The Florida Panthers resumed their NHL season following the league’s Olympic break when they hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night.
With only 25 games remaining and plenty of ground to make up in the playoff race, Florida jumped all over the Leafs and skated to an exhilarating 5-1 victory at Amerant Bank Arena.
It didn’t take long for the Panthers to give their home fans something to cheer about.
Just 3:18 into the game, Brad Marchand jumped on the rebound of an Anton Lundell shot from the side boards, kicking the puck to his stick and depositing it behind a sprawling Joseph Woll to give the Cats an early 1-0 lead.
Less than two minutes later, with Nicolas Roy in the penalty box for tripping Matthew Tkachuk, the Panthers stuck again.
This time it was a great backhand pass by Evan Rodrigues finding Carter Verhaeghe at the side of Woll’s net, and a quick snipe over Woll’s glove to put Florida up 2-0 at the 5:13 mark.
With Toronto on the power play late in the period, Florida took the opportunity to add to their lead.
As the Leafs were attempting to exit their own zone and move toward Florida’s blue line, Rodrigues picked off a pass by William Nylander and headed in all alone on a breakaway.
A nasty backhand-forehand move in which Rodrigues completely stopped his forward motion and dangled the puck around Woll’s leg gave the Panthers a 3-0 lead to take into the first intermission.
That’s how the score would remain until early in the third period.
With Toronto on the power play, a backhand pass by John Tavares went off Gus Forsling’s skate and through the legs of Sergei Bobrovsky, cutting into Florida’s lead just 47 seconds into the final frame.
The Leafs wouldn’t get any closer, as Bobrovsky shut the door and Marchand added an empty-net goal with 3:09 to go to give the Cats a 4-1 lead.
For good measure, Matthew Tkachuk also got in on the fun, scoring his own empty-netter with 1:52 to go after Toronto pulled Woll a second time.
Photo caption: Feb 26, 2026; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand (63) scores against Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
Midway through the Feb. 26 home game against the Detroit Red Wings, Tkachuk had a bloody nose and a trip to the penalty box.
At the 7:40 mark of the second period, Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson delivered a big hit that sent Tkachuk to the ice. The puck wasn't nearby, so Edvinsson was assessed two minutes for interference, plus five minutes for fighting as Ottawa's Dylan Cozens dropped the gloves in defense of his teammate.
Tkachuk scored the game's opening goal, but Detroit captain Dylan Larkin, another Team USA standout, scored twice in the Red Wings' 2-1 overtime win.
The day was a busy one for Tkachuk, who was making his first appearance since the Olympics. He answered questions after practice about the gold medal experience plus a White House TikTok video in which his voice was dubbed over to make it sound like he was insulting Canadians.
Tkachuk called the video, which included artificial intelligence, "clearly fake because it's not my voice and not my lips moving."
He added: "It's not my voice. It's not what I was saying. I would never say that. It's not who I am. So, I guess I don't like that video."
Recently, we here at The Hockey News Buffalo Sabres looked at two trade candidates from the Calgary Flames.
Now, in this latest edition of the Sabres trade targets series, let's look at two Philadelphia Flyers who could be good fits for the Atlantic Division club.
Owen Tippett
Owen Tippett has been a popular name in the rumor mill this season, and he would have the potential to be a very nice addition to the Sabres' roster. The 27-year-old forward would give the Sabres another skilled forward to work with in their top nine and would be an obvious choice for their power play if acquired.
Tippett would be more than a rental for the Sabres if acquired, as he has a $6.2 million cap hit until the end of the 2031-32 season. In 57 games this season, he has recorded 19 goals, 16 assists, and 35 points.
Noah Juulsen
The Sabres need another depth defenseman with experience, and the Flyers have a decent option in Noah Juulsen. The 28-year-old could work well on the Sabres' bottom pairing or even as an extra defenseman.
Juulsen would not be a big addition to the Sabres' roster, but he would give them another much-needed right-shot defenseman. In 43 games this season, he has recorded one goal, nine points, 90 hits, and a plus-2 rating.
