The Florida Panthers are gearing up for a late-season playoff push as the NHL gets set to resume its season following a nice, long break for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Many of the Panthers players who have been battling injuries are either now healthy enough to return or nearing that level.
The only guys who are not expected to play in a game in the next couple weeks are Florida captain Sasha Barkov and defenseman Seth Jones.
Barring any setbacks, every else who has either been out long-term or missed time recently with a minor injury – Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand, Evan Rodrigues, Tony Bjornfot, Dmitry Kulikov, Jonah Gadjovich, Tomas Nosek and Daniil Tarasov – should be back in the Panthers’ lineup in or around a fortnight.
As for Barkov and Jones, it’s going to be a little longer for them.
Jones is around a week away from being cleared to re-join regular team practices, though he’ll likely start off wearing a non-contact jersey.
With Barkov, he’s still got quite a few hours to log in regard to rehabbing his surgically repaired knee.
Both Barkov and Jones have been skating on their own, getting in work with Panthers Skills Coach Max Ivanov.
Over the weekend, Ivanov posted some very cool footage of one of those sessions on social media.
Photo caption: Mar 30, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones (3) celebrates with center Aleksander Barkov (16) after scoring against the Montreal Canadiens at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
With the conclusion of the 2026 Olympics, the focus now turns back to the 2025-26 NHL regular season.
For the St. Louis Blues, the break was needed, as the season has been a total mess from the get-go. They’ve dealt with numerous injuries, plenty of their star players have massively underperformed, and they sit in 31st place in the NHL.
Although mathematically they haven’t been eliminated from playoff contention, they sit 14 points back of the final wild card spot in the Western Conference and have shown no signs of turning things around.
The Blues will be sellers at the deadline, and that’s okay.
Despite their low place in the standings, when looking at their roster when completely healthy, it’s difficult to find spots to place their young forwards. That’s especially true for 20-year-old Swedish winger Otto Stenberg.
Stenberg hasn’t lit up the AHL offensively as some may have expected. With just four goals and 12 points in 28 games, Stenberg’s numbers aren’t much to rave about, but he plays a balanced game with the mindset to win pucks back at all costs. Stenberg has performed better at the NHL level rather than the AHL level, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the NHL is the best spot for him.
Otto Stenberg has scored one goal and eight points in 18 NHL games. (Terrence Lee-Imagn Images)
The AHL remains a developmental league, and if the Blues envision Stenberg as a top-six forward for their future, they need him to hone his offensive skills and play meaningful minutes, rather than playing in a fourth-line role on the Blues, which is what he would currently play with a healthy Blues lineup.
But Stenberg could be back up with the Blues again this season. The March 6 trade deadline is just 11 days away, and the Blues are expected to move on from several key players. That’s when Stenberg could find his opportunity to rejoin the Blues’ NHL roster.
At just 20 years old, the results and the production aren’t the most important things for Stenberg; it’s the process. They believe Stenberg has the intangibles and compete level of an NHL player, but his next step is to improve his offensive skill set and slowly turn it into production.
The Blues aren’t making the playoffs, and they aren’t in a total rebuild, so patience is a tool the Blues can utilize to their benefit with Stenberg.
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With the Olympic break now over, the NHL trade market is about to heat up — and for the Calgary Flames, the timing couldn’t be more critical. Sitting 29th in the league with a 23-27-6 record and 52 points, the Flames are officially in rebuild mode, signaling a willingness to move veteran assets as the March 6 trade deadline approaches.
The team’s recent trade of pending UFA Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights made it clear: Calgary is looking ahead, and more roster changes are likely. With their next game scheduled for February 26 against the San Jose Sharks, Flames fans are already asking which familiar faces might be on the move.
Blake Coleman is perhaps the most obvious candidate. A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Coleman brings versatility, defensive responsibility, leadership, and offensive upside — the kind of player that fits seamlessly into almost any contending lineup.
Through 44 games this season, Coleman leads Calgary in goals with 13 and has contributed 21 points overall. He has been key in all situations, including special teams, and has consistently set a standard with his work ethic and competitiveness.
Nazem Kadri has reportedly expressed openness to waiving his no-trade clause to join a contender. Despite a dip in production this season, Kadri remains Calgary’s leading scorer with 39 points in 56 games. He also brings leadership and a Stanley Cup pedigree from his time with the Colorado Avalanche.
