable .901 save percentage for the Kings, right where he was last season, which was deemed expendable by the Senators’ front office.
It’s notable when a Senators goaltender provides a .900 save percentage or better this season. That’s not good.
Let’s start with Ullmark. He was acquired from the Boston Bruins for a package that included a 1st round pick, one of Staios’ biggest trades as GM. The 32-year-old is in the first season of a 4-year deal that pays him $8.25M per season, the biggest contract Staios has signed to date.
The Senators are all-in on Ullmark, so his results will reflect on this front office. To be blunt, he is having a bad second season in Ottawa through 28 starts.
Ullmark has a -18.3 Goals Saved Above Expected, ranked 2nd last in the NHL this season, according to Moneypuck.
He did seem to be turning his game around before taking a personal leave of absence on Dec. 28th. He had a .908 save percentage in 8 games from Dec. 1 - Dec. 24 with a record of 5-2-1.
Meriläinen has not been any better, especially in Ullmark’s absence, and that’s the biggest knock on Staios. The 23-year-old has a .866 save percentage in 17 games this season.
Meriläinen burst onto the scene a year ago, when Ullmark and Forsberg each went down with an injury. He had a record of 8-3-1 with a .925 and 3 shutouts. Meriläinen’s performance was remarkable, but he’s taken such a significant step back this season that it’s now hard to analyze what the Senators have on their hands.
The way they handled his development feels uncharacteristic for this front office.
23-year-old forward Stephen Halliday had a stint in Ottawa this season with extremely sheltered minutes, and barely got a look in any offensive situations before being returned to Belleville. Top prospect Carter Yakemchuk played well enough in each of his first two training camps to get a look in the NHL, but was sent to junior last year and Belleville this year to develop his defensive game.
Yet Meriläinen was handed a backup role because there was nobody else to push him in camp, which is where his troubled season started.
In what can only be categorized as a desperation move, Staios signed 37-year-old James Reimer last week to help stop the bleeding in Ottawa. When Ullmark returns, Reimer will likely back him up for the rest of the season, and Meriläinen will mercifully be sent to Belleville to find his game.
The Senators need to salvage the season, because they are in danger of missing the playoffs in a year they don’t own a 1st round pick in the draft.
To be fair, not having a pick this season isn't on Staios. Former GM Pierre Dorion is to blame, as the Senators were ruthlessly punished by the NHL for his blunder while trading away Evgeny Dadonov to the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Senators had to forfeit their pick in either 2024, 2025 or 2026 - and Staios chose to keep 2024’s at 7th overall, selecting Yakemchuk, and then keep 2025’s to trade back and select Logan Hensler at 23rd overall.
The choice to continue deferring was likely made on the assumption that the Senators would progress this season, but as it stands right now, they have regressed.
If the season ended today, the Senators would have the 9th-best odds to win the Draft Lottery and pick 1st overall based on points percentage.
Coupled with a tumultuous week off the ice where he released a strongly worded statement discrediting online rumours about his players, Staios has been busy trying to keep the Senators from tailspinning out of control.
With the season in the balance, the pressure has never been higher on the first-time GM in Ottawa.
Jack Richardson The Hockey News- Ottawa
This story is from The Hockey News Ottawa. You can visit the site here or click on one of their latest articles below:
The Vancouver Canucks are 45 games into the 2025–26 NHL season. The Canucks have yet to win their first game of 2026, as they are currently riding a seven-game losing streak. Their last win came against the Seattle Kraken on December 29, with their first regulation win coming against the New York Islanders on December 19. Here’s how the Canucks stack up to the rest of the NHL 45 games into the season.
Team Stats
Vancouver Canucks team stats 45 games into 2025-26.
While they had previously registered a couple of stats within the top-half of the NHL, at the 45-game mark, Vancouver currently ranks within the bottom-half in all the listed categories. Their highest-placed listed team stat is their power play, which ranks 18th in the NHL with a success rate of 19.7%. Everything else places below the top-20, with their penalty kill (72.7%, t-30th), goals-against (163, 31st), points-percentage (0.411%, 32nd), and record (16–24–5, 32nd) all placing within the bottom-three in the league.
