Breaking: Colorado acquires Nick Blankenburg

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 02: Nick Blankenburg #37 of the Nashville Predators plays the puck. (Photo by Casey Gower/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

We’re less than 48 hours away from the NHL Trade Deadline this upcoming Friday, and the Avs have made another trade a week after acquiring defenseman Brett Kulak from the Pittsburgh Penguins. This time around, Colorado acquired right shot defenseman Nick Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2027 5th-round draft pick.

The 27-year-old Blankenburg will very likely be Colorado’s 7th defenseman for this season, and serve as “break glass in case of emergency” depth, in case the Avs need an NHL-caliber defenseman to slot in for any number of reasons. In 49 games for Nashville this season, Blankenburg has recorded six goals and 15 assists for a total of 21 points this season, and is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer on an expiring $775K contract.

Blankenburg is a good set-and-forget third-pairing defenseman and should be more than fine stepping into the lineup whenever he might be called upon. It is interesting that after a week of hearing how much the Avalanche value big strong and size on the back end that they’d target not only another right hander as well as someone listed at 5-foot-9 and 177 lbs. But the price must have been right and Blankenburg is an affordable depth addition.

As previously mentioned, we’re less than 48 hours before the deadline as of tonight and action has started to pick up around the league. Colorado has yet to address their forward group, which might be next on the docket after seemingly setting their defensive core for the rest of the season.

Devils extend winning streak to three games, beat Maple Leafs in shootout

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Paul Cotter scored the winner in the shootout, Connor Brown forced overtime with a tying goal with 2:21 left in the third period and the New Jersey Devils beat Toronto 4-3 on Wednesday night, sending the Maple Leafs to their fifth straight loss.

Timo Meier and Arseny Gritsyuk also scored in regulation for the Devils, who have won three in a row and improved to 25-8-1 when scoring at least three goals. Jacob Markstrom made 24 saves.

William Nylander, Matias Maccelli and Matthew Knies had goals for the Maple Leafs, who haven’t won since beating the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 on Feb. 3 — their last game before the Olympic break. Anthony Stolarz made 44 saves.

Cotter put a backhander past Stolarz to start the shootout for the Devils. After Nylander’s wrister was stopped, Jesper Bratt also scored on a backhander to put New Jersey up 2-0 in the shootout. Auston Matthews’ wrist shot was then stopped by Markstrom, giving the Devils the victory.

With the game tied at 2 in the third period, Knies batted in the rebound of John Tavares’ shot past Markstrom to put Toronto ahead with 6:10 left.

Brown took a pass from Gritsyuk on a rush toward the net and roofed a quick shot in tight past Stolarz to tie it at 3 with 2:21 remaining.

The Devils outshot the Maple Leafs 47 to 27 in regulation.

New Jersey was without defenseman Brett Pesce, who suffered a lower-body injury against Florida on Tuesday night.

Up next

Maple Leafs: Play at New York Rangers on Thursday night.

Devils: Host the Rangers on Saturday.

Red Wings Lose Two-Goal Lead, Fall 4-3 In OT To Golden Knights

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It was a tough pill for the Detroit Red Wings to swallow Wednesday evening in their first home game at Little Caesars Arena since Jan. 31, and another hard lesson in what can happen when they take their foot off the gas.

The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Red Wings by a 4-3 final score in overtime, as Tomas Hertl scored a power-play goal in the extra session after defenseman Simon Edvinsson was whistled for slashing. 

The Red Wings failed to protect their 3-1 lead that they'd built through the first 40 minutes of play. Also, they weren't able to convert on four separate power-play chances, including a prime opportunity with just over two minutes left in regulation. 

With the overtime setback, the Red Wings fell to 35-20-7; they gained a valuable point in the standings but remain in third place in the Atlantic Division, one point behind the surging Buffalo Sabres and three points back of the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

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The Golden Knights struck on their first of the contest, as first-year Vegas forward Mitch Marner sent a pass out in front of the net to a waiting Reilly Smith. 

However, the Red Wings then took control of the frame, scoring three times thanks to rookie Emmitt Finnie, Simon Edvinsson, and Alex DeBrincat. For Finnie, it was his second goal in as many games following a 23-game goalless drought. 

Following a scoreless second period, Vegas immediately began pressing in the game's final frame and eventually battled their way back into the game thanks to a pair of goals from Ivan Barbashev and Marner. 

During Detroit’s late power-play chance in the third period, Dylan Larkin was cross-checked from behind in front of the net by Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb and fell to the ice in distress. He slowly skated off the ice but was eventually able to return during overtime. No penalty was called on the play.

Neither goaltender had a standout performance, as Adin Hill looked very shaky during the first period and finished the contest with 23 saves. Talbot, making the start in place of the injured John Gibson, made 21 saves. 

