As of this moment, it appears unlikely that the Toronto Maple Leafs will get William Nylander back for Wednesday's game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Nylander has missed the last two games after re-aggravating a groin issue on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, Toronto's second-last game of their latest road trip.

The forward was absent from practice on Tuesday afternoon, with head coach Craig Berube noting there's "nothing new" on Nylander's status.

"I mean, he's still doing his rehab and stuff off the ice, nothing on the ice yet," added Berube. "I don't have a timeline when he'll be on the ice."

The 29-year-old initially missed six straight games with the injury, which he picked up against the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 27, before returning to the Maple Leafs' lineup on Jan. 10 against the Vancouver Canucks.

Nylander dressed for three more games after Vancouver, but left after playing just 2:17 against the Golden Knights. (He scored a goal and an assist before exiting the game.)

Despite missing 12 of Toronto's 49 games this season, Nylander still leads the Maple Leafs in points. His 17 goals and 38 points in 37 games are five more than John Tavares, who sits second in team scoring with 18 goals and 43 points in 49 games.

Toronto has eight more games until the Olympics, which Nylander will be playing in for Team Sweden.

Maple Leafs Reveal Groin Injury For William Nylander, Could He Miss The Olympics?With Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube revealing that William Nylander is sidelined by a recurring groin injury, the focus now shifts to whether the superstar can recover in time for the upcoming Olympic Games.

Other Practice Notes

Matthew Knies took another maintenance day on Tuesday after registering an assist and 19:11 of ice time in Toronto's 6-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild. He's been dealing with an undisclosed lower-body injury since before the Christmas break.

Despite missing Tuesday's practice, Berube expects Knies to play on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings.

"Talking to him today, he felt better, which is good news," said Berube.

'It's Been Honestly Sh**ty': Matthew Knies Continues to Play Through A Lower-Body Injury That Will Only Get Better With RestMatthew Knies sustained a lower-body injury in training camp, and the ailment has not gotten any better. The Leafs may be forced to make a hard decision to rest him at some point.

Troy Stecher also missed practice due to maintenance after playing 16:24 against the Wild, but "should be good to go tomorrow," Berube added.

As for who'll start against the Red Wings — after each goalie played on Monday against the Wild — that remains to be seen.

"I'll make that decision tomorrow," Berube stated. "I haven't made that decision yet, so I've got to talk to the goalie coach and the goalies yet."

Projected lineup against the Red Wings:

McMann - Matthews - Domi
Maccelli - Tavares - Knies
Cowan - Roy - Robertson
Lorentz - Laughton - Jarnkrok

Rielly - Carlo
McCabe - Ekman-Larsson
Benoit - Stecher

The Colorado Avalanche have officially made their first trade of the season, sending defenseman Ilya Solovyov to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for 26-year-old right wing Valtteri Puustinen, and Pittsburgh’s 2026 7th round draft pick as well.

Solovyov has played 16 games for the Avs up until this point, with two assists and one goal. The one goal being his first career NHL goal, which came against the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 10. With Solovyov now being traded, the Avs are suddenly short a defenseman on their roster, which means a call-up will likely be coming ahead of Colorado’s game tomorrow against the Anaheim Ducks as Devon Toews is skating but not yet ready to play.

🚨 Trade

To #LetsGoPens
Ilya Solovyov 25 y/o D, Yr 2/2 $775K – UFA Group6

To #GoAvsGo
Valtteri Puustinen 26 y/o F, Yr 2/2 $775K – UFA
'26 7th

PIT adds $775K net cap hit with Solovyov currently being in the NHL and Puustinen assigned to the AHL https://t.co/14dKtGKVSG

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) January 20, 2026

Valtteri Puustinen was a former seventh round pick in 2019 has not played a game in the NHL this season but has 66 career games with Pittsburgh. This season he has played 35 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL so far. In that time, he’s picked up seven goals and 19 assists, which is some perfectly fine production. He’s been a good producer in the AHL over his career so if nothing else this is a move to fortify the Colorado Eagles. It remains to be seen if Puustinen will stay in the AHL after this move as the Avalanche do not have the services of depth forward Joel Kiviranta yet either.

Obviously, this is a pretty small trade on the whole, but still the first one that the Avs have made this season, nonetheless. There is no salary cap impact even if the Avs recall their new forward. With the Olympics coming up in just over two weeks, we might see more trades happen before then, now that Colorado’s started making some moves.

While Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson has emerged as one of the NHL’s top young defensemen, you sometimes forget how young he is. Sanderson is still just 23 years old and remains somewhat reserved, bordering on shy, when dealing with the media.

That’s why his comments on Saturday night in Montreal were especially surprising coming from him. Instead of leaning on the usual clichés NHL players often use, a visibly irritated Sanderson took a hard run at the performance of rookie goaltender Leevi Meriläinen.

