NEW YORK (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust has been suspended three games for an illegal check to the head of Vancouver’s Brock Boeser.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced the ban Tuesday following a disciplinary hearing with Rust, who will be out Thursday against Chicago, Saturday against the New York Rangers and Monday against Ottawa. He's eligible to return next Tuesday at the Islanders.
Rust lifted his right shoulder into Boeser’s head in the final seconds of the Penguins’ game at the Canucks on Sunday, which they won 3-2. Boeser is out at least a week after going on injured reserve.
Rust will forfeit $80,078 in salary with that money going to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
On the surface, the Rangers were able to break even on a player whom they acquired for a third-round pick from the Vancouver Canucks, when Soucy had a season and a half left on his contract.
Call that a win for the Rangers, as Soucy, outside of Artemi Panarin, was their most valuable pending unrestricted free agent.
For the Islanders, they are hoping that Soucy stabalizes their backend. Since Alexander Romanov went down with a regular-season-ending right shoulder injury on Nov. 18, his spot in the lineup has been a revolving door of Bridgeport Islanders' blue-line depth, along with seventh defenseman Adam Boqvist, who had been playing on his off-side.
Was it a bit of an overpay by the Islanders? Sure. Is it a problem? Absolutely not.
The morning after just the fourth-ever trade between the #Isles & #NYR…
The reality of the situation right now is that the Islanders are not only without their 2026 third-round pick, but they are also without their 2026 second-round pick, which was attached to Josh Bailey, who had one season left at $5 million annually, in the deal that sent him to the Chicago Blackhawks on Day 2 of the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville.
However, the Islanders do have two first-round picks this draft year: their own and the Colorado Avalanche's first-round pick from the Brock Nelson deal. That first is essentially a second-round pick, with Colorado currently leading the NHL in points with 79 -- the second closest is the Tampa Bay Lightning with 70.
Had the Islanders not bolstered their prospect pool last summer, adding forward Victor Eklund, Daniil Prokhorov, Luca Romano, and Tomas Poletin, along with defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson through the first four rounds, then, sure, complain away about sending picks for rentals.
No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer is no longer considered a prospect.
However, the Islanders added those guys to a prospect pool that already has a strong foundation, with forwards Cole Eiserman, Quinn Finley, Danny Nelson & Kamil Bednarik, along with defenseman Jesse Pulkkinen and Isaiah George on the blue line.
They'll be okay, especially if Soucy's able to help enough to keep the Islanders in a playoff spot.
If the Islanders remain in a playoff spot by the trade deadline, they aren't likely to sell.
But, if first-year general manager Mathieu Darche did sell off players, getting back that third-round pick won't be a challenge -- he can probably do much better.
ST.
LOUIS – The
St. Louis Blues (19-24-9) and Dallas Stars (29-14-9) will meet for
the second time in what will be three matchups in a 13-day span on
Tuesday in the second game of a four-game homestand at Enterprise
Center (7 p.m.; ESPN+, HULU, ESPN 101.1-FM).
The
Blues, who played arguably one of their best games this season when
they topped the Stars 3-1 in October here, fell 3-2 at Dallas on
Friday on a goal by Jason Robertson in the final minute of
regulation.
“Just
how smart and how they understand to win hockey games,” Blues
coach Jim Montgomery said of the Stars.
‘That was a very even game, but at the end, their players went out
and they were hunting to win the game and it’s a mindset that we
want to develop.”
The
Blues, who have lost four straight (0-3-1), have been right there in
the last three games but are a season-high five games under .500 yet
somehow continue to tumble in the Western Conference standings.
The
mood remains upbeat despite the dire situation, and it’s something
that captain Brayden Schenn said is a must.
“You
can’t walk around … 82 games of being miserable and unhappy,”
Schenn
said.
“You have to find ways to keep yourself upbeat and ultimately when
you’re upbeat and you have a good attitude, guys play better and
that’s just the reality of it. You want to win hockey games, we all
know that, but you can’t show up to the rink every day and be
miserable because at the end of the day, you’ve got to be lucky and
grateful for the job that we get to do and it doesn’t last forever
and you have to enjoy the people around you and come to the rink with
a good attitude, be ready to work and ultimately strive to get wins.
“We look one at a time. We’ve had
spurts where we’ve played better. We kind of gave Dallas that last
game. We’re in games now; obviously that Edmonton one, but we’re
playing better, we’re playing harder together, but at the end of
the day, we have to find better ways to win in this league and learn
how to win and we just haven’t been able to do that.”