A video montage congratulating the Rangers’ five Team USA representatives from the Winter Olympics — who all were part of the run in Milan that ended with the country’s first gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980 — had just finished playing Thursday, recognizing Miller, Trocheck, head coach Mike Sullivan (USA head coach), assistant coach David Quinn (USA assistant coach) and president and general manager Chris Drury (USA assistant general manager) — with Drury, the architect of this disappointing Rangers season and retooling, getting booed loudly during the proceedings.
The ceremony, something that has been replicated throughout the NHL as players rejoined their respective teams, lasted around four minutes before the Blueshirts’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Flyers.
Sullivan’s speech from inside the American locker room pregame played on the scoreboard. Highlights from the gold-medal game, too. And then Trocheck and Miller were both shown receiving their gold medals.
Vincent Trocheck, who won a gold medal for Team USA, is greeted by the fans before the Rangers’ game against the Flyers on Feb. 26, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY Post
MSG crowd chants ‘U-S-A’ as J. T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck, Mike Sullivan, Chris Drury & David Quinn get a standing ovation after Team USA brought home gold. pic.twitter.com/3SL24ickeU
“The celebration before the game is a special moment for a lot of us,” Sullivan said. “Certainly proud of the accomplishment that the Olympic team was able to win the gold medal. We’re particularly proud of J.T. and [Trocheck] and the contribution that they had in helping us win over there. Those guys were instrumental in so many ways.”
Trocheck and Miller were key pieces of a penalty kill unit that went 18-for-18 throughout the tournament. Across the entire men’s hockey tournament, Trocheck finished with the third-highest faceoff percentage.
And Thursday, the celebration for Team USA’s medal — which stretched from Milan to Miami to the White House, morphing into a political controversy along the way — reached their home venue.
In a season where the Rangers’ focus has shifted to what’s next, Brendan Brisson became the latest to get a chance.
The 24-year-old and former first-round pick — part of the return in the March trade that sent Reilly Smith to the Golden Knights — was recalled from AHL Hartford to practice with the Blueshirts during the Olympic break and made his Rangers debut Thursday.
He skated on the third line alongside Noah Laba and Conor Sheary while also logging time with the second power-play unit. Brisson, who previously appeared in 24 NHL games across two stints while with the Golden Knights, collected 13 goals and 23 points in 46 games with the Wolf Pack.
Gold medal winners Vincent Trocheck (right) and J.T. Miller, along with head coach Mike Sullivan, are honored by the Rangers in a pregame ceremony on Feb. 26, 2026 before the Rangers faced the Flyers. Robert Sabo for NY Post
“I’m just gonna try to go out there [Thursday] and be good in the system, be good in the details of the game and if I get a chance, hopefully generate on it, produce on it,” Brisson told The Post before the Rangers’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Flyers.
Forward Brett Berard was assigned to the Wolf Pack and goaltender Hugo Ollas was assigned to ECHL Bloomington Bison before the game.
Gotham Sports App, which is the direct-to-consumer streaming branch of MSG and YES Networks, can now be purchased through Prime Video, the company announced. It serves as the streaming space for Rangers, Islanders, Devils, Yankees, Knicks, Nets and Sabres coverage.
With the trade deadline looming and a championship window still wide open, the Colorado Avalanche find themselves in a familiar position: aggressive, calculated, and unafraid to swing big. Cap space is available. A former Stanley Cup hero could be within reach. The question isn’t whether the Avalanche can make a blockbuster move — it’s whether they should.
Nazem Kadri taking a hard hit from Winnipeg Jets forward Adam Lowry earlier this season.
Cap Space Creates Opportunity
The Avalanche wasted no time getting to work once the Olympic trade freeze lifted. In a decisive move, Colorado shipped longtime defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Brett Kulak.
Kulak made his Avalanche debut in a 4–2 victory over the Utah Mammoth at Delta Center, and the early returns were solid. But the real win may not have been on the ice — it was on the balance sheet.
By moving Girard without retaining salary, Colorado cleared significant cap space. The Avalanche now sit with approximately $8.74 million in flexibility, giving general manager Chris MacFarland the financial breathing room to pursue something far more ambitious.
The Nazem Kadri Question
Reacquiring Nazem Kadri would be more than a nostalgic reunion. It would be a competitive statement.
