For once, the Pittsburgh Penguins are getting close to full health. And one of their long-injured players is nearing a return to the lineup. 

Defenseman Caleb Jones - who was placed on injured reserve (IR) with a lower-body ailment on Oct. 25 after getting hit by Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand and going awkwardly into the boards - skated with the team for the first time in his rehab process Friday. He had been skating on his own prior to Friday's practice, and he wore a white no-contact jersey during the Penguins' optional practice.

"It's been a process," Jones said. "I think that was my ninth or tenth time on the ice, so it's just fun to be back. Kind of feeling a little better every day, but just take it a day at a time and try to make sure you're doing the right things to get back quickly."

Jones said that the rehab process has been both difficult and long. He has never missed such a significant chunk of time before, especially time not spent on the ice.

But he made the most of what he could during his recovery. 

"It's been tough," Jones said. "A couple of dark days for sure, but you kind of try to focus on other things mentally, reflect on things you were doing in your game, and try to find ways to improve. Obviously, you can't do anything physically, but try to work on the mental side and see, when you get back, if you can make improvements that way. So, I tried to focus on that and just stay positive and try to attack the rehab process."

Jones, 28, was signed to a two-year, $1.8 million contract during the offseason, and he had one assist in seven games this season. The younger brother of Team USA Olympic defenseman Seth Jones - also of the Panthers - felt he had an opportunity to re-establish himself in the NHL with the Penguins, and he felt he was using his speed and mobility to do just that prior to his injury. 

New Defenseman Ready To Bring 'Good Habits' To PittsburghNew <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' defenseman Caleb Jones may have suited up for the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings">Los Angeles Kings</a>' organization last season prior to becoming an unrestricted free agent. But, oddly enough, he found himself training with some players from a different organization this summer.

In fact, Jones didn't think he was the only one establishing himself at the NHL level before he was placed on IR. He also thought his partner in 19-year-old rookie blueliner Harrison Brunicke - optioned back to the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL Wednesday - was playing quite well at that point. 

"I actually thought 'Bruno' was coming along really well, and I was working well with him," Jones said. "And he started out really well, too, so I thought we were building some chemistry. It was unfortunate when I went down, and [he went] back to Kamloops. But he had a little bit of a rough go, and it was just unfortunate.

"It happens. And, hopefully - if he ever gets back up - we can get some chemistry going again. Or, whoever I end up in the lineup with, I can get some chemistry with. That'd be nice."

Penguins Re-assign Top Defensive Prospect To WHLThe Pittsburgh Penguins have sent Harrison Brunicke back to Kamloops.

Jones also mentioned that there are no hard feelings toward Marchand, who he trained with a little bit this past summer in Florida.

"I'll make sure Marchand gets me a bottle of wine or something," he smiled. 

Although there is no set timetable for his return at this point, Jones hopes to be back in the lineup as soon as possible, and he circled next weekend against the Columbus Blue Jackets as a potential target date. 

Of note, the Penguins have an open roster spot after re-assigning forward Ville Koivunen to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS). They are currently carrying 13 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders, so Jones can be activated from injured reserve without the Penguins making a corresponding move.

Penguins Re-assign Young Forward To Wilkes-Barre/ScrantonThe Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned Ville Koivunen to WBS.

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Former San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer is looking to continue his playing career.

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, the Ottawa Senators have signed Reimer to an AHL professional tryout (PTO). In addition, Dreger shared that Reimer is expected to join Ottawa in the next few days with an NHL contract.

Reimer landing this AHL PTO with the Senators comes with Linus Ullmark being on a leave of absence. In addition, Leevi Merilainen has had trouble handling the starting role during Ullmark's absence, so taking a look at an experienced goalie like Reimer makes plenty of sense for the Senators. 

Reimer split this past season between the Anaheim Ducks and Buffalo Sabres. In 24 games during the 2024-25 campaign, he posted a 10-10-2 record, a .896 save percentage, and a 3.04 goals-against average. 

In 99 games over three seasons and two stints with the Sharks, Reimer had a 37-40-18 record, a .903 save percentage, a 3.05 goals-against average, and seven shutouts. His most recent season with the Sharks was during the 2022-23 campaign. 