Individual Skaters
Vancouver Canucks individual skater stats 45 games into 2025-26.
Vancouver’s offensive woes this season are summed up pretty well in how their individual skater stats compare to the rest of the NHL. Their team points leaders, Elias Pettersson (12G, 15A) and Filip Hronek (3G, 24A), are tied for 135th in the league in total points scored this season. For reference, the current highest point total on the season belongs to Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche who has 36 goals and 45 assists. Maintaining their places at the top of the league are Hronek with overall TOI (1104:58, 11th) and Kiefer Sherwood with hits (210, 2nd).
Goaltenders
Vancouver Canucks goaltending stats 45 games into 2025-26.
Canucks goaltenders Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen have maintained their team-leading stats in goaltending for the third consecutive segment of this check-in article. Demko has once again held the team lead in SV% (0.895%, t-37), GAA (2.90, t-36), wins (8, t-41), and high-danger SV% (.803%, 37th). On the other hand, Lankinen holds the team records in overall minutes played (1272:15, 29th), shots faced (611, 19th), and high-danger shots faced (185, t-22). With Demko once again out for an undetermined period of time, Lankinen will have to continue carrying a fair chunk of the weight for his team.
The Canucks will return to Vancouver throughout the next five-game span, but not before taking on the Ottawa Senators in the second-half of their current back-to-back tonight. They’ll face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday for the final game of their road trip before heading back to Rogers Arena for a Saturday night matchup against the Edmonton Oilers. To round out this upcoming five-game stretch, the Canucks will face the New York Islanders on January 19 and the Washington Capitals on January 21.
Jan 12, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Vancouver Canucks center Max Sasson (63) celebrates with his teammates at the bench his goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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Former New York Islanders forward Matt Martin, who is currently the special assistant to general manager Mathieu Darche, will be inducted into the Sarnia Sting's team Hall of Fame on Feb. 27 ahead of their game against the Barrie Colts.
A Sting legend is heading to the Sarnia Sting Hall of Fame presented by All Seasons Trophies & Signs 🏒
We’re proud to announce Matt Martin as the newest member of the Sarnia Sting Hall of Fame.
Martin, who retired from the NHL after 987 games over 16 years following the 2024-25 season, was not selected in the CHL Draft. He walked on with Sarnia ahead of the 2006-07 season.
After just three goals and three assists through his first 39 OHL games, the Windsor, Ontario native scored 5 goals with 13 assists for 38 points in 66 games during the 2007-08 season. He was drafted 148th overall by the Islanders at the 2008 NHL Draft.
In his third and final campaign with Sarnia, Martin exploded, scoring 35 goals with 30 assists for 65 points in 61 games. He then joined the Islanders' organization.
Over 166 games with Sarnia, Martin totaled 60 goals with 43 assists for 103 points, with 349 penalty minutes.
Sarnai made the playoffs in each season Martin was on the roster. In 18 career OHL playoff games, Martin recorded six goals and three assists for nine points.
What will be cool about the induction ceremony is that Sarnia will be playing an Islanders' prospect, 19-year-old defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, who was selected 17th overall at the 2025 NHL Draft.
The Calgary Flames have placed forward Martin Pospisil on the long-term injury list and assigned him to the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers on a conditioning loan, marking a significant step in his return-to-play process.
Pospisil has yet to appear in a game for the Flames this season, and until recently, it remained uncertain whether he would return at all. Given his history with concussions, the organization has continued to take a cautious, measured approach with the 26-year-old forward, as timelines surrounding similar injuries can often be unpredictable.
The conditioning stint suggests Pospisil is progressing toward game readiness, allowing him to ease back into competition in a controlled environment. While the Flames have not indicated when — or if — he could rejoin the NHL roster, the move itself is a positive signal after an extended absence.
