The Buffalo Sabres are expected to be buyers ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline as they look to end their 14-year playoff drought.
The Winnipeg Jets, on the other hand, are likely to be sellers due to their struggles this campaign.
With this, let's take a look at two Jets players whom the Sabres should consider targeting leading up to the 2026 NHL trade deadline.
Luke Schenn
It is no secret that the Sabres would be wise to add another right-shot defenseman by the deadline. It is clear that their right side could use a boost, and the Jets have an interesting option to consider in blueliner Luke Schenn.
Schenn would give the Sabres another solid, hard-nosed defenseman to work with for their bottom pairing and penalty kill if acquired. The 18-year veteran and two-time Stanley Cup champion would also be a good mentor for the Sabres' younger players if brought in.
Logan Stanley
The Jets have another interesting trade candidate defenseman in Logan Stanley. While Stanley is a left-shot defender, he would still have the potential to be a nice addition for a Sabres club that could use more depth on their blueline.
Like Schenn, Stanley is well-known for playing a heavy game, so he would give the Sabres' defensive group more bite. Furthermore, the 6-foot-7 defenseman is having an excellent year for Winnipeg, as he has set career highs with nine goals, nine assists, and 18 points in 55 games.
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 5: Avery Hayes #85 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with teammates after scoring his first career goal during the first period of an NHL against the Buffalo Sabres game at KeyBank Center on February 5, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There’s a famous story in sports about how in 1925 the first baseman for the New York Yankees, Wally Pipp, showed up to the ballpark with a headache.
Miller Huggins, the Yankees’ manager, noticed this, and said “Wally, take the day off. We’ll try that kid Gehrig at first today and get you back in there tomorrow.” Gehrig played well and became the Yankees’ new starting first baseman. This story first appeared in a 1939 New York World-Telegram on Gehrig’s career, in which Pipp was interviewed. Pipp was later quoted to have said, “I took the two most expensive aspirin in history.”
For the non-baseball fans (or young) out there, Lou Gehrig would go onto play in a then-record 2,130 straight games. And thus, getting “Wally Pipp’d” became a point for the last hundred plus years in sports about a replacement stepping in and never looking back.
Avery Hayes might not go down in history to the same degree as the legendary ‘The Iron Horse”, though after Hayes’s two-goal NHL debut it’s worth thinking about the situation for where he might go from here for the rest of the season. That debut was partially brought on, ironically enough, in a fourth line right wing spot because the typical holder in the lineup of that position, Noel Acciari, was sick for a game. It won’t cost Acciari his spot forever, though it has opened up a door that will be worth further exploring this season.
Hayes was sent back to the AHL for the Olympic break, he still looks on a high, recording a hat trick in his first game back. Last night Hayes picked up an assist and dropped former Penguin Zach Aston-Reese in a fight with a mean short left.
You can bet Penguin management has to be intrigued. The question now becomes just how much they’ll be looking to do to get Hayes a chance to get back into the NHL lineup. It’s a legitimate question since the current forward group figures to leave the break with full health with the normal fourth line featuring Acciari, Connor Dewar and Blake Lizotte playing with an abundance of chemistry and success together.
Josh Yohe wrote a good line in The Athletic today, saying: “the second you think pieces of your fourth line are unmovable, you’ve got yourself a problem”. That would apply to moving in or out of the lineup, or even status on the team itself.
One area working in the Pens’ favor is the 23-player roster maximum disappears after the NHL trade deadline. Teams just have to be mindful to stay under the salary cap (no problem at all there for Pittsburgh) and the limitation of four post-deadline call-ups (which is also no problem since emergency recalls if a team needs them due to injury as also allowed), all of which should definitely open up the possibility to get Hayes and his good pal Rutger McGroarty back with the NHL squad after the March 6th deadline. From there it won’t be too difficult to rotate out a player like Acciari or Dewar at times to get some younger blood in the lineup.
That could also be an audition for next season. Both of Acciari and Dewar are impending free agents this summer. Hayes and McGroarty are waiting in the wings as natural, younger replacements for next season, if the management team decides to go in that direction.