“Leevi made some good saves, but at the end of the day you need more than 10 saves to win a game,” Sanderson said.

The remarks followed an emotional night in Montreal, where the Canadiens rallied from a late 5–3 deficit to beat the Senators 6–5 in overtime. Sanderson was outstanding in the game, recording one of the best performances of his career with a goal and three assists.

When asked about his comments by The Athletic’s Julian McKenzie on Tuesday morning following the Senators’ game-day skate in Columbus, Sanderson clearly expressed regret over what he had said.

"Yeah, I mean, first off, I'm pretty embarrassed," Sanderson said. "I think, you know, that's a situation where after a game, (you should) take a few more minutes, take a few deep breaths.

"And I talked to Levy after it played and apologized, and, you know, I still feel really bad. Leevi's a great guy, and I think, you know, that's not what good teammates do. You don't tear each other down. You build each other up, especially after a game like that.

"So, yeah, I'm pretty embarrassed."

Sanderson's original comments sparked debate this week over players publicly calling out teammates. Some called it refreshing and appreciated the honesty; others called it unproductive and inappropriate.

Some have even suggested that it was less of a shot at Merilainen and more of a not-so-subtle message to management that this good young team needs a goalie who can play at this level.

When McKenzie asked again about goaltending, Sanderson admitted that there have been nights when it's been frustrating at times, but that's been true of every position on the team, his included.

"It's a team sport. There are times when the D core isn't playing well, there are times when the forwards aren't doing their job. So, I think there's just those ebbs and flows of the season.

"But at the same time, obviously seeing Linus come back, with him bringing his positivity to our team. We're very excited to have him back soon."

Sanderson then had a chance to say something nice about a recent goaltending performance, this one from veteran James Reimer in his Senators debut on Sunday.

"I thought he played awesome," Sanderson said. "For his first game, he was very sharp. "He grabbed a few guys in the D-core and talked to us about what he likes to do on the ice with communication and whatnot. But, yeah, he made some big saves."

All in all, it's been a good lesson for the Senators' most valuable player. Everyone makes mistakes, especially at 23, but now it's onward and upward; no harm, no foul.

And in making things right today, just as he does with a puck on the power play, Sanderson handled it perfectly.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

This story is from The Hockey News Ottawa. You can visit the site here or click on one of their latest articles below:

Should Jake Sanderson Have Gone Public With His Thoughts On Senators' Goaltending?Sanderson's critique of Senators' goaltending was brutally honest. But he shouldn't have said it publicly.

Goaltending Woes Are Breaking The Ottawa Senators
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On July 1, 2025, the St. Louis Blues sent winger Zachary Bolduc to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Logan Mailloux.

The trade came as a shock, as neither player was seemingly on the trade block for either team, and Bolduc was coming off an impressive second NHL season in which he scored 19 goals and 36 points in 72 games. 

Mailloux, on the other hand, had played just seven NHL games in 2024-25, but did notch two goals and four points. 

While it was a trade that came out of nowhere, it’s one where logic was evident on both sides. The Canadiens needed to add young scoring wingers to their lineup, and did so with Bolduc. For the Blues, they wanted to add youth and offense to their blueline, doing so with Mailloux.

In the Blues case, the trade was always going to involve patience. Defensemen take longer to develop than forwards, especially wingers, and in Mailloux’s case, his most significant need for improvement was on the defensive side of the puck. This season, his struggles defensively have been on display. 

The 22-year-old has recorded just one goal and one assist in 34 NHL games this season. He’s averaging 13:47 of ice time and owns a minus-22 rating. Though Mailloux’s game has steadied since his dreadful start to the season. Mailloux was sent to the Springfield Thunderbirds for a five-game stint before returning to the NHL.

Since his return, he’s skated alongside Cam Fowler, and the chatter about his game has diminished. He’s seen his ice time increase and was rewarded with a one-year contract extension.

Bolduc, on the other hand, has been the opposite. He stormed out of the gates, scoring in his first three games with the Habs, and saw ice time on the top line as well as the top power play unit. His production tailed off, and his role with the Canadiens slowly decreased. He’s been skating on the fourth line recently and sees time on the second power play unit.

He hasn’t scored in any of his last 12 games, and now posts 10 goals and 18 points in 49 games, on pace for 17 goals and 30 points in 82 games, fewer goals and points in more games than he had last season with the Blues.

He, too, is just 22 years old and is still developing, but the early narrative that the Canadiens fleeced the Blues in a trade that saw two former 2021 first-round picks swap has evaporated. 

Much is still left to change, but at the moment, the trade has had its ups and downs for both teams.

