The Chicago Blackhawks have had some special players come through town over the last two decades. A lot of them helped the franchise win three Stanley Cups over a span of six seasons, creating a modern-day dynasty.
Few of those players were as special, talented, or important as Jonathan Toews. In 2010, Jonathan Toews became the youngest captain to ever hoist the Stanley Cup, and he has gone on to become one of the most legendary players in franchise history.
On Saturday night, the organization honored over 25 alumni as they honored "The Banner Years" chapter of their centennial season.
Toews was unable to be one of those players recognized, as he is still an active player in the NHL. On Monday night, he will make his first-ever visit to the United Center as a visiting player, representing the Winnipeg Jets.
The Jets are Toews' hometown team, and he signed with them last summer after a two-year hiatus from the NHL. Toews, in a recent video posted by the Jets online, talked about what this means to him.
Tomorrow. Jonathan Toews and the Jets, versus the Chicago Blackhawks.
"I'm excited to go back; it's going to be strange," Toews said. "We won championships, exceeded expectations. Nobody knew how crazy it was going to be."
Toews will get one of the warmest welcomes a player has ever received from his former team. It will be similar to the one that the crowd gave to Patrick Kane when he returned as a member of the Detroit Red Wings.
"You never really know what the reception is going to be like and how it's going to feel in the moment," Patrick Kane said of Toews' return to play against the Blackhawks. "You take guesses and kind of think about what it's going to be like. I remember I did three or four laps, and they were still cheering. I'm sure it's going to be the same for him. Maybe more."
There has been a lot of nostalgia floating around the United Center over the past few weeks with the third chapter celebrating "The Banner Years", so Toews's return couldn't have come at a better time.
Will Toews score an overtime winner like Kane did in his return? Well, anything is possible. He'd like to help his Jets keep their hot little stretch going with a win over his old team in one way or another.
For the current Blackhawks players, this is another opportunity to see the love that they can receive if they win big as members of the Blackhawks.
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This was a weird week for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and when all was said and done they walked out of it having collected four out of a possible six points in the standings. That was a very reasonable goal at the beginning, and probably the bare minimum of what they needed to do given the competition they were facing.
They very easily could have walked away with all six points if they could ever win a game in a shootout.
They also could have very easily walked away with only two points had it not been for two late 6-on-5 goals to send their games against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets to overtime.
Could have been better. Could have been worse. Ultimately ended up being what it needed to be. It just may have had a weird path in getting there. Which is pretty much a great description for what this entire season has been anyway.
They enter this week still holding on to a playoff position, and are in fact in the No. 3 spot in the Metropolitan Division as of Monday morning.
Now they head out west for their Western Canadian (and Pacific Northwest) road trip. The Penguins have seen all four of these teams already this season and produced some mixed results. This needs to be a redemption trip of sorts, because there are some very winnable games on the schedule this week.
The road trip begins on Monday night in Seattle against a Kraken team that already beat the Penguins on home ice earlier this season. It was part of that ugly back-to-back homestand with Minnesota that had head coach Dan Muse fuming when it was over. The Kraken are in a playoff spot, but there is not much overly impressive about how they are doing it.
They do not score goals.
They are 32nd in the NHL in 5-on-5 expected goal share, 29th in shot attempt share and rely almost exclusively on their goaltending to carry them. Given the way the Penguins have controlled possession and defended in recent weeks, they should have a good chance to slow the Kraken down. They just need to find some offense for themselves and figure out a way to solve Seattle’s goaltending.
After playing in Seattle on Monday, the Penguins have a back-to-back situation in Calgary and Edmonton on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Flames are in a very similar situation as Seattle in the sense that they do not score a lot of goals and have some increasingly poor possession numbers. They also beat the Penguins at home, winning a low-scoring game just a couple of weeks ago where the Penguins were unable to beat Devin Cooley
Calgary is also beginning its sell-off having just traded top defenseman Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, so that is one less top-player the Penguins are going to have to face.
Thursday is going to be, by far, the toughest game of the trip. Not only because Edmonton is the best team they will face on it, but also because the Penguins will be playing the second half of a back-to-back, on the road, with travel, against a rested Oilers team.
The Oilers still have some serious depth issues beyond their top players, but their top players are still outstanding and have given the Penguins fits in recent years. They also have Zach Hyman back in the lineup and he is on an absolute tear right now offensively.