Another alternative could be to consider moving one of Dewar or Acciari in a trade. The wisdom of doing that when the team is clicking and remove a piece of their success is questionable at best. Trade value on both players won’t be high either, likely making the reward not worth the potential risk of damage it could do to this team’s morale and unity. Had this season unfolded like the previous few in Pittsburgh, it would be easy to trade veterans as their contracts near expiry (including Lizotte, who has already re-signed) and move onto younger players. This Pens team is fourth in the Eastern Conference with a .625% points percentage, they’ve earned keeping their group together a while longer.
The good news for the Penguins is that it’s a good problem to have right now where they have about 14 forwards that, all things considered, they’d probably like to have dressing for an NHL game on any given night. The problem pops up in that only 12 can actually dress. That offers them a lot of options on what to do next in the course of managing the excess of players they have available now at their disposal, building in some comfort to hedge against future injuries.
One of those angles will certainly be how much they decide to work Hayes back in for NHL opportunities down the stretch. The Pens are starring down a very difficult upcoming March that sees 17 games in 31 days against many of the best teams in the league. They have a real grind coming up, the post-March 6th ability to have fresh bodies like Hayes and McGroarty on hand could be a real blessing to keep players fresh and inject the lineup with new options as they go along.
Based on that timeline a transition wouldn’t be as immediate or impactful as a Hall of Famer like Gehrig entering the picture and never leaving it, but as Wally Pipp knew all too well opening the door to a new option can lead to changes that end up lasting longer than just a single game. Hayes is making a strong case to be in the NHL picture down the stretch in some form, the answer to just how much opportunity he’ll get will be one of the more intriguing little storylines for the Penguins in the final sprint of their 2025-26 season.
The Hockey News’ Frank Zawrazky caught up with Montreal Canadiens prospect and Laval Rocket Goaltender Jacob Fowler at the AHL All-Star Classic and asked him about a couple of topics.
The 21-year-old is in his first full professional season and has spent most of the season in the AHL with the Rocket, but the Canadiens’ goalie woes have led to a surprise call-up to the big team, where he played his first 10 NHL games. Still, he spent enough time in the AHL to earn his first invite to the All-Star Classic with a 17-7-0 record, a 2.21 goals-against average, and a .916 save percentage. Asked about what it meant for him to be an All-Star, he replied:
Yeah, it’s special. Obviously, every time you get to be a part of something like this, it’s cool. It’s the first in my career, and I’m just proud to represent this organization. There are a lot of people who have helped me get here, and I want to have a positive reflection on the organization.
- Fowler on taking part in the AHL All-Star Classic
An upper-body injury kept him from taking part in on-ice activities, but he still made the trip, sporting a brand-new mask for the occasion. Asked why that new mask features a Quebec license plate on the back plate, the goaltender explained:
It was a little touch: I’ve always had a license plate on the back with Florida, which is where I’m from, and for an event like this, I thought it would be cool to do the Quebec license plate because it’s my new home now. I think it’s turned out pretty nice.
- Fowler on the new back plate on his mask
On the goalie coach changes in Laval and Montreal, the netminder said:
Obviously, I’m happy for Marco (Marciano), he deserves it, he’s great, he’s been awesome for me. Very fortunate to have the people that we do in our organization, it’s exciting times in Laval.
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The netminder added that he still keeps in touch with Marciano, but he wasn’t sure if he was going to work with him during the Olympic break as initially planned, since Ilia Ejov has now been named interim goalie coach with the Rocket.
Fowler was cleared to play Laval’s first game after the All-Star break, and he backstopped the team to a 6-1 win over the Hershey Bears, saving 23 of the 24 shots he received. On Valentine’s Day, he acted as Kaapo Kahkonen’s backup in the game against the Toronto Marlies.
The Rocket is currently first in the Northern Division and fourth overall in the AHL. Fowler is having a great first professional season, and with what he showed during his call-up with the Canadiens, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him in the NHL sooner rather than later. The future looks bright in the Montreal crease, not only because of Fowler, but there are two Canadiens prospects amongst the nominees for the Mike Richter award in the NCAA.
The NHL may be on its Olympic break, but the AHL season is still in full swing, coming off the AHL All-Star festivities.
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins got crushed 5-0 by the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday and were trying to bounce back with a win against the Cleveland Monsters on Sunday, but it wasn't meant to be. WBS trailed three times during the game and came back to tie it each time before falling in overtime, 4-3.
Rutger McGroarty tied the game at one in the first period after poking the puck in from the net-front. Avery Hayes took the initial shot, and McGroarty was able to finish the play off.
