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.

As the last-place Rangers continue to consider selling off additional pieces ahead of Friday’s trade deadline, there will be a slew of young players left behind looking to establish full-time roles for the future.

One rookie who seemingly has already done that during this lost season for the team has been third-line center Noah Laba, who has been a mainstay in the lineup since making the roster out of his first NHL training camp.

“Obviously, it was huge to make it out of camp, super proud of that, and I’m just trying to continue to progress and not be satisfied and continue to become a better player,” the 22-year-old Laba said after practice Wednesday in Tarrytown. “I just need to continue to work on all aspects of the game as well as try to chip in more offensively, as much as I can, and just overall help the team.”

The 6-foot-3 Laba, a fourth-round draft pick in 2022 before spending three seasons playing at Colorado College, has totaled six goals and 10 assists in 57 games for the Blueshirts after making 11 appearances for AHL Hartford last spring.

But the Michigan native also has been a regular contributor on the penalty-killing unit, while averaging 13:21 of ice time per game.

“I just think Lobs is very similar to [rookie winger] Gabe [Perreault] in just the fact that with every NHL game that he gets under his belt, he’s practicing with NHL players at an NHL pace, and I think that experience, in and of itself, is invaluable to helping a player grow and develop,” Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said. “Lobs is going through that process very much like Gabe is.

“As coaches, we try to cast them in a role that we think sets them up for success, where you can play to your strengths. We’re trying to help him grow and get better in different aspects of his game.”

Sullivan credited assistant coach and former NHL forward Joe Sacco with working one-on-one “a fair amount” with Laba this season on the nuances of his role.

“We think he’s growing in every aspect,” Sullivan said. “He’s doing a better job hanging onto pucks in the offensive zone. We think he’s doing a better job on the penalty kill. He’s winning faceoffs. He’s got a better understanding of how we’re trying to defend.

• CHECK OUT THE LATEST NHL STANDINGS AND RANGERS STATS

“And he’s big and strong. I think the one element that jumps out at me, that he’s really brought to our team is, just his overall speed. Lobs can really skate and in today’s game, speed is a competitive advantage. The game’s not getting slower, it’s getting faster.”

Artemi Panarin already was moved before the Olympic break, with Vincent Trocheck also potentially among those to be dealt before Friday’s deadline.

Laba believes the young players on the roster — such as Perreault, who scored twice in Monday’s game against Columbus, and others — can be part of the turnaround.

“For sure, I think the older guys have done a great job of mentoring us and continuing to pump belief into us,” Laba said. “So they’ve been huge, and we’re seeing a ton of growth in the younger guys.

“I think we just try to focus on our game and what we can put on the ice. All that other external stuff is in reality not in our control, so I think we’ve done a good job of staying internal and trying to focus on our game.”

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.

Nick Blankenburg's first goal of the season couldn't have come at a better time! @PredsNHL | #Smashville | #NHLNShowcasepic.twitter.com/TwlrO5UMDk

— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) December 21, 2024

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. 

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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. 

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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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New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck could be the team's next player who moves in a retool.

He already has let his son know about the possibility.

"If I get traded, I'm fine," he told reporters earlier this week. "I'm not worried about myself. I'm more worried about my family."

Though the Rangers' struggles has led them to trade Artemi Panarin, Trocheck showed his value while winning a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He helped Team USA go 18-for-18 on the penalty kill, including a 5-on-3 Canada power play in the final.

Trocheck, whose contact runs through 2029, said he has a 12-team no-trade list and he told reporters that the list includes Western teams.

“Family’s important to me, and my family’s on the East Coast,” he said.

Here's a look at other players who are generating trade buzz before the 3 p.m. ET deadline on Friday, March 6 (contract details from puckpedia.com):

The San Jose Sharks have shown their commitment to Kiefer Sherwood after acquiring the 30-year-old forward in a January trade with the Vancouver Canucks.

Sharks general manager Mike Grier announced Wednesday that the team has signed Sherwood to a five-year contract extension worth $28.75 million, a cap hit of $5.75 million.

Sherwood was acquired from the Canucks for Cole Clayton and 2026 and 2027 second round draft picks.

The six-foot, 194-pound native of Columbus, Ohio told USA TODAY Sports that he's "just fired up" about the extension and the opportunity ahead to help the Sharks string together successful seasons.