The road trip concludes on Sunday against a Vancouver Canucks team that is just simply awful. The Penguins already dominated the Canucks earlier this season on home ice, and the current roster is worse than the one the Penguins saw earlier in the year, mostly due to the fact superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes has been traded away. Vancouver enters the week having lost 10 games in a row and has very little going for it at the moment.
Given the schedule, and the way the Penguins have been playing lately, this has the potential to be a big week for the Penguins. There are three very winnable games on the schedule here, and it would be in the Penguins’ best interest to take care of business in them. This is a week where they should be able to get at least five points, and hopefully six points out of eight that are on the table.
If they can do that it would have them at a 98-point pace going into next week, which would still be an extremely strong position in the playoff race.
Fantasy hockey managers looking to tinker with their rosters will benefit from zeroing in on specific categories. Whether you are looking for long-term fits or short-term options, there should be a plethora of potential pickups to help your squads.
Let's get into this week's suggestions for your consideration.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Maple Leafs (44% rostered) for Assists/Shots/Blocks/Hits
Ekman-Larsson has filled the stat sheet with one goal, five assists, eight shots, five hits and four blocks in his past four appearances. His offensive production this season has come in waves, but he is on pace for the second 50-point effort of his NHL career. If he manages to reach that mark along with topping 100 shots and 100 blocks, he has plenty of all-around upside. Toronto plays four times at home this week.
Pavel Zacha, C/LW, Bruins (32% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots/Faceoffs
Zacha has contributed four goals, 12 shots and nine points in his last seven matches. He began that stretch with a three-game point spree, and is currently on another three-game point run. Zacha also ranks second on the team with 307 faceoff wins while winning 53.3% of his draws. He has been solid from a second-line role and is on pace to match his career-high performance of 59 points from the 2023-24 campaign.
Mikael Granlund, C/LW/RW, Ducks (24% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots
Granlund has notched two goals and two assists in his last five games. He has added 16 shots, three blocks and four hits during that span. The 33-year-old is taking on an increased role in the Ducks' top-six due to the absence of Leo Carlsson, seeing time in all situations and serving on the first power-play combination. Anaheim plays four times this week, including three on the road.
James van Riemsdyk, LW, Red Wings (16% rostered) for Goals/Points/Shots/PP
Van Riemsdyk has gone from being an occasional healthy scratch to having a top-line role. He has been superb in January, accumulating four goals on 15 shots and 11 points in nine games. The 36-year-old winger has three goals and two assists with the man-advantage over that span while occupying a position on the first unit. He ranks fourth on the club with 13 goals and has emerged as a productive piece in the lineup. Detroit plays three times on the road this week.
Viktor Arvidsson, LW/RW, Bruins (15% rostered) for Goals/Points/Shots
Despite missing some time due to injury, Arvidsson has been a consistent source of offense since the start of November. He has nine goals on a whopping 72 shots and 20 points in 24 appearances. He has two goals and three assists on the power play during that span. He is riding a seven-game point streak while amassing four goals, 28 shots and four assists. Arvidsson has been rolling on Boston's second line, and will have three games this week to try to add to his totals.
Ryan Hartman, C/RW, Wild (21% rostered) for Goals/Points/Shots/Blocks/Faceoffs
Hartman has lit the lamp four times while adding one assist, 14 shots on net and eight blocked shots over his last six outings. Although his 42.6 winning percentage on faceoffs isn't impressive, he ranks second on the team with 241 wins on the draw. He is currently occupying the top-line center spot ahead of a four-game week for Minnesota. Hartman has been hot and cold offensively this campaign, but possesses solid category-coverage upside if he remains active on the scoresheet.
Ryan McLeod, C, Sabres (14% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots/SHP/Faceoffs
McLeod has been a steady offensive producer since Dec. 9, compiling six goals on 22 shots and 17 points in his last 18 appearances. He has done most of his damage at even strength, but he has also earned one power-play helper and three shorthanded points (two goals, one assist). He hasn't gone more than one game without finding the scoresheet during that stretch. McLeod's team-leading 343 faceoff wins come with a 46.0 winning percentage, but he has won 52.9% of his puck drops in his past eight contests. He has four goals and nine points over that span. The 26-year-old center has been a valuable member of Buffalo's middle-six group since his arrival last campaign. The Sabres play four times on the road this week.