McGroarty was assigned to WBS after the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 in their last game before the NHL's Olympic break. Before being sent back, McGroarty was playing really well in the NHL and continues to look even faster. He's also improved defensively and is making quicker decisions with the puck on his stick. He's going to be a full-time NHL player very soon.
The Monsters took a 2-1 lead later in the first period before Ville Koivunen tied the game with a little over a minute remaining in the period. The Monsters turned the puck over behind the net, leaving Koivunen with a wide-open cage. He made no mistake with the puck, making it a 2-2 game heading into the first intermission.
Koivunen has had a couple of NHL stints this season and scored his first NHL goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning back on Dec. 4. It was a long time coming since he was getting plenty of chances in other games, but wasn't getting the bounces to go his way.
He has played in 27 NHL games this season and, according to Natural Stat Trick, has been on the ice for 57.7% of the shot attempts, 58.8% of the expected goals, 58.9% of the scoring chances, and 57.2% of the high-danger chances. The process is there, but now it's about fine-tuning the smaller details of his game so that the results come. He's still a player who will be back in the NHL soon.
Emil Pieniniemi scored his first AHL goal to tie the game at three in the third period. He ripped the puck from the left circle, and it was a no-doubter.
Pieniniemi has played in six games for WBS this season, compiling one goal and three points. This is his first full professional season after he finished the 2024-25 season with 10 goals and 60 points for the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL.
Avery Hayes didn't score in Sunday's game, but he still made his presence felt when he dropped the gloves with former Penguin Zach Aston-Reese. He delivered some big right-hand punches and got credit for the takedown. What can't he do at this point?
Hayes recently scored a hat trick for WBS and scored two goals in his NHL debut against the Sabres. It won't be long until he's a full-time NHLer.
Despite the back-to-back losses this weekend, WBS is still in good shape in the Atlantic Division. WBS has a 32-13-3-2 record, good for 69 points and second place behind the Providence Bruins. The next closest team is the Charlotte Checkers, who are 14 points behind the Penguins.
WBS will try to snap this two-game losing streak on Wednesday against the Springfield Thunderbirds, who are in seventh place in the Atlantic Division with an 18-24-4-2 record. They'll then have a home-and-home against the Bridgeport Islanders next weekend.
Earlier this week, the CHL (Canadian Hockey League) announced their top 50 players of the last 50 years to celebrate their 50th anniversary.
The list includes countless hockey legends that played their junior careers in either the OHL, WHL, or QMJHL since 1975-76.
From current NHL superstars like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby to Hockey Hall of Famers such as Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Ray Bourque and Martin Brodeur, it truly is one of the greatest assortment of hockey greats you will ever lay your eyes on.
Included in the list was six current and former members of the Los Angeles Kings who left their mark in the Canadian junior hockey world.
Drew Doughty: Guelph Storm 2005-2008
The greatest blue liner in Kings history gets some more recognition as the CHL gave the now 36-year-old his flowers for what he managed to accomplish in his three seasons as a member of the Guelph Storm in the OHL.
In a 190 games as a member of the Storm, Doughty scored 39 goals to go with 118 assists for 157 points. In his third and final season in junior, the London, Ontario native put together one of the best seasons by a defenceman in CHL history. In the 2007-08 season, Doughty was recognized as OHL's most outstanding defenceman and he was also named to the CHL's First All-Star Team.
His strong OHL career lead to him being selected second overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2008 NHL entry draft. We all know how Doughty's story has gone since becoming a King. He will undoubtedly enter the Hockey Hall of Fame one day thanks to his Norris Trophy, two Gold Medals (potentially three), two Stanley Cup Rings, and many other accolades. Kings fans, enjoy watching this legend for however left he has in the tank.
Corey Perry: London Knights 2001-2005
Before he was a giant thorn in the Kings side for many years, Corey Perry was perhaps on of the greatest junior hockey players of all time for the London Knights of the OHL.
In his four seasons with London, Perry racked up 140 goals and 240 assists for 380 points in 253 regular season games. His most notable season came in 2004-05 when he lead the Knights to a Memorial Cup championship. In the 18 games during that championship run Perry recorded a whopping 38 points and his efforts were recognized as he was named OHL Playoff MVP, as well as the OHL's most outstanding player for the regular season.
