The Buffalo Sabres have had a tough start to the 2025-26 season, as they have a 9-10-4 record and are at the bottom of the NHL standings. If they do not turn things around soon, they very well could end up being sellers again this season.

Alex Tuch is the most notable Sabres forward creating chatter in the rumor mill due to his unrestricted free agent (UFA) status. While it is possible that the Sabres will keep him around, he will be a player to watch if he still does not have one near the trade deadline.

Due to this, let's look at three teams that could be fits for Tuch if the Sabres end up shopping him.

Boston Bruins 

The Bruins have long been linked to Tuch, and it would not be surprising in the slightest if they made a big push for him if they are still in the playoff hunt near the deadline. The Bruins need another top-six winger badly, and Tuch would fit perfectly at their second-line right wing spot. 

Tampa Bay Lightning 

The Lightning should be on the hunt for another top-six right winger, so they could be a team to keep an eye on when it comes to Tuch. Like with the Bruins, the Lightning have been linked to Tuch before, and it makes sense when looking at their current group. If the Bolts added Tuch, it would only make them an even better team. 

Minnesota Wild 

Could the Wild look to bring Tuch back? It would be understandable if they did. The Wild need another impactful scorer in their top six, so a potential reunion with Tuch could very well interest them. 

The Buffalo Sabres are slowly getting some of their injured players back, and will need all hands on deck as they embark on a stretch where they play seven of their next eight games on the road after hosting the New Jersey Devils on Black Friday. The Sabres dropped their eighth of nine road games this season in Pittsburgh, with Jason Zucker and Jack Quinn scoring in a 4-2 loss to the Penguins on Wednesday.   

Zucker returned last Friday in a 9-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, and winger Zach Benson was back in action last Sunday in a 4-1 victory over Carolina. Based on his participation in practices, injured center Josh Norris looked to be close to returning, and head coach Lindy Ruff said it was possible that the injured center could be back fo weekend games against the Devils or in Minnesota on Saturday, but prior to their Friday afternoon tilt, Ruff updated Norris’ status. 

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“(Norris) is progressing, I would put him in that day-to-day category right now.” Ruff said. 

 The 26-year-old has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. After joining the Sabres last March from Ottawa in a trade for Dylan Cozens, Norris was shut down for the season after just three games. He came to training camp fully healthy and was able to train over the summer, which led to an excellent showing during the preseason, but the former Senators center’s injury woes returned in the season opener against the New York Rangers. The upper body injury has kept Norris out for nearly two months, and the loss of him, along with a plethora of other injuries, has impacted the Sabres, who are currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 9-10-4 record. 

"I just come to work every day, do the things that you can do and stay on top of things, and just be a pro." Norris said after practice on Tuesday. "I've been kind of on the wrong side a little bit now, so that's obviously really hard."  

The most important thing for Buffalo at this point is to get Norris back at 100%, and to hope that he can remain injury-free the rest of the season, but with one-third of the NHL season nearly complete, and a difficult December schedule in front of them, the Sabres are facing an uphill climb. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram  @MikeInBuffalo

Nov 26, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Michael Bunting (58) during the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. Tim Fuller-Imagn Images

Goals have been hard to come by for the Nashville Predators this season.

In the first two periods of Wednesday’s game in Detroit against the Red Wings, it looked like that trend would continue. The Preds trailed 3-1 after 40 minutes, then exploded for five unanswered goals in the final frame for a come-from-behind 6-3 victory.

The comeback snapped a three-game skid for the Preds. Michael Bunting lit the lamp in the first period before Nick Blankenburg, Roman Josi, Ryan O’Reilly, Erik Haula and Steven Stamkos all scored in the third to make American Thanksgiving much more pleasant for Nashville.

Bunting’s tally came on the power play and put Nashville on top 1-0. It was Bunting’s 100th career NHL goal. It was the Preds' first five-goal period since 2019, also coming in Detroit.