However, at age 35, his minus-24 rating and a $7 million annual cap hit with three years remaining on his contract could make some teams hesitant. Salary retention by Calgary could make a deal more feasible, especially for teams looking to add depth and veteran experience.
Potential destinations: Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild
Mackenzie Weegar: Experience and Minutes on the Move
Defenceman Mackenzie Weegar has had a challenging season, posting 20 points and a -32 rating — the worst in the NHL. Still, he brings experience, plays big minutes, blocks shots, kills penalties, and could provide defensive depth for teams in the playoff hunt.
Weegar would need to waive his no-movement clause to be traded, and a hometown landing spot with the Ottawa Senators could be the incentive. Other teams in need of a steady, veteran blueliner, such as the Detroit Red Wings, might also be interested.
Potential destinations: Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings
In a recent article for Daily Faceoff, Anthony Di Marco reported that "five or six" clubs have expressed interest in Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.
Di Marco also mentioned the Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers as two specific clubs that have kicked tires on Ristolainen as of late.
It isn't exactly a secret that the Bruins want to improve the right side of their defense. They have not found a proper replacement for Brandon Carlo in their top four since they traded him to the Toronto Maple Leafs this past season, and bringing in a player like Ristolainen could changes thing on that front.
The Bruins have also been connected to multiple other right-shot defenseman this season. As Di Marco noted, the Bruins were among the clubs that pursued Rasmus Andersson before he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights by the Calgary Flames. The Bruins have also been linked to St. Louis Blues right-shot defenseman Justin Faulk this season, so having Ristolainen on their radar as well is understandable.
The Oilers also make sense as a suitor for Ristolainen. One of their top needs at this point of the season is another defenseman for their right side, and Ristolainen is easily one of the best potential options available. If Edmonton acquired him, he could replace Ty Emberson on their bottom pairing. Yet, he could also move up to the Oilers' second pairing if Jake Walman moved to the left side.
Ristolainen would also make sense for a true contender like the Oilers to bring in. His hard-nosed style of play would make him a valuable player for Edmonton to have around during the playoffs when the games get tougher.
Yet, the Flyers are in a position where they can take their time with a Ristolainen trade. This is because he has another year on his contract after this season, where he has a $5.1 million cap hit.
Nevertheless, it will be fascinating to see if the Flyers end up trading Ristolainen this season.
The NHL resumes play on Wednesday, February 25, following the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, and I’ve got five NHL futures bets to place out of the break.
My top futures NHL picks before the teams return to action on Wednesday are headlined by the Minnesota Wild winning the Stanley Cup and Macklin Celebrini taking home some hardware.
5 NHL futures bets to make right now
Stanley Cup winner
NHL Futures
Stanley Cup Winner
Futures Market
Minnesota Wild
Bet: Stanley Cup Winner
Odds
+1800
Edge snapshot: Elite goaltending stability, cap flexibility, and deadline upside.
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I don’t think the Minnesota Wild are done tweaking their roster ahead of the trade deadline on Friday, March 6, and I also expect them to add at least one more key piece to solidify their top-six forward group.
The addition of Quinn Hughes has led the Wild to a 16-5-5 heater that’s good for the third-highest point percentage during the run, and the one-two punch of Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt gives them a rare stability in goal.
Don’t forget, the Wild have over $10 million of current salary-cap space, in addition to promising young talents in defensemen David Jiricek and David Spacek, and goalie Samuel Hlavaj.
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Narrative is critical to winning NHL Awards, and San Jose Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini gained plenty of momentum by leading the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics with five goals and adding another five assists playing in a top-line role with Team Canada.
Celebrini is also second in individual points percentage among NHL regulars, and his 81 points across 55 games are more than double the 39 Will Smith has put up to rank second on San Jose.
If Celebrini leads the Sharks to a postseason berth, he’ll be on the ballot to win the Hart Trophy, and this +315 price will look like a gift.
To reach the playoffs
NHL Futures
To Reach Playoffs
Futures Market
Pittsburgh Penguins
Bet: To Reach Playoffs — NO
Odds
+255
Edge snapshot: Brutal schedule, shaky goaltending, and a Crosby injury cloud.
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There’s a strong case that the Pittsburgh Penguins have the hardest remaining schedule in the NHL, and I think captain Sidney Crosby is set to miss some time. Additionally, No. 1 goalie Stuart Skinner hasn’t been sharp with an .887 save percentage.