Flash forward over 20 years and the now 40-year-old is still kicking around in the NHL. Perry has been a great pick up for the Kings as he has 11 goals and 17 assists in his first 45 games in silver and black.
It's no secret that Luc Robitaille is on the Mount Rushmore of Los Angeles Kings, but due to how long ago it was, many new fans may not know how dominant he truly was. During his time on the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL, Robitaille put up historic numbers.
In his 197 regular season games in the QMJHL, 'Lucky' scored 155 goals to with 269 assists for 424 total points. Truly insane numbers. His 1985-86 camp gain with Hull will go down in history as he registered 191 points in 63 games played. In the same season, he lead his team to a QMJHL Championship, however they ultimately fell short in the Memorial Cup finals.
After a bittersweet ending to his junior career, Robitaille continued to dominate, this time in the NHL where he was named rookie of the year in 1986-87 with the Los Angeles Kings. The eventual eight-time All-Star had three separate stints with the Kings. His 1,154 points as a King rank him third all time in franchise history. Robitaille now serves as President of the franchise.
Jarome Iginla: Kamloops Blazers 1993-1996
One of the greatest power forwards of all time, Jarome Iginla was recognized on the CHL's top 50 list for his tremendous junior career with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL.
In 183 games with the Blazers, Iginla scored 102 goals along with 134 assists for 236 points in the regular season. His numbers look ridiculous but his career in the WHL got off to a slow start. In his rookie season, 'Iggy' scored just six goals and 29 points. Just two years later, he scored 63 goals in 63 games for Kamloops, proving that not every players path is the same.
His time with the Kings was very brief, but Los Angeles is where he ended his career after the Kings traded for the winger in hopes he could help fuel a playoff push. In 19 games played with L.A. Iginla picked up six goals and three assists for nine points. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020, Iginla's hockey legacy lives on thanks to his sons Tij (Utah Mammoth/Kelowna Rockets) and Joe (Vancouver Giants).
Although he became one of the greatest defenders the NHL will ever see, Paul Coffey's junior career was quite different from other past legends. Coffey suited up for three different franchises in the OHL (then known as the OHA); the Kingston Canadiens, Soo Greyhounds, and Kitchener Rangers.
Coffey played in 151 games in the OHA, registering 48 goals and 147 assists for 195 points. His beast season came in his final season where he split time with the Greyhounds and Rangers, he put up 102 points in 75 games played. He was also a bully on the blue line as he accumulated 193 penalty minutes in 1979-80.
It's extremely rare that you'll see a Hall of Famer play for as many teams as Paul Coffey did in his 21-year NHL career. The Kings were Coffey's third stop of eight, when he joined the club in 1991-92 when the Kings acquired him from the Penguins in search of their first Stanley Cup. Unfortunately L.A. fell short and Coffey ended up playing in just 60 games with the Kings. He was very productive however picking up nine goals and 53 assists for 62 points in the silver and black.
Wayne Gretzky: Peterborough Petes & Soo Greyhounds 1976-1978
'The Great One' had one of the most interesting starts to a hockey career we will ever see. His start in the OHL (then OHA) began with the Peterborough Petes in 1976/77, and finished with the Soo Greyhounds in 1977/78 before he went on to dominate the hockey world.
In 1976/77, Wayne Gretzky joined the Peterborough Petes as a 15-year-old where he would appear in just three games, registering three assists. At 16, Gretzky was now a member of the Greyhounds and he officially put the hockey world on notice as he scored 70 goals and 112 assists for 182 points in 63 games played. Imagine how much fun it is to be that good. Shockingly, Gretzky and the Greyhounds did not qualify for the playoffs that season.
We all know how 99's career ended up, but his shocking trade to the Kings in 1988 will forever go down in history as the biggest trade in sports. Although the Kings didn't get Gretzky's best seasons, his 918 points in 539 games is certainly nothing to scoff at. Those numbers have him at 5th place in franchise history. One of the biggest shames in hockey history will be the Kings failing to raise Lord Stanley while Wayne was in town.
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Chicago Blackhawks forward Ilya Mikheyev is one of multiple pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) on the Original Six club's roster. With this and the Blackhawks not being a playoff team, he has naturally been creating some chatter as a trade candidate.