"[I'm] just super grateful and just to have this opportunity," Sherwood said. "Super hungry to continue grow, build and push the guys and learn from the guys here. That stuff now is taken care of and I can just go to work and play hockey and be free. There's levels that I want to continue to push my game towards, and grow towards, and continue to elevate the impact that our group can have."

The Buffalo Sabres have been linked over the last 24 hours to deals with the St. Louis Blues, who are in the process of selling off major pieces of their roster that won a Stanley Cup in 2019. On Tuesday, reports had the Sabres targeting center Robert Thomas, but on Wednesday morning, TSN’s Darren Dreger indicated that those talks had cooled. On Wednesday afternoon, Dreger and others are indicating that the Sabres are on the verge of a deal that would bring veteran defenseman Colton Parayko to Buffalo. 

Parayko was a member of Team Canada at the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina and is in year four of an eight-year, $52 million contract ($6.5 million AAV). After scoring a career-high 16 goals last season, the 32-year-old blueliner has 14 points (1 goal, 13 assists) in 58 games. Dreger is indicating that the deal would consist of Sabres 2025 first-rounder Radim Mrtka and a first-round pick, but that things have not been finalized, including the veteran defenseman waiving his no-trade clause. 

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The talks regarding Thomas (which may have included Parayko as part of a larger deal) reportedly consisted of an ask of an NHL player, prospect(s) and a future first, or as GM Doug Armstrong reportedly indicated, “three first-half of the first round assets.” In a piece in The Athletic on Tuesday, Jeremy Rutherford indicated that he could not see 2021 top overall pick Owen Power being part of the deal, or young winger Zach Benson. The speculation centered around Sabres 2024 top pick Konsta Helenius, Mrtka, and possibly the club’s 2026 first-rounder. 

Although there has been no reporting that the ‘26 first-rounder is off the table, the Sabres are playing host to the NHL Draft in late June, and have already traded their second-round pick in the Norris - Dylan Cozens deal. 

Mrtka, 18, was selected ninth overall by the Sabres last June and impressed at training camp last September with his wingspan and skating ability. The 6’6”, 218 lb. righty is having another solid season with Seattle in the WHL with 29 points  (1 goal, 28 assists) in 35 games. Although Mrtka is a promising prospect, he is not projected to be a big offensive producer. 

According to Puckpedia, the Sabres have $7.5 million in deadline cap space, which would accommodate Parayko’s salary, but that might be inconsequential depending on his waiving his full no-trade clause. The Athletic is reporting that the Blues have agreed to the deal, but it is pending the veteran’s approval. Buffalo’s recent success may give them more of a chance of convincing Parayko to accept a deal, but he has spent 11 seasons in St. Louis and could choose to wait for a more favorable destination, as former Sabre Tyler Myers did, refusing to waive to go to Detroit before being dealt to the Dallas Stars on Wednesday. 

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The NHL trade deadline is getting closer with every passing hour before Friday's cutoff. While it looks like Los Angeles Kings GM Ken Holland won't be very loud between now and the deadline, he may do some tinkering.

Though the Kings are outside of a playoff spot by five points and underperformed all season, they likely won't be aggressive buyers or sellers.

However, two players on the Kings' roster could generate some interest from contending teams, whether Holland makes them available or not.

Right winger Corey Perry and goaltender Darcy Kuemper may be what playoff teams are looking for.

Based on trade rumors and reports, left winger Warren Foegele would be most likely to be traded among players on the Kings' roster. But Perry and Kuemper could fit the bill for what many teams are looking for.

Kuemper is a steady starting goaltender who could shore up any concerns that a team may have between the pipes.

As for Perry, he is third in all-time playoff games played in NHL history with 237. Sure, he's a 40-year-old veteran, but there is value in that, especially for a younger team. Perry can also be a physical presence and has a scoring touch.

If you put those two together, it could be an enticing trade package, especially for the Montreal Canadiens. 

They are a team who have struggled in the crease between Samual Montembeault and Jakub Dobes. Also, they are the second-youngest team in the NHL with an average age of 26.13, according to eliteprospects.com

Los Angeles Kings' List Of Rumored Trade Targets Ahead Of NHL Trade DeadlineWith the NHL trade deadline just days away, it's unknown how aggressive Los Angeles Kings GM Ken Holland will be on the trade front. Nonetheless, here is a list of players that have been linked to the Kings in trade rumors this season.