- - -
Pavel Buchnevich, who’s been at the
center position the past three games, has seen an uptick in his game,
and it’s not a coincidence that linemates Jordan Kyrou and Jake
Neighbours have played effectively as well.
“I think ‘Buchy’s been incredible at
center,” Montgomery said. “I think his draws have been fantastic.
He’s been able to use his vision a lot more to create time and
space. Good entries and good forechecks and I think ‘Rouzy’s been
really skating. This has been the longest stretch of ‘Rouzy’
here, I think it’s seven or eight games here, I would say he’s
had one average game and the other ones are him skating, putting
people on their heels, stripping people from behind. That goal where
he fakes and he does the wraparound, that’s the ‘Rouzy’ that
St. Louis Blues fans and us coaches and teammates love to see.”
- - -
Jonatan Berggren, who played a Blues-high
18:59 on Saturday, continues to get looks in the Blues’ top six
despite a point drought of eight games. But don’t let those numbers
fool you.
The Blues keep Berggren there because he
continues to make high-end plays that are not being rewarded, hence
why the Blues are last in the league in goal scoring at 2.42 per
game.
“(Berggren’s game is) in a place where
I think he’s getting comfortable within our structure,”
Montgomery said. ‘I think that he has games where he’s very
evident of how he’s making plays and winning 1-on-1 battles. When
he’s winning 1-on-1 battles, that’s when he’s at his best
because he has time and space. He is one of our best play makers.
He’s one of our best players at seeing the ice and making plays
through people and over people, and that’s something that we want
to give him the opportunity here like he has been consistently here
lately in a top six role to see how much be can produce.”
- - -
With Otto Stenberg being sent down to
Springfield on Monday, Montgomery’s message was simple.
“He’s had a real good stint with us,”
the coach said. “Consistently reliable, someone that is very smart
offensively and defensively, and then offensively, he needs to expand
his game. Right now, he gets a lot of opportunities. I think working
on his shot and mindset of being more aggressive getting to the blue
paint offensively is something that’s going to let him when he
comes back to be an even better Blue for us. But he’s had a really,
really good tenure with us in his first go-around in the NHL.”
-
- -
Blues
Projected Lineup:
Jonatan
Berggren-Brayden Schenn-Jimmy Snuggerud
Jake
Neighbours-Pavel Buchnevich-Jordan Kyrou
Robby
Fabbri-Dalibor Dvorsky-Mathieu Joseph
Alexey
Toropchenko-Nick Bjugstad-Nathan Walker
Philip
Broberg-Colton Parayko
Tyler
Tucker-Justin Faulk
Cam
Fowler-Logan Mailloux
Jordan
Binnington will start in goal; Joel Hofer will be the backup.
The
healthy scratch includes Matthew Kessel. Pius Suter (high ankle
sprain), Robert Thomas (lower body), Oskar Sundqvist (skate
laceration) and Dylan Holloway (high ankle sprain) are out.
-
- -
Stars
Projected Lineup:
Jason
Robertson-Roope Hintz-Mavrik Bourque
Justin
Hryckowian-Wyatt Johnston-Mikko Rantanen
Sam
Steel-Matt Duchene-Jamie Benn
Oskar
Back-Radek Faksa-Colin Blackwell
Esa
Lindell-Miro Heiskanen
Thomas
Harley-Nils Lundkvist
Kyle
Capobianco-Alexander
Petrovic
Jake
Oettinger will
start in goal; Casey
DeSmith will
be the backup.
Healthy
scratches
include Nathan
Bastian and
Adam
Erne. Tyler Seguin (ACL), Lian Bichsel (lower body), and
Ilya
Lyubushkin (lower
body) are
out.
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The Vancouver Canucks are taking a notable step ahead of the trade deadline by allowing former Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane to actively explore trade options with other teams.
Don't expect that to mean the Oilers will be anywhere near this.
According to reports, Kane’s agent, Dan Milstein, has been granted permission to help facilitate discussions around a potential deal. While no trade is imminent, it speaks to how badly the Canucks are trying to move this along. Both sides appear open to a change, and there was speculation the other day that Kane might be headed to the Dallas Stars, with a strange report that he followed a Dallas, Texas house and renovation company on social media.