There may also be international implications. Team Slovakia general manager Miroslav Šatan recently hinted at the possibility of Pospisil being part of Slovakia’s roster for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. The timing of this assignment could indicate that both the player and the Flames are preparing him for potential Olympic participation later this season.
Selected by Calgary in the fourth round (105th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft. Over 144 NHL games across two seasons, he has recorded 12 goals and 49 points while playing an energetic, physical style that has resulted in 193 penalty minutes. He also finished last season with a plus-14 rating, highlighting his effectiveness at five-on-five.
For now, the focus remains on health and gradual reintegration. How Pospisil responds during his time with the Wranglers will go a long way in determining his NHL future — and potentially his availability on the international stage later this winter.
On Friday morning, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that the Carolina Hurricanes are open to dealing center Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
In Friedman's blog, he shared that Kotkaniemi has already been pitched in trades that ultimately went in the other direction.
The Hurricanes were in on ex-Vancouver Canucks D-man Quinn Hughes, who was moved to the Minnesota Wild. Kotkaniemi was mentioned in that deal.
Furthermore, when the Los Angeles Kings were in the process of trading away Phillip Danault, Carolina was involved in that discussion, with Kotkaniemi on the table. However, Danault was traded to the Montreal Canadiens instead, in exchange for a second-round pick.
The connection can be made with the Kings who dealt a center in the Danault and picked up another, younger center in Kotkaniemi. However, that doesn't mean it's a great idea.
After this season, Kotkaniemi still has another four years on his current contract. His deal pays him $4.82 million in average annual value in what was inked as an eight-year ticket.
That price wouldn't be so hefty if the 25-year-old contributed at a sufficient level. But with the Hurricanes this season, he only has two goals and six points to show for it.
As a result, he's been demoted to the fourth line this year, and hasn't scored a goal in 14 games.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
An indication of how poor and disappointing Kotkaniemi has been as of late would be the lack of representation he's had for Finland.
He was left off the Olympic roster for the upcoming tournament in February, and wasn't even included on Finland's 4 Nations Face-Off roster either.
Not only does acquiring Kotkaniemi not make sense for the Kings from a quality and performance standpoint, but there also isn't a true spot in the lineup for Carolina's center.
With Danault in Montreal, Kings center Alex Turcotte has been given an elevated role, moving from the fourth line to the third line. Bringing in Kotkaniemi would just complicate Turcotte's role once again.
There isn't much more time in Turcotte's development as a young player. Turning 25 years old in February, he could use all the opportunities he can get in order to blossom as an effective NHL player, and the Kings organization should roll with that.
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The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that defenseman Adam Ginning has been loaned back out to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Flyers announce that Adam Ginning has been loaned back to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Interesting move after Tocchet said today that Jamie Drysdale was a "possibility" to come back to the lineup on Wednesday.
Ginning was recalled to the Flyers on Jan. 9 after Jamie Drysdale was placed on Injury Reserve retroactive to Jan. 6, after suffering a brutal hit from Anaheim Ducks forward Ross Johnston that caused Drysdale to exit the game early with an upper-body injury.
Recently, though, Drysdale has been participating in practices and morning skates in a non-contact jersey, and updates from Rick Tocchet suggested that the 23-year-old was moving in a positive direction regarding his recovery.
On Tuesday, when asked if Drysdale and Bobby Brink (who also left the Anaheim game early with an upper-body injury) would be available for the Flyers' game against the Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 14, Tocchet said that both players would be a "possibility."
Through 41 games played in the 2025-26 season, Drysdale has recorded 18 points (3G, 15A) and had been showing significant improvements in several aspect of his game, most notably his five-on-five play.
"I think he's a big loss sometimes, when things get a little hectic going on there," Tocchet said of Drysdale on Tuesday. "He does settle things down."
The Flyers are heading into a back-to-back on the road, against the Sabres on Jan. 14 and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 15.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are bringing their 10-game winning streak into Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.