Justus Annunen got the start in net and made 28 saves to earn his first win of 2025-26. The Preds hope to close out their two-game road trip with another win Friday night in Chicago against the Blackhawks.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Friday’s matchup.

Game Day

Who: Nashville Predators (7-12-4) at Chicago Blackhawks (10-8-5)

Where: United Center

When: 7 Pm CST

TV: FanDuel Sports Network South

Radio: 102.5 The Game

Betting line (via BetMGM):

Predators

-1.5 (+220)

O 6 (-105)

-110

Blackhawks

+1.5 (-275)

U 6 (-115)

-110

Schaefer Recalled From Milwaukee

The Preds have recalled forward Reid Schaefer from the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL.

The 22-year-old Schaefer has played in 15 games for the Admirals this season. He is tied for second on the team in points (14) and assists (10). His four goals are tied for the third-most on the team.

The 6-foot-5, 226-pound forward additionally has nine points (4g-5a) in his last six games, including a season-high three-point effort on Nov. 21 at Henderson (2g-1a). He has scored twice on the power play, and his 41 shots lead Milwaukee.

Schaefer skated on a line with Fedor Svechkov and Matthew Wood during Friday morning skate in Chicago. He will make his NHL debut Friday against the Blackhawks.

Preds Leaders

Filip Forsberg paces the Preds in scoring with nine goals and 17 points, followed by Ryan O’Reilly with seven goals and 16 points. Bunting (5g-8a), Haula (4g-9a) and Luke Evangelista (2g-11a) each have 13 points.

Juuse Saros is 6-9-3 this season with a 3.08 goals-against average and .889 save percentage. Saros is 14-4-2 with a 2.17 goals-against average, .926 save percentage and two shutouts in 21 career appearances vs. the Blackhawks. The 14 wins are the most Saros has recorded against a single franchise.

Justus Annunen, who got his first victory Wednesday night, is now 1-3-1 for the season, 3.89, .850.

The Preds come into Friday 12-for-72 (16.7%) on the power play through 23 games, good for 22nd. On the penalty kill, Nashville is 13-of-67 (80.6%), 16th overall.

Head To Head

The Preds have done well against Chicago of late. They are 8-2-0 in their last 10 versus the Blackhawks and 4-1-0 in the last five matchups at United Center.

The Predators and Blackhawks have played against each other 140 times. Those 140 games are the most the Preds have played against any single franchise. Nashville has earned at least a point in 30 of their last 35 games against the Blackhawks (26-5-4), holding Chicago to two-or-fewer goals 29 times in that span.

Scouting The Blackhawks

Chicago has dropped four games in a row, including a 4-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night.

Connor Bedard leads the Blackhawks with 14 goals and 33 points, followed by Tyler Bertuzzi with 12 goals and 20 points.

In goal, Spencer Knight is 7-5-4 with a 2.47 GAA and .920 SP. Arvid Soderblom is 3-3-1, 3.46, .881.

Chicago is 15-for-66 with the man advantage (22.7%), 13th in the NHL. The Hawks have recorded power-play goals (8G) in six of their last 10 games since Nov. 5 and rank fourth in the NHL with a power play percentage of 30.8% over that span.

Bertuzzi has five power play goals over his last ten games dating back to Nov. 1. That ties him for second in the NHL over that span.

On the penalty kill, Chicago ranks ninth at 83.1% (14-of-83).

The Blackhawks lead the NHL having allowed just 12 first-period goals against so far this season. The team also ranks fifth in the NHL with a plus-6 goal differential in the first period.

There was no Thanksgiving turkey for the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, but surely a few players had o’l chick pea rotini. 

The Colorado Avalanche square off against Kirill Kaprizov and the Minnesota Wild for their first meeting of the season, with both clubs entering on significant win streaks. Colorado has won its last 10 games, while Minnesota has taken its past six. The statistic that truly separates the two, however, is Colorado’s staggering +44 goal differential, a figure that octuples the Wild’s modest +5. It is an almost unbelievable gap, especially in light of Minnesota’s recent surge. 