Kane, 34, is still a recognizable name around the NHL. The ex-Oiler brings a heavy, north-south style, a willingness to play physically, and a history of contributing in high-pressure playoff situations. However, his fit in Vancouver has been inconsistent, and with the Canucks essentially falling apart this season, the pending UFA was unlikely to be retained.
Allowing Milstein to work the phones is a calculated move by Vancouver. Rather than waiting for teams to call, the Canucks can proactively gauge interest and better understand Kane’s value across the league — all while maintaining control over the process.
It is not known if Milstein has called the Oilers, but the response is likely to be a definitive no thank you. Multiple reports suggest that ship has passed and the Oilers don't have the cap space or the desire to bring him back under his current contract.
Expect The Stars, Avalanche, and Kings To Be Interested
What might be unfortunate for Edmonton is the speculation that several Western Conference contenders have already been loosely linked to Kane, including the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, and Los Angeles Kings. These are teams the Oilers could meet and would have to beat in the playoffs to get to another Stanley Cup Final.
Dallas could use Kane’s physical edge without sacrificing offense, Colorado has a history of adding veteran support around its stars, and Los Angeles feels like a team that is full of former Oilers, and one led by ex-Oilers GM Ken Holland.
Granting permission to seek a trade doesn’t guarantee a deal will happen. Salary cap logistics, Vancouver’s asking price, and fit will all factor into the final outcome. Still, the Canucks are no longer brushing aside speculation — they’re leaning into it.
Whether Kane is moved or not, or whether he'll indirectly impact the Oilers season remains to be seen.
The Montreal Canadiens host the Vegas Golden Knights in a tape-measuring matchup at the Bell Centre on Tuesday, January 27.
Vegas is coming off a 7-1 shallacking last time out, so my top NHL picks and Golden Knights vs. Canadiens predictions expect Montreal starter Jakub Dobes to be busy between the pipes tonight.
Golden Knights vs Canadiens prediction
Golden Knights vs Canadiens best bet: Jakub Dobes Over 23.5 saves (-110)
The Vegas Golden Knights were steamrolled 7-1 by the Ottawa Senators last time out, and Vegas only put 20 shots on net. After recording north of 30 shots in four of the previous five, look for the Golden Knights to approach that number again at the Bell Centre.
Montreal has allowed the ninth-fewest shots per game (26.8) while ranking 12th in Corsi For percentage at five-on-five through 13 January games, so there have been recent improvements, but the Habs will still have their hands full with the Golden Knights looking to cap off a four-game road trip with a win.
Returning to Dobes, he’s 4-0 with a .907 save percentage across his past four home starts, and I’m anticipating enough push from Vegas for him to clear this saves total tonight.
Golden Knights vs Canadiens same-game parlay
The Golden Knights have played to the Over in five of their past six, and No. 1 goalie Adin Hill sports an abysmal .827 save percentage and 4.26 GAA across his past four starts.
And, while I expect Dobes to pick up 24 or more saves, the Canadiens have also hit the Over in five of their past seven.
Montreal rookie Ivan Demidov has missed the scoresheet in consecutive games despite being on the ice for a pair of tallies and 2.09 expected goals.
He marked the scoresheet in four straight before the mini skid and ranks 23rd in points per 60 minutes (3.22) this season, so I like him to pick up a point tonight.
Golden Knights vs Canadiens SGP
Over 6.5
Jakub Dobes Over 23.5 saves
Ivan Demidov Over 0.5 points
Golden Knights vs Canadiens odds
Moneyline: Vegas -110 | Montreal -110
Puck Line: Vegas -1.5 (+200) | Montreal +1.5 (-250)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-110) | Under 6.5 (-110)
Golden Knights vs Canadiens trend
The Montreal Canadiens have covered the puck line in 14 of their last 20 games (+10.30 Units / 33% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Canadiens.
How to watch Golden Knights vs Canadiens
Location
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
Date
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
SCRIPPS, TSN2
Golden Knights vs Canadiens latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
On the eve of what they hope will be a better performance against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday, the Senators did a little roster shuffling.
The club has recalled forward Xavier Bourgault from AHL Belleville and returned goalie Mads Sogaard to Belleville. Sogaard backstopped the Senators to a shocking victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday. For his efforts, he was named the game's first star and now he's back in the minors.
Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy discuss David Perron's injury and the upcoming trade deadline on March 6th.