The Winnipeg Jets dropped their 11th straight game on Thursday, with tensions around the team reaching a season-high. Players, management, and most importantly fans are frustrated with the direction of the team, which has struggled to hold leads, generate depth scoring, and find consistency.

Following the loss, it was revealed that the Jets have set the NHL record for most consecutive losses in one-goal games at 13, sparking renewed conversation about what the team can do to salvage the season.

Reports have emerged that the Jets are exploring trade options, with Carolina Hurricanes forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi increasingly mentioned in connection with Winnipeg. The former top-three pick in the 2018 NHL Draft has struggled to find a consistent role in Carolina, which currently sits atop the Metropolitan Division with a 27-14-3 record. Kotkaniemi has often been shuffled in and out of the bottom six and has yet to play a meaningful role in the team’s success.

At 25 years old, Kotkaniemi still has room to reach his potential, but continuing to rotate through Carolina’s bottom lines is unlikely to benefit him or the Hurricanes. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman highlighted the rumors on Friday’s episode of his podcast 32 Thoughts, noting that Carolina is open to a deal that would give Kotkaniemi a fresh start elsewhere.

“There’s interest in him, one of the teams that makes a lot of sense to me,” Friedman said. “If Winnipeg liked the player, and they need a center to play behind Scheifele, he’s signed for four more years. That’s the kind of player the Jets would look at.”

Friedman explained that the fit hinges on how Winnipeg evaluates Kotkaniemi but said the Hurricanes have the flexibility to make a trade happen, potentially requesting an asset that could help them push for a Stanley Cup or a draft pick for future moves. Kotkaniemi carries a $4.82 million cap hit for the next four seasons, but as the salary cap grows, that number becomes increasingly manageable.

Though Kotkaniemi has played primarily on the wing recently, he has extensive experience at center and could slot into Winnipeg’s second line behind Cole Perfetti and Gabe Vilardi or play alongside top-line stars Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele. A former 43-point player, he has the potential to reach 50-plus points in the right role, offering the Jets a chance to add a high-end forward without a major cost.

As the losing streak continues and frustration mounts, all eyes will be on management to see if moves like Kotkaniemi could provide the spark the Jets desperately need.

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Former Buffalo Sabres goaltender James Reimer has signed an AHL professional tryout (PTO) with the Ottawa Senators, TSN's Darren Dreger reports.

Dreger also shared that Reimer is expected to join Ottawa's roster "in a few days" with an NHL contract. 

The Senators taking a chance on Reimer is not too difficult to understand. Linus Ullmark is currently on personal leave, while their other goalies have been struggling. As a result of this, it makes sense that they are bringing in Reimer for more depth between the pipes. 

Reimer had signed a PTO with the Toronto Maple Leafs ahead of the 2025-26 season, but it did not result in him landing a contract for the season. Yet, based on Dreger's report, Reimer appears to be getting another opportunity in the NHL with the Senators. 

Reimer appeared in 22 games last season with the Sabres, where he posted a 10-8-2 record, a 2.90 goals-against average, a .901 save percentage, and one shutout. Overall, the 37-year-old had his solid moments with the Sabres.

It will now be interesting to see how much of an impact Reimer can make for the Senators, assuming he gets into game action with the NHL club. 

The Winnipeg Jets’ season hit a historic low Thursday night as they lost 4-3 at home to the Edmonton Oilers after blowing a 3-1 lead. The defeat marked Winnipeg’s 11th straight loss and set a dubious NHL record with 13 consecutive losses in one-goal games.

Just two seasons ago, the Jets were celebrated for their league-leading defense and consistently kept games close. That defensive strength helped them win tight matchups and turn low-scoring battles into momentum for their offense.

This season, that trend has completely reversed. Winnipeg has struggled to protect leads, find scoring depth, and maintain consistent offensive play. One-goal games that were once opportunities have turned into heartbreaks, resulting in a streak that no team wants and a record that highlights the team’s struggles.

Jets have now lost 13 straight games decided by 1 goal, establishing an NHL record

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) January 9, 2026

The Jets’ difficulties have fueled speculation about potential roster moves. Forward trade rumors have circulated around Carolina’s Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Edmonton’s Andrew Mangiapane as the team searches for ways to spark its offense and stop the losing streak. Until changes are made or a major turnaround occurs, the Jets risk extending their hold on this unwanted record.