Zach Benson, LW, Sabres (7% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots
Benson had his four-game point streak come to a halt in Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to Minnesota. He has collected one goal, nine shots and four helpers in his past five appearances. Benson has been hot and cold offensively this season, but Buffalo's goal-scoring surge makes him an intriguing roster choice. His role on the top line with red-hot forwards Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch provides additional fantasy appeal. Buffalo plays four times this week.
Jonathan Toews, C, Jets (5% rostered) for Goals/Points/Shots/Faceoffs
Toews' four-game point streak ended in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to Toronto, but the veteran pivot has generated four goals and nine points in his last 12 matches. He has fit in nicely between Cole Perfetti and Gabriel Vilardi on the second line. The 37-year-old Toews also leads the Jets with 383 faceoff wins and has an incredible 62.4% success rate. Winnipeg plays four times this week, including three contests on home ice.
Connor Zary, C/LW/RW, Flames (5% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots/PP
Zary has accounted for four goals and 12 points in his past 13 outings. He has two goals on 16 shots and four helpers (three on the power play) during his five-game point streak. Calgary has struggled offensively this season, but the 24-year-old Zary has been heating up and could be a solid producer in the second half. The Flames play four games at home this week.
Here are your Pens Points for this Monday morning…
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ newest acquisition, forward Egor Chinakhov, has found early success while on a line with fellow countryman Evgeni Malkin. [Trib Live]
Injured Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson rejoined the team for practice on Sunday. He has missed the past three games with an undisclosed injury that landed him on injured reserve. [Trib Live]
The Penguins recalled forward Joona Koppanen from the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Sunday, while rookie forward Rutger McGroarty was activated and assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. [Trib Live]
News and notes from around the NHL…
A reset in the Big Apple? New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury said in a letter to fans on Friday that the team will begin the process of a “retool” this season, which likely results in the trade of players such as star forward Artemi Panarin. [ESPN]
The San Jose Sharks placed veteran defenseman Nick Leddy on waivers Sunday. [TSN]
Phil Goyette, the former NHL forward who won four Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens and became the New York Islanders’ first coach, has died at age 92. [Associated Press via ESPN]
The Calgary Flames will trade defenseman Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for defenseman Zach Whitecloud, prospect Abram Wiebe, a 2027 first-round pick and a conditional 2027 second-round pick, which will become a first if Vegas wins the Stanley Cup this year. The Flames will also retain 50% of Andersson’s salary. [Sportsnet]
The Islanders have two games left on the big seven-game trip, with tonight in Vancouver feeling like a “gotta have it” two points. With the Olympic break nearing, these next two games could be big for not only how the trip ledger balances out but also where the season heads. Dan and Mike talk about that on the latest Islanders Anxiety podcast (along with some epic Master-foe Theatre).
Tonight, it’s an opponent (16-27-5, 37 points) that is so far in the league basement, they’re even 11 points behind the “Strongly Worded Letter” Rangers.
Day to Day: Ilya Sorokin is due back in net, and it looks like Max Tsyplakov will get a chance next to Cal Ritchie and Emil Heineman, with Max Shabanov coming out. [Isles | THN]
Line shuffling for Patrick Roy is a matter of necessity. [Newsday]
The Skinny: Anders Lee’s 300th goal was the first for the Islanders since Miro Satan. [Isles]
Takeaways from the loss to the Flames: Just didn’t bear down on chances, and what-not. [Isles]
Health has been huge for Adam Pelech’s bounce-back season. [Post]
Roy isn’t worried about Cal Ritchie hitting a rookie wall. [Post]
On Isaiah George working back into form following multiple injury stints. [THN]
Catching up with Wade Dubielewicz, who’s loving life. On poke-checks, which were a massive part of his game: “I was an undersized goalie, not in the greatest physical condition either.” [Isles]
R.I.P. Phil Goyette, 92, the first coach of the Islanders who made his mark as a Cup-winning Canadien, Lady Byng-winning Blue and briefly a player with some other team. [NHL]
Elsewhere
Yesterday’s scores were few — evidently there were other sports in action? — but they included Detroit getting an OT win with Ottawa picking up the consolation point.
We have a trade: Rasmus Andersson finally gets his trade, and the Flames finally get their price, from Vegas: Zach Whitecloud, a first-rounder and a second that could become a first if Vegas wins the Cup. [NHL]
An original Knight, Whitecloud is excited to be a Flame. [Sportsnet]
Craig Conroy felt the time was right to make the deal, with Andersson saying he would not entertain sign-and-trade scenarios. [Sportsnet]
Will that trade, and the Rangers throwing in the towel, open up the trade market a bit? [Sportsnet]
Boston Bruins (28-19-2, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Dallas Stars (27-13-9, in the Central Division)
Dallas; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Bruins visit the Dallas Stars trying to build upon a six-game win streak.