It's a tough game, this NHL business.
Sogaard's demotion means that 37-year-old James Reimer will draw back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch in that game. Reimer had played four games in seven days, and the Sens preferred not to use him in the second game of a back to back on Sunday.
They also preferred not to use Linus Ullmark who was also ready to play. Ullmark returned to the lineup to dress as the backup, and after a month on the sideline to deal with mental health issues, there's a chance he may start on Wednesday. But facing the most dominant team in hockey in his first game back would certainly be an ambitious choice for his return.
As for Bourgault's arrival, he's the plan B if Stephen Halliday can't play on Wednesday. Halliday hit his head on a stanchion near the Vegas bench in the game on Sunday. The good news is that Halliday felt well enough to attend Tuesday's practice as a spectator, watching from the Senators bench.
Bourgault is having an excellent second season in Belleville, far better than last year. He has 37 points in 43 games in the AHL, which is second best on the team, and already his career-best in four AHL seasons. He finally made his NHL debut with the Sens getting into one game earlier this season.
Meanwhile, Arthur Kaliyev has 46 points, and as Belleville's all-star selection, he must be wondering what he has to do to get another NHL look in Ottawa.
The Senators are coming off a 7-1 blowout victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, and an 8-2 blowout loss to the Avalanche earlier this month.
The Chicago Blackhawks have a surplus of young talent in their organization. They have it at the NHL and AHL levels, in pro leagues around the globe, and in developmental programs all across the hockey world. Kyle Davidson has been building the organization back up in true rebuild fashion.
One prospect that they are excited about is Nick Lardis. Of course, Lardis was just sent back down to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs on Monday. This was a move to get him more top-line minutes, allow him to play during the Olympic break, and enable him to participate in the AHL’s All-Star festivities.
While in the NHL, Lardis recorded five goals and two assists for seven points in 21 games. It’s good rookie production, but he was a noticeable player when it comes to the little things, especially being in the right spot for good chances on net.
There is a path for Lardis to return to the NHL this season. Obviously, he will need to stay productive in the AHL upon his return. His call-up to the NHL in the first place was earned by having 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points in 24 games played. Building on that shouldn’t be too difficult for him now.
The NHL trade deadline is Lardis’s next path back, unless there are a ton of injuries in between now and then. Right now, every forward on the roster is healthy enough to play, which played a role in Lardis being sent down.
The Blackhawks may shop their handful of pending unrestricted free agents around ahead of the deadline. Whether they trade Connor Murphy or Matt Grzelcyk is irrelevant to Lardis’ status, but what they do with Nick Foligno, Ilya Mikheyev, Jason Dickinson, or Sam Lafferty could make room for him.
Lardis is one of the 12 best forwards in the organization right now, but he is waiver-exempt, won’t play over some of the highly paid veterans on the team, and Kyle Davidson knows where his team is in the standings when he makes these decisions.
It might not be only Lardis that gets added to the roster after the deadline. Other young players may get some games alongside him. Prospects like Anton Frondell and Sacha Boisvert are at the top of the list.
Oliver Moore, who has played with Nick Lardis at both North American pro levels this season, is likely done in the AHL. He has proven that his speed, skill, and tenacity are ready for the NHL full-time. He is also incredibly versatile.
Moore can play wing or center, on the power play, on the penalty kill, and even strength at a high level. This being his rookie season speaks volumes about what his play might look like in his prime.
Plenty of contending teams would consider trading for the UFA Blackhawks forwards if they are available. Nick Foligno and Jason Dickinson are both veterans who would have a strong leadership role on any team.
Ilya Mikheyev is one of the best penalty killers in the NHL, and he provides enough offense to make him a good bottom-six option at even strength. Sam Lafferty is more of a 13th forward, but lots of teams need bodies who are willing to be ready at a moment's notice.
There is no telling who will be moved, but it would be surprising if Kyle Davidson doesn’t move off at least one of them, if not more. Lardis will be back as a result.
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After sitting through the two days of the 2024 draft without being drafted, Pickford said that he knew what he had to do: he had to get back to playing the game that had always worked for him and get his confidence back. Which is what he set out to do. After going from Seattle to Medicine Hat, he felt like he had the freedom to play his offensive game; he took more shots, he gained confidence, and his impact on games grew so much that he caught the eye of the Canadiens’ scouting staff.
