While flirting with a spot in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Detroit Red Wings were soundly defeated in consecutive games by the Ottawa Senators in a 12-3 combined final score.
It was at that time that GM Steve Yzerman decided his team wasn't ready for playoff hockey and became a seller at the upcoming NHL Trade Deadline, trading Tyler Bertuzzi to the Boston Bruins, Filip Hronek to the Vancouver Canucks, and Oskar Sundqvist to the Minnesota Wild.
The following season, Detroit found itself in an advantageous position in the standings, holding a nine-point lead over the cutoff for the final wild-card playoff spot. However, what followed was a disastrous 3–9–2 stretch in March, culminating in the team losing any hope of the postseason on the final day of the regular season due to a tiebreaker.
Last season, the Red Wings were in one of the final Wild Card postseason spots near the end of February, but once again, struggled in March. They posted a 4-10 record that month and fell out of the postseason race.
Wednesday evening marks Detroit’s final game for several weeks, as the NHL schedule breaks for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
When play resumes in late February, the Red Wings, currently second overall in the Atlantic Division, will be determined to write a new script this time around.
Multiple rumors suggest the Red Wings could become buyers for the first time since 2015, when they acquired Erik Cole from the Dallas Stars and Marek Zidlicky from the New Jersey Devils.
That season also marked the year before their most recent appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
If they were to begin today, the Red Wings would confirm their spot in the postseason for the first time since 2016.
To ensure Stanley Cup Playoff hockey comes to Little Caesars Arena for the first time, the Red Wings must avoid the March struggles that have plagued them in each of the past two seasons, a goal they'll have their sights trained on.
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LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings acquired high-scoring left wing Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers on Wednesday for a conditional third-round draft pick and prospect Liam Greentree.
The Kings then signed Panarin to a two-year, $22 million contract that will keep the Russian forward in Los Angeles through the 2027-28 season.
The trade ends weeks of uncertainty around the future of the 34-year-old Panarin, who hadn’t played since Jan. 26 while the Rangers held him out in anticipation of trading their top scorer in each of the past seven consecutive seasons. He currently leads New York with 57 points in 52 games.
Panarin is a major acquisition for the Kings, who have stayed in contention for their fifth consecutive playoff appearance this season despite ranking 31st in the NHL with 139 goals and 29th in power-play success. Adrian Kempe and Kevin Fiala are the only Kings with more than 13 goals or 30 points this season.
Los Angeles has been committed to defense-first hockey for more than a decade, and coach Jim Hiller has kept the system alive despite four consecutive first-round playoff exits to the Edmonton Oilers. But new GM Ken Holland swung this move to inject some excitement and offense into a team that has appeared to be stuck between fringe Stanley Cup contention and full rebuilding.
Panarin is the NHL’s seventh-leading scorer over the past five seasons, putting up 156 goals and 298 assists for New York. He scored at least 25 goals in eight of his first 10 seasons, including a career-high 49 goals and 120 points two seasons ago.
Panarin’s departure is the biggest deal yet in what general manager Chris Drury called a retooling process rather than a rebuild for the last-place Rangers. In a letter to fans on Jan. 16, Drury said the focus would be on “obtaining young players, draft picks and cap space to allow us flexibility moving forward.”
But because Panarin had a full no-movement clause, he was able to control his destination. With several contending teams making inquiries about his services, he elected to go to Los Angeles.
The Rangers retained half of his $11.6 million salary cap hit while acquiring Greentree, the 20-year-old Windsor Spitfires forward taken late in the first round of the 2024 draft.
If the Kings win a playoff round, the pick becomes a second-rounder. If they reach the Western Conference final, the Rangers also get a 2028 fourth-round pick.
The deal, which was finalized less than an hour before the NHL’s Olympic trade freeze, takes the best player available off the market more than a month before the March 6 trade deadline.
Panarin is the third pillar of the Rangers’ recent teams to move to Southern California since New York reached the Eastern Conference final in 2024.
Jacob Trouba, the defenseman who served as the Rangers’ captain for 2 1/2 seasons, was traded by Drury to the Anaheim Ducks in December 2024. Veteran forward Chris Kreider, the Rangers’ longest-tenured player, was also shipped to Anaheim by Drury last summer.
Both players have thrived in their new home with the Ducks, who are in contention for their first playoff appearance since 2018.
The Rangers already traded depth defenseman Carson Soucy to the crosstown rival New York Islanders for a third-round pick since Drury’s rebuilding letter went out.