For a team that once thrived in close games, the current reality is stark. The Jets are no longer just losing they are making NHL history for all the wrong reasons.

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Following a 6-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell was fined $5,000 by the NHL's Department of Player Safety, the maximum allowed under the CBA, for high-sticking Alexandre Texier. 

This is the second time Lundell has been fined this season; the first was for an incident against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Dec. 27. 

Lundell was handed a four-minute double minor in the second period, but the Canadiens did not score on the man advantage.

Lundell finished the game with no goals or points, with a minus-1 and five shots on goal in 19:55 of ice time. Texier finished the game with a hat trick and a plus-2 rating with six shots on goal in 17:15 of ice time. 

Lundell has gone cold as of late, failing to score or record a point in his last four games. In that time, the Panthers have won just one game. 

The Panthers have dropped in the standings, sitting three points back of the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, with three teams ahead of them. They are also eight points back of the third spot in the Atlantic Division. 

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The Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals are going to face off for the second time in under a week. Last Saturday, the Blackhawks took down the Capitals in a long shootout, Nick Foligno scored the winner for Chicago. 

Since then, the Blackhawks haven't lost and are undefeated in 2026 still. Since the holiday break ended, they are 5-1-1. A win on Friday over Washington would be their fifth straight. 

The Blackhawks are going to be getting a boost in this game. Connor Bedard is going to return to the lineup from injury. He has been out since December 12th. 

Connor Bedard Returns To Blackhawks Lineup On Verge Of Five Straight WinsFor Friday's game against the Washington Capitals, the Chicago Blackhawks will be getting Connor Bedard back in the lineup.

Scouting Washington

The Washington Capitals are tied for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, but they are below the playoff line due to tiebreakers. A win on Friday night would put them above once again. It's a fight for every team in that conference right now. 

Ovechkin-Strome-Beauvillier

McMichael-Sourdif-Leonard

Duhaime-Dowd-Frank

Milano-Lapierre-Leason

Fehervary-Carlson

Chychrun-Roy

Sandin-McIlrath

Thompson

Lindgren

For over two decades, Alex Ovechkin has been one of the faces of the NHL. Now, he will make his first appearance at the United Center as the all-time leading goal-scorer in NHL history. He passed Wayne Gretzky's mark last spring. 

Ovechkin is still scoring goals at a high rate, despite being 40 years old. When he has open space, the Blackhawks better close it quickly, or he will find the back of the net. Ovechkin scored Washington's only goal in a 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Wednesday.

John Carlson is an older player now, too, but he is still an incredibly productive defenseman at 35 years old. Whether it's on the power play as the quarterback or at even strength, the forwards have an easier time creating when he's on the ice. 

A young Capital to watch out for is Ryan Leonard. The former Boston College and Team USA World Juniors star is blossoming into a good NHL player. He scored in last Saturday's game against the Blackhawks, and he'll be looking to score again in this one. 

If Logan Thompson does in fact go for the Capitals in the net, it will be the Blackhawks' second straight game against a Team Canada Olympic goalie. They shocked Jordan Binnington for seven last time out, but beating Thompson will be much more of a challenge. 

Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago

The Chicago Blackhawks didn't have the most traditional morning skate on Friday. Ilya Mikheyev, Arvid Soderblom, and Nick Foligno were all missing due to illness. A flu bug is circulating in the locker room, and it has even caused Jeff Blashill to miss the skate. 

They won't know who is available to play until the afternoon, meaning we won't see the active lines until warmups. With Soderblom being one of the sick players, and a game in Nashville on Saturday night, Spencer Knight will be the Chicago goalie in this one. 

Connor Bedard, as mentioned before, will make his return. You can expect him to resume his role as the top line center and one of the drivers of offense at both even strength and on the power play. 

How To Watch

The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it can be found locally on CHSN. Nationally, it can be seen on NHL Network. The puck will drop shortly after 7:00 PM CT. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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The Carolina Hurricanes announced that they have reassigned defenseman Joel Nystrom to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL Friday morning, meaning that Jaccob Slavin should be returning to the lineup very, very soon.