Nonetheless, it's not just the Canadiens who could be interested in the services of Kuemper and Perry.

While there's been a dip in form from the goaltender, Kuemper is a solid veteran netminder who has won a Stanley Cup before with the Colorado Avalanche. 

In 37 games this season, the 35-year-old has registered a 14-12-9 record and posted a 2.68 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage. He also recorded two shutouts.

Kuemper is in the second-last year of his contract and earns $5.25 million against the salary cap and a 10-team no-trade list.

Los Angeles Kings GM Ken Holland Reveals NHL Trade Deadline PlanWith just a few days until the NHL's trade deadline, Los Angeles Kings GM Ken Holland has revealed what his plan is with his roster.

Perry also has a clause in his contract, which is a full no-trade clause. Even though he can't be traded without approval, doesn't mean it's impossible. In fact, NHL insider Frank Seravalli had listed Perry at No. 28 in his latest top 50 trade targets list.

The veteran carries a $2-million cap hit and is a pending UFA.

In 49 contests this year, Perry has scored 11 goals and 28 points, the sixth-highest scorer on the Kings.

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NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman got a firsthand look at the ongoing construction of Calgary’s new $1.2 billion event center, Scotia Place, and came away visibly impressed.

Touring the site on Tuesday alongside NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and Calgary Flames ownership, Bettman highlighted the arena’s advanced progress, which is not immediately apparent from the exterior.

This afternoon, we were honoured to host an NHL Commissioner's Luncheon with Gary Bettman! He discussed the construction of @cgyscotiaplace, the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, and more! pic.twitter.com/vNjgrTTMgW

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 3, 2026

“The building, by the way, is a lot further along than it looks, because you see the steel coming out of the ground, it doesn’t go all the way around,” Bettman said during a media availability at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the Flames’ current home. “There’s interior work already going on below the ground that you don’t see.

“Actually, when I drove up today, I was surprised when I saw it from a distance. ‘Oh, that’s all that was done.’ And then I was surprised when I got into the construction site. I thought, ‘Wow, there’s a lot of work going on here, and it’s much further along than it looks.’”

🗣️ NHL commissioner Gary Bettman joined @Fan960Steinberg for an exclusive interview to chat the impact of Scotia Place, the 2026 NHL Draft, Olympics, and more!

LISTEN: https://t.co/rxdvFhjZ0Cpic.twitter.com/a2SgqjHqrj

— Sportsnet 960 (@Sportsnet960) March 3, 2026

Bettman also praised the careful planning and research that went into the arena’s design, noting the team’s study of other modern NHL facilities.

“They’ve taken that into account and they’ve been able to look at best practices in terms of the layout,” he said. “The new arena’s twice as large in square footage (as the Saddledome). It has more bathrooms. It has more amenities. It’s just going to be incredible.

“This building has been well thought-out and as a result, it’s going to work very well for its intended purposes.”

Scheduled to open in fall 2027, Scotia Place is also in contention to host games for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. While no final decision has been made on host cities, Bettman confirmed that Calgary and Edmonton have submitted a joint bid.

“I’m aware of the bid,” he said. “Bids are being evaluated. Nothing has been finalized, but it was a good bid. I’m not prepared to tell you today that it was or was not the winning bid, but certainly it’s a bid that people could be very proud of.

“Things still need to be finalized, which is why there has yet to be an announcement, but at some point in the not-too-distant future -- a couple weeks or so -- we should be in a position to finalize and announce.”

Should Scotia Place be selected to host World Cup games, Bettman expressed confidence in Calgary’s ability to deliver as a host city.

🗣️ “I don't think there'll be a nicer building anywhere."

Gary Bettman spoke in Calgary about the city’s new arena project and the potential to host the World Cup of Hockey.

Hear the presser on Sportsnet Today with @primetimeklein & @PatrickDumas_.

🎧: https://t.co/9FwBWAgScMpic.twitter.com/C4qNB8RtLN

— Sportsnet 960 (@Sportsnet960) March 3, 2026

“Millions of tourists come through here a year,” he said. “This is a place that knows hospitality. This is a place that has a rabid fan base and would attract fans from other places. Look at the Stampede every year. The first time I came to Calgary was in ’88 for the Winter Olympics. I get Calgary and I get what a terrific city it is and a great place to visit.”

Former Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Louis Domingue has signed with the Florida Panthers.