With Mikheyev being a solid top-nine forward who provides secondary offensive production and is a very effective penalty-killer, there is no question that there could be some clubs interested in him near the deadline. However, one specific top club is being viewed as a clear fit for the Blackhawks winger.
In a recent article for The Athletic, Scott Powers, Mark Lazerus, and Chris Johnston named the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens as two teams that could express interest in Mikheyev if he is made available.
"The Montreal Canadiens are absolutely in the market for a penalty-killing depth forward, but might have to part with a roster player to make the math work. That would largely defeat the purpose for the Blackhawks. The Carolina Hurricanes could be a nice fit for Mikheyev’s style, as well," The Athletic wrote.
If the Canadiens could find a way to acquire Mikheyev without sending a player the other way to Chicago, he could slot nicely in their bottom six and on their penalty kill. The same can be said about the Hurricanes, as he could be a nice pickup for their third line if acquired.
Yet, with Mikheyev being a solid all-around forward, it's very likely that multiple other playoff clubs could kick tires on him. However, with Mikheyev being a key part of the Blackhawks' roster, the possibility of them signing him to a contract extension should not be ruled out, either.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see what ends up happening between the Blackhawks and Mikheyev from here.
American Vincent Trocheck and German Jonas Muller compete for the puck during the first period of the U.S. win. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
With NHL stars back in the Winter Olympics for the first time in 12 years, organizers of the Milan-Cortina hockey tournament have seemingly done everything they can to make the players feel at home.
A horn blast marks goals and the end of each period, an NHL tradition since the 1970s; foreboding organ music plays whenever a player is banished to the penalty box; and the songs used during breaks in play lean heavily toward American artists such as Dean Martin, Neil Diamond and The Black Eyed Peas.
They even brought in Kings’ organist Dieter Ruehle to complete the ambience. So it should be no surprise that the U.S. and Canada, whose rosters include only NHL players, have been the most comfortable in that environment, emerging from the three-game group stage Sunday as the tournament’s only unbeaten teams.
Canada blitzed France 10-2 behind two goals from the San Jose Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini to earn the top seed into Wednesday’s quarterfinals while the U.S beat Germany 5-1 to grab the second seed.
The Americans got two goals and an assist from Toronto Maple Leafs’ captain Auston Matthews and goals from Zach Werenski, Brock Faber and Tage Thompson in its win. The U.S. have scored at least five goals in each of its three games.
“It's kind of been familiar to an NHL-style environment, but with the pride of country,” said Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy. “So it's been a blast.
“The environment that they created here, I think they did an awesome job.”
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson, who was still in college during the 2022 Olympics, played for the U.S. in front of an empty arena in the COVID-marred tournament in Beijing, where there was no environment. These Games are better, he said.
“The crowd's a little bit different than in NHL,” he said. “It's a little more rowdy, maybe that's just the European way. But it's amazing seeing the flags. Obviously, a lot of American flags, but flags from all over the world.”
McAvoy and Sanderson are two of 147 NHL players at the Milan-Cortina Games. All 32 teams sent at least one player and every country in the tournament, save host Italy, has an NHL player on its roster.
Italy, not surprising, lost all three of its first-round games, getting outscored 19-4.
NHL players were held out of the 2018 Olympics after the IOC announced it would no longer cover player-related costs such as insurance, travel and accommodations, and they missed the 2022 Games after a COVID-19 outbreak scrambled the league’s schedule, forcing it to withdraw its players from the Olympics six weeks before they were to leave.
In their absence, countries fielded teams of college players or professionals from lower-tier leagues while many NHL players figured their Olympic dreams would never be realized.
The United States men's hockey team leaves the rink after defeating Germany. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
“We missed out on a couple. So I think it kind of went to the back of everyone's mind,” said Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who is playing in his first Olympics for Canada. “But then they announced that we're going to this one. I think everyone got really excited.”
“I dreamed about it growing up, like every other kid,” he continued. “Whenever we were playing mini-sticks or street hockey or on the outdoor rink, you were always playing for the Stanley Cup or playing for Olympic gold.”
Kuemper has already won a Stanley Cup. A title in Milan would complete the set.
“The two greatest honors in hockey,” he said. “Winning the Stanley Cup and winning Olympic gold.”
