Category: Ice Hockey

The 2026 NHL trade deadline is set for March 6, which is still over a month away. But because of the Olympic break, the Ottawa Senators have just five games remaining before they have to show their hand. So it remains to be seen whether GM Steve Staios fancies himself as a buyer, a seller, or a team best served by standing pat.

As the deadline approaches, it’s a perfect time to look back at some of the most memorable Senators' deadline deals from the past ten years, trades that fueled playoff runs, accelerated or hindered rebuilds, and helped shape the current roster.

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February 9, 2016

On February 9, 2016, Ottawa acquired Dion Phaneuf, Matt Frattin, Casey Bailey, Ryan Rupert, and Cody Donaghey from the Toronto Maple Leafs. In return, the Senators sent Jared Cowen, Colin Greening, Milan Michalek, Tobias Lindberg, and a 2017 second-round pick to Toronto.

The trade was almost three weeks before the actual deadline, and it was notable not only for its size, but for the rarity of a big deal between provincial rivals. Phaneuf played 154 games with the Senators, and while he had lost a step, he was still a key part of the Sens' amazing run to the 2017 Eastern Conference Final.

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February 27, 2017

On February 27, 2017, the Senators acquired Alex Burrows from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for prospect Jonathan Dahlen. GM Pierre Dorion said that one Senator player was so excited about the deal, he came up and hugged him. Burrows played 91 career games for the Sens, then retired.

A few days later, the Sens parted ways with Curtis Lazar, their former highly-touted first-round draft pick. He was sent to Calgary in a package deal that brought back a second-round pick that would become Alex Formenton.

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February 13, 2018

Ottawa traded Phaneuf and Nate Thompson to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore. Both teams got a big-name, big-money player in the exchange, but both were at the end of their careers, especially Gaborik, who played all of 16 games for the Senators then retired because of injuries. 

Closer to the deadline, Ottawa traded Derick Brassard to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of a three-team trade involving Vegas. The Senators received a 2018 first-round pick, goaltender Filip Gustavsson, defenseman Ian Cole, and a 2019 third-round pick, while Pittsburgh received Brassard and a 2018 third-round pick. Vegas retained 40 percent of Brassard’s salary.

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February 22, 2019

Five months after trading Erik Karlsson, the 2019 trade deadline really began to reshape the franchise in dramatic fashion, which is a nice way of describing a fire sale.

On February 22, Ottawa traded Matt Duchene and Julius Bergman to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Vitaly Abramov, Jonathan Davidsson, a 2019 first-round pick, and a 2020 conditional first-round pick. The Sens would only get that second first-rounder if Duchene re-signed with Columbus. He left and signed with Nashville.

One day later, on February 23, the Senators sent Ryan Dzingel to Columbus, receiving Anthony Duclair along with 2020 and 2021 second-round picks.

On February 25, Ottawa traded Mark Stone to the Vegas Golden Knights for Erik Brännström, Oscar Lindberg, and a 2020 second-round pick. Losing Stone was painful for the fan base, and any talk that this was all Stone’s idea was put to rest when Eugene Melnyk told a CBC reporter downtown that day that Stone’s trade was "part of our rebuild, we've been planning this for some time."

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February 24, 2020

On February 24, 2020, the Senators traded Jean-Gabriel Pageau to the New York Islanders. In return, Ottawa received a 2020 conditional first-round pick (Ridly Greig), a 2020 second-round pick, and a 2022 conditional third-round pick.

Pageau, a popular Ottawa native, was enjoying an excellent season at the time, but in the midst of their fire sale, the Senators did maximize his value at the deadline.

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March 20, 2022

On March 20, 2022, Ottawa traded Nick Paul to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Senators received Mathieu Joseph and a 2024 fourth-round pick in return.

Paul immediately helped the Lightning make the Cup final that year. Joseph played two and a half seasons in Ottawa’s bottom six before being dealt to St. Louis with the Blues receiving a third round pick as a sweetener.

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March 1, 2023

In a rare deadline move aimed at improving the present rather than selling for future assets, Dorion acquired Jakob Chychrun from the Arizona Coyotes on March 1, 2023. The Senators sent a 2023 conditional first-round pick, a 2024 conditional second-round pick, and a 2026 second-round pick to Arizona.

The deal signaled that Ottawa believed it was ready to take a step forward. Even with Cychrun, the Sens missed the next two playoffs. After that, rather than extend a third highly-paid, puck-moving, left-shot defenseman, new GM Steve Staios shipped him out in July of 2024 for right-shot, stay-at-home defenseman Nick Jensen.