Vincent Trocheck, who is 32 and signed for three more seasons after this one at a reasonable salary cap hit of $5.625 million, could fetch more than Panarin if he gets dealt.
Forward Artemi Panarin is off the trade market and the free agent market.
The New York Rangers traded Panarin on Wednesday. Feb. 4 to the Los Angeles Kings, who signed the high-scoring winger to a two-year contract extension averaging $11 million a year. The Rangers received prospect forward Liam Greentree and conditional third- (2026) and fourth-round (2028) picks.
Here are some of the top remaining pending unrestricted free agents:
Top remaining free agents
10. Anders Lee, New York Islanders
He has been the Islanders' captain since 2018 and is good for 20-plus goals. He had 29 last season. Current cap hit: $7 million.
9. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
The NHL's all-time leading goal scorer is 40. He'll either re-sign with Washington or retire. He hasn't indicated his plans. Current cap hit: $9 million.
He was the runaway leader in hits last season and is in second place this season. He also has 17 goals and was traded by the Canucks this season. Current cap hit: $1.5 million
7. John Carlson, Washington Capitals
Carlson is the Capitals' all-time leader in scoring among defensemen and is a key to their power play. He's the one who sets up Ovechkin's one-timers. Current cap hit: $8 million.
6. Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers
The goalie has won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles and two Vezina Trophies. He'll be 38 next season. Current cap hit: $10 million.
The 39-year-old has expressed an interest in playing more and he's making a case with 43 points in his first 40 games. He missed some time with an injury but has won three Stanley Cup titles in his storied career. Current cap hit: $6.1 million.
4. Darren Raddysh, Tampa Bay Lightning
The defenseman is having a breakout season with 17 goals and 51 points while filling in during Victor Hedman's two injuries. Current cap hit: $975,000.
3. Rasmus Andersson, Vegas Golden Knights
The defenseman was traded to the Golden Knights this season by the Flames. He can provide offense with a 50- and a 49-point season. Current cap hit: $4.55 million.
2. Nick Schmaltz, Utah Mammoth
The forward keeps improving every year. The winger usually gets 20-plus goals and 60-plus points, and he's already at 22 goals and 51 points this season. Current cap hit: $5.85 million.
1. Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres
The forward can score (two 36-goal seasons) and also kills penalties. He wants to stay in Buffalo and new general manager Jarmo Kekalainen wants to keep him. Current cap hit: $4.75 million.
The Buffalo Sabres have one game remaining before the nearly three-week Olympic break, and are well-positioned to end their NHL-record 14-year playoff drought. Even after a 4-3 overtime loss in Tampa on Tuesday, the Sabres hold a seven-point lead on three teams sitting outside of an Eastern Conference playoff spot.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on Tuesday’s 32 Thoughts podcast, Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen is hesitant to mess with the club’s chemistry and weaken their roster going into the final third of the regular season, which would indicate that they may not move veteran winger Alex Tuch before the March 6th trade deadline.,
Tuch, who scored a hat trick in a victory over the LA Kings last week, is second on the club with 48 points (22 goals, 26 assists). The 29-year-old is a pending unrestricted free agent this summer, and there has been no indication of any progress in negotiations on a contract extension in spite of the lines of communication between Kekalainen and agents Brian and Scott Bartlett being open.
Tuch has reportedly been looking for more than $10 million on an eight-year deal, similar to the contract signed by LA forward Adrian Kempe earlier this season, and reportedly, there still remains a significant gap in the price that Tuch’s representatives are looking for and what Buffalo is willing to pay him.
Friedman indicated that the possibility of keeping Tuch as an own rental past the deadline is increasing, but the odds of getting him signed before July 1 would seem remote based on players always wanting to see what options are out there on the open market. The trade of winger Artemi Panarin to the Kings on Wednesday and his subsequent signing a two-year, $22 million extension in Los Angeles may have decreased the odds of Tuch re-signing with Buffalo, since he could be the top free agent target this summer since the likes of Kempe, Kyle Connor, Connor McDavid, and Jack Eichel are re-signed and the salary cap increasing.
The Los Angeles Kings pulled off a huge trade ahead of the Olympic break, acquiring Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers on Wednesday.
It's got the hockey world, but most specifically Kings and Rangers fans, reacting all over social media, and for good reason.
Several fans couldn't believe the limited return New York received from Los Angeles. Although it's worth mentioning that Panarin had a full no-move clause on his contract, giving the player all the leverage in the deal.