Domingue signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Panthers on Wednesday. He will be with the organization for the rest of the season, though he was put on waivers. 

Panthers have signed G Louis Domingue on a one-year, two-way contract for the remainder of this season.

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) March 4, 2026

Domingue spent the 2021-22 season in the Penguins' organization, serving as the third goaltender behind Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith. He spent most of that season in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He appeared in 22 games for WBS, finishing with a .924 save percentage and a 2.41 goals-against average. 

Domingue had to play in six games for the Penguins against the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs because Jarry and DeSmith were injured. He finished the series with a 3.65 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage. 

The Penguins lost that series in seven games after Artemi Panarin scored the game-winner in overtime. 

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The San Jose Sharks strengthened their lineup and added instant impact by locking up Kiefer Sherwood to a five-year deal. 

Sherwood, who has already made a noticeable impact in his first games with the Sharks—including scoring his first goal off a gorgeous feed from Phillip Kurashev and adding a slick assist last night—brings the rare combination of goal-scoring ability, physicality, and relentless energy that makes him a perfect fit for the team’s evolving core.

KIEFER SHERWOOD!! 🦈

His first as a @SanJoseSharks couldn't have come at a better time! pic.twitter.com/l2QMeTs8pV

— NHL (@NHL) March 4, 2026

“We are very excited to have Kiefer remain in San Jose and be part of the group that we are building,” said Grier. “The ingredients he brings to our line-up on a nightly basis blend extremely well with the skillsets of his teammates and we look forward to his contributions in the years to come.” 

The 30-year-old Sherwood was acquired by the Sharks on Jan. 19, 2026, from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for prospect Cole Clayton and San Jose’s 2026 and 2027 second-round picks. Since debuting with the Sharks on Feb. 4 against the Colorado Avalanche, he has led the team in hits (28) and tied a team-high with nine hits on Mar. 1 versus the Winnipeg Jets, showcasing the physical edge that makes him a two-way threat.

Prior to joining San Jose, Sherwood tallied 23 points (17 goals, six assists) in 44 games for Vancouver, leading the team in goals and ranking third in overall points. At the time of the trade, he also ranked second in the NHL in hits (210). Sherwood has already recorded two hat tricks this season—Oct. 30, 2025 at St. Louis, and Dec. 19, 2025 at the New York Islanders—and is coming off three consecutive 10-goal seasons, just two shy of his career-best 19 goals from last year.

Sherwood Proved His Worth Against Montreal

Sherwood is a dynamic, high-energy forward who brings a relentless physical presence to the ice. Known for his hard hits, tenacious forechecking, and competitive drive, he also possesses an effective shot and has demonstrated solid hands and passing ability.

We saw all of that against the Canadiens. While scoring his first goal as a Shark was certainly a highlight, the real story was his energy on every shift. Sherwood’s effort and intensity were palpable, showing that he not only wanted this new deal but had truly earned this contract through his play.

With the Sharks expected to fight for a playoff spot, this was a huge win for the organization. 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Capitals have signed forward Ethen Frank to a two-year, $4 million contract extension.

The team announced the move Wednesday. The 28-year-old Frank has provided good depth scoring this season with 11 goals and 12 assists in 52 games. He is tied for seventh in the NHL in goals among players averaging under 13:00 of ice time.

In 76 career games with the Capitals, he has 15 goals and 15 assists. Washington signed him as a free agent in March 2023.

Washington is four points behind Boston for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Capitals face the Bruins in Boston on Saturday, the day after the trade deadline.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

One of the Montreal Canadiens' top objectives ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline should be to add another right-shot defenseman. Now, a very interesting one has entered the trade market who they should seriously consider pursuing.

According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the Devils are open to hearing trade offers for defenseman Simon Nemec.

With the Canadiens being a team on the rise, there is no question that Nemec would be an excellent young player for them to add to their roster. The 2022 second-overall pick is already a good defenseman in the NHL, but he is still plenty young enough to get better as he continues to gain experience. Because of this, the Canadiens should strongly consider making a push for him.

Nemec also recently played with Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and they linked up well with each other during it. Thus, it would be fascinating to see what they could do if they played together on the Canadiens.

Overall, with Nemec being just 22 years old and having a ton of potential, he is exactly the kind of player who the Canadiens should look to bring in. In 47 games this season with the Devils, the 6-foot-1 blueliner has already set new career highs with nine goals and 21 points.