Kadri was instrumental in Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup run, producing a career-best 87 points (28 goals, 59 assists) in 71 regular-season games before delivering timely playoff heroics. After the Avalanche were unable to retain him, he signed with the Calgary Flames, where his production has remained respectable — though not quite at his Colorado peak.
At 35, Kadri is no longer the dynamic force he once was. But context matters. Calgary sits near the bottom of the Pacific Division at 23-27-6, and Kadri has made little secret of his dissatisfaction with the direction of the franchise. A return to Denver could reignite both his production and his edge.
Kadri, slotted as a third-line center, could give the Avalanche enviable depth and matchup flexibility heading into the postseason.
But if Kadri demands to play the second-line role, that could become a serious issue. Brock Nelson has excelled in the role and is having a career-best season along with just capturing Olympic gold in Milan, the first gold medal for the United States since 1980. The last thing you want to do is have an angry player who's locked in on a long-term deal.
But if Kadri is willing to be the third-line center, it could be a solid fit.
The Veteran Blueprint: Brent Burns
Age alone is not a disqualifier in Colorado.
Just look at Brent Burns.
Brent Burns is having a tremendous campaign for Colorado. Credit: Ron Chenoy
At 40 years old, Burns is authoring an impressive campaign, tallying nine goals and 18 assists for 27 points in 56 games with a career-best +30 rating. While plus/minus is no longer a favored analytic darling, it remains an indicator of on-ice impact — and Burns’ number speaks volumes.
His previous high-water mark came during the 2013-14 season with the San Jose Sharks, where he became a franchise cornerstone and later captured the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2017 as the league’s top defenseman.
Burns is in Colorado for one reason: to win another Stanley Cup. If he can defy the aging curve, the Avalanche may believe Kadri can do the same.
The Real Cost of a Reunion
The complication, as always, lies in the asking price.
Colorado’s identity is built on depth — and dismantling that depth could be counterproductive. Parker Kelly is enjoying a career year and serves as a vital locker-room presence. If Calgary demands Kelly, that may be a nonstarter.
The Flames may want to steal Parker Kelly away from the Avalanche. Credit: Rob Gray
A package centered around Ross Colton and a draft pick could be palatable, but a rebuilding Flames organization will likely demand more. Top prospect Mikhail Gulyayev would certainly intrigue Calgary’s front office.
The Avalanche must determine whether sacrificing future assets — and potentially disrupting team chemistry — is worth a short-term surge.
If Not Kadri, Then Who?
If Kadri proves too costly, an alternative exists in Ryan O’Reilly.
While not the fleetest skater at this stage of his career, O’Reilly remains elite in the faceoff circle and thrives in the hard areas of the ice. His three-goal performance on January 16 at Ball Arena was a reminder that his instincts and net-front prowess remain intact.
Former Avalanche forward Ryan O'Reilly. Credit: Brad Mills
Colorado’s playoff needs are clear: win draws, grind in traffic, score the ugly goals when space evaporates.
O’Reilly fits that description.
Championship Windows Don’t Wait
What this ultimately comes down to is urgency.
The Avalanche’s championship window is not closed — but it is not infinite. With a core still in its prime and veterans pushing for one more ring, Colorado must balance boldness with prudence.
Cap space gives them options. Familiar names stir emotion. But championships are not won on sentiment.
Avs fans would love to see this again. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas
As the trade deadline accelerates toward its climax, all eyes turn to CMac — and whether the next move will be a calculated tweak or a seismic swing.
Because in Colorado, second chances can lead to parades.
The Florida Panthers resumed their NHL season on Thursday night when they hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs at Amerant Bank Arena.
It was the first game for Florida following the NHL hitting the pause button for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Prior to puck drop, Florida honored everyone on the ice who was a part of Team USA, a list that included Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, General Manager Bill Zito and Head Equipment Manager Teddy Richards, as well as Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews who also wore the “C” for the United States.
The four Americans gathered at center ice, where Zito and Richards dropped a ceremonial puck between Tkachuk and Matthews.
It was a very cool moment for the gold medal winners, putting a bow on what was surely an incredible experience.
Later, during a first period TV timeout, Florida took a moment to recognize their other Olympians.
Three Panthers – Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett – won silver medals with Team Canada, while three others – Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikkola – claimed bronze medals while representing Finland.