Canada will probably have to get by the U.S. to get Kuemper his medal and the U.S. looked beatable for most of a sloppy first period Sunday, one that saw two defensemen collide on a power play, knocking one another to the ice. Later in the period forward Jack Hughes tumbled to the ice untouched.
The Americans finally found their stride, going ahead to stay when Werenski, a defenseman with the Columbus Blue Jackets, took a pass from Matthews in the center of the right circle, stepped up and drilled a wrister past German goalie Maximilian Franzreb nine seconds before the first intermission.
Matthews doubled the advantage 3:25 into the second period, poking the rebound of a Quinn Hughes’ shot by Franzreb for his second power-play goal of the Olympics. Faber, who plays in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild, made it 3-0 with less than 2:30 left in the second period, playing the puck off the boards near the blue line and flicking it on goal where Eichel got a stick up in front of Franzreb, distracting the goalie as he reached up unsuccessfully to glove the puck.
Thompson, of the Buffalo Sabres, and Matthews closed out the scoring for the U.S. with goals less than five minutes apart into the final period. Tim Stutzle of the Ottawa Senators finally got Germany on the board with his fourth of the Olympics with less than nine minutes to play.
Now for the U.S. it’s on to the quarterfinals, which is the Olympic version of the NHL playoffs.
“We'd be idiots to think anything other than the game in front of us,” McAvoy said when asked about facing Canada in the final. “We've said from the beginning ‘every single game, every single day.’ It’s just about winning one hockey game.
“We were able to accomplish our goal, get two wins, win the group. That was our goal coming into this and now we get some added some added rest, which is huge.”
It’s no secret that the Vancouver Canucks have not had a great season — but how would they stack up against the 2026 Winter Olympic men’s hockey teams?
That’s a question that NHL Hall-of-Famer and former first-overall pick Mike Modano answered while on TSN’s OverDrive, claiming that Team Switzerland would beat the Canucks “maybe seven” times in a 10-game series.
“I’ve always thought the Swiss play a real good team game, but that’s the only thing that saves them and keeps these games going, but they don’t really have anybody to break open any games,” he explained on the show. “They always seem to play real tight defensively, and play good, and just kind of wear you down and hope you make a mistake. I don’t know if Vancouver has that type of patience in their game anymore.”
Vancouver, which currently sits at 32nd in the NHL, has seven members of the organization currently at the 2026 Winter Olympics: Elias Pettersson (Sweden), Kevin Lankinen (Finland), Teddy Blueger and Anri Ravinskis (Latvia), Filip Hronek and David Kämpf (Czechia), and Lukas Reichel (Germany). Only five of these players play with their NHL club regularly.
Switzerland’s roster, while only sporting 10 active NHL players, is still filled with high-end talent. Standout players include three New Jersey Devils — captain Nico Hischier, forward Timo Meier, and defenceman Jonas Siegenthaler; Kevin Fiala of the Los Angeles Kings (who suffered an unfortunate injury that will keep him out of the remainder of the Olympics); and former Canucks centre Pius Suter. As well, Nashville Predators star and former James Norris Memorial Trophy winner Roman Josi leads the way from their blueline.
Switzerland, which is in Group A during the 2026 Winter Olympics, faced Hronek and Kämpf in ther matchup with Czechia earlier today, taking a surprising 4–3 win in overtime. Their only loss of the preliminary round came against Canada, which they dropped by a score of 5–1. Switzerland finishes the preliminary round in second place in Group A with a record of 1–1–0–1.
Feb 15, 2026; Milan, Italy; Dean Kukan of Switzerland celebrates scoring their fourth goal with teammates against Czechia in men's ice hockey group A play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-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 San Jose Sharks will be a team to watch closely once the NHL Olympic roster freeze lifts later this month. With the Sharks being in the Western Conference playoff race, there is certainly a chance that they will continue to look to add to their roster.
One of the Sharks' biggest needs right now is to add another defenseman. Their right side, in particular, could use a boost. When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud stands out as an interesting option for the Sharks to consider.
While Whitecloud was recently acquired by the Flames, he is being viewed as a trade candidate on Calgary. It is understandable, as the Flames are rebuilding, and the 29-year-old defenseman has the potential to get them a nice return.
If the Sharks landed Whitecloud, he could slot very nicely in their top four and on their penalty kill. This is because he plays a smart defensive game and is not afraid to throw the body.
