The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to be among the league's sellers ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline. Because of this, let's look at two Blackhawks whom the Montreal Canadiens should consider pursuing in this latest edition of the Habs trade targets series.
Ilya Mikheyev, RW
The Canadiens could use a solid two-way forward who chips in offensively in their bottom six, and Ilya Mikheyev would have the potential to provide them just that. The 31-year-old forward is in the middle of a solid season with the Blackhawks, as he has recorded 11 goals, 12 assists, and 23 points in 52 games. This is after he had 20 goals and a career-high 34 points in 80 games for Chicago this past season.
With numbers like these, Mikheyev would give the Canadiens a bit more secondary offensive production if acquired. Yet, his strong defensive play is what could benefit the Canadiens the most, as he is a very effective penalty killer.
Jason Dickinson, C
While Jason Dickinson would not give the Canadiens an answer for their second-line center spot, he could still be a very solid addition to their bottom six. Like Mikheyev, Dickinson is well-known for being an impactful defensive forward, so he would also offer the Canadiens another option for their penalty kill if acquired.
In 43 games this season, Dickinson has six goals, seven assists, 13 points, and 45 hits. While he does not provide a ton of offense, his smart defensive play could make him a solid addition to Montreal's forward depth.
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Avery Hayes #85 of the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing in his first NHL game, celebrates his second goal of the game against the Buffalo Sabres during a game on February 05, 2026 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Penguins skated a few days last week and have a few more days to get ready for the schedule to kick back up again starting Thursday for a home game against New Jersey.
There’s a new face back, Avery Hayes has returned to the NHL roster from the AHL after the break. Hayes scored six goals and added an assist in his five games back in the AHL during the break, including two hat trick games.
Forward Avery Hayes has been recalled from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL). pic.twitter.com/GvuSOSjBg9
There were some reports that the Pens were planning to bring Hayes back to the NHL even before Sidney Crosby’s injury and now the big elephant in the room will shift to the captain’s status.
Crosby won’t rejoin the team for a while longer, Team Canada was reportedly going to be flying back to Miami today (instead of the planned trip back to the NYC area, a trip scrapped due to the snowstorm impacting that part of the country).
It could be a while longer before any news comes out on that front, and as we all know NHL injury updates are typically vague and this situation seems right for a ’wait and see’ how the situation develops over the week. The Pens gave Erik Karlsson an extra day off yesterday when Rickard Rakell returned to practice. Karlsson skated again today for the first time with the team since his Olympic excursion.
Here’s how the team lined up today in their practice.
#LetsGoPens lines and D-pairs without Sidney Crosby, who has yet to rejoin the team.
A. Hayes-Rakell-Rust Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin Mantha-Kindel-Brazeau Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari (K. Hayes)
This isn’t the first time this season that the Pens have experimented with Rakell at center, he worked in the middle in the preseason before Bryan Rust’s injury shifted the team need over to the wing. Interestingly, Hayes had been skating as a placeholder on that first line, this move could be starting to chart a course forward if the Pens are going to have some games without Crosby available.
Otherwise the lines have remained with familiar players in what has become normal spots down the lineup.
One other area to watch is that of Letang, as of last week he hadn’t had final clearance to come back and play from his foot fracture but acknowledged that he’s trending towards returning to the lineup on Thursday when the team picks back up. Nothing so far has gone against that outlook, which would be an encouraging sign for the blueline.
Hayes had an outstanding NHL debut on Feb. 5, scoring two goals and helping the Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2. His first goal came on his first shot in the first period of that game before scoring again later in that period.
It was the Penguins' final game before the Olympic break, which ends this week.
After that game, Hayes was sent back to WBS and scored a hat trick in his very next game. He later recorded another hat trick against the Springfield Thunderbirds on Feb. 18.
The Penguins will return to game action this Thursday against the New Jersey Devils.
Now that the Olympics are over, teams are allowed to make trades again. The Buffalo Sabres will be among the clubs to watch, as they are currently holding a playoff spot and should be looking to boost their roster because of it.
Due to this, we here at The Hockey News Sabres will be starting a series that looks at potential trade targets from each team that is expected to sell.
To kick off this series, let's look at two potential targets from the Rangers.