The Lightning are fresh off a 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night and will try to win their 11th straight game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.
These two teams met in Tampa Bay back on Dec. 4, and it was a wild affair. The Penguins held on for dear life in a 4-3 win after they had a 3-0 lead for most of the game. Evgeni Malkin scored the game-winning goal late in the third period.
The Lightning will start Andre Vasilevskiy on Tuesday after backup Jonas Johansson started on Monday. Vasilevskiy has been sensational this season, winning 18 games with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. He's a big goaltender and takes up a ton of space in the crease, so creating traffic in front will be paramount for the Penguins.
Brayden Point got injured during Monday's game and his status for Tuesday is up in the air. He needed help getting off the ice after scoring a goal to make it 3-0.
Brayden Point helped off of the ice after this play here.
Nikita Kucherov and Jake Guentzel are still doing their things this season. Kucherov has compiled 23 goals and 67 points in 40 games, while Guentzel has 20 goals and 47 points in 44 games.
Brandon Hagel has also been great, racking up 22 goals and 41 points, ditto for Darren Raddysh, who has 12 goals and 39 points as a defenseman.
The Penguins are set to get Bryan Rust back after missing the weekend back-to-back with an injury. He was a full participant during the morning skate.
However, they'll now be without star defenseman Erik Karlsson for at least two weeks. The Penguins announced that he'd be out with an undisclosed injury before Tuesday's morning skate.
This is a major loss since Karlsson is having an outstanding season. He does it all on the blue line and has been elite at generating offense in the offensive zone.
Here's a look at the expected lines for this game:
Forwards
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Malkin-Novak-Chinakhov
Mantha-Kindel-Brazeau
Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari
Defense
Kulak-Letang
Wotherspoon-St. Ivany
Shea-Clifton
Arturs Silovs will start in goal for the Penguins after he was the first goaltender off during the morning skate.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh and fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'
The Winnipeg Jets have been rumored for some time to be exploring a partial tear down this season, with the organization potentially shifting focus toward the future. The idea would be to move veteran players, open roster spots for younger talent from the minors and junior ranks, and use the remainder of the season as an evaluation period ahead of next year and beyond.
While speculation has surrounded the Jets for weeks, a clearer picture of who could be on the move is beginning to emerge. Pending free agents such as Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn remain widely expected to be dealt, even though they were not included in the most recent report. However, new insight from NHL insider Chris Johnston has added several notable names to the discussion.
On The Chris Johnston Show, Johnston reported that Nino Niederreiter, Vladislav Namestnikov, and Gustav Nyquist are all potential trade candidates as the Jets weigh their options ahead of the deadline. All three are veteran forwards who could appeal to Stanley Cup contenders looking to bolster their depth for a playoff run.
Niederreiter, 33, still has two years remaining on his contract but has seen his offensive production dip into the 30 to 40 point range after peaking with a 57-point season for Minnesota in 2016–17. While no longer a top-line contributor, he remains a reliable, experienced forward who could be moved for a lower-round draft pick. Teams like San Jose, Montreal, and Seattle could value his leadership, while an intriguing possibility exists with the New York Islanders, the club that drafted Niederreiter fifth overall in 2010. With the Islanders pushing for a playoff spot, a reunion could make sense for both sides.
Namestnikov, also 33, is enduring one of the most difficult seasons of his career and, like Niederreiter, is signed for two more seasons. Known for his versatility, Namestnikov can play up and down the lineup and finished last season with a career-high 27 assists. In the right situation, he could rediscover his game as a middle-six contributor. San Jose, Montreal, and Seattle again stand out as potential fits, but Tampa Bay presents an especially compelling option.
The Lightning drafted Namestnikov 27th overall in 2011, and with Brayden Point recently sidelined by injury, Tampa Bay could be looking for flexible depth. The organization has a history of adding veteran forwards before playoff runs, making Namestnikov a logical depth target.