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The Colorado Avalanche have announced that they have traded defenseman Ilya Solovyov in exchange for forward Valtteri Puustinen from the Pittsburgh Penguins, along with their seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

We have acquired Valtteri Puustinen and Pittsburgh's own 7th Round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft in exchange for Ilya Solovyov. pic.twitter.com/zegVaNPIgW

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) January 20, 2026

The Avalanche claimed the Belarusian defenseman off waivers from the Calgary Flames in October. He wasn’t going to be an every-game type of player, but at 6-foot-3, 209 pounds and shoots left, he is a strong defenseman that can play in a bottom-pairing role and be confident enough to move the puck while throwing his body in front of it as well. He got into 16 games with the Avalanche and scored his first career NHL goal, alongside two assists for three points in his tenure.

Ilya Solovyov Scores First Career NHL Goal Against Blue JacketsIlya Solovyov has had an up-and-down experience with the Colorado Avalanche so far, but none of that matters now, he's officially scored in the toughest league in sports.

Considering the injuries the Avalanche have to their forward group, this is a trade that made sense in a pinch, considering other options they have to call up from the Eagles if they need another bottom-pairing player.

Puustinen has spent the entire 2025-26 season so far with the Pittsburgh Penguins AHL team, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. In 35 games, he has seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points. He played 52 games with the Penguins during the 2023-24 season and finished with five goals and 15 assists for 20 points.

At 26 years old, and 5-foot-9, 183 pounds, he can play both left and right wing, giving more wing depth that the Avalanche sorely need with Gabriel Landeskog, Joel Kiviranta, and Logan O’Connor out right now. Alongside Puustinen, they also receive Pittsburgh's own seventh-round pick, which is now the fourth seventh-round pick they will have in the upcoming 2026 Draft.

The Penguins announced a trade on Tuesday, sending forward Valtteri Puustinen and a seventh round pick to Colorado in exchange for defenseman Ilya Solovyov.

The Penguins have acquired defenseman Ilya Solovyov from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Valtteri Puustinen and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick.

Details: https://t.co/ETEr66md0Mpic.twitter.com/5oVOWRubYa

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 20, 2026

Puustinen, as mentioned in the last Wilkes Weekly, was climbing the ranks of the all-time WBS scoring list but will see his progress stopped with 101 career AHL points with the Penguins. The 26-year old former seventh round pick in 2019 has been a part of the Pens’ organization professionally since the start of the 2021-22 season, scoring 24 points in 66 career NHL games with Pittsburgh. His place in the organization peaked with 20 points in 52 games during the 2023-24 season before sliding into a role more of organizational depth over the last two seasons.

Pittsburgh picks up 6’3”, 208 pound left handed defenseman Solovyov. Similar to Puustinen, Solovyov has been playing mostly in the AHL since the start of the 2021-22 season, though he has played 16 NHL games with the Avalanche this season scoring three points (1G+2A) in a limited role that saw him average 11:13 of ice-time per game. Solovyov had been something of a regular for the Avs, playing seven games since January 4th and even stringing together a three-game point streak from 1/6 – 1/10. Solovyov played for the Avs just last night in their win over the Capitals, although for only 8:34.

The Penguins, who have dressed 12 different defensemen through 48 games, are still seeking answers on their bottom part of their blueline in what’s been a season-long search. Jack St. Ivany was made a healthy scratch yesterday, Ryan Graves has bounced between the NHL and AHL on another erstwhile season, Harrison Brunicke has been assigned back to junior and Caleb Jones recently suffered an injury in his AHL rehab stint coming back from a lengthy injury.

It remains unclear where Solovyov fits into that mix, especially since the team has some decent LHD options in Brett Kulak, Parker Wotherspoon and Ryan Shea. Pittsburgh has never been shy about shuttling bodies in and out to see what may happen, Solovyov could be the next short-term opportunity to see what ability he has coming off his recent time in Colorado.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are staying busy, as they have made another trade. 

The Penguins have announced that they have acquired defenseman Ilya Solovyov from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forward Valtteri Puustinen and a 2026 seventh-round pick. 

Solovyov has played in 16 games this season, where he has recorded one goal, three points, 19 blocks, and 19 hits. Now, the 6-foot-3 blueliner will be looking to make an impact with the Penguins after being acquired by the Metropolitan Division club.

With the Penguins dealing with injury trouble, it is understandable that they have decided to bring in a young blueliner like Solovyov. He will now provide the Penguins with more depth on defense, which is never a bad thing. 

Solovyov has appeared in 31 career NHL games over three seasons split between the Calgary Flames and Avalanche, where he has posted one goal, six assists, seven points, 44 blocks, and 45 hits. 

The Penguins have acquired defenseman Ilya Solovyov from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Valtteri Puustinen and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick.