Dallas has a 27-13-9 record overall and a 12-7-3 record in home games. The Stars rank eighth in NHL play with 160 total goals (averaging 3.3 per game).
Boston has an 11-11-1 record on the road and a 28-19-2 record overall. The Bruins have a +13 scoring differential, with 162 total goals scored and 149 given up.
The matchup Tuesday is the first meeting this season between the two clubs.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jason Robertson has 27 goals and 29 assists for the Stars. Wyatt Johnston has five goals and three assists over the past 10 games.
Morgan Geekie has 25 goals and 17 assists for the Bruins. Marat Khusnutdinov has six goals and four assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Stars: 2-6-2, averaging 2.4 goals, 3.8 assists, 3.7 penalties and 7.7 penalty minutes while giving up 3.2 goals per game.
Bruins: 8-1-1, averaging 4.1 goals, 7.6 assists, 4.4 penalties and 13.2 penalty minutes while giving up 1.9 goals per game.
INJURIES: Stars: None listed.
Bruins: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
As part of what was a busy offseason for the Detroit Red Wings, they signed veteran James van Riemsdyk to a one-year contract not long after trading Vladimir Tarasenko to the Minnesota Wild.
While van Riemsdyk missed all of Training Camp and the pre-season because of a family matter and got off to a slower start than he would have liked, he has more than made up for lost time.
van Riemsdyk scored a spectacular between-the-legs goal during Sunday evening's 4-3 overtime victory over the Ottawa Senators, his 13th tally of the season and 10th since the start of December.
The Middletown Township, New Jersey native was the second overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, one pick behind his future Red Wings teammate Patrick Kane, who went first overall to the Chicago Blackhawks.
While van Riemsdyk's family has spent the majority of their time in Minnesota so far during his tenure in Detroit, several of them were able to make the trip to Michigan for Sunday's game.
"Tonight, I was fortunate enough to have my family, my oldest three kids, my wife and father-in-law here," he explained afterward. "Those kind of games become more special when you spend a lot of time away from them."
Having a dad who plays professional hockey for the Red Wings comes with a few built-in perks for the van Riemsdyk kids.
"They've been to a couple (games) this year, I'll go see them now and I'm sure they'll be fired up to come into the locker room and have some snacks," he said with a grin.
The NHL veteran has already played for two other Original Six clubs in the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins, and he's got nothing but good things to say about his experience so far with the Red Wings.
"As far as the hockey component and how i've been treated, I can't say enough good things about it," he said of his experience in Detroit. "I've really enjoyed it."
Not only is van Riemsdyk loving his time in Detroit, the Red Wings are reaping major benefits from having him on the team.
So far, he's proven to be one of the most underrated contract signings of the offseason.
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia — When Patrick Roy put on the tape of Max Tsyplakov as a KHL player, he saw a markedly different player than the one who’s been struggling to keep his spot in the lineup with the Islanders.
“He was a power forward. A guy that would brings pucks to the net, a guy that played really well defensively,” Roy said after the Islanders practiced Sunday. “So to me, that’s his DNA. And I want him to play his game.”
Tsyplakov will get another chance to do so Monday night against the Canucks as he reenters the Islanders lineup with Max Shabanov drawing out. He’ll play on the second line with Cal Ritchie and Emil Heineman, which should in theory give him a good opportunity to show off those skills.
“[They’re] guys who have really good speed,” Tsyplakov told The Post. “And Heiny has a good shot and Ritchie, good speed, can make a good shot. I just need to work hard, make it my job down low in the O-zone. Be good on the half-wall in the D-zone, just break out [the puck].”
New York Islanders right wing Maxim Tsyplakov (7) tries a wrap around shot on Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (32) in the third period at Grand Casino Arena. Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Roy took a diplomatic tack when asked about Shabanov’s recent play, but the winger has struggled of late. He’s gone five games without a point and has just one goal in his last 26.
“I thought he played OK in his games,” Roy said. “Sometimes you just try different things.”
Tsyplakov has struggled to gain traction this season, and has played just four times since Dec. 9 as a result.
“It’s tough,” Tsyplakov said. “Just need to try to be positive. Practice, work hard, get the chance and use the chance.”