The most challenging contract to move may belong to Gustav Nyquist. After posting a career-best 75 points two seasons ago, Nyquist struggled mightily last year and hoped for a fresh start in Winnipeg yet that turnaround has not materialized.
Nyquist is once again having a difficult season and is on pace to finish below the 20-point mark. He carries a $3.25 million cap hit as a pending free agent, which complicates trade discussions. Still, Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is expected to explore every avenue to either recoup some value or simply move the contract before season’s end.
For Jets fans, the emergence of these names is an encouraging sign that the organization may finally be committing to a youth movement. If veterans are moved, it could open the door for prospects to earn meaningful NHL opportunities. Combined with the likely departures of defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn, Winnipeg could accumulate valuable assets and create much-needed flexibility heading into the offseason.
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A former Vancouver Canucks forward was traded in the KHL over the weekend, as Daniel Sprong has been moved from CSKA Moscow to Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg for monetary compensation. Sprong, who was CSKA’s points leader, played in nine games for the Canucks during the 2024–25 season and scored a goal and two assists.
Sprong signed a one-year deal with CSKA Moscow during the 2025 off-season. In his time with CSKA, he scored 12 goals and 19 assists in 29 games and was named an assistant captain for the team. Sprong joins an Avtomobilist roster that includes former Canucks defenceman Nikita Tryamkin.
A former second-round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015, Sprong has played with seven different NHL teams throughout his career including the Detroit Red Wings and the Seattle Kraken, who he was traded to from Vancouver. He amassed 87 goals and 79 assists in 374 games played at the NHL level.
As mentioned, the Canucks moved on from Sprong after nine games at the start of 2024–25. Vancouver traded him to Seattle in exchange for future considerations, though the Kraken later sent him to the New Jersey Devils for a 2026 seventh-round pick at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline.
Oct 4, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sprong (91) skates against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that they have recalled forward Tristan Broz and defenseman Ryan Graves from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
The Penguins also shared that forward Rafael Harvey-Pinard has been sent back down to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Broz played in his first career NHL game earlier this season during the Penguins' Nov. 26 contest against the Buffalo Sabres. During the matchup, he recorded two shots in 11:30 of ice time. Now, with this latest call-up, he is getting another shot on Pittsburgh's roster.
In 33 games this season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Broz has posted 11 goals, 13 assists, 24 points, and a plus-7 rating.
Graves has played in 17 games this season with Pittsburgh, where he has recorded one goal and a minus-4 rating. Down in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the 6-foot-5 blueliner has posted two goals, seven assists, and nine points in 13 games. Now, the veteran defenseman will be aiming to impress after getting another chance on Pittsburgh's NHL roster.
As for Harvey-Pinard, he was called up to the Penguins' roster last week but did not make his debut with the NHL club. In 32 games this season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he has posted seven goals, six assists, and 13 points.
The Detroit Red Wings picked up a meaningful win Monday night, beginning with the retirement of franchise legend Sergei Fedorov’s iconic No. 91 before the game and finishing with a hard-fought 4–3 overtime victory against one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams in the Carolina Hurricanes.
The game featured plenty of back-and-forth action, with Detroit receiving a strong depth scoring effort as James van Riemsdyk and Andrew Copp stayed hot, while defenseman Albert Johansson found the back of the net for his first goal of the season.
There were also some tense moments, as the Red Wings surrendered a 3–0 lead entering the third period and were forced to regroup before securing the overtime win.
Now Detroit turns the page from an emotional home victory to a difficult road test in Boston against the Bruins in a crucial divisional matchup. With the teams battling closely in the standings, this four-point game carries extra weight.
A win would not only earn the Red Wings two points but also prevent a divisional rival from doing the same. The clubs have already met twice this season, with both games decided by narrow margins. Boston claimed the first meeting with a 3–2 shootout win, while Detroit responded with a 5–4 victory at home to split the home-and-home series.