At the 2025 draft, the Habs opted for the 6-foot-1 right-shot defenseman in the third round, which gave him yet another dose of motivation. Seeing the Bell Center filled to the brim for the rookie games, even if he couldn’t play because of an injury, made him want to achieve his NHL dream even more, and it’s that mindset that put him on course for a record-setting season in the WHL.
His work with Medicine Hat has not gone unnoticed in Montreal, and his agent contacted him just before Christmas to say that the Canadiens wanted to sign him. He knew that the Habs were keeping an eye on him because they had been constantly communicating and supporting him since he was drafted. The fact that fellow Albertan Kirby Dach reached out to congratulate him on being drafted stuck with the youngster; it was an example of the organization's culture.
Even though he has set a franchise record in the OHL this season, that’s not the only thing that should be taken away from his season. The way he stepped up as a leader for a team that lost multiple players to the NCAA is a true testament to who he is, to the kind of player he is.
Whatever happens until the end of the season, one thing’s for sure: Pickford will be one of the players to watch when rookie camp comes around next fall.
Connor Bedard was one of the league’s most productive players over the first chunk of the season.
While he’s gone a little quiet since returning from injury, my Blackhawks vs. Wild predictions expect him to get back on track and find the net in Minnesota.
Let’s break down my NHL picks for Tuesday, January 27.
Blackhawks vs Wild prediction
Blackhawks vs Wild best bet: Connor Bedard anytime goalscorer (+175)
Connor Bedard has scored 20 goals in 39 appearances, putting him on pace for 42 goals over a full season. That would shatter his previous best of 26 goals per 82 games.
He’s only scored once since returning from injury, but it’s not for a lack of opportunity. Bedard has recorded at least three shots in seven of eight games, leading the Chicago Blackhawks during that span.
Bedard’s calling card is his unique release, and he's scoring on more than 15% of his shots. It goes without saying goals should follow when he’s consistently generating strong volume.
Getting looks should not be an issue against the Minnesota Wild, who rank second in pace and 26th in shot suppression over the past 10 games.
Bedard took advantage of this matchup the last time he faced the Wild, adding a goal, an assist, and three shots while attempting eight.
Blackhawks vs Wild same-game parlay
Teuvo Teravainen is expected to skate alongside Bedard at 5-on-5 and on the power play in his return to the lineup. He's more of a playmaker than a shooter and should help get the puck to Bedard in good spots.
Veteran winger Vladimir Tarasenko has generated multiple shots on goal in seven straight games. I don’t see him slowing down against a Chicago team that sits 30th in 5-on-5 shot suppression over the past 10 games.
Connor Bedard has scored in two of his past three meetings with Minnesota. Find more NHL betting trends for Blackhawks vs. Wild.
How to watch Blackhawks vs Wild
Location
Grand Casino Arena, St. Paul, MN
Date
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Puck drop
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
CHSN, FDSN-NO
Blackhawks vs Wild latest injuries
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With Zach Bogosian still hurt, the Wild recalled defenseman Matt Kiersted from Iowa.
Instead of Spacek being the extra defenseman and sitting out, the Wild sent him down so he can play games and opted for the veteran Kiersted to sit.
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When the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired forward Egor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets a little more than a month ago, it seemed like a worthwhile bet. Far from a guarantee to work out, but it was taking a talented player that had shown some goal-scoring ability in the NHL that may have simply needed a fresh start and change of scenery. Sometimes things just click for those guys. Especially if you put them into a good situation. Maybe you catch lightning in a bottle.
So far, things are clicking for Chinakhov and the Penguins.
More specifically, they are really clicking for Chinakhov and Evgeni Malkin.
Since that duo has been put together on the Penguins’ line, they have been one of the most productive duos in the NHL from a goal-scoring perspective.
In more than 100 minutes together the Malkin-Chinakhov duo has outscored teams by an 8-1 margin during 5-on-5 play. Take it down to a per minute basis, and they are averaging 4.34 goals per 60 minutes and 3.09 expected goals per 60 minutes. Those are elite numbers.
When you add Tommy Novak into the mix that trio also becomes one of the best in the NHL with a 7-1 goal differential and more than five expected goals per 60 minutes. Also elite numbers.
How much so? Here are the goal-differential leaders for the best forward trios in the NHL this season with a minimum of 75 minutes played together:
Now their rank in goals scored per 60 minutes.
Those rankings are out of 216 different line combinations.