Details: https://t.co/ETEr66md0Mpic.twitter.com/5oVOWRubYa

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 20, 2026

Puustinen, on the other hand, will now get a fresh start after spending several years with the Penguins organization. The Penguins' 2019 seventh-round pick played in 66 games over three seasons with Pittsburgh, where he recorded seven goals, 17 assists, and 24 points. This included the 26-year-old winger posting career highs with five goals, 15 assists, and 20 points in 52 games during the 2023-24 season with the Penguins. 

Oskar Sundqvist will not be in the lineup when the St. Louis Blues (19-22-8) play the second of a three-game road trip against the Winnipeg Jets (19-23-6) at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg on Tuesday (7 p.m.; FDSNMW, ESPN 101.1-FM) but the concern level from Blues coach Jim Montgomery was not nearly as concerning as it was in the moment it happened when the Blues forward took an accidental cut above the ankle on Sunday in a 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

Nevertheless, Sundqvist is out on Tuesday, as is Dylan Holloway, who returned Sunday after missing 15 games with a high ankle sprain and will be monitored as he returns to full time play and not be pushed on Tuesday to give another three full days before the Blues' next game.

In their places, Robby Fabbri and Jonatan Berggren will be slotted into the lineup.

Joel Hofer, a Winnipeg native, who is tied for the NHL lead with four shutouts this season and is 9-4-0 in his past 13 starts, will get the start in goal; he sports a 1.69 goals-against average and .939 save percentage in six games against the Jets, who are playing the second of back to back games after losing 2-0 to the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.

The lineup will be known in pregame, but with two changes among skaters, there will be some switches from Sunday in the Blues' first visit in this building since the fated 'Manitoba Miracle' from Game 7 of the Western Conference first round last spring.

- - -

Blues Projected Lineup:

Otto Stenberg-Brayden Schenn-Jimmy Snuggerud

Jake Neighbours-Dalibor Dvorsky-Jordan Kyrou

Pavel Buchnevich-Nick Bjugstad-Jonatan Berggren

Alexey Toropchenko-Robby Fabbri-Nathan Walker

Philip Broberg-Colton Parayko

Tyler Tucker-Justin Faulk

Cam Fowler-Logan Mailloux

Joel Hofer will start in goal; Jordan Binnington will be the backup.

The healthy scratch includes Matthew Kessel. Dylan Holloway (lower body/load management), Pius Suter (high ankle sprain), Robert Thomas (lower body), Mathieu Joseph (elbow infection) and Oskar Sundqvist (skate cut) are out.

- - -

Jets Projected Lineup:

Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Alex Iafallo

Cole Perfetti-Jonathan Toews-Gabriel Vilardi

Nino Niederreiter-Adam Lowry-Vladislav Namestnikov

Cole Koepke-Morgan Barron-Tanner Pearson

Josh Morrissey-Dylan DeMelo

Dylan Samberg-Luke Schenn

Isaak Phillips-Logan Stanley

Eric Comrie is projected to start in goal; Connor Hellebuyck would be the backup.

Healthy scratches could include Gustav Nyquist and Danil Zhilkin. Haydn Fleury (back), Colin Miller (knee), Neal Pionk (undisclosed) and Elias Salomonsson (illness) could all be out.

Who Will Assume Power Play Duties For Blues With Steve Ott Gone?Blues head coach Jim Montgomery will temporarily take over role of unit currently 25th in the NHL with associate coach taking AHL head coaching duties in SpringfieldSt. Louis Blues Make Change At AHL Level, Appoint Steve Ott Head CoachTeam's associate coach will assume role for remainder of season after firing of Steve Konowalchuk At Springfield

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Over the past 24 hours or so, the Vegas Golden Knights and San Jose Sharks have made a key addition each. While two Pacific Division clubs strengthen their teams via trades, the Los Angeles Kings remain outside of a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

With the Kings' divisional rivals improving and adding assets to their rosters, the pressure on GM Ken Holland will only grow leading into the Olympic roster freeze and to the March 6 NHL trade deadline.

The pressure won't necessarily be growing because the Kings need to make a move, although that could help in the short term. But the spotlight will be on the team and Holland in terms of the direction Los Angeles will be going as spring approaches.

As mentioned, the Kings are just outside of a playoff spot as they're sixth in the Pacific. Furthermore, coming off the weekend, the Kings were tied in points with three other teams in their division, including the Sharks, who are now third in the Pacific after a win on  Monday.

The status of Los Angeles' divisional counterparts has been made clear.

It was a no-brainer that the Golden Knights continue to add, and they made a big move by acquiring defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames. He'll be a massive boost to Vegas' back end as they already lead the division with two games in hand on second-place Edmonton Oilers.

How Do The Golden Knights And GM McCrimmon Constantly Acquire NHL Stars?The Vegas Golden Knights made a big acquisition on Sunday, trading for defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames. Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon made a massive move, but that's par for the course for one of the NHL's most successful GMs.