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March 7, 2025

In his second deadline as GM, on March 7, 2025, Staios completed two major trades.

Ottawa acquired Dylan Cozens and Dennis Gilbert, along with a 2026 second-round pick, from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker. Norris was probably the best player in the deal, but staying healthy has famously proven to be elusive.

Later that day, the Senators also acquired Fabian Zetterlund, Tristen Robins, and a 2025 fourth-round pick from the San Jose Sharks, sending Noah Gregor, Zack Ostapchuk, and a 2025 second-round pick the other way.

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Staios has two deadlines under his belt now. The first one in 2024 was uneventful, shipping Vladimir Tarasenko to Florida for a mid-round pick. The second one last year was fireworks.

This one is tricky, because whether Staios buys, sells or stands pat, one can make a pretty solid argument for each of his possible decisions.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News 

This story is from The Hockey News Ottawa. You can visit the site here or click on one of their latest articles below:

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Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones has been suspended for 20 games for violating the NHL/NHLPA's performance-enhancing substance program rules.

Jones, who has missed most of the 2025-26 season with various injuries, won't be eligible to return until Apr. 2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has played in seven games this season, compiling only one point. 

#LetsGoPens defenseman Caleb Jones has been suspended 20 games without pay for violating #NHL/#NHLPA performance enhancing substance program rules.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 4, 2026

According to Penguins general manager and president Kyle Dubas, Jones came to the organization this week, telling the team that he had tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance. 

"Caleb Jones informed us this week that he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance under the NHL/NHLPA performance-enhancing substance program," Dubas said in a statement. "Throughout the process, Caleb has been forthcoming with the organization as to how he believes the positive test occurred. Caleb takes full responsibility for his actions, despite him being unaware that what he consumed was a prohibited substance at the time."

"The organization appreciates his transparency regarding this matter, and Caleb will follow all NHL and NHLPA protocols related to his suspension. Caleb has the full support of the Penguins organization, and we look forward to welcoming him back to the ice when he is cleared."

Jones was signed to a two-year contract by the Penguins during the 2025 offseason and will have one year left on that contract at a $900,000 cap hit for next season. 

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The Vancouver Canucks play their final game before the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday when they take on the Vegas Golden Knights. These two teams have yet to play each other this season and will battle twice more after Wednesday before the campaign is done. Here are the lineup notes for February 4, 2026. 

In net for the Canuck will be Kevin Lankinen. Wednesday will mark his 29th start of the season, which has seen the 30-year-old post a record of 7-18-4. Lankinen has faced the Golden Knights nine times in his career and has posted a record of 3-3-2. 

As for Vegas, they will be turning to Akira Schmid in goal. The 25-year-old has 24 games so far this season and posted a record of 15-6-6. Schmid has only played once against Vancouver, where he allowed one goal on 17 shots in a victory. 

Projected Lineup:

Kane-Pettersson-O'Connor
DeBrusk-Kampf-Karlsson
Öhgren-Blueger-Garland
Sasson-Räty-Lekkerimäki

E. Pettersson-Hronek
Joseph-Myers
M. Pettersson-Willander

Lankinen 
Tolopilo

Game Information: 

Start time: 7:00 pm PT 

Venue: T-Mobile Arena 

Television: Sportsnet

Radio: Sportsnet 650

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

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NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL suspended injured Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones for 20 games on Wednesday for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

Jones, 28, is in his first season with the Penguins. The club placed him on injured reserve in late October with a foot injury, then assigned him to their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He played one game for Wilkes-Barre in January before sustaining an upper-body injury.

Jones said through a statement released by the NHL Players Association that he believes he was exposed to a contaminated substance while undergoing exosome therapy from an outside provider.

“While I did not use the prohibited substance intentionally or for performance enhancement, I understand that players are responsible for everything that enters their body and accept the discipline imposed by the program,” Jones said. "I’m sorry to have let down my teammates, the Penguins organization, and our fans.”

Jones, the younger brother of Panthers defenseman Seth Jones, had one point in seven games with the Penguins in October after signing a two-year deal with Pittsburgh last summer.

Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said the club “appreciates” Jones' transparency and that Jones will follow all NHL and NHLPA protocols during the suspension. Dubas added that Jones has the “full support” of the organization.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The New Jersey Devils acquired forward Nick Bjugstad in a trade with the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday that was completed just before the Olympic roster freeze.