Nathan MacKinnon - Colorado Avalanche (18)
Power Play Goal pic.twitter.com/1mc7FwQToJ

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) November 27, 2025

Nine seconds from puck drop to goal. pic.twitter.com/GBTNYZEyyn

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 27, 2025

Avalanche Surging 

The Avalanche enter the night on a remarkable 10-game winning streak, bolstered by an equally stunning run of three consecutive shutouts. Inevitably, that defensive wall will crack—no team can keep opponents off the board forever—but Colorado’s current form has made it look possible. Scott Wedgewood will likely get the start in today's game as he looks to pick up his second straight shutout. 

On the Minnesota side, the stars have held up their end. Kirill Kaprizov, fresh off an eight-year, $136 million extension—the richest contract in franchise history—has delivered 14 goals and 14 assists through 28 games. Furthermore, he scored the OT winner on Wednesday night against the Blackhawks to give the Wild a 4-3 win. Remarkably, his fellow winger Matt Boldy has matched him point for point, providing the Wild with a potent one-two punch heading into this matchup. 

THE THRILL 🚨

Kirill Kaprizov wins it for the @mnwild in @Energizer OT! pic.twitter.com/caSaSkUajT

— NHL (@NHL) November 27, 2025

A one two punch is impressive, but a one two three four five six punch is something only a select few fighters in history could deliver. In hockey terms, the Avalanche embody that level of depth. Colorado’s marquee trio of Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Nečas and Cale Makar has combined for 99 points this season, placing all three comfortably among the NHL’s top scorers. By comparison, the Wild’s leading producers have totaled 68 points, a respectable figure in its own right, yet one that underscores the reality that this Avalanche roster operates on an entirely different level. 

Joel Kiviranta returned to the lineup after missing 17 games with a lower body injury, while Ivan Ivan was summoned to fill in for the injured Gavin Brindley. The two combined for a goal against San Jose, raising the question of whether Ivan’s contribution might earn him an extra game. 

AND THE AVS SCORE AGAIN!!!

JOEL KIVIRANTA!! HE'S BACK!!!!

5-0!!!#goavsgo@TheHockeyNews@Avalanche

— Ryan O'Hara (@OHaraSports) November 27, 2025

Projected Lineup 

Artturi Lehkonen -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Martin Necas 

Gabriel Landeskog -- Brock Nelson -- Ross Colton 

Parker Kelly -- Jack Drury -- Victor Olofsson 

Ivan Ivan -- Zakhar Bardakov -- Joel Kiviranta 

Devon Toews -- Cale Makar 

Josh Manson -- Brent Burns 

Samuel Girard -- Sam Malinski 

Goalies (Likely) 

Scott Wedgewood 

Mackenzie Blackwood 

Minnesota Wild 

After a sluggish start to the season, in which the Wild went 4-5-3 in October, Minnesota has begun to resemble the team many anticipated on opening night. The club is 10-1-1 this month and has secured victories over formidable opponents including the Anaheim Ducks, Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, and New York Islanders. Now the Wild face their sternest challenge yet in the Colorado Avalanche. Expect a fast-paced contest from the opening puck drop, and for Colorado, as in recent games, the outcome may hinge on the performance of their stalwart presence between the pipes. 

Projected Lineup 

Kirill Kaprizov -- Danila Yurov -- Mats Zuccarello 

Marcus Johansson -- Joel Eriksson Ek -- Matt Boldy 

Marcus Foligno -- Yakov Trenin -- Nico Sturm 

Liam Ohgren -- Ben Jones -- Tyler Pitlick 

Jonas Brodin -- Brock Faber 

Jake Middleton -- Jared Spurgeon 

Zeev Buium -- Zach Bogosian 

Game Day! 

