Not sure we’re gonna like this… | NHLI via Getty Images
The Islanders are so, so, so badly in need of a bounce back from their horrific disassembly at home by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night. Unfortunately, they have to do it against the Buffalo Sabres, who are vying for first overall in the conference.
The Sabres are currently in a three-way tie with 98 points, though both Tampa Bay and Carolina have a game in hand — and history — on their side with less than 10 games to go.
The Islanders remain in a playoff spot before play begins, but their primary rivals are also in action and/or have games or games in hand. But the past few weeks have been all over the map, so they could just as easily, or at least believably, hurl a 3-0 shutout or a dramatic 4-3 comeback win as they could infuriate us on consecutive nights.
The AHL board has approved the Islanders’ moving their AHL affiliate from Bridgeport to Hamilton, Ontario. That’s a place in Canada that once had dreams of an NHL franchise. [Newsday]
Elsewhere
Other potentially important games tonight, as the Isles enter with 89 points and 75 games played:
The Bruins (92 pts, 74 GP) host the Stars
The Canadiens (94 pts, 73 GP) visit the Lightning
The Senators (86 pts, 73 GP) visit the Panthers
The Penguins (90 pts, 74 GP) host the Red Wings (86 pts, 73 GP)
The Blue Jackets (88 pts, 74 GP) host the Hurricanes
The Flyers (still alive! 86 pts, 73 GP) visit the Capitals (83 pts, 74 GP)
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 20: Matt Duchene #95 of the Dallas Stars competes for a loose puck against Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins during the first period at American Airlines Center on January 20, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to another night of Bruins hockey, folks!
After going two-for-two on the weekend, the Bruins host a very good Dallas Stars team that finds itself in a little bit of a funk at the moment.
However, they DID just get Mikko Rantanen back from injury, which always helps.
After tonight, the B’s will embark on a four-game road trip with stops in Florida (2X), Philadelphia, and Carolina.
Points are at a premium, etc.
If you’re interested in scoreboard watching tonight, keep an eye on:
While speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Chicago Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill shared that former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk will be out for the rest of the 2025-26 season.
Grzelcyk signed with the Blackhawks ahead of the 2025-26 season after a successful PTO. In 69 games with the Blackhawks during this campaign, the former Penguins defenseman recorded zero goals, 12 assists, 32 penalty minutes, and a minus-9 rating.
Grzelcyk spent last season with the Penguins and had the best season of his NHL career thus far. In 82 games with the Penguins during the 2024-25 season, the Charlestown, Massachusetts native scored one goal and set career highs with 39 assists and 40 points. This included him recording 15 power-play points.
With numbers like these, Grzelcyk proved to be a solid player for the Penguins during his time with the team. While this was the case, the Penguins decided to move on from him this past summer.
Grzelcyk is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), and it will be interesting to see where the former Penguin ends up next.
Top Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone will make his NHL debut on Tuesday night against the division rival Washington Capitals, and with the excitement comes a few nuggets worth keeping track of.
For starters, it's already been established that head coach Rick Tocchet and the Flyers are looking to put Martone, 19, in a position for success and comfort in his first NHL game.
To kick things off, at least, the 2025 No. 6 pick will play right wing on a line with veterans Travis Konecny and Christian Dvorak.
"I think him and TK, veteran guys. Those guys are good at staying close together. That's something we were talking about, I think it's a good fit for him. We'll see how it goes," Tocchet told traveling media of Martone's line.
Notably, fellow rookie Alex Bump had been playing on that line, but Bump is instead coming out of the lineup... for now.
"We have a lot of young guys, so maybe there's a rotation. I don't know," Tocchet said.
"I'm not going to get into why. I just think [Carl Grundstrom] had a really good game last game. He's played some playoff games, veteran guy. That doesn't mean Bumper's not going to play next game. It's just that we're going to have to do this rotation, maybe, or who's hot. We'll go from there. We'll talk about it... it's more game-to-game."
Grundstrom, 28, will reprise his role as the left wing on a line with Noah Cates and Matvei Michkov, though it's worth noting that the Swede has scored just one goal since Dec. 31--a cold streak that has spanned 31 games.
Overall, the 6-foot grinder has eight goals, four assists, and 12 points in 43 games this season, and Tocchet is clearly relying on him to be responsible now that more youth has been added to the lineup with Martone.