They sent a conditional fourth-round pick and minor-leaguer Thomas Bordeleau for Bjugstad. It will be the last of the three fourth-rounders New Jersey currently has among its own, Dallas’ and Winnipeg’s.

Bjugstad, 33, has seven points in 35 games this season after signing with St. Louis as a free agent. The Devils getting him is the start of them using the salary cap space cleared by sending winger Ondrej Palat to the New York Islanders.

Bjugstad is signed through next season at a bargain cap hit of $1.75 million annually. The Devils had gotten Bordeleau earlier this season in a deal with San Jose.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

The New York Rangers beat the Olympic roster freeze deadline and traded the biggest player in their retool, with Artemi Panarin heading to the Los Angeles Kings.

In return, the Rangers receive forward Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick, according to multiple reports.

The struggling Rangers had sent a letter to fans that that they were going to retool their roster and that it might mean saying "goodbye to players that have brought us and our fans great moments over the years."

Panarin was told that the team would not be offering him a contract extension. He is in the final year of a seven-year contract averaging $11.6 million and has a full no-movement clause. Last week, they held him out of the lineup to prevent him from getting hurt as they worked out a trade.

Here are grades for the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers in the Artemi Panarin trade:

Los Angeles Kings: B+

The Kings need offense, ranking 28th in the league, and Panarin provides plenty, leading the Rangers every year in scoring since he arrived in 2019. Even in a down year, he has 57 points in 52 games. Los Angeles is third in goals-against average, so a little extra boost on the scoring side could translate to more wins. That's important with the Kings sitting one point out of a playoff spot and trying to go on a postseason run in captain Anze Kopitar's final year before he retires.

New York Rangers: C

Panarin was the Rangers' best trade asset and the return seems low. Greentree is 20, 6-foot-3, 216 pounds and was a 2024 first-round pick. He had 119 points last season with the Windsor (Ontario) Spitfires. But there was no first-round pick in the deal. The third-rounder can move higher if the Kings win a playoff round. Panarin had to choose where he went, so that limited the Rangers' options. Also hurting their return: New York made clear it was moving him and he was a pending unrestricted free agent. The Rangers retain half of Panarin's salary, per The Athletic.

Devils acquire Nick Bjugstad

The New Jersey Devils acquired bottom-six forward Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues for forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round pick.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Artemi Panarin trade grades: Who won Rangers-Kings deal?

The NHL odds for the 2025-26 NHL MVP have been led by Nathan MacKinnon for much of the season, but his lead is starting to dwindle...

After being as short as -450, Nate is now just -170, with Macklin Celebrini at +215. We could be in for a wild MVP race following the Olympic break. Check out the rest of the NHL MVP odds below!

Odds to win 2025-26 NHL MVP award

Odds as of 2-4.

Get a first bet encore up to $800 with BET99 bonus code COVERSNHL.
(not available in Ontario)

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Covers NHL betting tools

• Daily NHL matchup info
• The latest NHL odds 
• Free NHL picks

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Understanding NHL MVP odds

Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. When the regular season is nearly finished and a consensus has emerged, you might see a player with a minus sign (-) ahead of his odds, like this:

• Connor McDavid -400

The (-) means that McDavid is the odds-on favorite, and a bettor would need to wager $400 to win $100. Other contenders in the MVP race might have plus (+) odds to win.

• Nathan MacKinnon +650

Here, a bettor stood to profit $650 for every $100 wagered. 

If American odds aren't your thing, simply use a tool like our odds converter to switch the odds to decimal or fractional format. Most online sportsbooks also give you the option to change the odds format that you see.

NHL Hart Trophy trends

• The last player to win the Hart Trophy and Stanley Cup in a single season was Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis (2004).
• Carey Price was the last goaltender (2015) to win the MVP award before Connor Hellebuyck did last season.
• Alexander Ovechkin was the last player to repeat as the Hart winner (2008 and 2009).
• Centers have won six of the last 10 MVP awards.
• The last time a defenseman won the Hart Trophy was Chris Pronger back in the 1999-00 season.

NHL Hart Trophy history

A quick look at recent NHL MVPs and the position they played.

NHL MVP award winners by position

Centers won the Hart Trophy 17 times over an 18-year period from 1979 to 1996. Wayne Gretzky personally skated away with the league's MVP award eight straight times during that era.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Defenseman Caleb Jones has been suspended for 20 games by the NHL

Caleb Jones of the @penguins has been suspended for 20 games. https://t.co/0wmbboradVpic.twitter.com/gSFLFsNb8G

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) February 4, 2026

From the league:

 Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones has been suspended for 20 games, without pay, for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the suspension is accompanied by mandatory referral to the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program for evaluation and possible treatment.