Avalanche vs. Wild kicks off at 1:30 p.m. local time from Grand Casino Arena.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Winnipeg Jets are turning to one of the AHL’s hottest goaltenders in hopes of ending a rough stretch. Rookie Thomas Milic is set to make his NHL debut Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes, stepping in at a pivotal time with star netminder Connor Hellebuyck sidelined.  

Ready for Mili magic 🪄

Thomas Milic will make his @NHL debut today in Carolina!@Wawanesa | #GoJetsGopic.twitter.com/N9HwEoDLmS

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) November 28, 2025

Winnipeg has dropped three of its last four games since Hellebuyck’s departure, with Eric Comrie taking on the bulk of the goaltending duties. Comrie, who has started four straight games, has allowed 13 goals during the last three losses. He'll get a much deserved night off as Milic will draw into the crease for his first game of his NHL career. 

Milic has been one of the AHL’s hottest goaltenders this season with the Manitoba Moose. He arrives in Winnipeg on a four-game winning streak, posting a 5-2-2 record with a .921 save percentage, a 2.14 goals-against average, and a shutout. His overall AHL resume includes a 29-23-8 record and a 2.88 GAA, marking him as one of the league’s most promising young netminders.  

TOE-MAS MILIC?! https://t.co/hXF7MXu3Zwpic.twitter.com/WGzXzsEhwo

— Manitoba Moose (@ManitobaMoose) November 13, 2025

The Jets will look to get an additional spark to the lineup as they'll be playing hard for the youngster to record his first NHL win as well as end their losing skid. It would be a memorable debut for the 22-year-old BC native if he can produce a standout game in a must-win game against one of the best teams in the NHL.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will return to action on Friday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

This will be the second of four meetings between the two teams this year after the Blue Jackets beat the Penguins in a shootout on Oct. 25. The Penguins came back from two goals behind in the third period to salvage a point, but weren't able to secure the extra one.

The Penguins are coming off a 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, which snapped a two-game losing streak from last weekend. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets are coming off a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday and have lost three in a row and four of their last five. Like the Penguins, they are in desperate need of points. 

Kirill Marchenko won't be available for the Blue Jackets in this contest as he's currently day-to-day with a lower-body injury. It's a big loss, since he's been one of their best players this year, compiling eight goals and 22 points in 22 games. His 22 points are tied for the team lead with Zach Werenski. 

Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason confirmed after Friday's morning skate that Jet Greaves will start in goal. Greaves has appeared in 15 games this year, compiling a .905 save percentage and a 2.74 goals-against average. 

The Penguins didn't do line rushes during the morning skate, but head coach Dan Muse confirmed after the skate that Benjamin Kindel will return to the lineup after being healthy scratched on Wednesday.

Tristan Jarry was the first goaltender off the ice and will make his second-straight start. 

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh and NHL Network. You can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more! 

The Winnipeg Jets are turning to one of the AHL’s hottest goaltenders in hopes of ending a rough stretch. Rookie Thomas Milic is set to make his NHL debut Saturday against the Nashville Predators, stepping in at a pivotal time with star netminder Connor Hellebuyck sidelined.

Winnipeg has lost three of its last four games since Hellebuyck’s exit, with Eric Comrie handling the bulk of the workload. Comrie, who has started four straight, has allowed 13 goals in those three losses and is again expected to start Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Projected /prəˈjektəd/ adjective
Estimated or forecast on the basis of current trends or data.@PlayNowManitoba | #GoJetsGopic.twitter.com/BBIlUq8J2n

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) November 28, 2025

Saturday's second leg of the road back-to-back will almost surely guarantee a Milic start as Comrie will get rest and Milic will get a favorable opponent for his NHL debut against the last place Predators. 

Milic has been one of the AHL’s hottest goaltenders this season with the Manitoba Moose. He arrives in Winnipeg on a four-game winning streak, posting a 5-2-2 record with a .921 save percentage, a 2.14 goals-against average, and a shutout. His overall AHL resume includes a 29-23-8 record and a 2.88 GAA, marking him as one of the league’s most promising young netminders.