The 31-year-old defenseman has been recovering from an upper-body injury he suffered after getting boarded from behind by Florida Panthers forward A.J. Greer on Dec. 19.

It was a tough blow for Slavin, who was just three games into his return from a lower-body injury that had sidelined him for 28 games previously, but perhaps the new injury gave him even more time for that injury to heal as it was one that had pestered him from the preseason and the team had been extra cautious on.

Slavin, who has been practicing with the team for a little over a week now and recently also shed the non-contact jersey, has been a much missed piece on the Hurricanes' blueline.

The team has done an admirable job stepping up in his and the plethora of other absences they've had to deal with this year, but there's simply no replacing the best defensive defenseman in the game.

With the reassignment, Slavin will be able to be activated off of IR, as the Canes needed to free up a roster spot, and barring no immediate setbacks, he should play Saturday night against the Seattle Kraken as Carolina looks for a fourth straight win.

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Nystrom, 23, has been a real gem of a find for Carolina this season.

The sheer amount of injuries the Canes dealt with to start the year meant he got the chance to showcase himself and what an impression he made.

The Swedish blueliner parlayed his opportunity into an extended stretch of games — he now has 33 under his belt, with eight points in that span — and he proved that he can be an everyday NHL defenseman.

That's why the team signed the 2021 seventh-round pick to a four-year extension earlier in the year and if it wasn't for the fact that he can be reassigned to the AHL without the need for waivers, he'd probably still be with the team as the seventh defenseman.

But it'll also be better for him in the long run to get regular playing time down with Chicago Wolves rather than sitting up in the press box with Carolina.

He's gonna be a good player for years to come and his development also gives the Canes a little more flexibility when it comes to potential trade packages as well.

A Perfect Storm: Hurricanes Rookie Defenseman Joel Nystrom Making Most Of OpportunityA rare seventh-round pick defies the odds, showcasing an already high-level hockey sense. Discover how Joel Nystrom's rapid development landed him a a spot in the Hurricanes lineup.

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The Winnipeg Jets are increasingly expected to be sellers at the upcoming NHL trade deadline, with several of their defensemen believed to be available to teams looking to bolster a thin backend. One name that continues to surface in league circles is veteran defenseman Luke Schenn, and a familiar suitor appears to be showing interest.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are once again being linked to Schenn, the former fifth overall pick they selected in the 2008 NHL Draft. Toronto’s interest comes at a critical time, as the club was dealt a devastating blow to its playoff hopes when key defenseman Chris Tanev suffered another injury. Multiple reports have suggested the injury could be season ending, forcing the Maple Leafs to reassess their blue line depth ahead of the postseason.

While Toronto has reportedly prioritized adding a puck moving defenseman, an alternative approach could involve bringing in a veteran presence for minimal cost. In that scenario, Schenn fits the profile as a low risk option who could serve as an emergency defender while also providing leadership in the locker room as the Leafs continue to explore other upgrades.

TSN insider Darren Dreger recently reignited the speculation, suggesting a reunion would not be difficult to complete from an asset standpoint. Dreger said he is “pretty sure if the Maple Leafs wanted to reunite Luke Schenn, they’d get him for a lower end draft pick.” However, Dreger also noted that Schenn has made it known that if he is moved, he would prefer a more consistent role rather than continuing as a depth defenseman, which has largely been his situation in Winnipeg this season.

The script writers cooked with this one 🧑‍🍳

Career game 1,100 ✅
First goal as a Jet ✅ pic.twitter.com/KJg4pIzMXe

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) January 7, 2026

That desire may be tied to a possible strained relationship between Schenn and the Jets in recent weeks. Former NHL player Ryan Whitney discussed the situation on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, pointing to Schenn being a healthy scratch while approaching his 1,100th career NHL game. Whitney referenced earlier criticism from former NHLer Mike Commodore, who publicly blasted the Jets’ decision to hire Scott Arniel as full time head coach and described him as difficult to work with when given more authority.

Whitney suggested there could be a divide, particularly stemming from Arniel’s decision to sit Schenn just before the milestone. Although Schenn was later dressed to officially reach the mark, Whitney said the initial healthy scratch likely sent a message throughout the locker room and may help explain why trade rumors surrounding the veteran defenseman have picked up once again.