Phil Goyette, a four-time Stanley Cup winner with the Canadiens and the first head coach of the Islanders, died at age 92 on Sunday, the Canadiens announced in a statement.
Goyette, who played seven seasons with the Rangers, including with the 1972 team that lost to the Bruins in the Cup Final, went 6-40-4 as the coach of the expansion Islanders before Earl Ingarfield took over behind the bench.
The Canadiens did not provide a cause of death in their statement, but said that Goyette’s family “would like to thank the public for their wishes of sympathy.”
Ilya Sorokin will start in goal for the Islanders on Monday against the Canucks.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — In his first comments since the Rangers retooling announcement, head coach Mike Sullivan assured that his team would continue to try to win every game.
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That means the veteran bench boss plans to coach and make decisions that he thinks will put the Blueshirts in the best position on a game-to-game basis. There doesn’t appear to be any plan to hold players out of the lineup to protect against injury until a trade is imminent.
Amid the club’s current circumstances, however, the Rangers should be considering development and the long-term vision when making certain decisions going forward.
Asked how much he has to weigh coaching to win and development, given how the last couple of days have gone, Sullivan said he didn’t consider the two to be mutually exclusive.
“My outlook on it is that it tends to go hand-in-hand,” he said Sunday after practice at Honda Center. “I think when you look at the nature of the league and how it’s evolved, there was once a time when, really, development took place in the American League and the NHL was the NHL. I think with the salary cap and things of that nature, younger players are getting forced onto rosters, entry-level contracts, things like that to make the business side of it work. And as a result of that, development has to take place at the NHL level also. That’s probably been the last 20 years and that’s been my experience of being in the NHL.
New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan coaches against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at Madison Square Garden. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“It’s an important element of what we do. I love that aspect of our job, but I also think it goes hand-in-hand with winning. I don’t know that it’s one at the expense of the other at our level. We’ve put a lot of young guys in prominent roles this year out of necessity, with guys being injured and guys get an opportunity to play up the lineup and in special teams situations. A lot of times, that’s how careers begin and develop, is with an opportunity with circumstances like this. Guys carve their way, they force their way onto a roster through their performance and their play. And that healthy competition is a positive thing for organizations. “We have a commitment to all of our players to help them continue to grow and develop, regardless of where they are in their career. Obviously, the young guys we pay particular attention to and we’ll continue to do that.”
The Rangers have already had an influx of youth in the lineup this season, beginning with Noah Laba seizing the third-line center role out of training camp. Matthew Robertson also made the Opening Night roster, but the rookie defenseman has since taken root on the Rangers back end.
Since then, Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann and Scott Morrow have essentially joined the fray full time. Brett Berard and Jaroslav Chmelar also got looks at different points this season as well.
It is telling that Dylan Garand is still in Hartford amid goalie Igor Shesterkin’s lower-body injury.
The Rangers evidently have more trust in Spencer Martin than their organizationally grown netminder, whom they drafted 103rd overall in 2020. Garand has yet to make his NHL debut, but he has served as backup before.
Carson Soucy is expected to join the Rangers in California ahead of their matchup with the Ducks on Monday night.
As a result, defenseman Connor Mackey was assigned back to Hartford.
The 31-year-old Soucy did not play in Philadelphia due to personal reasons.
The Rangers recalled forward Anton Blidh from Hartford.
DETROIT (AP) — Alex DeBrincat scored 36 seconds into overtime to give the surging Detroit Red Wings a 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Sunday.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Lucas Raymond and James van Riemsdyk also scored for Detroit. Patrick Kane assisted on Sandin-Pellikka’ goal, moving him two points shy of Mike Modano’s record of 1,374 career points by a U.S.-born player.
John Gibson made 19 saves for his 15th victory in his last 17 games. The Red Wings improved to 9-4 in overtime games.
Drake Batherson had a goal and an assist for Ottawa. Dylan Cozens and Shane Pinto also scored, and James Reimer made 30 saves.
DeBrincat’s team-high 26th goal was set up by Andrew Copp as Detroit kept pace with Tampa Bay atop the Atlantic Division standings. The Red Wings have won six of their last seven games.
LIGHTNING 4, STARS 1
DALLAS (AP) — Brandon Hagel’s tiebreaking goal midway through the second period proved to be the winner, and Andrei Vasilevskiy finished with 19 saves on 20 shots as Tampa Bay beat Dallas.