As for the Sharks, they've been sellers for the last number of seasons. Although with a decent first half to the regular season, they find themselves in the playoff race.

As a result, San Jose GM Mike Grier acquired Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks, one of the highly-anticipated trade candidates and pending UFAs in the NHL. In addition, he led the Canucks in goals with 17 in 44 games and is one of two players with over 200 hits this year.

The San Jose Sharks Take An Excellent Calculated Risk With Kiefer SherwoodThe San Jose Sharks injected physicality and scoring into their rebuild by acquiring Kiefer Sherwood. Will the pending UFA be a long-term piece of the puzzle?

For the Kings, going into the season, they were expected to be playoff contenders, and naturally, they'd be buyers as the trade deadline gets closer.

However, with their start to this season, and the trends Los Angeles has shown lately, the team's direction isn't so clear anymore.

They have 51 points in 48 games. Thirteen of those points come from the team's 13 overtime defeats, as they own a 19-16-13 record.

Given the Kings' mark and position in the standings, it's tough to say whether they are a seller or a buyer. If anything is clear, it's that they shouldn't pursue one direction with any sort of aggression.

To be sure, the Kings have the future assets to dish out, including three first-round picks and four second-rounders over the next three seasons, as well as several notable prospects. 

However, there is no guarantee Los Angeles will emerge from the ruins of the playoff race and set themselves as a distinct playoff team. It wouldn't make sense to risk the franchise's future for rental in a struggling season.

Therefore, they may just need to take the status of conservative buyers. Some light additions won't turn them into Stanley Cup favorites, but may be the necessary path for Holland to push the team to the playoffs at least.

---

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The Vancouver Canucks continued their rebuild on Monday as they traded Kiefer Sherwood to the San Jose Sharks. In return, Vancouver received two second-round picks as well as defenceman Cole Clayton. While Sherwood is the team leader in goals, he is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, which made this trade almost necessary, considering where the Canucks are in the standings. 

After Vancouver's 11th straight loss on Monday, three players met with the media to discuss the game. During the availabilities, all were asked about Sherwood and the impact he had on the organization. First was Marcus Pettersson, who discussed how the Canucks overall record forced this type of trade.  

"Yeah, it's a big loss," said Pettersson. "You know, the energy that he brings every day. That's the business we are in. When you lose games, stuff like that is going to happen. Like I said, the energy that he brought every day. His fiery play, we are going to miss and how good of a person he is, too. It's always tough to say by to teammates and friends. But like I said, that's the business you are in when you lose games. 

Up next was Evander Kane, who is in the same situation as Sherwood. The 34-year-old has also been involved in trade rumours as he is also an unrestricted free agent on July 1. When asked about Sherwood, Kane spoke about not just what he brought on the ice, but he friendship they developed over the past few months. 

"Woody, you know, we became kind of fast friends, especially off the ice," said Kane. "You know, really, really good guy. Brought an energy that you don't see a whole lot in the NHL, and, you know, really fun to watch and be around. So wishing him the best of luck in San Jose there. And I'm sure he'll add a lot to that group."

The third player to speak was Max Sassson. Just like Sherwood, the 25-year-old is a late bloomer, as he only made his NHL debut last season. When asked about his now former teammate, Sasson spoke about Sherwood's leadership skills, especially when it came to helping out the younger guys on the team. 

"I had a long talk with him today," said Sasson, "And I'll continue to stay in touch. He's given me a lot of advice ever since day one up here. And I think, even when we were in Abbotsford, that's a guy that we talked about all the time that we can learn from and strive to be one day. That you know, maybe just because you weren't in the NHL at 21, you can still find it. He's playing his best hockey right now at 29, so yeah, we're gonna miss him. He was a great friend, but also an unbelievable leader to all of us."

In the span of a year and a half, Sherwood went from relatively unknown to becoming a fan favourite in Vancouver. He scored 36 goals and recorded 63 points in 122 games while also throwing 672 hits. Ultimately, Sherwood will be missed in the market, not just by the fan base but also in the Canucks locker room. 

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The Colorado Avalanche's start to the season has been nothing but historic, despite a rough couple of recent weeks. With a record of 34-5-8 for 76 points, 47 games played, they are still on pace to break the 2022-23 Boston Bruins NHL single-season wins and points record. 

There, players like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar lead the way in their respective trophy voting. Goaltending, once a major red flag for this organization, has been a significant reason for its current success. So the question begs: could this team get better?

Avalanche Leading in Numerous NHL Award Races Half Way Through the SeasonHalfway through the 2025-26 NHL season, Colorado Avalanche players sit atop numerous NHL award races with how well the team has started heading into the second half of the season.

Well, the New York Rangers General Manager, Chris Drury, sent a letter to all Rangers fans a couple of days ago regarding their current lack of performance this season and the significant changes that should be coming to the lineup, both this season and going forward. 