Whether Schenn is ultimately moved remains to be seen, but even for a late round draft pick, the Jets could view it as a sensible move. Schenn is a 36-year-old veteran in the final year of his contract, and flipping him for an asset would align with a seller’s approach at the deadline. For Toronto, a trade would also carry some sentimental value, creating a full circle moment by bringing Schenn back to where his NHL career began.

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With Kaiden Guhle nearing a return, the Montreal Canadiens have reassigned Adam Engstrom to the Laval Rocket in the NHL, but that won’t be the only consequence of his return. For two of the Habs defensemen, it means that they’ll be back to fighting it out for their spot in the lineup. Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble played most of the team’s games since Guhle was injured; one of them made way for Engstrom for nine games (the youngster played 11 games, but in three of those, it was Mike Matheson who wasn’t in the lineup because of an injury).

With Guhle’s imminent return, the bottom-pairing blueliners are back in the hot seat, and Xhekaj clearly doesn’t intend to be the healthy scratch. At times this season, he has looked unsure of how he should play, worried about going over the line and taking costly penalties, but in the last few games, that hasn’t been the case.

Canadiens Win Seventh Game In A Row Against Panthers
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In each of the last two games, the rugged defenseman has landed six hits and has avoided taking bad penalties. He did get a misconduct with less than two minutes left in the duel with the Florida Panthers, but by that time, the win was in the bank, and Donovan Sebrango was looking for someone to pass his frustration on. On Wednesday, in the game against the Calgary Flames, he was assessed a two-minute minor for high-sticking, but it wasn’t a penalty that came from a bad decision; it was purely accidental.

He’s also looked very good in the last two fights he had, against Scott Sabourin, whom he knocked out with one well-placed punch and Nikita Zadorov, who’s a tough customer. In other words, he’s back to being the best at what the Canadiens need him to excel in. Not that he’s only there to fight, but when he’s on his game, his presence has a strong dissuasive element, and it helps keep the opposition in check. One well-placed bone-crushing hit can send a powerful message, and we’ve seen it time and time again.

Arber Xhekaj and Scott Sabourin exchange jabs 👊 pic.twitter.com/OWzvXRrFRp

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 28, 2025

When Guhle returns, and that could very well be on Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings, Xhekaj has earned the right to be there.

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Former Columbus Blue Jackets forward and current Montreal Canadien Alex Texier, had himself a night last night in a 6-2 win over the Florida Panthers. 

Going up against another former Blue Jacket in Sergei Bobrovsky, Texier and his Canadiens beat the Panthers for their third straight win. A win that moved them into first place in the Atlantic Division.

Now for the cool part.

Texier was able to net his first career hat trick in his 262nd NHL game, scoring his third goal with just 50 seconds left in the game to power the Canadiens past the visiting Panthers. 

Not only was this Texier's first hat trick, but it was his second three-point NHL game is as many games. Just one night prior, he scored a goal and had two assists to record his first three-point game in the NHL. During his time with Columbus, he had a couple two-goal games, and two-point nights, but never got the elusive hattie. 

Texier, Pierre-Édouard Bellemare, and Antoine Roussel are the only French nationals to reach 100 career NHL points in league history.  

Texier was traded to the St. Louis Blues from the CBJ on June 28, 2024. On November 23, 2025, he would sign with the Canadiens after the St. Louis blues terminated his contract a day earlier. He only played in 39 games for the Blues in two seasons. 

Through 22 games this season, he has 7 goals and 14 points, which puts him on pace to hit right around 38 points on the season, and that would beat his career high of 30, which was back in the 23-24 season while playing for Columbus.

Check out Texier's hat trick goal below. 

SORTEZ TUQUES, CASQUETTES, CHAPEAUX

ALEXANDRE TEXIER, HAT TRICK#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/JiPNnlWOQm

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 9, 2026

T3XI3R#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/rL4oA8qBAs

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 9, 2026

Montreal Head Coach Martin St. Louis had this to say about Alex Texier, "It's still a small sample, but we’re happy with that sample. A player that’s still young, he’s talented, he had to overcome his own obstacles, just like Montembeault. It doesn’t matter where you are and how you got there; what matters is how you keep moving forward. There’s mental strength that comes with that, but also intentions. Your actions have to match your thoughts. […] Confidence doesn’t start when the puck drops; it’s way before that. It’s reps in practices, how you prepare. When you do that, you give yourself a chance to be successful."