Florida’s Latvians – defenseman Uvis Balinskis and forward Sandis Vilmanis – as well as Finnish blueliner Gus Forsling, were also honored.
As for the game, the Panthers were already up 2-0 on Toronto when the game reached TV timeout number one.
The Florida Panthers resumed their NHL season on Thursday night when they hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs at Amerant Bank Arena.
It was the first game for Florida following the NHL hitting the pause button for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Prior to puck drop, Florida honored everyone on the ice who was a part of Team USA, a list that included Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, General Manager Bill Zito and Head Equipment Manager Teddy Richards, as well as Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews who also wore the “C” for the United States.
The four Americans gathered at center ice, where Zito and Richards dropped a ceremonial puck between Tkachuk and Matthews.
It was a very cool moment for the gold medal winners, putting a bow on what was surely an incredible experience.
Later, during a first period TV timeout, Florida took a moment to recognize their other Olympians.
Three Panthers – Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett – won silver medals with Team Canada, while three others – Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikkola – claimed bronze medals while representing Finland.
Florida’s Latvians – defenseman Uvis Balinskis and forward Sandis Vilmanis – as well as Finnish blueliner Gus Forsling, were also honored.
As for the game, the Panthers were already up 2-0 on Toronto when the game reached TV timeout number one.
For the first time in six games, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae will step back into the lineup, ending a prolonged stretch as a healthy scratch that, while difficult, may ultimately serve as one of the more important developmental checkpoints of his young NHL career.
Sam Ersson will start for the Flyers tonight vs. Rangers. Emil Andrae will draw back into the lineup.
For both Andrae and the Flyers, his return represents a recalibration of sorts—of expectations, responsibilities, and trust.
And maybe most importantly, it’s another test of whether Andrae can consistently differentiate himself from a promising call-up into a dependable, everyday NHL defenseman.
A Necessary Pause in a Promising Trajectory
When Andrae was first recalled earlier this season, he impressed straightaway.
He moved the puck decisively, drove offense, and played with the kind of assertiveness that belied his size. At 5-foot-9, Andrae will never overwhelm opponents physically, but he compensates with anticipation, mobility, and pure fearlessness. He closes gaps aggressively and can escape pressure cleanly. And when he does get the puck, he sees the ice like a player who has always been accustomed to controlling it.
That early success confirmed the already favorable opinions he had garnered from previous NHL stints—at 24 years old, he's obviously not a finished product, but he does possess a heap of desirable qualities in a blueliner, and has oodles of potential for his coaches to work with as he continues developing.
But as the season wore on, the natural inconsistencies of a young defenseman began to surface. The reads that came easily in his first stretch required quicker processing, and the risks became more costly.
Head coach Rick Tocchet was candid in his assessment of where Andrae’s game had slipped before the Flyers' game against the New York Rangers on Feb. 26.
“I think he played his best hockey when he was first called up,” Tocchet said. “I think he was obviously good on the breakouts, good on wheeling the puck… It’s just stuff he tries too much—making passes in the middle of the ice or being out of position, things like that. But that’s growing as a young defenseman.”
#Flyers coach Rick Tocchet on what Emil Andrae needs to do to get back in: "Well, I think one of the reasons why we have to do this is our PK...That's the problem, he's not a PK guy. So actually, this week, he's worked on his [PK]. That's really what it's going to come down to." https://t.co/rD63WBHETa
Andrae’s absence wasn’t solely about performance. It was also about his fit in the overall lineup.
Tocchet pointed to penalty killing responsibilities multiple times, along with the importance of balanced right-left defensive pairings, as key factors in Andrae’s temporary removal from the lineup.
Defensemen must earn that trust incrementally. It comes through consistency, through reliability, and through proving that risk-reward decisions consistently favor the team.
Now, Andrae has a prime chance to make a case for his usefulness not just in 5-on-5 play, but on special teams as well.
“He might get some PK time tonight [against the Rangers],” Tocchet said. “So hopefully if he’s out there that he can help us out on the PK, too.”
Even limited penalty-killing usage would be an important step in signaling growing confidence from the coaching staff in both Andrae’s offensive instincts and his defensive discipline.
What Andrae Brings That the Flyers Need
Despite his recent absence, Andrae offers something the Flyers’ blue line doesn’t have in abundance: natural puck-moving fluidity.