As for Martone's opportunities, Tocchet spoke mostly in generalities, but appears to clearly have a plan for the top prospect's usage.
"I think it's important I get him out there quickly. Guy makes a mistake early, he's not going to sit on the bench. He's gotta get out there," Tocchet assessed.
"It's like anything. As a coach, you try to see how the game's going. But, definitely trying to make him feel comfortable out there. That's something I gotta do for him."
For reference, Alex Bump played 16:07 in his Flyers debut and scored a goal against Pittsburgh back on March 7, and Denver Barkey played 15:18 and recorded two assists against the New York Rangers on Dec. 20.
Both debuted in divisional games, like Martone will against the Capitals on Tuesday night.
The 19-year-old enters his first NHL game having scored points in each of his last six games for Michigan State.
The team will play at the newly renovated TD Coliseum, which just underwent a $300 million renovation and seats 18,000 fans. The hope is to attract more talent to the Islanders organization, as the team will play in a more promising hockey environment, which Bridgeport could not compete with.
Hamilton offers a much better venue and a stronger hockey market.
Feb 4, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill is celebrate as the Stars honor their 2026 Winter Olympics hockey players before the game against the St. Louis Blues at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Jerome Miron/Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Stars have extended the contract of general manager Jim Nill for two years, keeping in place the architect of the team headed to the playoffs again after advancing to the Western Conference final each of the past three seasons.
Nill has been the Stars GM since 2013, and his contract was only through this season until the announcement. His extension through the 2027-28 season was finalized less than 24 hours after a prominent job opened when the Toronto Maple Leafs fired GM Brad Treliving.
“Jim has established himself as one of the most respected general managers in the NHL,” Stars owner Tom Gaglardi said. “Through his roster management and talent evaluation, he has positioned our franchise to be amongst the best teams in our league in both the present and future. I’m thrilled that he will continue to guide the Stars.”
Going into a game Tuesday night at Boston, the Stars’ 100 points rank second in the NHL behind Central Division foe Colorado. Dallas already has qualified for its fifth consecutive playoff appearance.
The 67-year-old Nill was selected as the NHL’s top GM each of the past three seasons by a panel that includes all of the league’s general managers. The only current GMs that have been with their teams longer are Kevin Cheveldayoff in Winnipeg and Doug Armstrong in St. Louis.
Since Nill began with the Stars before the 2013-14 season, their 63 postseason wins are the second most in the NHL. They’ve qualified for the playoffs nine times in that span, and made the Stanley Cup Final in 2020. He previously was in the front office of the Detroit Red Wings.
“I’m fortunate to work with incredibly talented and passionate individuals that have helped our franchise become one of the best in the NHL,” Nill said. “I’m extremely grateful to have the opportunity to continue as general manager of the Stars.”
They were down 2-0 and 3-1 in the second period before rattling off seven unanswered goals to blitz the Islanders 8-3. The win catapulted the Penguins up to second place in the Metropolitan Division with 90 points. They're one point up on the Islanders with a game in hand.
The Penguins will play another huge game on Tuesday when the desperate Detroit Red Wings come to town. The Red Wings are coming off a 5-3 loss at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday and have lost three of their last four. They're two points back of the final playoff spot, and per MoneyPuck, their playoff odds sit at 35.3%.
Alex DeBrincat has been awesome for the Red Wings this year and leads the team in goals (37) and points (78). He's on pace to notch his third 40-goal season.
Lucas Raymond is one of the most underrated players in the NHL and has been great for the Red Wings again this season, compiling 24 goals and 71 points in 71 games. He's a strong playmaker with some great vision.
Don't forget about Dylan Larkin or Moritz Seider, either. Larkin has 29 goals and 57 points in 66 games, while Seider is a strong Norris Trophy candidate with nine goals and 53 points in 73 games.
The offense starts to dry up a little bit when those four players aren't on the ice.
Goaltender John Gibson will make his 12th consecutive start for the Red Wings in this game. He's had a strong first season with them, compiling 27 wins with a .905 save percentage and a 2.58 goals-against average. He has also saved 12.4 goals above expected, which ranks 13th among all goaltenders in the NHL.