Braden Schneider, D
Adding a right-shot defenseman should be one of the Sabres' top objectives leading up to the deadline, and the Rangers have an interesting option in Braden Schneider. The 24-year-old former first-round pick would have the potential to give Buffalo's right side a nice boost and would also work on their penalty kill if acquired.
Schneider is currently in the final season of his two-year, $4.4 million contract and is a pending restricted free agent. In 57 games this season, the right-shot defenseman has recorded two goals, 11 points, and 123 hits.
Vincent Trocheck, C
If the Sabres want to add another top-six forward to their roster, Vincent Trocheck is one of the best options available. The recent gold medal winner has been the subject of trade speculation since Rangers GM Chris Drury announced that the team is retooling. If the Sabres added him, he would give them another star forward who not only would boost their top six and power play but also could work on their penalty kill.
Trocheck would be more than a rental for the Sabres, as he has a $5.625 million cap hit until the end of the 2028-29 season. This undoubtedly adds to his appeal, as he would be a long-term pickup for a Sabres club on the rise.
In 43 games this season, Trocheck has recorded 12 goals, 24 assists, and 36 points.
Back in December, the Montreal Canadiens acquired center Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick. This was after the Canadiens were heavily linked to the 32-year-old forward.
There was no question that Danault needed a change of scenery, as he struggled mightily with the Kings this season before the trade. In 30 games with the Kings, he had zero goals and just five assists. This was after he had eight goals and 43 points in 80 games this past season with Los Angeles.
While Danault started the season ice-cold with the Kings, there is no question that he has been bouncing back nicely during his second stint with the Habs so far.
The trade to Montreal has given Danault a nice boost, as he has recorded three goals, six assists, and nine points in 21 games. He also recorded a point in each of his two final games ahead of the Olympic break.
The Canadiens have also benefited by bringing back Danault, as he has once again been a nice part of Montreal's forward group and penalty kill.
Overall, it is clear that both the Canadiens and Danault are benefiting from reuniting. It will be interesting to see how Danault performs during the final stretch of the year for the Canadiens from here.
The 2026 Winter Olympics were a rousing success for United States hockey.
Both the men and women’s teams won the gold medal in Milan-Cortina by beating their Canadian rivals in overtime.
The men won 2-1 in OT on Sunday with a golden goal by Jack Hughes. It was the first time Team USA won Olympic gold in men’s hockey since the Miracle on Ice team in 1980.
The Bruins were well-represented at the Olympics and had two players — defenseman Charlie McAvoy and goalie Jeremy Swayman — win gold for the American squad.
It extends the streak of at least one Bruins player winning Olympic gold (when NHL players participate) to four Winter Games in a row.
2006: P.J. Axelsson, Sweden
2010: Patrice Bergeron, Canada
2014: Patrice Bergeron, Canada
2026: Charlie McAvoy/Jeremy Swayman, USA
Now that the Olympics are over, the NHL regular season will resume, and it will be a sprint to the finish in mid-April. The Bruins’ first game after the break is Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets at TD Garden.
Let’s look at four key storylines that Bruins fans should watch over the next six weeks.
Olympic boost for Charlie McAvoy?
McAvoy consistently ranked among the leaders in ice time among American players and was trusted to be on the ice in many important situations.
McAvoy didn’t tally a point at the Olympics, but he played excellent defensively and brought a physical presence to the ice on every shift. This style was a perfect compliment to Quinn Hughes. McAvoy allowed Hughes to jump into the attack offensively and the results were great.
The Bruins defenseman also made one of the most crucial plays in the gold medal game when he kept an airborne puck out of the U.S. net during a scramble in the crease.
After a successful Olympics, it’s fair to wonder if the Bruins will get a supercharged McAvoy for the rest of the season. McAvoy tallied 39 points (four goals, 35 assists) in 45 games for the Bruins before the Olympic break, and his 2.15 points per 60 minutes this season are a career high and well above his 1.17 last season.
The Bruins need McAvoy to continue being a force at both ends of the ice to give themselves the best possible chance of reaching the playoffs. And judging by his impact at the Olympics, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if he delivers.
Trade deadline: Buy, sell, or both?
The Bruins are in an interesting spot as the March 6 trade deadline nears. They aren’t a real Stanley Cup contender but they’re also a playoff-caliber team.