They have offensive-minded in defensemen in players like Cam York and Jamie Drysdale, but Andrae adds a layer of relentlessness to that core of smaller offensive defensemen.
His skating allows him to escape pressure without defaulting to glass-and-out clears. His vision allows him to identify transition opportunities early, and his willingness to attack open ice forces opposing forechecks to hesitate.
Those traits are especially valuable for a Flyers team that relies heavily on structure and pace to generate offense. A clean breakout is often the first offensive play, and Andrae has shown he can initiate those sequences.
What he’s learning now is when to be aggressive and when to be simple—a crucial and delicate balance that separates promising young defensemen from reliable NHL regulars.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae (36). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
A Critical Stage in His Long-Term Development
The six games Andrae spent out of the lineup may ultimately, in a twisted sort of way, benefit him in the long run.
From the press box, the game slows down. Patterns become clearer, making mistakes easier to recognize without the immediacy of competition. As frustrating as it is not to be on the ice, for young defensemen dealing with stagnation, those observational stretches can accelerate growth, allowing Andrae to return with both perspective and motivation.
He knows what earned him his initial opportunity. He also knows what cost him his place, and no doubt he understands what’s required to keep it.
The good thing is that Andrae doesn't have to scrap his whole game and start over. As Tocchet pointed out, the expectation is not for Andrae to completely reinvent his game, but to refine it and stay consistent with it. Keep the mobility; keep the confidence; keep the creativity. But going along with that, pair those clear strengths with restraint, positional awareness, and situational judgment.
A Meaningful Opportunity for Player and Team
For the Flyers, reinserting Andrae is more than just switching up the lineup in the hopes of taking three points away from New York. The team is simultaneously evaluating his nightly performance and his trajectory.
Can Andrae become a reliable puck-moving presence in their top six?
Can he handle defensive responsibility in critical moments?
Can he grow into a player they can trust in all situations?
Those answers won’t come after one game, but they’ll begin to emerge now, as he steps back onto the ice—not as the wide-eyed up-and-down kid from his first stints with the big club, but as a more mature and experienced young defenseman who has felt both the momentum of early success and the humility of stepping back.
For the first time in six games, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae will step back into the lineup, ending a prolonged stretch as a healthy scratch that, while difficult, may ultimately serve as one of the more important developmental checkpoints of his young NHL career.
Sam Ersson will start for the Flyers tonight vs. Rangers. Emil Andrae will draw back into the lineup.
For both Andrae and the Flyers, his return represents a recalibration of sorts—of expectations, responsibilities, and trust.
And maybe most importantly, it’s another test of whether Andrae can consistently differentiate himself from a promising call-up into a dependable, everyday NHL defenseman.
A Necessary Pause in a Promising Trajectory
When Andrae was first recalled earlier this season, he impressed straightaway.
He moved the puck decisively, drove offense, and played with the kind of assertiveness that belied his size. At 5-foot-9, Andrae will never overwhelm opponents physically, but he compensates with anticipation, mobility, and pure fearlessness. He closes gaps aggressively and can escape pressure cleanly. And when he does get the puck, he sees the ice like a player who has always been accustomed to controlling it.
That early success confirmed the already favorable opinions he had garnered from previous NHL stints—at 24 years old, he's obviously not a finished product, but he does possess a heap of desirable qualities in a blueliner, and has oodles of potential for his coaches to work with as he continues developing.
But as the season wore on, the natural inconsistencies of a young defenseman began to surface. The reads that came easily in his first stretch required quicker processing, and the risks became more costly.
Head coach Rick Tocchet was candid in his assessment of where Andrae’s game had slipped before the Flyers' game against the New York Rangers on Feb. 26.
“I think he played his best hockey when he was first called up,” Tocchet said. “I think he was obviously good on the breakouts, good on wheeling the puck… It’s just stuff he tries too much—making passes in the middle of the ice or being out of position, things like that. But that’s growing as a young defenseman.”
#Flyers coach Rick Tocchet on what Emil Andrae needs to do to get back in: "Well, I think one of the reasons why we have to do this is our PK...That's the problem, he's not a PK guy. So actually, this week, he's worked on his [PK]. That's really what it's going to come down to." https://t.co/rD63WBHETa
Andrae’s absence wasn’t solely about performance. It was also about his fit in the overall lineup.