"Artemi Panarin for a third-round pick and a prospect?" @Usmanrdabai posted on X. "Did the Rangers just get robbed in broad daylight, or are they desperate to shed that contract? Either way, L.A. wins."
"Are you kidding me that’s all we got for Panarin? Drury botched this one up, Panarin couldn’t even garner a first round pick? Kings won this trade," @z35_big wrote on X.
"Wow, a conditional third? The Rangers practically gave Panarin away for free!" @sarpnch1979 said.
"The Kings got PANARIN. For a conditional third and a prospect. That's it. No first-rounders. No top prospects. This is pure robbery. LA is ALL IN on a Cup run, and this move proves it. Rangers will regret this one," @L4vlcx posted.
"What a robbery, NY really out here handing stars away!" @Smoggy01 claimed on X.
"LA basically got Panarin for nothing," @BoltsPodcast wrote.
Many praised Kings GM Ken Holland, who was able to shed minimal assets, received Panarin with 50 percent of his contract retained, and signed the superstar to a two-year contract extension at $11 million per season.
Quinton Byfield and Artemi Panarin (Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)
"instant upgrade and serious playoff intent from LA," @uglyfreak077 wrote.
"I am on a Bread and Juice diet," @NicoleMae11 reacted on X.
However, some other fans are still skeptical about this Kings' team and if they have what it takes to go past the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
"Wow. The LA Kings just went from a first round exit to Edmonton to a first round exit to Edmonton," @Howard4Hart put up on X.
"With Panarin in the Kings lineup they have moved from “not winning the West in any circumstance this year” to “not winning the West in any circumstance this year," @travisyost posted.
"Kings still not gonna go anywhere," @therealahype1 protested.
"Hopefully this allows them to beat the Oilers in the first round...that would be most satisfying," @Relay36697862 said on X.
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The 2026 NHL trade deadline is set for March 6, which is still over a month away. But because of the Olympic break, the Ottawa Senators have just five games remaining before they have to show their hand. So it remains to be seen whether GM Steve Staios fancies himself as a buyer, a seller, or a team best served by standing pat.
As the deadline approaches, it’s a perfect time to look back at some of the most memorable Senators' deadline deals from the past ten years, trades that fueled playoff runs, accelerated or hindered rebuilds, and helped shape the current roster.
February 9, 2016
Feb 10, 2018; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf (2) during their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Senators 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images
On February 9, 2016, Ottawa acquired Dion Phaneuf, Matt Frattin, Casey Bailey, Ryan Rupert, and Cody Donaghey from the Toronto Maple Leafs. In return, the Senators sent Jared Cowen, Colin Greening, Milan Michalek, Tobias Lindberg, and a 2017 second-round pick to Toronto.
The trade was almost three weeks before the actual deadline, and it was notable not only for its size, but for the rarity of a big deal between provincial rivals. Phaneuf played 154 games with the Senators, and while he had lost a step, he was still a key part of the Sens' amazing run to the 2017 Eastern Conference Final.
February 27, 2017
Mar 2, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks left wing Alex Burrows (14) during the second period in the Heritage Classic hockey game against the Ottawa Senators at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images
On February 27, 2017, the Senators acquired Alex Burrows from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for prospect Jonathan Dahlen. GM Pierre Dorion said that one Senator player was so excited about the deal, he came up and hugged him. Burrows played 91 career games for the Sens, then retired.
A few days later, the Sens parted ways with Curtis Lazar, their former highly-touted first-round draft pick. He was sent to Calgary in a package deal that brought back a second-round pick that would become Alex Formenton.
February 13, 2018
Feb 15, 2018; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Marian Gaborik (12) skates during a break in the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Ottawa traded Phaneuf and Nate Thompson to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore. Both teams got a big-name, big-money player in the exchange, but both were at the end of their careers, especially Gaborik, who played all of 16 games for the Senators then retired because of injuries.
Closer to the deadline, Ottawa traded Derick Brassard to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of a three-team trade involving Vegas. The Senators received a 2018 first-round pick, goaltender Filip Gustavsson, defenseman Ian Cole, and a 2019 third-round pick, while Pittsburgh received Brassard and a 2018 third-round pick. Vegas retained 40 percent of Brassard’s salary.
February 22, 2019
Jan 18, 2019; Raleigh, NC, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Mark Stone (61) looks on against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Ottawa Senators defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Five months after trading Erik Karlsson, the 2019 trade deadline really began to reshape the franchise in dramatic fashion, which is a nice way of describing a fire sale.
