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
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 02: Nick Blankenburg #37 of the Nashville Predators plays the puck. (Photo by Casey Gower/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
We’re less than 48 hours away from the NHL Trade Deadline this upcoming Friday, and the Avs have made another trade a week after acquiring defenseman Brett Kulak from the Pittsburgh Penguins. This time around, Colorado acquired right shot defenseman Nick Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2027 5th-round draft pick.
The 27-year-old Blankenburg will very likely be Colorado’s 7th defenseman for this season, and serve as “break glass in case of emergency” depth, in case the Avs need an NHL-caliber defenseman to slot in for any number of reasons. In 49 games for Nashville this season, Blankenburg has recorded six goals and 15 assists for a total of 21 points this season, and is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer on an expiring $775K contract.
Blankenburg is a good set-and-forget third-pairing defenseman and should be more than fine stepping into the lineup whenever he might be called upon. It is interesting that after a week of hearing how much the Avalanche value big strong and size on the back end that they’d target not only another right hander as well as someone listed at 5-foot-9 and 177 lbs. But the price must have been right and Blankenburg is an affordable depth addition.
As previously mentioned, we’re less than 48 hours before the deadline as of tonight and action has started to pick up around the league. Colorado has yet to address their forward group, which might be next on the docket after seemingly setting their defensive core for the rest of the season.
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Paul Cotter scored the winner in the shootout, Connor Brown forced overtime with a tying goal with 2:21 left in the third period and the New Jersey Devils beat Toronto 4-3 on Wednesday night, sending the Maple Leafs to their fifth straight loss.
Timo Meier 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, Jesper 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.
With the game tied at 2 in the third period, Knies batted in the rebound of John Tavares’ shot past Markstrom to put Toronto ahead with 6:10 left.
Brown took a pass from Gritsyuk on a rush toward the net and roofed a quick shot in tight past Stolarz to tie it at 3 with 2:21 remaining.
The Devils outshot the Maple Leafs 47 to 27 in regulation.
New Jersey was without defenseman Brett Pesce, who suffered a lower-body injury against Florida on Tuesday night.
Up next
Maple Leafs: Play at New York Rangers on Thursday night.
It was a tough pill for the Detroit Red Wings to swallow Wednesday evening in their first home game at Little Caesars Arena since Jan. 31, and another hard lesson in what can happen when they take their foot off the gas.
The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Red Wings by a 4-3 final score in overtime, as Tomas Hertl scored a power-play goal in the extra session after defenseman Simon Edvinsson was whistled for slashing.
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 5, 2026
The Red Wings failed to protect their 3-1 lead that they'd built through the first 40 minutes of play. Also, they weren't able to convert on four separate power-play chances, including a prime opportunity with just over two minutes left in regulation.
With the overtime setback, the Red Wings fell to 35-20-7; they gained a valuable point in the standings but remain in third place in the Atlantic Division, one point behind the surging Buffalo Sabres and three points back of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Golden Knights struck on their first of the contest, as first-year Vegas forward Mitch Marner sent a pass out in front of the net to a waiting Reilly Smith.
However, the Red Wings then took control of the frame, scoring three times thanks to rookie Emmitt Finnie, Simon Edvinsson, and Alex DeBrincat. For Finnie, it was his second goal in as many games following a 23-game goalless drought.
Following a scoreless second period, Vegas immediately began pressing in the game's final frame and eventually battled their way back into the game thanks to a pair of goals from Ivan Barbashev and Marner.
During Detroit’s late power-play chance in the third period, Dylan Larkin was cross-checked from behind in front of the net by Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb and fell to the ice in distress. He slowly skated off the ice but was eventually able to return during overtime. No penalty was called on the play.
Dylan Larkin takes a heavy cross check in the back from McNabb in front, leaves the game injured. No call on the play. #LGRWpic.twitter.com/upxzWj3ERh
Neither goaltender had a standout performance, as Adin Hill looked very shaky during the first period and finished the contest with 23 saves. Talbot, making the start in place of the injured John Gibson, made 21 saves.
It was Detroit's final game before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, which falls on Friday, March 6 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Later that evening, the Red Wings will face the struggling Florida Panthers at Little Caesars Arena.
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On Wednesday night, the Chicago Blackhawks made another trade with the Edmonton Oilers. After trading Connor Murphy to Edmonton for a 2028 second-round pick on Monday, Kyle Davidson reconnected with his old boss, Stan Bowman, on a deal that sent Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach away for a 2027 first-round pick and Andrew Mangiapane.
This is an interesting deal to break down for both sides. For the Oilers, they free themselves of Mangiapane's bad contract while adding two players who can help them down the stretch.
In the case of Dach, he could be a boost for their AHL team or be a fourth-line/extra forward heading into the postseason. He's a big physical presence who can make it hard to find space when he's on the ice.
In the offensive zone, he can create good ice in front of the net, which would benefit a scoring line if he were placed there as the third guy. If he improves his skating as he develops, he may be able to carve out a full-time role in Edmonton, but he has some work to do.