Tocchet pointed to penalty killing responsibilities multiple times, along with the importance of balanced right-left defensive pairings, as key factors in Andrae’s temporary removal from the lineup.
Defensemen must earn that trust incrementally. It comes through consistency, through reliability, and through proving that risk-reward decisions consistently favor the team.
Now, Andrae has a prime chance to make a case for his usefulness not just in 5-on-5 play, but on special teams as well.
“He might get some PK time tonight [against the Rangers],” Tocchet said. “So hopefully if he’s out there that he can help us out on the PK, too.”
Even limited penalty-killing usage would be an important step in signaling growing confidence from the coaching staff in both Andrae’s offensive instincts and his defensive discipline.
What Andrae Brings That the Flyers Need
Despite his recent absence, Andrae offers something the Flyers’ blue line doesn’t have in abundance: natural puck-moving fluidity.
They have offensive-minded in defensemen in players like Cam York and Jamie Drysdale, but Andrae adds a layer of relentlessness to that core of smaller offensive defensemen.
His skating allows him to escape pressure without defaulting to glass-and-out clears. His vision allows him to identify transition opportunities early, and his willingness to attack open ice forces opposing forechecks to hesitate.
Those traits are especially valuable for a Flyers team that relies heavily on structure and pace to generate offense. A clean breakout is often the first offensive play, and Andrae has shown he can initiate those sequences.
What he’s learning now is when to be aggressive and when to be simple—a crucial and delicate balance that separates promising young defensemen from reliable NHL regulars.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae (36). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
A Critical Stage in His Long-Term Development
The six games Andrae spent out of the lineup may ultimately, in a twisted sort of way, benefit him in the long run.
From the press box, the game slows down. Patterns become clearer, making mistakes easier to recognize without the immediacy of competition. As frustrating as it is not to be on the ice, for young defensemen dealing with stagnation, those observational stretches can accelerate growth, allowing Andrae to return with both perspective and motivation.
He knows what earned him his initial opportunity. He also knows what cost him his place, and no doubt he understands what’s required to keep it.
The good thing is that Andrae doesn't have to scrap his whole game and start over. As Tocchet pointed out, the expectation is not for Andrae to completely reinvent his game, but to refine it and stay consistent with it. Keep the mobility; keep the confidence; keep the creativity. But going along with that, pair those clear strengths with restraint, positional awareness, and situational judgment.
A Meaningful Opportunity for Player and Team
For the Flyers, reinserting Andrae is more than just switching up the lineup in the hopes of taking three points away from New York. The team is simultaneously evaluating his nightly performance and his trajectory.
Can Andrae become a reliable puck-moving presence in their top six?
Can he handle defensive responsibility in critical moments?
Can he grow into a player they can trust in all situations?
Those answers won’t come after one game, but they’ll begin to emerge now, as he steps back onto the ice—not as the wide-eyed up-and-down kid from his first stints with the big club, but as a more mature and experienced young defenseman who has felt both the momentum of early success and the humility of stepping back.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman would never let it happen in today's NHL President Clarence Campbell did 'way back when, and the Blueshirts were the victims.
It all took place in the 1959-60season, Rangers GM Muzz Patrick dealt defenseman Bill Gadsby and forward Eddie Shack to Toronto. In addition to Leafs defenseman Red Kelly, New York also would obtain forward Billy McNeill on Feb. 5, 1960
On the surface the exchange seemed reasonable all around. Gadsby and Kelly wound up in the Hall of Fame while Shack and McNeill proved to be useful second liners.
There was only one problem; the deal never was officially made. Kelly chose to retire than play for a Blueshirt sextet run into the ice – or ground, if you will – by Patrick.
"As it happened," said Associated Press reporter Shelly Sakowitz, "Kelly never intended to retire. He got an offer to play for Toronto and accepted.
Leafs boss Punch Imlach moved Kelly up to center and he helped Toronto win four Cups in six years."
Campbell killed the original deal while Gadsby later was traded to Detroit. Postscript: Gadsby played 20 years in the NHL but never for a Cup-winner.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman would never let it happen in today's NHL President Clarence Campbell did 'way back when, and the Blueshirts were the victims.