It was Detroit's final game before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, which falls on Friday, March 6 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Later that evening, the Red Wings will face the struggling Florida Panthers at Little Caesars Arena. 

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Grading Chicago Blackhawks On Jason Dickinson Trade With Edmonton Oilers

On Wednesday night, the Chicago Blackhawks made another trade with the Edmonton Oilers. After trading Connor Murphy to Edmonton for a 2028 second-round pick on Monday, Kyle Davidson reconnected with his old boss, Stan Bowman, on a deal that sent Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach away for a 2027 first-round pick and Andrew Mangiapane. 

This is an interesting deal to break down for both sides. For the Oilers, they free themselves of Mangiapane's bad contract while adding two players who can help them down the stretch. 

In the case of Dach, he could be a boost for their AHL team or be a fourth-line/extra forward heading into the postseason. He's a big physical presence who can make it hard to find space when he's on the ice.

In the offensive zone, he can create good ice in front of the net, which would benefit a scoring line if he were placed there as the third guy. If he improves his skating as he develops, he may be able to carve out a full-time role in Edmonton, but he has some work to do. 

Jason Dickinson is the prize for the Oilers, who already have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl as a two-headed monster down the middle. If he fits in nicely as a third-line center, it is the best trio down the middle in the NHL. 

McDavid and Draisaitl are good enough defensively for the amount of offense they create, but adding a shutdown center like Dickinson makes them a much more well-rounded group. If he plays the role as well as he did in Chicago, they have a high-end line for every type of situation. 

As for the Blackhawks, they may or may not play Andrew Mangiapane regularly. They are not in a position where they absolutely have to buy him out, but they can afford to send him to the Rockford IceHogs or scratch him in favor of younger players. 

If he does play, he will be hoping to revive his career the way that some other depth forwards have with Chicago in the recent past. 

The first round pick in 2027, like Dickinson is for the Oilers, is the main prize for the Blackhawks. This draft pick is top-12 protected, just in case the Oilers have a shockingly bad year in 2026-27. 

If the Florida Panthers stick with their bottom 10 record and land there in the draft, the first-round pick that Chicago received from the Seth Jones trade will move to 2027, meaning the Blackhawks could have three firsts in that draft. 

Trade Grade: A

The Blackhawks have been stockpiling first and second-round picks a lot since Kyle Davidson took over. He's already made 11 selections in the first round, and most of them are looking like they could pan out. 

Adding another one in exchange for a bottom-six defensive center may be his best work in terms of acquiring first-round picks. He threw in Colton Dach and took on Andrew Mangiapane to do it, but you have to give if you're going to take in the NHL. 

Davidson's work on this deal earns him an A-grade, because he took an expiring (and aging) asset and turned it into a high-end lottery ticket, which is the best way to describe a first-round pick outside of the top-ten. 

You will see better players traded for less in the coming days leading up to the deadline, which would be further proof that Davidson made a solid deal with this one. 

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MacKenzie Weegar trade grades: Who won Mammoth-Flames deal?

Wednesday, March 4, was a day for defensemen to change teams.

Tyler Myers got the ball rolling by accepting a trade from the Vancouver Canucks to the Dallas Stars. The 6-foot-8 Houston native will be playing in his home state on the same team as 6-foot-7 defenseman Liam Bischel.

Nick Blankenburg also moved from the Nashville Predators to the Colorado Avalanche for a 2027 fifth-round pick.

But the biggest move of the day was the Utah Mammoth acquiring defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames.

“Acquiring MacKenzie solidifies our back end as we continue to push towards the playoffs, and he will be a great addition to our team on and off the ice,” Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong said.

Here are the details and grades on the MacKenzie Weegar trade:

MacKenzie Weegar trade details

The Utah Mammoth acquire defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Olli Määttä, forward Jonathan Castagna and three 2026 second-round picks (Utah’s own and others previously acquired from the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers). Both players had to waive their no-trade clauses for the deal to go through.

Utah Mammoth trade grade: A-

Armstrong has been aggressively remaking the defense since the team moved to Utah in 2024. He added Mikhail Sergachev, John Marino and Ian Cole that first season and Stanley Cup winner Nate Schmidt last summer. Weegar gives the Mammoth a solid top four as they try to hold onto their wild-card position. And the Mammoth landed him without trading Tij Iginla, who would seem a natural to be part of a trade to Calgary, where his father Jarome had starred.

Calgary Flames trade grade: B-

Considering that Weegar is signed through 2031, it's surprising that the Flames didn't pry away a first-round pick. But three second-rounders are good in what's expected to be a deep draft. Olli Määttä is a pending unrestricted free agent and Castagna, a third-round pick, is averaging a point a game in his third season at Cornell.

When is the NHL trade deadline?

The NHL trade deadline is at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MacKenzie Weegar trade grades for Mammoth-Flames deal

Hertl Nets Game Winner, Golden Knights End Tough Trip With Win In Motown

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.