Returning to Crosby, he leads Pittsburgh forwards in five-on-five ice time per game and is second in overall points per 60 minutes and individual point percentage on the team.
To reach the playoffs
NHL Futures
To Reach Playoffs
Futures Market
San Jose Sharks
Bet: To Reach Playoffs — YES
Odds
+230
Edge snapshot: Easy remaining schedule and a real runway to the wild card.
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The San Jose Sharks have one of the easiest remaining schedules in the league, and they’re just five points out of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference. San Jose has also played three more road games than home, and superstar Macklin Celebrini should be shot out of a cannon following a dominant performance in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Additionally, the Sharks have 27 games remaining on the schedule, which is tied for the most in the NHL.
Stage of elimination
NHL Futures
Stage of Elimination
Futures Market
Utah Mammoth
Bet: Eliminated in First Round
Odds
-135
Edge snapshot: Great five-on-five profile, but likely draws a heavyweight Round 1.
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I expect the Utah Mammoth to earn a wild-card berth in the Western Conference, which will position them to face either the No. 1 seed out of the Central or Pacific Divisions.
Utah has a solid young core and plays an elite five-on-five style with a fourth-ranked Corsi For percentage and league-leading expected goals percentage across its past 24 games.
It’s just that a star-studded team will be waiting in the opening round of the playoffs, and I don’t envision the Mammoth to be able to beat the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights, or Edmonton Oilers in a seven-game series.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
With the resumption of the 2025-26 NHL season on the horizon, the Vancouver Canucks have recalled goaltender Nikita Tolopilo from the AHL in preparation for Wednesday’s game. In a corresponding move, Aku Koskenvuo, who had been practicing with Vancouver through the past week, has been re-assigned to the ECHL.
Tolopilo has played in nine games with the Canucks this season, putting together a record of 3–3–1. He has a 3.04 GAA and team-high SV% of .910%. Since being recalled to the AHL during the 2026 Winter Olympic break, Tolopilo has played in six games and posted three wins.
Koskenvuo was initially re-assigned to the Abbotsford Canucks in place of Tolopilo, but was assigned to the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL soon after. With Kevin Lankinen expected back soon after winning a bronze medal with Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Jiří Patera will likely end up joining Abbotsford soon, meaning that room needed to be made as Ty Young is currently also with the AHL Canucks. Both Tolopilo and Patera practiced with the Canucks at UBC today.
Vancouver will return to play on February 25 against the Winnipeg Jets. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm PT.
Jan 31, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Nikita Tolopilo (60) makes a save against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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Recent speculation and trade rumors have circled around the New York Rangers and former Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov.
Although he is in his first season with the Rangers, the word around the Russian blueliner is that he doesn't want to be a part of the step-back transition the team is going through.
On July 1, the off-season's first day of NHL free agency, he signed a seven-year, $49-million contract that pays him $7 million per year. However, with the new deal, and only featuring in 57 contests as a Ranger, Gavrikov appears to be open to moving on to a more preferable situation.
NHL Network analyst Mike Rupp claimed that he heard some rumblings involving Gavrikov and how the current state of the Rangers "isn't necessarily what he signed up for."
In 2023-24, a couple of seasons before Gavrikov joined the Blueshirts, the Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference final and were a strong team. Since then, that has changed, and Gavrikov's perspective with this team may have been reset.
Panarin is a fellow countryman of Gavrikov, and they were teammates before the Rangers when they were both members of the Columbus Blue Jackets at one point. So, Panarin's departure to Los Angeles in tandem with the team's poor performances is a strong recipe for Gavrikov's willingness to move.
However, it must be noted that there hasn't been any official trade request or reports of conversations regarding Gavrikov's situation in New York City.
Nonetheless, the 30-year-old defenseman was a solid blueliner during his parts of three seasons with the Kings. In his final campaign in Hollywood, Gavrikov posted a plus-26 plus-minus rating, the most among the team's D-corps.
Even in this season with the Rangers, he's having a respectable year while averaging 24:04 of ice time, the most of his NHL career. And while it's not what he's paid to do, he has nine goals this season, beating his previous best of six goals with the Kings in 2023-24.
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A Milwaukee Admirals top center will remain in the Nashville Predators system for at least one more season.
Monday, the Predators announced that they had signed center Jake Lucchini to a 1-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 for the 2026-27 season. His original 2-year, $1.55 million contract was set to expire at the end of this season.