It all took place in the 1959-60season, Rangers GM Muzz Patrick dealt defenseman Bill Gadsby and forward Eddie Shack to Toronto. In addition to Leafs defenseman Red Kelly, New York also would obtain forward Billy McNeill on Feb. 5, 1960
On the surface the exchange seemed reasonable all around. Gadsby and Kelly wound up in the Hall of Fame while Shack and McNeill proved to be useful second liners.
There was only one problem; the deal never was officially made. Kelly chose to retire than play for a Blueshirt sextet run into the ice – or ground, if you will – by Patrick.
"As it happened," said Associated Press reporter Shelly Sakowitz, "Kelly never intended to retire. He got an offer to play for Toronto and accepted.
Leafs boss Punch Imlach moved Kelly up to center and he helped Toronto win four Cups in six years."
Campbell killed the original deal while Gadsby later was traded to Detroit. Postscript: Gadsby played 20 years in the NHL but never for a Cup-winner.
Back to work are the Detroit Red Wings following the Olympic break, which saw Dylan Larkin and Team USA capture the gold medal for the first time since the iconic Miracle on Ice squad of 1980.
Detroit’s first game out of the break will immediately pit Larkin and the Red Wings against his Team USA teammate Brady Tkachuk and the Ottawa Senators, who have been a thorn in Detroit’s side over the past three seasons.
Ottawa is currently fighting for its playoff life, while the Red Wings are looking to gain ground in the tightly packed Atlantic Division standings after slipping into the first Wild Card spot.
They are tied in points with the Montreal Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres, but both teams hold the tiebreaker.
Defenseman Mortiz Seider, who led all Team Germany defensemen in total ice time during the Olympics, is looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.
"It's going to be great, everyone is really excited," Seider said following Detroit's skate on Thursday morning. "It's been a while since we've worn the red and white jersey. Everyone is looking forward to having a good start, don't overcomplicate things, and get right back into action."
With 24 games left in the schedule, the onus is on the Red Wings to maintain a consistent level of play that allows them to get a leg up on their competition.
"They're going to be crucial, especially since we have a lot of four-point games ahead of us," Seider said of Detroit's remaining games. "We play a lot of divisional opponents, and those will be key. You can separate in those situations, and that's exactly what we had to do. Tonight will be a good challenge for us to do so."
Among the 24 games Detroit has left on the schedule are 10 against Atlantic Division opponents, beginning on Thursday against the Senators.
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Back to work are the Detroit Red Wings following the Olympic break, which saw Dylan Larkin and Team USA capture the gold medal for the first time since the iconic Miracle on Ice squad of 1980.
Detroit’s first game out of the break will immediately pit Larkin and the Red Wings against his Team USA teammate Brady Tkachuk and the Ottawa Senators, who have been a thorn in Detroit’s side over the past three seasons.
Ottawa is currently fighting for its playoff life, while the Red Wings are looking to gain ground in the tightly packed Atlantic Division standings after slipping into the first Wild Card spot.
They are tied in points with the Montreal Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres, but both teams hold the tiebreaker.
Defenseman Mortiz Seider, who led all Team Germany defensemen in total ice time during the Olympics, is looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.
"It's going to be great, everyone is really excited," Seider said following Detroit's skate on Thursday morning. "It's been a while since we've worn the red and white jersey. Everyone is looking forward to having a good start, don't overcomplicate things, and get right back into action."
With 24 games left in the schedule, the onus is on the Red Wings to maintain a consistent level of play that allows them to get a leg up on their competition.
"They're going to be crucial, especially since we have a lot of four-point games ahead of us," Seider said of Detroit's remaining games. "We play a lot of divisional opponents, and those will be key. You can separate in those situations, and that's exactly what we had to do. Tonight will be a good challenge for us to do so."
Among the 24 games Detroit has left on the schedule are 10 against Atlantic Division opponents, beginning on Thursday against the Senators.
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They were able to capitalize on a Rangers (22-29-7) team that is retooling. The Flyers improved to 1-1-1 against New York this season. The clubs have one more meeting in a week and a half at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
• Samuel Ersson converted 23 saves on 25 shots.