Stuart Skinner will start in goal for the Penguins, and there's a chance that Evgeni Malkin returns to the lineup after missing Monday's game. If he does, he'll likely be back on the second line with Egor Chinakhov and Tommy Novak.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'
March 31st marks what would have been the 98th birthday of Gordie Howe, the legendary forward whose name remains synonymous with toughness, skill, and longevity in the NHL.
Known as “Mr. Hockey,” Howe built much of his legacy with the Detroit Red Wings, delivering some of the most iconic moments in the sport’s history. On the big man's birthday, we take a look back at several of his greatest moments and achievements, focusing on his unforgettable years in the Motor City.
First Stanley Cup in 1950
Howe’s rise to superstardom came during the 1950 Stanley Cup Final, when he helped lead the Red Wings to their first championship in seven years. Although teammate Pete Babando scored the famous double overtime winner in Game 7 against the New York Rangers, Howe’s physical play and scoring touch throughout the series set the tone for much of Detroit’s success.
This championship marked the beginning of a Red Wings dynasty, as the team would go on to win four Cups in six seasons. Howe emerged as the team’s cornerstone, blending scoring ability with unmatched toughness. The 1950 victory cemented his role as Detroit's leader and laid the groundwork for one of the most dominant eras in franchise history.
Dominant 1952 Playoff Run
In 1952, Howe delivered one of the most dominant playoff performances ever seen in the sport. He led all players in scoring during the postseason and guided the Red Wings to a perfect 8–0 record, sweeping both series en route to another Stanley Cup.
Detroit defeated the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs without losing a single game. Howe’s performance earned him the Hart Trophy that season, reinforcing his status as the league’s most valuable player.
Mr. Hockey's Peak, Back-to-Back Cups in 1954 and 1955
The mid-1950s marked the peak of Howe’s career, highlighted by consecutive Stanley Cup victories in 1954 and 1955. During these seasons, Howe consistently led the league in scoring and was widely regarded as the most complete player the sport had ever seen.
In 1954, the Red Wings defeated the Montreal Canadiens to claim the Cup, with Howe playing a central role on both ends of the ice. He followed that with another dominant season in 1955, again leading Detroit to a championship. His ability to control the pace of the game, deliver punishing checks, and produce offensively made Howe and the Red Wings nearly unstoppable.
Although best known for his Detroit years, one of Howe’s most historic milestones came later in his career. On February 29, 1980, while playing for the Hartford Whalers, Howe scored his 801st NHL goal, surpassing Gordie Howe’s own previous total to set a new all-time record.
The moment showcased Howe’s historic longevity, as he remained an elite competitor well into his 50s, which has never been seen in the sport since. His scoring record stood as the NHL benchmark until it was eventually broken by Wayne Gretzky.
The “Gordie Howe Hat Trick”
One of the most unique and enduring tributes to Howe’s style of play is the “Gordie Howe hat trick,” which consists of a goal, an assist, and a fight in a single game. While Howe himself rarely recorded all three in the same contest, the term became synonymous with his all-around dominance. Today, the “Gordie Howe hat trick” remains a celebrated part of hockey culture, a testament to his lasting influence on the game.
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FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Stars have extended the contract of general manager Jim Nill for two years, keeping in place the architect of the team headed to the playoffs again after advancing to the Western Conference final each of the past three seasons.
Nill has been the Stars GM since 2013, and his contract was only through this season until the announcement on Tuesday. His extension through the 2027-28 season was finalized less than 24 hours after a prominent job opened when the Toronto Maple Leafs fired GM Brad Treliving.
“Jim has established himself as one of the most respected general managers in the NHL,” Stars owner Tom Gaglardi said. “Through his roster management and talent evaluation, he has positioned our franchise to be amongst the best teams in our league in both the present and future. I’m thrilled that he will continue to guide the Stars.”
Going into a game Tuesday night at Boston, the Stars' 100 points rank second in the NHL behind Central Division foe Colorado. Dallas has already qualified for its fifth consecutive playoff appearance.
The 67-year-old Nill was selected as the NHL's top GM each of the past three seasons by a panel that includes all of the league's general managers. The only current GMs that have been with their teams longer are Kevin Cheveldayoff in Winnipeg and Doug Armstrong in St. Louis.