Lucchini has been a force for the Admirals down the middle, recording 38 points (13G, 25A) in 48 games and logging a low 17 penalty minutes.
He's one of the many Admirals players who have deserved a call-up, but have not moved from Milwaukee for the entirety of the season. The signing could signal that Lucchini may spend more time in Nashville next season.
Put it in ink ✍️
We've signed forward Jake Lucchini to a one-year, two-way contract beginning in the 2026-27 season. pic.twitter.com/7XR50dfICE
The 30-year-old from Trail, British Columbia, went undrafted but signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins following his senior season with Michigan Tech in 2019.
He'd spend a season and a half with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 2020. He played two seasons with the Laval Rocket before being traded to the Ottawa Senators prior to the 2021-22 season.
Lucchini played the bulk of the 2021-22 season with the Belleville Senators, but made his NHL debut with Ottawa the following season. He played 11 games and scored his first NHL goal on Jan. 1, 2023, against the Buffalo Sabres.
During the 2023-24 offseason, Lucchini signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Wild on a one-year, two-way contract. He played 30 games with the Iowa Wild and a career-high 40 NHL games with the Minnesota Wild, scoring five points (2G, 3A).
Upon his contract expiration, Lucchini signed a two-year contract with the Predators in July 2024. Last season, he played three games with the Predators, recording two penalty minutes.
The signing comes less than 24-hours after the Predators announced that forward Zach L'Heureux and Matthew Wood were called up from Milwaukee.
The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to be among the league's sellers ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline. Because of this, let's look at two Blackhawks whom the Montreal Canadiens should consider pursuing in this latest edition of the Habs trade targets series.
Ilya Mikheyev, RW
The Canadiens could use a solid two-way forward who chips in offensively in their bottom six, and Ilya Mikheyev would have the potential to provide them just that. The 31-year-old forward is in the middle of a solid season with the Blackhawks, as he has recorded 11 goals, 12 assists, and 23 points in 52 games. This is after he had 20 goals and a career-high 34 points in 80 games for Chicago this past season.
With numbers like these, Mikheyev would give the Canadiens a bit more secondary offensive production if acquired. Yet, his strong defensive play is what could benefit the Canadiens the most, as he is a very effective penalty killer.
Jason Dickinson, C
While Jason Dickinson would not give the Canadiens an answer for their second-line center spot, he could still be a very solid addition to their bottom six. Like Mikheyev, Dickinson is well-known for being an impactful defensive forward, so he would also offer the Canadiens another option for their penalty kill if acquired.
In 43 games this season, Dickinson has six goals, seven assists, 13 points, and 45 hits. While he does not provide a ton of offense, his smart defensive play could make him a solid addition to Montreal's forward depth.
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Avery Hayes #85 of the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing in his first NHL game, celebrates his second goal of the game against the Buffalo Sabres during a game on February 05, 2026 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Penguins skated a few days last week and have a few more days to get ready for the schedule to kick back up again starting Thursday for a home game against New Jersey.
There’s a new face back, Avery Hayes has returned to the NHL roster from the AHL after the break. Hayes scored six goals and added an assist in his five games back in the AHL during the break, including two hat trick games.
Forward Avery Hayes has been recalled from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL). pic.twitter.com/GvuSOSjBg9
There were some reports that the Pens were planning to bring Hayes back to the NHL even before Sidney Crosby’s injury and now the big elephant in the room will shift to the captain’s status.
Crosby won’t rejoin the team for a while longer, Team Canada was reportedly going to be flying back to Miami today (instead of the planned trip back to the NYC area, a trip scrapped due to the snowstorm impacting that part of the country).
It could be a while longer before any news comes out on that front, and as we all know NHL injury updates are typically vague and this situation seems right for a ’wait and see’ how the situation develops over the week. The Pens gave Erik Karlsson an extra day off yesterday when Rickard Rakell returned to practice. Karlsson skated again today for the first time with the team since his Olympic excursion.
Here’s how the team lined up today in their practice.
#LetsGoPens lines and D-pairs without Sidney Crosby, who has yet to rejoin the team.
A. Hayes-Rakell-Rust Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin Mantha-Kindel-Brazeau Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari (K. Hayes)
This isn’t the first time this season that the Pens have experimented with Rakell at center, he worked in the middle in the preseason before Bryan Rust’s injury shifted the team need over to the wing. Interestingly, Hayes had been skating as a placeholder on that first line, this move could be starting to chart a course forward if the Pens are going to have some games without Crosby available.