Rookie Dominic James and Jake Guentzel each had a goal and an assist, and Pontus Holmberg added a late empty-net score for the Lightning, who bounced back from a shootout loss at St. Louis on Friday that ended a franchise record-tying 11-game winning streak. Tampa Bay has a 13-game points streak and they are tied with Carolina atop of the Eastern Conference with 64 points, second overall to Colorado (74).
Hagel took a pass at the goal line to the left side of Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger, playing off the line, and muscled the puck through the stick of Stars defenseman Esa Lindell for a 2-1 lead. It was Hagel’s sixth winning goal this season, tied for second in the NHL behind Nashville’s Steven Stamkos, who has seven.
Tampa Bay is a league-best 18-4-4 on the road and 20-1-0 when leading after two periods.
Vasilevskiy has 10 straight 20-win seasons and is 17-4-3 in his career against Dallas.
Oskar Back scored for the struggling Stars, who came off a 2-3-1 road trip and have lost three straight in regulation, scoring one goal in each game. Oettinger, tied for eighth in the NHL with 17 wins, stopped 22 shots and is 1-4-2 in his last seven starts.
OILERS 5, BLUES 0
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Zach Hyman had two goals and an assist, Connor Ingram made 27 saves for his first shutout of the season, and Edmonton beat St. Louis.
Vasily Podkolzin had a goal and an assist and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Andrew Mangiapane also scored for the Oilers, who have gone 5-1-2 in their last eight games.
Nugent-Hopkins played in his 1,000th regular-season contest, becoming just the 63rd player in history to record a goal in his milestone match. Connor McDavid and Mattias Ekholm each had a pair of assists.
Edmonton is now 21-1-4 when scoring first this season.
Jordan Binnington had 23 saves for St. Louis, who snapped a two-game win streak.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Half-accusingly and half-jokingly, Patrick Roy said to go find some wood to knock on. Good health this late into a season is always a risky topic to bring up, after all.
Particularly so for Adam Pelech, who last got through a season without missing serious time in 2021-22. Not coincidentally, that year was also the only time in his career Pelech was voted to the All-Star Game.
Forty-eight games in, though, with Game 49 on Monday against the Canucks, Pelech has avoided injury. Not coincidentally, he’s quietly putting together what’s on pace to be his best season since he was last fully healthy.
“It makes a big difference,” Pelech told The Post after the Islanders practiced at Rogers Arena on Sunday. “It’s tough missing time, right? You’re on the shelf, rehabbing, whatever. Meanwhile, everyone else, all your teammates, are getting better every day. It’s tough missing time to injury.
Adam Pelech (3) celebrates his goal during the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at UBS Arena, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Elmont, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“Unfortunately, I’ve had some bad luck the past few seasons. Knock on wood, I’ve been healthy this season. It makes a big difference.”
Pelech has never put up many points, and this season is no exception. He has just seven. Defensively, though, he’s been as good as ever.
His 52.79 expected goals percentage leads Islanders defensemen, and he’s second only to Ryan Pulock in on-ice goals against per 60 minutes, according to Evolving Hockey.
He’s also been central to the penalty kill’s transformation into a top 10 unit after years of languishing near the bottom of the league.
“We’re coached extremely well, for sure,” Pelech said of the PK. “Good plan every night. The coaches put a lot of work in to make sure we have the best opportunity to succeed and then just getting the reps in, sticking to the system and getting great goaltending.”
It’s a little ironic that Pelech and Pulock are both having renaissance seasons when they’ve barely been partnered with each other. The two formed a stalwart top pair for the Islanders during the club’s deep playoff runs under Barry Trotz, and know each other’s games inside and out.
Pulock, though, has been cemented as Matthew Schaefer’s partner since November, as has Pelech with Tony DeAngelo. That seems to work well for all four of the players, as it creates two pairs with a primary offensive defenseman (Schaefer and DeAngelo) and one who’s comfortable sitting back in the play (Pelech and Pulock).
“Me and Tony have been getting better and better, developing chemistry together,” Pelech said. “What I love about playing with him, really smart player. Makes the game easy for his D-partner. I think we’ve been going well. And then [I’ve been] doing things that have always made me successful. Defensively, being a guy who’s dependable and the penalty kill’s been great too.”
New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech (3) moves the puck down ice as Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand (22) defends during the first period at UBS Arena, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Elmont, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Throughout their current road trip, of which Monday marks the sixth game, the Islanders have leaned heavily on their defense, spending significant time in their own zone as they struggle to sustain possession and offensive zone time with star center Bo Horvat injured. For the most part, they’ve survived by doing that, though Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Flames was their worst game of the trip.