TOE-MAS MILIC?! https://t.co/hXF7MXu3Zwpic.twitter.com/WGzXzsEhwo

— Manitoba Moose (@ManitobaMoose) November 13, 2025

With Friday’s matchup against Carolina still to be decided, a Jets win could ease some of the pressure on Milic. But if the team drops its fourth straight, the 22-year-old BC native could get his chance to step in on Saturday, potentially becoming the hero the Jets and their fans are hoping for. If Comrie cannot end Winnipeg’s recent slide, Milic could provide the spark the team needs to rally around and secure a much-needed victory.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Chicago Blackhawks are playing well above expectations so far this year. Lately, lead protection has led to a slump, leaving them at 10-8-5 for 25 standings points. This total had them just one spot below the playoff line on American Thanksgiving. 

Next up for them is a Black Friday matchup against the 7-12-4 (18 points) Nashville Predators. Nashville found themselves in 32nd place of the 32-team NHL on Thanksgiving, which has become quite the milestone for teams to be in a good spot when evaluating playoff odds. 

Special Night At United Center

Fans attending this game are in for a treat. This will be the on-ice debut of Chicago’s newest black jersey. It has been over a decade since the team had a black alternate sweater, and it’s finally back. Fans are expected to wear black in an effort to create a blackout atmosphere for the game. There will be a lot of energy in the building, with it also being a Friday night of a holiday weekend. 

There is a hat giveaway to the first 2,000 fans who enter the Atrium, which will open at 4:30 CT. The United Center doors will open at 5:30. It is recommended that you be in your seat by 6:45. 

see you at the UC!🖤

(wear black!!!) pic.twitter.com/A4XP1KBNmw

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 28, 2025

Scouting Nashville 

The Predators are struggling this year, but they still have great top players who can make a difference on every shift. They signed stars like Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault last summer to join players who have been there for a while in Filip Forsberg, Juuse Saros, and Roman Josi. They also have Ryan O'Reilly, who drives everything in their top-six. 

Stamkos-O'Reilly-Evangelista

Forsberg-Haula-Marchessault

Bunting-McCarron-Wiesblatt

Svechkov-Wood

Hague-Josi

Skjei-Perbix

Stastney-Blankenburg

Wilsby

Saros

Like the Blackhawks, Nashville is prepared to dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen. Changes are coming to the Predators organization soon, but they can still present a challenge on the ice. 

Projected Blackhawks Lines, Defense Pairs, and Starting Goalie

The Blackhawks are going to be getting Andre Burakovsky back in the lineup on Friday. He was a game-time decision on Wednesday, but ultimately didn't play.

Now, it is confirmed that he will be on the top line with Connor Bedard and Ryan Greene against the Predators. Tyler Bertuzzi will move down to play with Frank Nazar and Teuvo Teravainen. This version of the top six was magnificent for Chicago before Burakovsky's injury. 

Greene-Bedard-Burakovsky

Bertuzzi-Nazar-Teravainen

Donato-Dickinson-Mikheyev

Moore-Dach

Vlasic-Crevier

Kaiser-Levshunov

Grzelcyk-Murphy

Rinzel

Soderblom

Arvid Soderblom is going to be back in the net for the Blackhawks against the Predators. He last played in Chicago's 9-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, so he is looking for a bounce-back performance. 

If the Blackhawks go 11/7, it will likely be without Sam Lafferty and Landon Slaggert. Oliver Moore and Colton Dach will likely get shifts with Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar throughout the night, which could lead to some depth chances. 

How To Watch

The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game in the Chicagoland area, it can be seen on CHSN. Nationally, it can be streamed on ESPN+. The puck will drop at 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.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss more big topics in the NHL and beyond.

Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed:

0:50: Could this year's Colorado Avalanche become the best regular-season team ever? And what is the key factor making them such a force this season?

5:13: To rebuild or not to rebuild? That's the question surrounding the Calgary Flames, Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks. Let's answer the question for each of them.