The National Hockey League will have no further comment on this matter.

Jones issued a statement this afternoon:

Statement from Caleb Jones on his suspension. #LetsGoPenspic.twitter.com/WLSR3ACBNw

— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) February 4, 2026

The Penguins also issued a statement on the matter.

https://t.co/2GBVfiHKX8pic.twitter.com/9wmlZfLMpk

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 4, 2026

Jones was injured in October with a foot injury. He was assigned to the AHL in January and suffered a different upper body injury in the AHL.

The Seattle Kraken have recalled center Oscar Fisker Molgaard from the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds. Additionally, they have placed rookie Berkly Catton on the injured reserve.

Fisker Molgaard has been called up twice before but has played only two games in the NHL, both during his first call-up in November. He recorded an assist in his NHL debut.

Fisker Molgaard will likely be a healthy scratch tonight and is presumably called up as a precaution in case any Kraken forwards sustain an injury before tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Kings.

In the AHL, the 20-year-old has posted seven goals and 22 points in 35 games, ranking seventh in goals and fourth in points. Following tonight’s game, Fisker Molgaard will head to Milano Cortina for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Catton now joins Ben Meyers and Matt Murray on the injured reserve. Catton sustained his upper-body injury against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 29. He was announced to be out for the Kraken’s final three games before the break and that he would be able to return to the lineup when NHL play resumes.

The 20-year-old has scored five goals and 11 points in 40 games during his rookie season. 

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While the NHL will suspend operations for the Olympic break, business will continue as usual in the AHL, and it will hold its All-Star Classic on February 10 and 11. The Montreal Canadiens’ farm team, Laval Rocket, will be represented by three players. Forward Laurent Dauphin, defenseman Adam Engstrom, and goaltender Jacob Fowler.

Fowler, who made his NHL debut this season amid the Canadiens’ goaltending woes, has had a new mask made for the occasion. While it’s pretty similar to the one he usually wears, it includes one significant change that is sure to please the organization’s fans.

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Fowler turned to local artist JF Aumais to have the new mask made, and Aumais revealed the design yesterday on his Facebook page, stating that Fowler wanted to stick with his classic Iron Man design, but adding a few twists. The mask includes the AHL All-Star Classic logo and, on the back plate, where Fowler’s regular mask features a Florida license plate, it has a Quebec license plate instead, featuring the province’s motto Je me souviens.

Fowler is having a great season with the Rocket; he has a 14-7-0 record, three shutouts, a 2.25 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. While most believed he was going to spend the whole season with the Rocket, the goaltending trials and tribulations in Montreal led to a surprise recall for the 21-year-old. In 10 games with the Canadiens, he put up a 4-4-2 record with a 2.62 GAA and a .902 SV on top of recording a shutout against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Fowler was ultimately sent back to the AHL, not because he wasn’t performing well, but rather because the organization wanted him to get plenty of action, which he wouldn’t have had in a three-goalie system with the Habs. The 10-game audition was sufficient to see that the Canadiens have a diamond in the rough in their hands with Fowler, who should be in Montreal full-time sooner rather than later.

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The New York Rangers have reportedly traded Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick. 

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Kings and Panarin have agreed upon a two-year contract extension worth $11 million per year.

Pierre LeBrun of TSN indicates that the Rangers are retaining 50 percent of Panarin's salary on his contract set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season.

Vincent Mercogliano of The Athletic reports that the conditional third-round pick is the better of Los Angeles's two third-rounders in 2026, but if the Kings win one playoff round, it becomes a second. If they win two rounds, the Kings will add a 2028 fourth-round pick.

The Kings were the only team Panarin wanted to go to and the only team the Rangers could work with according to the New York Post's Mollie Walker. 

It was widely speculated that Panarin would be dealt ahead of the roster freeze that took effect today at 3 PM EST.

Panarin has been scratched out of the Rangers' lineup over the past three games due to roster management.

Greentree was selected by the Kings in the first round with the 26th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. 

In 52 games for the Rangers this season, Panarin has recorded 19 goals, 38 assists, and 57 points, while averaging 20:55 minutes.

Former San Jose Sharks forward Thomas Bordeleau has a new home.

The St. Louis Blues have acquired Bordeleau and a 2026 fourth-round pick from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for veteran forward Nick Bjugstad. 

The Sharks traded Bordeleau to the Devils during this past off-season in exchange for forward Shane Bowers. Now, he is heading to the Blues organization with this latest move. 