Jason Dickinson is the prize for the Oilers, who already have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl as a two-headed monster down the middle. If he fits in nicely as a third-line center, it is the best trio down the middle in the NHL.
McDavid and Draisaitl are good enough defensively for the amount of offense they create, but adding a shutdown center like Dickinson makes them a much more well-rounded group. If he plays the role as well as he did in Chicago, they have a high-end line for every type of situation.
As for the Blackhawks, they may or may not play Andrew Mangiapane regularly. They are not in a position where they absolutely have to buy him out, but they can afford to send him to the Rockford IceHogs or scratch him in favor of younger players.
If he does play, he will be hoping to revive his career the way that some other depth forwards have with Chicago in the recent past.
The first round pick in 2027, like Dickinson is for the Oilers, is the main prize for the Blackhawks. This draft pick is top-12 protected, just in case the Oilers have a shockingly bad year in 2026-27.
If the Florida Panthers stick with their bottom 10 record and land there in the draft, the first-round pick that Chicago received from the Seth Jones trade will move to 2027, meaning the Blackhawks could have three firsts in that draft.
Trade Grade: A
The Blackhawks have been stockpiling first and second-round picks a lot since Kyle Davidson took over. He's already made 11 selections in the first round, and most of them are looking like they could pan out.
Adding another one in exchange for a bottom-six defensive center may be his best work in terms of acquiring first-round picks. He threw in Colton Dach and took on Andrew Mangiapane to do it, but you have to give if you're going to take in the NHL.
Davidson's work on this deal earns him an A-grade, because he took an expiring (and aging) asset and turned it into a high-end lottery ticket, which is the best way to describe a first-round pick outside of the top-ten.
You will see better players traded for less in the coming days leading up to the deadline, which would be further proof that Davidson made a solid deal with this one.
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Wednesday, March 4, was a day for defensemen to change teams.
Tyler Myers got the ball rolling by accepting a trade from the Vancouver Canucks to the Dallas Stars. The 6-foot-8 Houston native will be playing in his home state on the same team as 6-foot-7 defenseman Liam Bischel.
Nick Blankenburg also moved from the Nashville Predators to the Colorado Avalanche for a 2027 fifth-round pick.
“Acquiring MacKenzie solidifies our back end as we continue to push towards the playoffs, and he will be a great addition to our team on and off the ice,” Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong said.
Here are the details and grades on the MacKenzie Weegar trade:
MacKenzie Weegar trade details
The Utah Mammoth acquire defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Olli Määttä, forward Jonathan Castagna and three 2026 second-round picks (Utah’s own and others previously acquired from the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers). Both players had to waive their no-trade clauses for the deal to go through.
Utah Mammoth trade grade: A-
Armstrong has been aggressively remaking the defense since the team moved to Utah in 2024. He added Mikhail Sergachev, John Marino and Ian Cole that first season and Stanley Cup winner Nate Schmidt last summer. Weegar gives the Mammoth a solid top four as they try to hold onto their wild-card position. And the Mammoth landed him without trading Tij Iginla, who would seem a natural to be part of a trade to Calgary, where his father Jarome had starred.
Calgary Flames trade grade: B-
Considering that Weegar is signed through 2031, it's surprising that the Flames didn't pry away a first-round pick. But three second-rounders are good in what's expected to be a deep draft. Olli Määttä is a pending unrestricted free agent and Castagna, a third-round pick, is averaging a point a game in his third season at Cornell.
When is the NHL trade deadline?
The NHL trade deadline is at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6.
Tomas Hertl scored his 24th goal of the season at the 2:11 mark of overtime Wednesday night to lift the Golden Knights to a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.
After taking an early 1-0 lead, on Reilly Smith's goal just 1:50 into the game, the Red Wings scored three unanswered goals to end the opening period to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.
After a scoreless second period, the Knights began their comeback with goals by Ivan Barbashev midway through the third period and Mitch Marner with 3:24 left in the regulation.
Goaltender Adin Hill stopped 23 shots to earn the win. PHOTO CAPTION: Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) skates with the puck in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena.
This is a developing story. Please check back for the full story.
The Colorado Avalanche aren’t done reshaping their blue line — and their latest move is all about having that extra defenseman.
On Wednesday, the Avalanche acquired Nick Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick, adding a steady right-shot option to bolster their defensive depth ahead of the stretch run.
Blankenburg, 27, may not bring size at 5-foot-9 and 177 pounds, but he plays bigger than his frame suggests. The puck-moving blueliner has continued to round out his game over two seasons in Nashville. This year, he’s produced six goals and 21 points in 49 games while averaging 17:58 per night. Last season, he recorded four goals and 16 points in 60 games, logging a career-high 19:33 in average ice time.