“I’d say that our D corps, the three of them: Pully and Schaef and Pelly’s been playing really well for us,” Roy said. “Tony D’s been a good addition with Pelly. I understand Pelly’s playing the big role and helps Tony D to be more free in the offense a bit.
“… I feel like whoever plays with Pelly will have success because of the way he handles it and the way he comes to play. He’s a real pro. He’s fun to have around us and we’re very blessed to have him on our team.”
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina, Italy will be a dream realized for several NHL players, as the league has not participated in the Olympics since 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
There are some, such as Pittsburgh Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby and top defenseman Erik Karlsson, who have been there before and are, potentially, set to particpate for the final time in their careers. There are also some young players who are experiencing it for what is, hopefully, only the first time.
But there are others - many others - who never had the benefit of a chance at participating, even if they're a decade or more into their NHL careers.
And one of those players is Penguins' forward Rickard Rakell.
After being named to Team Sweden for the 2026 Games, Rakell will finally have his chance of a lifetime. And it will come within a calendar year that has also included representation at the 4 Nations Tournament last February and a trip to Stockholm - albeit, while injured - for the NHL Global Series.
“It's kind of, like, all of my dreams coming true in hockey in one year," Rakell said. "It's been really special first to get the chance to represent Sweden at the 4 Nations tournament. That was so cool to just be a part of that and play those games, and I'll get the chance to play for Sweden in the Olympics.
"It's a dream come true for me. First time, first chance for me to go there and do that. So, I'm just going to take it all in and leave it all out there. Just have a chance to win a gold medal.”
Of course, Rakell was only 20 years old and toggling between the NHL and AHL back in 2014. He is one of many NHL players - and teammates, including players of similar age like Filip Forsberg, Alex Wennberg, and Mika Zibanejad - who are on the the back nine of their careers but never really had the chance to represent at the Olympic Games.
Now, they finally will get a chance, and they will get to do it as a collective unit that is all looking forward to experiencing it for the first time.
"I'm very familiar with the players that are on that team," Rakell said. "There's just so much excitement to get the chance to play together with them and have all those players on the same team and just see what you can do together.”
And they will get that chance because of the effort the NHL has put in to get itself back on the international scene. The 4 Nations Tournament last season - at which Canada bested Team USA in the gold medal game - acted as a sort of guinea pig for the NHL to gauge interest in international tournaments.
Rakell believes it's important for the NHL to keep up its international presence and continue making efforts to go to the Olympics not only because it keeps more eyes watching hockey, but also because it's such a unique experience for the players - even if it alters the regular season a bit.
“I think it's been great," Rakell said. "Even though it changes our schedule a little bit, especially with the Olympics since that's going on for such a long time, the NHL season has to compress a little bit. But, at the same time, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.
He smiled. "I like playing hockey games, so I don't mind it."
Tournaments like 4 Nations and the Olympics being mid-season also helps a bit in terms of preparation and approach. Rakell said that having mid-season tournaments can work both ways, whether a player is on a heater going into it or struggling.
And, because they're already in mid-season form, it makes the training and transition aspect of it easier.
Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Sweden defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) celebrates with teammates William Nylander (88) and Rickard Rakell (67) after scoring a goal against Team Finland in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
"It kind of goes both ways," Rakell said. "If you are playing really well, you want to keep that up in those tournaments if you're already feeling really good going into those tournaments. While, I think, if you're maybe struggling a little bit, there's a chance, an opportunity, to get a change of scenery and just reset.
"And I think everybody who is going to play are thinking a lot about the Olympics. After that, it will hopefully end the way you want it to, and you just come back and focus on the rest of the season. So, it's kind of nice.”
And the preparation isn't all about the physical and mental side of things, either. There is also an aspect of communication, as each Olympic team has to convene and strategize as much as possible in the lead-up to the tournament.
"I've talked to a few guys, and I think it will be just more and more going forward here in the next few weeks leading into the tournament," Rakell said. "I mean, we don't have much time from when we leave from New York to the tournament until games start. So, you try to prepare as much as you can, and you get together and just talk about systems and expectations so you don't have to do that when you get there.”
Communication shouldn't be too difficult with one Swedish teammate, though. Rakell may have the chance to go with his Pittsburgh teammate in Karlsson, who was named to the final roster but is currently out with a lower-body injury. His status for the Games remains unclear, but he is practicing non-contact and travelled with the team on their Western road trip.