Whitecloud would also give the Sharks a player with plenty of playoff experience and a Stanley Cup on their resume. This would not be a bad thing at all for a young Sharks club on the rise.
Whitecloud would also be more than a rental for the Sharks if they acquired him, as he has a $2.75 million cap hit until the end of the 2027-28 season. This certainly adds to his appeal.
Ultimately, with the Sharks' blueline needing a boost, Whitecloud stands out as a player who could fit well on their roster.
Two LGBTQ+ teams will be heading to Vancouver to take part in the third-annual NHL Unites Pride Cup. Taking place from February 28 to March 1 at the North Surrey Sport & Ice Complex, The Cutting Edges (Vancouver) and Seattle Pride Hockey Association will face each other in a three-game series. The winner will claim the Pride Cup trophy, while both teams will be given a $25,000 donation.
"Since the inaugural Pride Cup, we’ve seen hockey communities across the League come together to create a welcoming, respectful experience for everyone who loves the game,” Kim Davis, NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Social Impact, Growth Initiatives, and Legislative Affairs, said in a press release. “At its best, hockey brings people together -- fostering inclusive environments for all who play and love the sport. Our Pride initiatives are one of the many ways we continue to live out that commitment.”
The Cutting Edges are a Vancouver-based LGBTQ+ hockey organization that first established themselves in 1994 as part of the Gay Games in New York. During this tournament, they even received a shout-out from Don Cherry on Coach's Corner. The Cutting Edges have competed in various tournaments around North America since then while also hosting some of their own.
Seattle Pride Hockey Association provides a safe space for both players and fans to enjoy the sport of hockey. The organization hosts their own tournaments the Seattle Pride Classic and the Frozen Pride Classic, while also having a travelling team called the Rain City Rush.
Jan 21, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen (32) and forward Elias Pettersson (40) and defenseman Filip Hronek (17) and defenseman Tyler Myers (57) and forward Drew O'Connor (18) celebrate their victory against the Washington Capitals at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
NHL Unites Pride Cup Schedule
Game 1: Saturday, February 28 at 11:45 am PT
Game 2: Saturday, February 28 at 4:30 pm PT
You Can Play Project/Coaches Training: 1:30 pm PT
Game 3: Sunday, March 1 at 3:30 pm PT
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The NHL season has hit the Olympic break, and New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer is -1000 on the Calder Trophy odds board.
We still have the second half of the season, but Ivan Demidov (+900) will have to do something pretty spectacular to overcome the Isles' 18-year-old sensation.
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Understanding NHL Calder odds
Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. When the regular season is nearly finished and a consensus has emerged, you might see a player with a minus sign (-) ahead of his odds, like this:
Ivan Demidov -400
The (-) means that Demidov is the odds-on favorite, and a bettor would need to wager $400 to win $100. Other contenders in the Calder race might have plus (+) odds to win.
Alexander Nikishin +900
Here, a bettor stood to profit $900 for every $100 wagered.
If American odds aren't your thing, simply use a tool like our odds converter to switch the odds to decimal or fractional format. Most online sportsbooks also give you the option to change the odds format that you see.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen could be a player to keep an eye on as we get closer to the 2026 NHL trade deadline. The right-shot defenseman has been a trade candidate for quite some time, and there could be interest in him if he can stay healthy between now and the deadline.
Due to this, let's look at three teams that could make sense as landing spots for Ristolainen if the Flyers shop him.
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings are in a position to add to their roster, as they have a ton of cap space and currently hold a playoff spot. There is no question that they could use a right-shot defenseman with size, so they could be a nice fit for a veteran blueliner for Ristolainen.
Dallas Stars
One of the Stars' top objectives ahead of the deadline should be to bring in another right-shot defenseman. Their right side is in clear need of a boost, so it would be understandable if they had Ristolainen on their radar. Ristolainen is also playing for Team Finland with several players on the Stars.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs have been connected to Ristolainen in the past, so it would not too surprising if they had him on their radar. The Maple Leafs need to improve the right side of their defense, and bringing in Ristolainen would help things on that front.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a position to add to their roster ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline. The Penguins are currently in second place in the Metropolitan Division, so it would be understandable if they looked to boost their group.
One of the Penguins' top needs is a right-shot defenseman, and they are now being viewed as a potential fit for a solid one because of it.