Since Nill began with the Stars before the 2013-14 season, their 63 postseason wins are the second most in the NHL. They've qualified for the playoffs nine times in that span, and made the Stanley Cup Final in 2020. He was previously in the front office of the Detroit Red Wings.
“I’m fortunate to work with incredibly talented and passionate individuals that have helped our franchise become one of the best in the NHL,” Nill said. “I’m extremely grateful to have the opportunity to continue as general manager of the Stars.”
Joel Quenneville Postgame Press Conference 3/30/26
With eight games and two weeks left on the 2025-26 schedule, the Anaheim Ducks sit atop the Pacific Division standings and four points ahead of the second-place Oilers.
With the additions of roster players like Chris Kreider, Mikael Granlund, and Ryan Poehling, along with a brand new coaching staff, the Ducks were expected to build on their 21-point improvement from the 2023-24 season into the 2024-25 season.
This season has been one that many young teams crave as their franchise climbs out of the depths of an elongated rebuild. Young players entering their primes like Jackson LaCombe and Lukas Dostal continued to build on their breakout seasons from a year ago.
Meanwhile, core point producers like Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson have established themselves as future elite players in the NHL and have shown they can be among the best at what they do at their positions.
Even players like Olen Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov, though they have gone through several ups and downs this season, have greatly improved their 200-foot games and have shown they still possess the potential to be impactful offensive players in the NHL.
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise, and the one that’s been the most positively impactful, has been the emergence of rookie forward Beckett Sennecke. He’s currently tied with Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov for the rookie lead in points with 57 (22-35=57) in 74 games. His presence on the roster has rounded out the top six, and he’s found ways to translate what made him special at the junior level to the NHL on a nightly basis.
However, the coaching and system changes didn’t and haven’t meshed with every roster player. Former top-six players Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano have had difficulties adjusting to the tempo and/or the required decision-making to carve out a depth role on the roster. Strome was traded at the March 6 deadline after a string of healthy scratches, and Vatrano is in the midst of his own cluster of healthy scratches.
Perhaps the greatest benefit to the young players on the Ducks roster this season has been head coach Joel Quenneville and his staff’s willingness to enable them to play freely while expanding and exploring the reaches of their offensive potential.
The youngest and most talented players projected to make up the core of the team when competitive have been placed in a system beneficial and conducive to their collective skillset, have been allowed to make mistakes, and have been given roles in which they can succeed.
However, as the season has progressed and the finish line is in sight, Quenneville’s perceived tolerance for critical errors has shrunk, as has the leash for those young mistake-prone players.
Griffin Hooper-Imagn Images
Mason McTavish (23) is having his worst statistical season in his four-year NHL career and has produced just 34 points (14-20=34) in 67 games, a .51 points-per-game average and a significant drop from last season’s .68 points/g pace.
McTavish’s output had dropped low enough to earn him back-to-back healthy scratches on March 15 against the Montreal Canadiens and on March 18 against the Philadelphia Flyers. In his six games since being reinserted into the lineup, he’s scored two points (1-1=2) while playing five of those six games as the fourth-line left winger.
“Be strong at the net, want the puck,” Quenneville said of what he’s expecting from McTavish when he returned to the lineup on March 20. “(Be) defensively responsible just like we want with everybody, basically, every night.
“Possession with the puck. He’s a centerman with good instincts, and he can make plays. He’s got a good shot. So we want to see some of that. At the same time, there’s the other side as well.”
In Monday’s 5-4 OT loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, a game that saw multiple injuries to forwards and a slew of penalties, McTavish only saw 14:01 TOI, and he didn’t see the ice following the Leafs’ go-ahead goal with three minutes left in the third, where he may have given a less-than-spectacular backchecking effort.
For however great a season Beckett Sennecke (20) is having, as the season winds down, he’s becoming more mistake-prone in his end, making poor puck decisions that lead to odd-man breaks the other way.
Though he’s understandably a volatile, high-risk/high-reward young forward, that volatility is now costing the Ducks points on the scoreboard and points in the standings. In their March 18 game against the Flyers, in overtime, he attempted a between-the-legs, cross-ice pass on a 2v1 with backchecking pressure that was disrupted and that sparked a rush to win the game for the Flyers.
With 17:38 to go in the third period of the Ducks’ 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks, he attempted a drop pass to a trailing forward, the fourth player into the offensive zone on the rush, which missed its target and sent the Canucks on a 2v1 that they converted, tying that game at three. He didn’t see the ice for the remainder of that game.