Congrats to former Blue Jacket Alex Texier.

Up Next: Columbus travels to Colorado to take on the league's best in the Avalanche. 

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On November 16, when the Montreal Canadiens announced that Kirby Dach had suffered a fractured foot, the timeline for his return was set at four to six weeks. It’s now been seven and a half weeks, and the forward still hasn’t returned. Even worse, on Wednesday night, he was spotted wearing a walking boot at the Bell Centre.

In his mid-year review, GM Kent Hughes said, “Wasn’t it six to eight weeks?” when he was asked about his 2022 draft day trade acquisition’s timetable to return to action. That was followed by an admission that the Canadiens intend to be very careful with the soon-to-be 25-year-old, not only because he’s often injured, but because the current injury is on the same leg on which he suffered a significant knee injury in the past.

Report: Canadiens Interested In Flames Top Target
Canadiens Defenseman Sent Down To Laval Rocket
Canadiens Beat Flames In Dominant Fashion

But then, on Thursday morning, when there was no practice or morning skate scheduled, Kirby Dach was on the ice like fellow injured players Kaiden Guhle, Jake Evans and Patrik Laine. The number 77 was only on the ice for 20 minutes, under the watchful eye of director of hockey development Adam Nicholas. The way he was skating doesn’t suggest an imminent return, and as sad as it is for the player, he may be running out of time with the Canadiens.

When Hughes traded for him, he signed a four-year bridge deal intended to give Dach time to show what he could do. It should have been more than enough, but nearly four years later, Dach has played only 132 of 289 possible games. That’s only 46% of the Habs’ games over that span.

Worst still, especially for a player who was meant to be a center, his winning percentage at the faceoff dot has stood at 38.3%, 37.5%, 40.3%, and 43% (but that was on just 15 games), for an average of 39.8%. In a league where puck possession is so important, it would be madness to press on with Dach pencilled in as the second line center. Oliver Kapanen, who has been centring the second line for most of the season, has a 46.4% success rate and has only 61 games of NHL experience.

Aside from the faceoff percentage, Dach also cannot manage to stay healthy. Building a Stanley Cup-contending team means finding the right pieces at the right price, and you need those pieces to be available. That was my primary concern when Hughes gave Kaiden Guhle a six-year deal, and since that deal was signed in July 2024, Guhle has played 55 games in the first season and only five this season.

That has meant the Canadiens have had to make do with two sixth defenseman in their lineup for most of the time, with Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble, no disrespect to either of them. Still, ideally, you only want one of the two in the lineup, and it’s putting the Canadiens in quite a pickle. They do not need the same kind of pressure to have a plan B ready at all times, especially not down the middle.

Hughes said at his latest press conference that he believes Kapanen can be a good second-line centre in the NHL. While his performance has been impressive so far, it might be a bit early to draw that conclusion, even though it made sense for Hughes to voice it. There’s also Michael Hage, who’s likely to make the jump to the pros at the end of this season, but he remains a project despite his fantastic form at the World Junior Championship.

Success at that level doesn’t necessarily mean excellence in the NHL. Just look at Ryan Poehling. He was the tournament’s MVP in 2019, and he’s now a depth forward for the Anaheim Ducks, mainly playing as their fourth center, sometimes third when they are dealing with injuries.

The truth is, nobody knows, maybe not even Kent Hughes himself, what he’ll do with Dach when he becomes an RFA this summer. He might give him a qualifying offer, but he can’t bet much on the Albertan becoming what the GM originally hoped he would be; the Habs need a better and safer option, as sad as it is for Dach.

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PHILADELPHIA --- How many times have fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs seen it before? A player who had previously dressed for the Blue and White would stroll in for their first game back to Scotiabank Arena only to pick up a tally and exact the 'revenge' goal fans know so well. This time, a 'revenge' goal happened and the Maple Leafs benefitted in a major way.