Rookie Noah Laba staking claim to be key part in Rangers’ rebuild

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Rookie Noah Laba has been a mainstay on the Rangers' third line this season

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.

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“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.”

Rookie Noah Laba has been a mainstay on the Rangers’ third line this season. NHLI via Getty Images

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.



“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.”

Avalanche Acquire Nick Blankenburg

The Colorado Avalanche aren’t done reshaping their blue line — and their latest move is all about having that extra defenseman. 

On Wednesday, the Avalanche acquired Nick Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick, adding a steady right-shot option to bolster their defensive depth ahead of the stretch run.

Blankenburg, 27, may not bring size at 5-foot-9 and 177 pounds, but he plays bigger than his frame suggests. The puck-moving blueliner has continued to round out his game over two seasons in Nashville. This year, he’s produced six goals and 21 points in 49 games while averaging 17:58 per night. Last season, he recorded four goals and 16 points in 60 games, logging a career-high 19:33 in average ice time.

Blankenburg projects as a reliable No. 7 defenseman — the kind of depth piece contenders need when injuries inevitably test the roster. He becomes the Avalanche’s third in-season addition to the blue line, underscoring general manager Chris MacFarland’s clear focus on reinforcing the back end.

In January, Colorado dealt defenseman Ilya Solovyov to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Just over a month later, the two teams connected again in a larger swap that brought Brett Kulak to Denver in exchange for Samuel Girard and a second-round pick. Kulak stepped into Girard’s former third-pair role, but Colorado still lacked a dependable extra option. Blankenburg now fills that void.

Originally undrafted, Blankenburg signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022 after a standout four-year career at the Michigan Wolverines, where he served as captain in his senior season. The Washington, Michigan native carved out an NHL role through mobility, compete level, and smart puck decisions — traits that fit well within Colorado’s system.

Blankenburg is on an expiring contract and carries a league-minimum $775,000 cap hit, making the acquisition both low-risk and cap-friendly.

For a team with championship aspirations, this isn’t a flashy swing — it’s a calculated one. And in April and May, depth often matters just as much as star power.

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Oilers Trade Andrew Mangiapane to the Blackhawks for Dickinson and Dach

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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Blackhawks Trade Jason Dickinson & Colton Dach To Oilers For Andrew Mangiapane, 1st Round Pick

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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NHL trade candidates generating buzz before March 6 deadline

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):

Center Ryan O'Reilly, Nashville Predators

O'Reilly is a former playoff MVP who has another year left on his contract. He has no trade protection, but the Predators will clear any move with him. He took a high stick to the face on March 3 and while the team said in a statement that he is expected to be fine and an update would be provided on Thursday, March 5.

Defenseman Justin Faulk, St. Louis Blues

The Blues have struggled this season and could be shopping plenty of players. Faulk is a right-shot defenseman with another year left on his deal. He has hit double digits in goals for the sixth time in his career. He has a 15-team no-trade list. Defenseman Colton Parayko is being mentioned as another candidate.

Center Nazem Kadri, Calgary Flames

He won a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022 but wasn't re-signed and got a seven-year deal with the Flames. He has a 13-team no-trade list. Flames forward Blake Coleman is also being mentioned.

Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Toronto Maple Leafs

He sat out Wednesday's game, along with pending unrestricted free agents Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton. Ekman-Larsson has a Stanley Cup ring with the 2023-24 Florida Panthers and can put up points. He is signed through 2028 at a reasonable $3.5 million cap hit and has a 16-team no-trade list.

Forward Jake DeBrusk, Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks have moved out Quinn Hughes, Kiefer Sherwood and Tyler Myers. More could be coming for the NHL's last-place team. Jake DeBrusk told the Vancouver Province that a rebuild "is not something I would be OK with or accepting." The 29-year-old is in the second year of a seven-year contract.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL trade deadline candidates who could move before Friday

Stars acquire defenseman Tyler Myers in a trade with the Canucks

NHL: Winnipeg Jets at Vancouver Canucks

Feb 25, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers (57) warms up prior to the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Simon Fearn-Imagn Images

Simon Fearn-Imagn Images

The Dallas Stars answered a division rival’s latest move ahead of the NHL trade deadline with a significant one of their own.

Dallas acquired defenseman Tyler Myers from the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2029 fourth-rounder. Vancouver is retaining half of Myers’ $3 million salary for the remainder of this season and next, meaning the Stars get him at a modest $1.5 million hit for two possible playoff runs.

Myers, a 6-foot-6 right-handed shooter, is in his 17th season in the league and seventh with the Canucks at age 36. The Stars were looking to add depth to their blue line and could also still add up front before the trade deadline on Friday.