It makes no sense to give up quality draft picks and prospects for short-term upgrades, especially veteran players who would be rentals. But if the Bruins could acquire a player — preferably a top-six forward or top-four defenseman — who can make an impact beyond this season and fit the age timeline of the cornerstone players (Pastrnak, McAvoy, Swayman, etc), then that would be a move worth considering.
They reportedly were interested in acquiring 29-year-old defenseman Rasmus Andersson but only if he signed an extension. Andersson was ultimately traded to the Vegas Golden Knights last month without an extension.
It also would make sense to gauge the market on players with expiring contracts, such as defenseman Andrew Peeke. If the Bruins can get a decent asset for that kind of player, it’s also worth considering.
The Bruins went into full seller mode at last season’s trade deadline, and it was a huge success as the franchise added valuable draft picks and prospects. We won’t see that kind of selling this season.
If the Bruins do decide to be buyers, what should they target? Another goal scorer, especially on the wing, would be ideal. The Bruins, per Natural Stat Trick, have been expected to score 175.45 goals this season. The B’s have actually scored 193, or about 18 more than expected. A 12.4 shooting percentage, which ranks fourth-best in the league, is greatly contributing to Boston’s better-than-anticipated offensive numbers.
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What happens if the Bruins regress a bit scoring-wise? It wouldn’t be a surprising outcome when you consider several Bruins forwards, including Morgan Geekie, have a career-high shooting percentage this season.
Bolstering the team’s scoring depth would be a great upgrade for the B’s ahead of the trade deadline.
Back in the playoffs?
The Bruins saw their nine-year playoff appearance streak end last season when they finished with the league’s fifth-worst record. They have a very good chance of returning to the playoffs this season.
The B’s exit the Olympic break in the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They have a four-point cushion over the Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets. Boston also is just one point behind the Buffalo Sabres for the first wild card spot and three points behind the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens for third and second place, respectively, in the Atlantic Division.
The Bruins won’t have an easy path to the finish line, though. They have 25 games left and the second-toughest remaining schedule. Fourteen of those 25 games are on the road.
The good news for the Bruins is making the playoffs is a very attainable goal. They’ve put themselves in a good position coming out of the break. But there’s plenty more work to be done.
The next generation is thriving
The Bruins didn’t play over the last two weeks, but many of their top prospects did. And the results were fantastic.
The team’s last two first-round picks — forwards James Hagens (No. 7, 2025) and Dean Letourneau (No. 25, 2024) — are dominating for Boston College.
Hagens has tallied 38 points (20 goals, 18 assists) in 28 games to lead the Eagles. He also leads all Hockey East players with 24 points in 20 conference games. Hagens scored a hat trick against UConn on Friday, and he did it in two periods.
Letourneau ranks second on BC with 33 points (18 goals, 15 assists) in 30 games. He scored zero goals last season, so his improvement offensively has been tremendous. Letourneau scored one goal with three assists in two games versus UConn over the weekend.
Hagens and Letourneau are among the nominees for the Hobey Baker Award.
Will Zellers had a three-point game, including the game-tying goal late in the third period, against St. Cloud State on Friday. Zellers has scored 16 goals with 10 assists in 31 games for North Dakota as a freshman. He’s playing a key role for the No. 3 ranked team in the nation.
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 30: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at PPG PAINTS Arena on December 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
With the 2026 Winter Olympics officially in the books, the 2025-26 NHL season is set to resume this week. That means the playoff push is officially on for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The big question on everybody’s mind: What is going to be the status of captain Sidney Crosby following his injury in the quarterfinals of the Olympic tournament.
The fact he did not play in Friday’s semifinal game or Sunday’s gold medal game is not exactly an encouraging development for his short-term availability. You have to imagine if he were even anything remotely close to 100 percent he would have been out there going for his third gold medal. It seems quite likely that he is not going to be in the lineup when the Penguins return to action later this week.
While we do not when Crosby will be on the ice for them, it does seem likely that Avery Hayes is getting a call back up to the big club, and it will be a well-earned promotion if/when it happens. Not only due to the fact he scored a pair of goals in his NHL debut, but also because he just continued to keep scoring goals when he was sent back down to the American Hockey League. It is an encouraging sign for his development and the forward depth the team has accumulated over the past two-plus seasons.