Otherwise the lines have remained with familiar players in what has become normal spots down the lineup.
One other area to watch is that of Letang, as of last week he hadn’t had final clearance to come back and play from his foot fracture but acknowledged that he’s trending towards returning to the lineup on Thursday when the team picks back up. Nothing so far has gone against that outlook, which would be an encouraging sign for the blueline.
Hayes had an outstanding NHL debut on Feb. 5, scoring two goals and helping the Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2. His first goal came on his first shot in the first period of that game before scoring again later in that period.
It was the Penguins' final game before the Olympic break, which ends this week.
After that game, Hayes was sent back to WBS and scored a hat trick in his very next game. He later recorded another hat trick against the Springfield Thunderbirds on Feb. 18.
The Penguins will return to game action this Thursday against the New Jersey Devils.
Now that the Olympics are over, teams are allowed to make trades again. The Buffalo Sabres will be among the clubs to watch, as they are currently holding a playoff spot and should be looking to boost their roster because of it.
Due to this, we here at The Hockey News Sabres will be starting a series that looks at potential trade targets from each team that is expected to sell.
To kick off this series, let's look at two potential targets from the Rangers.
Braden Schneider, D
Adding a right-shot defenseman should be one of the Sabres' top objectives leading up to the deadline, and the Rangers have an interesting option in Braden Schneider. The 24-year-old former first-round pick would have the potential to give Buffalo's right side a nice boost and would also work on their penalty kill if acquired.
Schneider is currently in the final season of his two-year, $4.4 million contract and is a pending restricted free agent. In 57 games this season, the right-shot defenseman has recorded two goals, 11 points, and 123 hits.
Vincent Trocheck, C
If the Sabres want to add another top-six forward to their roster, Vincent Trocheck is one of the best options available. The recent gold medal winner has been the subject of trade speculation since Rangers GM Chris Drury announced that the team is retooling. If the Sabres added him, he would give them another star forward who not only would boost their top six and power play but also could work on their penalty kill.
Trocheck would be more than a rental for the Sabres, as he has a $5.625 million cap hit until the end of the 2028-29 season. This undoubtedly adds to his appeal, as he would be a long-term pickup for a Sabres club on the rise.
In 43 games this season, Trocheck has recorded 12 goals, 24 assists, and 36 points.
Back in December, the Montreal Canadiens acquired center Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick. This was after the Canadiens were heavily linked to the 32-year-old forward.
There was no question that Danault needed a change of scenery, as he struggled mightily with the Kings this season before the trade. In 30 games with the Kings, he had zero goals and just five assists. This was after he had eight goals and 43 points in 80 games this past season with Los Angeles.
While Danault started the season ice-cold with the Kings, there is no question that he has been bouncing back nicely during his second stint with the Habs so far.
The trade to Montreal has given Danault a nice boost, as he has recorded three goals, six assists, and nine points in 21 games. He also recorded a point in each of his two final games ahead of the Olympic break.
The Canadiens have also benefited by bringing back Danault, as he has once again been a nice part of Montreal's forward group and penalty kill.
Overall, it is clear that both the Canadiens and Danault are benefiting from reuniting. It will be interesting to see how Danault performs during the final stretch of the year for the Canadiens from here.
The 2026 Winter Olympics were a rousing success for United States hockey.
Both the men and women’s teams won the gold medal in Milan-Cortina by beating their Canadian rivals in overtime.
The men won 2-1 in OT on Sunday with a golden goal by Jack Hughes. It was the first time Team USA won Olympic gold in men’s hockey since the Miracle on Ice team in 1980.
The Bruins were well-represented at the Olympics and had two players — defenseman Charlie McAvoy and goalie Jeremy Swayman — win gold for the American squad.
It extends the streak of at least one Bruins player winning Olympic gold (when NHL players participate) to four Winter Games in a row.
2006: P.J. Axelsson, Sweden
2010: Patrice Bergeron, Canada
2014: Patrice Bergeron, Canada
2026: Charlie McAvoy/Jeremy Swayman, USA
Now that the Olympics are over, the NHL regular season will resume, and it will be a sprint to the finish in mid-April. The Bruins’ first game after the break is Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets at TD Garden.
Let’s look at four key storylines that Bruins fans should watch over the next six weeks.
Olympic boost for Charlie McAvoy?