The most significant piece of news is that star winger Artemi Panarin, a pending UFA this summer, will not be receiving a contract extension, easily jumping the line and becoming the number one trade target for many teams trying to acquire him before the Olympic roster freeze on Feb.4 or the trade deadline on March 6.

Panarin has an $11.6 million cap hit and a full no-move clause, but with recent news of how the team's future looks, he might be willing to waive it for the right team that can fit his aspirations for a Stanley Cup and could offer the best trade package Drury might like for the Rangers.

This all comes back around to the Colorado Avalanche and how their season has begun. This is a team that is the definition of “cup or bust”, the window is starting to shrink, and with the team firing on all cylinders this season, there should be no doubt they make a move to two to improve this team.

Including Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, and how he named the Avalanche alongside the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Washington Capitals as names to watch in the Panarin trade mill. While frankly, I do agree that Panarin can come in and be a major contributor to this team, I don’t see General Manager Chris MacFarland and President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic making the cap room to fit him without taking too much from this already successful roster.

As of writing (Jan. 20), the Avalanche have $1.7 million in cap space, and that's Logan O’Connor on LTIR, Joel Kiviranta on IR, and both Devon Toews and Gabriel Landeskog out week-to-week. To bring in Panarin, who would become the second-highest-paid player on this team, you're going to need to move more than just draft picks and prospects to make this deal work.

Avalanche Were Smart Not to Buy Before Roster FreezeAs the NHL roster freeze takes place before Christmas, two trades came through at the last minute. Should the Avalanche have been one of those four teams in making a deal? I don't think so.

You're looking at moving players like Samuel Girard, Valeri Nichushkin, Ross Colton, and Artturi Lehkonen, and that's if the Rangers would even want any of the listed players. Even the players listed have trade-modified trade clauses, and while I doubt the Rangers are listed on theirs, if they are, there's another wrench in your plans, and now you have to pivot to another player to make the money work.

What about picks and prospects? Drury, in the letter, stated it was more of a retool and then rebuild, but despite that, the Avalanche doesn’t have much they could offer that would be super enticing.

Much was spent on acquiring Brock Nelson and more at last season's trade deadline, and they don’t have a first-, second-, or third-round draft pick in the 2026 Draft. So, unless Drury wants picks in the coming seasons or has scouts who like some of our prospects, our package is definitely not the best for competing with others.

Checking Up On Colorado Avalanche's 2025 Draft Class MidseasonLet's take a look at how the three selections the Colorado Avalanche made at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft are doing so far, halfway through the season.

Then there is the extension part. As stated, the salary cap is going up significantly, but if you're looking at who the Avalanche need to extend in the coming summers, adding Panarin to this list is going to make things really tough, especially for a guy who turns 35 next season and is already making $11.5 million.

They just extended Martin Necas' next season, who carries a cap hit of $11.5 million. Cale Makar is eligible for contract extension talks this summer, and that's going to be the number one focus this summer heading into next season. 

So, unless Panarin is willing to take a steep pay cut, the Avalanche are going back to the situation where a majority of their money is invested in the top guys, which could affect their bottom-six and, in turn, depth scoring.

MacFarland and Sakic need to be smart come the trade deadline. This team is set up for postseason success, but how do you improve this roster without taking away from what already makes it successful? Panarin, even at his age, is a game-changer, but given how the Avalanche's cap, draft picks, and roster construction are right now, it's too risky to go after another big fish like him.

Valeri Nichushkin Injured After Involvement in Multi-Car AccidentJared Bednar revealed that Valeri Nichushkin was involved in a car accident on his way to the arena, but the injuries are minor.

Calvin Pickard has spent too much of this season watching. Watching from the bench. Watching from the press box. Watching Stuart Skinner, Tristan Jarry, and Connor Ingram take turns manning the crease while he sits in full gear, ready if needed, but rarely called upon.

He's done everything right. He's been professional. He's been patient. He's been the exact kind of teammate every organization wants. And his reward? He's probably heading to Bakersfield.

The Edmonton Oilers can carry three goaltenders on the roster right now, but the cap space won't work out that way indefinitely. Eventually, someone has to go down. And as much as it'll hurt fans, the team, and probably Pickard himself, all signs point to him being the one sent to the AHL.

It's not fair. But it's the reality of professional hockey.

Jarry and Ingram have both gotten solid starts during this awkward three-goalie period. They've both gotten shutouts. They've both shown they can handle the workload. Pickard, meanwhile, has spent far too many games in street clothes or warming the bench, waiting for an opportunity that isn't coming.

This will be hard for fans. Pickard is well-liked in Edmonton. He's been a steady presence for years, stepping in when needed, never complaining, always ready. He was here during the tough times and stuck around for the good ones. Fans appreciate that kind of loyalty and professionalism.