On February 22, Ottawa traded Matt Duchene and Julius Bergman to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Vitaly Abramov, Jonathan Davidsson, a 2019 first-round pick, and a 2020 conditional first-round pick. The Sens would only get that second first-rounder if Duchene re-signed with Columbus. He left and signed with Nashville.
One day later, on February 23, the Senators sent Ryan Dzingel to Columbus, receiving Anthony Duclair along with 2020 and 2021 second-round picks.
On February 25, Ottawa traded Mark Stone to the Vegas Golden Knights for Erik Brännström, Oscar Lindberg, and a 2020 second-round pick. Losing Stone was painful for the fan base, and any talk that this was all Stone’s idea was put to rest when Eugene Melnyk told a CBC reporter downtown that day that Stone’s trade was "part of our rebuild, we've been planning this for some time."
February 24, 2020
Jan 14, 2020; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) faces off against Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
On February 24, 2020, the Senators traded Jean-Gabriel Pageau to the New York Islanders. In return, Ottawa received a 2020 conditional first-round pick (Ridly Greig), a 2020 second-round pick, and a 2022 conditional third-round pick.
Pageau, a popular Ottawa native, was enjoying an excellent season at the time, but in the midst of their fire sale, the Senators did maximize his value at the deadline.
March 20, 2022
Apr 8, 2021; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Nick Paul (13) follows the puck following a faceoff with Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) during the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
On March 20, 2022, Ottawa traded Nick Paul to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Senators received Mathieu Joseph and a 2024 fourth-round pick in return.
Paul immediately helped the Lightning make the Cup final that year. Joseph played two and a half seasons in Ottawa’s bottom six before being dealt to St. Louis with the Blues receiving a third round pick as a sweetener.
March 1, 2023
Mar 27, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) waits for the face-off during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
In a rare deadline move aimed at improving the present rather than selling for future assets, Dorion acquired Jakob Chychrun from the Arizona Coyotes on March 1, 2023. The Senators sent a 2023 conditional first-round pick, a 2024 conditional second-round pick, and a 2026 second-round pick to Arizona.
The deal signaled that Ottawa believed it was ready to take a step forward. Even with Cychrun, the Sens missed the next two playoffs. After that, rather than extend a third highly-paid, puck-moving, left-shot defenseman, new GM Steve Staios shipped him out in July of 2024 for right-shot, stay-at-home defenseman Nick Jensen.
March 7, 2025
Dec 21, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Ottawa Senators forward Josh Norris (9) during a stop in play against the Vancouver Canucks in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
In his second deadline as GM, on March 7, 2025, Staios completed two major trades.
Ottawa acquired Dylan Cozens and Dennis Gilbert, along with a 2026 second-round pick, from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker. Norris was probably the best player in the deal, but staying healthy has famously proven to be elusive.
Later that day, the Senators also acquired Fabian Zetterlund, Tristen Robins, and a 2025 fourth-round pick from the San Jose Sharks, sending Noah Gregor, Zack Ostapchuk, and a 2025 second-round pick the other way.
Staios has two deadlines under his belt now. The first one in 2024 was uneventful, shipping Vladimir Tarasenko to Florida for a mid-round pick. The second one last year was fireworks.
This one is tricky, because whether Staios buys, sells or stands pat, one can make a pretty solid argument for each of his possible decisions.
Steve Warne The Hockey News
This story is from The Hockey News Ottawa. You can visit the site here or click on one of their latest articles below:
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones has been suspended for 20 games for violating the NHL/NHLPA's performance-enhancing substance program rules.
Jones, who has missed most of the 2025-26 season with various injuries, won't be eligible to return until Apr. 2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has played in seven games this season, compiling only one point.
#LetsGoPens defenseman Caleb Jones has been suspended 20 games without pay for violating #NHL/#NHLPA performance enhancing substance program rules.
According to Penguins general manager and president Kyle Dubas, Jones came to the organization this week, telling the team that he had tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
"Caleb Jones informed us this week that he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance under the NHL/NHLPA performance-enhancing substance program," Dubas said in a statement. "Throughout the process, Caleb has been forthcoming with the organization as to how he believes the positive test occurred. Caleb takes full responsibility for his actions, despite him being unaware that what he consumed was a prohibited substance at the time."
"The organization appreciates his transparency regarding this matter, and Caleb will follow all NHL and NHLPA protocols related to his suspension. Caleb has the full support of the Penguins organization, and we look forward to welcoming him back to the ice when he is cleared."