McAvoy consistently ranked among the leaders in ice time among American players and was trusted to be on the ice in many important situations.
McAvoy didn’t tally a point at the Olympics, but he played excellent defensively and brought a physical presence to the ice on every shift. This style was a perfect compliment to Quinn Hughes. McAvoy allowed Hughes to jump into the attack offensively and the results were great.
The Bruins defenseman also made one of the most crucial plays in the gold medal game when he kept an airborne puck out of the U.S. net during a scramble in the crease.
After a successful Olympics, it’s fair to wonder if the Bruins will get a supercharged McAvoy for the rest of the season. McAvoy tallied 39 points (four goals, 35 assists) in 45 games for the Bruins before the Olympic break, and his 2.15 points per 60 minutes this season are a career high and well above his 1.17 last season.
The Bruins need McAvoy to continue being a force at both ends of the ice to give themselves the best possible chance of reaching the playoffs. And judging by his impact at the Olympics, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if he delivers.
Trade deadline: Buy, sell, or both?
The Bruins are in an interesting spot as the March 6 trade deadline nears. They aren’t a real Stanley Cup contender but they’re also a playoff-caliber team.
It makes no sense to give up quality draft picks and prospects for short-term upgrades, especially veteran players who would be rentals. But if the Bruins could acquire a player — preferably a top-six forward or top-four defenseman — who can make an impact beyond this season and fit the age timeline of the cornerstone players (Pastrnak, McAvoy, Swayman, etc), then that would be a move worth considering.
They reportedly were interested in acquiring 29-year-old defenseman Rasmus Andersson but only if he signed an extension. Andersson was ultimately traded to the Vegas Golden Knights last month without an extension.
It also would make sense to gauge the market on players with expiring contracts, such as defenseman Andrew Peeke. If the Bruins can get a decent asset for that kind of player, it’s also worth considering.
The Bruins went into full seller mode at last season’s trade deadline, and it was a huge success as the franchise added valuable draft picks and prospects. We won’t see that kind of selling this season.
If the Bruins do decide to be buyers, what should they target? Another goal scorer, especially on the wing, would be ideal. The Bruins, per Natural Stat Trick, have been expected to score 175.45 goals this season. The B’s have actually scored 193, or about 18 more than expected. A 12.4 shooting percentage, which ranks fourth-best in the league, is greatly contributing to Boston’s better-than-anticipated offensive numbers.
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What happens if the Bruins regress a bit scoring-wise? It wouldn’t be a surprising outcome when you consider several Bruins forwards, including Morgan Geekie, have a career-high shooting percentage this season.
Bolstering the team’s scoring depth would be a great upgrade for the B’s ahead of the trade deadline.
Back in the playoffs?
The Bruins saw their nine-year playoff appearance streak end last season when they finished with the league’s fifth-worst record. They have a very good chance of returning to the playoffs this season.
The B’s exit the Olympic break in the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They have a four-point cushion over the Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets. Boston also is just one point behind the Buffalo Sabres for the first wild card spot and three points behind the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens for third and second place, respectively, in the Atlantic Division.
The Bruins won’t have an easy path to the finish line, though. They have 25 games left and the second-toughest remaining schedule. Fourteen of those 25 games are on the road.
The good news for the Bruins is making the playoffs is a very attainable goal. They’ve put themselves in a good position coming out of the break. But there’s plenty more work to be done.
The next generation is thriving
The Bruins didn’t play over the last two weeks, but many of their top prospects did. And the results were fantastic.
The team’s last two first-round picks — forwards James Hagens (No. 7, 2025) and Dean Letourneau (No. 25, 2024) — are dominating for Boston College.
Hagens has tallied 38 points (20 goals, 18 assists) in 28 games to lead the Eagles. He also leads all Hockey East players with 24 points in 20 conference games. Hagens scored a hat trick against UConn on Friday, and he did it in two periods.
Letourneau ranks second on BC with 33 points (18 goals, 15 assists) in 30 games. He scored zero goals last season, so his improvement offensively has been tremendous. Letourneau scored one goal with three assists in two games versus UConn over the weekend.
Hagens and Letourneau are among the nominees for the Hobey Baker Award.
Will Zellers had a three-point game, including the game-tying goal late in the third period, against St. Cloud State on Friday. Zellers has scored 16 goals with 10 assists in 31 games for North Dakota as a freshman. He’s playing a key role for the No. 3 ranked team in the nation.