In his first game back at Xfinity Mobile Arena, Scott Laughton helped his Maple Leafs kill off a 5-on-3 power play and scored the shorthanded equalizer in the third period, helping his team go on to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in overtime. The Maple Leafs visited the Flyers earlier this season. Although Laughton made the trip, he hadn't fully recovered from an injury that had kept him out for the beginning of the season.

So, this second meeting had a lot of build-up leading up to it. The gameday included captain Auston Matthews nudging him into center ice at he end of the morning skate to lead the stretches, followed by making the former Flyer do a lap around the ice as teammates stick-tapped.

During the player introductions at gametime, Flyers fans typically yelled "sucks" after each starting roster player from the opposing team was named. Instead, they applauded the 12-year Flyer. During the first television timeout, they played a video package that certainly had a profound effect on the fan-favorite player.

"A lot of emotions run through that," Laughton said after the game. "I don't know if I was expecting them standing on the blue line, getting a start was a nice touch, and then it kind of all floods back to you about most of the memories here, and all the people that helped you."

A pillar in our community. A leader on the ice. A Flyer through and through.

Great to have you back in Philly, @Laughts21! 🧡 pic.twitter.com/zAgRxYPDkf

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 9, 2026

Laughton certainly had an advantage in knowing his former teammates at the face-off circle, winning 19 of 20 draws, but it's the effect he's had on the team's room that has been a part of allowing them to put together a string of points in eight consecutive games (6-0-2).

"Ever since I came here, he's been nothing but great to me and this team," Maple Leafs rookie Easton Cowan said after scoring the game-winning goal. "So, super great player and just an even better guy. And he's helped me out a lot."

EASTON COWAN IS THE OVERTIME HERO FOR TORONTO! 🚨

ABSOLUTE CHAOS 🫨 pic.twitter.com/8wPXB1ZPYm

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 9, 2026

A 1-0 deficit late in the third period while battling against a 5-on-3 would have been a recipe to write off the Maple Leafs. But given how they have been playing, they seem to be riding the momentum of playing their best hockey this season. And they are doing it without William Nylander, who missed his sixth consecutive game due to a lower-body injury.

The Leafs ended the night just one point back of a playoff spot. Are they back? Maybe, but a revenge goal going in their favour for a change is certainly a vibe they can chase.

Matthews nudges Laughton to lead the stretches. pic.twitter.com/3YSHo6bwKK

— David Alter (@davidalter) January 8, 2026

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History was made on Thursday evening at Little Caesars Arena, adding another highlight moment to the centennial season of the Detroit Red Wings.

Future Hall of Fame forward Patrick Kane, regarded as the greatest U.S.-born player in League history, scored the 499th and 500th goals of his career as part of a 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.

Kane became the 50th player in NHL history to achieve the feat, as well as the fifth U.S.-born player to do so. 

The overwhelming bulk of Kane's career highlights came during his time with the rival Chicago Blackhawks, one of the most storied and historic rivalries in professional sports. But Kane is wearing the Winged Wheel now, and has become a fan favorite in Detroit, something he isn't taking for granted. 

"It's incredible, the way they've welcomed me with open arms is something I'll never forget," he said of the love he's gotten from Red Wings fans. "I guess you never really know how it's gonna be, coming from Chicago, obviously, a storied rivalry between the Red Wings and Blackhawks. The welcome from the fans, the organization, and team, everyone in the organization has been incredible." 

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Kane's longtime teammate and friend, Alex DeBrinca,t was thrilled to witness the milestone and for the fans in Detroit to have a chance to witness it live. 

“[The crowd] was great, and obviously it’s a special moment in history, everyone here to witness that, it’s special to be a part of," DeBrincat said. "We couldn’t be happier for him and his family. It’s definitely a fun thing to be a part of, and something, I think, everyone in this room will remember.”

Kane’s teammates all wore special T-shirts commemorating the occasion in the dressing room afterward, which was also visited by general manager Steve Yzerman and Chris and Marian Ilitch to take part in the celebration.