As for the week of games itself, every team in the NHL is probably going to have some rust to deal with after three weeks of no games. That does not even get into the players that are returning from international travel and having just played five-six highly competitive games over the past two weeks. Every team is going to be in the same situation.
The Penguins have three games on the schedule this week, and close out the month of February with a couple of favorable matchups before they get into the brutal March schedule. It begins on Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils (and Jack Hughes, fresh off of his golden goal). That is also a big schedule advantage right at the beginning because the Devils will be playing the second half of a back-to-back after playing the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.
The Devils had lost five of six games going into the Olympic break, with their only win over that stretch being an overtime win against the Nashville Predators.
While the Devils have some big talent on paper, things have simply not worked out for them this season and enter the week with the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins have split the season series so far with the Devils, losing a shootout in New Jersey in early November and then beating them 4-1 in Pittsburgh in early January.
The week continues for the Penguins on Saturday afternoon with a game against the literal worst team in the Eastern Conference so far this season, the New York Rangers. The Rangers are not only the worst team in the Eastern Conference standings, they have also already started selling players by trading defenseman Carson Soucy and star forward Artemi Panarin. There is also the chance somebody else could be moved before Saturday’s game with the trade deadline looming and the Olympic break trade freeze lifting.
Even before the Rangers started selling this was still a very flawed team that did not really do anything well other than have a great goalie in Igor Shesterkin. Without him, there is just not much here. The Penguins have won two of the first three games in the season series against the Rangers, including the first game at Madison Square Garden. That was the Penguins 3-0 season-opening win to open the schedule.
The Penguins then return home on Sunday afternoon for the second half of a back-to-back to kick off their difficult March schedule against the Vegas Golden Knights. While the Golden Knights have not really met their own expectations so far this season, they are still one of the top teams in the Pacific Division and have enough talent on paper that they will be a handful to deal with. Especially since the Penguins will be playing the second half of a back-to-back, with travel, while Vegas will be waiting for them and rested in Pittsburgh with the off day on Saturday.
On paper, this will be the most difficult game of the week. It is still winnable, especially given how questionable the Vegas goaltending situation has been this season.
In 1980, it was Jim Craig. In 1996, it was Mike Richter. In 2026, it was Connor Hellebuyck playing the role of goaltender spoiler keying a U.S. victory over a favored opponent. Deciding the gold medal via 3-on-3 overtime feels silly, but it’s at least an improvement over the shootout (Peter Forsberg, 1994, and Czechs over Canada, 1998) and it provided the platform for Jack Hughes and Zach Werenski to take their heroic turn against the three top players in the world.
Like the Americans of Squaw Valley 1960 and Lake Placid 1980, they’ll always have a tale to tell their descendants about 2026. Compared to all the other athletes toiling away in obscure sports most of us only hear about every four years, Olympic hockey with NHLers is kind of a sideshow, a co-opted forum for what should basically be just a World Cup. But when the players get that into it, it’s fun to see them get their reward (or in Nathan MacKinnon’s case, heartbreak…those long faces, reminiscent of Gretzky, Lindros, Yzerman & Co. in 1996 when Canada was supposed to prove once and for all who owned the sport).
I do feel bad for Bo Horvat though; all he did was everything asked of him, winning faceoffs so the superstars could get on the ice, even drawing a penalty late in regulation to erase Sam Bennett’s mistake and give Canada’s goldenboy power play a chance to win it all. They let him down though. I hope someday Bo will be proud of his medal and this experience, ‘cause the whole “gold or bust” entitlement approach is no way to go through life.