During Monday’s loss to the Leafs, he attempted a slip pass to a teammate at the point, with the far defenseman activated, which was broken up and which sent William Nylander on a breakaway to tie that game at three with 9:46 remaining in the third period. Sennecke didn’t see the ice for the remainder of that game either.
“Every day is a new day, and every day we learn,” Quenneville said after Monday’s game. “Every day, we address. We give him the freedom to do a lot of things offensively. You don’t want to take away from him, but that’s sometimes where the trouble starts. So, I think we've got to find that balance.”
With still a relatively comfortable lead (for now) in the Pacific Division standings, Quenneville can afford to prioritize lessons over an extra standings point. If either (or both) McTavish or Sennecke had played in the overtime frame on Monday, it’s possible, or even likely, that the Ducks would have come away from that game with two points instead of one, as the Ducks are 17-5 in overtimes and shootouts.
McTavish’s poor season could be attributed, in part, to a lengthy contract negotiation that lasted well into Ducks’ training camp in late September. The details of his game haven’t improved enough (or at all) away from the puck to counterbalance his lack of production. If the Ducks are to realize their potential this season and in future seasons, they’ll need Mason McTavish to play a pivotal role in their middle six and have an impact on every shift.
Sennecke has a special ability to manufacture instant offense out of thin air. However, that style will inherently be tied to taking risks with the puck. Becoming more selective with when and how to unleash or rein in those abilities will come in time. He’s a rookie, and rookie mistakes are to be expected. However, they’re beginning to cost the team vital points at a crucial time in the season. The Ducks can’t afford to allow him to make those mistakes when they matter the most: the playoffs.
The Ducks are on the precipice of achieving something they’ve been starved for for eight years. By extending a long leash early in the year and shortening it down the stretch upon lack of improvement in certain areas, Quenneville and the coaching staff are taking both a long-term and short-term approach to get the most out of important young pieces on their roster.
Episode 27 of Hockey, Actually is filled with milestone chatter as Izzy and Nicolleta talk about Evander Kane’s 1000th NHL game as well as Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson both climbing their way up the franchise’s record lists. After discussing Canucks Head Coach Adam Foote’s approach to the season, the two talk about Vancouver’s young Canucks and their extracurricular fighting practice. The episode wraps with some early regular-season awards for both the Canucks and the Goldeneyes.
Continue reading for timestamps as well as a link to episode 27.
0:50 — Milestone Chatter: Kane’s 1000, Boeser and Pettersson
0:56 — Evander Kane plays in his 1000th NHL game
1:54 — Brock Boeser becomes ninth all-time in points by a Canuck
2:38 — Elias Pettersson hits 500 points, registers ninth-most power play points by a Canuck
Mar 28, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames right wing Adam Klapka (43) get into a scrum with Vancouver Canucks players during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
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The Chicago Blackhawks are set to host the Winnipeg Jets for the second time this season. The first time, on January 19th, was also the first time that Jonathan Toews ever returned to the United Center as a visiting player.
At that point, the Jets were lost and had no real thoughts about making the playoffs. It was heading down the trail of missing the postseason after being one of the best teams in the NHL one year prior.
This game is a different story. Since the Olympics, the Jets have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL. As a result, they enter Tuesday’s action just three points out of the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Although Toews will get another incredible reception from the crowd, the Jets are going to be all business.
Scouting Winnipeg
The Winnipeg Jets have a solid veteran group up front and in net. Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor are their two top stars up front, while Josh Morrissey is the top guy on the back end.
In net, they have one of the greatest goalies of all time in Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck, who just played a key role in Team USA winning a Gold Medal at the Olympics, is the reigning Hart Trophy winner and a three-time Vezina Trophy winner. With him in the net, the Blackhawks have a heavy challenge ahead of them.
Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
Perfetti-Lowry-Vilardi
Koepke-Toews-Lambert
Rosén-Zhilkin-Ford
Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Pionk
Bryson-Salomonsson
Fleury-Heinola
Hellebuyck
Toews will be the third line center in this one with Brad Lambert and Cole Koepke. Winnipeg’s lineup is in the blender due to a handful of injuries, including forwards Vladislav Namestnikov and Nino Niederreiter. Those two have resumed skating in non-contact sweaters, but won’t play in this game.
Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago
The Blackhawks announced after the morning skate that Artyom Levshunov and Matt Grzelcyk will miss the remainder of the season. This gives Kevin Korchinski and Ethan Del Mastro a little bit of runway to earn looks in the future.
Greene-Bedard-Lardis
Bertuzzi-Frondell-Mikheyev
Donato-Nazar-Burakovsky
Teravainen-Lafferty-Slaggert
Vlasic-Crevier
Kaiser-Rinzel
Korchinski-Del Mastro
Knight
Connor Bedard, Anton Frondell, and Frank Nazar are going to be a 1-2-3 punch down the middle again. This looked good in terms of an attack on Sunday against the New Jersey Devils, and now Jeff Blashill will get a look at it with his matchup advantage at home.
Spencer Knight will start for the Blackhawks in goal. He has given his team a chance to win in every start, but sometimes the defense in front of him lets him down.
Sacha Boisvert is going to be a healthy scratch in this one. Jeff Blashill confirmed he'll play most games down the stretch, but not all of them. It's a development process for him. Sam Lafferty will draw in his spot as the fourth line center. The wingers remain intact from the last game.
How To Watch
The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it is available on CHSN locally. Nationally, it is available to stream on ESPN+. The puck will drop shortly after 7:30 PM CT.
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For those holding out hope that Jim Nill might be the man to navigate the Toronto Maple Leafs through their latest identity crisis, those dreams were officially doused in cold water. Just hours after Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment boss Keith Pelley announced that the club had parted ways with general manager Brad Treliving, any speculation regarding Nill making a jump to the center of the hockey universe was silenced.
The Dallas Stars announced Tuesday that Nill has signed a multi-year contract extension to remain in Texas, effectively removing the current back-to-back-to-back Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year winner off the board. MLSE dismissed Treliving following a tenure that failed to move the needle in the postseason, while undergoing a massive underperformance in 2025-26. Nill, with his reputation for scouting excellence and veteran stability, would have been seen as the ideal candidate.
The extension keeps Nill in Dallas through the 2027-28 season, rewarding a tenure that has seen the Stars become a perennial powerhouse in the Western Conference. “I’m fortunate to work with incredibly talented and passionate individuals that have helped our franchise become one of the best in the NHL,” Nill said. “I’m extremely grateful to have the opportunity to continue as general manager of the Stars. My family and I would like to thank Tom Gaglardi for his continued support as we look to bring the Stanley Cup back to Dallas”.
With Nill officially off the table, the spotlight in Toronto shifts elsewhere. Reports indicate that the Maple Leafs have already begun the process of vetting high-profile replacements, with St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations Doug Armstrong frequently mentioned as a primary target. Armstrong, much like Nill, brings a championship pedigree; however, Armstrong remains under contract with his team, and they may not be willing to free him from his obligations.
Pelley is expected to address the media on Tuesday, where he will explain the reasoning why now was the right time to dismiss Treliving, who was on the job for two years and 10 months. Toronto dismissed Treliving after a 31-30-12 record just over an hour before the Leafs were to take on the Anaheim Ducks in a highly anticipated rematch. Pelley also removed Brendan Shanahan from his role as President and Alternate Governor of the hockey club following a 2025 second-round playoff exit, and the team has not yet replaced the position.
Indeed it was, and it it won't be the last time Lindstein, or a slew of other defensemen, will get schooled by arguably the greatest player on the planet, Connor McDavid. And it won't be the last time seeing him on the ice, and that's a good thing, because it means the 21-year-old is a mainstay in the NHL.
Here comes McDavid, with speed of a freight train, barreling down on Lindstein. What does he do in that moment? Probably what the majority of NHL defensemen do -- hope and pray.
"It's a pretty big deal when you see Connor McDavid comes up with speed," Lindstein said. "... It was just cool to play against the best player in the world."
What's sort of defined the Galve, Sweden native's game is that even after that humbling moment that at the time, gave the Edmonton Oilers a 2-0 lead in the third period, he came right back in the ice for his next shift and pinched in on a play that helped lead to a Pius Suter goal not even 2.5 minutes later.
He wasn't in awe of the moment. He put his head right back down and went back to work.
