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The Nashville Predators have announced that they have signed goaltender Magnus Chrona to a one-year, two-way contract extension for the 2025-26 season. At the NHL level, Chrona will carry a $775,000 cap hit. 

Chrona, 24, was acquired by the Predators from the San Jose Sharks back in August as a part of the Yaroslav Askarov trade. This was after Chrona posted a 1-6-2 record, a 4.71 goals-against average, and a .859 save percentage in his first nine career NHL games with the Sharks in 2023-24.

Chrona has yet to make his Predators regular-season debut and has instead spent this entire campaign down in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals. In 29 games this season with the AHL club, he has an 11-11-5 record, a .901 save percentage, and a 2.87 goals-against average.

Overall, there is no harm in the Predators keeping Chrona around for next season. At a minimum, he will continue to provide them with more goalie depth for the AHL. 

Recent Predators News 

Nashville Predators Sign Surging Prospect To Entry-Level Deal

Important Predators Forward Is Starting To Heat Up

Former Predators Star Is Having Incredible Season

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Alex Ovechkin ties Wayne Gretzky for NHL's all-time scoring record originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Great One has company.

Alex Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky for the most goals scored in NHL history, netting his 894th career goal in the third period of the Washington Capitals‘ home game against the Chicago Blackhawks Friday night.

The record-tying goal, which was Ovi’s second of the game, gave the Caps a 4-3 lead with 13:47 left in regulation. They went on to win 5-3 after Ryan Leonard scored on an empty net for the first goal of his career.

Capitals players stayed on the ice after the game to celebrate with their star as fans chanted, “Ovi! Ovi! Ovi!”

Ovechkin’s pursuit of the career goals record — which continues Sunday when the Capitals play on the road against the New York Islanders — has been dubbed “The GR8 Chase.”

Ovechkin reached 894 goals in his 1,486th game. Gretzky finished with 894 in 1,487 games.

Gretzky was in the building with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to witness the historic moment by the 39-year-old Ovechkin.

Gretzky had held the scoring record since 1994 when he tallied his 802nd goal to pass Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe. Gretzky, who played primarily for the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings, scored his 894th and final goal came on March 29, 1999 as a member of the New York Rangers. He retired three weeks later at the age of 38, concluding a historic 20-year NHL career.

His scoring record had stood since — with Jaromir Jagr scoring 766 goals before retiring in 2018 and Brett Hull netting 741 goals before closing his 19-year career in 2006.

Then came Ovechkin, who after being selected first overall in the 2004 draft, scored 52 goals as a rookie, including two in his debut on October 5, 2005.

That was nearly 20 years and 892 goals ago.

Ovechkin scored a career best 65 goals during his third season in 2007-2008. He has recorded nine 50-plus goal seasons, matching the record shared by Gretzky and New York Islanders legend Mike Bossy. He has scored 40 or more goals in a season 14 times, which topped Gretzky’s record of 12.

Along the way, Ovechkin won nine Rocket Richard Trophies for most goals scored in a season, three Hart Trophies as most valuable player, and the 2017 Stanley Cup, which was the first in Capitals’ franchise history.

Ovechkin entered his 20th NHL season in October needing 42 goals to top a record once believed to be unbreakable. He missed 16 games earlier this season with a fractured left fibula, pushing the record pursuit closer to the end of the season.

Ovechkin scored No. 893 less than four minutes into Friday’s game, setting the stage for the record-tying goal in front of the Washington fans.

He now shares the league’s hallowed scoring record with the sport’s most revered player.

“Alex has been exceptional for our game,” Gretzky told CNBC earlier this season. “I hope I’m the first guy to shake his hand when he does break the record.”

Alex Ovechkin ties Wayne Gretzky for NHL's all-time scoring record originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Great One has company.

Alex Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky for the most goals scored in NHL history, netting his 894th career goal in the third period of the Washington Capitals‘ home game against the Chicago Blackhawks Friday night.

The record-tying goal, which was Ovi’s second of the game, gave the Caps a 4-3 lead with 13:47 left in regulation. They went on to win 5-3 after Ryan Leonard scored on an empty net for the first goal of his career.

Capitals players stayed on the ice after the game to celebrate with their star as fans chanted, “Ovi! Ovi! Ovi!”

Ovechkin’s pursuit of the career goals record — which continues Sunday when the Capitals play on the road against the New York Islanders — has been dubbed “The GR8 Chase.”