But back to U.S. legends…I’m happiest for Brock Nelson and his family Olympic lineage. Remember when he was drafted and we heard bits and pieces about the Dave and Bill Christian connection? Remember how it wasn’t clear if he would make the NHL as a winger or a center, but then he just kept getting better and better? The stars aligned for him to become an Olympian and win gold, and share a special moment (and rare status) with his 88-year-old grandpa. [NHL]
But remember, this Olympics wasn’t about Connor Hellebucyk standing on his head and the U.S. winning gold, it was about how Sidney Crosby selflessly sat out the final due to injury. He’s the real hero here. [NHL]
The Americans had the spirit of Johnny Gaudreau (and his wife and kids) with them every step of the way. [NHL]
Luke Hughes and other Devils back home were pretty jacked for Jack. [NHL]
Viewing the pain from an entertaining (vs. pompous) Canadian perspective. [Pass it to Bulis]
This is an Islanders blog, though:
Matthew Schaefer’s dad is happy for him to get a break and return home instead of heading to the Olympics at age 18. [Newsday]
With the Olympic roster freeze over and the trade deadline around the corner, what should be next for the Islanders? [THN]
It's the final fantasy hockey trade tips of the season, as most Yahoo pools have their trade deadline this week. While I highlight six players below, don't be afraid to deal for Russian stars (i.e., Andrei Vasilevskiy, Igor Shesterkin and Nikita Kucherov) as the Russians were not eligible to play in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Additionally, any star who was injured (Brayden Point) or failed to make their respective Olympic team (Mark Scheifele, Connor Bedard and Cole Caufield).
Best of luck with your final trades this week.
TRADE FOR
Thomas Harley, D, Stars (80% rostered)
Harley was terrific in the Olympics, and he carried some momentum into the break by generating a point-per-game pace over his last five appearances for Dallas. He generated a goal and three assists over six appearances with Canada at the Olympics. While the 24-year-old isn't on pace to replicate his scoring totals from the past two seasons, as he has five goals and 18 assists through 45 games, he's blocked 102 shots, which is on pace for a career-best mark. Opposing fantasy managers may look to move off of him given his body of work over the entire season, but he's in the midst of a hot streak heading into the final month and a half of the campaign.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Harley for Adam Fox. (Fox has more season-long upside than Harley if healthy, but it's not yet clear when Fox will be able to return, so this is an intriguing deal if a fantasy team competing for a playoff spot is acquiring Harley, while an established team is acquiring Fox.)
Ivan Demidov, W, Canadiens (62% rostered)
Demidov made his NHL debut last year by making two appearances with the Canadiens, and he's impressed during his first full season in the NHL. Across 57 appearances, he's recorded 12 goals, 34 assists, 24 PIM, 23 hits and 21 blocked shots while averaging 15:24 of ice time. The 20-year-old is among the league's top prospects and likely will require too high of a return to acquire in dynasty and keeper leagues, but a more reasonable deal may be available in redraft leagues.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Demidov and J.J. Moser for Dougie Hamilton. (Demidov is probably the best player in this potential deal, but in a redraft league, this type of deal may be possible, especially if you're willing to add another player in addition to Hamilton.)
Anze Kopitar, C, Kings (28% rostered)
Kopitar's scoring production has taken a major hit during his age-38 season, as he's recorded just six goals and 16 assists while averaging 18:29 of ice time over 41 appearances in the 2025-26 campaign. He had reached the 60-point threshold in 10 of his last 12 campaigns and is well off that pace this year, but he's a prime candidate to see increased work down the stretch since Kevin Fiala will miss the remainder of the season due to a lower-leg fracture he sustained at the Olympics. Kopitar will likely share a line with newly-acquired Artemi Panarin following the Olympic break, which could increase the 38-year-old's scoring chances.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Kopitar for Elias Pettersson. (Giving up a player of Pettersson's caliber in a 1-for-1 deal may not be the most equitable deal, but making an offer including a player or two in a lower tier than Pettersson could be beneficial.)
TRADE AWAY
Brad Marchand, W, Panthers (89% rostered)
Marchand missed 10 of the Panthers' final 15 games before the Olympic break due to a lingering injury, and he was quiet for Team Canada in Milan Cortina, recording just one goal over four appearances. Overall, the 37-year-old is on pace for a bounce-back season with 25 goals and 25 assists through 46 appearances, but the Panthers sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Division standings, and Marchand's workload could be managed down the stretch if the team is eliminated from the playoffs.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Marchand and Elias Pettersson for Jack Eichel. (While Marchand and Pettersson have some upside, Eichel is an elite player on a Vegas team that should have plenty to play for down the stretch while jostling for playoff seeding.)