He and Karlsson have become good friends during their three shared seasons in Pittsburgh, and Rakell mentioned that they both have a sharp appetite to compete in the Games.
"I think we're both hungry to win something, and we'll get the chance to do that together," Rakell said. "We've been playing together for a few years now, and we've become really good friends. So, I think that would be really special for us.”
But it doesn't end there. Rakell will have the full support of his family and friends, as his wife, Emmeli, his kids, his in-laws, his parents, and many others are making the trek over to Milan to witness him live out his childhood dream of playing on the world's biggest stage.
And that means more than anything else to Rakell, who is grateful for the chance to be surrounded by those who helped him get there in the first place.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said. "And I want to share it with them.”
The Calgary Flames have completed a notable blue-line move, sending defenceman Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights as part of a multi-piece trade.
Coming back to Calgary are NHL defenceman Zach Whitecloud, University of North Dakota blueliner Abram Wiebe, a first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, and a conditional second-round selection in 2028. To finalize the deal, the Flames will retain 50 percent of Andersson’s salary cap hit.
Andersson leaves the organization ranked 15th in franchise history in games played with 584, seventh among defencemen, and sixth among blueliners in scoring with 261 career points. This season, Andersson notched 10 goals and 30 points in 48 games.
Whitecloud arrives with a reputation as a reliable, detail-oriented defenceman who plays a heavy, physical game. Through 47 games this season, the 29-year-old has recorded seven points (two goals, five assists) while ranking near the top of the Golden Knights’ roster in several defensive categories, including hits (73), blocked shots (63), and short-handed ice time per game (1:44).
Originally signed by Vegas as an undrafted free agent in 2018, Whitecloud was a part of the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup championship run in 2023. He is currently in the fourth season of a six-year contract with a $2.75 million average annual value.
Wiebe, 22, adds a developmental piece to the Flames’ pipeline. Selected by Vegas in the seventh round (209th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, the University of North Dakota defenceman has put together a strong junior season, registering 14 points in 24 games
Former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy has been placed on waivers by the San Jose Sharks.
Leddy is currently in his first season with the Sharks after the Pacific Division club claimed him off waivers from the St. Louis Blues this past off-season. Now, with this latest news, Leddy is once again available for the taking after being placed on waivers.
Leddy being placed on waivers by the Sharks comes with San Jose blueliner Vincent Desharnais set to return to their lineup.
Leddy has recorded zero goals, four assists, six penalty minutes, and a minus-9 rating in 19 games this season with the Sharks.
Leddy played his first four NHL seasons with the Blackhawks from 2010-11 to 2013-14. In 258 games as a member of the Blackhawks over that span, he recorded 20 goals, 73 assists, 93 points, and a plus-10 rating. This included him recording 34 assists and 37 points in 82 games with Chicago in 2011-12.
Leddy's time with the Blackhawks came to an end ahead of the 2014-15 season when he was traded to the New York Islanders.
Quinn Hughes (left); Owen Power (right) -- (Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Images)
The Buffalo Sabres have been enjoying success of late, but they’re still in a dogfight to hang onto a Stanley Cup playoff berth. And their next 10 games could be the difference in making or missing the post-season.
Once they finish up with the Islanders game, the Sabres will play the Los Angeles Kings, Canadiens (again) and Florida Panthers, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Again (and with due respect to the Penguins), that’s nine games out of 10 that the Sabres get an opponent who could beat them.
That means, between now and then – ‘then’ being three weeks from today,– the Sabres could find themselves either in a top-three position in the Atlantic Division, or they could be in the basement of the Eastern conference once again. The difference between being a playoff team and a non-playoff team is razor-thin, and that’s why every game counts.
The Sabres will need to produce about 14 standings points out of 20 points available to them in their next 10 games. Anything less than that, and there’s room for competing teams to leapfrog them in the standings.
The Sabres have to show right now that they’re a different group than the Sabres teams that wilted beneath the pressure that has built every year since Buffalo last was a playoff team.
But there's no question the Sabres have a major test in the 10 games ahead. And the way they respond to that challenge will largely dictate whether they can end their playoff drought, or see it increased to 15 years.
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Sweden defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) celebrates with teammates William Nylander (88) and Rickard Rakell (67) after scoring a goal against Team Finland in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_hockey_news_pittsburgh_penguins_articles_513/a7a3fd57d2c18b9e822043b355638d9b)