Jones was signed to a two-year contract by the Penguins during the 2025 offseason and will have one year left on that contract at a $900,000 cap hit for next season.
The Vancouver Canucks play their final game before the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday when they take on the Vegas Golden Knights. These two teams have yet to play each other this season and will battle twice more after Wednesday before the campaign is done. Here are the lineup notes for February 4, 2026.
In net for the Canuck will be Kevin Lankinen. Wednesday will mark his 29th start of the season, which has seen the 30-year-old post a record of 7-18-4. Lankinen has faced the Golden Knights nine times in his career and has posted a record of 3-3-2.
As for Vegas, they will be turning to Akira Schmid in goal. The 25-year-old has 24 games so far this season and posted a record of 15-6-6. Schmid has only played once against Vancouver, where he allowed one goal on 17 shots in a victory.
Apr 6, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen (32) makes a save behind leaping Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel (9) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
E. Pettersson-Hronek Joseph-Myers M. Pettersson-Willander
Lankinen Tolopilo
Game Information:
Start time: 7:00 pm PT
Venue: T-Mobile Arena
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL suspended injured Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones for 20 games on Wednesday for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.
Jones, 28, is in his first season with the Penguins. The club placed him on injured reserve in late October with a foot injury, then assigned him to their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He played one game for Wilkes-Barre in January before sustaining an upper-body injury.
Jones said through a statement released by the NHL Players Association that he believes he was exposed to a contaminated substance while undergoing exosome therapy from an outside provider.
“While I did not use the prohibited substance intentionally or for performance enhancement, I understand that players are responsible for everything that enters their body and accept the discipline imposed by the program,” Jones said. "I’m sorry to have let down my teammates, the Penguins organization, and our fans.”
Jones, the younger brother of Panthers defenseman Seth Jones, had one point in seven games with the Penguins in October after signing a two-year deal with Pittsburgh last summer.
Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said the club “appreciates” Jones' transparency and that Jones will follow all NHL and NHLPA protocols during the suspension. Dubas added that Jones has the “full support” of the organization.
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The New Jersey Devils acquired forward Nick Bjugstad in a trade with the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday that was completed just before the Olympic roster freeze.
They sent a conditional fourth-round pick and minor-leaguer Thomas Bordeleau for Bjugstad. It will be the last of the three fourth-rounders New Jersey currently has among its own, Dallas’ and Winnipeg’s.
Bjugstad, 33, has seven points in 35 games this season after signing with St. Louis as a free agent. The Devils getting him is the start of them using the salary cap space cleared by sending winger Ondrej Palat to the New York Islanders.
Bjugstad is signed through next season at a bargain cap hit of $1.75 million annually. The Devils had gotten Bordeleau earlier this season in a deal with San Jose.
In return, the Rangers receive forward Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick, according to multiple reports.
The struggling Rangers had sent a letter to fans that that they were going to retool their roster and that it might mean saying "goodbye to players that have brought us and our fans great moments over the years."
Panarin was told that the team would not be offering him a contract extension. He is in the final year of a seven-year contract averaging $11.6 million and has a full no-movement clause. Last week, they held him out of the lineup to prevent him from getting hurt as they worked out a trade.
The Kings need offense, ranking 28th in the league, and Panarin provides plenty, leading the Rangers every year in scoring since he arrived in 2019. Even in a down year, he has 57 points in 52 games. Los Angeles is third in goals-against average, so a little extra boost on the scoring side could translate to more wins. That's important with the Kings sitting one point out of a playoff spot and trying to go on a postseason run in captain Anze Kopitar's final year before he retires.
New York Rangers: C
Panarin was the Rangers' best trade asset and the return seems low. Greentree is 20, 6-foot-3, 216 pounds and was a 2024 first-round pick. He had 119 points last season with the Windsor (Ontario) Spitfires. But there was no first-round pick in the deal. The third-rounder can move higher if the Kings win a playoff round. Panarin had to choose where he went, so that limited the Rangers' options. Also hurting their return: New York made clear it was moving him and he was a pending unrestricted free agent. The Rangers retain half of Panarin's salary, per The Athletic.
Devils acquire Nick Bjugstad
The New Jersey Devils acquired bottom-six forward Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues for forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round pick.
The NHL odds for the 2025-26 NHL MVP have been led by Nathan MacKinnon for much of the season, but his lead is starting to dwindle...