He had a huge stop in overtime as the Flyers were on the penalty kill. Michkov was in the penalty box for a tough goalie interference penalty. He was making a play to the net late in regulation.
New York’s game-opening goal in the first period was one Ersson definitely wanted back.
“I think after letting that goal in, him digging in, I think he should have a lot of confidence,” Tocchet said. “We told him, that’s going to happen, those goals like that.”
Sam Carrick threw a shot from the side boards that squeaked through the Flyers’ goaltender. It was a bad one for Ersson, who was pretty sharp at puck drop. He made an outstanding stop on Adam Fox just 27 seconds into the action.
“He was fantastic,” Zegras said. “The save that he made on Fox in the first four minutes, the penalty kill in overtime — he was amazing.
“When that first one goes in, he made so many ridiculous saves that, like, it didn’t even matter.”
The Rangers extended their lead to 2-0 early in the second period. The Flyers had a defensive breakdown when they left Alexis Lafreniere alone in the slot.
But Michkov, Zegras and the Flyers chipped away. Michkov drew them to within 2-1 a little over halfway through the game with a power play goal.
“He had two big goals for us,” Konecny said. “Obviously the overtime one, but I thought the first one was a timely one. It kind of helped us calm down and get us back into it. He’s playing great, he looked fast, he looked confident with the puck.”
New York netminder Igor Shesterkin stopped 21 of the Flyers’ 24 shots.
• With 24 games left and three more to go before next Friday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline, the Flyers are eight points back of the third-place Islanders in the Metropolitan Division race.
“All playoff type of games for us,” Zegras said. “We have to do something special down the stretch to get in and we all know that.”
Before the season, the Flyers didn’t want to be in selling mode come the deadline. And while they’re not expected to be major sellers, you’ve got to think they might look to subtract a piece or two.
“We talked to the players today, we want to give people reasons to keep people together, to stay here,” Tocchet said before the game. “I’ve been in the game for 40 years, if you want to be together, then play harder and things like that. That’s the message.”
• The Flyers showed some resolve.
“I thought it was a gutsy effort,” Tocchet said.
This was their 16th comeback, with six of them coming in the third period.
“We’ve been in a lot of these type of games, close games,” Tocchet said. “It’s a big two points for us.”
They badly needed some of their top offensive weapons to start delivering and those guys did.
“To get Matvei and Zegras to score, that’s big for us,” Tocchet said. “We need those guys to score for us.”
• After being a healthy scratch for the last six games, Emil Andrae drew back into the lineup for Noah Juulsen.
The 24-year-old defenseman was solid in third-pair minutes.
• The Flyers are back in action Saturday when they welcome the Bruins (3 p.m. ET/ABC).
“A bunch of must-wins, we’ve got to make up some ground,” Noah Cates said. … “Just huge games everywhere.”
The 2026 NHL trade deadline is rapidly approaching, as it is just over a week away. With this, trade activity around the NHL is certainly going to pick up.
The Montreal Canadiens are undoubtedly a team to keep an eye on, as they should be looking to add to their roster. Due to this, let's look at two players from the Columbus Blue Jackets who the Canadiens should consider targeting if the Metropolitan Division club ends up being sellers.
Charlie Coyle, C
The Canadiens could use another impactful center, and the Blue Jackets have a very solid one in Charlie Coyle. The pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) is an impactful two-way forward who could play in the Canadiens' middle six and on both their penalty kill and power play if acquired.
Coyle is also having a strong 2025-26 season with the Blue Jackets. In 56 games so far this season, the Massachusetts native has recorded 15 goals, 27 assists, 42 points, 76 hits, and a plus-4 rating. With numbers like these, he would be a strong pickup for the Habs.
Boone Jenner, C/LW
Boone Jenner is another pending UFA on the Blue Jackets who could be a great addition for the Canadiens. The 32-year-old is well-known for his strong leadership qualities, and it is exactly why he is currently captain of the Blue Jackets. With this, he could be a good mentor for the Canadiens' younger players if they landed him.
Jenner would also give the Canadiens a forward who could play both center and the wing in their top nine. In 42 games this season with Columbus, he has recorded eight goals, 19 assists, 27 points, and 92 hits.