They are still relatively small sample sizes (both for Malkin and Chinakhov, and Malkin-Chinakhov-Novak), but they are extremely promising results, both in terms of production and process.
While so much of Chinakhov’s game revolves around his shot and ability to score goals, he has impressed in a lot of other areas beyond that. The goals obviously get the attention, but he has also demonstrated playmaking skills and not been a total liability away with the puck. I do not know that anybody is ever going to confuse him with a Selke Trophy candidate, but his all-around game has been better and more impressive than originally thought. He has simply done everything well so far and been an instant fit on that second line.
It has all just further balanced out the Penguins’ forward lines and made them a really tough team to defend. You know the Sidney Crosby line is going to produce. The fourth line has been a spark plug for the team in terms of its ability to tilt the ice, and even contribute some goals. The Ben Kindel line seems to have found some chemistry with the two big veteran forwards (Justin Brazeau and Anthony Mantha). Now you have a second line with a future Hall of Famer that is still playing at a high level, and two shrewd additions in Chinakhov and Novak complementing him. Not only are they complementing him, they are making a huge impact. Individually and as a group.
There are no liabilities here. There is not a single line you do not want on the ice. It is an encouraging development to watch.
It is the start of trade deadline season and discourse always centers around which players an organization can hope to buy but never about what they can give up. With the Colorado Avalanche looking for finishing pieces on their upcoming Stanley Cup run, they’ll certainly be adding players over the next month, but what can they realistically afford to part with?
The organization got the party started on January 20th by moving out one of our targeted trade chips in depth defenseman Ilya Solovyov. Can the Avalanche sneak one more transaction in before the February 4th trade freeze? If so, one of the following five assets may be involved.
Five Trade Chips
Ross Colton
Upgrading the third line center position is something even Jared Bednar admitted is on his wish list. This isn’t going to be an easy task to accomplish with Colorado holding limited assets and cap space plus most of the NHL would love to add another center. That’s where Ross Colton comes into play as he is the likeliest candidate to move out if General Manager Chris MacFarland can find a dance partner. His $4 million Average Annual Value contract ends after the 2026-27 season with a 12 team no trade list, but those limitations should not be too prohibitive.
Colton is an experienced and versatile player with 20 points on the year but he just never found a great fit or consistency in the Avalanche lineup. Bednar does not like to keep him at center for any length of time and when he’s down the lineup Colton has a tough time producing. The 29-year-old went 11 games in December without a point and hasn’t scored a goal since November. Lately he was on the second line in Gabe Landeskog’s absence, before suffering a minor injury, which hints at a trade showcase. The Avalanche won’t just dump Colton without an impact return but adding anyone with significant salary or term beyond this year likely means he has to go the other way.
Ivan Ivan
Every organization has a plethora of prospects languishing in the AHL unable to graduate, however other GMs also find value in the validation that someone else’s prospect has seen a notable amount of time in the NHL. If the Avalanche have anyone that fits this description it’s Ivan Ivan with his 47 games of big league experience. The 23-year-old’s handful of random recalls in January isn’t a coincidence only supports the idea that he was called up for a trade showcase especially as he played for the Avalanche at center. The versatile forward is also a Restricted Free Agent this summer with arbitration rights and the circumstances are lining up to move Ivan before he’s due a raise.
Zakhar Bardakov
Similar to the Ivan Ivan situation, depth forward Zakhar Bardakov is also set to become a Restricted Free Agent with arbitration rights this summer. The 24-year-old has spent the vast majority of the season in the NHL with only one day and game spent in the AHL. Bardakov has been a useful depth piece for the Avalanche at fourth line center and wing but we’ve seen this movie before. Nikolai Kovalenko was moved to acquire Mackenzie Blackwood last season and without a likely commitment coming this summer, Bardakov is an easy player to move out for an upgrade even if the return isn’t substantial.
2027 Draft Picks
Surely the Avalanche see a real path toward the Stanley Cup this season and won’t be shy about utilizing the buy-now-pay-later plan. It depends on how far out into the future the Avalanche want to mortgage their assets and there’s little to offer from the 2026 draft other than a handful of 4th, 5th and 7th round picks. That’s where the 2027 draft comes into play for any impact move as the Avalanche still have their first round pick to go along with an extra 2nd and 5th rounder. If Chris MacFarland has to dip into the 2028 there’s the time value of money factor to keep in mind coiffure then the return on those picks will be deeply discounted, which is also why the 2027 picks are most likely in play.