There are ebbs and flows to playing the position, and there will be wow moments and there will be learning moments.
But when Lindstein, who earned his first NHL point in his debut -- an assist -- against the New York Islanders on March 10, played in his 10th game on Monday against the San Jose Sharks, he potted his first NHL goal:
Who is happier about Theo Lindstein's first NHL goal?
And quite frankly, the Blues couldn't have drawn up a better start to an NHL career. It's been surprisingly quite seamless.
There's a calmness, a coolness to his game so far, not being overwhelmed and in awe of the moment.
This bodes so well moving forward, much more so than what the defenseman admitted he was expecting when he first arrived.
"I was just expecting to come up here maybe to learn a lot from the guys up here and see the game up here, maybe play a couple games, but I feel good out there and I'm just going to keep playing my game to earn every bit of ice time and to play every game," Lindstein said. "Just have fun out there. Not a lot of games left in the season and make it as good as possible, take that with me for next year."
Blues coach Jim Montgomery didn't sugarcoat anything. There would be no coddling with the player. The Blues invested heavily into this player, the 29th pick in the 2023 Draft, and at the time of his recall, their season was in a bit of flux until this recent run that thrust them back into playoff conversation, so why not get a look at another piece to what is expected to be a big part of the future of the organization?
And the young man hasn't disappointed.
"I think his brain and his feet are NHL-ready," Montgomery said. "The position is hard on young players, and a lot of credit should go to Colton Parayko because he's made his life real easy. He's talking to him on every shift. I don't know exact words he's telling him, but he's probably saying, 'Don't be afraid to have a great gap. I'll cover everything up.' It's really reassuring when someone you're playing with is telling you to be aggressive, don't worry, I've got your back, and he can clean everything up because he's done it his whole career."
Lindstein and the 11-year veteran Parayko have been a pair since Lindstein arrived. The transition has been smooth, the match has fit like a glove. It's sort of the yesteryear match when a young Parayko was paired with the crafty veteran Jay Bouwmeester, quite the shutdown pair that was a big part of the Blues' run to the Stanley Cup in 2019.
We're not there yet with this pairing, but who better to be a teaching mechanism for Lindstein than a Cup winner who's been through so many moments in his career?
"Just trying to do that as much as possible," Parayko said. "Obviously I know what it's like to come into this league. It's a tough league. Just try and remember things I would think about, what I would think makes you a good player and makes sure that he sticks with w hat he does great and makes him a great player. If there's anything he sees, or anything of that, don't hesitate ... I know I've been in the league for 11 years, but guys are always seeing something different. Just try to build together. Not too big, not too small. Just mainly trying to make him feel comfortable and allow him to play his game and we can just start reading and build off each other.
"I've had some great mentors, I don't know however you want to put it, leaders that have kind of helped me a lot, kind of put me under their wing. It's special, just knowing that you have teammates there. It's not just myself, it's everybody. Obviously I get the chance to play with him, but everyone in the locker room has been coming together and it's been great. A lot of good players with a good vibe going on in the locker room. Guys are coming together. I think everybody's making him feel at home, it's not just myself. I think that's important too. I get the pleasure of playing with him, but it's a team thing for sure."
There have been those that have made comparisons to Logan Mailloux, how he had to endure struggles earlier this season before finding his game of late. You have to remember, Mailloux went the route of junior hockey and the American Hockey League; Lindstein took a different path to get here and adapting as quickly as he has can be attributed to the fact he spent three seasons with Brynas IF of the Swedish Hockey League, the top league over there, before making the move to North America to play in Springfield of the AHL this season, playing in 56 games (six goals, eight assists, minus-24) and playing big minutes to ready him for this moment.
His Corsi-for through 10 games is 161-100, a 61.24 percent clip, according to naturalstattrick.com and shots for-against is 69-38 with him on the ice and has been on the ice for six goals for, just two against. The numbers don't lie.
"I had to come over here and play on the small rink for sure," Lindstein said. "I've been playing in tournaments on small rinks, but to be here now and to play all season, it's another thing. That was the biggest part in the beginning. It goes a little bit faster over here because it's smaller. That's the biggest thing. You have to be smart out there all the time and be on your toes all the time because things are happening out there all the time.