Jordan Binnington, G, Blues (46% rostered)
Binnington was superb at the Olympics, but for now he is just the backup goaltender to Joel Hofer in St. Louis. Some fantasy managers are going to look at the Olympic Games and figure Binnington will play like he did in Milan, but that could be a tough task given his performance for St. Louis this year combined with the increased motivation to perform at a high level on the international stage. Binnington has dropped his last seven starts for the Blues, posting a 4.47 GAA and .828 save percentage during that time. While his momentum from the Olympics could lead to a slight increase in NHL production down the stretch, the time feels right to maximize the return for the veteran netminder.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Binnington and a fourth-round pick for Jeremy Swayman and a 16th-round pick. (Even if your league doesn't allow trading of draft picks, a package including Binnington and another mid-level player could be appealing for an elite netminder like Swayman.)
Auston Matthews, C, Maple Leafs (100% rostered)
Matthews has largely been unable to generate the same momentum this year that he's had in previous seasons, as he's recorded just 26 goals and 22 assists across 51 games for the Maple Leafs. However, he recorded six points over his final five appearances leading up to the Olympic break and was productive for the United States at the Olympics, producing three goals and four assists over six games. Despite Matthews' overall production this year, fantasy managers may be willing to offer an appealing package for him following his strong play in Italy.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Matthews, Mikhail Sergachev, Jakob Chychrun for Radko Gudas, Shayne Gostisbehere and Macklin Celebrini.
Usually, we say pencils down, but with the clock striking midnight, it’s time for all general managers to grab their pencils and start going to work, with the NHL’s Olympic Roster Freeze officially over.
Over the break, teams were unable to make any trades. Players could be waived, but they didn’t have to report immediately, while contract negotiations could also be officially signed and submitted.
There’s been some rumors — when have there not been? — that general managers may have some trades lined up, as teams were allowed to talk with other teams throughout the break.
Jordan Kyrou’s name has been swirling — the St. Louis Blues love to test the market on their players but not actually do anything with them, so we’ll see what the fate is for Kyrou and Robert Thomas.
As for the New York Islanders, they have $6.02 million in available cap space, and despite making two depth moves already, they have the assets — two first-round picks in 2026 and a strong prospect pool — to really do what they want at this deadline, as long as they find a suitable dance partner.
I’m sure that general manager Mathieu Darche has been hearing from other general managers about a few of his players. The guess is that pending unrestricted free agent Jean-Gabriel Pageau has been the No. 1 name he’s been asked about.
But with the Islanders in a playoff spot, even if No. 44 is without a contract extension, I doubt he’s moved unless Darche is blown out of the water.
Other pending UFAs: F Anders Lee, D Tony DeAngelo, D Carson Soucy, G David Rittich
Here are the pending RFAs: F Maxim Shabanov, F Marc Gatcomb, D Adam Boqvist
Could we see players like an Anthony Duclair, who has two more seasons left on his deal at $3.5 million and a full no-trade clause, being dealt, given that he's on the outside looking in of the starting lineup?
The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline comes your way on March 6 at 3 PM ET.
The San Jose Sharks have assigned forward Filip Bystedt to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda. This comes after Bystedt was called up to the Sharks' roster earlier this week.
Bystedt was selected by San Jose with the 27th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The first-round pick is having a strong 2025-26 season with the Barracuda, as he has recorded 13 goals, 23 assists, 36 points, and a plus-3 rating in 40 games.
Bystedt has yet to make his NHL debut with the Sharks, but that very well could change before the end of the 2025-26 season. The young forward has a lot of potential and could be a nice part of the Sharks' roster in the near future.
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 22: Gold medalists, Team United States, pose for a team photo during the medal ceremony following the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’ll start with Sidney Crosby, unable to play today after picking up an injury in the quarterfinals. The picture sums it up, a gutting ending for his 2026 Olympics, and at 38-years old, stands at what very possibly ends up as his final moment on Olympic ice. That’s a tough ending to that chapter. He’ll always have the 2010 golden goal and captaining his country to another gold in 2014, though it’s not much consolation now.
Now the question becomes what will happen with the Penguins? Pittsburgh plays on Thursday, and Saturday and next Sunday and on and on. Crosby’s knee appeared at least OK enough to make an effort to see if he could play, but he wasn’t able to. That’s a troubling sign for the beginning of what will be a wicked stretch for the Pens and the big question will become how much longer Crosby will have to watch.