Tuesday’s matchup projects to be another tight contest. The Red Wings have been on a tear, with Monday’s win improving their record to 14–4–1 over their last 19 games. Boston has also been heating up, posting a 5–1–1 mark in their last seven outings. The Bruins have done so despite missing breakout winger Morgan Geekie, who has slowed considerably after a strong start to the season.
Geekie has recorded points in just two of his last nine games and missed Sunday’s contest due to a personal matter. His absence would be notable, as he factored into two of Boston’s three goals in their earlier 3–2 win over Detroit.
Even without Geekie, the Bruins remain dangerous thanks to superstar winger David Pastrnak, who has been red hot since returning to the lineup in early December. Pastrnak has produced eight goals and 18 assists for 26 points over his last 16 games and continues to rank among the league’s most productive forwards.
Detroit will counter with one of its own hottest players in center Andrew Copp, who has enjoyed a breakout stretch. Copp has recorded multiple points in two straight games, has points in four consecutive contests, and has totaled 19 points over his last 21 games while developing strong chemistry with new linemates Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. That trio has been a major catalyst for the Red Wings’ offense and will look to keep the momentum rolling.
Cam Talbot is expected to start in goal for Detroit after John Gibson handled the duties in Monday’s win, while Boston is likely to turn to star netminder Jeremy Swayman, who has won three of his last four starts.
Detroit Red Wings’ Expected Line Combinations vs. Boston (Tuesday):
Kasper – Larkin – Finnie
DeBrincat – Copp – Kane
van Riemsdyk – Compher – Raymond
Soderblom – Rasmussen – Appleton
Edvinsson – Seider
Chiarot – Sandin-Pellikka
Johansson – Benard-Docker
Talbot
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The Vancouver Canucks (16-24-5) wrap up a back-to-back on Tuesday as they battle the Ottawa Senators (20-19-5). Vancouver is coming off a loss on Monday and has gone 0-4-0 so far on this Eastern road trip. As for the Senators, they have also been struggling of late as Ottawa is 3-6-1 in their last 10.
The Canucks enter this game looking to end a seven-game losing streak. Vancouver has just one win in their last 10 and is slipping further and further into the NHL's basement. As for January, the Canucks are 0-4-2 and have been outscored 27-12.
Tuesday is the perfect opportunity for Vancouver to snap their losing streak. As mentioned, the Senators have also struggled over the past few weeks, and are now dealing with an unwanted media circus due to social media rumours. While the Canucks will be the tired team, they may have a slight advantage just based on the distractions going on in Ottawa.
Players to Watch:
Drew O'Connor:
Drew O'Connor has been one of Vancouver's most consistent players all season. He is now up to 17 points and is one of four players who has skated in all 45 games this year. Whether at even strength or on the penalty kill, O'Connor continues to find ways to have a positive impact despite only averaging 13:44 per night.
David Perron:
David Perron has had plenty of success against the Canucks in his career. In 48 regular-season games, the 37-year-old has scored 12 times while recording 29 points. Perron is currently skating on the second line and could be a significant factor Tuesday night.
Dec 21, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven (43) checks Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser (6) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Vancouver Canucks (16–24–5):
Points:
Elias Pettersson: 12–15–27
Filip Hronek: 3–24–27
Kiefer Sherwood: 17–6–23
Jake DeBrusk: 12–10–22
Conor Garland: 7–15–22
Goaltenders:
Thatcher Demko: 8–10–1
Kevin Lankinen: 6–11–4
Nikita Tolopilo: 2–2–0
Jiří Patera: 0–1–0
Ottawa Senators (20–19–5):
Points:
Tim Stützle: 19-26-45
Drake Batherson: 17-23-40
Jake Sanderson: 8-25-30
Claude Giroux: 9-23-32
Dylan Cozens: 12-19-31
Goaltenders:
Linus Ullmark: 14-8-5
Leevi Meriläinen: 6-10-0
Hunter Shepard: 0-1-0
Mads Sogaard: 0-0-0
Game Information:
Start time: 4:00 pm PT
Venue: Canadian Tire Centre
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650
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