Bordeleau spent the entirety of his tenure with the Devils organization down in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Utica Comets. In 35 games with Utica this season before being traded to the Blues, the 24-year-old forward recorded two goals, six assists, and eight points.

Bordeleau was selected by the Sharks with the 38th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. In 44 games over four seasons with the Sharks, he recorded six goals, 12 assists, and 18 points.

TRADE ALERT! We’ve acquired Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional 4th-round pick from New Jersey in exchange for Nick Bjugstad. #stlblues

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) February 4, 2026

The Winnipeg Jets were not in the running to acquire New York Rangers superstar Artemi Panarin, but his trade to the Los Angeles Kings could make life even more difficult for Winnipeg as the playoff race tightens.

The Kings acquired Panarin in exchange for prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick, immediately bolstering a Western Conference contender. If the Kings win a playoff round this year, the third-round pick becomes a second-round and if they win two playoff rounds, they will also receive a fourth-round pick in 2028.

New York will be retaining 50 per cent of Panarin's contract for the remainder of this season and the Kings have also agreed on a two-year extension with Panarin, that is believed to carry a cap hit of $11 million per season.

The deal sends Panarin, 34, to a team that will now be a major threat in the West, adding elite scoring and veteran leadership to a roster already built to compete. Panarin has 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 52 games this season, putting him on pace for 86 points over 78 games.

This marks the ninth consecutive season he has averaged over a point per game. Since 2019–20, he ranks among the league’s top six scorers with 205 goals and 402 assists for 607 points in 482 games.

The Rangers are adding an exciting young talent in 20-year-old forward Liam Greentree, a first-round pick at 26th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, who is expected to develop further in the juniors before making his NHL debut.

The Oshawa, Ontario native likely won't join the New York till next season or possibly even later. Currently captaining the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL for the past three seasons, Greentree has been a standout performer this year, recording 23 goals and 22 assists for 45 points in just 34 games.

For the Jets, who are fighting to climb the Western Conference standings, the trade presents another obstacle. The addition of Panarin to a Western team creates a potential matchup nightmare in the playoffs, as Winnipeg would now have to navigate a matchup in what would be the conference finals with one of the league’s most dynamic forwards.

The move increases the Jets’ margin for error and reduces their already slim odds of a deep playoff run as the Kings are also fighting for a playoff spot as they currently sit one point out of a wild card spot.

Winnipeg’s current roster features talent and potential, but acquiring a superstar like Panarin was always unrealistic given the team’s position and cap space. Still, seeing Panarin land in the Western Conference underscores the level of competition the Jets face in their quest for a playoff spot, let alone the Stanley Cup.

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The Detroit Red Wings will not be adding New York Rangers star winger Artemi Panarin after he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in a blockbuster deal.

The Kings acquired Panarin in exchange for prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick, leaving Detroit out of the running despite reportedly being in the mix. If the Kings win a playoff round this year, the third-round pick becomes a second-round and if they win two playoff rounds, they will also receive a fourth-round pick in 2028. 

New York will be retaining 50 per cent of Panarin's contract for the remainder of this season and the Kings have also agreed on a two-year extension with Panarin, that is believed to carry a cap hit of $11 million per season.

Detroit has an opening on the top line alongside captain Dylan Larkin and rising star Lucas Raymond. Panarin, 34, would have been a natural fit, providing elite scoring, playmaking, and veteran leadership to complement the young core. 

Panarin is having another standout season with 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 52 games, putting him on pace for 86 points over 78 games. This marks the ninth consecutive season he has averaged more than a point per game.

Since 2019–20, Panarin ranks among the league’s top six scorers with 205 goals and 402 assists for 607 points in 482 games, making him one of the most productive forwards in the NHL over the past four seasons.

The Rangers are adding an exciting young talent in 20-year-old forward Liam Greentree, a first-round pick at 26th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, who is expected to develop further in the juniors before making his NHL debut.

The Oshawa, Ontario native likely won't join the New York till next season or possibly even later. Currently captaining the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL for the past three seasons, Greentree has been a standout performer this year, recording 23 goals and 22 assists for 45 points in just 34 games.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

The Red Wings’ pursuit of Panarin showed GM Steve Yzerman potentially eyeing a move to accelerate the rebuild, but in the end, they could not convince the star winger to join the Motor City.

Detroit will now continue its season without the veteran star and while missing out on Panarin is a setback, it also leaves the Red Wings with flexibility to explore other options before the trade deadline or in future seasons.

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