After being as short as -450, Nate is now just -170, with Macklin Celebrini at +215. We could be in for a wild MVP race following the Olympic break. Check out the rest of the NHL MVP odds below!
Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. When the regular season is nearly finished and a consensus has emerged, you might see a player with a minus sign (-) ahead of his odds, like this:
Connor McDavid -400
The (-) means that McDavid is the odds-on favorite, and a bettor would need to wager $400 to win $100. Other contenders in the MVP race might have plus (+) odds to win.
Nathan MacKinnon +650
Here, a bettor stood to profit $650 for every $100 wagered.
If American odds aren't your thing, simply use a tool like our odds converter to switch the odds to decimal or fractional format. Most online sportsbooks also give you the option to change the odds format that you see.
The last player to win the Hart Trophy and Stanley Cup in a single season was Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis (2004).
Carey Price was the last goaltender (2015) to win the MVP award before Connor Hellebuyck did last season.
Alexander Ovechkin was the last player to repeat as the Hart winner (2008 and 2009).
Centers have won six of the last 10 MVP awards.
The last time a defenseman won the Hart Trophy was Chris Pronger back in the 1999-00 season.
NHL Hart Trophy history
A quick look at recent NHL MVPs and the position they played.
Season
Player
Position
Team
2024-25
Connor Hellebuyck
Goalie
Winnipeg Jets
2023-24
Nathan MacKinnon
Center
Colorado Avalanche
2022-23
Connor McDavid
Center
Edmonton Oilers
2021-22
Auston Matthews
Center
Toronto Maple Leafs
2020-21
Connor McDavid
Center
Edmonton Oilers
2019-20
Leon Draisaitl
Center
Edmonton Oilers
2018-19
Nikita Kucherov
Right Wing
Tampa Bay Lightning
2017-18
Taylor Hall
Left Wing
New Jersey Devils
2016-17
Connor McDavid
Center
Edmonton Oilers
2015-16
Patrick Kane
Right Wing
Chicago Blackhawks
2014-15
Carey Price
Goalie
Montreal Canadiens
2013-14
Sidney Crosby
Center
Pittsburgh Penguins
2012-13
Alexander Ovechkin
Right Wing
Washington Capitals
2011-12
Evgeni Malkin
Center
Pittsburgh Penguins
2010-11
Corey Perry
Right Wing
Anaheim Ducks
2009-10
Henrik Sedin
Center
Vancouver Canucks
2008-09
Alexander Ovechkin
Right Wing
Washington Capitals
2007-08
Alexander Ovechkin
Right Wing
Washington Capitals
2006-07
Sidney Crosby
Center
Pittsburgh Penguins
2005-06
Joe Thornton
Center
Boston Bruins/ San Jose Sharks
NHL MVP award winners by position
Position
Hart Trophy awards
Center
55
Right wing
18
Left wing
13
Goalie
9
Defenseman
7
Centers won the Hart Trophy 17 times over an 18-year period from 1979 to 1996. Wayne Gretzky personally skated away with the league's MVP award eight straight times during that era.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 11: Caleb Jones #82 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates during the game against the New York Rangers at PPG PAINTS Arena on October 11, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Defenseman Caleb Jones has been suspended for 20 games by the NHL
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones has been suspended for 20 games, without pay, for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the suspension is accompanied by mandatory referral to the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program for evaluation and possible treatment.
The National Hockey League will have no further comment on this matter.
The Seattle Kraken have recalled center Oscar Fisker Molgaard from the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds. Additionally, they have placed rookie Berkly Catton on the injured reserve.
Fisker Molgaard has been called up twice before but has played only two games in the NHL, both during his first call-up in November. He recorded an assist in his NHL debut.
Fisker Molgaard will likely be a healthy scratch tonight and is presumably called up as a precaution in case any Kraken forwards sustain an injury before tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Kings.
In the AHL, the 20-year-old has posted seven goals and 22 points in 35 games, ranking seventh in goals and fourth in points. Following tonight’s game, Fisker Molgaard will head to Milano Cortina for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Catton now joins Ben Meyers and Matt Murray on the injured reserve. Catton sustained his upper-body injury against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 29. He was announced to be out for the Kraken’s final three games before the break and that he would be able to return to the lineup when NHL play resumes.
The 20-year-old has scored five goals and 11 points in 40 games during his rookie season.
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NHL Insider Links Red Wings to Potential Blockbuster With Former Western Rival NHL Insider Darren Dreger has given insight into what the Detroit Red Wings could potentially be looking for via trade. 
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