“Tyler is a veteran defenseman that will immediately add to our group,” Dallas general manager Jim Nill said. “His ability to play on the right side will give us an added element of flexibility on the blueline.”

Minnesota, likely Dallas’ first-round opponent, made a trade for depth center Michael McCarron on Tuesday night. The Wild also may not be done dealing, with a high-end center on general manager Bill Guerin’s shopping list.

Among the candidates for that role is Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers, one of several teams who have declared they are open for business as sellers.

Two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida is now in that mode after losing three in a row in regulation, and the signing Wednesday of journeyman goaltender Louis Domingue may or may not signal the Panthers’ intentions. Sergei Bobrovsky, who has backstopped them to the back-to-back titles and three consecutive trips to the final and twice won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goalie, is unsigned beyond this season.

While it might seem crazy to envision Bobrovsky getting traded, fellow pending free agent teammates A.J. Greer, Jeff Petry and others could fetch some value.

Toronto, whose active NHL-best nine-year playoff streak is almost certainly coming to an end, also has assets to move. The Maple Leafs are not dressing Scott Laughton, Bobby McMann and Oliver Ekman-Larsson at New Jersey on Wednesday night as talks to trade them get close to the finish line.

“It’s obviously a tough time for everybody, no matter what team you’re on,” Ekman-Larsson said following the morning skate. “At the same time, you know what you sign up for, and you know that that’s the case around the league.”

Not getting traded — again — is winger Kiefer Sherwood, who signed a five-year, $28.75 million extension to stay with San Jose. The Sharks got Sherwood from Vancouver on Jan. 19, understanding they could keep him or flip him.

San Jose Sharks, Kiefer Sherwood agree to 5-year extension

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."

New beginnings for Sherwood

It's been a series of new chapters within the past 365 days for Sherwood.

He became a newlywed after he tied the knot with longtime girlfriend, Ariel, last summer in Carmel. He joined a new team after being traded in January. The eight-year veteran told reporters that he is expecting to be a father soon. Now, he's signing a multiyear deal to remain with the Sharks.

Through it all, he has learned patience and how to trust the process and allow everything to take care of itself.

Since arriving in San Jose in January, Sherwood has taken the time to get to know his new teammates. He understands the importance of a fun culture and locker room, and how it translates to winning hockey.

Sherwood has been learning inside jokes to go along with different personalities on the team and said he's "thrilled to be here" in San Jose, especially as the team looks to carve out a winning season.

His physical style of play and timely scoring ability has conveniently added to San Jose's tenacity as the Sharks look to make a postseason push in the final months of the 2025-26 NHL regular season. Along the way, Sherwood said he's looking to "ruffle some feathers".

"At the end of the day, all you can do is control what you can," Sherwood said. "Focus on coming to the rink every day with a good attitude and good work ethic, and hopefully those things will fall into place."

San Jose Sharks left wing Kiefer Sherwood (44) and Winnipeg Jets defenseman Elias Salomonsson (57) battle for the puck against the boards.

Reaping benefits of Sherwood acquisition

The trade for Sherwood has been paying off.

Since his Feb. 4 debut, Sherwood has led the team with 28 hits, including tying for team-high for hits in a game with nine against the Winnipeg Jets on March 1.

He scored his first goal with the Sharks against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, March 3. His lone goal would end up being the game-winner with 3:26 left in the third period, as San Jose won 7-5 in a back and forth contest. He finished the game tallying his first assist and multipoint game as a Shark.

“We are very excited to have Kiefer remain in San Jose and be part of the group that we are building,” Grier said in a news release. “The ingredients he brings to our lineup 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 Sharks, now on a three-game winning streak, improved their record to 30-25-4 after they defeated the Canadiens in front of a sellout crowd of 17,435 at SAP Center in San Jose.

The win was San Jose's 30th of the season, the first time they've reached that mark since the 2021-22 season. It's their second 30-win season since the 2018-19 season, the Sharks' last playoff appearance.

Many have started to take notice of the team's bounceback season.

"Super exciting," Sherwood told USA TODAY Sports. "There's a lot of special things brewing and a lot of things on the rise, and I'm just super blessed to be alongside them now, the path that we're on. So we'll continue to push, push each and every day and push each other, and see how far we can take it."

He added: "Ultimately, it's a huge challenge for us. And that's what you want, right? Just competing each and every day. The stakes get higher, and push comes to shove, you kind of see who's built for it and if we're ready for it. But it's just super motivating and fueling for us too."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kiefer Sherwood lands 5-year contract extension with San Jose Sharks

Report: Sabres And St. Louis On The Verge Of Deal For Parayko

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. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

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Two Los Angeles Kings Players Who Could Be Under-The-Radar Trade Bait

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.

Darcy Kuemper and Corey Perry (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)
Darcy Kuemper and Corey Perry (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

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 DeadlineLos 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 PlanLos 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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