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Down in Wilkes, Avery Hayes was held out of the AHL lineup for a game today and is expected to be recalled to Pittsburgh officially when the NHL roster freeze ends tonight. That might make for a troubling sign if Crosby’s next stop is the IR, though he would be able to return from it as soon as his health returns. Speaking of the IR list, if Kris Letang is able to return for Thursday’s game as expected that could spell bad news for Ryan Graves’s roster spot until the trade deadline..There’s still a few weeks to get there, the Pens look like they have some roster juggling coming up for the period while they still have to fit under the 23-player roster limit.
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The gold is instant validation for general manager Bill Guerin and Mike Sullivan. No one can say they didn’t do it their way, and their way ended up working.
Team USA’s🇺🇸 head coach Mike Sullivan on the construction of this lineup: “The team was built with personality in mind… There are whiskey drinkers and milk drinkers, and we got a lot of whiskey drinkers.”
That quote has to sting for players like Jason Robertson, Cole Caufield and Adam Fox (who plays on Sullivan’s NHL team) that while they were certainly talented enough to be among the top American players, they ended up not getting a role on this club for very pointed reasons. The US was laser-focused on bringing a squad that could matchup against Canada and the concept was proved out on the medal color that hangs on their neck. Sullivan is now the second coach (along with Mike Babcock) to have won a Stanley Cup and Olympic gold.
Had the US come up a goal short, the discourse would have turned on Guerin and Sullivan on their decisions. They were flexible enough to move a player like Kyle Conner (great in the NHL, often lost on the national team) down and try Clayton Keller in that spot before finally finding the magic with Jack Hughes being the right fit for that line, it proved enough to work. Sullivan and especially Guerin now can relish in bringing back the gold medal for the first time in 46 years.
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Then again, a great goalie can cover up all sorts of things in front of him, and Connor Hellebuyck with his 41 saves today was absolutely amazing. The difference between the US and Canada (who won a 3-2 OT game last year at 4 Nations) is so fine right now. Doubtlessly the biggest turning point of today was the Americans getting superior goaltending over the course of a game where they were on their heels for most of the second and third periods. As Crosby said post-game (and Nathan MacKinnon matched with understandably even more raw emotion), Canada did just about everything in this game except find that one more goal to pull ahead. Hellebuyck was the clear reason why.
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What a moment it was for the Hughes brothers, who put their stamp on this event. Quinn Hughes is probably the best defender in the game right now, the amount of game control and impact he has on the ice is arguably the slightest notch better than Cale Makar. Jack Hughes is in his seventh NHL season and while he has a 99-point year under his belt he’s only been to the playoffs once and has been overshadowed by other recent No. 1 overall picks. Can’t say that any longer with his bloody mouth and toothless grin after the golden goal. Where both go from here as far as their status in the hockey world will be worth watching. The Pens will get a first-hand view of it with Jack, the Devils and Penguins meet on Thursday in Pittsburgh.
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Connor McDavid has been unflinchingly loyal to the Edmonton Oilers, from the outside one has to wonder if he made the right choice to extend his contract two more seasons there. McDavid and Macklin Celebrini have something special, imagine a world where McDavid joins up with a rising San Jose team? That would be incredible. There’s something to be said about McDavid’s desire to not seek out a new situation and try to make it work where he’s at, but at this point of watching someone else celebrate yet again it’s hard not to wonder how he will respond to that feeling of coming up short again. Matthew Tkachuk famously taunted Leon Draisaitl as ‘always the bridesmaid’, that dig is even more fitting towards McDavid. Credit to McDavid for not turning full Hossa and shopping for teams that are contenders, though at this point it would be tough to blame him for a shift in mindset.
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With that thought still in mind, it was great for the NHL when Matthew Tkachuk got out of Calgary and into a better situation for Florida or when Jack Eichel moved from Buffalo to Vegas. That also might come to pass with Quinn Hughes getting to a better spot in Minnesota now. Selfishly, wouldn’t it be great if that could happen for “Brother Brady” and Zach Werenski? Both are contract tied to their teams for a while and also exceedingly loyal to their clubs -there’s no real reason to expect a change any time soon – it would just be nice for players like that to get in better positions. Fans of Ottawa and Columbus will rightfully be offended by the notion, just a passing thought.