Blankenburg projects as a reliable No. 7 defenseman — the kind of depth piece contenders need when injuries inevitably test the roster. He becomes the Avalanche’s third in-season addition to the blue line, underscoring general manager Chris MacFarland’s clear focus on reinforcing the back end.
In January, Colorado dealt defenseman Ilya Solovyov to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Just over a month later, the two teams connected again in a larger swap that brought Brett Kulak to Denver in exchange for Samuel Girard and a second-round pick. Kulak stepped into Girard’s former third-pair role, but Colorado still lacked a dependable extra option. Blankenburg now fills that void.
Originally undrafted, Blankenburg signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022 after a standout four-year career at the Michigan Wolverines, where he served as captain in his senior season. The Washington, Michigan native carved out an NHL role through mobility, compete level, and smart puck decisions — traits that fit well within Colorado’s system.
Blankenburg is on an expiring contract and carries a league-minimum $775,000 cap hit, making the acquisition both low-risk and cap-friendly.
For a team with championship aspirations, this isn’t a flashy swing — it’s a calculated one. And in April and May, depth often matters just as much as star power.
The Edmonton Oilers have traded Andrew Mangiapane to the Chicago Blackhawks. It is the second deal the Oilers have done with this team ahead of the NHL trade deadline, first adding defenseman Connor Murphy on Monday.
As per Frank Seravalli and other sources, the deal is Mangiapane and a first-round pick in 2027 to the Blackhawks for Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach.
The condition on the pick is that it be Top 12-protected, and the Blackhawks will be retaining 50 percent of Dickinson's salary in this trade.
Some fans won't be thrilled with the fact it took a first-round pick to move Mangiapane in the trade. It was a steep price to pay, but the contract had to be moved for the Oilers to make any additional roster changes.
Originally drafted 29th overall by the Dallas Stars in 2013, Dickinson later had a brief stint with the Vancouver Canucks before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in October 2022. In Chicago, he developed into a dependable, defense-first forward known for faceoffs, penalty killing, and physical play. He posted a career-high 22 goals in 2023-24 and signed a two-year extension worth $4.25 million AAV. Production has since dipped due to injury.
Dach is a 23-year-old Canadian centre, drafted 62nd overall in 2021. The 6-foot-4, left-shot forward developed in the WHL and AHL before turning pro in 2023. Known for his size, physicality, and two-way play, Dach will play a bottom-six role. In 78 NHL games, he has five goals and 16 points, with modest production during Chicago’s rebuild. He’s averaged around 11–12 minutes per game this season while contributing hits and defensive play. Dach, the younger brother of Kirby Dach, remains a developing piece who may not be a regular for the Oilers.
The Chicago Blackhawks are an active seller ahead of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. It started on Monday, when they sent defenseman Connor Murphy to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a second-round pick.
Kyle Davidson made a deal with his old boss, Stan Bowman, to get an asset for Murphy, who is currently operating on an expiring contract.
On Wednesday, the two sides came together for another trade. The Blackhawks traded Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach to the Oilers in exchange for Andrew Mangiapane and a protected 2027 first-round pick.
The Blackhawks are, like they did with Murphy, going to retain 50 percent of Dickinson's cap hit. That is their third and final retention spot allowed.
In Dickinson, the Oilers are getting a third-line center whom they can trust in all three zones. With Ryan Nugent-Hopkins likely playing wing full-time, having Dickinson behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl down the middle makes them one of the deepest teams at center in the NHL.
Andrew Mangiapane is a cap dump for the Oilers. Getting him off their books is the main purpose of his inclusion in the trade.
Mangiapane, who turns 30 in late April, has the rest of this season with a cap hit of $2.45 million and next year at $2.375 million. In 52 games played this season, he has seven goals and seven assists for 14 points.
If he plays games with the Blackhawks, he is hoping to revive his career in the way that a couple of other depth forwards have in recent years. Mangiapane may never be the 35-goal scorer that he was in 2021-22, but there is room for him to get back to being a 15-20 goal man.
There is also a chance that the Blackhawks buy him out at some point, which is easier for them to do as they finish their rebuild than it is for the Oilers, who are right in the middle of their contention window.
Colton Dach moving in this deal was unexpected, but it's a sweetener along with Dickinson to get a first-round pick out of the Oilers, along with taking Mangiapane on.
Dach, an Edmonton native, has been in and out of Chicago's lineup, but he may be a great depth option for the Oilers going forward. With all of the young prospects coming up for Chicago, this is an opportunity for him to go to his hometown instead of dealing with a crowded forward group in Chicago.
The first round pick in this deal is top-12 protected. Although the 2025-26 Florida Panthers have taught the hockey world never to assume things, it is unlikely that the Oilers will be a bottom-12 team in 2026-27.
If the Panthers do finish in the bottom 10 and push their first-round pick going to Chicago by a year, the Hawks will have three first-round picks to work with in 2027.
That is another leader and defensive-minded player subtracted from the Blackhawks' starting lineup, but another elite-level draft pick is banked for a pending unrestricted free agent.
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