Ovechkin reached 894 goals in his 1,486th game. Gretzky finished with 894 in 1,487 games.

Gretzky was in the building with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to witness the historic moment by the 39-year-old Ovechkin.

Gretzky had held the scoring record since 1994 when he tallied his 802nd goal to pass Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe. Gretzky, who played primarily for the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings, scored his 894th and final goal came on March 29, 1999 as a member of the New York Rangers. He retired three weeks later at the age of 38, concluding a historic 20-year NHL career.

His scoring record had stood since — with Jaromir Jagr scoring 766 goals before retiring in 2018 and Brett Hull netting 741 goals before closing his 19-year career in 2006.

Then came Ovechkin, who after being selected first overall in the 2004 draft, scored 52 goals as a rookie, including two in his debut on October 5, 2005.

That was nearly 20 years and 892 goals ago.

Ovechkin scored a career best 65 goals during his third season in 2007-2008. He has recorded nine 50-plus goal seasons, matching the record shared by Gretzky and New York Islanders legend Mike Bossy. He has scored 40 or more goals in a season 14 times, which topped Gretzky’s record of 12.

Along the way, Ovechkin won nine Rocket Richard Trophies for most goals scored in a season, three Hart Trophies as most valuable player, and the 2017 Stanley Cup, which was the first in Capitals’ franchise history.

Ovechkin entered his 20th NHL season in October needing 42 goals to top a record once believed to be unbreakable. He missed 16 games earlier this season with a fractured left fibula, pushing the record pursuit closer to the end of the season.

Ovechkin scored No. 893 less than four minutes into Friday’s game, setting the stage for the record-tying goal in front of the Washington fans.

He now shares the league’s hallowed scoring record with the sport’s most revered player.

“Alex has been exceptional for our game,” Gretzky told CNBC earlier this season. “I hope I’m the first guy to shake his hand when he does break the record.”

We're closing in on one month since the NHL’s trade deadline on March 7, and a lot's happened since then.

One team that stood quiet looks like a group of geniuses one month later, while teams that looked like winners right away are holding up to that designation. Other squads that weren't among the top immediate winners are proving they do deserve to be considered for that category.

In alphabetical order, let's look at six of the biggest winners since the NHL trade deadline approaching the one-month mark.

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche made their defense corps one of the deepest in the NHL by adding Ryan Lindgren and Erik Johnson. They then brought in center Brock Nelson to lock down the No. 2 center role. 

Colorado is the third-hottest NHL team since the deadline, going 10-2-2. They’re averaging two goals against per game in that span, which is tied for the second fewest. Nelson also has four goals and 10 points in 14 games, which is the type of secondary scoring Colorado needed. Deadline acquisition Charlie Coyle also has five points while averaging 13:32 in ice time.

The major long-term question is whether the team will be better off after trading former pending UFA Mikko Rantanen, who signed an eight-year contract extension with the Dallas Stars. Martin Necas has 26 points in 27 games in Rantanen’s place.

Nevertheless, the Avalanche’s moves on trade deadline week have paid off well – and that’s why they’re one of the more frightening teams heading into the playoffs.

Dallas Stars

Dallas has gone 9-2-2 since the deadline, and its big pickup – star right winger Rantanen – has fit right in. He has nine assists and 13 points in 13 games as one of five Stars players averaging at least a point per game since March 7. Earlier acquisition Mikael Granlund also has six goals and 18 points in 24 games since joining Dallas.

Rantanen is one of the reasons the Stars are now in a position to challenge the Winnipeg Jets for the top spot in the highly competitive Central Division. Tyler Seguin could even return in the playoffs as well, and if they get past the first round, Miro Heiskanen could also return. 

Dallas GM Jim Nill’s willingness to step up and make big swings at the trade deadline is one of the reasons why the Stars are once again asserting themselves as a Stanley Cup front-runner.

Ottawa Senators

The Senators made one of the biggest moves at the deadline, picking up center Dylan Cozens from the Buffalo Sabres for center Josh Norris as part of a package deal. 

Since the deadline, the Senatorshave gone 9-4-1, solidifying their hold on the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot and getting within a hot streak of challenging the Florida Panthers for third place in the Atlantic Division. 

Cozens has six assists and nine points in 14 games as a Senator, and that’s music to Ottawa’s ears. Six of those points came at even strength, which comes out to one-third of Norris's 18 even-strength points in 53 games for Ottawa this season. 