Sam Malinski
This one is admittedly complicated. Malinski has taken a step forward as a valuable depth piece on the back end that has contributed meaningful production with three goals and 24 points from a third pair role. The issue is he is an Unrestricted Free Agent at the end of the season and the Avalanche missed the window to sign him to a reasonable extension instead choosing to execute just a one-year pact over the summer. The 27-year-old right handed defenseman wouldn’t get moved for a minimal futures in return, it would have to be a true upgrade and hopefully for someone with term beyond this season. It’s an unlikely deal to make happen, but it’s also not impossible.
Four Non-Trade Chips
Never say never because there’s few untouchables in the league let alone on a single team but the following players don’t make much sense to move out without a substantial upgrade in return.
Samuel Girard
The internet traded him five years ago but yet Samuel Girard is still in Colorado as one of the longest tenured Avalanche at this point. Another Stanley Cup run doesn’t feel right without him but the true issue with his potential availability is that Colorado needs all the defensive depth it can muster. Right now they are one injury away from replacement level defense and Girard can play in any pairing down the stretch. The questions about the 27-year-old’s future are fair since the left shot defenseman’s affordable $5 million AAV contract ends after the 2026-27 season but moving on from him without a significant upgrade in return doesn’t make sense. Girard has enjoyed a fairly productive season since an early season injury return with 11 points in 35 games.
Ilya Nabokov
A popular idea is to leverage Nabokov for win-now assets as the situation in net is set with both Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood under contract to Colorado through at least the 2026-27 season. That’s probably not what Nabokov had in mind when he signed his Entry Level Contract last year and it’s unclear what really the Avalanche plan to do with their young netminder who isn’t going to leave Russia to hang out in Loveland for long. The premise of moving Nabokov for help now isn’t faulty but the value just isn’t there on a goalie with zero North American experience, let alone any in the NHL. At this point Nabokov is worth more in the Avalanche system so they can figure out what he can provide before selling him to another organization who surely already has one or more of their own goalies in a similar situation.
Gavin Brindley
Championship teams need contributions from young cost-effective players and with Gavin Brindley’s recently signed dirt cheap two-year extension, Colorado would be wise to hold on to him. It remains to be seen what role awaits him after the Avalanche make their deadline trade acquisitions, therefore the 21-year-old’s value might become more evident long-term, but he’s also shown he can play higher in the lineup if needed. Hopefully MacFarland resists temptation to cash in on a bit of early success Brindley has enjoyed especially because any potential return isn’t moving the needle anyway.
AHL Players
Just like Ivan Ivan, every organization has their own replacement level players and without notable NHL experience there just isn’t value in a trade that could entice another organization to give up NHL level assets. The laundry list of such Colorado Eagles players includes Jason Polin, Chase Bradley, Tye Felhaber, Tristen Nielsen, Matt Stienburg, Nikita Prishchepov, and even the likes of Sean Behrens and Trent Miner. Colorado would be looking more for an AHL for AHL swap in their cases and therefore should not be Avalanche trade deadline candidates.
We have 10 games on the schedule, and I’ve dug deep to find the best NHL player props. The red-hot Cole Caufield starts things off, followed by Ryan O’Reilly and Lucas Raymond.
Read more in my NHL picks for Tuesday, January 27.
Cole Caufield has been on fire this season for the Montreal Canadiens, and he currently ranks fourth in the league with 29 goals. The 25-year-old has had a huge January, scoring 10 times already.
The Habs star has found the back of the net in five straight, netting eight times. On Saturday against the Boston Bruins, Caufield scored a hat-trick, despite Montreal losing 4-3.
Caufield and the Canadiens will face the Vegas Golden Knights this evening, and he already scored against them earlier in the campaign. He’ll stay hot.
Nashville Predators forward Ryan O’Reilly has a productive 18 goals and 32 assists this season. We’ll focus on his playmaking here. The 34-year-old has hit the Over in helpers in six of his last seven outings.
O’Reilly didn’t tally an assist on Saturday, but the game before that, he had three helpers. The Preds will take on the Boston Bruins tonight at the TD Garden, and O’Reilly has been efficient away from home. He’s compiled 15 helpers in 23 road games.
Also, last season, O’Reilly posted two assists in two meetings with Boston.