In a recent article for The Athletic, Scott Powers, Mark Lazerus, and Chris Johnston listed the Penguins among the possible suitors for Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy.
"Dallas is a natural fit, but the Stars are hardly the only team looking for a right-shot and/or depth defenseman. Buffalo, Ottawa, San Jose, Pittsburgh, Boston and Detroit all make sense, too," Powers, Lazerus, and Johnston wrote.
Seeing the Penguins being viewed as a potential fit for Murphy is not surprising. They need to improve their right side, and Murphy is one of the top right-shot defenseman trade candidates in the NHL right now. Thus, it would be understandable if the Penguins made a push for him once the NHL Olympic roster freeze ends.
If the Penguins landed Murphy, he could slot on either their second or third pairing. In addition, he would be an obvious choice for the Penguins' penalty kill due to his steady defensive play.
Yet, with Murphy being a big right-shot defenseman with plenty of experience, it is very likely that several teams will pursue him. As a result, the Penguins would have competition if they look to add him.
The Philadelphia Flyers, as an organization, appear to be finally getting healthy and kicking some injuries at the right time.
Forward Tyson Foerster appears to be on the mend, defense prospect Spencer Gill just played in his first games since October, and now another young stud is getting back on the ice, too.
On Saturday night, top forward prospect Alex Bump made his return from a lengthy injury absence that eliminated all but one game over the last two months.
Bump, 22, entered the Lehigh Valley Phantoms' lineup for the first time since Jan. 3 on Saturday night, and before that, the highly-skilled winger hadn't played since Dec. 19.
Bump, Gill, and defenseman Oliver Bonk have all missed several months due to their respective injuries this season, and all are now healthy at the same time for the first time this season.
In his return to the lineup, Bump recorded three shots on goal, took one penalty, and had a -2 rating.
Former Flyers goalie Ivan Fedotov (33/35, .943) and the Cleveland Monsters took a 5-2 decision, knocking off Bump and the Phantoms and making them losers of four straight.
In each of their last four losses, the Phantoms have allowed no fewer than five goals while being out-scored 22-10.
The Phantoms now sit at a mediocre 21-21-4 in fifth place in the AHL's Atlantic Division, but now that Bump is back and healthy, maybe they have a chance to turn the tides a bit.
As for Bump's NHL prospects, his injury came at an unfortunate time, and it would take something unprecedented (or another injury at the NHL level at the winger position) for the 22-year-old to get ice time in the big leagues.
For now, teammate and fellow Flyers prospect Denver Barkey has leapfrogged him on the organizational depth chart, nailing down a middle-six role on the Flyers as currently constructed.
Once again this year, Quebec City will host its International Pee Wee Tournament from February 11 to 22, and as always, there will be a team representing the Montreal Canadiens. This time around, it’s the Lions du Lac St-Louis that have earned the privilege of wearing the Sainte-Flanelle for the tournament, and on Friday, they got a visitor at practice.
While plenty of NHL players have used the Olympic break as an opportunity to head to sunny destinations, Mike Matheson stayed around, spent some time in Brossard skating with his little boy, and on Friday, he surprised the Lions at practice.
Judging by the picture published by the Canadiens’ social media account, the kids were over the moon to see Matheson, who had his jersey retired by the Lions back in September, turn up. They hadn’t started their tournament yet, with their first game being scheduled on Valentine’s Day against the Long Island Stars.
Photo credit: Montreal Canadiens Instagram Account
Matheson, who will turn 32 toward the end of the month, signed a five-year extension with the Canadiens at the end of November and is not going anywhere anytime soon. The veteran defenseman managed to get a three-year full no-movement clause out of Kent Hughes, a rare feat. Then, in the last two years of his deal, he has a modified no-trade clause, which provides that he can submit a list of 14 teams he doesn’t want to be traded to in 2029-30 and a five-team list for the 2030-31 season.
Right now, there would be no reason for the Canadiens to want to trade the blueliner in any case; he’s an absolute workhorse on their defence corps, averaging nearly 25 minutes of ice time per game. Despite not being on the power play anymore, he’s managed to rack up 28 points in 54 games, just three points below his total from last season, which he’ll no doubt surpass.
Matthew Schaefer
Ivan Demidov
Beckett Sennecke
Jesper Wallstedt