9:34: The Anaheim Ducks are finally starting to see some payoff from their rebuild. Should they take advantage of a strong start to get upgrades in the trade market right now? 

12:49: The Flyers are sitting just outside a wild-card spot right now. Do the Flyers have enough to help push themselves up in the standings? 

17:08: Kevin Weekes reported that Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry is one of the goalies drawing significant interest as an option for the Edmonton Oilers. Is Jarry a good solution to the Oilers' goalie struggles? Who else do we think they could be targeting? 

22:47: The Montreal Canadiens have claimed forward Sammy Blais off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Thoughts on this move by Montreal? 

BetMGM Playbook 

26:19: Odds for the five most likely Stanley Cup finalists. We share the five odds of what teams will play in the Stanley Cup final. Out of these matchups, which one is the most likely to actually happen? 

27:35: Which of the matchups would be the most exciting to watch? 

30:50: What matchup is your personal pick for the Stanley Cup final? 

Rapid Fire 

33:46: Which team has the most to be thankful for right now?

35:36: What do you like more: afternoon games or evening games?

38:47: The next NHL expansion team will cost $2 billion. If you had $2 billion lying around, would you pay that? And where would you want the team to be?

40:38: Yay or nay: a player shouldn't have fun the night after a loss

Should The Flames, Canucks And Predators Rebuild? by The Big Show

Watch the full episode on YouTube

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.

As reported yesterday, according to Pierre LeBrun, the Montreal Canadiens are interested in Nashville Predators’ center Ryan O’Reilly. Given how well O’Reilly is playing and the kind of leadership and experience he provides, that’s hardly surprising. However, as one of the top options available on the market, he won’t be cheap.

LeBrun believes the price could be a first-round pick and an A-level prospect. The first-round pick part shouldn’t be an issue for the Canadiens. As long as they manage to get back in a respectable shape, their first-round pick shouldn’t be too high, and nowhere near the Gavin McKenna territory, but who does Barry Trotz consider an A-level prospect in the Canadiens’ organization?

Canadiens: Demidov Reaches Important Milestone
Canadiens: For Better Or For Worse
NHL Rumors: Should Canadiens Bring Back Maple Leafs Forward?

Would he be interested in David Reinbacher? Jacob Fowler? Adam Engstrom? As things stand and given how things have gone since he was drafted, Reinbacher’s value is probably lower than it should be. The Habs' depth at right-shot defensemen isn't great, and trading him away for a temporary fix at center wouldn’t be excellent asset management.

Given how things are unfolding in the crease right now, Fowler seems like an untouchable player for the Canadiens’ management. Even if the Canadiens are not relying as much on their goaltenders as they once were because they are more productive offensively, having a game breaker in net is a crucial part of a winning team. Even if O’Reilly would be a massive addition to the Canadiens’ lineup, I can’t see a world in which Kent Hughes is willing to sacrifice Fowler to get him.

Then, there’s Engstrom, who’s been playing some incredible hockey in the AHL, earned himself a call-up and a first game in the NHL this past week. Was that because the Canadiens want to keep the likes of Jayden Struble and Arber Xhekaj on their toes, or does the Habs’ brass want to showcase him? This could be an intriguing possibility.

Perhaps Nashville would also want to test the water on Michael Hage and Alexander Zharovsky (he was drafted as a winger but has played as a center in the KHL this year). Still, it would make little sense to flip future possible centers for one that will be around for a season and a half or so.

I don’t see a possibility for a player like Owen Beck, Joshua Roy or Sean Farrell being enough to convince Trotz to send his most prized asset to Montreal, but could he be tempted to roll the dice on the often-injured Kaiden Guhle? Granted, he’s not a prospect anymore, but when he is playing, he’s incredibly useful to the team, and he's signed to a very team-friendly contract: he’s committed to four more seasons with a $5.55 M cap hit. Is Trotz a bit of a beating man? Time will tell…

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

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