Lucas Raymond continues to prove his worth for the Detroit Red Wings, scoring 18 goals and registering 40 assists this season. The Swede is an irreplaceable figure on this roster, and he’s truly doing it all in 2025-26.
The 23-year-old has five helpers across his last five games, and he’s cashed the Over in assists in four of his previous seven appearances. Raymond had a goal and an assist on Saturday against the Jets.
Raymond and the Red Wings are at home tonight against the Los Angeles Kings, and he’s posted 25 assists in 25 home contests.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Vancouver Canucks welcome the San Jose Sharks to Rogers Arena this evening for a Pacific Division showdown. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
Elias Pettersson is finding a rhythm as a playmaker lately, and my Sharks vs Canucks predictions are eyeing him to keep it rolling tonight.
Read more in my NHL picks for Tuesday, January 27.
Sharks vs Canucks prediction
Sharks vs Canucks best bet: Elias Pettersson Over 0.5 assists (+140)
Elias Pettersson may not be putting up the huge numbers he has in the past, but the Swede is still one of the Vancouver Canucks’ better players. He's compiled 18 helpers this season, cashing the Over in assists in back-to-back appearances.
The 27-year-old set up a goal in a loss to the New Jersey Devils on Friday evening, and he registered another helper on Sunday in another defeat to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Pettersson is playing with more confidence right now, and he’ll play his part in helping Vancouver keep this contest competitive against the San Jose Sharks.
Sharks vs Canucks same-game parlay
Drew O’Connor has cashed the Over in shots in six consecutive appearances.
He’s also hit the Over in shots on net in five games in a row at Rogers Arena, and O’Connor has four SOG in two meetings with the Sharks.
We shift over to Jake DeBrusk, who is averaging 2.78 SOG. The former Bruin found the back of the net on Sunday and had five shots on target. He’s cashed the Over in SOG in two of his previous four outings.
The Vancouver Canucks have hit the game total Over in 15 of their last 25 home games (+4.95 Units / 18% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Sharks vs. Canucks.
How to watch Sharks vs Canucks
Location
Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC
Date
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Puck drop
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCSCA, SNP
Sharks vs Canucks latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Roope Hintz has averaged close to a point per game on the year and is showing no signs of slowing down, having picked up eight over his last nine contests.
My Stars vs. Blues predictions expect him to have another productive outing against a St. Louis team he always seems to cause problems for.
Let’s take a closer look at my NHL picks for Tuesday, January 27.
Stars vs Blues prediction
Stars vs Blues best bet: Roope Hintz Over 0.5 points (-145)
Roope Hintz is somewhat of a St. Louis Blues killer. He has points in four of the past five head-to-head meetings, piling up eight along the way. His success should continue in this matchup, as Hintz is extremely well rested.
We don’t have much data to work with on that kind of rest, but he has eight points over eight games following two off days this season. He's also hit the scoresheet in four of the last five under those circumstances.
The Blues rank 28th in goals against and have struggled to get saves all year. Their struggles on the penalty kill, where they rank 29th, also play a major role in their inability to keep the puck out.
Hintz and the Dallas Stars are certainly equipped to take advantage, as the Stars rank No. 2 in power-play percentage at 29.1%.
Stars vs Blues same-game parlay
Miro Heiskanen has played 10 games against teams that rank in the Bottom 5 in shots allowed to defensemen. He recorded multiple shots in seven of them, including a two-shot effort vs. the Blues less than a week ago.
Mikko Rantanen has scored 11 goals over his past 10 games against the Blues. Given their struggles in net and on the penalty kill (Rantanen ranks fifth in power play points), he’s a real threat to score again.
Stars vs Blues SGP
Roope Hintz Over 0.5 points
Miro Heiskanen Over 1.5 shots
Mikko Rantanen anytime goalscorer
Stars vs Blues odds
Moneyline: Stars +130 | Blues -150
Puck Line: Stars -1.5 (+160) | Blues +1.5 (-190)
Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-115) | Under 5.5 (-105)
Stars vs Blues trend
Roope Hintz has points in 13 of his last 20 road games. Find more NHL betting trends for Stars vs. Blues.
How to watch Stars vs Blues
Location
Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO
Date
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Puck drop
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN Select, Hulu
Stars vs Blues latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Cole Caufield anytime goal
Ryan O'Reilly Over 0.5 assists
Lucas Raymond Over 0.5 assists