Oilers vs Devils: Pre-game Stats25-17-8 | 58 PTS

This will be even harder for the team. Pickard is loved in that dressing room. He's polite, reliable, and kind. He talks to media before and after games without hesitation. He treats everyone—teammates, coaches, reporters, arena staff—with respect. He's done his job for years, and as we've said before, Pickard—a backup goalie—was never the problem.

Economically, this decision is brutal too. Pickard is cost-controlled at $1 million per season. That's an incredibly team-friendly contract for a reliable NHL backup. Compare that to Tristan Jarry at $5.375 million per year or Connor Ingram at $1.95 million, and on paper, keeping Pickard makes financial sense.

But hockey isn't played on spreadsheets. Jarry and Ingram are younger. They're playing better right now. And together, they have the potential to form the legitimate tandem this fanbase has wanted for years—a duo where you trust either guy to start on any given night without worrying about what you're going to get.

How Closely Should Team Canada Be Watching Zach Hyman?Doug Armstrong sat somewhere in Rogers Place Sunday night, watching Zach Hyman score twice and rack up three points against his St. Louis Blues. As Team Canada's General Manager for the upcoming Olympics, Armstrong's seen plenty of hockey. But watching Hyman—a player who didn't make the Olympic roster—put on a clinic alongside Connor McDavid had to make him think, even if just for a second: should we be watching this guy more closely?

That's been the missing piece for Edmonton. For years, goaltending has been a question mark. A source of anxiety. Pickard did his part, but the Oilers need more than just "solid enough." They need a tandem that gives them a chance to win every night, regardless of who's in net.

Jarry and Ingram might be that. They're both capable starters who can handle workloads. They both bring different strengths. And if they can stay healthy and maintain their current form, the Oilers finally have the goaltending depth they've lacked.

Which leaves Pickard as the odd man out.

A Night For Nuge: Scoring, Winning, And 1000 Games As An OilerRyan Nugent-Hopkins has spent 14 years quietly being the heartbeat of the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers#google_vignette">Edmonton Oilers</a>. No drama. No demands. No threats to leave when things got rough—and things got really rough. So when his 1000th NHL game arrived Sunday night, the hockey gods apparently decided he deserved something special.

It's not a reflection on him as a player or a person. It's just roster math. The Oilers can't keep three goalies forever. They need the cap space. They need the roster flexibility. And when you have two younger, higher-performing options, the veteran on the cheaper contract becomes expendable, no matter how much everyone likes him.

Saying goodbye to Pickard will sting. He deserves better than this. He's been nothing but reliable, nothing but a good teammate. But professional sports are ruthless, and sometimes doing everything right still isn't enough.

Was Kiefer Sherwood a Missed Opportunity for the Oilers?A high-energy winger with scoring upside joins San Jose. Did Edmonton miss out on a perfect top-nine fit, or a costly gamble?

The Oilers will make the move when they have to. Pickard will handle it with the same class he's shown throughout his time in Edmonton. Fans will be disappointed but understand the reasoning. And the team will move forward with Jarry and Ingram as their tandem, hoping this is finally the goaltending solution they've been searching for.

It's an unfortunate reality. But it's reality nonetheless. Calvin Pickard deserves better, but sometimes the game doesn't care what you deserve.

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Steve Yzerman reached a historic milestone exactly 20 years ago on Tuesday, recording his 1,000th career assist as the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-2 in overtime. With his assist on Mathieu Dandenault’s game-winning goal, Yzerman became just the ninth player in NHL history to reach the 1,000-assist mark, further solidifying his place among hockey’s all-time greats.

The game itself was tightly contested, with both teams trading goals and momentum throughout regulation. Yzerman’s presence on the ice was a key factor in the Red Wings’ ability to find the decisive play in overtime. His vision and passing ability allowed Dandenault to capitalize on the opportunity, giving Detroit the victory and marking a historic personal achievement for Yzerman.

1,000 🍎s for #19#OTD x @cocacolapic.twitter.com/a8NNwkVsMC

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2026

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This milestone adds to an already impressive career. By the end of the 2001-02 season, Yzerman had recorded 13 goals and 35 assists for 48 points in 52 games, continuing to demonstrate his skill as both a scorer and a playmaker. His career total of 1,063 assists places him among the top ten in NHL history, highlighting his consistency and longevity in the league.

Yzerman’s 1,000th assist is a reflection of his leadership and dedication to the game, as well as his ability to create scoring opportunities for teammates over more than a decade in the NHL.

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With Linus Ullmark's return now imminent, the Ottawa Senators announced on Tuesday morning that they've sent goaltender Leevi Meriläinen to the AHL's Belleville Senators.