"I feel like I started pretty good (in Springfield), but after a couple of games, I went down a little bit but just came back from that. It's been a tough year for Springfield. We have a really young team down there. But I think I learned a lot from it. I played a lot of minutes when I was down there. I think that helps me a lot for coming up here."
The Blues were not going to rush and usher Lindstein to the NHL prematurely. They picked their spot and to this point, it's worked out better than imagined.
"Even what helped more is getting used to the North American game for 50 games down in the American (Hockey) League, where it's a real grind," Montgomery said. "You've got to play tired, you've got to play 3-in-3, three in two-and-a-half. That league really teaches you how to manage your recovery, teaches you how to manage your physical and mental challenges that come your way. In the Swedish League, I don't think they even play back-to-backs."
Lindstein is a plus-4, is averaging 15:15 per game and has been utilized on a penalty kill that, prior to Monday, was first in the NHL since the Olympic break at 88.1 percent. Having a mentor like Parayko has been a godsend, though.
"I feel like I've been playing good so far. Colton has been helping me a lot out there," Lindstein said. "He's very loud out there and I hear him every time. He talks a lot to me. That helps a lot for me.
"We're two different players. He's a big, strong, good defenseman. He can skate too. He's a great skater. But I feel that I can play my game with him, join the rushes, be the fourth guy joining up in the rushes. Sometimes he's up there too and I'm standing back. It's situation by situation on how it goes. If I feel that I can jump up, I'm going to jump up and fall up in the rushes all the time. We're helping each other out there.
"The biggest thing is all the players are better up here of course, and everyone is smarter, bigger, stronger."
When you're a 21-year-old who has a guy with Parayko pedigree pumping you full of confidence, it can only help his game grow, because that's how Parayko was taught.
"That's the thing I want to keep reiterating to him is just be confident, play your game," Parayko said. "If something goes wrong, I tell him I make mistakes, plenty of them and I've been in the league for 11 years. That's just the way it goes. I'm going to be there to support him. That's why we have three other forwards to support us and hopefully a goalie too. I feel like we'll just start thinking about it or trying to not make mistakes, and that's when things go the wrong way. Just be confident and make your play. There's good players around the league. There's other good players we're playing against. Just keep your head up and keep looking forward always.
"You've still got to go out and execute the whole game plan, but at the same time, I feel the more you talk to him, the more you feel more comfortable. That's for everybody. But I just reiterate that he's in this league for a reason. He's a good hockey player. Talking is a huge part of it all. Just trying to see what he's thinking, what I'm thinking and how do we mesh this together and make it work out.
"Be a sponge, keep learning, keep absorbing things. It's a lot. I'm still learning. You can say, quote-unquote, that I'm the guy that's mentoring him but it's funny because I'm still learning myself. Everybody's learning always. I think that's when it's important is when you can always keep an open mind, but at the same time, keep your focus. Know what you need to do and know what makes you good."
Lindstein is doing just that. There will be peaks and valleys, but the peaks are outweighing the valleys, surprisingly in the early going.
"There's a lot of good players in this league," Lindstein said. "To learn from all the players you see out there, it's just a dream-come-true to be out there."
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The Senators signed a pair of their drafted NCAA prospects on Monday, bringing both into the organization after their school's hockey seasons recently came to a close.
Penn State goaltender Kevin Reidler has signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Sens. The 6-foot-6, 206-pound netminder will report to the Belleville Senators on an amateur tryout for the rest of this season.
Reidler went 11-7-0 for the Nittany Lions this season, posting a 3.31 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. The big Swede was originally selected by Ottawa in the fifth round (151st overall) of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Meanwhile, Cornell defenceman Hoyt Stanley has also turned pro, signing a three-year entry-level contract with Ottawa. Stanley was a finalist for ECAC Hockey's best defensive defenceman award, which the NHL continues to overlook during its own awards season.
Like Reidler, Stanley will join Belleville on an ATO for the rest of the season.
Because the Sens dealt away their top three picks in the 2023 NHL Draft, Stanley was the first player they selected that year. He was drafted in the fourth round (108th overall) and has attended the last three development camps.
Stanley could make his professional debut as early as Friday, when Belleville visits Rochester to face the Americans. The B-Sens have seven games remaining in their regular season.
Maybe someday in Ottawa, Hoyt Stanley will hoist Stanley (I'll see myself out).