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The lasting image of these games, for me anyways, will be the picture in the header at the top. It was really nice for the US players to keep Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey in the lockerroom and keep his spirit close. When Dylan Larkin and Zach Werenski headed to the stands to get two of Gaudreau’s children and include them in a team picture, man, how can you not get emotional over that? One of the kids, Johnny Jr., celebrated his second birthday today on 2/22. For a family that went through so much losing Johnny and Matthew, seeing them be included in this moment was just the best and as perfect a moment as there could be to wrap up the competition for the Americans.
The hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics wrapped up on Sunday with a thrilling gold medal match between the United States and Canada.
Unsurprisingly, the game was decided in overtime, when Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils beat St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington between the legs to give Team USA their first gold medal in 46 years.
Not since the Miracle On Ice in 1980 had the United States claimed Olympic gold.
That also means Florida Panthers star forward Matthew Tkachuk, along with GM Bill Zito and Head Equipment Manager Teddy Richards, will be bringing home a shiny new gold medal to go along with his two Stanley Cup rings.
It’s been quite a run for Tkachuk over the past few years.
Since being acquired by the Panthers during the summer of 2022, Tkachuk has played in each of the past three Stanley Cup Finals, winning the most recent two, while also winning gold at the Olympics and, oh yeah, was named the MVP of the NHL All-Star Game that took place in South Florida during his first season with the team.
Apparently, it’s Chucky’s world and we’re all just living in it.
On the flip side of the coin (the silver side, apparently), the three Panthers players on Team Canada will be coming back to South Florida with silver medals.
Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett were all used somewhat sparingly during their time in Milan, a decision made by Canadian Head Coach Jon Cooper.
Up until the 1:41 mark of overtime on Sunday, it seemed like Cooper had been pushing all the right buttons.
Just as they had through much of the Olympics hockey tournament, Canada was rolling on Sunday, seeming to build more and more momentum as the game went on.
Ultimately, a Jim Craig-esque performance in goal by U.S. netminder Connor Hellebuyck kept the Americans in the fight long enough for Hughes to end things during the 3-on-3 overtime.
In total, seven Panthers players out of the 10 who participated at the Olympics finished on the podium.
Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikkola helped Finland defeat Slovakia 6-1 on Saturday in the bronze medal game.
Now unlike after winning the Stanley Cup, there won’t be much time for the players to reflect on their experiences in Milan.
The Panthers resume their season on Thursday when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs in a matchup of two non-playoff teams desperate for every point they can earn. It’s the first of a back-to-back for Florida.
The following night, the Buffalo Sabres will be in town, and Buffalo is currently holding the top Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Florida will hold a pair of practices this week before the back-to-back set.
As Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said Saturday, the expectation is that all players, including those returning from the Olympics, are healthy and eligible for Thursday, outside of Tomas Nosek, Dmitry Kulikov and Jonah Gadjovich, all of whom could play sometime during Florida’s upcoming road trip.
Photo caption: Feb 22, 2026; Milan, Italy; Matthew Tkachuk (19) of the United States celebrates after defeating Canada in the men's ice hockey gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. (Amber Searls-Imagn Images)
Recently, we here at The Hockey News Montreal Canadiens have been looking at potential trade targets for the Habs from clubs that are expected to be sellers.
In this latest edition of the series, let's discuss two potential trade targets from the Calgary Flames that could be strong fits on the Canadiens' roster.
Nazem Kadri, C
Nazem Kadri has been connected to the Canadiens often this season, and it makes sense given their need for another star center. If the Canadiens landed Kadri, he could fit very nicely as their second-line center and power play.
Kadri would also give the Canadiens a veteran forward who has a Stanley Cup on his resume. Furthermore, he would be more than a rental for Montreal if acquired, as he has a $7 million cap hit until the end of the 2028-29 season.
Yet, with Kadri being one of the top centers in the trade market and having multiple years left on his deal, there is no question that the Flames would want a big return in a potential move.
Blake Coleman, LW/RW
Blake Coleman is another notable Flames trade candidate who has been linked to the Canadiens this season. If the Canadiens brought him in, he would be an excellent addition to their middle six.
Coleman is exactly the kind of forward that the Canadiens should be going after. This is because he not only contributes solid secondary offensive production, but also plays a heavy game. Furthermore, he is capable of playing multiple positions and is also well-known for his leadership qualities, which add to his appeal.
Like Kadri, Coleman would be more than a rental for the Canadiens, as he has a $4.9 million cap hit until the end of next season.