In a corresponding move, the team recalled Hunter Shepard from Belleville. Shepard will join Ottawa on the road and is expected to back up James Reimer until Ullmark returns. Ullmark was also expected to travel with the team this week, meaning his activation could come at any time, though he remains on the non-roster list.

Meriläinen, 23, appeared in 11 straight games, finishing that stretch with a 4-5-1 record and a 3.61 goals-against average. His most recent start came Saturday in Montreal, where he allowed six goals on 19 shots in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Canadiens, a performance that appeared to reflect a goaltender with shaken confidence.

It was a far cry from the version of Meriläinen that stepped in and saved the Sens season last year when Ullmark and Anton Forsberg were out of the lineup. The young Finn went 8-3-1 and posted stellar numbers: a 1.99 goals against average and .925 save percentage.

If he'd managed something between those numbers and what he actually delivered this season, the Sens would be doing just fine.

Barring an emergency, Meriläinen has probably played his last NHL game this season, and the timing of Belleville’s upcoming seven-game AHL road trip could work in his favour. Getting away from the pressure and the 613 spotlight, the extended road swing offers a chance to reset, like turning your computer off and then back on.

Overall this season, Meriläinen holds an 8-10-1 record with a 3.51 goals-against average and an .860 save percentage, including a 4-3-1 mark since the beginning of January.

But the Senators shouldn't overreact to that. They thought he was ready for this, but he wasn't. That's on the organization and their ability to evaluate NHL readiness, not the goalie.

Meriläinen is still extremely young by NHL goalie standards, and he's now felt the highs and lows of being in the show. Now he can quietly rebuild, knowing what worked and what he needs to fix.

So long as the club remains patient with him and doesn't overreact to these recent struggles as they did with Filip Gustavasson, he remains a good young goalie prospect. It will be interesting to see what they now plan to do with Merilainen, who's an arbitration-eligible RFA this summer.

In a perfect world, including 20/20 hindsight, Merilainen would have developed in Belleville and played big AHL minutes until he was 25. Ullmark would be earning his $8.25 million, providing reliable, quality goaltending for 60-65 games, and a veteran like Reimer or someone else would have been signed last summer to back him up.

Things rarely go exactly according to plan, but nothing seemed to work out with the one the Senators chose, though each decision seemed fairly sensible... at the time. 

The Senators continue their three-game road trip Tuesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, while Belleville opens its seven-game road stretch Wednesday against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

Senators Goalie Linus Ullmark Speaks To Media For First Time Since Taking Leave Of AbsenceAfter his Dec. 28 leave of absence from the Senators, Ullmark shared "authentic and vulnerable" thoughts in a TSN interview.

This story is from The Hockey News Ottawa. You can visit the site here or click on one of their latest articles below:

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Roope Hintz is quietly having another strong season, pacing for his fifth consecutive year of 65+ points.
 
After putting up zeros in back-to-back games, my Bruins vs. Stars predictions expect Hintz to get back on track on home soil.

Let’s take a closer look at my NHL picks for Tuesday, January 20.

Bruins vs Stars prediction

Bruins vs Stars best bet: Roope Hintz Over 0.5 points (-148)

Roope Hintz has produced offense consistently all year long, hitting the scoresheet in 61% of his appearances. That’s a very good number that becomes even better when excluding matchups against high-end defensive teams.

Isolating games vs. teams that rank 15th or worse in points allowed to opposing centers, Hintz has points in 18 of 25 games — a 72% hit rate.

The Boston Bruins have done an excellent job of keeping the puck out of late, but even so, their defensive numbers are nothing to write home about. They sit 15th in goals against per game and 22nd on the road.

Getting Hampus Lindholm back in the lineup will help Boston’s defense, but slowing down Hintz and this loaded Dallas Stars offense is still a big ask.

It’s also worth noting Hintz picked up a point in four of the last five games in which he centered Jason Robertson and Mavrik Bourque, which is expected to be the case tonight.

Bruins vs Stars same-game parlay

Jason Robertson is as hot as anybody when it comes to scoring goals. His 24 since November 11 puts him just one back of Connor McDavid for the league-lead in that time.

Miro Heiskanen has averaged 2.5 shots on 4.7 attempts in Dallas, clearing his line at a 77% clip. The Bruins rank 26th in shots allowed against defensemen, so they’re unlikely to offer resistance.

Bruins vs Stars SGP

• Roope Hintz Over 0.5 points
• Jason Robertson anytime goalscorer
• Miro Heiskanen Over 1.5 shots

Bruins vs Stars odds

• Moneyline: Bruins +130 | Stars -150
• Puck Line: Bruins +1.5 (-190) | Stars -1.5 (+160)
• Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-135) | Under 5.5 (+115)

Bruins vs Stars trend

Roope Hintz has points in three consecutive games against Boston. Find more NHL betting trends for Bruins vs. Stars.

How to watch Bruins vs Stars

Bruins vs Stars latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here