Patrick Kane is a 500-goal scorer ❤️ pic.twitter.com/dY6scLZAQJ

— NHL (@NHL) January 9, 2026

"I couldn't be happier to be a Red Wing and do it in this uniform." 🥹 pic.twitter.com/k9cEP2OV6o

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 9, 2026

"Honestly, coming into the locker room and seeing the guys with the shirts on and just going around and kind of thanking everyone and then listening to Lark's speech," Kane said of Larkin's remarks in the room. "Larks is such a classy person and kind of what he said had me feeling all the emotions. It was just kind of great to hear that and something I'll never forget." 

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Boone Jenner(7), Kent Johnson(4), and Kirill Marchenko(16) scored the goals for the Blue Jackets, and Jet Greaves made 21 saves in a 5-3 CBJ loss to Vegas. It's the Jackets third straight loss. 

The Jackets started hot, but once Vegas got going, they absolutely took it to the Blue Jackets at T-Mobile Arena. It was actually looking very positive for the first 10 minutes of the first, but after that, it was all VGK. 

The Golden Knights heavy guns showed up big time too. Mark Stone, Mitch Marner, and Jack Eichel all had multi-point nights, as did Tomas Hertl. 

First Period - SOG 8-7 CBJ - Blue Jackets Goals - Jenner, Johnson

The first eight minutes of the game was a lot of back-and-forth between the two teams, with no penalties, few shots, and hardly any scoring chances. 

Boone Jenner decided to change that when the Blue Jackets took advantage of an injured Carter Hart. With Hart struggling to get to his feet after sustaining the injury, Zach Werenski let loose a shot that was tipped by Jenner to give the CBJ a 1-0 lead.

Carter would leave the ice and be replace by Akira Schmid with 11:36 to play. Vegas fans were not happy about the play being able to continue, but they never were able to get possession of the puck to stop the play. 

At the 10:41 mark, Kent Johnson scored on the rush to make it 2-0 Columbus. Sean Monahan gave him a beautiful pass for his 4th goal. 

In typical Vegas fashion, they would score under two minutes later to cut the lead in half. At 12:20 of the period, Reilly Smith scored his 7th goal to make it 2-1. He let a bomb loose from the point to beat Jet Greaves. 

Second Period - SOG 8-5 VGK - No CBJ Goals

5:19 into the second period, Vegas scored to make it 2-2 while they had a delayed penalty. Reilly Smith scored his second goal of the game assisted by who else but Mark Stone and Mitch Marner. 

Another multi-goal lead blown by the Blue Jackets.

At 13:06, the Blue Jackets completed their daily collapse by allowing Jack Eichel to score his 13th goal of the season. The secret must have gotten out about Jet Greaves, as all three goals he's given up to that point were high on the young goalie. 

Mathieu Olivier took a penalty for hooking Braeden Bowman with under two minutes to play. Mark Stone wasted no time putting the VGK up 4-2, scoring in his 6th straight game. There was only 1:17 left in the second period, but it felt like that was the nail in the Jackets coffin with an entire period to play. 

Third Period

Brendan Gaunce would give the Golden Knights another power play when he flipped the puck over the glass for a souvenir. Luckily, the Blue Jackets were able to kill the penalty off, but not before Jet Greaves had to make 5 saves to keep the score 4-2. 

With 12 minutes to go in the third period, Vegas was outshooting the CBJ 8-1. The Knights are completely steamrolling the Columbus at this point. 

Kirill Marchenko scored his 16th goal of the season with 5:32 left in the game to bring the Jackets to within a single goal. Marchenko was able to sneak in behind the defense and bury one past Schmid. 

With 3:46 to go though, Brett Howden beat Greaves to get the two-goal lead right back, essentially ending the game. 

Final Stats

Player Stats

• Boone Jenner scored his 7th goal and picked up his 14th assist.
• Kent Johnson scored his 4th goal.
• Kirill Marchenko scored his 16th goal.
• Zach Werenski recorded his 30th assist on the season.
• Sean Monahan had two assists. He won 10/11 faceoffs he took.
• Ivan Provorov recorded an assist, his 12th.
• Adam Fantilli picked up his 15th assist. He also won 10/17 faceoffs.

Team Stats

• The Jackets power play went 0/1.
• The Columbus PK stopped 1 of 2 Vegas power plays.
• Columbus won 63.2% of the faceoffs - 36/57
• The Blue Jackets had 28 hits.

Up Next: Columbus travels to Colorado to take on the league's best in the Avalanche. 

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