While Fabian Zetterlund only has one assist in that span, he’s taken the fifth-most shots on net on the team since March 7, and he’s generating enough chances to suggest he’s due for goals.

If the Sens pull off a first-round upset, the price they paid at the deadline will be well worth it – if it isn’t worth it already.

Almost There: Ottawa Senators Set To End Playoff Drought Before Red Wings, SabresThe Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings all had the same goal this season.

St. Louis Blues

The Blues didn’t make any trades at the deadline. Sometimes, the moves you don’t make are more important than the ones you do, and that’s certainly true for St. Louis this year. 

The Blues are enjoying an 11-game win streak that’s pushed them into the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. They might not have gotten there had they traded captain Brayden Schenn, as was heavily rumored at the deadline. 

So yes, St. Louis should be on this list, as they’ve been one of the biggest winners because of their decisions at the deadline. They could’ve been much more active, but that could’ve sunk their season. Standing pat absolutely was the right choice for them.

The Blues Are The Wild Card Team That No One Wants To Face In The PlayoffsIn both style and substance, the St. Louis Blues look a lot like a team that was pretty successful six years ago.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning are 7-5-1 since the deadline, but they’ve won four of their last five games to move into second place in the Atlantic. 

Tampa Bay’s big pre-deadline move brought in forwards Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from the Seattle Kraken. Both players have done well in the early going with the Lightning, as Gourde has nine assists in 14 games, and Bjorkstrand has four goals and six points in 14 games. 

Neither player has to do the heavy lifting for Tampa Bay, but the Lightning needed that quality depth in their lineup. Gourde already has more points for the Bolts than Zemgus Girgensons’ six points in 75 games and Luke Glendening’s seven points in 74 games, and he has as many as Cam Atkinson’s nine points in 38 games.

Toronto Maple Leafs 

It’s true the Maple Leafshaven’t gotten much offensive production from forward Scott Laughton since spending a first-round draft pick to acquire him from Philadelphia. Still, Laughton has looked more comfortable of late, and he’s now a better fit as a winger on Toronto’s third line. 

The reason why the Leafs are on this list is the play of veteran defenseman Brandon Carlo, who has been very solid since the Buds acquired him from Boston. Carlo has proven to be a great fit with Morgan Rielly on Toronto’s first defense pairing, and the Leafs also needed more of his physical edge and shot-blocking ability. 

Toronto has gone 8-4-1 since the deadline to move into the top spot in the Atlantic, and they’re a tougher team to play against ahead of a pressure-filled playoff run.

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The Buffalo Sabres practiced at LECOM Harborcenter on Friday after taking team photos on their day off after returning from Ottawa after going 2-1-0 on a three-game road swing. The club returns to action on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the contest will mark the NHL debut of youngster Noah Ostlund, who the club called up on Friday.

The 21-year-old was the Sabres middle first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and has made remarkable strides in his first full season in North America. After missing two months with an injury, the young center returned in December and struggled to find his game, going goalless in 11 straight.

"It was something with my hand that wasn't right, and (they) had to do a little surgery on it, and now I don't feel it," Ostlund said. "(After returning, I just found my game a little bit more. I've been playing more with the puck and creating more."

Since January 19, Ostlund has been red-hot, with 18 goals in 28 games. Last week, he was named AHL Player of the Week, and his empty net goal in the Amerks playoff clinching win over Springfield on Wednesday marked his sixth straight game with a goal, which prompted the Sabres to recall him with the injury to center Tyson Kozak.

Recently recalled prospect Noah Ostlund is at #Sabres practice at Harborcenter. pic.twitter.com/y9TPqNRLGG

— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) April 4, 2025

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"(I’ve heard) nothing but good (things). The way he's played, the way he's defended, how well he's operated with the puck, he's put together real good year down (in Rochester)." Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said. "It's just a player (who is) finding his path, and he feels comfortable down there. (The AHL is) a hard league to play in, but he's progressed and pushed himself to where he's become one of the top players down there……I always think players need that time. It's a hardness that you have to get. It's like I say, sometimes playing down there is harder than playing up here, and he's navigated that path pretty well."

Ostlund skated on Friday in place of Kozak on the fourth line with Beck Malenstyn and Sam Lafferty. Ruff indicated that his being placed there was more due to not mixing up his other three lines and not to overwhelm the youngster against a lineup of Stanley Cup-winning veterans with the Lightning.

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo